Cor. 3.6 not of the Letter but of the Spirit for the Letter doth kill the Spirit doth quicken some men doe thence gather That we are to heare not what the written word of God soundeth but what the Spirit speaketh by the Church in our hearts Yea there hath growne an opinion heretofore That the Grammaticall and Literall meaning of the Scripture is pernicious except all be transformed into allegories But a manifold Paralogisme in this argument doth easily appeare Two significations of the word Letter if it be considered what the Letter and the Spirit signifieth in Paul for that all the doctrine and knowledge touching God as also the outward observation of the Law in those that are not regenerate is called the Letter by the Apostle and the Spirit signifieth 1. The holy Ghost himselfe Three significations of the word Spirit 2. The true doctrine concerning God when the holy Ghost is of force and efficacy by it 3. Faith and conversion and motions pleasing God being kindled of the holy Ghost through the Word as it appeares by the words going before For for that which here he saith The proofes of both significations Vers 2 3. That he was made of God a Minister not of the Letter but of the Spirit he said before That the Epistle of Christ was ministred by him and written not with inke but with the Spirit of the living God in tables of the heart that is that his preaching was not in vaine but of force and efficacy in the hearts of men the holy Ghost working by it And in like manner he calleth the ceremony without conversion Circumcision in the Letter Rom. 2.27 29. but conversion it selfe Circumcision of the heart in the Spirit Walk in newnesse of Spirit Rom. 7.9 and not in the oldnesse of the Letter that is in true holinesse such as is begun by the Spirit in the regenerate not in the sin and hypocrisie of them who know verily the will of God and make practice also of outward discipline and behaviour but remaine without faith and conversion Wherefore first as the doctrine by the fault of men and not of it selfe 1 Answ The Letter killeth not of it selfe but by an accident remaineth only the Letter so also not of it own nature but because of the corruption of men it killeth that is it terrifieth mens minds with the judgement of God and doth stirre up a murmuring and hatred against God as we are plainly taught by the Apostle Rom. 7.12 13 14. The Law is holy and the Commandement is holy and just and good Was that then which is good made death unto mee God forbid But sin that it might appeare sin wrought death in mee by that which is good that sin might be out of measure sinfull by the commandement For we know that the Law is spirituall but I am carnall sold under sin But the proper effect of the Scripture is to quicken men that is to lighten them with the true knowledge of God and to move them to the love of God 2 Cor. 2.15 As it is said We are unto God the sweet savour of Christ in them that are saved and in them which perish c. Answ It killeth as it is without the Spirit Albeit the Letter that is the doctrine without that spirituall motion killeth yet the operation of the holy Ghost accompanying it when now it is not the Letter but the Spirit and power of God to salvation unto every one that beleeveth it doth not kill but quicken as it is said Thy word quickneth me Wherefore Psal 119. that the Letter kill us not we must not cast away the Scripture but the stubbornnesse of our hearts and desire of God that he would let his doctrine be in us and others not the Letter but the Spirit that is that he would forcibly move our hearts by it and turne them to him Answ The Spirit quickneth agreeing with the Word That it is added that the Spirit quickneth that calleth us not away from the Scripture to other opinions or revelations For that Spirit quickneth which dissenteth not from the Scripture but teacheth and mindeth the same which he hath uttered in the Scripture But that Spirit which leadeth men away from the Scripture it quickneth not but may be said much more truly to kill then the Letter that is not by an accident or externall cause but of it owne nature For the spirit of Antichrist is a lyar and a murtherer and therefore be it accursed unto us Answ The Apostles mis-construed by them They who by the Letter understand either the characters of letters or the proper and literall sense whether it be of the whole Scripture or of those speeches which are allegorically and figuratively spoken and by the Spirit the interpretation of these speeches it is manifest that they swerve far from the mind of Paul both by those things which have been spoken concerning the meaning of Paul and also because not only every sentence of Scripture whether it be proper of figurative but also every interpretation of it is and remaineth the killing Letter except the quickning force of the holy Ghost come unto it Wherefore sith that neither for interpretation nor revelation nor authority nor any other pretence it is lawfull leaving the Scripture of the Prophets and Apostles to depart to whatsoever decrees of Religion which are not confirmed by the testimony of the Scripture let us hear it as an Oracle sounding from heaven bringing to the reading thereof not minds fore-stalled neither with opinions conceived either of our owne braines or else-where neither with affections neither with prejudices but the love of God and a desire of knowing the truth So shall it come to passe that both wee shall know the true meaning of the Scripture and by it godlinesse and sure and sound comfort shall be kindled in us and great increase 7. How manifold the course is of teaching and learning the doctrine of the Church THere is a threefold order or there are three parts of the study of Divinity The first is a Catecheticall institution 1 Catechising or a summary and briefe explication of Christian doctrine and the chiefe generall points thereof which is called Catechisme This part is necessary for all men because both the learned and unlearned ought to know the foundation of Religion 2 Handling of Common places The second is an handling of Common places or Common places which containe a larger explication of every point and of hard questions together with their definitions divisions reasons and arguments Poure especiall uses of Schoole Divinity This part properly appertaineth unto the Schooles of Divinity and is necessary The understanding of principall points of divinity That they who are trained up in Schooles and may one day be called to teach in the Church may more easily and fully understand the whole body of Divinity For as in other Arts and
misery is his wretched estate since the fall consisting of two great evils 1. That mans nature through sin is corrupted and averted from God 2. That for this corruption it is guilty of an eternall malediction and rejected of God 2 Whence our misery is known Rom. 3.20 Deut. 27.26 We have a knowledge of this misery out of the Law of God By the Law cometh the knowledge of sin saith Saint Paul And it is the voice of the Law Cursed is he that fulfilleth not all the words of this Law Now by what meanes the Law yeeldeth us the knowledge of our misery the two next Questions which follow in order shall declare Quest 4. What doth the Law of God require of us Answ That doth Christ summarily teach us Matth. 23. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart with all thy soule with all thy mind and with all thy strength This is the first and the great Commandement and the second is like unto this Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy selfe On these two Commandements hangeth the whole Law and the Prophets a Deut. 6.5 Levit. 19.18 Mar. 12.30 Luk. 10.27 The Explication THis summe of the Law Christ rehearseth Mat. 22.37 and Luke 10. out of Deut. 6.5 Levit. 19.18 And he expresseth what is meant by that Cursed is he that fulfilleth not the whole Law that is to say who loveth not God with all his heart with all his soul with all his mind and with all his strength and his neighbour as himselfe The which severall clauses are particularly to be unfolded more at large Thou shalt love the Lord thy God To love God with all the heart c. is on due acknowledgement of his infinite goodnesse reverently to regard him and to account him our principall and chiefest blisse and for this cause to love him above all things to rejoyce in him to relye on him to preferre his glory before all things that there be not found in us not so much as the least thought inclination or appetite of any thing that may displease him and rather to part from that which is dearest unto us and partake of any grievous calamity whatsoever then suffer our selves to be separated from communion with him or any way offend him Lastly to direct all our actions to this end that he alone may be glorified by us The Lord thy God As if hee should say Thou shalt love that God who is the Lord and thy God who is revealed unto thee who conferreth his manifold benefits upon thee and whom thou art bound to serve It is therefore an Antithesis or opposition of the true God against false gods With all thy heart By the Heart in this place is understood all the affections inclinations and appetites or desires Whereas then God requireth our whole heart his meaning is that he will have himselfe alone to be acknowledged and reckoned our soveraign and supreme God and to be loved above all things that our whole heart rest on him and not part thereof to be yeelded unto him and part unto another Nay his will is that we match and compare nothing with him much lesse preferre and admit to share or partake one jot in his love This the Scripture calleth to walk before God with a perfect heart whose contrary is Not to walk before God with a perfect heart to wit to halt and yeeld himself by halfes unto God Object God alone is to be loved therefore we ought not to love our neighbours parents and kinsfolkes Answ It is a Sophisme which Logicians call a fallacy of accident when we argue from the deniall of the manner of any thing to the simple and absolute deniall of the thing it selfe As in this present example God is chiefly to be loved and above all things that is in such manner that there be nothing at all which we either prefer or equall with him and which for his sake we are not ready presently to forgo We ought to love our neighbour our parents and other things also but not chiefly not above God not so that we rather chuse to offend God then our parents but after God and for God With all thy soule By the Soule he comprehendeth that part which is willing to any thing or the motions of the will therefore he meaneth with thy whole will and purpose With all thy cogitations By the Cogitations he understandeth the mind and understanding as if he should say So much as thou knowest of God so much also shalt thou love him But thou shalt bend all thy cogitations and thoughts to know God perfectly and aright and so shalt thou love him For so much as we know of God so much also doe we love him Now we love him imperfectly 1 Cor. 13.10 because we know him but in part in the life to come we shall know him perfectly therefore wee shall love him perfectly and that which is in part shall be abolished With all thy strength He meaneth all actions both inward and outward that they be agreeable to the Law of God Why the love of God is called the first Commandement This is the first and greatest Commandement The love of God is called the first Commandement because it is the spring and fountaine of all the rest that is the impulsive efficient and finall cause of obedience in all the rest For we therefore love our neighbour because we love God and that we may declare in the love of our neighbour that we love God In like manner it is called the greatest Commandement 1. Because the object which it immediately respecteth and considereth is the greatest object Why it is called the greatest Commandement even God himselfe 2. Because it is the end whereunto all the other Commandements are directed For our whole obedience hath this onely end that we shew our love towards God and honour his name 3. Because that is the principall worship of God whereunto the ceremoniall worship was to yeeld and give place For the Pharisees extolled the Ceremoniall law above the Morall Contrariwise Christ calleth love the greatest Commandement and preferreth the Morall law before the Ceremoniall because Ceremonies were appointed for love and are to vaile and submit themselves unto it Object Love is the greatest Commandement therefore love is greater then faith therefore love justifieth rather then faith Answ Love is here taken in generall for our whole obedience which we owe unto God A distinction of love and faith under which Faith is comprehended which faith justifieth not of it selfe as it is a vertue in man but with relation and reference to her object I meane the merit of Christ as it appeareth and applieth to it selfe that merit But that love which in speciall is properly called love is not the same with faith neither justifieth it because Christs justice is applied unto us nor by love but by faith alone The second is like unto this Thou shalt love thy neighbour
instrument of the holy Ghost to worship God 4. Seeing that God would have mankind to consist of two sexes each is to have his due place and honour neither is the weaker to be contemned or oppressed by tyranny or lust or to be entertained with injuries and contumelies but justly to be governed and protected 5. But especially seeing man was created to the image and likenesse of God this great glory is to be acknowledged and celebrated with thankfull minde neither through our lewdnesse and malice is the image and likenesse of God to be transformed into the image and likenesse of Satan neither to be destroyed either in our selves or others 6. And seeing it is destroyed by sinne through our own fault wee must acknowledge and bewaile the greatnesse of this unthankfulnesse and the evils which followed by comparing therewith those good things which we have lost 7. We must earnestly desire the restoring of this felicity and glory 8. And because the glory and blessednesse which is restored unto us by the Son of God is greater then that which wee lost in Adam so much the more must the desire of thankfulnesse and of profiting and increasing in godlinesse be kindled in us 9. And seeing we heare that all things were created for the use of man and that the dominion over the creatures lost in Adam is restored unto us in Christ we must magnifie the bountifulnesse of God toward us we must aske all things of him as being our Creatour and soveraigne Lord who hath the right and power of giving all good things to whom and how far he will himselfe and use those things which are granted to our use with a good conscience and to the glory of God who gave them 10. And that this may be done we must not by infidelity cast our selves out of that right which we receive in Christ and if God of his owne power and authority either give us lesse then wee would or take away from us that which he hath given wee must submit our selves patiently to his just purpose as most profitable for our salvation 11. And seeing the soule is the better part of man and the happiness of the body dependeth on the happinesse of the soule and seeing also we are created to immortall life we ought to have a greater care of those things which belong to the soule and eternall life then of those things which belong unto the body and this temporall life 12. And at length seeing the end and blessednesse of man is the participation and communicating of God his knowledge and worship let us ever tend unto it and referre thither all our life and actions 13. And seeing we see one part of mankind to be vessels of wrath to shew the justice and severity of God against sin let us be thankfull to God sith of his meere and infinite goodnesse he would have us to be vessels of mercy to declare through all eternity the riches of his glory 14. Last of all that we may learne consider and begin these things in this life let us to our power tender and help forward the common society and salvation of others for which we are borne OF SIN IN GENERALL The speciall questions of sin in generall are these 1 Whether sin be or whence it appeareth to be in the world and in us 2 What sin is 3 How many kinds of sins there are 4 Whence sin is what be the causes therof 5 What be the effects of sin 1 Whether sin be in us THat sin is not only in the world but in us also we are divers waies convinced We know that sin is in us By Gods owne testimony Gen. 6.5 18.21 Jer. 17.9 Rom. 1.21 3.10 7.18 Psal 14. 53. Isa 59. By Gods divine testimony which pronounceth us all guilty of sin and we are to give credence unto Gods assertion sith he is the searcher of hearts and truest eye-witness of our actions By Gods Law Rom. 3.20 4.15 5.20 7.7 By the Law of God sin is fully knowne as before in the third and fifth Questions of the Catechism hath been at large declared according to those texts of Scripture By the Law cometh the knowledge of sin The Law causeth wrath for where no Law is there is no transgression The Law entred thereupon that the offence should abound I knew not sin but by the Law By conscience and the law of nature Rom. 1.19 1.14 By conscience which convinceth us of sin for God besides the written Law reserved unto us certain generall notions and principles of the law of Nature imprinted in our understanding sufficient to accuse and condemn us Forasmuch as that which may be known of God is manifest in them The Gentiles doe by nature the things contained in the Law and shew the effect of the Law written in their hearts their conscience also bearing witnesse and their thoughts accusing one another or excusing 4. The punishment and death whereunto all men are subject and enthralled Nay our Church-yards places of buriall and of execution are as so many Sermons of sin because God being just inflicteth not punishment on any but for sin Rom. 5.12 Rom. 6.23 Deut. 27.26 as saith the Scripture Death went over all men forasmuch as all men have sinned Again The wages of sin is death Also Cursed is every one that confirmeth not all the words of this law to doe them The use of this question is The use of the doctrine of sinne is 1 To worke in us Humility and Repentance That we may thence exercise our selves continually in humiliation and repentance 2 To withstand Anabaptists That we detest and withstand the outrages of Anabaptists and Libertines who deny that there is any sin in them contrary to the express word of God If we say we have no sinne we deceive our selves and contrary to all experience For they both commit many things which God in his law pronounceth to be sins 1 John 1.8 howsoever themselves falsly and blasphemously tearm them the motions of the holy Spirit and live also in misery no lesse subject to death and diseases then other men which truly were they no sinners were flat against that precise rule Where there is no sin there is no death But it is demanded Object whether wee have not a knowledge of our sinne by the Gospel also For The Gospel charging us to seek for righteousnesse not in our selves but without our selves even in Christ pronounceth us sinners Therefore by the Gospel also wee have knowledge of our sinne and not by the law alone Answ The Gospel pronounceth us sinners but not in speciall as doth the Law How the knowledge of sin cometh by the Gospel neither doth it purposely teach what or how manifold sinne is what sinne deserveth c. which is the property of the Law but it executeth this function onely in generall and lesse principally and presupposing the whole
Christ already exhibited dead and raised again from the dead and sitting at the right hand of his Father as now it is but it was a preaching of Christ which should hereafter be exhibited and perform all these things Notwithstanding there was a Gospel that is some glad tidings of the benefits of the Messias to come sufficient to the Fathers to salvation according as it is said Abraham saw my day and rejoyced To him bear all the Prophets witnesse c. John 8.56 Acts 10.43 Rom. 10.4 and 16.25 Ephes 3.5 Christ is the end of the Law Object 2. The same Apostle Paul saith that The Gospel is the mystery which was kept secret since the world began and that In other ages it was not opened unto the sons of men Answ This reason hath in it a fallacie of division as Logicians call it dis-membring and dis-joyning those things which are to be joyned for the Apostle in the same place presently addeth as it is now which clause is not to be omitted because it sheweth that in former times it was also known though not so plainly and to fewer speciall men then now it is It is also a fallacy in affirming that simply to be said so which was so said but in some respect for it followeth not that it was simply and meerly unknown then or utterly covered and hidden because now it is more cleerly and that by more particular persons discerned for it was known unto the Fathers though not so distinctly known as it is now unto us The one signifieth the promise of Christ to come the other the preaching of Christ already come John 1.18 And hither properly belongeth the distinction and difference of the words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 above expounded Ob. 3. The Law was given by Moses grace and truth by Jesus Christ Therefore the Gospel was not from the beginning Ans Grace and truth did appear by Christ exhibited and manifested to wit in respect of the fulfilling of the types and ful performance and plentiful application of those things which of ancient were promised in the old Testament But hereof it followeth not that they in the old Testament were destitute of this grace for unto them also was the same grace effectually applyed by Christ and for Christ but being as yet to be manifested hereafter in the flesh and therefore more sparingly and faintly then unto us Whatsoever grace and true knowledge of God was ever in any men they had it by Christ Joh. 1.18 14.6 15.5 as the Scripture saith No man hath seen God at any time the only begotten Son which is in the bosome of the Father he hath declared him unto us No man cometh to the Father but by me Without me ye can do nothing Repl. But hee saith The law was given by Moses Therefore not the Gospel Ans The law is said to be given by Moses because this was chiefly belonging to his office that hee should publish the law though withall he taught the Gospel albeit more obscurely and sparingly as hath been already proved But it was Christs chief function to publish the Gospel albeit he also taught the law but not principally as did Moses for he purged the morall law from corruptions by rightly interpreting it and did write it by the working of his holy Spirit in the hearts of men he fulfilled the ceremoniall law and together with the judiciall law abrogated the same 3. How the Gospel differeth from the Law Four differences between the Law and the Gospel THe Law and the Gospel agree in this that each doctrine proceeded from God and that in both of them is entreated of the nature of God and of his will and works howbeit there is a very great difference between them both 1 The Law knowne by the light of nature Rom. 2.15 In their revealings or in the manner of their revealing The knowledge of the Law was graffed and engendred in the minds of men in the very creation and therefore is known unto all although there were no more revealing of it The Gentiles have the effect of the law written in their hearts The Gospel is not known by nature but is peculiarly revealed from heaven to the Church alone by Christ our Mediatour The Gospel known by the light of grace only For no creature could have seen or hoped for that mitigation of the law touching satisfaction for our sins by another of which we have before entreated except the Son had revealed it Matt. 11.27 16.17 John 1.18 No man knoweth the Father but the Son and he to whom the Son will reveal him Flesh and bloud hath not revealed it unto thee The only begotten Son which is in the bosome of the Father he hath declared him The law teacheth what we ought to be but not how we may be as wee ought The Gospel teacheth how wee may be In the very kind of doctrine or in the subject or matters which they deliver for the law teacheth us what we ought to be and what we stand bound to perform to God but it administreth us no ability of performing this duty neither pointeth it out the means by which we may become such as it requireth us to be but the Gospel sheweth the means whereby wee may be made such as the law requireth for it offereth unto us the promise of grace touching Christs righteousnesse imputed unto us by faith no otherwise then if it were properly our own teaching us that we by this imputation of Christs righteousnesse are reputed just before God Matt. 18.28 Luke 10.28 Mark 5.36 The Law saith Restore that thou owest Do this and live The Gospel saith Only beleeve The law requireth our righteousness the Gospel admitteth of anothers Levit. 18.5 Matth. 19.17 The Law and the Gospel are not contrary In the promises the Law promiseth life to them that are just and righteous in themselves or with a condition of our own righteousnesse and perfect obedience performed by us He that doth them shall live in them If thou wilt enter into life keep the commandements The Gospel promiseth the same life to them that are justified by faith in Christ or with condition of anothers righteousnesse to wit Christs applied unto us by faith Neither for these respects are the Law and the Gospel at ods one with the other for albeit the Law will that thou keep the commandements if thou wilt enter into life yet doth it not shut thee from everlasting life if another fulfill the Law for thee for it verily setteth downe one way of satisfying for sins namely by thy selfe but it doth not exclude the other that is satisfying by another as hath been heretofore shewed Rom. 3.20 4.15 2 Cor. 3.6 The Law is the ministery of death In effects The Law without the Gospel is the letter which killeth and the ministery of death By the Law cometh the knowledge of sin The
and his will 8. And in this his Church towards his chosen Angels and men to whom by his Son he giveth life and glory everlasting And further whom he is angry with and on whom he inflicteth punishment he is not angry with their substance or nature which himself created but with that corruption which came by other means to his divine work Rom. 1.18 The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodlinesse Object No creature visible is subject to so many evils as man Therefore he is not bountifull towards men Answ He is subject to these evils by an accident that is because of sin but withall he is enriched above other creatures with great blessings even when hee is out of the Church but is most happy and blessed if he repent For what cause God is said to be most free Most free God also alone is most free because he alone by nature is such 1. That no fault or misery can fall upon him 2. Neither can he be constrained of any 3. Neither is he bound to any 4. Neither is he subject or tyed to the rule or lore of another Wherefore whatsoever he willeth and doth that hee willeth and doth himselfe most freely when as much and in what manner he will and what he will that is most good and just But here chiefly is considered the freedome of will or liberty from constraint which is the power and ability whereby God without any necessity hath from everlasting decreed the whole order of creation preservation and rule of all things and doth accomplish the same not being constrained or tyed to other causes yet so that he never swerveth from his rightnesse To this bear witnesse his miracles and many examples of deliveries and punishments and many places of Scripture as Whatsoever pleased the Lord that did hee in the heaven and earth Psal 135.6 in the sea and in all the depth It is not hard to the Lord to save with many or with few 1 Sam 14.6 Object 1. That without which second causes which worke necessarily cannot worke doth it selfe also work necessarily Without the first cause which is God second causes which necessarily worke cannot work Therefore the first cause also which is God worketh together with them necessarily Answ The Major is true of such causes as work with absolute necessity but it is false of such as work only of a conditionall necessity that is because it so pleased God who notwithstanding could move them otherwise or else at all not move them or not so much as make them that they should work and should worke after that manner which they do work Therefore all second causes depend on the first but not the first any way on the second Object 2. God is unchangeably good Therefore not freely good Ans This unchangeablenesse doth not diminish but establish the liberty of Gods will for it is not the unchangeablenesse of a nature but constraint and coaction which is contrary to liberty and so much the more freely the will chuseth with how much the greater and surer force and motion it is carried unto her object Object 3. It is said also of particular events that God can only will those things which are best But only those things which he hath decreed are best Therefore he cannot will other things But answer is made to the Minor What things God hath decreed those are best not before but after his decree for Gods will being the rule and square of rightnesse therefore are all things good because hee willeth them Wherefore if hee would have from everlasting had any other thing that then should have been best As that Joseph should be sold and made lord of Egypt and give sustenance to his fathers family was best because God would so Now if God would have any other way exercised Joseph and taken vengeance on his brethren that should then have been the best It followeth therefore that God willeth no other thing after he hath once decreed what he will have done but that hee was able from everlasting to have decreed some other thing for whatsoever he would that from everlasting he would most freely Object 4. Some places of Scripture seem to intimate that the will of God may be sometimes hindered by his creatures as I desire not the death of the wicked Ezek. 33.11 Mat. 23.37 How often would I have gathered thee and thou wouldest not Answ These and the like places only shew with what God is delighted and to what he inviteth and calleth all but not what by his mercy and Spirit he hath purposed to work in every one Wherefore this doctrine of the liberty and free will of God let us diligently maintain that both the glory of God may be vindicated from Stoicall blasphemies and in us faith hope invocating on God and sedulity and earnestnesse in performing our duty may be established if acknowledging God most freely to govern all his creatures we be neither secure in prosperity nor in adversity doe cast away hope and good endeavours The anger of God against sin Angry and wroth with sin Lastly in the description of Gods nature is put That he is angry and wroth with offences and sins which horrible anger and wrath of God whereby hee detesteth and punisheth all sins although all the wicked at length too late perceive and have experience of when they rush into eternall despaire yet such his displeasure and indignation as God will have to be knowne they cannot so much as conceive who are without the Church seeing they neither judge all those evils to be sins which God in his law threatneth hee will punish with everlasting torments neither know the death and punishment of the Son of God then which God could not shew a greater token and argument of his anger against sin The elect and chosen alone are throughly moved by a right and saving knowledge thereof gathered out of Gods punishments and threatnings to conversion and the fear of God But the greatnesse of it no man can fully conceive according as it is said Psal 90.11 Who knoweth the power of thy wrath An Admonition to the Reader CHristian and courteous Reader whereas in the conference of the two copies I found in the former a large Paraphrase delivered by Uâ—sinus on the description of God and in the latter a brief Abstract thereof collected by David Pareus I judged it meet to retain the Paraphrase for help of weaker understandings and to adjoyn the Abridgement for help of weaker memories If on this advertisement thou advisedly peruse both the one and the other I hope the fruit of both will be neither to thee nor me lost labour A briefe Epitome or Abridgement of the former large Explication of the description of God GOd is an essence That is a thing which hath his being from none but himself and is preserved and sustained of none but subsisteth by himselfe and is the only cause unto
punishing them his justice and partly to shew in pardoning them his mercy Gal. 3.22 Rom. 9.17 The Scripture hath concluded all under sin c. For the same purpose have I stirred thee up c. But in the mean season the forsaking of his creature or depriving him of divine light and rightnesse and the action it selfe which divels and men sinning doe against the law and will of God hee notwithstanding by his generall providence and efficacy willeth and moveth but to such an end as doth best agree with his nature law justice and goodnesse whether it be known or unknown to us Therefore sins are truly said to be done not by the will or working but by the permission of God The word permission in this place is to be retained because both it and others of the same force are sometimes found in the Scripture Gen. 20.6 31.7 Judg. 3.1 Psam 105.14 Acts 14.16 as Therefore suffered I thee not to touch her God suffered him not to hurt mee He suffered no man to do them wrong These now are the nations which the Lord left that hee might prove Israel by them Who in times past suffered all the Gentiles to walk in their own wayes But yet wee must expound it aright out of the Scriptures lest wee detract from God a great part of the government of the world and humance affairs For God neither willeth nor willeth not sins simply but in some respect hee willeth and in some respect he willeth not but only permitteth them Which that it may the better be understood Sin is alwayes both in a good subject and to a good end directed by God we must know that in every sin or evill of crime are two things namely The materiall or subject and the formall that is the corruption it selfe or defect of rightnesse sticking and inherent in the subject The subject is a thing positive or a thing in nature as an inclination action and therefore doth it partake of the nature of good and is wrought and moved by God But corruption is not wrought by God but came unto the subject by the will of divels and men forsaking God Wherefore no sin can be or be imagined which is not in some good thing and had adjoyned unto it some consideration and respect of good Otherwise God for his infinite goodnesse would not suffer it to be done neither should it be desired of any neither should at all be so that it is truly said That there cannot be put any thing which is the chief and extreme evill that is such as doth take away good wholly for it should not be desired but under some shew and apparency that it had of good neither should it have a subject wherein to be and so should destroy it self But albeit evill is alwayes joyned with good Sin alwayes is to be discerned from good and doth concurre with it in the same actions or inclinations yet these two things are diligently to be severed and discerned neither is the work of the Creatour to be confounded with the work of the creature sinning lest either God thereby be made the cause of sin or the greatest part of the government of the world and humane affairs be taken from him In sin God effectually willeth Hereby may we understand How far forth God willeth sin and how hee willeth not but permitteth it The subject or matter He willeth therefore sins As concerning their matter that is the actions themselves of men sinning motions and inclinations to objects as they are only such God willeth worketh and directeth them for both they partake of the nature of good and if God simply would them not they should not at all be done The ends As concerning the ends whereunto God destineth those actions which are sins that is he willeth the actions of sinners as they are the punishments of the wicked or chastisements or tryals or martyrdomes of the godly or the sacrifice of the Son of God for the sins of men But these ends are most good and most agreeing with the nature justice and goodnesse of God Therefore God the first cause of all good willeth intendeth and worketh these in the sins or actions of the wicked and by a consequent also the actions themselves which the wicked doe in sinning and by which as means God attaineth to those ends The forsaking of his creatures As concerning the withdrawing of his grace that is his divine light and rightnesse This withdrawing is an action proper to God namely his eternall and forcible working will destining whom it will to be forsaken It is also just and holy because God is bound to none and because it is either the exploration tryall of the creature or the punishment of sinne And this withdrawing once being put the inclinations motions and actions of the creature cannot but erre and swerve from the law of God and be sins Now as the inclinations The corruption of the action or inclination God will not but permitteth motions and actions of sinners are sins that is are repugnant to order and nature and swerve from the law of God because they are done without the knowledge of Gods will purpose of obeying him so God neither willeth nor ordaineth nor alloweth nor commandeth nor worketh nor furthereth them but forbiddeth condemneth punisheth and suffereth them to be committed of his creatures and to concurre with his most just decrees judgments and works thereby to shew how necessary and needfull for the creature is the grace of the holy Ghost to flye sin and to manifest his justice and power in punishing sin Wherefore the permission of sin is no idle permission or a cessation ceasing of Gods providence and working in the actions of the wicked as if they did depend only upon the will of the creature but this permission is of efficacy and worketh It is permission as concerning the formall cause of sin that is corruption it selfe which the creature hath of it selfe not by any affection or working of God but it is of efficacy and working as concerning the motion and actions of the creature sinning which God effectually willeth and moveth as also concerning the withdrawing of his grace and the ends whereunto he destineth directeth and bringeth the actions of them that sin Three causes why God is said to permit sinne God then is said to permit sin 1. Because his will whereby he will have some one worke done by a reasonable creature hee doth not make knowne unto him 2. Because he doth not correct and incline the will of the creature to obey in that worke his divine will that is to doe it to that end which God will by either generall or speciall commandement These two are signified when God is said to withdraw from his creature his grace or speciall working to forsake him to deprive him of light or rightnesse or of conformity with the law to leave him in naturall blindnesse
truth figuratively uttered The contrary vices either to move or delight others without bitternesse and keeping the circumstances of place time and persons The extremes in the excesse are In excesse Scurrility Scurrility Dicacity Dicacity Back biting Backbiting Scurrility is obscene and homely jesting especially in serious matters Scurra that is a scurrilous person is so called from the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifieth dung because he speaketh filthinesse and dung Dicacity or scoffing is a vice of jesting bitterly and of deriding boording and exagitating others but especially such as are miserable Back-biting is a vice which spreadeth false slanders of others construeth doubtfull speeches in the worse part with a desire of revenge and an endeavour to hurt or raise envy The extremes in the defect are Stolidity Stolidity or foolishnesse Sottishnesse Sottishnesse or unsavourinesse Foolishnesse is an untimely affectation of Urbanity In defect Sottishnes is an absurd and unsavoury affectation of Urbanity Now Vrbanity is an especiall gift of the wit but yet may be gotten by experience in matters ON THE 44. SABBATH Quest 113. What doth the tenth Commandement forbid Ans That our hearts be not at any time moved by the least desire or cogitation against any Commandement of God but that continually and from our heart wee detest all sinne and contrarily delight in all righteousnesse a Rom 7.6 The Explication THat the Commandement touching Concupiscence is one and not two That this commandement touching Concupiscence iâ— but one commandement proved against the Papists by foure reasons Exod. 20.17 Deut. 5.21 is manifest 1. By Moses divers rehearsall or transposing and displacing some clauses and members thereof in Exodus and Deuteronomy 2. By Moses conjoyning or comprehending of them both in one verse in both places afore-named 3. By the interpretation of S. Paul who compriseth that whole context verse or sentence of Moses in one Commandement I had not known lust except the Law had said Thou shalt not lust 4. By that that the Papists themselves and others are wont in their Commentaries to joyne the coveting of our neighbours house and wife because indeed they see that for one and the same cause the coveting of our neighbours house wife and all other things that are his are forbidden Whence it followeth that either there is but one commandement touching concupiscence or so many must be reckoned as there are things of our neighbours forbidden to be coveted 5. By the authority of ancient both Jewes and Christian Interpreters whose names are alledged above in the division of the Decalogue The end of this Commandement The scope and end of this tenth Commandement is a rightnesse and inward obedience of all our affections towards God and our neighbour and his goods which must also be observed in the other Commandements Here then some man may say This Commandement is superfluous seeing it requireth no new thing from the rest Answ Nay it is not superfluous because it is added to the former Commandements to be a declaration of them and that universall because this is spoken of the whole in generall and further it is also added to be a rule and levell according to which wee must take and measure the inward obedience of all the other Commandements For in this Commandement is commanded Originall justice or righteousnesse towards God and our neighbour What Originall justice towards God and our neighbour is What Concupiscence is which is the true knowledge of God in our mind and a power inclination and desire in our will and heart and in all our parts to obey God and his knowne will Likewise in this Commandement Concupiscence is forbidden which is an inordinate appetite or a corrupt inclination and pronenesse in the minde will and heart desiring those things that God forbiddeth in his Law Neverthelesse properly originall justice towards our neighbour is here commanded What Originall justice towards our neighbour is which is an inclination and desire to performe unto our neighbour for Gods sake all duties required and to regard and maintaine his safety and welfare There are two extremes of this originall justice towards our neighbour here forbidden What Originall sin towards our neighbour is 1. Originall sin towards our neighbour which is a desire and wishing of those things which hurt our neighbour 2. In the excesse Inordinate love of our neighbour when for his sake wee neglect God Some take Concupiscence and originall sinne to be all one but they differ as an effect differeth from a cause or at least as a part of any thing from the whole For Concupiscence is a propension to those things which are forbidden by the Law How Concupiscence and Originall sin differ Originall sin is the guilt of all mankind the want of the knowledge and will of God We are here to observe that not only corrupt inclinations are sins but also the thinking of evill is sin to wit as the thinking of evill is joyned with a desire of pursuing Concupiscence is sin or doing it Now that Concupiscence is evill and sin albeit it be born with us there is no doubt For we are not to judge according to Nature but according to the Law whether a thing be sin or no For whatsoever is contrary to this is sin be it or be it not born with us The Pelagians denied Concupiscence to be sinne but the Law saith the contrary Thou shalt not covet Rom. 7 7. And Paul saith I knew not sin but by the Law for I had not knowne concupiscence or lust except the Law had said Thou shalt not lust The Pelegians were condemned in many Councels summoned and gathered together for confutation of Pelagius and Celestius their heresies about the yeere of our Lord. 420. and sometime after as in the Milevitane Councell the fifth Councell of Carthage and the Councell of Palaestina in the East The Pelagians chiefe Objections to prove Concupâ—scence to be no sin How Concupiscence is naturall unto us c. Their chiefe Objections are these Object Naturall things are not sin Concupiscence is a naturall thing Therefore it is no sin Ans 1. There is a fallacy of the Accident in the Minor For inordinate concupiscence was not before the fall but happened unto our nature after the fall So then it is Naturall not of it selfe but by accident to wit inasmuch as since the fall it is born and bred with us or it is Naturall that is an evill accident inseparably cleaving to a nature good in it selfe 2. There are foure termes in the Syllogisme by reason of the ambiguity of the word Naturall For in the Major it signifieth a good thing created of God in nature to wit mans appetite before the fall which was not contrary to the Law and will of God In the Minor it signifieth a thing which we have not by creation but which we have purchased unto us after
differ much from ungenerate sinners and this difference is three-fold 1. There is a purpose of God himselfe of saving the regenerate 2. The certaine finall repentance of the regenerate 3. Even in the very sins of the regenerate there remaineth some beginning of true faith and conversion But of the wicked and unregenerate in whom nature is fallen but not restored neither hath God any such purpose as to save them neither is their finall conversion certain neither have they any beginning of true obedience but sinne with their whole heart and will and rush against God and at length perish unlesse they be converted Quest 115. Why will God then have his law to be so exactly and severely preached seeing there is no man in this life who is able to keep it Answ First that all our life time wee more and more acknowledge the great pronenesse of our nature to sin a Rom 3.20 1 John 1.9 Psal 32.5 and so much the more greedily desire remission of sins and righteousnesse in Christ b Mat. 5.6 Rom. 7.24 Secondly that we being doing of this alwaies and alwaies thinking of that implore and crave of the Father the grace of his holy Spirit whereby we may daily more and more be renued to the image and likenesse of God untill at length after we are departed out of this life we may joyfully attain unto that perfection which is proposed unto us c 1 Cor. 9.24 Phil. 3.12 13 14. The Explication WHen question is made concerning the use of Gods Law wee must re-call to minde the difference of each part thereof The use of the Ceremoniall lawes of Moses was Foure uses of the ceremoniall law 1. A training of us unto Christ 1. To serve as a School master to Christ and his Kingdome that is to be a signification of spirituall and heavenly things in Christs Kingdome namely the benefits of Christ towards his Church and the duty of the Church towards God and Christ Galat. 3.24 The Law was our School master to bring us unto Christ that we might be made righteous by faith 2. A distinguishing of the Jewish Church from other Nations 2. To be as visible marks and eminent differences to discerne and sort out the Church of the Jewes from other Nations 3. For exercise of our piety and testification of our obedience toward the Morall Law 3. A testification of our obedience to the Morall law For he that willingly and diligently performes burdensome and unpleasant things if he know the same to be pleasing unto God he then doth shew himselfe to love God and to obey him with a ready mind Therefore saith God to Abraham being now ready to sacrifice his son Now know I that thou fearest God Gen. 22.12 seeing for my sake thou hast not spared thine onely son Acts. 15.10 So the ceremoniall and judiciall ordinances of the Old Testament are called a yoak and servitude 4. A confirmation of faith Gen. 17.11 Rom. 4.11 Exod. 31.17 Ezek. 20.12 Two uses of Moses Judiciall lawes 1. The continuance of that regiment 2. The representation of Christs Kingdome 4. For a confirmation of faith For there were of them certain Sacraments or signes of the Covenant and seales of Grace as Circumcision and the Paschall Lamb which did signifie and testifie what benefits God would give by the Messias unto beleevers The use of the Judiciall or Civill laws was inasmuch as they were the very form of the Mosaicall Common-weale To be as sineâ—es for the sustenance and preservation of that regiment and kingdom untill the coming of the Messias To be types of the goverment of the Church in the Kingdom of Christ seeing the Princes or Kings of that people did no lesse than the Priests represent Christ the High-Priest and King of the Church These uses together with the lawes themselves had their end when the Ceremonies were fulfilled and abrogated by Christs coming and Moses politie or forme of government overthrowne by the Romans The uses of the Morall law are divers according to the foure estates of men I. In nature being not as yet depraved or corrupted through sinne as our nature was uncorrupt and undefiled before the fall there were two especiall uses of Gods Law Two uses of the Morall law in our uncorrupt nature before the fall Full conformity of man with God The whole and entire conformity of man with God For there did shine in the minde of man not yet fallen the perfect knowledge of Gods Law and the same did worke the correspondence and congruity of all our inclinations motions and actions with his divine order and will that is perfect justice and righteousnesse before God A good consciscience A good conscience or a certaine perswasion of Gods favour and a certaine hope of eternall life For when as the law both commandeth perfect obedience and promiseth eternall life to those that performe it therefore by order of Gods justice it worketh in nature uncorrupted as perfect obedience so also certaine expectation of reward according as it is said He that doth them shall live in them Levit. 18.5 Mat. 19.17 If thou wilt enter into life keep the Commandements II. In nature now corrupted and as yet not regenerated by the holy Ghost there are also other two uses of the law Two uses of the Morall law in corruptnatuie Maintenance of discipline within and without the Church The preserving and maintaining of discipline both in the Church and without also For the law both being by God himselfe ingraven in the mindes of all men and speaking by the voice of Teachers and Magistrates doth by binding of the conscience and by denouncing and ordaining of punishments and by shame bridle and restraine the unregenerate also so that they shun open and manifest wickednesse such as are contrary to the judgement of that right reason which is even in the unregenerate and which must be removed before regeneration When the Gentiles which have not the law Rom. 2.14 15. doe by nature the things contained in the law they having not the law are a law unto themselves Which shew the effect of the law written in their hearts their conscience also bearing witnesse and their thoughts accusing one another or excusing The law is given to the lawlesse and disobedient 2 Tim. 1.9 Acknowledgement of sin The acknowledgement of sinne For the law accuseth convinceth and condemneth all the unregenerate because they are unrighteous before God and guilty of eternall damnation Rom. 3.19 10. Wee know that whatsoever the law saith it saith it to them which are under the law that every mouth may be stopped and all the world be culpable before God Therefore by the workes of the law shall no flesh be justified in his sight For by the law cometh the knowledge of sinne I knew not sinne but by the law for I had not knowne lust except the law had said Rom.
7.7 What this knowledge of sin worketh by it selfe in the unregenerate and reprobate Thou shalt not lust This use of the law to wit the knowledge of sin and of the judgement of God against sin of it selfe ingendereth in the unregenerate an hatred of God and an increase of sin For so much the more doth nature not yet regenerated desire to commit and excuse sin how much the more the law urgeth and presseth the prohibition and condemnation of sin The law causeth wrath Sin took an occasion by the commandement Rom. 4.15 7.8 and wrought in mee all maner of concupiscence Moreover if those unregenerate be also reprobate then worketh it at length in them a despaire and blasphemy Therefore it is called the ministery of death But by accident the knowledge of sin is in the Elect a preparing of them to conversion 2 Cor. 3.7 What it worketh by accident in the elect and regenerate to wit God by this means constraining and compelling them to acknowledge their owne unrighteousnesse despaire of any help from themselves and by faith to seek for righteousnesse Gaâ—at 3.21 22. and life in Christ their Mediatour If there had been a law given which could have given life surely righteousnesse should have been by the law But the Scripture hath concluded all under sin that the promise by the faith of Jesus Christ should be given to them which beleeve III. In nature restored by Christ or in the regenerate the uses of the Morall law are many Seven uses of the Morall law in nature restored Maintenance of discipline Maintenance of discipline For although this use of the law doth chiefly belong unto the regenerate who are not bridled by the Law of God and righteousnesse as hath been already shewed but by the feare of punishment only and shame not to make open profession of wickednesse abstaine from sin according to that of the Poet The wicked refuse to sin for feare of punishment yet hath it place also in the godly because for the weaknesse and corruption of the flesh prone to sin it is profitable and necessary that both the threatnings of the law and examples of punishment should be set before them also to keep them in good order For God threatneth even to the Saints if they run into grievous offences grievous punishments If the righteous turne away from his righteousnesse and commit iniquity hee shall die for it Acknowledgement of sin Acknowledgement of sin Ezek. 18.24 For this use though it principally belong to the unregenerate yet it concerneth the regenerate also For even to the regenerate the law is a glasse wherein they may see the defects and imperfection of their nature and it instructeth them continually with due contrition to humble themselves in the sight of God and maketh them to profit and goe forward daily in true conversion unto God and faith in God and that as their renewing increaseth so their prayer should increase wherein they beg and crave to be daily more and more conformable to God and his Law Rom. 7.22 23.24 I delight in the Law of God concerning the inner man but I see another law in my members rebelling against the law of my minde c. O wretched man that I am who shall deliver mee from this body of death Concerning both these uses of the law namely the maintenance of discipline and acknowledgement of sin is that saying of Paul to be understood Gal. 3.24 The law is our School-master unto Christ and that as well in the unregenerate elect as in the regenerate For to the former of these it is a preparation to conversion to the latter an increase of conversion seeing faith cannot be kindled in the heart nor consist therein at all except open and manifest transgressions be eschewed and sins against the conscience avoided 1 John 3.7 8. Let no man deceive you Hee that committeth sin is of the Divell Direction in Gods worship Christian conversion Psal 119. sect 14. vers 1. Jerem. 31.33 Ezek. 11.19 36.26 27. The third use of the Morall law is to be a rale of Gods worship and of Christian conversion Thy word O Lord is a lanthorne unto my feet and alight unto my paths I will put my laws in their inward parts and write them in their hearts This use is proper unto the regenerate For although the law also be unto the unregenerate a rule of their actions before conversion yet to them it is not a rule of worship and thankfulnesse towards God as it is to the regenerate Testimony of God who and what hee is The Morall law delivered and expounded in the Church is a testimony of God that there is a God and likewise who and what hee is Testimony of the true Church and true Religion The voice of the law sounding in the Church is an evident testimony shewing which is the true Church and which is true Religion in the world For seeing in the Church alone the doctrine of the law hath been and now is preserved pure and uncorrupt which all other sects have by assenting to manifest errours and impieties diversly corrupted the voice then of the law which soundeth in the Church is an evident disciphering and declaring which is the people of God and which is true Religion in the world Testimony of the excellency of mans nature before the fail It is a testimony of the excellency of mans nature which was before the fall and originall righteousnesse lost in Adam that is it remembreth us of the Image of God in man which was created in him and which is restored in him by Christ Testimony of eternall life It is a testimony of eternall life to come wherein we shall againe perfectly fulfill the law For the law was given to be observed by men But in this life it is not fulfilled of us Therefore there must needs be yet another life remaining wherein we shall live according to the prescript of the law that so at length the law may be fulfilled of us IV. In nature perfectly restored and glorified after this life although the preaching of the law and the whole Ministery shall cease and have an end yet there shall remain in the Elect a knowledge of the law and there shall shine in them perfect obedience thereunto and full conformity with God Therefore then shall be the same uses of the law which were in nature uncorrupt before the fall The Arguments of Antinomists Libertines and other such like profane Heretikes who maintaine that the law is not to be taught in the Church of Christ OBject 1. That which cannot be kept ought not to be taught because it profiteth nothing The law cannot be kept Therefore it ought not to be taught in Christian Churches Answ 1. This is a fallacy alledging a false cause For the impossibility of perfect obedience of the law in this infirmity of our nature is no sufficient cause why
That the Law and Gospel are the two onely parts of Christian doctrine proved by 4. reasons THE parts of the doctrine of the Church are two the Law and the Gospel in both which the summe of the whole Scriptures is contained The Law is tearmed the Decalogue and the Gospel is the doctrine touching Christ our Mediatour and the free remission of sinnes through faith This division of Church doctrine is clearly demonstrated to be sufficient by these evident arguments 1. All doctrine comprised in sacred writ concerneth either the nature of God or his will or his workes or sinne which is the proper worke of men and divels But of all these we are taught either in the Law or in the Gospel or in both Wherefore the Law and the Gospel are the chiefe generall heads which comprehend all the doctrine of the Scripture 2. Christ himselfe maketh this division of that doctrine which he commandeth to be preached in his name saying So it is written and so it behooved Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day and that in his name should be preached repentance and remission of sins Now the whole summe of all this is delivered in the Law and the Gospel 3. The writings of the Prophets and Apostles doe containe in them the old and new Testament or covenants between God and man Therefore it must needs be that in them is declared what God promiseth and what hee doth unto us to wit his favour remission of sinnes his holy Spirit righteousnesse and life everlasting as also what he requireth of us that is to say Faith and Obedience And these are the things which are taught in the Law and Gospel 4. Christ is the foundation and ground of the whole Scripture and the doctrine of the Law and Gospel is necessary to conduct us to the knowledge of Christ and of his benefits For the Law is our Schoolmaster unto Christ Gal. 3.24 constraining us to flee unto him and shewing us what that justice is which Christ hath recovered and restored unto us The Gospel of purpose amply treateth of the person of Christ his office and benefits Therefore all Scripture and heavenly doctrine is comprehended in the Law and the Gospel 3. Differences of the Law Gospel The maine differences of these two parts of Christian doctrine consist in three things In the matter it selfe In the subject or matter and kind of doctrine which they diliver because the Law is a doctrine prescribing unto men what is to be done and prohibiting whatsoever ought to be left undone whereas the Gospel is a preaching of free remission of sinnes by and through Christ In the manner of revealing In the manner of their revealing because the Law is knowne by nature the Gospel is revealed from above In their promises In their promises because the Law promiseth life with condition of perfect obedience the Gospel promiseth the same life on condition of our stedfast faith in Christ and the inchoation or beginning of new obedience unto God But hereof more shall be spoken hereafter in his due place 3 Wherein the doctrine of the Church differeth from the doctrine of other Sects and from Philosophy also and why these differences are to be retained THE differences betweene the doctrine of Gods Church and other Religions 4 Differences betweene Church-doctrine and other Religions are foure In their Authors GOD is the author of the doctrine of the Church from whom it was delivered by the ministry of the Prophets and Apostles other Sects are sprung from men and have been invented by men through the suggestion of Sathan In their testimonies of confirmation The doctrine of the Church alone hath divine testimonies firme and infallible such as quiet consciences and convince all other Sects of errour In teaching and not teaching aright the whole Law In the Church the entire and uncorrupt Law of GOD is perfectly retained and kept as for other Sects and Religions they maime and corrupt the Law of GOD. For they utterly reject the doctrine of the first Table concerning the true knowledge and worship of GOD either framing unto themselves another God besides that GOD who by his word and workes hath revealed himselfe unto his Church or seeking to know God but not by and in his Son or worshipping GOD otherwise than hee hath commanded in his word They are also altogether ignorant of the inward and spirituall obedience of the second Table That little good and truth which they have is a part of the commandements of the second Table concerning externall discipline and civill duties towards men In preaching not preaching aright the whole Gospel The Gospel of Christ is wholly taught and rightly understood in the Church onely other Sects are either cleane ignorant of it and despise it as the Ethnickes Philosophers Jewes and Turkes or they doe patch some little part of it out of the doctrine of the Apostles unto their owne errours of which part yet they neither know not perceive the use as the Arrians Papists Anabaptists and all other Heretickes of whom some maintaine errours concerning the person others concerning the office of our Mediatour These maine discords doe prove that the doctrine of the Church alone is zealously to be followed and kept and the Religion and doctrine of other Sects repugnant to the truth warily to be prevented and avoided according as it is said in Scripture BEWARE of false Prophets and FLY Idols The case holdeth not alike in Philosophy For true Philosophy howsoever it vary much from the doctrine of the Church yet it impugneth it not it is no lye as are the false doctrines of other Sects but it is absolute truth and as it were a certaine bright-shining ray of Gods divine wisdome fixed in mans understanding at the creation For it is a doctrine treating of God and his creatures The nature of Philosophy with the lawfull and fruitfull use thereof and other things good and profitable unto mankind compiled by wise and grave men through the light of Nature and grounded on principles in their own nature plaine and evident Whence it followeth that it is a thing not only lawfull but profitable also for Christans to imploy their labour and travell in the studies of Philosophy whereas contrariwise we may not busie our wits in the doctrine of other Sects but detest them all as untruths and lies coined by the Divel Notwithstanding between Philosophy the doctrine of the Church there is great difference especially consisting in these points 3 Differences between Philosophy and Church-doctrine In their grinciples They disagree in their principles For Philosophy in her principles is meerly naturall founded and built on things naturally knowne unto every man but the doctrine of the Church although it contain many things depending on nature yet the chiefest part thereof I meane the Gospel so far surpasseth the reach and capacity of nature
same chapter By the works of the law shall no flesh be justified in his sight Vers 20 21 22 23. for by the law cometh the knowledge of sinne But now is the righteousnesse of God made manifest without the law having witnesse of the law and of the Prophets The righteousnesse of God by the faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all that beleeve for there is no difference For all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus Conferring like places together To conferre places of Scripture where though the same words be not spoken of the same thing yet the words and formes of speaking are used of the like things For if the interpretation of the like place be certaine and there be the same causes for the like interpretation to be given in the place in controversie which are in the other then of the like places we must give one and the same judgement Mat. 5.29 30. The Lord willeth to put out our eye to cut off our hand if they be a cause of offence unto us Now whereas the Law forbiddeth us to maime our body Thou shalt not kill that therefore by this figure of speech the Lord would have us that wee should rather forsake things most deare unto us than by the rust and motion of them wee should suffer our selves to be withdrawne from God the like forme of speech other-where used Jeremy 22.24 Deut. 32.10 to signifie things most deare and precious doth shew as If Jechoniah were the signet of my right hand yet would I plucke thee thence and Hee kept him as the apple of his eye Consent of the catholike Church with 3 rules of direction therein John 8.37 When once according to that rule the controversies concerning the text and meaning thereof are judged we may lawfully also descend to the consent of the Church yet putting great space betwixt and not without great advisement For lest by the name of the Church we be beguiled 1. No sentence or meaning is to be received which these rules of examining and judging which have been now declared do not suffer 2. Wee must consider what times and what writings are purest what points of doctrine have beene and in what ages either rightly expounded or depraved with errours 3. Whose interpretation either is of the authour or may be of 〈◊〉 confirmed by the testimonies of the Scripture And to this deciding of all controversies about the meaning of the Scripture drawne out of the Scripture it selfe doe all the godly and lovers of truth agree even as it is said Hee that is of God heareth the words of God Now the testimony of the ancient and catholike Church so farre as they see it to accord with the Scripture they doe with glad and thankful mindes embrace and are so much more assured of the knowne truth But if any quarrelling men doe not yeeld unto the testimonies of the Scriptures we must not seeke because of them a Judge higher then the word of God but must leave them unto the judgement of God as the Apostle counselleth us Reject him that is an hereticke after once or twice admonition Titus 3.20 knowing that he that is such is perverted and sinneth being damned of his owne selfe 1 Cor. 14.38 Rev. 22.11 And If any man be ignorant let him be ignorant Hee that is filthy let him be more filthy Neither verily doth he whom the word of God doth not satisfie rest on the authority of men as the truth it selfe doth shew but as these things are sufficient to shut the mouthes of them who gainesay the truth or at leastwise to manifest their impudency so is there further required for the fencing of the consciences of all the godly in debate of Religion besides a care of learning the doctrine of the word of God Prayers An ardent and daily invocating of God by which wee may desire that wee may be taught and guided by his holy Spirit This if wee shall doe hee will not suffer us to make stay in errour which may pull us from him but will open unto us the true and certaine meaning of his word concerning all things necessary to our salvation that our faith may depend not on humane but divine authority even as it is promised Mat. 7.7 Aske and it shall be given you seeke and ye shall finde knock and it shall be opened unto you Luke 11.13 James 1.5 For whosoever asketh receiveth and hee that seeketh findeth and to him that knocketh it shall be opened How much more shall your heavenly Father give the holy Ghost to them that desire him If any of you do lack wisedome let him ask it of God which giveth to all men liberally and reproacheth no man and it shall be given him but let him ask in faith and waver not Object 11. It is unmeet that the holy Ghost should be subject unto another Answ We make him not subject to any other but compare him with himselfe To their former arguments our adversaries adde That it is a shame that the holy Ghost speaking in the Church should be subject to the examination and judgment of another and therefore we must not examine him by the rule of the Scripture But seeing that the same Spirit speaketh in the Church and in the Scripture when wee doe examine the voice of the Church by Scripture we do not subject the holy Ghost to another but we compare him with himself And by this means 1. We give unto him the praise of truth and constancy while we do acknowledge and restifie that he is alwaies like himself and doth never square from himself 2. We confesse that the supreme authority of pronouncing the will of God belongeth unto him while we doe not seek whether those things be true and certaine which he hath spoken but whether those be his words which men ascribe unto him and this doe we even after the selfe same manner which he hath prescribed us and after we find out by the rule of the written word that any thing hath proceeded from him to that without making any controversie we submit our minds and wils Contrariwise it is easie to see 2 Contumelies against the holy Ghost issuing out of the Papists opinion of the Judge of the Scripture that our adversaries themselves are guilty of that contumely against the holy Ghost of which they accuse us For while they will have the authority of giving judgement concerning the meaning of the Scripture and deciding of controversies not to belong unto the Scripture but unto themselves by this very thing 1. They imagine that the holy Ghost may dissent from himselfe 2. They make themselves Judges higher then the holy Ghost and Word of God Lastly whereas Paul saith That he is the Minister of the New Testament Object 12. The Letter killeth the Spirit quickneth 2
3 Why this comfort alone is sound and good THat this comfort alone is sound and true it is apparent 1. Because it alone faileth us not no not in death For whether we live or dye we are the Lords And Rom. 14.8 Rom. 8.35 who shall separate us from the love of Christ Neither death nor life c. 2. Because it alone standeth impregnable and invincible it alone sustaineth and assoileth us against all the assaults and attempts of Sathan For Sathan thus giveth the on-set 1. Thou art a sinner Comfort makes answer But Christ hath satisfied for my sin and hath redeemed me by his precious bloud that now I am no longer mine own The temptationâ— of Sathan with their remedies out of this only consolation but belong unto him 2. Sathan againe assaileth thee Thou art a child of wrath and an enemy of God Ans I am so by nature and before reconcilement but I am reconciled by God through Christ and received into grace and favour with him 3. Againe he casteth in thy teeth But thou must dye the death Answ Christ hath delivered me from the power of death and I know that by Christ I shall escape out of the hands of death into life eternall 4. Hee urgeth further But in the meane time many miseries happen unto the godly Answ Our Lord and Master guardeth and defendeth us in them and effecteth that they work for our good 5. He yet replieth But how if thou lose the grace of Christ For thou mayest fall and perish because it is a long steep way to heaven Answ Christ hath not onely merited his benefits for me but also bestoweth them and perpetually preserveth them in mee and giveth me perseverance that I faint not and fall from grace 6. He persisteth What if grace pertaine not unto thee and thou be not of the number of them who are the Lords Answ I know that grace pertaineth unto mee and that I am truly Christs 1. Because the holy Spirit testifieth unto my spirit that I am the child of God 2. Because I have true faith and the promise is generall pertaining to all that beleeve 7. He presseth neerer What if thou have not a true faith Ans I know that I have a true faith by the effects thereof because I have a conscience stedfastly relying on God and an earnest will and fervent desire to beleeve and obey God 8. He assayeth yet once more Thy faith is weake and thy conversation or repentance imperfect Answ True But yet it is entire and unfeigned And I know Luke 19.26 Mar. 9.24 that to him which hath shall be given Lord I beleeve help my unbeliefe In this great and dangerous conflict whereof all the children of God have experience Christian consolation standeth fixed and immoveable and at length concludeth Therefore Christ with all his benefits appertaineth unto me 4 Why this comfort is necessary BY that which hath been spoken it appeareth that this comfort is very necessary for us 1. For our salvation that we faint not nor despaire in temptation and wrestling of conscience 2. For the worshipping of God For that wee may worship God in this life and in the life to come to which end we were created we must come out of sin and death not rush into desperation but be sustained with sure comfort unto the end 5 How many things are required for the attaining unto this comfort THis is resolved in the Catechisme question here immediately following Quest 2. How many things are necessary for thee to know that thou enjoying this comfort mayst live and dye happily Answ Three a Mat. 11.28 29 30. Ephes 5.8 9. The first what is the greatnesse of my sinne and misery b John 9.41 Mat. 9.12 Rom. 3.11 1 John 1.9 10. The second how I am delivered from all sinne and misery c John 17.3 Acts 4.12 c. 10.43 The third what thankes I owe unto God for this delivery d Ephes 5.10 Psal 50.14 Matth. 5.16 1 Pet 1.12 Rom. 6.13 2 Tim. 2.15 The Explication THese three are the whole matter and severall parts of this Catechisme which jump in with that division of Scripture into the Law and the Gospel and are sutable with the differences of those parts as before hath been delivered 1 The knowledge of our misery is necessary for our comfort not that of it self it ministreth any comfort or is it self any part thereof Why the knowledge of our misery is necessary for of it self and in it own nature it terrifieth rather then comforteth us But it is necessary for our comfort To stirre up in us a desire of delivery thence 1. Because it stirreth up in us a desire of delivery as the knowledge of his disease kindleth a desire of remedy in the sick man whereas on the other side if we have no knowledge of our misery we affect not our delivery as the sicke man when he hath no sense nor feeling of his disease consulteth not the Physician Now if we desire not delivery we do not seek it if we seek it not we obtaine it not because God giveth delivery only to those that seek it it is opened only to him that knocketh as it is said in Scripture Mat. 5.6 7.9 Mat. 11.28 Iâ—a 37.15 To him that knocketh it shall be opened Aske and it shall be given you Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousnesse Come unto mee all ye which labour I dwell in a contrite spirit So then That which is necessary to stir up in us a desire of deliverance that is also necessary for our comfort But the knowledge of our misery is necessary for the desire of salvation or deliverance Therefore the knowledge of our misery is necessary for the obtaining of our comfort necessary I say not as a cause working and effecting comfort but as a motive inducing us to pursue after it for of it selfe it breedeth terrour but this terrour is good for us when faith accompanieth it 2. That thereby we may be the more thankefull for our delivery To work in us thankfulnesse for our delivery For we should waxe ungratefull if we understood not out of how great miseries we were delivered because we should never judge aright of the greatnesse of the benefit and so should not attaine unto our delivery whereas that is performed onely to the thankfull 3. Because we can be no fit hearers of the Gospel To prepare and make us fit hearers of the Gospel without the knowledge of our sin and wretchednesse For unlesse by the preaching of the Law concerning sin and the wrath of God there be a preparation made to the preaching of grace there followeth carnall security and our comfort is made unstable because sound retired comfort and carnall security cannot stand together Hereof it appeareth that we are to begin from the preaching of the Law after the example of the Prophets and Apostles that thereby men may be cast
doctrine and duty of the Law as inferiour Sciences which are in order directly one under another borrow some principles and chiefe grounds from the Sciences next above them For after that the Law hath arraigned and convicted us of sin and proved that wee are sinners the Gospel immediately taketh this principle and concludeth that whereas wee are sinners in our selves wee must seeke for righteousnesse without our selves in Christ that wee may be saved So then by these five meanes wee may finde that sinne is in us Sin is knowne five waies 1. By Gods owne assertion 2. By Gods law principally and in speciall 3. By the Gospel lesse principally and in generall 4. By the touch and sense of conscience 5. By the punishments which God being just inflicteth not but for sinne 2 What sinne is SIn is a transgression of the law or whatsoever is repugnant to the law that is a defect 1 John 3.4 or an inclination or action repugnant to the law of God offending God and making the creature that sinneth guilty of the everlasting wrath of God except remission be granted for the Son of God our Mediatour The generall nature of sinne is a defect The Logicians call it Genus which is the more common nature of a thing or the matter of it or an inclination or action but to speak properly a defect is this generall nature and inclination or actions are rather the matter of sinne The difference and formall essence of sin is a repugnancie with the law which John calleth a transgression of the law The property which necessarily cleaveth fast unto it is the guilt of the creature offending that is to say a binding of the offendor to temporall and eternall punishments which is done according to the order of Gods justice And this is that which they commonly say that there is a double formality or two-fold nature of sinne A two-fold nature of sin 1 Repugnancie with the law 2 Guilt repugnancy with the law and guilt or that there are two respects of which the former is a comparison or a dissimilitude with the law the other an ordaining unto punishment An accidentall condition of sin is expressed in these words Except remission be granted c. because it ariseth not out of the nature of sinne but it is by occasion and accident in respect of sinne that they who beleeve in Christ are not punished with everlasting death because forsooth sinne through Christ is not imputed unto them but remitted by grace Now these are called defects In the understanding ignorance and doubtfulnesse of God and his will In the heart a privation or want of the love of God and our neighbour of joy in God and of an earnest desire and endeavour to obey God according to all his commandements and an omitting of inward and outward actions which are commanded by the law of God What corrupt inclinations are Corrupt inclinations are said to be stubbornnesse of the heart and will against the law of God or against the judgement of the minde as touching honest and dishonest actions or a pronenesse and willingnesse of nature to do those things which God forbiddeth which evill they call Concupiscence That these defects and corrupt inclinations are sins and condemned by God is proved Three proofes that corrupt inclinations are sins Gods Law Out of the Law of God which expresly condemneth these defects and inclinations when it saith Cursed is every one that confirmeth not all the words of the Law to doe them and Thou shalt not covet which Law also requireth in men the contrary graces and faculties I mean a perfect knowledge and love of God and our neighbour Deut. 6.5 John 17.3 Exod. 20.3 Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart c. This is life eternall that they know thee to be the only very God c. Thou shalt have no other gods before mee Testimony of Scripture Gen. 8.21 Jer. 17.9 Rom. 7 7. John 3.5 1 Cor. 2.14 15.50 Rom. 1.21 8.6 By many testimonies of Scripture condemning these evils for sinnes The frame or imagination of mans heart is evill even from his youth The heart is deceitfull and wicked above all things I had not knowne lust that is to say to be sin unlesse the Law had said Thou shalt not lust Death of Infants By the punishments and death of Infants who although they doe neither good nor evill and offend not after the similitude of Adams transgression yet they have sin in them for which death reigneth over them And this sinne is the blindnesse and frowardnesse of our nature towards God of which we have hitherto spoken 1. Object That which is not voluntary neither can be avoided is not sinne neither deserveth punishment Defects and inclinations cannot be avoided by us Therefore they are no sinne Answ The Major holdeth true in a Civill Court but not in the judgement of God before whom whatsoever is repugnant unto his Law whether it be in our power to avoid it or no is sin and deserveth punishment For Scripture teacheth both that the wisdome of the flesh cannot be subject to the Law of God and that all who are not subject to the Law are subject to the wrath of God 2. Object Nature is good But our inclinations and desires are naturall Therefore they are good Answ True it is that Nature is good if you consider it before the corruption Genes 1.31 All things were very good which God made Even now also Nature is good in respect of the substance and being of it and as it was made of God but not in respect of the quality of it and as it is corrupted 3. Object Punishments are not sinnes But these inclinations and defects are punishments of the first fall Therefore they are not sinnes Answ It is true that punishments are not sins if we respect the course of Civill justice but not so if we respect Gods justice For God oftentimes punisheth sins with sins which the Apostle especially sheweth Rom. 1.27 2 Thes 2.11 For God hath power of depriving his creatures of his Spirit which power his creatures have not 3. How many kinds of sins there are There be five principall divisions of sin THe first division is this All sin is either Originall or Actuall This distinction is expressed Rom. 5.14 and 7.20 and 9.11 OF ORIGINALL SIN ORiginall sinne is the guilt of all mankind What Originall sâ—n is by reason of the fall of our first Parents and a privation of the knowledge of God and his will in our mind and of all inclination to obey God with our will and heart and of the contrary in these there remaineth a wicked inclination to those things which God forbiddeth and backwardnesse in those things which he commandeth ensuing upon the fall of our first Parents and derived from them unto all their posterity and so corrupting their whole nature that all by reason of this
the death of the wicked but that the wicked turne from his way and live For thou art not a God that loveth wickednesse neither shall evill dwell with thee The foolish shall not stand in thy sight God made man righteous Eccles 7.31 but they have sought many inventions Our unrighteousnesse commendeth the righteousnesse of God Rom. 3.5 Rom. 5.12 Rom. 7.18 Sin ariseth from man himselfe By one man sin entred into the world and death by sin I know that in me there dwelleth no good thing Of this we conclude that God is not the author of sinne but that the originall of evill springeth from man himselfe by the instigation of the Divell yet so neverthelesse that wee say that the Divell being at the first corrupted did corrupt man but could have done nothing except man of his owne accord had consented to evill The cause of sin is to be sought in our first father through the Divels instigation and so by descent to be found in us Here are we to remember againe the fall of our father Adam God made Adam to his owne image and similitude that is he made him most good uncorrupt holy righteous and immortall he furnished him with most excellent gifts that nothing might be wanting unto him to all blessednesse in God Wherefore his Understanding was wholly divine his Will most free and most holy he had power of doing good and evill a law was given him of God which shewed him what hee should doe or what hee should not doe For the Lord said Gen. 2.17 Thou shalt not eat of the tree of knowledge both of good and evill God simply required of him Obedience and Faith and that the whole Adam should depend of him and that not constrained by necessity but should doe it freely Eccles 15.14 15. God made man from the beginning and left him in in the hand of his counsell saying If thou wilt thou shalt observe the commandements and testifie thy good will Therefore when the Serpent tempted man and counselled him to taste of the forbidden tree man was not ignorant that the counsell of the Serpent did not agree with the commandement of God Gen. 2.17 Yee shall not eat of the tree neither shall yee touch it lest ye die Wherefore it was in the hand of his counsell to ear or not to eat God declared unto him his will plainly charging him that he should not eat and adding the perill he did withdraw him from eating lest perhaps thou die Satan also as neither could he did not use any force but did probably move him unto it and at length did overcome him for when the will of the woman declined to the word of the Divell her mind departed from the word of God and rejecting a good law she committeth an evill work Afterwards she drew on her husband willingly following her to be partaker of her sinne That doth the Scripture inculcate in these words Gen. 3.6 So the woman seeing that the tree was good for meat and that it was pleasant to the eyes and a tree to be desired to get knowledge took of the fruit thereof and did eat and gave also to her husband with her and he did eat Here have you the beginning of evill the Divell and that which moved the Will of man that is the false commendation of the Divell and even as a meere lye and the delectable shew and sightlinesse of the tree Wherefore Adam and Eve doe of their owne accord that which they doe being led with a hope of more excellent wisdome which the Seducer had lyingly promised them We conclude therefore that sinne hath his beginning not from God who forbideth evill but from the Divell and the free electron of man The beginning of sin from the Divell and the free election of man corrupted by his seducement which was corrupted by the Divels falshood And therefore the Divell and mans corrupted will obeying him are the most true cause of sinne This evill floweth from our first Parents unto all their posâ—erity so that sinne hath not else-whence his beginning then from our selves and our corrupt judgement and wicked will and the suggestion of Sathan For an evill root and that first corruption bringeth forth of it a rotten branch agreeable to the nature thereof which Sathan now also setteth forward and laboureth it as it were plants by his guiles and lies but in vaine doth hee labour except we yeeld our selves to be fashioned and dressed by him That is called Originall sinne which proceedeth from the first Originall that is was derived from the first Patents into all by propagation or generation for this sin we bring with us in our nature out of our mothers womb into this life I was borne in iniquitie Psal 51.5 and in sin hath my mother conceived mee And of the Divell Christ speaketh thus He hath been a murtherer from the beginning John 8.44 and abode not in the truth because there is no truth in him When he speaketh a lye he speaketh of his owne For he is a lyar and the father thereof To this may be added this reason Sin the proper effect of a reasonable nature transgressing the Law That sin cannot be a proper and naturall effect of any cause but of that which hath power to doe against the Law but this no nature hath power to doe besides the nature of Angels and of men for God is a Law unto himselfe and cannot doe or intend any thing against his Law And other creatures whereas they are not endued with reason and therefore the Law not made for them they cannot commit sin because take away the Law and there is no place left for sin Wherefore it necessarily followeth that sin is such an effect as agreeth to those Angels alone who fell and to men If humane reason doe here object That God is the author and causer of punishment God the causer of sins as they are punishments but not as they are sins If therefore sins be the punishments of sins it followeth that God is the cause of sins We answer that there is a fallacy of the accident in the Minor For it cometh to passe by an accident that is by the fault of those who sin that when by the just judgement of God either themselves or others are punished by evill men they in the meane season God permitting that is not shewing them that hee would have those things to be done by them for to punish them which things yet hee hateth and which he will punish both in this life and the life to come do fulfill their desires swerving from the Law of God and estranging themselves more and more from God by sinning do purchase more grievous punishments unto themselves Or if we will distinguish the Major it is in effect the same For punishments come from God as author and causer of them as they are punishments but inasmuch as they are sins so they
are contrary to the law and they are contrary to the law of God and make sin as they are committed by man and are in him but as they are guided by God and inflicted they are not sin but a tryal of him that would sin or a punishment of him that had sinned Wherefore that is not of God but of man and the Devil which maketh sin Whether God would the fal of Adam and how Last of all they urge Seeing that God would the fall of Adam either as it was sin or as a punishment and could not will it as a punishment because no sin had gone before which should be therewith punished it seemeth to follow that God would that worke as it was sin But this consequence also is deceitfull because there is not a sufficient ennumeration in the Major For although the first sin was no punishment yet God would that action not as a sin and contrary to his will and nature but as in punishing and receiving againe mankinde into favour by his Son it was a way and occasion of exercising and manifesting his justice and mercy and an example of the weakenesse of al creatures yea of the most excellent if they be not by the singular goodnesse of the Creator preserved as it is declared God hath shut up all in unbeleefe that he might have mercy on all Rom. 11.32 And in the same place it is shewed concerning the blindnesse of the Jews That partly this obstinacy was come to Israel untill the fulnesse of the Gentiles were come in and that the Jewes are enemies of the Gospel for our sakes and that wee have obtained mercy through their unbeleefe That is that God would this their obstinacy not as it was a sin of the Jewes neither only as a punishment of other sinnes but also an occasion of translating the Gospel unto the Gentiles And it is said that God in the preaching of the Law respecteth this That al the world be culpable before him Rom. 3.19 Wherefore this also he respected and would in permitting of sin which if it had not come betweene The Law had not made the world culpable before God Object 1. Sathan was made of God And therefore the malice also of Sathan Answ God made indeed all the Angels God made Sathan good and Sathan made himselfe evill yea those who became Apostates and Devils but yet he created al the Angels at the beginning good But Sathan is said not to have stood stedfast in the truth Then before his fall he stood in the truth but after hee treacherously fell from his allegeance and sinned against God and therefore the crime of that evill sticketh in that run-away the Devill For since that time after he fell there is no truth in him no faith no integrity no feare of God no light no goodnesse 1 John 3.8 He that committeth sin is of the Devill c. for he is the first sinner and the fountaine of sinne Object 2. God made Adam Therefore he made sin Answ Sin is the corruption of nature created good of God but not any creature made of God in man Sin not made of God because it is no creature but the corruption of a creature God made man good who by Sathans perswasion corrupted willingly that goodnesse which he received of God so that now sin is mans and not a creature of God created in man Neither is the nature of man the cause of sin for God who created all things and the very nature of man created them all good Sin a natural property of man corrupted but not of man simply as hee was first created wherefore the very nature of man also was created good but sinne is an accidentall quality which befell unto man in his fall and after his fall being even from the beginning such as now it is but no substantiall property nor of the nature of man Now indeed whereas we are borne in sin sin is a naturall property of men Cont. Manich. c. 9. according to the judgement of Augustine But and if we say any man to be naturally evill we say so because of the originall of the old sin in which all our mortality now is borne Object 3. But the will and power which was in Adam was from God Therefore sin also is from God Ans God gave not man a will and power to work evill God gave not man a will and power to work evill but to do good For hee made a Law to forbid evill Wherefore Adam himself did ill bestow that will and power which he received of God in ill using of them The prodigall son received money of his father not that he should lash it out wastfully but that he might have so much as sufficed need Wherefore when himself did ill bestow his money and perished he perished through his owne default and not by his father though hee received the money of his father Therefore the fault is in the abuse He that giveth thee them leaveth the use of them unto thee If he be just he giveth them thee for to use and not to abuse When thou abusest them the fault is laid on thee who abusest them and not on him who gave them So God gave a will and power to Adam to do good not to work evill Object 4. God made man so as he might fall It was necessary that man should have free power either to stand or fall Rom. 9.20 Isa 45.9 neither did confirm and establish in him the goodnesse of his nature Wherefore he would have him to fall or sin Answ The Scripture beateth back this forwardnesse of men wickedly curious Who art thou which pleadest against God Woe be unto him that striveth with his Maker Except God had made man so as hee might fall there had been no praise of his work or vertue And what if it were necessary that man should be so made as he might fall For so did the very nature of God require God doth not grant his glory to any creature Adam was a man no God And as God is good so is he also just He doth good unto men but hee will have them to be obedient and thankfull unto him He bestoweth infinite goodnesse upon man therefore he should have been thankfull and obedient and subject unto him For he declareth by his law what hee would and what he would not Of the tree of knowledge of good and evill saith hee thou shalt not eat When thou eatest thou shalt die As if he should say Thou shalt regard me thou shalt cleave unto me obey me serve me neither shalt thou else-where seek for the rules of good and evill but of mee and so shalt thou shew thy selfe obedient unto me Repl. God fore-knew the fall of man which if he would he might have hindred but hee did not hinder it Therefore God was in the fault that Adam sinned Ans Unto this objection answer hath been made before neither
motions even of wicked wils are raised and ruled by the will of God and many of these disagree from the law of God and are sinnes God seemeth to bee made the causer of sinnes The answer is That it is a Paralogisme of the Accident For they disagree from the law not as they are ordained by or proceed from the will of God for thus farre they agree very well with the justice and law of God but as they are done by men or Divels and that by reason of this defect because either they doe not know the will of God when they doe it or are not moved by the sight and knowledge thereof to doe it that is they doe it not to that end that they may obey God who wil so have it For whatsoever is done to this end it disagreeeth not from the law seeing the law doth not but with this condition either command or forbid any thing if God hath not commanded a man to doe otherwise So doth the Law of God forbid to kill any man except whom God had commanded any to kill Whosoever then killeth a man God not commanding it he out of doubt doth sin and offendeth against the Law Neither doth God dissent from himselfe or his Law when he wil have some thing done either by his revealed or secret will otherwise then according to the generall rule prescribed by himselfe in the law For he hath such ends and causes of all his purposes as that they cannot but most exactly agree with his nature and justice Object 5. Liberty which is guided of another cannot be an image of that liberty which dependeth on no other which is in God But the liberty of mans will is the image of the liberty which is in God Therefore the liberty of mans will dependeth not or is not guided by the will of God Wee deny the Major For seeing that every thing which is like is not the same with that unto which it is like to conceive in some sort the liberty of God it is enough that reasonable creatures doe worke upon deliberation and free election of wil albeit this election in the creatures is both guided by themselves and others in God by no other then by his owne divine wisedome The image of a thing is not the thing it selfe and the inequality of degrees taketh not away the image as neither the likenesse and similitude of some parts taketh away the dissimilitude of others Wherefore the liberty of reasonable creatures both is governed of God and is notwithstanding a certain image of the liberty which is in God because it chuseth things once known unto it by her own and free or voluntary motion For as of other faculties or properties so also of liberty it is impossible that the degrees should be equall in God and his creatures whereas all things are infinite in God and finite in his creatures Seeing therefore wisdome righteousnesse and strength in the creatures is the image of the unmeasurable wisdome righteousnesse and power which is in God a portion also of liberty agreeable and competent for the creatures may be the image of liberty which is in God Object 6. If the creature cannot but do that which God will have done and cannot doe what God will not have done the will hath no active force but is wholly passive especially in our conversion which is the work of God Likewise there is no use of lawes doctrine discipline exhortation threatnings punishments examples promises and lastly of our study and endeavour We deny the consequence The will is not idle or meer passive when God worketh by it no more then the sun rain and such like instruments of Gods operation We deny the consequence because the first or principall cause being put the second or instrumentall cause is not thereby taken away For as God lightneth the world and doth quicken the earth bringeth forth corn nourisheth living creatures and yet are not the instruments of Gods working idle as the sun the rain the earth husbandmen and food So God converteth men ruleth their purposes wils and actions that is teacheth and moveth them to approve and chuse what he will by lawes by magistrates by doctrines by rewards by punishments and lastly by their owne will all which he useth as instruments not as if he could not without these enlighten the minde with notions and incline the will but because it so seemeth good to him to exercise his power by these If they reply that that would necessarily come to passe so which is done and even without them and therefore they are in vain used Wee deny the Antecedent Albeit God was able to have wrought what he would without the will yet because he will work by the will the working of the wil is not in vain For although God were able to move mens wils without these and if hee had so decreed to doe men doubtlesse should doe without these what now they do being moved by these yet whereas God hath once so decreed the effects as he hath also appointed their second instrumentall and impulsive causes that verily shall be done which God will have done but yet not without middle and second causes by whose means and working coming between and interposed God will bring his purposes and decrees to passe Luke 11.13 He will give his holy Spirit to those who ask him Whom he hath predestinated Rom 8.30 them hath hee also called If they reply again Although it be granted that these are not in vain in those in whom God will shew his force and be effectuall by them yet in others who are not moved by them there is no use of them Ans 1. Although there were no use yet because that it is not known unto us whom God will move or not move wee are to labour in teaching and urging all and to commit the event and fruit of our labour to God Preach the word be instant in season c. 2 Tim 4 3â— Ezek. 3.19 If thou warn the wicked and he turn not from his wickednesse he shall die in his iniquity but thou hast delivered thy soul Ans 2. The consequence followeth not from the denyall of one particular to the denyall of the generall or from an unsufficient ennumeration For although many obey not teaching and admonition neither are moved with rewards and punishments yet this use is great that by this means their naughtinesse and stubbornesse is opened and so the justice of God made more manifest in their punishment John 15.24 If I had not done works among them which none other man did they had not had sin Rom. 1.19 20. God hath shewed it unto them to the intent that they might be without excuse Wee are to God the sweet savour of Christ in them that are saved and in them who perish Repl. 2 Cor. 2.15 Externall discipline is called the righteousnesse of the flesh Therefore it dependeth on mans will The consequence
in heaven is perfect Answ First these and the like speeches speake of that perfection which is not of degrees but of parts or of the integritie and sincerity of the obedience begun in them Perfection of degrees or obedience perfect in degrees is that which hath not only all the parts of obedience but that degree also which the law requireth in us Such a perfection have not the regenerate in this life They have indeed all the parts of obedience begun in them but yet weakely so that they are here daily more and more perfected but attaine not to the chiefe and due degree thereof untill they enjoy the life to come The perfection of parts is the integrity of obedience or whole obedience begun according to the whole law or it is a desire and endeavour to obey God and withstand corrupt lusts according not to some onely but to all the commandements of his law The perfection of sincerity is a desire or study of obedience and godlinesse not feigned but true and earnest albeit somewhat be wanting to the parts as touching the degree This perfection to wit both the integrity and sincerity of obedience is in all the regenerate For unto them it is proper to submit themselves to the commandements of God even to all without exception and to begin in this life all the parts of true godlinesse or obedience This is called also the justice of a good conscience because it is a necessary effect of faith and pleaseth God through Christ And albeit in all men even in the most holy much hypocrisie remaineth as it is said Rom. 3 4. Every man is a lyar yet there is a great difference betweene them who are wholly hypocrites and please themselves in their hypocrisy having no beginning or feeling of true godlinesse in their hearts and those who acknowledgeing and bewailing the remnants of hypocrisy which are in them have withall the beginning of true faith and conversion unto God Those hypocrites are condemned of God these are received into favour not for this beginning of obedience in them but for the perfect obedience of Christ which is imputed unto them And therefore to this declaration or exposition another is also to be added That they who are converted are perfect in the sight of God not only in respect of the parts of true godlinesse which are all begun in them but also in respect of the degrees of true and perfect righteousnesse of Christ imputed unto them as it is said Colos 2.10 Heb. 10.14 1 Cor. 2.6 14.20 Ephes 4.19 Ye are all complete in him With one offering hath he consecrated for ever them that are sanctified But they reply That the perfection also of degrees is attributed unto the Saints in the Scripture 〈◊〉 Wee speake wisdome among them that are perfect Be perfect in understanding Till wee all meet together in the unity of faith and knowledge of the Sonne of God unto a perfect man and unto the measure of the age of the fullnesse of Christ But these places also doe not call them perfect in respect of the law of God that is in respect of the degree of knowledge and obedience which the law requireth in us but in respect of the weaker who have lesse light and certainty and readinesse confirmed by use and exercise to obey God to resist carnall lusts and to beare the crosse For so is this perfection expounded That we be no more children Ephes 4.14 Heb. 5.14 Philip. 3.12 wandring and carried about with every winde of doctrine Not as though I had already attained to it or were already perfect They oppose against these answers a place out of John 1 John 4.17 18. Herein is the love perfect in us that we should have boldnes in the day of judgement for as he is even so are we in this world There is no feare in love but perfect love casteth out feare for feare hath painfulnesse and he that feareth is not perfect in love But S. John meaneth not that our love towards God Our regeneration and newnesse of life doth assure us of justification as being an effect thereof Rom. 5.5 but Gods love towards us is perfect that is declared and fully known unto us by the effects or benefits of God bestowed upon us in Christ Or as Saint Paul speaketh Rom. 5. where hee saith That the love of God shed abroad in our hearts by the holy Ghost is the cause why wee doe without feare and with boldnesse expect the day of Judgement and of this mercy and free love of God towards us he signifieth that by this token or testimony we are assured because in this life we are reformed by the holy Spirit to his Image For by our regeneration we are assured of our justification not as by the cause of the effect but as by the effect of the cause Now though regeneration be not perfect in this life yet if it be indeed begun it sufficeth for the confirmation and proving of the truth of our faith unto our consciences And these very words which S. John addeth Love casteth out feare shew that love is not yet perfect in us because wee are not perfectly delivered in this life from feare of the wrath and judgement of God and eternall punishment John 3.21 1 John 3.23 Psal 119. For these two contrary motions are now together in the godly even the feare and love of God in remisse and low degrees their feare decreasing and their love and comfort or joy in God increasing untill joy get the conquest and perfectly cast out all trembling in the life to come when God shall wipe away every teare These places of Scripture are to be understood of the uprightnesse of a good conscience not of any perfect fulfilling of the Law in the godly Object 5. Hee that doth truth cometh to the light that his deeds might be made manifest that they are wrought according to God If our heart condemne us not then have we boldnesse towards God I have not declined from thy Law Therefore the good workes of the regenerate may be alledged and stand in Gods judgement as perfectly answerable unto his Law Answ These and the like sayings doe not challenge to the godly in this life perfect fulfilling of the Law but the uprightnesse of a good conscience without which faith cannot consist or stand as neither can a good conscience without faith As it is said Fight a good fight having faith and a good conscience 1 Tim. 1.18 19. And Then being justified by faith Rom. 5.1 wee have peace towards God through our Lord Jesus Christ For a good conscience is a certaine knowledge that we have faith and a purpose to obey God according to all his commandements and that wee and our obedience though maimed and scarce begun please God not for that it satisfieth his Law but because those sins and defects which remaine in us are forgiven us for the satisfaction of Christ
which he commanded 2. Except man who is commanded covet that impotency and unability and of his own accord hath purchased it unto himselfe 3. Except the commandement which is impossible be a spur unto him who is commanded of acknowledging and bewailing his insufficiency But God by creating man after his Image gave him possibility that is a power of performing that obedience which in right hee requireth of him Wherefore if man by his owne fault and folly lost and cast away this his good ability and procured unto himselfe this unability of obeying God God hath not therefore lost his right to require due obedience of him Nay rather because wee have rejected this good by transgressing Gods commandement and because God threatned punishment to the transgressors therefore he justly punisheth us Repl. But not wee but Adam drew on us this sin Answ Our first Parents being fallen lost this ability both unto themselves and to their posterity like as they received it for themselves and their posterity If a Prince give unto a noble man a Lordship and he traiterously rebell against him he loseth his Lordship not only from himself but also from his posterity neither doth the Prince any injury to his children if hee restore noâ— unto them the Lordship lost by their fathers fault and disobedience and if he doe restore it he doth it of free grace and mercy Repl. He that commandeth things impossible God commanding things impossible doth yet command them for good causes and to good ends both in the godly and ungodly In the godly doth in vaine command them but God commandeth things impossible to be performed by man now after his fall Therefore in vaine he commandeth them Answ 1. In this reason there is a fallacy from that which is spoken and verified but in part as God doth not in vain command though wee performe not that which hee commandeth because there are other ends besides of the commandement both in the godly and ungodly For the commandement requireth of the godly 1. That they acknowledge their owne weaknesse and impotency By the Law cometh the knowledge of sin Rom. 3.20 2. That they know what they were before the fall 3. That they know what they ought chiefly to ask of God to wit the renewing of their nature 4. That they understand and conceive what Christ hath performed on their behalf I mean that he hath satisfied for us and regenerateth us 5. That a new kind of obedience be begun in us because it teacheth us how wee ought to behave and carry our selves towards God in lieu of this benefit of freedome or what God requireth again on our part In the ungodly Again the ungodly are commanded obedience 1. That the justice of God in condemning them may be made manifest and conspicuous because they know what they ought to do Whereas then they doe it not they are justly condemned Luk. 12.47 That servant that knew his Masters will and did it not c. 2. That at least outward order and discipline might be observed amongst them 3. That such amongst them as are to be converted may be converted Ans 2. We answer to the Major of this syllogisme thus distinguishing In vaine he commandeth who commandeth things impossible if withall he give not the possibility But God commanding the elect the performance of these things giveth them also power of obeying beginning it now by the doctrine of the Gospel and in the end perfecting it Augustine Give De bona persever cap. 20. Lord what thou commandest and command what thou wilt and thou shalt not in vaine command it Therefore this impossible exigent is the greatest benefit because it is the high-way to attaine possibility Quest 10. Doth God leave this stubbornnesse and falling away of man unpunished Answ No but is angry in most dreadfull manner a Gen. 2.27 Rom. 5.12 as well for the sins wherein we are borne as also for those which our selves commit and in most just judgement punisheth them with temporall and eternall punishments b Psal 20. and 21. and 5.6 Nah. 1.2 Exod. 20.5 and 34.7 Rom. 1.18 Ephes 5.6 as himselfe pronounceth Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this Law to doe them c Deut. 25.26 Gal. 3.10 The Explication IN this question is handled the other part of mans misery even the evill of paine and punishment and it is said that God doth most grievously most justly and most certainly punish sin Most grievously that is with present and eternall paines for the greatnesse of sin because the infinite good is offended thereby Most justly because every even the least sin violateth Gods Law and therefore by the order of Gods justice meriteth eternall punishment and abjection Most certainly because God is true and never changeth his sentence denounced in the Law Cursed is hee that continueth not in all c. Object But the wicked flourish here Galat. 3.10 and carry many things cleere without punishment Therefore all sins are not punished Ans Yea but they shall at length be paid home for them yea How the wicked are punished in this life and in this life they are punished 1. In conscience with whose gnawings the wicked are tortured 2. In those good things which they use with greatest pleasure and verily so much the more how much the lesse they know and acknowledge themselves to be punished For it is a most grievous punishment not to receive Gods gifts in respect of Gods promise not to know the right use of them neither with his gifts to receive a will and ability also to use them well For if these things concurre not in the fruition of good things mens sins and punishment must needs be the more increased and exasperated and thereby except there come conversion eternall destruction or death is certainly purchased 3. They are afflicted with other punishments also most grievous oftentimes yet with more grievous in the life to come where it shall be a continuall death not to be dead Object 2. God made not evill and death Therefore hee will not so grievously punish sin with them Answ He made them not in the beginning yet when sin was committed he in his just judgement inflicted death as a punishment on sinners according to his commination Thou shalt die the death Gen. 2.17 Amos 3.6 Whence it is also said Shall there be evill in a City and the Lord hath not done it Obj. 3. If God punish sin with present and everlasting punishments he punisheth the same twice and is unjust but he is not unjust neither punisheth he the same offence twice Therefore he will not punish sin with temporall and eternall paines Ans The Major is denied For the punishment which God inflicteth on the wicked in this life and in the life to come is but one punishment but hath severall parts For present punishments are but the beginningâ— of everlasting neither are they a distinct or entire
worship and Mosaicall policie or government to be observed in that region and nation untill the coming of the Messias and lastly for the Messias to be born out of that people But the new Testament hath no such speciall promises of corporall benefits but only generall as that God will preserve his Church unto the end and give it some abiding and resting place In the circumstance of the promise of grace In the circumstance of the promise of grace for in the old Covenant the beleevers were reconciled unto God and saved for the Messias sake which should be exhibited and for his sacrifice to come in the new Covenant we are saved for the Messias being come and exhibited and for his sacrifice already offered In the signes of the promise of grace In the rights or signes added to the promise of grace In the old Covenant the Sacraments were divers and painfull as the Circumcision the Passeover the Sacrifices and Oblations But the Sacraments in the new are few and plain even Baptism and the Supper of the Lord. In cleernesse and evidence In cleernesse and evidence The old had types and shadows of good things to come all things were figurative as their Priests and Sacrifices and therefore the more obscure and dark In the new is an accomplishment of these types and so all things are more cleer as well in the Sacraments as the doctrine thereof In gifts In gifts In the old the effusion and powring out of the gifts of the holy Ghost was more narrow and sparing in the new it is more large and plentifull Jer. 31.31 1 Cor. 3.9 Joel 2.28 I will make a new covenant If the ministration of condemnation was glorious much more doth the ministration of righteousnesse exceed in glory I will powre out my spirit upon all flesh c. In continuance Jer. 32.40 In continuance The old was but for a time during untill the coming of the Messias the new is for ever I will make an everlasting Covenant with them In their manner of binding In their bond or manner of binding The old Covenant bound them to the obedience of the whole Mosaicall law morall ceremoniall and civil the new bindeth us only to the morall or spirituall law and to the use of the Sacraments In extent In extent In the old Covenant the Church was inclosed and limited within the Jewish nation whereunto it became all others that would be saved to repair In the new the Church is spread over all nations and there is an entrance into it open to all beleevers of whatsoever nation estate or language Why the old Covenant is taken for the Law and the new for the Gospel Here is to be observed that the old Testament or Covenant is in Scripture oftentimes taken by a figure of speech called Synecdoche which we use when we take the whole for a part or a part for the whole for the law in respect of that part which is especially handled there for in the old Testament the law was more urged and there were many parts thereof the Gospel was then more obscure Contrariwise the new Testament or Covenant is for the most part taken for the Gospel because in the new Testament a great part of Moses law is abrogated and the manifestation and knowledge of the Gospel is to us more cleer and ample Quest 19. Whence knowest thou this Ans Out of the Gospel which God first made known in Paradise a Gen. 3.15 and afterwards did spread it abroad by the Patriarks b Gen. 22.18 12.3 49.10 and Prophets c Isa 5.3 42.1 2 3 4. 43.25 45.5 6 22 23. Jer. 23.56 31.32 33 33.39 40 41. Mic. 7.18 19 20. Acts 10.34 3.22 23 24. Rom. 1.2 Heb. 1.1 shadowed it by sacrifices and other ceremonies of the law d Heb. 10.7 Col. 2.17 John 5.46 and lastly accomplished it by his only begotten Son e Rom. 10.4 Gal. 4.4 3.24 Col. 2.17 The Explication The order correspondence of this question in the second part of the Catechism which the third question in the first part thereof THis nineteenth Question of the Catechisme which is concerning the Gospel is like to the third For as there it is demanded Whence knowest thou thy misery and answer is made Out of the Law So here the Question is Whence knowest thou thy delivery the answer hereof is Out of the Gospel Seeing then it hath been already spoken of the Mediatour we are necessarily also to speak of the doctrine in which the Mediatour is declared described and offered unto us that doctrine is the Gospel Afterwards we are also to speak of the mean whereby wee are made partakers of the Mediatour and his benefits that mean is faith First therefore the common place concerning the Gospel cometh to be handled which is fitly annexed to the former doctrine concerning the Mediatour and Covenant between God and men 1. Because Christ the Mediatour is the subject or matter of the Gospel which teacheth who and what manner of Mediatour this is 2. Because he is the author and publisher of the same for it is part of the Mediatours office to publish the Gospel as it is said The only begotten John 1.8 which is in the bosome of the Father he hath declared him 3. Because the Gospel is a part of the Covenant and the new Covenant is often taken for the Gospel The principall Questions are 1. What the Gospel is 2. Whether it be any new doctrine 3. How it differeth from the Law 4. What are the proper effects of the Gospel 5. Whence the truth and certainty of the Gospel may appear 1. What the Gospel is Three significations of the word Gospel THe Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for which wee use Gospel signifieth 1. A joyfull message or news 2. The sacrifice which is offered to God for this joyfull news 3. The reward which is given to him who bringeth glad tidings Here it is taken for the doctrine or joyfull newes of Christ exhibited in th flesh Luke 2.10 as Behold I bring you glad tidings of great joy because to you this day Christ is born There is a difference also to be observed between the words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is the promise of the Mediatour to be exhibited hereafter How the words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sometimes differ in Scripture the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the tidings of the Messias already exhibited Neverthelesse this difference of these words is not perpetuall and it consisteth rather in the letter and words themselves then in the thing signified by the words for both of them declare the same benefits of the Messias but the difference is only in the circumstance of time and in the manner of his manifestation and exhibiting as
Law causeth wrath c. and The letter killeth By the letter is understood the outward preaching and bare knowledge of those things which we ought to do for it teacheth indeed our duty and that righteousnesse which God requireth at our hands but it doth not make us able to performe that righteousnesse neither doth it shew us any hope to attain thereunto by another but rather accuseth and condemneth our righteousnesse The Gospel is the ministery of life The Gospel is the ministery of life and of the Spirit that is it hath the forcible operation of the holy Ghost adjoyned and doth quicken because by it the holy Ghost as by an instrument worketh faith and life in the elect Rom. 1.15 The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to every one that beleeveth The Gospel is the preaching of repentance It was said in the definition of the Gospel and in the third difference between the Law and the Gospel that the Gospel requireth both faith and repentance or new obedience and so is the preaching both of remission of sins and of repentance Against this Flaccius Sectaries keep a stir and reason after this sort Ob. There is no precept or commandement belonging to the Gospel but to the Law The preaching of repentance is a precept or commandement Therefore the preaching of repentance belongeth not to the Gospel but to the Law Ans We deny the Major if it be generally meant for this precept is proper unto the Gospel that it commandeth us to beleeve it to imbrace the benefit of Christ and now being justified to begin new obedience or that righteousnesse which the law requireth of us Repl. Yea but the law also willeth us to beleeve God Therefore it is not proper unto the Gospel to command us to beleeve Ans Both the Law and the Gospel require faith The Law exhorteth in generall unto faith and unto such and such works in speciall Both the Law and the Gospel commandeth faith and conversion to God but diversly The Law only in generall commandeth us to beleeve God or to give credit to all his promises commandements and threatnings and that with a denouncing of punishment except we do it the Law saith Beleeve every word of God it willeth therefore that we beleeve and obey this commandement also by which God in the Gospel commandeth us to return unto him and to beleeve in Christ The Gospel exhorteth in speciall unto faith and in generall unto works But the Gospel in speciall and expresly willeth us to imbrace by faith the promise of grace by Christ and to return unto God that is saith not in generall Beleeve all the promises and denouncings of God c. for that it leaveth unto the Law but it saith plainly and expresly Beleeve this promise to wit that thy sins are pardoned thee and that thou art received of God into favour by and for Christ and return unto God Further it exhorteth us both inwardly and outwardly by the holy Spirit and by the word That we walk worthy of the Gospel that is do such works as are pleasing to God but this it doth only in generall not prescribing in particular Thou shalt do this or that but leaveth this unto the Law as contrariwise it saith not in generall beleeve all Gods promises leaving this to the Law but in speciall saith Beleeve this promise Fly unto Christ and thy sins shall be forgiven thee 4. What are the proper effects of the Gospel THe proper effects of the Gospel are 1. Faith because Faith is by hearing Rom. 10.17 2 Cor. 3.8 Rom. 1.16 and hearing by the word of God The Gospel is the ministration of the Spirit the power of God unto salvation 2. Through faith our whole conversion unto God justification regeneration and salvation for by faith as by the instrument whole Christ together with all his benefits is received 5. Whence the truth and certainty of the Gospel may appear THe truth and certainty of the Gospel appeareth 1. By the testimony of the holy Ghost 2. By the prophesies which have been uttered by the Prophets and other holy men 3. By the fulfilling of those prophesies which were accomplished in the new Testament 4. By the miracles whereby the doctrine of the Gospel was confirmed 5. By the end or property of the doctrine of the Gospel because that alone sheweth the way how to escape sin and death and ministreth sound comfort unto afflicted consciences ON THE 7. SABBATH Quest 20. Is then salvation restored by Christ to all men who perished in Adam Ans Not to all a Matt. 7.14 22.14 but to those only who by a true faith are engraffed into him and receive his benefits b Mark 16.16 Joh. 1.12 3.16 18 36. Isa 53.11 Psal 2.12 Rom. 3.22 11.20 Heb. 4.3 5.9 10.39 11.6 The Explication HAving declared the doctrine concerning the means of our delivery through Christ the question Who and By what means they are made partakers of this delivery whether all or only some orderly followeth This twentieth Question therefore is a preparation to the doctrine of faith without which neither the Mediatour nor the preaching of the Gospel profiteth any man Hereby also carnall security is prevented or met withall Gal. 2.17 and that opprobrious contumely that Christ is the minister of sin The answer to this question consisteth of two parts 1. Salvation is not restored by Christ to all that perished in Adam 2. But to those onely who by true faith are ingraffed into Christ and imbrace his benefits The former part is too too evident by daily experience John 3.36 John 3.5 Mat. 7.21 He which beleeveth not in the Son shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him Except a man be born from above he cannot enter into the kingdom of God Not every one that saith unto me Lord Lord shall enter into the kingdome of heaven The cause why all are not saved by Christ Why all are not saved by Christ is not the insufficiency of the merit and grace of Christ for Christ is the full propitiatory sacrifice for the sinnes of the whole world as concerning the worth and sufficiency of the ransome and price which he paid but it is the infidelity of men whereby they refuse the benefits of Christ offered in the Gospel and therefore perish not through any defect of Christs merit but through their own fault The other part also is proved by Scripture As many as received him John 1.12 Isa 53.11 to them he gave power to be the sons of God By his knowledge my righteous servant shall justifie many Now the reason why beleevers only are saved is Why the faithfull only are saved by Christ because they only lay hold on and imbrace the benefits of Christ and because in them alone God obtaineth the end for which he delivered up his Son unto death for the faithfull only
whereby wee are out of Gods word informed and instructed unto faith or assent and beleefe as when wee use to say The Christian faith the Apostolike faith Oftentimes it is used for the fulfilling of ancient promises or the things themselves which are beleeved as Before faith came we were kept under the law and shut up unto the faith which should afterward be revealed Gal. 3.23 How faith differeth from all other kindes of knowledge Furthermore albeit there be also other certain notices whereunto we firmly give assent as understanding or apprehension of principles science sapience art prudence for the assent coming unto the notice doth confirme and perfect it so that what knowledge of a thing it had without assent it is imperfect and unprofitable yet none of those are that faith especially the Theologicall such as a little before is described for to those notices or apprehensions we do assent either because they are naturally engraffed in our minds or for that they bring demonstrance or some other true and certain proofs But the Theologicall assent or faith is not neither ariseth it out of the instinct of nature neither out of sense or experience neither out of demonstrations or reasons borrowed from Philosophy but cometh and dependeth of a peculiar and supernaturall revelation or divine testimony That therefore which is added in the former description for the asseveration of God himselfe distinguisheth Theologicall faith from all other knowledges even the most certain And this generall definition of Theologicall faith is necessary that wee may not think that out of Philosophy or such principles as are naturally known to all are to be drawn reasons or arguments sound and sufficient to confirme the articles of our faith but may know that the word of God and those good and necessary consequences and arguments which are framed out of it are a supernaturall light and more certain then all though most exact and exquisite demonstrances either Naturall or Mathematicall of Philosophers 2. How many kinds of faith there are in Scripture FOur sorts of faith are found rehearsed in Scripture 1. Historicall 2. Temporary 3. Working miracles 4. Justifying or saving faith The difference of these kinds one from the other appeareth out of their definitions Historicall faith is to know and think all those things to be true which are manifested from above What historicall faith is either by voice or by visions or by oracles or by any other manner of revelation and are taught in the books of the Prophets and Apostles and thus to be perswaded of them for the asseveration and testimony of God himselfe It is called historicall because it is a bare knowledge of such things as God is said to have done to do or that he will do hereafter of this faith these testimonies of holy Scripture make mention 1 Cor. 13.2 If I have all faith so that I could remove mountains c. Which saying notwithstanding may be construed of all the sorts of faith James 2.19 justifying faith only excepted The divels beleeve and tremble for the divell knoweth exactly both what things are written in the word and also what are not written because hee is a spirit witty quick and learned hee is present and seeth whatsoever things are done in the Church and also through long experience hath known the doctrine of the Church to be true Acts 8.13 Simon Magus beleeved to wit that the doctrine was true which the Apostle Peter propounded but he had not a justifying faith Temporary faith is to assent unto the doctrine of the Church together with profession and joy therein What temporall faith is though not true and unfained that is to say not springing from a lively sense of the grace of God towards them but of some other cause whatsoever therefore it endureth but for a time and in the instant of affliction vanisheth Or It is to assent unto the heavenly doctrine which is delivered by the Prophets and Apostles to professe it to glory therein and to rejoyce in the knowledge thereof for a time not for the application of the promise to themselves to wit not for any feeling in their hearts of Gods grace towards them but for other causes and therefore without any true conversion and finall perseverance in the profession of this doctrine This definition is drawn from the parable and words of Christ He that receiveth seed in the stony ground is he which heareth the word and incontinently with joy receiveth it yet hath hee not root in himselfe and dureth but a season Mat. 13.20 21. for as soon as tribulation or persecution cometh c. The causes of this kind of joy are in a manner infinite and diverse in divers persons yet all of them temporary at whose fading such faith also as is grounded on them flitteth and vanisheth Hypocrites rejoyce at the hearing of the Gospel Temporary faith is led in a string with the commodities of the world and with them doth live and die either because it is a new doctrine in their ears or because it seemeth to sooth and flatter their affections whilest it disburdeneth them of mens traditions as doth the doctrine of Christian liberty of justification c. or because they haunt a licentious custome of sinning or hunt after profits and commodities whether publike or private as riches honour glory c. which then appeareth when the crosse overtaketh them For then because they have no root they are parched and wasted with the heat thereof Thus hypocrites rejoyce they rejoyce not as true beleevers I mean on a sense and feeling of Gods grace working in them and on an application unto themselves of the blessings offered in the word which one thing only in the faithfull is the cause that they are rapt with exceeding true and perfect joy and the removing of this cause sufficeth to make faith temporary The difference of temporall and historicall faith This time serving faith differeth from historicall only in that joy which accompanieth it and not the other for the historicall faith hath a bare and naked knowledge only but temporary faith besides this knowledge rejoyceth therein for time-serving men receive the word with joy whereas divels beleeve historically and yet are hereon touched with no joy but rather tremble they I say joy not in that knowledge they have but wish it were quite extinguished Nay farther they professe not themselves to be followers of that doctrine though they know it to be true but horribly persecute and maliciously oppugne the same Notwithstanding in men historicall faith is sometimes coupled with profession and sometimes also severed from it for oftentimes men professe for I know not what causes that religion and truth which in heart they hate many also which are resolved and know assuredly the verity of Christian doctrine notwithstanding oppose themselves and set their faces against it and these are they which sin against the holy Ghost Object Yea but the
the Scripture by which both Gods universall and particular providence are established for there is almost no point of heavenly doctrine which is more diligently inculcated and urged in the old Testament then the doctrine of Gods providence So in Jeremy God reasoneth from the generall to the particular that is from the rule it self to the example The generall is Chap. 27.5 6. I have made the earth the man and the beast that are upon the ground and have given it unto whom it pleased mee And presently hee adjoyneth the particular Now have I given all these lands into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babel my servant Reason The arguments whereby the Providence is avouched are of two sorts whereof one demonstrateth the thing that is in question à posteriori that is from the works or effects of God the other à priori that is from the attributes or properties or nature of God whereon as their proper cause those effects depend yet more known proofs and more common and obvious are those which are drawn from the works or effects of God For by these as being more known unto us we learn and know the cause it selfe even the nature and properties of God then after we know the cause we return back again from it to the effects and demonstrate them by this and have distinct and perfect knowledge thereof And both these proofes and reasons are demonstrative necessarily and irrefragably proving that which is in question and common to Philosophy with Divinity But the properties and works of God are better known of them which are in the Church then of them which are without And further the providence of God is proved almost by the same arguments whereby it is shewed that there is a God The reasons drawne from the works of God for proofe of his Providence 1. Order THe order which is in the nature of things that is the most apt disposing of all the parts and the succession of motions and actions continuing by certain and perpetuall lawes and courses and serving for the preservation of the whole and for those ends whereunto things were ordained for where there is order there is necessarily a cause ordaining and disposing the same Psal 89. 10. 135. 147. 148. Now this order proceedeth not from a meer sensible nature neither cometh it by chance or fortune but contrarily he must needs be most wise who appointed and setled this order in the nature of things and so he also who by his providence governeth and ruleth nature The minde The minde and understanding which is in Angles and men Man which as it were a little world is ruled by a mind and understanding much more then is the great world governed by divine providence as in the administring whereof more wisdome is required Whence it is said He that planted the ear shall he not hear Psal 94.9 Or hee that formed the eye shall he not see The naturall knowledge of the law The naturall notions or principles ingraffed in our minds or the law of nature or the difference between things honest and dishonest Hee that hath ingraved in the minds of men the rule of directing their life he will have men to live according to that rule and thereafter respecteth and governeth their life actions and events But God hath ingraved in the minds of men such a rule whereby to discern that which is honest from things dishonest Therefore hee is both the beholder and Judge of mans life As many as have sinned without the law shall perish also without the law Rom. 2.12 13 14 15. and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law For the hearers of the law are not righteous before God but the doers of the law shall be justified c. Plant. captiv Hom. in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And Plautus saith There is verily a God who both heareth and seeth what we doe And Homer God hath an upright eye The terrours of conscience The terrours and torments of conscience in the wicked which generally ensue upon sin committed by them These feares cannot be stricken into any without some intelligent and understanding nature which beholdeth and respecteth all humane affairs especially seeing the wicked cannot escape Therefore there is some revenger of sins and wickednesse who is God and who inflicteth those horrours Rom 1.18 2.15 and also who knoweth and regardeth all things even the secrets of men The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodlinesse and unrighteousnesse of men And Juvenal writing unto a friend of his some way to comfort him for the losse which hee had suffered by trusting too much a cousening and perjured Merchant Why saith hee dost thou think such fellowes to have escaped whose mind being conscious and guilty of the deed possesseth them with astonishment c. Rewards and punishments Rewards and punishments He that at all times and in all places adorneth vertue with rewards and draweth the wicked to punishment he must needs rule all mankind with his providence But God yeeldeth more pleasant successes and events to the good which live with moderation and soberly even to those that are without the Church and punisheth hainous offences with grievous punishments in this life yea when men wink at them Therefore God ruleth and governeth the whole world by his providence The righteous shall rejoyce when hee seeth the vengeance Psal 58.9 10. 94 10. hee shall wash his feet in the bloud of the wicked And men shall say Verily there is fruit for the righteous doubtlesse there is a God that judgeth in the earth He that nurtureth the heathen shall not he punish Like unto this is the heathen Poets Axiome Such things as a man doth such an end and fruit thereof surpriseth him The maintenance and preservation of Common-weals The order and preservation of Common-weals He that ordereth and setleth the Empires and States of the whole world preserveth and maintaineth them against the power hatred sleights furies of divels tyrants and wicked men which are far moe in number then the good and wish rather the suppression then the maintenance of lawes and at his pleasure altereth and translateth them it must needs be that he taketh care of and guideth the affairs counsels and actions of men But it is God who alone is able to perform and doth perform these things for none besides him is mightier then the divell and the order of Common-weales and Kingdoms doth alwaies continue Therefore God governeth all things by his providence By me Kings reign and Princes decree justice Prov. 8.15 Dan. 4.14 That living men may know that the most High hath power over the kingdome of men and giveth it to whomsoever hee will and appointeth over it the most abject among men And Tully saith in a certain Oration Pro Rabir. Common-weals are governed far more by the
Rom. 7.23 yet notwithstanding if I imbrace these benefits of Christ with a true confidence and perswasion of mind e Rom. 3.22 John 3.18 the full and perfect satisfaction f 1 John 2.2 righteousnesse and holinesse of Christ g 1 John 2.1 without any merit of mine h Tit. 3.5 Deut. 9.10 Ezek. 36.22 of the meere mercy of God i Rom. 3.24 Ephes 2.8 is imputed and given unto me k Rom. 44. 2 Cor. 5.19 and that so as if I neither had committed any sinne neither any corruption did stick unto me yea as if I my selfe had perfectly accomplished that obedience which Christ accomplisht for me l 2 Cor. 5.21 The Explication THis Doctrine of Justification is one of the chiefe points of our faith not onely because it treateth of the chiefe and principall matters but also because this Doctrine is most of others called by Hereticks into controversie For there are two principall controversies betweene the Church and Hereticks The first Of the Doctrine concerning God the other of this Doctrine of Justification before God and either of these Doctrines being overthrown the other points of our faith easily go to wrack Wherefore we ought chiefly to fence and strengthen our selves against heresies in Doctrine concerning God and his Justification The speciall Questions 1. What justice or righteousnesse is in generall 2. How manifold it is 3. In what justice differeth from justification 4. What is our justice or righteousnesse before God 5. How it is made ours whereas it is without us 6. Why it is made ours 1. What justice or righteousnesse in generall is RIghteousnesse is derived from Right which is the law it selfe and conformity with the law is righteousnesse it selfe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as of the contrary unrighteousnesse or sin is a transgressing of the law 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In generall it may be thus defined Justice is a conformity with God or with the law of God although indeed a definition so generall of justice can searce be given as may agree both to God and Creatures even such as may agree to the farthest and highest kinds of justice or righteousnesse which are Uncreate and Created righteousnesse except we will make a definition full of ambiguity Uncreate justice is God himselfe Our created justice is our conformity with Gods lawes appertaining unto us Rom. 3.31 For uncreated justice or righteousnesse is God himselfe who is the very squire and rule all of justice Created justice is an effect of uncreate or divine justice in reasonable creatures Justice therefore or righteousnesse in generall as it agreeth to creatures is a fulfilling of those lawes which belong to reasonable creatures or is the conformity or correspondence of reasonable creatures with the lawes appertaining and belonging unto them Finally Justice is the fulfilling of the law and conformity with the law is justice or righteousnesse it selfe This we must know because we must be justified by the fulfilling of the law and we must understand that the law is not abolished but established by the Gospel For the righteousnesse and justice of the Gospel is the fulfilling of the law but doth not at all disagree from the law 2. How manifold justice is JUstice in generall is either uncreated Justice as God himselfe or created as all Justice in reasonable creatures Legall justice Created justice is legall and evangelicall Legall justice is the fulfilling of the law performed by him who is thereby said to be just or it is such a fulfilling of the law which one performeth by his owne obedience or it is a conformity with the law which is in him who is called just This legall justice was in us men before the fall and now is in Angels and in Christ as he is man as an accident inherent in his subject Evangelicall justice or the justice of the Gospel Evangelicall justice is also a fulfilling of the law but is not in him who is called thereby just or righteous but in another and is only imputed to him who is thereof called just This is Christs justice or righteousnesse performed for us or that ransome of the Sonne of God imputed unto us by faith It may be also defined briefly thus Evangelicall justice is a conformity with the law performed by Christ and imputed of God to us by faith The legall justice is performed either by the obedience of the law or by punishment For the law necessarily requireth one of these That which is performed by the obedience of the law is either generall or particular Generall or Universall justice The generall is an observing of all lawes which belong unto us or it is an obedience according to all the lawes unto us appertaining For it is no right or justice but curiosity to pry into lawes or matters concerning rather other men then our selves 1 Thes 4.11 and hereof it is said Study to be quiet and to meddle with your owne businesse This generall justice is of two sorts perfect and unperfect The perfect is an externall and internall obedience to all the lawes belonging unto us Perfect justice Or it is a perfect both inward and outward conformity with the law of God Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to doe them Deut. 27.26 The imperfect or begun justice is a conformity begun onely and imperfect Imperfect justice even such a justice as doth not doe all things or not after that manner which the law requireth This imperfect justice is also of two sorts Philosophicall justice Philosophicall and Christian The Philosophicall is a knowledge in the mind of Gods law and vertues imperfect obscure and weake and whatsoever manner of purpose in the will and heart to doe those things which are right and honest according to that imperfect knowledge Christian justice and a directing and governing of their behaviour and manners according to the law The Christian is regeneration or a knowledge of God and his law imperfect indeed yet more notable and perfect then the Philosophicall and to be perfected after this life rising from faith and the love of God kindled in the hearts only of the regenerate by the vertue and operation of the holy Ghost through the Gospel and joyned with an earnest serious inclination of the will and heart to obey God according to all his commandements This justice is proper to the elect and regenerate in this life and floweth from a justifying faith The particular justice is that vertue Particular justice which giveth to every one his own and is of two sorts Commutative or exchanging Commutative justice Distributive justice and distributive The commutative observeth equality of things and prices in exchanges and contracts or bargaines The distributive observeth a proportion in distributing offices goods rewards punishments giving rewards and punishments agreeable and proportionable unto the persons Let the Country-man till the ground let the States-man
mannage the affaires of the Common-wealth let the Preacher instruct the Church on the good heape rewards on the evill aggravate punishments Let honour be given to whom honour belongeth Rom. 13.7 and tribute to whom tribute belongeth There is also another division of Justice namely Of the person and Of the cause Justice of the person when a person is just and agreeable to the Law Justice of the person and of the cause Of the cause when he hath a just and good cause in any controversie whether the person himself be good or bad Herewith David doth oftentimes comfort himself in his Psalmes It is otherwise called The justice of a good conscience A briefe Table comprehending the partition of Justice set downe in the second Chapter of this tract of Justification Justice in generall is a conformity with God or with the Law of God Or it is a fulfilling of Gods Law This Justice is divided into 1. Uncreated justice which is God himselfe whose whole effence is meere Justice 2. Created justice which is an effect of God in reasonable creatures whereby they be conformable unto Gods Law It is divided into 1. Legall justice or justice of workes which is perfect obedience of the Law performed by Angels or Men. This again is distinguished into 1 Universall justice which is an observing of all the lawes which belong unto us It is divided into 1. Perfect justice which is an external and internal conformity with the Law of God and other lawes of men which concern us 2. Imperfect justice which is a conformity indeed but begun onely This is again subdivided into 1. Philosophicall or humane justice which is a knowledge of Gods Law and vertues imperfect obscure and weake c. 2. Christian justice which is a knowledge of God and his Law imperfect indeed yet apparent kindled in the heart by the holy Ghost through the Gospel and joyned with a serious inclination of the will and heart to obey God according to all his commandements 2. Particular justice which is a vertue giving to every man his owne and is divided into 1. Commutative justice which observeth an equality of things and prices in contracts and exchanges 2. Distributive justice which observeth a proportion in distributing offices goods rewards punishments 2. Evangelicall justice or justice of faith which is a fulfilling of the law performed not by us but by another for us that is the ransome of the Son of God imputed unto us 3. In what Justice differeth from Justification JVstice is the very conformity it selfe with the law and the fulfilling of the law and the thing whereby we are just before God which is the very satisfaction of Christ performed on the Crosse Justification is the application of that justice and by this application the thing whereby we are just even that justice and satisfaction of Christ is made ours and except that be made ours or applied and imputed unto us we cannot be just as neither the wall is made white except whitenesse be applyed unto it For even in like maner Justice differeth from Justification or justifying as whitenesse from whitening So application and imputation are not all one for imputation is not extended so far as application For God alone doth impute but we also doe apply unto us Now Justification is divided in like sort as is Justice For there is one Justification legall which is a working of conformity with God or with the Law of God in us Legall Justification This is begun in us by the holy Ghost when as we are regenerated There is another Justification evangelicall which is an application of his evangelicall justice unto us Evangelicall Justification or it is an imputation of anothers justice which is without us in Christ or it is an imputation and applying of Christs righteousness which he performed by dying for us on the Crosse and rising againe It is not a transfusing of the qualities into us but an assoiling and absolving us in judgement for anothers righteousnesse Wherefore Justification and Remission of sins are all one For to justifie is that God should not impute sin unto us What it is to justifie but accept us for just and absolve or pronounce us just and righteous for Christs justice imputed unto us That this word is thus to be understood is proved In thy sight shall no man living be justified that is shall not be absolved Psal 143.3 22. shall not be pronounced just to wit by inherent righteousnesse Blessed are they Psal 32.1 2. Rom. 4.7 whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputeth no sin Out of these words Paul interpreteth justification to be the remission of sins where the word impute is seven times used Object Hee that is just and righteous is conformed and agreeable to the law To justifie is to make just Therefore to justifie is to make one agreeable to the law All this is granted To justifie is to make one agreeable unto the law either in himselfe which is called our own justice inherent infused legall justice or in another which we terme imputed righteousnesse righteousnesse of faith the righteousnesse of the Gospel and anothers righteousnesse because it is not inherent in us but in Christ this is also a conformity with the law Rom. 3.31 For faith maketh not the law to be of none effect but establisheth it And such now is our Justice and Justification For the question is concerning that righteousnesse whereby we sinners are just in this life before God not of that whereby we shall be just in the other life or had bin just before the fall if man had not sinned 4. What is our justice or righteousnesse before God Our righteousness is Christs satisfaction which consisteth in his humiliation OVr justice or righteousnesse that is the justice or righteousnesse of the Gospel whereby wee are just in the sight of God is not our conformity with the law nor our good workes nor our faith but it is Christs satisfaction onely performed unto the law for us or the punishments which hee sustained for us and so his whole humiliation from the beginning of his conception untill his glorification that is his taking of flesh his undertaking of servitude penury ignominy and infirmity his suffering of that bitter passion and death all which he did undergo for us but willingly finally whatsoever he did or suffered whereunto himselfe as being just and the Sonne of God was not bound and that humiliation and satisfaction freely of God imputed unto us his faithfull and beleevers For that satisfaction is equivalent either to the fulfilling of the law by obedience or to the abiding of eternall punishment for sin 1. Cor. 2.2 Col. 2.10 Rom. 5.19 Esay 53.5 6. Luke 22.20 Rom. 3.24 25. 4.7 5.9 10. to one of which wee were bound by the law I esteemed not to know any thing among you save
life after Gods will and exercising all good works It comprehendeth three things which are contrary unto mortification Three parts of this quickning 1. The knowledge of Gods mercy and the applying thereof in Christ. 2. A joyfulnesse thence arising which is for that God is pleased through Christ and for that new obedience is begun and shall be perfected 3. An ardent or earnest endeavour and purpose to sin no more arising from thankefulnesse and because we rejoice that wee have God appeased and pacified towards us a desire also of righteousnes and of retaining Gods love and favour The ardent desire of not sinning and also of righteousnesse and of retaining Gods love and favour is new obedience it self according to those sayings Being justified by faith Rom. 5.1 14.15 wee have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. The Kingdome of God is righteousnesse and peace and joy in the holy Ghost Esay 57.15 I dwell with him that is of a contrite and humble spirit to revive the spirit of the humble and to give life to them that are of a contrite heart Rom. 6.11 Gal. 2.20 Likewise thinke yee also that yee are dead to sin but are alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord. Thus I live yet not I now but Christ liveth in me and in that that I now live in the flesh I live by the faith in the Son of God who hath loved me and given himselfe for mee Why this latter part of Conversion is called quickning The latter part of Conversion is called Quickning 1. Because as a living man doth the actions of one that liveth so quickning is a kindling of a new light in the understanding and a be getting of new qualities and motions in the will and heart of man whence issueth a new life and new operations 2. Because of that joy which the converted have in God through Christ which is a most pleasant thing The cause through Christ is added because we cannot rejoyce in God except he be appeased and pacified with us but he is not at peace with us but through Christ therefore we cannot joy in God but through Christ Either part of Conversion springeth from faith The reason is because no man can hate sin and draw nigh unto God except he love God and no man loveth God except he be endowed with faith Whereas then in neither part there is expresse mention made of faith the cause hereof is not in that faith is excluded from Conversion but because it is presupposed in the whole doctrine of Conversion and Thankfulnesse as a cause is presupposed where his effect is defined Object Faith bringeth forth joy Therefore not grief and mortification Ans It were no absurdity to averre that the same cause produceth diverse effects in a diverse kinde of causing and in diverse respects So then faith causeth griefe not of it selfe but by some occasion of accident which is sin whereby we offend God so bountifull a Father It effecteth joy by its owne intent because it assureth us of Gods fatherly will towards us through Christ Repl. The preaching of the law goeth before faith seeing that the preaching of repentance hath his beginning from the law But the preaching of the law worketh griefe and wrath Therefore there is some griefe before saith Answ I grant there is some griefe before faith but no such as may be part of Conversion For the griefe of the wicked which is before and without faith is rather an averting from God than a converting unto him See Cal. Instituâ— lib. 3. cap. 3. Paragraph 2. which being quite contrary neither partly nor wholly agree But contrition and grief in the Elect is a certain preparation to repentance and conversion as hath been already said 4. What are the causes of Conversion THe principall efficient cause of our conversion is God himselfe even the holy Ghost The holy Ghost the principall efficient Jerem. 31.18 Lament 5.21 Acts 5.31 Hence is it that the Saints beg of God to convert them and repentance is in divers places of Scripture called the gift of God Convert thou me and I shall be converted for thou art the Lord my God Turne thou us unto thee O Lord and wee shall be turned Him hath God lift up with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour to give repentance to Israel and forgivenesse of sins Whence is collected a notable argument for proof of Christs Divinity seeing it is the property of God only to give repentance and remission of sins Acts 11.18 2 Tim. 2.25 Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life If God at any time will give them repentance that they may know the truth and that they may come to amendment out of the snare of the Divell The instrumentall causes or means are The instrumentall causes The Law The Law The Gospell Rom. 3.20 The Gospell Faith After the doctrine of the Gospell hath been preached again the doctrine of the Law For the preaching of the Law goeth before preparing us to the preaching of the Gospell because Without the law there is no knowledge of sinne and therefore no griefe or sorrow for sinne Afterwards followeth the preaching of the Gospel raising up contrite hearts with a confidence of Gods mercy through Christ For without this preaching there is no faith and without faith there is no love of God and consequently no conversion unto God After the preaching of the Gospel againe followeth in the Church the preaching of the Law that it may be the squire of our thankfulnesse and course of life The Law then goeth before conversion and followeth after the same It goeth before it to stir up a knowledge of sin and griefe for the same It followeth that unto the converted it may be a rule of their life Hereof it is that the Prophets do first accuse sin threaten punishments and exhort to repentance and then afterwards comfort and promise and lastly exhort againe and lay down unto them the duties of piety and godlinesse Such was John Baptists preaching So then the preaching of repentance comprehendeth the law and the Gospel though in effecting conversion the offices of both be distinct The next instrumentall and internall cause of conversion is faith because without faith there is no love of God and except we know what the will of God towards us is as namely that hee will remit unto us our sins by and for Christ conversion will never be begun in us neither in respect of the first part thereof Acts 15. â— which is Mortification neither in respect of the second part which is Quickning for by faith are the hearts of men purified Without faith there is no true joy in God neither can wee without faith love God and Whatsoever is not of faith is sinne Rom. 14.23 All good workes flow from faith as from their fountain Wee being justified by faith have peace with God
we perceive by the works of faith true obedience and true conversion For exercise of our faith That by good workes our faith may be exercised cherished strengthened and advanced For they who give themselves over to corrupt lusts against their conscience in them faith cannot be and therefore neither a good conscience neither a confidence and trust in God as being appeased and favourable unto them For wee have through faith only a feeling of Gods favour towards us and a good conscience If yee live after the flesh ye shall die I put thee in remembrance Rom. 3.13 2 Tim. 1.6 that thou stir up the gift of God which is in thee by the putting on of my hands To grace our calling Ephes 4.1 That by good workes wee may shew forth and grace our life profession and calling I pray you that ye walke worthy of the vocation wherewith yee are called For avoiding of punishments Mat. 7.19 Rom. 8.13 Psal 39.12 That we may escape temporall and eternall punishments Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is cut downe and cast into the fire If yee live according to the flesh ye shall die Thou with rebukes doest chasten man for sin To obtaine rewards 1 Tim. 4.8 That we may obtain at Gods hands corporall and spirituall rewards which according to the promise accompany good works Godlinesse is profitable unto all things c. For except God would have the hope of rewards and the feare of punishments to be motive causes unto good works hee would not use them in admonitions promises and comminations III. We must doe good works also in respect of our neighbour To edifie him by our example 2 Cor. 4.15 Phil. 1.24 That wee may be profitable to our neighbours by our good example and so edifie them In respect of our neighbour and that All things are for your sakes that most plenteous grace by the thankesgiving of many may redound to the praise of God That I abide in the flesh is more needfull for you To avoide offence Mat. 18. â— Rom. 2.24 That offences may be avoided Woe be unto that man by whom offences come The Name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you To winne the faithlesse unto Christ Luke 22.32 That we may winne unbeleevers and by our words and deeds and example convert them unto Christ When thou art converted strengthen thy brethren Here the question is moved Whether good workes be necessary to salvation Some have defended simply and peremptorily that they are necessary thereunto others on the contrary have maintained stifly that good works are pernicious to salvation Both formes of speech are ambiguous and scandalous especially the latter which seemeth to condemne not onely the confidence on good works but also the study and desire of performing them Wherefore the latter is utterly to be rejected The former must thus be declared or expounded That Good workes are necessary to salvation not as a cause of our salvation nor as a merit deserving such a reward but as part of salvation it selfe or an Antecedent of salvation which is to come after or as a meanes without which we cannot attaine the end And after the same sort also may be said That good workes are also necessary unto justice and righteousnesse or unto justification or in them that are to be justified namely as a consequent following Justification wherewith Regeneration is unseparably joyned But yet I would not use these kindes of speaking 1. Because they are ambiguous and doubtfull 2. Because they breed contentions and administer occasion of cavalling unto the Adversaries 3. Because the Scripture doth not use them which must be followed of us in speaking more safely say that good works are necessary in them that are justified and them that are to be saved To say that they are necessary in them who are to be justified is an ambiguous kind of speech seeing it may be so understood that they are required before Justification and so become a cause of Justification But Augustine hath rightly refuted this opinion saying Good works goe not before them that are to be justified but follow them that are justified Hence ariseth a direct answer to this objection Obj. That is necessary to salvation which whosoever have not they cannot be saved But they which have no good workes cannot be saved as it is said in the 87. Question of this Catechisme Therefore good works are necessary to salvation Ans We answer by distinguishing the Major proposition That without which no man can be saved is necessary to salvation that is either as a part of salvation or as some necessary precedent of salvation and so we grant the conclusion but not as a cause or merit of salvation If the Major be thus understood wee condescend unto it For good works are very necessary to salvation or rather in them that are to be saved for it were better so to speak and avoid ambiguity as a part of their salvation and as a precedent thereof but not as a cause or merit 6. Whether good works merit any thing before God THis sixth Question ariseth out of the fifth as the fourth did out of the third For when men heare that we receive rewards of God by our workes they presently conclude that we merit somewhat by them Wherefore we are to know that good works indeed are necessary and therefore are to be done also for the rewards insuing them Out works merit not at Gods hands but yet that they merit nothing no not the least of Gods gifts either corporall or spirituall The reasons hereof are most true and evident Because they are imperfect and that 1. In parts 2. In degrees Gal. 5.17 Our works are imperfect as well in parts as in degrees of accomplishment In parts because we omit many things which the Law prescribeth and do many evill things which it prohibiteth and alwaies mingle evill with good as both Scripture and experience testifieth The flesh lusteth against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh and these are contrary one to the other so that ye doe not the same things that ye would Now imperfect works not only merit nothing but are also condemned in the judgement of God Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things c. They are imperfect in degrees Deut. 27.26 because the best workes of the Saints are uncleane and defiled in Gods sight seeing they are not done by such as are perfectly regenerate nor with so great love of God and our neighbour as the Law requireth The Prophet saith even of good workes Esay 64.6 Wee have all been as an uncleane thing and all our righteousnesse is as filthy clouts Phil. 3.8 Paul Pronounceth as much of his I think all things but losse for the excellent knowledge sake of Christ Jesus my Lord for whom I have counted all things losse and doe judge them to be dung that I might winne Christ Thus
temporal rewards and punishments only but eternall also and spirituall and they are the ends for which humane lawes are made Divine lawes are some eternall and unchangeable some changeable yet so that they can be changed of none but of God himself who made them Three parts of Gods Law The parts of the Law of God are in number three the Morall Ceremoniall and Civill or Judiciall Law 1. The Morall Law The Morall Law is a doctrine agreeing with the eternall and immortall wisedome and justice which is in God discerning things honest and dishonest knowne by nature and ingendered in reasonable creatures at the creation and afterwards often repeated againe and declared by the voice of God by the Ministery of Moses the Prophets and Apostles teaching that there is a God and what he is and what we ought to doe and what not to doe binding all the reasonable creatures to perfect obedience both internall and externall promising the favour of God and everlasting life to those which perform perfect obedience and denouncing the wrath of God and everlasting paines and punishments unto them who are not perfectly correspondent thereunto except there be granted remission of sins and reconciliation for the Son of God the Mediatours sake An explication of some clauses in the definition Agreeing with the eternall and immortall wisedome That this Law is eternall is hereof apparent and manifest because it remaineth from the beginning unto the end of the world one and the same and we therefore were created and are redeemed by Christ and are regenerated by the holy Ghost to observe and keep this law in this life and in the life to come to wit that with all our heart we love God and our neighbour I write no new commandement unto you but an old commandement which yee have had from the beginning 1 John 2.7 Afterwards often repeated againe God repeated the law of nature which was ingraven in our minds 1. Because it was obscured and darkned by the fall yea and many points thereof were wholly blotted out and altogether lost 2. Lest the remnant of it which was yet in mens mindes should be reputed for a meere opinion without any truth or ground and so at length be quite extinguished 2. The Ceremoniall law The Ceremoniall or lawes derived of God by Moses concerning ceremonies that is externall solemne actions and gestures which in the publike worship of God are to be performed with the due observation of the same circumstances which are prescribed binding the Jewes untill the coming of the Messias that they should distinguish this people and the Church from others and should be signes symbols types or shadowes of spirituall things to be fulfilled in the New Testament by Christ What Ceremonies are That this definition may be understood we must know what Ceremonies are to wit solemne externall actions that is often to be after the same manner and with the same circumstances reiterated ordained of God or of men also to be used in the externall service or worship of God for order or signification sake But the ceremonies which are ordained of God are simply and absolutely divine worship The ceremonies which are ordained and instituted of men if they be good are a worship only serving for divine worship 3. The Judiciall law The Judiciall are lawes concerning the civill order or civill government or maintenance of externall discipline among the Jewes according to the tenour of both Tables of the Decalogue that is of the order and offices of Magistrates judgement punishments contracts and of the distinguishing and bounding of dominions delivered of God by Moses for the settling and preserving of the Jewes Common-wealth binding all Abrahams posterity and distinguishing them from the rest of mankinde untill the coming of the Messias and further that they should be the bond of the preservation and government of the Mosaicall Common-wealth untill the Messias was manifested and certain marks whereby this people which was bound unto them should be discerned from all others and should withall be kept in honest discipline and good order lastly that they might be types of that order which should be in Christs Kingdome that is of the spirituall Regiment of the Messias The Morall Law is the fountaine of all other good lawes even as many as deserve the name of lawes and it wholly agreeth with the Decalogue and is thence also deduced by necessary consequent so that whosoever violateth the one transgresseth the other also Ceremoniall and Civill lawes whether they be divine or humane so that they be good are verily agreeable unto the Decalogue but yet they are not deduced thence by a necessary consequence as the Morall laws are but serve thereto as certain prescriptions of circumstances Hereby plainly appeareth the difference of these lawes For it is one thing to follow necessarily out of the Decalogue and another thing to agree with and serve to the performance and execution of the Decalogue How the Morall differeth from the Ceremoniall and Judiciall law This difference yet is diverse because there is not one and the same government of the Common-wealth and of the Church neither is there the same end of these laws neither are all these lawes after the same manner abrogated But the chief and especiall difference of these lawes is drawn from the binding time and knowledge or manifestation 1. The Morall ordinances are knowne by nature The Ceremoniall and civill are not known by nature but are instituted according to the diversity of causes and circumstances 2. The Morall binde all men and even the Angels also The Ceremoniall and Civill were only prescribed unto the people of Israel And therefore Job Jethro Naaman the Syrian and others who are re-counted for religious men that is such as were born of Paynims and lived amongst them but yet worshipped the God which was manifested among the people of Israel they did not observe the Leviticall Ceremonies and yet did neverthelesse please God And the very ordinances themselves concerning the Ceremonies and the forme of civill government shew that they binde Abrahams posterity only whom God would by this forme of government and worship distinguish from other Nations 3. The lawes of the Decalogue are perpetuall in this life and after this life The ceremoniall and civill were delivered of God at a certain time and again abolished 4. The Morall laws speak both of internall and externall obedience The ceremoniall and civill speak of externall obedience only albeit neither doth this please God without the internall and morall obedience 5. The Morall lawes are not limited by certain circumstances but are generall as that there is a time to be granted for the ministery and service of God and that the ministery is to be observed that adulterers and theeves are to be punished But the ceremoniall and civill lawes are speciall or a limitation of circumstances which are to be observed in externall rites or actions both Ecclesiasticall and
Civill as that the seventh day is to be allotted for the ministery and service of God that the tenths and first-fruits are to be given to the Priests that adulterers are to be stoned that theeves are to be amerced with a foure-fold restitution 6. The ceremoniall and the civill lawes also are types or figures of other things for whose cause they are ordained The Morall signifie or prefigure nothing but are signified by the rites and ceremonies 7. The Morall are the end for which other lawes are to be made or they are the principall service and worship of God The ceremoniall and civill serve for the morall ordinances that to them obedience might be rightly and duly performed that a certaine time and certaine rites may be observed in the publike ministery of the Church that the ministery it selfe may be maintained and preserved 8. The Ceremoniall giveth place unto the Morall the Morall giveth not place unto the Ceremoniall The Morall Law the Naturall and Decalogue differ The Decalogue is the summe of the Morall lawes What difference is betweene the Morall Law the law of Nature and the Decalogue which are scattered through the whole Scripture of the Old and New Testament The Naturall law doth not differ from the Morall in nature not corrupted but in nature corrupted a good part of the naturall law is darkned by sins and but a little part only concerning the obedience due to God was left remaining in mans minde after the fall for which cause also God hath in his Church repeated againe and declared the whole sentence and doctrine of his law in the Decalogue Therefore the Decalogue is a restoring and re-entring or re-inforcing the law of Nature and the law of Nature is a part only of the Decalogue The distinctions of these lawes are to be knowne both in respect of the differences of the same without the knowledge whereof their force and meaning cannot be understood and also in respect of their abrogating and lastly for the knowledge and understanding of their use 4. How far the Law is and is not abrogated by Christ THe common and true answer to this demand is That Moses Ceremoniall and Civill Law is abrogated as touching obedience and the Morall Law also as concerning the curse thereof but not as concerning obedience thereunto The Ceremoniall and Civill are abrogaâ—ed as touching their obedience and the reasons hereof That the Ceremoniall and Civill or Judiciall lawes are so abrogated by Christs coming that they now binde none unto obedience and in our times carry no shew of lawes is proved Dan. 9.27 Psal 110. 1. Because the Prophets in the Old Testament foretold of this their abrogation and cancelling Christ shall confirme the Covenant with many for one weeke and in the middest of the weeke he shall cause the sacrifice and oblation to cease Thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedech 2. Christ and his Apostles in the new Testament have expresly desciphered this abrogation of the Ceremoniall and Judiciall Law Acts 7.8 Heb. 7.11 12 13 18. 8.8 9 10 11 12 13. Acts 15.28 29. And in stead of many testimonies it shall suffice to alledge that one Canon of the Apostles Councell It seemed good to the holy Ghost and to us to lay no more burden on you than these necessary things 3. The causes being altered the Lawes also depending thereon are altered But the causes of the Ceremoniall and Civill Laws were one that the people of the Jewes of whom Christ was come might by this forme of worship and regiment be distinguished from other Nations untill his coming another that they might be types of the Messias and his benefits both which causes have now ceased since the exhibiting of the Messias 1. The distinction of Jewes and Gentiles is now taken away Hee is our peace which hath made of both one Ephes 2.14 and hath broken the stop of the partition wall in abrogating through his flesh the hatred that is the Law of commandements which standeth in ordinances In Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing Gal. â— 15 nor uncircumcision but a new creature 2. That the signification of the ceremonies is fulfilled by Christ is every where taught Heb. 9.8 Luke 6.16 Col. 2 16. Whereby the holy Ghost this signified that the way unto the Holiest of all was not yet opened The Law and the Prophets endured untill John Let no man condemne you in meat and drinke Against the abrogation of the Ceremoniall Law the Jews thus object Object 1. Moses religious orders or worship were by vertue of the commandement annexed to them Aâ—câ—â—tation of Jewish objections against this doctrine Gen. 1â— 13 Exod. 12.24 Psalâ—â— 132.15 Exod. 31.16 to continue for ever and the Jewish kingdome by Gods promise Circumcision is an everlasting covenant The Passeover was to be kept holy by an ordinance for ever This is my rest for ever The Sabbath is an everlasting covenant Thy throne O God endureth for ever Therefore Moses forme of religion and polity was not to be repealed by Christ Ans In this argument the fallacy of taking that to be simply averred which is spoken but in part is twice used For the Major proposition treateth of an absolute perpetuity the Minor of a restrained and limited perpetuity sith that in the testimonies alledged an infinite or unlimited perpetuity of the Jewish ceremonies and kingdome is not promised but a continuance untill Christ who was to be heard after Moses For the particle Holam signifieth every where in Scripture not eternity but the continuance of a long and yet definite time So is it used in that text of Scripture And hee shall serve him for ever that is untill the yeare of Jubilee as appeareth by the conference of that Law Exod. 21.6 with the Law touching the year of Jubilee enrolled and registred Levit. 25.40 Againe to grant that which they urge in their Minor that an absolute perpetuity is promised in the fore-rehearsed quotations yet this perpetuity is not of the types and shadowes themselves but of the spirituall things signified and figured by them to wit that their truth shall endure for ever in the Church yea though the signes and shadowes be by Christ abolished For thus doth Circumcision continue unto this day and thus is there a perpetuall Sabbath in Christs Kingdome and shall be perpetuall in life everlasting Lastly thus the kingdom of David is established for everlasting in the throne of Christ Object 2. The worship which lizekiel in his fortieth Chapter and so forth to the end of his Prophecie describeth pertaineth to the Kingdome of the Messias and is therein to be retained But that worship is meerely typicall and ceremoniall Therefore a typicall and ceremoniall kind of worship is to be retained in the Kingdome of the Messias whence this inference is good that the Jewish religion and polity or forme of government was not to be abolished but reformed rather
the law condemned us and the Spirit of regeneration bending and inclining our hearts not to an hatred of the law wherewith they first did burn but to the study and desire of obedience and righteousnesse Therefore he addeth Rom. 7.4 That â—ee should be unto another who is raised up from the dead that yee should bring forth fruit unto God Againe Wee are delivered from the law being dead unto it Rom. 7.6 wherein wee were holden that wee should serve in newnesse of spirit and not in the oldnesse of the letter In the other place this is the Apostles meaning I through the law to wit which accuseth us of sin and terrifieth the consciences of men am dead to the law that is cease to seek for righteousnesse in the law and begin to seek for it in Christ For this is it which he addeth I am crucified with Christ namely by the participation of Christs merit and the mortification of sin that I might live to God according to the will of God expressed in the law For hee liveth to God who obeyeth God and honoureth him through his obedience But this the doctrine of the law doth not work in nature now corrupted except we passe from the law to Christ by faith that he may live in us and we in him that is that he may be effectuall in us through the working of his holy Spirit 1. By suggesting and speaking comfort in our hearts of the remission of our sins then by making us like unto himselfe by regeneration that the law may no longer condemne us and cause wrath but we may delight in the law of God concerning the inner man Rom. 7. So then we are delivered from the law and die to the law so Christ liveth in us that we begin to delight in the law and to order our life according to the prescript thereof For Christ doth not restore any other righteousnesse or any other image of God in us by his Spirit than which was created in our nature darkned and eclipsed by sin and described in the law neither is there another spirit authour of Gods law and worker of our conformity with God in our nature uncorrupted and restored Object 11. I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel not according to the covenant that I made with their Fathers Jerem. 31.31 Here they say That God promiseth not to renew ehe old covenant which is the law but to make a new which is the Gospel Wherefore not the law but the Gospel only is to be taught in the Church of Christ But it is manifest that the new covenant is not diverse from the old as touching the substantiall but only as touching the accidentall parts or conditions and circumstances thereof For although the old shadowes and dark types are taken away and a most cleere doctrine of the prophecies and figures fulfilled by Christ hath succeeded and the grace of the holy Ghost is shed more plentifully on men in the New Testament than in the Old yet notwithstanding there was one and the same manner and way both of obtaining salvation and of Gods spirituall worship in times past that now is Unto this beare witnesse the words themselves of the Prophet Jeremy Jerem. 31.33 I will write in their hearts my law hee saith not another law but the same which in times past I gave them Jerem. 31.34 I will be their God and they shall be my people I will forgive their iniquity and will remember their sins no more For these conditions of the covenant are found as well in the Old as in the New The difference only is that these are not the proper benefits of the law but of the Gospel which two parts of the Old and New Testament the Prophet here opposeth one to the other calling the law the old covenant and the Gospel the new covenant as being the principall part of the covenant and therefore he ascribeth these blessings to the new covenant because thereon dependeth whatsoever grace of Christ befell unto the old Church and therein are those blessings more fully manifested and exhibited by Christ which were also promised and granted in the old for Christ If then God will write the law which was first written in tables of stone in the hearts of men in his new covenant he doth not abolish but establish the law by the preaching of the Gospel whereby the hearts of men are regenerated that they may begin to obey the law and therefore he delivering here a difference between the law and the Gospel doth so substitute the new covenant to the old as that he saith that that part of the covenant which is the Morall law must be retained and written in our hearts Now if they urge these words which the Prophet addeth They shall teach no more every man his neighbour for they shall all know me That hereby they may conclude Jerem. 31.34 That men are not in the New testament to be willed to know God for that they shall of themselves know and obey him they erre too grosly going about to remove the instrumentall cause by reason that the effect in the N. Testament is greater and more plentifull for that men may know God and of their own accord obey him the holy Ghost worketh by the doctrine of the law and the Gospel Neither doth it follow that they are not bound neither are to be urged by incitements of exhortation because they doe their duty of themselves For binding and exhorting is a far other thing than constraining Wherefore in two respects hath the law place in instructing the regenerate namely that they may learne of the law the will of God and may also by the law be more and more incited willingly to obey God Object 12. The law is not necessary unto salvation Therefore it is not to be taught in the Church Ans This reason is a fallacy reasoning that not to be simply so which is not in some respect so For albeit the law is not necessary to this that wee should through our obedience to it be saved yet it is necessary unto other things as hath been taught already in the doctrine concerning the use of the law Object 13. In Christ are hid all the treasures of wisedome and knowledge Againe Col. 2.3.10 John 1.16 Yee are complete in him Of his fulnesse have all wee received Therefore wee must not goe back from Christ to Moses and there is no need of the law in the Church of Christ. Answ This reason deceiveth by inferring a false consequent because it proceedeth from the putting of the whole to the deniall of a part The whole wisedome and knowledge that is the doctrine of Christ delivered by him unto us is sufficient and necessary for the Church but a part of that doctrine is the Morall law also because Christ commandeth not Faith onely but Repentance also and amendment of life to be preached in his Name and hee himselfe delivered
downe from presumption of their own justice and may be prepared to the knowledge of themselves and true repentance Except this be done through the preaching of grace men will become more carelesse and stubborn and Pearles shall be throwne to Swine to be trampled under feet 2. The knowledge of our delivery is necessary for our comfort 1. That wee fall not into desperation Why the knowledge of our delivery is necessary For as soon as we have a knowledge of our sinne wee should be swallowed up of despaire were it not that the meanes of our delivery presented themselves ready at hand with us to succour us 1 To keep us from despaire 2. That wee may thereby be touched with a desire thereof For a good thing not known is not desired according to that 2 To kindle in us a desire of it There is no coveting after an unknowne thing If then we know not the benefit of our delivery we shall not long after it and by consequent we shall not obtaine it nay when we either happen to find it or have it offered unto us we shall not acknowledge it 3. That it may comfort us 3 To comfort us For a good thing not known doth not comfort 4. Lest through the ignorance thereof we our selves should imagine 4 To prevent all erroneous conceits therein or receive imagined by others any manner of delivery to the reproach of Gods Name and hazzard of our own salvation 5. That wee might be made partakers thereof through faith For 5 To gain possession of it by faith faith is not without knowledge and our delivery is apprehended only by faith 6 To work thankfulnesse in us towards God for it 6. That we may be thankefull to God for it For as we desire not an unknowne good so neither do we greatly esteem or account of it neither doe we thinke of rendring condigne thankes for it Now the benefit of delivery is not bestowed on the unthankfull but God imparteth it unto them in whom it hath that end whereunto it was ordained that is Thankefulnesse For these causes to our sound and true comfort the knowledge of our delivery is requisite and necessary both what it is in what manner and by whom it was performed Now this knowledge of our delivery is drawn out of the Gospel heard read and apprehended by faith because faith alone promiseth freedome to them that beleeve in Christ 3. The knowledge of our thankefulnesse is necessary for our comfort 1. Because God exhibiteth this delivery only to the thankefull 1 Why the knowledge of our thankfulnesse is necessary For in these alone God reapeth the end of his benefits which is his worship and their gratefulnesse towards him For thankfulnesse is the chiefe end and scope of our delivery For this purpose appeared the Son of God that he might destroy the workes of the Divell 1 Because God performeth it to the thankfull alone 1 John 3.8 He hath adopted us to the praise of the glory of his grace 2. That we may offer such thanksgiving as is acceptable unto God For God will have us no otherwise gratefull unto him then he hath prescribed in his Word True thankfulnesse therefore is to be learned out of Gods Word 2 To teach us what thankfulness we are to render unto God not fashioned after our own imagination 3. That we may know that those duties which we perform to God and our neighbour are no merits but only a publike declaring of our thankfulnesse And what thou givest thankes for 3 To exclude all shew of merit that thou knowest thou hast not deserved 4. That by our thankefulnesse our faith and comfort may be confirmed 4 For confirmation of faith in us or that by this thankfulnesse wee may be ascertained of this delivery as we are sure of the causes of things when we see their effects for the thankfull doe acknowledgé and professe an assurance of the good they have received Now thankfulnesse it self we know in generall out of the Gospel Thankfulnesse in generall knowne out of the Gospel in speciall out of the Law because the Gospel requireth faith and repentance of them that will be saved We know it in speciall out of the Law because the Law in speciall doth distinctly declare and determine what workes and what kind of obedience is pleasing unto God Wherefore necessarily wee are to treat of thankfulnesse in the Catechisme Object That which of it selfe followeth is not necessary to be taught But thankefulnesse must needs follow of it selfe after the acknowledgement of our misery and delivery Therefore it is not necessary to be taught Answ The fallacy of this argument is called in Schooles A supposall of that to be generally true which is true but in part For thankefulnesse followeth delivery but not the manner of thankefulnesse likewise that is as soone as wee know our deliverance from misery we presently conceive that it is a point of our duty to be thankfull for so great a benefit but what true and acceptable thankfulnesse to God is we know not except we be taught Therefore of the manner of thankefulnesse we are to be instructed out of the Word of God Furthermore the Major proposition is not universally true for a thing which of it selfe doth follow may be taught for greater and fuller knowledge and confirmation And God by this meanes that is to say by his Word delivered and knowne will kindle increase and strengthen thankfulnesse in us The first generall Part of Catechisme touching the Misery of Man On the second Sabbath Quest 3. Whence knowest thou thy misery Answ Out of the Law of God a Rom. 3.10 The Explication IN this first part concerning the Misery of man principally is handled the common place of sin and of the effects and punishments of sin To this are annexed other subordinate places and in this tract lesse principall then the fore-named as the Common places of the creation of man of the image of God in man of originall sin of free-will and of afflictions Touching our Misery we are to know in generall What it is Whence it is knowne and the meanes how 1 What is meant by the name of misery The name of Misery stretcheth farther then the name of Sin By the name of Misery we understand as well the evill of trespasse or offence as the evill of punishment The evill of trespasse is all sin The evill of punishment is all calamity torment and destruction of our reasonable nature To be short the evill of punishment comprehendeth all miseries and sins that follow after wherewith sinnes that goe before are punished So the numbring of the people committed by David is both a sin and a punishment of sin which went before to wit of the adultery and murder committed by David that is to say What the nature of misery is it was an evill both of offence and of punishment Therefore Mans