place appointing and establishing the time allotted to his publique service and worship his honour being the maine scope of the first Table And as it is to be set up in our hearts the intent of the first Commandement And as his outward worship rightly performed the intent of the second The glorifying of his name in all things the intent of the third The rightly observing of his Sabbaths the appointed times of his worship the intent of this fourth Commandement 4. What manner of Commandement An affirmative inferring and enforcing his opposite negative viz. to remember to sanctifie the Lords Sabbath and not negligently to let it passe or prophane the same 5. What the affirmative part 1. Our duty to sanctifie the Sabbath by setting a rest apart sanctifying the rest by holy exercises 2. Our duty to be mindfull and carefull of it so to remember to sanctifie it by preparing our selves using all good meanes removing impediments 6. What the negative part The forbidding of the prophanation of it by not setting apart a rest misspending it in any superstition idlenesse vanities sin c. The passing it over in forgetfulnesse by unpreparednesse neglect or contempt 7. How the parts and duties opposite seene opposed The sanctifying opposite to the prophanation of the Sabbath and holy exercises to the mis-spending it in ill actions The minding it opposite to forgetfulnesse and drowsinesse therein as the preparing the soule to that holy and fit celebration thereof opposite to neglect contempt or unpreparednesse 8. What is the duty of sanctification of the Sabbath The setting apart a day of rest and exercising our selves therein in such holy duties as the Lord requireth 9. What day is so to be set apart The seventh day so he appointeth and alloweth the six dayes for our labour whereby we with more chearfulnesse and readinesse may sanctifie his Sabbath the seventh 11. How is it that our Sabbath differeth from the Jewes Sabbath For divers reasons as to shew that the old Law hath given place to the new and so the Jews Sabbath to this of Christians That the ceremonies are vanished and what was ceremoniall in this vanished as the time altered though the morality remaine That the Sonne of Man indeed is Lord of the Sabbath and so hath power to alter it 11. How prove you this Commandement to be merall and perpetuall For that it is ranked there among the rest of the Commandements that are morall and to endure as well as from the necessity of it no lesse to us and to the worlds end for Gods honour then it was to the Jewes and all the holy Patriarkes and Fathers from the beginning and therefore vaine and impious is their assertion that as a ceremony would have it passed and vanished or account it needlesse or a burthen whereas it is indeed to all good Christians comfort and the especiall honour of God 12. What necessity of a Sabbath For divers and weighty reasons such as these 1. That the faith and obedience of men may hereby be exercised more particularly in setting themselves apart from worldly businesse what haste soever and dedicate themselves and this time holy to the Lord. 2. That concord and unity Doctrine and Gods service may be maintained which without this meanes would hardly be effected but confusion would follow every one let loose to his own will or fantasie as commonly so many heads so many opinions 3. That love and charity and all graces were encreased by publicke teaching the duties required and reproving the vices as it is done by Gods word preached then whereby the good and vertuous encouraged the vitious shamed 4. That Gods service and publicke worship may be thus upheld that else were like to decay if men left to private devotions had not such publicke meetings some forgetting others nelecting all duty and most that did not ignorantly or superstitiously performing the same 5. That more acceptable service to God performed when prayer and holy duties so publickely exercised by all as many brands making a great flame so the prayers of many with greater fervency ascending up to God and every good servant of his more enflamed by joyning with others in these holy duties 6. That it may be for rest to the very servants and cattle that else groning under their yoake may be too much grieved by unmercifull minded masters without relaxation 7. That it may be a difference between Gods servants and the heathen that know not God by such sanctifying the Sabbath and so be a signe to us of that eternall Sabbath and rest in Heaven wherein as we are taught we may meditate how with Saints and Angels we all doe enjoy Sabbath dayes recreations of singing hymnes and Hallelujahs as we shall the prayses of God for evermore 13. But is not a Christians Sabbath every day Yes in spirituall rest from sinne and private satisfaction of the soule in practising of holy duties sitting a godly life not to forget thereby or neglect the publicke service of God on his appointed Sabbath whichevere to dishonour God most of all and bringing in confusion and iâ— religion 14. But since the Jewes Sabbath altered may not any Christian make or set out what day he please for Sabbath Nothing lesse for it were not onely temerity and presumption to break the Lord and his Churches institution as may be shewed but the high way to Atheisme and Irreligion when if every one might set out what Sabbath he pleased one setting out one day and another another there would be no day in effect kept holy and so not onely no order and uniformity but even no unity or charity and likely much uncharity jangling and dissention and consequently irreligion 15. How then is our Sabbath to be shewed or proved or established instead of the Jewes Sabbath Most firmly against all obstreperâ—as clamors of gainsayers 1. By the Lords owne approving and sanctifying it who is the Lord of the Sabbath 2. By the Apostles doctrine and continuall practice and keeping the same 3. By the whole Churches and all holy mens uniforme practice and consent ever since 16. How by the Lords owne doings Most plainly by his 1. Naming or giving his name to it in holy Scripture as Apocal. 1. 10. called the Lords day 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that as the Lords supper the Lords people and his Church or the like so his day 2. Sanctifying it by and with his First resurrection thereon and finishing the worke of our redemption and resting on the new Sabbath as God the Father the creation on the former Secondly presence and divers appearances to the Apostles on the same day at their holiest and Sabbath dayes exercises as I. To the women and the Disciples and Mary Magdalen at the first II. In the morning John 20. and to Simon III. And to the Disciples in the way to Emaus Luke 24. 34. IV. And to the Disciples and Thomas with them John 20. V. And at other times and to Saint Iohn in
things to come and expected A shadow and show or signification of good things present and enjoyed relate also to the Messias and promise of him and rest and deliverance by him Paedagogy of the Jewes and to them a signe of distinction from others Temple and service there in their rest in Canaan Or shewing also the nonage of the law looking towards grace and subjection of that Church as the heyre under age so in the servitude of that Church over-rated with ceremonies and teaching them to bow their stiffe necks to the service of God inuring them to it by legal strict observances And lastly shadowing the rest of Christians and of the law under the Gospell made easie by grace So here begunne in grace and perfected in glory Eternall with God in the heavens So whereas ceremonies are either Chiefly shadowing things to come as here principally the Messias or For signification of some present duty and holy memoriall For order and decency reconciling gravity and authority as well as attention to the divine celebrations and actions Though some of the later may reflect on us Christians with the morality of the Commandement yet all the chiefe respects in the ceremony serving the Jewish Church and Synagogue and shadowing Christ to come hee being come they with that Church are vanished 30. Shew it more particularly This Commandment and their Sabbath though morall in the substance was as many other things in the morall worship of God over-rated with many legall and strict observances to the very letter inducing a ceremoniall respect and shadowing good things to come whiles it and the Jewes Church lasted which the Jewes could hardly beare yet made more hard in many respects by their owne traditions as seene in the Talmude and witnessed by our Saviours words who doing good deeds on it disliked by them reproved their blindnesse and intimating the alteration if not then beginning it shewed hee came to do good and dissolve those hard knots and burdens and make the Sabbath more profitable and pleasant as convenient both to Gods honour and mans comfort and that the pedagogy servitude and nonage of their Law Temple Sabbath and other such legall ceremonies vanished hee would ordain a new Testament Church law Sabbath and Sacraments of Christians and hee the Lord of the Sabbath thus ordering it and as it were beginning first by himselfe she wing and honouring the day by his glorious resurrection and other apparitions as Saint Augustine speaketh after by his holy Spirit perfected it in his holy Apostles and Churches doctrine and ordinances as we see it established where is conserved the morality of it in the worship of God and time destined to his service even according to that in the Commandement determined with the resting and sanctifying that rest though not so literally legally and burdensomly as then to them ceremonially enjoined yet as religiously and with respect to the morality of the rest as it concerned both them and us both the rest of the ox cattell servant for their comfort and refreshing and our rest for our fitter dedication of our selves to such holy action as the service of God then to be performed and attending it with more alacrity that are all by us observed as by the Lord and his Church or by the Lord in his Church ordained he himselfe so declaring and demonstrating the day also as Saint Augustine speaks Epist. ad Januar. 119. 9 13. by his glorious resurrection and honouring it by his many apparitions in Pathmos and else to his servant John that calleth it his day as well as his other Disciples or having finished the Iewes Sabbath by that his rest in his grave on that day and withall their Passeover and Sacraments by his glorious resurrection designing our new Sabbath and day of it by it as the same Father speakes Serm. 15. de verbis Ap. consecrating as it were the Lords day to us and promising us there with an everlasting day in the heavens and so continuing as we may collect or commending to us in it such convenient ceremonies as respect that his joyfull remembrance our deliverance by him our rest begun here in grace and to bee perfected in glory with him in the heavens or the like fitting us Christians for decency order and the beauty of holinesse though all ceremoniall shadowes of him to come and legall pedagoy and servitude ended and thus ensued the change of the day not the law of the ceremony and shadow not the substance or morality of the strictnesse servitude and unpleasantnesse not the duty or profitablenesse of the Commandement by him that was Lord even of the Sabbath and of the Commandement 31. But how say you by him changed for that is still by some controverted 1. As he finished the ceremony and by his appearance actions and presence tooke away the shadowes and unprofitable rudiments that were no longer to endure then to the revealing of the Messias expected and by them shadowed so the substance come they unusefull and vanish and Secondly as by his power his Apostles and Church so ordered and ordained and by his holy Spirit instructed practised it and that even whiles the solemne funerals as one well speakes of the Jewish Church Sabbath and ceremonies were in performing that is betweene our Saviours resurrection and the destruction of the Temple as well as afterward to all succeeding ages which may suffice us whereas else indeed the summe of all may be for that point of the change if that neither I. Christs 1. precept granted since not expresly to be found Though we have as much in effect by his former teaching hee was Lord of the Sabbath and so his example and 2. Practice of sanctifying it in his resurrection and other apparitions on that day and such election and declaration of it with motives and instructions thence arising to his Church and Disciples 3. Denomination of it the Lords day by his servant John as aforesaid may serve II. Nor the Apostles precept so expresly to be found for the sanctifying it in all points as required though we have their First observation of it by the Lords example Second selecting it for pious actions Third so ordaining it in divers Churches Fourth practice and therein tacite precept Fifth Tradition having so left it to the Sixt Church and constitution in some Fathers and Doctors opinions Seventh denomination of it the Lords day III. Nor Churches and primitive times Ancientest 1. Practice without controll from thence derived 2. Tradition received for Apostolicall 3. Constitutions very ancient even as those first times 4. Canons thence successively ensuing consent of all Ecclesiasticall Histories Writers and fathers that all confesse it so delivered received can prevaile to satisfie contentious spirits which doe abundantly satisfie all moderate men they should yet be perswaded the Churches power so granted by the Lord with the assistance of his Spirit promised to guide them into all truth and direct them might suffice to
ordaine whatsoever necessary for Gods honour as this is and setting things in order as they cannot but confesse done in all other things 32. Such as doe question this make as little scruple to question the Churches power and disobey it Which they should not doe especially if they well consider that spoken to the Apostles by Christ and in them to the Church Who receiveth you receiveth me and who despiseth you despiseth me and not so onely but him that sent me and as reverent Hooker to this point hath it is it a small offence to despise the Church of God or disobey the Lawes and Ordinances of the Church saith Salomon My sonne keepe thy fathers commandement and forget not thy mothers instruction binde them alwaies about thy heart it doth notstand with the duty we owe the heavenly Father to disobey the Ordinance of the Church our mother and let us not say or thinke we keepe the Commandements of the one when we break the Law of the other for unlesse we observe both we obey neither and which is more the Laws thus made and ordained by the Church God himselfe doth in such sort authorise that to despise them is to despise him in them so then for the power Christ giving them such power and his Spirit and promising assistance to the worlds end and they executing his will and exercising that power as we see the Apostles did and used to doe ordered and gave rules for it saying let all things be done decently and in order with the like instructions as they also promised by themselves to see done the Apostle saying Other things will I set in order when I come as most likely by the consequent practice of it this was then done and that power never dying but that Spirit continuing and directing them in all truth to the worlds end they and their successors had full power to ordaine as no doubt they did these and the like things and this by all good Christians to bee obeyed 33. How farre then is the Churches order to bee obeyed As we heard before and however by divers minced and controverted limited curtalled and contracted yet God and Christ binding us to it and the decree in things so primarily pertaining to the honour of God as this is without contradiction to be accounted of Apostolicke and sacred authority and as we heare simply and absolutely in spiritualibus so in ordine ad spiritualia no doubt but deservedly to be reverenced and obeyed by all good Christians in all necessary circumstances and all reasonable and indifferent things and this day and manner of sanctifying it in every respect primarily and directly subject to the Churches authority nor need they question this since the Jewes Church had power in such things and circumstances of the divine worship not particularly determined by God himselfe or his servant Moses in the Law as seen in sundry very materiall rites and observances as the appointment of hours for the daily sacrifice building of their Synagogues throughout the land to hear Gods word and pray in divers feasts as of Purim dedication and the like which Christs Church no way inferiour to theirs rather superiour in the measure of grace and presence of his Spirit should not be abridged of in all reason or to prescribe and ordaine lawes for things tending to her better edification and in things undetermined as this is in that circumstance and the rather to be granted for this determination of the time as well at least as of the place manner of prayer and formes of it and celebrating the Sacraments and divers other as prime and remarkable circumstances of the divine worship and the place assuredly as materiall as the time to be determined or assigned nor should our brethren that are gone from us in place and no lesse in opinion as farre as the breadth of the Atlantique ocean or that staying at home yet hold a wood perhaps or barn or parlour for places good enough for their divine worship since Christ not assigned Churches particularly they should I say not complain of the time not set out by Christ since neither was the place set out by him nor of the time assigned by the Church if Christ not assigned it since so well ordered and they will arrogate more liberty in many things and authority to themselves but rather as the Temple so fitly translate to our Churches which they cannot well deny though they hug that poor device of their new meeting places be as well content with the Sabbath translate to our Sunday by the same authority 34. If this be granted in the Churches power why may they not now alter it or then have appointed any other day then the seventh It is well and sufficiently answered by the greatest and learnedst of our Divines as well as those of the Church of Rome That absolute or absolutâ authoritate the Church had power from God and his Christ they might or may doe it That congruè or congruâ dispensatione conveniently now they may not for many ill consequents that would thence ensue or that might follow as we know how odious and dangerous such innovations are in meaner places and matters so especially in Kingdoms and great Estates or Religion which too much affected would make the government ridiculous and whereby all matters by giddy heads shall quickly so be questioned as we see the strange presumption of some men that on such grounds uncertaine ones are too ready to innovate and readier to despise and deprave all things they fancy not and arrogate authority to themselves to chop and change all things whatsoever their fancy serves them to call into question and would be glad to have fellowes so to go blamelesse as they would thinke especially if they could but tax the Church or times of such inconstancy that might well be wished by them more to countenance their lenity and in the end nothing shall be left out of their inconstant queres and that shall not by their fancy or fury be disturbed or perverted and in this point in such inconstancy and diversity we may well expect divers appointing or approving divers dayes as their fancy serveth them shall in effect no day be duly as it ought observed therefore when the Church hath once pitched on the day and decreed it moved by so many great and good reasons as aforesaid and more on the seventh day in seconding Gods owne appointment in a holy imitation of his precept and admiring his wisdome as many other things of the like nature were likewise done not presuming to be above him or wiser then their Maker or Master in their choise as to picke out any other number nor to settle on any other number or day then that in imitation of the former by our blessed Lord and Saviour himselfe so picked out and sanctified so many wayes acknowledged being thus that seventh day our Christian Sabbath now so long and quietly setled in the Church it remaineth
the prohibition of all worke in amplification of the command 78. Wherein the amplification chiefly 1. In that the six dayes are allotted commanded and by Gods example also established for labour and workes that the seventh may be a Sabbath a holy and festivall day of rest 2. In that all worke is thereon forbidden not onely to the Master or Magistrate but even 1. To the son and daughter and servant 2. To the cattell Oxe Asse c. 3. Nay the very stranger whatsoever with us in company 79. Why so That it may be the better sanctified by all That the cattell and servant may rest with us That the stranger draw us not away by evill example from God nor we accessory to others offences 80. Why this so strictly urged 1. Because Parents and Masters being in Gods stead are to see inferiours trained up in godlinesse 2. As the head receiveth comfort in the good of the other members so should the superiours from these 3. It is a sin and shame for Parents to bring up children not servants of God but vassalls of the Divell and firebrands of hell or masters of such servants 4. What blessing can be expected from their labours if they sanctifie not the Sabbath with us 5. What comfort can it be for Parents or Masters to see their sons or servants come to wretchednesse or misery or miscarry as they cannot chuse in neglect of Gods service and their duty nay what corrasive to their conscience by suffering it to be accessory to their wickednesse and how shall they be taught if not brought to Church to learne their duties 81. What then the end of the Sabbath 1. For the sanctification of Gods name in holy and publique duties 2. For the rest of even the servant and cattell 3. For the type of the spirituall rest both from sinne by the Messiah and perpetually in the Heavens 82. What reasons of this duty urged here Divers both 1. Interlaced and intimated by the 1. Antiquity and excellency thereof 2. Equity and justice of it 3. Propriety of it to God belonging Expressed by the 1. Reduplication of the Commandement 2. Example of God himselfe 3. His blessing annexed 83. What are the reasons intimated 1. The antiquity and excellency of that day and duty instituted by God himselfe in Paradise in time of mans innocency sanctified first with his owne example intimated in the serious remembrance and reiteration of the command as well as in the example of God Secondly the equity and justice of it that having allowed six dayes to us he may well require the 7. with our best duty and care to sanctifie it Thirdly the propriety the Lord hath to it it being his day or Sabbath not onely made by him as all the rest but the day of his rest besides 84. What reasons expressed 1. The often reduplication of the command as both the day to be remembred rested upon sanctified and no servile worke done not by any person thereon 2. The example of God not onely working the six dayes to appoint that our exercise but also resting and sanctifying this for our instruction and to perswade us 3. His blessing annexed who both rested and sanctified and for that use blessed it so the holy use of it shall procure us a blessing in the blessednesse thereof both to our labours in this to our comfort and rest hereafter to eternall happinesse What more learne you from the sanctifying the Sabbath day With it may be noted the setting apart to holy uses other things whereby the sanctification of the day may be better performed and observed and thereby as it were depending upon the sanctification of the same Which are they With the sanctification of the time may bee well understood to be inferred the sanctifying 1. Place or places for Gods service such as his Altars in the most ancient times the Tabernacle Temple and Synagogue of the Jewes afterwards and since our Churches and Christian Temples throughout the world set apart for such holy meetings and actions principally on that day 2. Persons as of the first borne and eldest of the families for Priests to attend Gods service before the Law and since by Christ appointed the Evangelicall Priests and Ministers of the Gospell who all were principally to attend that day and service 3. Maintenance of those persons and this ordinance tythe offerings and the like consecrated and set apart to this use and maintenance of them that attend his service and consequently maintenance of his honour upon earth whose morality and so perpetuity of institution may abundantly be shewed both before under and since the Law under the Gospell 4. Other things consecrate and set apart to holy uses and performance of Gods service especially on this day both which the Fathers in the Jewes Church and now since in ours abundantly to be shewed as both the sacrifices Arke Cherubins Shewbread Candlesticke and ornaments of the Temple and such things for practise of devotion ornament order or decency in our Christian Churches appointed And Lastly the very bringers offerers of the sacrifices themselves and those that joyne with the Priests in performance of the holy duty the Saints on earth and such as excell in vertue or the communion of Saints a people holy and acceptable to the Lord and no lesse with the holy actions practises and performance of those knowne duties in Gods service and worship on that day of rest such as hearing praying preaching or the like and their comming and presence at them the rites orders ceremonies used in the performance of that duty of publique sanctification of the day all of them included sanctified with it they with the day and the day the better by them But these things are not to be found perpetuall and at all times in the Church Yes the most essentiall of them and for the others as the infancy or growth of the Church did obtaine to more maturity and perfection whereby Gods appointment and for the more accomplished and orderly performance of his service in their due time left to the wise governours discretion instituted What difference between Gods sanctifying the Sabbath and ours His sanctifying it authoritative have full power to constitute and ordaine the setting apart of it to holy uses our sanctifying of it either imitative so appointed to follow him our patterne in the setting of it apart to such holy use or obedientialiter and executive in performance of those holy services and duty therein by him commanded This duty it seems of sanctifying it is vehemently and often here pressed and urged Yes as principally inforced and so five times at least therein urged in memento both of the prevention of the neglect preparation to the duty being by the neglect of it many other good duties are neglected which by it might and ought to bee learned and by the practise of it all other good duties are practised or renewed and recalled to minde by hearing the word then read and preached
glory though their confusion that oppose it as seene in Pharaoh Herod Sennacherib and all Tyrants and who art thou in his hand that art so hellishly disposed that thou carest not to despite and despise God and blaspheme though thou goe to hell with shame and confusion 56. What the commination That they shall not be held guiltlesse but so guilty and beare the insupportable burthen of their sinnes that will presse their soules to hell as the most fearfull estate curse and punishment so signified and so too plainly seene in such blasphemies who commonly are as it were 1. Given over to a reprobate sense in lying filthy talke drinking and prophanenesse and vanity with this abuse of Gods name 2. Insensible of their sinnes by Gods just judgement in neglect of all holy duties of prayer and Gods honour with scorning and mocking at his Sabbaths or any reproofe though most just 3. Set downe in Gods booke for damned persons even condemned already bearing that palpable marke of prophanenesse like Cains marke in their foreheads that he that hath an eye to see may see them stand guilty and the sentence that they may reade in their conscience of heavy condemnation even written in their foreheads that every one may read it to their shame who shamed not to dishonour Gods holy name 57. Whence this so fearfull commination More fully to manifest the Lords fierce anger and jealousie as against idolaters and those that prophane his worship accounted to hate him in the second Commandement so here against all other prophane wretches that shall abuse his most holy name and any other way derogate from his glory which hee is most jealous of and will not give away or part with to any other much lesse lose it with contempt he chiefly standing on and above all things highly prizing his honour 58. But what followeth The fourth Commandement in a fourth respect also in regard of the due celebration of his Sabbaths aiming at the setting forth of his honour SECT 6. The fourth Commandement The Analysis of the 4. Commanaement shewing the parts and duties therein commanded and abuses opposite so prohibited whether intimated or more fully expressed where first the duty of sanctification of that day of rest called the Sabbath and of thh Christian Sabbath or Lords day with the reasons of the difference and alteration thereof but perpetuall necessity of the substance and duties of the same and our Christians Sabbath or Lords day proved to be established by many reasons and arguments as by the Lords oweâ— doings the Apostles preaching and doctrine or constitutions as received from the Lord himselfe to be understood as well as the practice of the Church directed by his Spirit according to his promise and who oppose it but troublesome and unquiet spirits or fanatick and fantasticke Schismaticks too commonly to be sound So of the rest and right use and observation thereof on the Lords day in holy duties and workes of piety and charity or of necessity on truly urgent not every frivolous occasion The factious schismaticks overnicenesse here as well as others loose prophanenesse deserving worthily to be taxed that on both sides disturbe the peace good order and peace of the Church the one of them prophanely with negligence contempt the other sedititiously with malice and disdaine to avoid both which extrenes and keepes an even and equall course betweene them we are carefully to distinguish betweene the morality and ceremony in this Commandment how far forth in the substance of it for the morall duty to God-ward perpetually to be observed and how for the ceremony and legall observances many of them interwoven with the said duty with which to the Iowes-ward in that Churches nonage as it were before Christs appearance in the flesh It was burdened but as now freed of them it ought to be discharged and so in that particular for the time among many others with them respecting the creation the greatest benefit ever till then manifested to be remembred by and in it now altered and the duty yet unchanged to the remembrance of a greater our redemption in that change of the ceremony not duty by us now principally respected and thus as we see by the Churches authority and power with sufficient warrant from holy Scriptures ordered and established whose power in that point to change it and wisdome in so well ordering it guided by Gods own president and direction of his blessed Spirit is here amply demonstrated and to be justified against the malevolent oblatrations or detractations and calumnies of any factious humorist and separatist whatsoever and thus the substance of the duty in the morality of the Commandement remaining entire to all holy intents and purposes the onely the illegall shadow removed is by them into a more divine respect and better for us Christians as more suting with our Church altered or changed and divers objections against it of no great moment the truth well weighed are hereby and withall answered as especially the Iudaizing faction and fancies confuted and so next for the due observing and sanctification of it we are to take notice of the rest and holy exercises commanded and others permitted for recreation and comfort of our weaknesse nature not to make a riotous revell or drunken Bacchanalia of that day as neither otherwise to prophane it by ordinary worldly labours or other Iewish superstitions or vain unlawfull and wicked exercises of any sort spending that so set apart and sanctified time to remember that rest and sit our selves to the same by removing the impediments using the helps studious to fit our selves to both private and publiqus duties of the day as well Minister as people the opposite which is here farther deciphered and in divers points particularized or especially the more common and enormous offences The use and reason of other Sabbath or holy dayes ordained and appointed by the Church as well in the times of the Old as New Testament as in particular many both feasting and fasting dayes set apart for divine worship the farther explication of the Commandement in the permission command of the six dayes for labour and works of our vocations whereby the Sabbath may be the better sanctified which as most necessary is sostrictly urged for the honour of God the generall good and besides other reasons even the very example of God himselfe so resting on it and blessing and sanctifying it 1. VVHat is the fourth Commandement Remember that thou keepe holy the Sabbath day six dayes shalt thou labour c. 2. What contained herein The Commandement in these words Remember c. The explication and illustration of the duty Six dayes c. The reasons of the duty and Commandment taken both from the Creators own example actions as well as the creatures profit necessity and duty But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy Lord c. 3. What is the order of this Commandement to the rest A fourth duty as fourth in
Pathmos inspiring him this day c. 3. Resting the Jewes Sabbath as it were finishing it by his Resurrection and other appearings and as it were hereby appointing and approving this new Sabbath to his honour as Lord of the Sabbath 17. How by the Apostles doctrine and practice Most evidently 1. By their meetings that first day of the week when Christ arose and appeared to Simon and Mary Magdalen and the Disciples and after Thomas and others with them Luke 24. and Iohn 20. c. 2. Continuall practice of it and preaching and ministring the Sacraments that day Act. 20. 7. 1 Cor. 16. 1. 3. Constitution of it in the Churches as 1 Cor. 16. 1. is set downe where both First the day first day of the weeke named and appointed Secondly every first day so appointed Thirdly instituted both there and in the Churches of Galatia Fourthly instituted and there taught for the Churches instruction generally as we see at Troas and other places also Fiftly the duties of the Sabbath or Lords day plainly exercised then gathering together the congregation and gathering for the poore 4. Constant observation continued forty years after performed by Saint John in Pathmos in holy meditations as sitting especially that day had his illumination and holy inspiration from God to the instruction of the Church by propheticall revelation when Christs farther presence apparition and blessed illumination of him and the Church by him seemes further confirmation of that holy institution and Sabbaths sanctification as Estote imitatores mei sicut ego Christi 18. How farther confirmed By the continuall and continued practice of it ever since proved by all Ecclesiasticall histories ever since without any interruption to these daies and so by The primitive times and Church Holy men that lived and succeeded next to the Apostles times the learnedst and wisest ever since and so consequently as from thence both at and to this day and none found to oppose unlesse some idle turbulent and fanaticke spirits wanting learning judgement and discretion that who seeth not this must be wilfully blinde 19. The Sabbath then is certaine and fixed The seventh day at the consummation of the worke of the Creation the Jewes Sabbath till Christ and his consummation of the ceremony of it a new Sabbath now by him consecrated at the consummation of the worke of redemption so to remaine to the worlds finall consummation as the first to Christ from the creation so this from Christ to the end and finall consummation of all things to continue after with a new and third Sabbath perpetuall in the new Jerusalem in the Heavens 20. What use or end of these renewed Sabbaths To consider and magnifie the name and glory of God more and more expressed and made knowne to men 1. As in the first Sabbath remembred his works of creation mighty acts and glory 2. In the second Sabbath or Lords day both all that and further the workes of his mercy and redemption in the worlds restauration 3. In the third Sabbath both all them and further his excellent justice and glory most amply more then ever demonstrated to all creatures over all the world and for evermore 21. How summe you up these collections For full illustration or confirmation of the doctrine of the Christian Sabbath or Lords day may be considered 1. How estote imitatores mei sicut ego Christi implies a command from Christ of what the Apostles teach and practise 2. How Christ promised the Comforter who should instruct them in all truth and bring all things to their remembrance c. 3. How Christs example and apparitions evincing the same or shew the ground for the following doctrine and practice 4. How the Apostles doctrine and establishing the Lords day by power delegate from him 5. How dies Dominicus Rev. 1. 1. sheweth that prime and primitive appellation as well as doctrine and practice more to confirme it his and not only Domini as Mal. 3. 1. or Amos 5. 18. or Jo. 8. 56. but Dominicus also all which besides the authority of primitive times Fathers and Councells though the Churches instruction might be enough to any devout Christian doe more dignifie the Lords day as raising it to the highest degree of sacred and Apostolicall or divine institution and what was then so ordained hath beene since by continuall and constant practice of all succeeding ages and all good Lawes Ecclesiasticall and Civill confirmed never by any unlesse such as were publickly noted or branded for schisme spoken against or oppugned also further if not this instituted so primarily it may seeme that there was no Sabbath or Lords day for a while in the Church or but the Jewes Sabbath which were to leave the Church too naked of so holy and necessary a point of Christianity 22. But the Apostles sometimes used the Jews Sabbath Yes and for divers good reasons both to instruct them in the same To draw them to Christ and his Church To confesse a Sabbath and the like and so they refused not the Heathen Temples or their assemblies as at Ephesus Athens or Feasts or Schools as in the Schoole of Tyrannus but tooke all good occasions to instruct them and of this it came to passe that both the Lords day and Jewes Sabbath were by many kept and observed from their use and example a good while after in primitive times 23. What other arguments or reasons of convenience are brought for our Christian Sabbath or Lords day As upon this day many excellent things were and greatest benefits that ever happened to mankinde or the people of God so in his new Sabbath to remember them and praise him for the same as on this day 1. The worlds creation began Elements framed Angells created 2. This day Christs resurrection the worlds new creation or restauration 3. This day manna first fell and the Israelites passed through the red sea 4. This day Christ baptised turned water into wine and fed five thousand miraculously 5. This day Araon and his sons consecrated c. 6. This day Christ often appeared to his Disciples and others after his resurrection 7. This day the holy Ghost descended and Saint John in Pathmos enlightned 8. This day Christ we hope at last shall come to judgement to begin the perpetuall Sabbath after the night of this Sabbath ended 24. What course then to be used and held for the due sanctification of the Sabbath and rightly to understand or interpret the fourth Commandement Rightly and duly to remember and consider how the Christians Sabbath or Lords day though not literally commanded for the whole ceremony and circumstance or punctually in all things to be observed yet is virtually intimated and for the morality and substance of it exemplarily propounded to us there in the fourth Commandement without which heed taking and observation or right understanding moderation any may be apt and ready to fall into Thomas Brabornes and others judaizing errors concerning the same however otherwise we cannot
and shadowes and so have already had their solemne funerals and obsequies as dead and buried and new in their roomes substituted but as the appointing other feasts and Sabbaths both by God himselfe as well as the Iewes Church besides this seventh the Lords Sabbath and other houses of prayer their Synagogues besides the Temple even whiles the Temple stood as well as since were held no breach of the Commandements concerning them rather inlargement and illustration of either in making the worship and duties more publique and generall or for satisfaction and recompence of the neglects in the due observation visiting and sanctification of them that was required so the Christian Sabbath and Churches thus substituted and succeeding the former and in place of them might well bee accounted no breach but enlargement of the Commandements with the dispensation and illustration of Gods graces in more ample manner and measure shewed and bestowed on the whole world the duties made more publique and illustrations and the morality more illustrated by it 37. How shew you this Cleerly and plainly enough both in the Temple where for a particular one or a few Synagogues besides now so great a multitude of Christian Churches over the whole world are seene with Gods solemne worship in them most religiously promoted and in this particular of the Sabbath where the creation and onely temporall deliverances were by it remembred though spirituall ones that were hoped shadowed in it now the spirituall ones that are performed in it and by it remembred and that great worke of redemption so graciously promised and performed on this day the new and Christan Sabbath consummate and shewn to the world in the glorious resurrection of our blessed Saviour and the comming of the holy Ghost and thereby as demonstrated and honoured as it were universally published and both duty and morality of it more illustriously declared And thus we see how the strict observances servitude and legall types doe not concerne us or our Sabbath nor in all respects and circumstances to bee pressed on us as some prone to Judaizing have done yet though not the ceremony the morality to us fully extended and the Commandement though not literally and punctually in all points by us to be observed nor our Christians Sabbath so in it expressed yet expresly included for the substance and all due observance virtually intended whence what is done is so done and on so good grounds by the Church that were it to doe again the order and change of what is therein changed the Church could well doe no other then as is therein already established so little reason have our Novellists in their clamours raised against it and study of contradiction and thus much of the scruples cast in the way concerning the same it followes how wee Christianly ought to celebrate it and conceive of it in the rest and true sanctification of it 38. How is it ordained a Sabbath or rest Not onely for the servants and cattell though for their sakes also ordained but much more for the rest of the soule to be thereby fitted for spirituall exercises of the day 39. How the rest 1. From sinne the best Sabbath and spirituall rest of the soule else in vaine to rest with the body and the soule busied in sinne or vanity 2. From perturbations of minde better to attend the Lords businesse and that dayes duties 3. From ordinary workes both we our selves and all that are ours Whether of Speciall times as sowing reaping c. Or speciall callings c. Or generall import for the Commonwealth that may be done other times 4. And from all disturbance of this as Fayres Markets Courts c. 5. From worldly speeches words and works better to attend heavenly things and Gods service 40. How the sanctification of this rest By holy duties such as besit the Lords day to be exercised and our duties thereon imployed 41. What duties are they The chiefest best and holiest that can bee done on earth so best beseeming that day viz. pertaining to I. Gods honour immediately 1. Prayer or speaking to God c. All such holy and common service 2. Reading and preaching and hearing it which is Gods speaking to us 3. Singing Psalmes and thanksgiving 4. Administration and receiving the Sacraments 5. Holy meditations conference c. II. Men and so Gods honour secondarily workes of 1. Mercy to releeve the poore 2. Peace charity and love to visit the sick comfort the distressed and to make peace c. 3. Necessity as of wars or in First helping the oxe or asse from perishing much more a soule or Christian in any deepe necessity or Secondly casualty as of fire and helping out of danger a woman in travaile and the Lord healing the sicke c. which are accounted sit Sabbath dayes workes and duties and not onely permitted but even commanded to be done and so as the Priests must labour in sacrifice the Ministers greatest taske this dayes exercise 42. Are there not other workes of necessity Yes but permitted onely for avoiding inconveniences as necessary workes that cannot bee shunned for natures necessity as dressing food setting things in order and such houshold businesse which not to doe with decency were to offend in the Jewes or Iewish superstition not considering the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath 43. How are they then permitted For the better and more carefull celebration of the Sabbath with more decency and conveniency and so a Sabbath dayes journey 44. How is that Not for any worldly occasion at all allowed but for the performing of any the foresaid duties so to goe to Church or about any such godly workes and without disturbance of the greatest or best duties or as may best further them and the service and honour of God 45. May not the poore then be suffered to worke for necessity Nothing lesse for all are bound and they also must as labour the 6. dayes in the seventh rest in obedience expecting his blessing on their honest labours which shall thereby bee either sufficient for their content or his mercy will stirre up charity for their farther reliefe 46. Js the whole Sabbath to bee spent in such holy exercises Yes to our weake ability the best wee may especially the principall times allotted to Gods publique service and duties by the Church enjoyned not to be neglected and for the resting in godly sort as may beseeme Christians and the Lords day so in godly meditations singing Psalmes and other good exercises 47. But this may seeme burdensome and make the Lords day grievous It may be to the raw and unexercised Christian but to the best it will be most comfort the holiest and best spending of that day and most glad will they be of ability to performe both the best exercises and most of them as comming nearest Saints and Angels doing Gods will and the best things with willingnesse and alacrity 48. But is no relaxation of such exercises
and service of God at the Church and in that great congregation 64. What of the Minister As the chiefe actor in this dayes sanctification publique prayer and calling upon God in the behalfe of the congregation Reading and preaching the word and catechising Administration of the Sacraments 65. What of the people Their yeelding their presence in the holy assembly and both Comming duly Staying to the end Behaving themselves religiously being present in hearing the word Praying and using the Sacraments Doing all other convenient workes of sanctification as in their assisting the Minister and congregation collections for the poore c. 66. What the opposite offences In generall all carelesnesse and contempt remisnesse and negligence forgetfulnesse and sloath drowsinesse and sleeping or sleepinesse in any of the persons in any of these foresaid devotions and private or publique duties arguing unpreparednesse and backwardnesse in rendring to God the honour due to his name or sanctification fitting to his Sabbath 67 How more in particular I. In the Ministers carelesnesse negligence absence or idlenesse c. II. In the People 1. Absence from Church in carelesnesse negligence contempt obstinacy or any pretence or cause whatsoever arguing unwillingnesse or unpreparednesse 2. Departure without necessary cause 3. Irreligious behaviour in the Church and worship of God 4. Other negligence or vanities before or after 68. What else may be said to offend thus I. Those who are mindfull of the Sabbath to prophane it as 1. Who provide not to be free that day 2. Who provide businesse against that day 3. Passe over extraordinary businesses or journeyes to it 4. Make bold with God to borrow part if not all to their owne use which wisedome is not from above but from the divell II. Observe it but for fashion sake III. Observe the outward rest onely IV. Are dainty Sabbath keepers or rather prophaners V. Account putting on gay cloathes costly fare or other excesse that dayes worke VI. Absent themselves from publique duties or thinke on private which may bee done every day sufficiently VII Are weary of it and wish it gone VIII Unwillingly performe the duties of it and the like as Separatists Recusants and Nonconformists 69. What say you then of other holidayes appointed To be understood as a second sort of Sabbath and even by the Lords example and institution warranted as also by holy men practised from all antiquity as is apparant in the Old Testament How were such Sabbaths The very Passeover and Penticost feast of Weekes and Tabernacles by God himselfe besides his ordinary Sabbaths and so likewise the feast of Purim and Dedication and like deliverances and blessings with peculiar Festivals as on other great occasions solemne Feasts also and holy assemblies which were in effect extraordinary Sabbaths of the which some holy and festivall with joy as the other holy but fasting daies 70. What use of these our holy dayes For the honour of God and remembrance of some extraordinary and great blessings on that time conferred on his Church as in those feasts remembring our blessed Saviour whether his Nativity Circumcision Incarnation or some holy mystery and likewise the Saints dayes those vessels of grace Gods especiall and extraordinary instruments for the illustration of his Church whom we so remember and praise him for the same 71. But how doth this agree with the Commandement that appointeth the six dayes for labour Very well for if part of the seventh upon necessity may be taken to our use as aforesaid much more part of the six for his honour who is to bee honoured all our dayes in some convenient sort as Daniel three times a day praying and David seven times a day to teach us some weeke dayes exercise which commonly can never countervaile our negligence on the Sabbath if no other duty did binde us to this daily sacrifice 72. What rules for weekly or daily devotion Such as any good man may propose to himselfe remembring Gods blessings and benefits bestowed on him as especially to use 1. Prayer morning and evening 2. Blessings and thanksgivings before and after meat and receiving the creatures 3. To give thankes at all times for benefits blessings or deliverances received 4. To pray often and more instantly as our necessities may require 5. Tolet no day passe without some reading or divine meditation 6. To take benefit of weeke day Sermons if opportunity be fitly offered and may bee without palpable wandring Pharisaicall pride and shew of hypocrisie or neglect of our calling 73. What further warrant have wee for holy dayes or fasting dayes As that example of God himselfe and holy men in the Old Testament so since 1. Primitive times institution and practice most of them 2. Authority of the Church commanding and constituting 3. The benefits themselves and mercies of God therein requiring a thankfull remembrance 4. All the former reasons and authorities together with our owne necessities and sometimes urgent and extraordinary occasions as before enforcing some ordinary fasting dayes sometimes also extraordinary fasting and festivall dayes 74. Are these to be observed as strictly as the Sabbath There is no reason for that for though sometimes celebrated with extraordinary joy or solemnity yet as secondary Sabbaths assuredly in a second degree and also among them degrees may be observed yet all of them in some measure for holy and festivall dayes and to the honour of God as the mystery or memoriall doe require and so these may be Sabbaths dedicated to the Lord in memory of his blessings but this peculiarly the Sabbath of the Lord. 75. What was that farther explication of this Commandement In the permission or injunction of labour the six dayes In the duplication of the Commandement and 1. Naming the Sabbath the seventh day and againe enjoyning it 2. Amplifying it by forbidding all servile work both of ones selfe and all that pertaine to us 76. How is the permission of the six dayes to labour Not onely a bare permission but even an injunction to worke in the same commanding moode that the Commandement it selfe is and that both to avoide idlenesse hatefull to God and nurse of vices and also thereby the better to sanctifie the Sabbath As 1. rest after labour is sweeter 2. We better prepared by vicissitude and change may 3. More cheerfully entertaine it 4. More sensible of it and thankefull for it 5. Better abled for it and fitter to rest Provision being made for the rest and sanctification by the weekes labour and Gods blessing and so the Commandement againe repeated 77. Why is the Commandement then doubled 1. For ratification of the stability of it as first not onely commanded but to be remembred and here againe redoubled 2. For specification of the very day the seventh and so determined and by no humane ordinance but only by divine to be altered and so in the Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Greek the seventh day not only a seventh the Sabbath ordained and in it farther
O Lord take evill out of our wayes and remove all lying lips and deceitfull tongues and keep us from blasphemy and all cursed speaking and whatsoever may polute us or prophane thy holy and sacred Name that ought to be sanctified 4. In our thanksgiving for all graces reeceived so O Lord we remember those blessings bestowed on our souls that we doe desire thy glory or in any measure performe the same Others that O Lord many on earth doe with us sanctifie thy Name shewing thy praise and so consort with those holy Quires in the heaven that doe ever sing thy honour Our blessed hope of continuance for ever in that holy course of sanctifying thy name and that confidence of that thy grace 7. How in the second Petition 1. In our confession of Gods glory Thy kingdome O Lord is an everlasting Kingdome and thy dominion endureth throughout all ages and thou O Lord art King for evermore Our duty it is meet O Lord that wee should desire thy glory and advancement of thy Kingdome Our neglect but in stead thereof wee have neglected our duty and in too many things we lament our misdeeds rather promoted the kingdome of Satan 2. In our petition and intercession of us all that thy kingdome may come both by us and all people thy kingdome may bee desired and promoted and that thou wilt 1. Governe thy universall kingdome to thy glory and in the same erect 2. Enlarge and confirme thy kingdome of grace and thereby also 3. Perfect and hasten thy kingdome of glory for the good of us and all Saints 3. In our deprecation that O Lord thou wilt bee pleased to remove all impediments of thy kingdome in us and all others and destroy the kingdome of Satan and Antichrist 4. Thanksgiving for the 1. The advancement of thy kingdome O Lord both in thy universall government and guiding all things to thy glory and particularly in thy kingdome of grace for thy erecting increasing and restoring the kingdome of Christ and the Gospel 2. The blessed hope wee have of thy everlasting kingdome of glory in the heavens 8. How in the third Petition 1. In our confession of Gods great power and authority that thy will O Lord is the perfect rule of all right cousnesse and goodnesse and so worthy to be obeyed by all as for thy wills sake they had a being and all things are and were created Our duty that it is just and meet that we and all creatures should obey thy will and conforme our selves unto it In our defects that we have been too negligent and disobedient children and have gone astray from our mothers womb it is too apparant and we lament the same 2. In our requests and intercession for our selves and others Lord let thy secret will be done according to thy good pleasure and thy revealed will so likewise by us and all creatures with ready cheerfull and willing obedience here on earth as it is in heaven 3. Deprecation Remove O Lord all obstacles both of our stubborne and uncircumcised hearts and whatsoever is displeasing to thee either in us or the world as all sinne and disobedience 4. Thanksgiving for our selves and that measure of obedience which wee are enabled unto and for thy will accomplished in us for our good Others in the like sort that doe thy will or patiently suffer the same and that thy Saints doe it jo fully Our hope and assurance that it shall be fulfilled by us and in us to our comforts though lesse perspicuously here yet more perfectly hereafter in heaven 9. How in the fourth Petition 1. In our confession of 1. Gods bounty That thou O Lord openest thy hand and fillest all things living with good feedest the hungry the Lions and young Ravens that call upon thee clothest the Lillies and refreshest all things with thy goodnesse 2. Our duty to looke up to thee the spring of all comfort and fountaine of living waters 3. Our neglect that O Lord wee have been too neglective and undutifull we have not herein honoured thee wee have fallen from thee trusted to our strength and arme of flesh and uncertaine riches we bewaile our foolishnesse and offences II. In our request or petition and intercession for all other our necessities Give us this day our daily bread all necessaries for this life yea comfort both of body and soul spirituall and temporall food and blessings with comfort to eate our bread III. Deprecation of evill and famine O Lord to keep us from hunger and want from plague pestilence and famine from battell and murder and from sudden death and all other misery and wayes of the destroyer IV. Thankesgiving 1. For ourselves and others the peace plenty and prosperity wee enjoy our daily food and comforts received both temporall and spirituall of our souls and bodies 2. For our hope and assurance of his favour and continuance of all blessings that O Lord we and all that are thine may bee sure wee shall want no manner of thing that is good for body or soul and we doe therefore praise thee and will ever sing of thy mercies 10. How in the fifth Petition 1. Confession of Gods mercy That there is mercy with thee O Lord and plenteous redemption and therefore thou shalt be feared and thou O Lord onely canst absolutely forgive sinnes 2. Confession of our duty that we should flye to the shadow of thy wings for mercy to cover our transgressions and wee ought to forgive our enemies 3. Our neglects that 1. O Lord we have gone astray every way from thee and have not hearkened to thy law and we are miserable sinners 2. Our neglects that we have not sought thee or thy mercies betimes we have not repented as we ought we lament both our sinnes and unrepentance 3. Our neglects that wee have not been mercifull as wee ought to bee the better assured and prepared for mercy c. II. In our request and intercession Lord forgive us our trespasses our sinnes and ignorances our infirmities and presumptions our unrepentant and unmercifull behaviour as we desire that wee may have thy graces more freely hereafter to performe these things and so O Lord make us to forgive others that we may be forgiven III. Deprecation Take from us O Lord our hard and stony hearts and give us hearts of flesh that we may obey thee repent us of our sinnes and forgive others as wee hope for forgivenesse from thee remove sinne and all obstacles of mercy or penitence all unmercifulnesse and impenitence IV. Thanksgiving 1. For Gods mercies that thou O Lord art so ready to forgive more then we to ask 2. For his grace that hee hath promised and assured us his mercies in Christ and hath so forgiven sealed to us his forgivnes of our many misdeeds 3. For that measure of grace and repentance give us to fly from sin desire repentance shew mercy 4. For our hope and assurance of his mercies to our selves and others and all graces
Philip Acts 10. If thou beleevest thou maist be baptized the Eunuch answered I beleeve that Jesus is the son of God So in the Primitive Church the question to the Catechumeni those that were turned from Gentilisme and to bee admitted to Christianity being made How beleevest thou answer was made I beleeve in God the Father c. 17. Why say we not Wee beleeve in the Creed as well as Our Father in the Lords Prayer Because every one shall live by his owne faith 18. What is faith It is generally described and said that fides est eorum quae non vides and though of things so unseene yet of that infallible truth grounded on Gods most sacred word and revelation the onely 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of infallibility as by whose word all things have their truth and being that being more high holy and certaine then all else humane knowledge of reason or sense the ordinary gates of knowledge that are often deceived even in things neere us as Starres Orbes and Elements how much more in things farther off removed from the soule or sense but the the very confirmation and certainty both of them as Christian Philosophy above all the knowledge of the Heathens in knowing the true ground and foundation of things from God the eternall truth when they but from some mediate causes and especially in discerning those highest and holiest things concerning God and the soule and her truth essence estate and fountaine whence chiefly all other knowledges depend where Crede intelliges is the beginning of all most refined divinest knowledge and as reason more excellent then sense so this then reason by even as many degrees as spirituall and heavenly things exceed earthly and corporall or Gods truth mans reason yet not to thinke every opinion conceit or fancy of vaine men doting on the idols of their owne deluded imaginations or sometimes prejudicate opinions against God and his truth to be matters of faith as were the fancies of many miserable schismatiques fanatique persons and heretiques this faith being indeed so only of highest and holiest things and according to Gods word and revealed truth opened and declared by his holy Spirit in the ministry of his Church and so knowne to be by the approbation and testimony of those holy and reverend Governours by him appointed to that ministration in the same and whatsoever else but of private spirit and fancy if repugnant to the former to whom the custody of his Church and sacred Oracles are committed and hence the malady may be observed of the many schismes heresies blasphemies and errors of all seditious and turbulent persons both of former and present times such the case of Arius Manes Eutyches Sabellius Eunomius Novatus and all that rabble whose wicked opinions have often beene newly furbished and sometimes with some additions by foolish men of later times as what folly mischiefe or madnesse so grosse almost that hath not found some to give it entertainment of which all times stories and authors are full and shew too wretchedly abundant testimony 19. Of how many sorts is saith Of two sorts Either Common or That of the elect Tit. 1. 1. 20. What call you common faith That faith which as well the rebrobate as the elect may have 21. How manifold is this Threefold Either Historicall Temporall or Faith of miracles 22. What is historicall faith That whereby a man doth beleeve the outward letter and history of the word and truth therof and it hath two parts or degrees 23. Which are they The Knowledge thereof in respect of that word of God the object of it Assent and this is in the very Divells themselves who beleeve and tremble James 2. 19. 24. What is temporary faith That which lasteth for a season and not commonly to the end of ones life or if it do beareth no due fruit nor hath the root of love charity figured in the seed which fell in the stony ground yet is of divers sorts 25. Which are they The first degree beyond historicall faith Having three parts or degrees in respect of the word both 1. Knowledge of it 2. Assent to it 3. Professing it with some faire shew and go no further All which he may doe which hath no love to the word this was in Simon Magus Act. 8. 13. 26. What other kinde of this faith That in these five degrees seene 1. In Knowledge of the word 2. Assent to it 3. Profession of it 4. Inwardly rejoycing in it 5. Bringing some kinde of fruit but for want of the root of love of no growth and fading and falling a way at last 27. What is the faith of miracles Whereby a man grounding himselfe upon some speciall promise and revelation from God beleeveth some strange and extraordinary thing he desireth or prayeth for shall come to passe by the worke of God held to be in Iudas as well as the other Apostles and may be in some that want true and saving faith 28. What is that saving faith or the faith of the Elect A supernatural gift of God apprehending applying the saving promises of God made unto us of salvation in Christ with all the circumstances of the same to the soule receiving the benefit to the conscience for purging and comforting it and bringing forth fruit through the same 29. How differs this faith from the others Besides those first five degrees it proceedeth further in extention and perseverance to the end 30. How that It comprehendeth the former 1. Knowledge 2. Assent 3. Profession 4. Rejoycing And further addeth 1. Application to the soule 2. Purging the conscience from dead workes 3. Comfort in the holy Ghost 4. Bringing forth much fruit 5. Perseverance to the end 31. VVhat is the fruit thereof Assurance and confidence in God for both things temporall and eternall 32. How is that That we shall 1. Have our soules saved in the day of the Lord by this justifying faith apprehending and applying Christ and his merits to the same 2. Want of no manner of thing that is good and profitable or convenient for either body or soule since to whom God hath given Christ in him hee hath given all things necessary and convenient for them and this is our confidence in the Lord. 33. VVhere is the substance of this faith expressed In the Creed rightly understood 34. Are there any differences or degrees in this true faith Yes though a true and saving and justifying faith yet found in some a weaker in others a stronger faith yea and in the same person sometimes a weaker or otherwhile stronger faith 35. How is it then knowne being weake from the former sorts of faith that sade or faile 1. To God by the heart and his owne worke in the same 2. To men onely by the effects 1. The fruit thereof 2. And continuance unto the end 36. But is not the hypocrites or reprobates faith often hardly by men distinguished from true faith It may be for a time and
personall proprieties are attributed and common to all three persons 49. Why is it here particularly so applyed In the Hebrew is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is alsufficient though here rendred by omnipotence and referred to God as placed before Father yet conveniently enough in our Westerne languages referred and attributed to the Father 50. How so As the fountaine of all power grace goodnesse and sufficiency and by him with his essence communicated to the other persons in Trinity 51. Are not all other divine attributes so too Yes but this more especially as belonging to him and his person as the foundation of the Trinitie fountaine of goodnesse and founder of all things else by creation which seemeth to have a more particular limitation and determination to his person as salvation and redemption to the Son the Truth Wisedome and Word of God and sanctifying comforting and strengthning to the holy Ghost though indeed opera Trinitatis ad extra sunt indivisa and all three Persons concurre in all these and the like actions and have them attributed secondarily howsoever to one of them in regard of person or office more particularly and principally referred 52. How is the Omnipotency chiefly seene In that effect of Creation that action attributed to the Father principally 53. Jt is then also attributed to the other persons It is secondarily but to the Father primarily so the Father by the Son his Wisedome Word and Truth did create the world Gen. 1. and without it nothing was created Ioh. 1. and the Spirit also of God in the creation moved on the waters Gen. 1. 54. What then is principally attributed to the Father The originall spring fountaine and beginning of all things and workes yet working by the Son and by the holy Ghost 55. What to the Sonne The dispensation of all things in wisedome and truth yet from the Father and by the holy Spirit and more particularly Redemption 56. What to the Holy Ghost The finishing and perfection of all Gods works and so especially sanctification yet from and with the Father and Son 57. How is Gods omnipotency seene in the creation By his alsufficiency of Power wisedome will and thence proceeding Justice mercy goodnesse 58. In what order is the Creation considered 1. In the originall decree from eternity so were all things appointed and decreed 2. In the execution of that decree so in time and in the beginning of time the Creation began in the beginning God created heaven and earth 59. What are the principall points considerable in the Creation The production of all things out of nothing The preservation of the things so produced 60. What in their production The wonderfull manner of it in regard of both the 1. Action it selfe creating all things out of nothing which not only passeth mortall power but even almost understanding 2. Instruments used none but his will and word commanding and all things were made 3. Facility of his actions though never sogreat he only spake the word and they were created 61. What else observable therein The time wherein created six dayes not that the Lord needed any such time to consummate his worke that could be in an instant if he pleased finished but for our learning and good 1. For order sake and to consider their excellent order 2. For distinctions sake that we distinctly and particularly might enter into consideration of the same 3. For manifestation of his soveraigne power over all that could make light be without the Sun and Starres trees to grow without their influence that we may know that though he useth meanes ordinarily yet he is not tyed thereunto but can doe what he pleaseth without meanes and so when we are destitute of meanes to rely on his power and trust in him Lastly to give us example to worke in our ordinary callings the six dayes and sanctifie the seventh to his glory 62. How is the prescrvation herewith considered As an effect of his almighty power and consequent of his creation who did not create them so to leave them but still governeth conserveth and guideth them to that end wherefore they were decreed and created viz. for his glory 63. What learne we hence Humble submission of our selves to his almighty hand and of our will to his will who created us of nothing and ordained us and all things to his glory 64. What meane you by heaven and earth Literally the very heavens and earth the works of his hands or figuratively and Metonymice all things therein contained Angels Sun Moone Starres orbes and all things flies birds fowles or creatures in Sea or Land or whatsoever comprehended by likenesse of nature in that notion of heaven and earth 65. In what sense By heaven understanding all spirituall invisible eternall and heavenly substances by earth all corporeall visible materiall and corruptible things so all bodies and soules Men and Angels Spirits and Intelligences and Orbes of heaven and earth Sun Moone and Stars and whatsoever creatures in the same contained whether of heavenly and eternall or earthly and corruptible condition 66. And were all those so excellent creatures created out of nothing Yes and but for his almighty power and grace preserving them must straight wayes againe fall to nothing so the whole world and all things therein founded in grace are by his grace and goodnesse to his glory continually upheld and preserved 67. What are Angels and all Saints so likewise They are and it is their glory to be in his grace and eternall joy and comfort to set forth the same in the certainty of his decree which hath confirmed that glory of his so to be in them and by them shewd and set forth for ever What learne we hence Both in body and soule by his grace created to seeke to set forth his glory that we so honouring him with all blessed Saints and Angels continuing in his grace may be honoured by him and possesse glory to all eternity 68. What followeth in the Creed The second Article and second part of the same concerning the second person in Trinity the person of God our Saviour and Redeemer SECT 4. The second part of the Creed concerning Christ. The Analysis of the second Article of the Creed and concerning Christ and therein his name and nature person office and action severally and in order described his name Iesus Saâ—â—our and so consequâ—â—â—ly Emanuel God 〈◊〉 or God 〈◊〉 us or in our nature whence his divinity showne perfect God and perfect man The word made flesh and man or humanity assumed into God in his humanity fit to suffer for sinne by his divinity able to beare it whereby scene Gods love and mercy to man yet justice and hate of sin in Adam and all his posterity The hainousnesse of whose sin and guilt in that his fall is here described both in the venemous nature and quality of sin and disobedience and extent of the same reaching to all of usâ— and 〈◊〉 so 〈…〉 blood of that
goodnesse 3. The graces and excellencies so lately before by Adam received and now this offence in neglect and contempt of them all Specially in Adam 1. This matter a small matter to be performed to forbeare an apple the offence so much the more for he that will not doe a small matter how will he performe a greater 2. His will being so free that hee might have performed it the fault so much the more foule in that he did not which so easily fully and perfectly he might 3. He had but one commandement hee could have no lesse unlesse none and not to keepe one and so easie a one how should he keepe more or what should he doe lesse this the more offence 4. His estate so excellent and nothing wanting in that excellency next and neare to Angels Yet to forget God be unfaithfull or unthankfull proud and disobedient or all so much more shame and neare to the sinne of Angels which so much more hainous their sin as high their excellency and condition before and so in eternity from an incredible height fell to eternitie to an extreame depth and despaire and well might Adam in this respect of his late excellencie and high estate bee by this his foule guilt and forgetfulnesse miserably ashamed and confounded 22. Was it indeed so hainous Yes yet this is not all neither for besides that that disobedience is the summe of neglect despight and contempt of the divine Majesty thereby in the prime manner of exerucsubg authoritie as Lord or Creator neglected despised and contemned by the poore creature a worme or dust the worke of his hands and that ought to exhibit all honour and service yet more this disobedience of his was not onely for himselfe or to his owne prejudice but in prejudice and to the ruine of all his posteritie as in his person and loynes included and so a defection most miserable as of so many and by a parent to be considered most injurious and lamentable 23. How can that be As in him then one person all the whole nature of man and generation of mankinde was so in him it suffered shipwracke of grace and received pollution of guilt 24. What is the effect in us We in him and by him deprived of that originall justice wherein hee was created after the image of God in righteousnesse and true holinesse lost that image and doe inherit what hee purchased by disobedience originall sin 25. Wherein is it seene In the want of originall justice weaknesse of nature so defaced pronenesse to all ill by which meanes that originall guilt further buddeth out in us into an actuall transgression 26. But is that originall sin punishable in us Yes as we were in Adam and with him capable of losse to lyable to punishment as attainder of blood in families so ours in his which foulnesse is further manifested and thereby also aggravated by thence springing many actuall sins 27. But could no ransome serve but the Sonne of God No neither Angels nor any earthly treasures not heaven and earth sufficient to satisfie the infinite offended Majesty of God but onely the Son of God and his precious bloud as 1 Pet. 18. not with corruptible things as gold or silver but with the precious bloud of Christ as a Lambe undefiled and without spot c. 28. Doth sin deserve so ill Yes the infinite curse of the Law judgement in this world and eternall damnation in the world to come both against Adam and us 29. Was hence then the need of the Mediator Christ so powerfull God and man Yes and so promised to him and the Fathers apprehended by hope performed to us apprehended by faith to the purging of sin and salvation of all the elect 30. How proposed to be considered As a Saviour of his people or the expectation of all a light to lighten the Gentiles and to be the glory of his people Israel 31. How their glory As from them descended of their race yet in whom all the nations of the earth should be blessed and so 1. Promised by God to Adam and the Fathers and Patriarchs 2. Expected by all holy men 3. Spoken of by the mouth of all the holy Prophers which have beene since the world began 32. How promised by God 1. To Adam in Paradise immediately after his fall the seed of the woman c. 2. To Noah as appeareth by his blessing the God of Sem. 3. To Abraham that in his seed all Nations c. 4. To Isaac with the feale of the Covenant circumcision 5. To Jacob and Judah as appeareth by the blessing Gen. 49. 10. And so consequently to David the Lord sware in his holinsse not to faile David and of the fruit of the body c. 33. How expected by holy men From even Adam himselfe whose first son through wicked Cain his wife almost in that expectation hoped 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 even the Lord or Messiah according to the promise So Abraham longed to see his dayes Isaac in Moriah the sight of God Iacob wrestling with God hoped a blessing and Saviour and all the Fathers as David the Lord to my Lord c. 34. How by the Prophets From Moses who set downe Gods promise to Adam received the Tables walked with God and saw the Angel in the bush in the Mount which was Christ and prophesied more of Shilo to be sent even all the Prophets witnesse that from Genesis to the Revelation is but the Genesis of the Revelation of Christ shadowed under many types and veiled in the Old but unveiled in the New Testaments 55. How so All or most of the legall Types and ceremonies with the Sacrifices in the Law shadowes of Christ the Tabernacle and Temple it selfe representing his comming and Kingdome life actions and glory Elias also of the forerunner Melchisedec Ioshua and Solomon the types of Christ every Prophet speaking of the Messias and his comming or actions Esay that a Virgin shall conceive and so to us a childe borne and a Son given yea and his passions and sufferings in whose stripes we are healed so also his actions miracles preaching healing the sicke halte blind lame riding to Jerusalem parting his garments and what not birth place stocke linage institution flight returne all foretold from Moses to Esay and from Esay to Malachy who lastly sheweth the Angel of the Covenant that Moses saw their bookes and writings full of him his acts and sufferings actions and passions foretold and described 36. How called by them Sometimes Emanuel God with us signifying his nature The mighty God Councellor c. Esay The mighty one the Redeemer The holy one the holy of Israel The Messias or anointed the Christ. 37. How here styled in this place Jesus a Saviour wherein comprehended the name Emanuel as salvation is only from the Lord. 38. Why called Christ As anointed by God and so signifieth the name Messiah in the Hebrew and Christ in the Greeke appointed to that office and
holy Ghost shall come on thee and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee so that Holy One the Sonne of the Most High also and called Emanuel 8. How his nativitie Borne of the Virgin Mary of whom hee tooke flesh and so the Son of God became man or took our flesh and nature or forme of man and of a servant and borne in the world or made man of his mother became the son of Man 9. But this is hard to bee understood much more to be beleeved Yet faith seeth more then reason and beyond it and as much as the eye of reason transcendeth the eye of the sense so much or farre more the eye of faith pierceth above reason and we know nothing is impossible with God 10. How is it proved Not onely by holy Scriptures abundantly but to the very satisfaction of reason or Philosophy were it to either Jew or Gentile if they looke to their owne Philosophy traditions or doctrine 11. How to them both If they finde a God of nature above nature as he that said O ens entium misere mihi they must yeeld him to be above the rules and law of nature that tooke her law and rules from him and so hee can doe what pleaseth him above beyond and besides the ordinary course of things 12. How for the Iew His Prophets will shew him a Virgin shall conceive and if he doe yet doubt let him show how Aarons dry rod budded the Sea ran back or Sun stood still and divers other wonders in the Law and I will straight even in the same shew him this the mightie power and finger of God 13. It is then wonderfull Yes the wonderfull worke of God ordained and prepared of old and wherein divers wonders seemed to concurre to this admirable effect where you may finde the Ancient of dayes a Child God made man a Virgin a mother all which the Lords doing and marvellous in our eyes 14. Wherein the most admirablenesse of this wonder Not so much that a Virgin should conceive and beare a son though against the law of Nature and rules of Philosophy to the astonishment of the wisest and admiration of Saints and Angels As that 1. the most high God should bee so abased 2. Ancient of dayes become young 3. Infinit God put on that finite forme of man 4. He whom heavens cannot containe contained in the Virgins wombe 5. He that gives food and raiment to all naked and destitute of all 6. The Eternall made mortall 7. Governour of all things forme of a servant 8. Fountain of life become the object of death though so to overcome eternall death which wisedome and love of God let Angels admire and men adore 15. Why so borne of a Virgin As a token or embleme of the purity of his nature that tooke our nature on him 16. Why yet in mariage Chiefly to honour that estate which in it selfe honourable and instituted by God himselfe in Paradise hereby more honoured that the Saviour borne in it though not of it but of a more excellent root secondly to stop the mouth of obloquy in regard of the evill world and froward and malicious Jewes 17. What other observations noted or reasons urged Divers fitting correspondencies betweene the manner of our first parents fall and this manner of the reparation thereof and betweene this second and the first Adam 18. Which are they 1. In regard of the woman that was the cause and instrument 2. Man that fell and manner of the fall and reparation thereof 19. How of the woman 1. As by woman the meanes and procurement as instrument of the fall so by a woman the means of the reparation came into the world 2. She offered fruit to the first Adam whereby we were all accursed so this bare the fruit the second Adam in whom all nations blessed and all generations call her blessed 3. That in the state of virginity yet marriage occasioned the fall so this in marriage yet state of virginity brought him that redeemed us and restored all 20. How in respect of the man 1. As the first Adam of earth fell so the second Adam from heaven repaired the losse restored the fall 2. The first Adam was without mother unlesse his mother earth so the second Adam without father in the world though both else sons of God 3. The first Adam had woman brought forth out of his side besides the course of nature so the second Adam brought forth by woman besides and beyond the ordinary law of nature so the first Adam by the first Eve though named mother of living lost life from all his posterity and got by their defections death this second Eve by the second Adam bringeth in his perfection life to all so truely becomming what the other in name only Mother of the living and of the Lord of life 21. How in respect of the manner of fall and rising In the fall it selfe and manner of the restoring or reparation thereof may be observed 1. The fall universall the grace generall restoring to all sufficient for all though effectuall only in the Elect. 2. The fall by man and by man came salvation 3. The fall out of Paradise and heaven from God restored into Paradise and heaven to God so This day thou shalt be with me in Paradise spoken to the thiefe 4. The fall by Satan sower of ill health from God the Fountaine of good 5. The disloyaltie of Adam in all parts amended and satisfied by the obedience of Christ. 22. As how As Adam unfaithfull lost all Christs faithfull Of those thou gavest me I have not lost one Saviour of all Adam brake one Commandement and so all Christ fulfilled all written of him and all righteousnesse Adams many offences of 1. disobedience to the Commandement and in that many sins 2. Disloyaltie hearing with patience the Divell traduce Gods truth 3. Envy of any above him to the contempt of God as if aspiring to the same state and to sit in the same Chaire of Dignity with him 4. Falsheartednesse consenting to the Divell the enemy of God so thinking better of him then God 5. Treachery taking part thereby with the Divell Gods enemy 6. Pride to aspire above his degree and in knowledge if not else to be equall with God 7. Malecontentednesse not content with the estate and good things God had given him 8. Ingratefulnesse the root of all evill to hear the Divels blasphemy against God and his truth and not offended yea consenting and so committing blasphemy in heart not being thankfull for so great benefits as that estate life and Paradise were and yeelded but so forgetting God and all goodnesse matter enough to lade him with the curse and pack him out of Paradise all which yet restored and satisfied for by the second Adam Christ. 23. In what manner 1. Not only by his main acts of obedience even to the very death in which all righteousnesse 2. Loyaltie to his Father and to doe
fully dead he had fulfilled the law and curse 2. Later lest his Disciples faith might faile or comfort too long be deprived and their hope to be turned into despaire 6. How the Prophesies Both of Hos. 6. 2. After two dayes c. and the third day he shall rise Jonah 1. 17. and 2. 2. utged the 1 Cor. 15. 4. c. Christ himselfe Matth. the 17. 12. 23. The Son of man shall be slaine and rise againe the third day and Matth. 20. 10. Mark 10. 34 Joh. 2. 19. 7. How the type of Jonah As is declared Matth. 12. 40. as Jonah was three dayes and three nights in the Whales belly so must the Son of man be in the heart of the earth 8. What more considerable in the time That it was 1. The first day of the week the Lords day our new Sabbath the Christians rest the day whereon the creationbegun and the day of the second creation so by Christ perfected our redemption 2. Morning early the first time of the day so day of grace here begun and true light arise in it and enlighten it 3. Extraordinary light of the world as before the Sun rising to shew the new Sun of righteousnesse with his preventing graces riseth so for the illustration of the new world in that true light 4. The first Month with the Jewes as a beginning of the new yeare of joy and eternall Jubilee of all Saints 5. Spring of the yeare so the spring of the new world as the day spring from on high so the worlds new birth and spring in restoring peace and redemption 6. Time of the Passeover when to fulfill the Passeover the true Pascall Lambe was offered the ceremonies so to cease all shadowes abolished the truth it selfe appearing 7. Finally he rested the Jewes Sabbath to the fulfilling but end thereof at his death that brought new life to the Christian Church and Sabbath by his Resurrection What note you in that action his Resurrection The efficiency in the power of divinity whereby according to the decree and will of God his soule reassumed the body and raised it out of the grave The effect in him his body raised from death to life the first fruits of them that beleeve The effect in us spiritually our raising from the death of sin to the new life of grace Corporeally our assurance and earnest of our resurrection at the last to the strengthning of our hope and confirming of our faith The effect in Types thereof for our farther comfort and instruction 9. What was the efficiency The great power of the divinity united to his humanity and by that to us as his members to the raising of him the first fruits and us at last that though it suffered him to sleepe that three dayes death in his passion did not leave his body in the grave nor suffered that Holy One to see corruption and in the same vertue by his merits after our sleepe of death will at last raise us out of the dust 10. How the effect In both his humanity and by him over ours in the mighty power of the divinity and raised him first and so will us at the last 11. What Types thereof Not onely Jonas by those three dayes in the Whales belly representing the time of our Saviours stay in the grave and bosome of the earth but Isaac after a sort at his birth in the deadnesse of Sarahs wombe and Abrams age received from death and more at his binding for the sacrifice on Mount Moriah restored to life and a figure of this onely Sonne of God and Sonne also of Abraham Christ here offered in sacrifice on the Crosse and thus restored to life 12. What other Types were there Both Adam himselfe Enoch Elias and divers other types of him and Emblemes herein of him and of the resurrection 13. How was Adam Though in him we all dye yet whiles he was in the state of perfection see wee in him a type of Christ the second Adam and the resurrection who in a dead sleepe had the woman taken out of his side his spouse named Eva the mother of the living as Christ in this dead sleepe had out of his side sending forth water and bloud the Church his spouse taken as it were out of those wounds by his death who is the mother indeed of the living 14. How was Enoch As one that walked with God and so taken from men was no more seene but raised so to life from state of that mortality 15. How Eliah In that manner taken away from men and mortality by the chariot of God translated to heaven to have this part in the resurrection of the just and be an evident type of Christ and embleme of the same 16. How any others The three in the Old Testament raised to life the widowes sonne of Sarepta the Shunamites son and the man raised by the Prophets body The three in the New Testament Lazarus the widowes son of Naim Jairus daughter all as it were to shew us the power of God in them and so many emblemes of Christs resurrection who was so the seventh of them that were raised or tenth of them all that were types and emblemes of him and his resurrection as a perfect number as from whom they received all the holinesse vertues and power of the resurrection which they were ordained to foreshew as figures of the same 17. What learne we hence Our duties as of mortifying our earthly members in remembrance of his death so a rising from the death of sin in the remembrance and power of his resurrection who dyed for our sinnes and rose againe for our justification who will so raise our soules in this life as both bodies and soules after death at last and also many other comforts hence arising 18. Which are they 1. Both the strengthning and confirmation of our faith in the comfortable remembrance of Christs resurrection already performed and so many other Saints of our owne nature of flesh and bloud with him or emblemes of him 4. Erection of our eye of hope to the state whereunto hee our eldest brother is entred and hath already received and invested divers in life and the resurrection of the just 3. Comfortable walking in this vaile of misery where we must one day meet with death in regard of our assurance in him of a joyfull resurrection 19. What fruit hereof Fourefold 1. heavenly minde set on heavenly not earthly things 2. Holy life new borne babes pure innocent and harmlesse 3. Joy in the graces and Spirit of God and in heavenly not corruptible things 4. Growth and increase in holinesse as branches of the true Vine Christ c. 20. What followeth In the sixt Article the second degree of his exaltation in his ascension to heaven in these words Hee ascended into heaven 21. What herein to be considered 1. The matter action ascension termini from earth to heaven 2. The manner in the presence of many witnesses with the time and
types thereof and analogies to be observed 22. What analogies herein An analogy or correspondency of it both to the descension as he came downe to earth from heaven the bosome of his father and height of glory by his incarnation so here he ascended from earth to heaven to his father and his right hand in Majesty by his glorious ascension The types thereof Moses Enoch and Elias of whom hereafter 23. What the ascension or action His glorious ascending to heaven in the sight and presence of many witnesses as it were foretold accordingly performed 24. How foretold Both by the Prophet David thou art ascended up on high hast led captivity captive and given gifts to men By himselfe Joh. 14. 2. I go to prepare a place c. Joh. 20. 17. I ascend to my Father and your Father to my God and your God By the types of it in the old Testament Enoch Moses and Elias 25. Why in sight and presence of many witnesses To their comfort and our confirmation that as his resurrection manifested to the women the Disciples one after another and sometimes two or three and then more together even till more then 500. at once so many times during his abode on earth so his ascension as every part of his actions for us and so our faith might be confirmed in the mouth of many witnesses and so indeed were by both Prophets Martyrs and others 26. Whence ascended he From earth to heaven from top of Mount Olivet by Jerusalem as it were from the earth to the heavenly Jerusalem City of the great King from the Church here to the Church above 27. To what end To prepare a place for us as he taught his Disciples To elevate our hearts to heaven and heavenly things To shew the way to us and all that are his To manifest his power and glory to mortall eyes and hearts according to their capacity that abundantly more is apparent in the highest degree to the blessed Saints and Angels in heaven 28. In what manner ascended he In an admirable and wonderfull manner as appeared by the Angels words then appearing to his Disciples and those present testifying of him and saying ye men of Galilee why stand ye gazing up into heaven This Jesus whom ye saw ascend shall so come as c. Acts 1. 11. 29. When was that Forty dayes after his resurrection during which time he was conversant on earth directing and comforting his Disciples and strengthning them 30 Why were those forty dayes interim For many good reasons and gracious comfort and instruction to his Church As 1. assurance of his resurrection in that space conversing though after a more divine manner and appearing so often and to so many 2. Confirmation of the verity of his humanity offering himselfe to be seene and touched and felt yea and eating with them though hee needed no sustenance yet as to Thomas herein descending to them to confirme their weake though ravished and admiring faith 3. Strengthning his Disciples opening their hearts and so comforting instructing and confirming them against all occurrences and times of fiery trials and persecutions 29. Did he not also appeare at other times and to others Yes but after a more ravishing strange and transcendent manner so to divers holy men As to Saint Paul on the way to Damascus but with such glory and splendor that hee was both amazed and stricken blinde but converted To Saint Stephen full of faith and of the holy Ghost even from heaven and in his majesty at the time of his martyrdome and very dissolution To Saint Iohn in Pathmos on the Lords day in a heavenly vision to the illustration of his understanding in writing that prophesie of the Revelation And to many Saints else to whom the Lord in grace yet with manifestation of some part of his glory appeared 30. Who were types of this his ascension Enoch who walking with God was taken away and no more seen Moses who ascending to mount Nebo was taken from men and Eliah who went up to God in that fiery charet and in the sight of Elisha ascended up to heaven 31. What analogy of their ascension to this As types to the antitypes usually have so those both to Christ and his ascension 1. As Enoch the 7. from Adam a holy and sabbaticall member and generation of the just walked with God and was so translated 2. So Christ the 7. of those that were ever til then raised to life of that line the Holy and Just One Prince of peace and author of our rest and endlesse Sabbath having walked with God now thus ascended 32. How Moses As that great Lawgiver and who in the wildernesse after forty dayes fast received the Law from God on mount Sinai and delivered the curses on mount Ebal and blessings on mount Geresin Deut. 27. 12. at last ascending mount Nebo though buried by God thus translated and taken from men was from the earth and tents of Israel ascended So Christ the Law-giver and confirmer of a better Law and covenant of grace after 40. daies fast in the wildernesse having vanquished Satan and on mount Sion manifested his Majesty after forty dayes conversing with men after his ascending Mount Calvary and death buriall and resurrection to life thus from Mount Olivet ascended up to heaven 3â— How Eliah As the greatest Prophet that ever arose in that state and the Church of the Jewes as who raised the dead to life opened and shut heaven at his prayer without dying was translated and ascended up to God in the power of the Spirit in that strange manner and convoy the fiery Charets and horsemen of Israel So Christ the great Prophet and Messias raising the dead in soule and body to life eternall having the key of David and opening and shutting heaven by those siery trials at his passion opening the gate of life and entring thereby at his resurrection thus triumphed in his ascension 34. Was this so manifested It might seeme so even by himselfe in his transfiguration where those types thereof Moses and Eliah met with him the Antitype on Mount Tabor as it were in a divine conference about the same 35. What was the event of it In that triumph ascending he led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men 36. What gifts Gifts and graces of his holy Spirit yea and the pouring forth of that Spirit in his Church most abundantly or as he speaketh the sending of the Comforter the holy Ghost the Spirit of truth for the direction guiding and comfort of his Church to the worlds end 37. What learne we hence In duty of humble thankfulnesse and praises often to ascend 1. In our contemplation to those high Palaces that so with preparation of soule in this life we may ascend to those high Courts hereafter whither he is gone before 2. In affection and hearty desire and longing after them by our preparation of will and wishes to be there with Christ whither he ascended and is
setteth forth the glory of God and salvation of soules in the same 7. How doth faith see it so cleerly In all the Scriptures even from the time of Adam in Paradise and Noah in the Ark Abraham the father of the faithfull to these dayes though in narrow bounds of one House Arke or family in the flourishing estate of the Jews in one people or Common-wealth yet still a true Church and company of faithfull beleevers and servants of God but now since by Gods mercies in Christ most flourishing spred over the face of the whole earth as we both see at this day and reade in the histories of the Old and New Testament 8. What Church or Churches One and the same though distinguished in times 1. In the Old Testament in Adam Noah and Abrahams housholds and chiefe of their families in Israel and all his sons the state of the Jewes 2. In the New Testament among The Nations of the Jewes Many 1. Apostles 2. Disciples 3. Beleevers All Nations else the Churches to the very ends of the earth and so far as as we are dispersed As those of Corinth Ephesus Rome c. Achaia Macedonia Antioch c. Asia the 7. Churches in Rev. 1. Which all together make up the Catholique Church 9. What signifies or whence this name Church Ecclesia Of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the calling together as out of the world into the Lords house and company so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying in Greeke the Lords house whence name of our Church and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his congregation 10. What is the Church then That company of Saints elected of God to eternall life called and gathered together out of all mankinde by the preaching of the word saved by the Messiah Christ and in his faith preserved defended and sanctified here to be glorified in heaven and out of the Church there is no salvation 11. Js there but one Church But one true Church whereof Christ Jesus is the head yet of which Catholique Church all particular Churches professing the true faith are parts and all faithfull persons members and all Synagogues though they call themselves Churches if they want that head or the true faith doe falsly chalenge that title as the harlot may of an honest woman but are indeed but Synagogues of Satan 12. How heare we then of many Churches even in the Scriptures and Apostles writings As the particular Churches in several Countries part or members of this one universall Church in that and many other respects so distinguished and divided 13. In what respects Most usually in regard of the 1. Time the Church of the 1. Jewes and 2. Christans 2. Extent universall Church Catholicke Particular Church c. 3. Apparant to men visible on earth in the professors Invisible to men 4. Places Heaven among the Saints and Angels Earth among men 5. Exercises in it Militant in grace Triumphant in glory As other distinctions also in regard of the circumstances may be of this one and the same Church 14. How could the Iewes Church and the Christians be one As both were united in Christ the head profession of the true faith and so elected called and ordained of God 15. How could Christ be the head or his faith in the Church of the Jewes As the Fathers and Patriarkes and all holy men before Christ trusted in the Messias Christ that was to come and in that faith walked with God and attained heaven as all Saints since in the faith of the Messias already come so all of one faith and under one head 16. Is our faith then the same with Abrahams The very same in substance onely diversified by the distinction of time and respect of the same Messias onely exhibitum or exhibendum as already showne or to be exhibited their faith farther off and in hope our more plainly and fully informed all shadowes and vailes removed the substance presented 17. But faith is of things not seene And so are the mysteries of this faith even in the very Messiah though seene with mortall eye yet much more unseene not onely for his divinity but divine actions office and doctrine also onely apprehensible by the eye of faith 18. What are the particular Churches Members of the Univerall Church of which Christ is the head planted by the ministry of good men in the power of God and his word in all parts of the world and in all times preserved by his grace in one part or other so all those famous Churches of Asia Phrygia and Pamphilia of Rome Ephesus Corinth Greece and generally in Europe Asia Africa and now America also and that were in all times as well of the Fathers and Patriarkes even Adam Noah Abraham Moses the Jewes and to our times make up this one Catholicke Church of God or to goe further even all men and Angels elected and saved 19. How expresse you the Church visible or invisible The invisible company of Saints elected of God to eternall life onely knowne to God and not to be discerned of men therefore called invisible whereas all professors of the faith living in the Church and seene in that society charity bindes us to acknowledge as the outward signes and profession shew to be the Church and which we call the visible Church 20. Is the visible Church perfect Nothing lesse for as shee is in the uncleane world she must needs be corrupted with that aire and in her are vessels of honour and dishonour and so as in regard of both shee is called a Net Mat. 13. 47. yet in regard of the better part also called the Kingdome of Heaven 21. How those other distinctions of the Church As in respect of place Heaven where Saints and Angels and earth where men are members of it so in regard of their exercises on earth the Church militant yet in her spirituall warfare and under the crosse but aspiring towards heaven the triumphant part thither already aspired having past the troubles of the world in joy and felicity both together when complete and united make up the Catholique Church 22. How said Catholique In regard of universality of times places and persons as well as Catholique doctrine of truth therein propounded 23. How holy In regard of the holinesse there to be found in the Head Christ the Lord imparting holinesse to the members Holy Father electing it Holy Ghost sanctifying it Holy Faith professed in it Holy Scriptures taught in it Sacraments and Ceremonies Prayers and actions used and exercised in it Life and conversation of the Members in comparison of the rest of the world 24. What are notes of the true Church The true preaching of the word of God and right use and administration of the Sacraments which cannot be well exercised but under a godly discipline and joyned with holy life and conversation 25. How is this proved For that thereby the Church is called together and distinguisht from all other companies whatsoever the word being the meanes the Sacraments
Heathenish at least and idolatrous and nothing savouring of true Christianity 40. How commeth it to bee so foolish or damnable Because it is not only in derogation to the Majesty of God to set up creatures or other foolish things to be sworne by but a depraving of his worship it being a part of his worship to sweare reverently by him as Jacob is noted in that hee sware by the feare of his father Isaac and so wee are commanded to sweare by him Deut. 6. 13. Esay 65. 16. and 45. 23. besides they may be noted for fooles to call dumbe things to witnesse truth that knowes nothing Stupid as Bâ—als Priests to call to them that cannot heare Children that like to children prate to such babies of clouts Prophane persons commonly as the ordinary and common swearer also 41. What is the odiousnesse of perjury An abomination even with the heathen of whom notable stories are recorded both in the love of fidelity and hate of perjury out of morality much more among Christians to be respected since else by perjury both God is made patron of a lie the Divells property who is a liar and the father of lies God is called to witnesse a lie which he hateth then which what greater indignity The perjured person prayeth against himselfe wishing himselfe plagued and damned then which what greater madnesse or impiety The bane of all societies and hellish confusion must be set on foot if it be suffered 42. How so If oath be taken or suffered falsly it must follow That Kings would be tyrants Subjects prove traytors Magistrates wolves Pastors devourers Neighbours and neighbouring Nations to cut throats one of another without conscience of amity league of sidelity and impunity granted to all impiety Plainly to be seen 43. What is the opposite hereof The right and lawfull use of an oath whereby the Lords name is sanctified used as himselfe commanded in swearing by him and him alone Esay 65. 16. Jer. 12 6. 44. What is the right and lawfull use To sweare in truth righteousnesse and judgement Jer. 4. 2. 1. So in Truth To that which is true Truly Ex animi sententia 2. Righteousnesse as lawfully required of God or Magistrate or is on just ground and in lawfull manner and good occasion 3. Judgement duly weighing and discerning the necessity of the oath together with the conditions and circumstances of the persons matter and especially the end 45. What the end The manifestation or confirmation of a hidden and doubtfull truth necessary so to be cleered The ending of controversies and satisfaction of our neighbour and justice The cleering of our innocency or duty discharged The glory of God for truth and right to take place as commonly wanting these ends and conditions it must needs be ill and so all swearing as if it be either 1. Of no necessity 2. Or first to no end but either rashly vainly of foolish custome c. Secondly an ill end As 1. in bravery to glory in their shame and 2. Blasphemously to rap out oathes to garnish their speech with such hellish eloquence 3. To falsifie the truth and to deceive by perjury 46. What are vowes A kinde of oathes or promissory oathes which as made to men are onely called oathes but to God are properly named vowes and binde to the performance of some thing promised and vowed 47. What required in promissory oathes That they be of things Lawfull and honest In our power and possible That we meane to performe That we doe also performe for otherwise 1. If lawfull and possible and not performed we are perjured 2. If impossible the oath doth not binde 3. If unlawfull it doth not onely not binde us but we are bound to breake it else we adde sinne to sinne What other conditions required in vowes That it be voluntary not forced or hypocriticall That it be to this good end The glory of God The good of our neighbours and brethren of ones owne soule 48. Of what sorts are vowes Either common to all Christians as the vowes in baptisme c. Or proper to some onely either required on some condition in regard of their place and degree or voluntary c. undertaken of divers things lawfull or indifferent 49. What common errors in oathes and vowes 1. To sweare for malice hire favour falsly or foolishly 2. To vow evill and hurtfull things as murder c. 3. Or vow and not meane to performe at least not performe To performe by halves and not fairly but with delay or diminution and doubling as Ananias and Saphira Acts 5. 50. What is the hainousnesse of the guilt and ofsence hereby The subverting or at least sleighting the truth The mocking of God destroying sidelity The bringing in Atheism by polluting the name of God and his honour in consequent worse then Jewes Turkes or Heathens that in their manner have beene zealous of these things 51. What the generall duty affirmed The glorifying of God especially in our speech and right use of the tongue wherein wee exceed all other creatures on earth yet proceeding also from the heart and budding forth into holy life and godly conversation 52. How especially scene In our taking care and making a conscience of 1. Speaking the truth from the heart 2. Speaking reverently of the great and fearfull name of the Lord and so on any occasion to remember it 3. Using the same religiously in our speech and communication 4. The vow in Baptisme and so of leading a godly and Christian life 53. VVhat is else here intimated All possible reverence and honour with all carefulnesse to be exhibited as the condemning of all neglect thereof in any degree and so all foolish idle and trifling speeches on no occasion as O good God O Lord O Jesus c which though seeming good yet as without the heart and idlely uttered without affection towards God or ground for them accounted dallying with the name of God and an offence or prayers and such like devotions as to say Our Father which art in heaven c. or I beleeve in God the Father never thinking of him whose holy name we utterwith our unadvised lips what it is but to take his name in vaine or mocke God and how much more with rash and beastly and so much more to bee abhorred of customary oathes or curses hereby condemned 54. VVhat reasons of this Commandement A two fold reason noted 1. Implicite from the name of the Lord thy God 2. Expressed in the Commination for the Lord will not c. 55. VVhat the implicite reason For that the Lord is Lord of heaven and earth death and life yea hell and all and can hurle thee headlong thither for thy abuse and so thou shouldest not dare Thy Lord and God from whom all good so what ingratitude is it in the vile swearer curser blasphemer to abuse his holy name Such a Lord as the Divell and all the powers of hell cannot dishonour but he will turne all to his
or recreation allowed Yes we have liberty to refresh and cheare our selves with those things that may comfort our weak nature and make us more able or disposed to celebrate the day as a festivall and day of joy unto the Lord for so it is and the Prophets expresse it so and as we have flesh about us as well as spirit and a body of dust the Lord who knoweth this our weaknesse appointeth the best things of the earth if we serve him for our comfort as in Paradise so on his Sabbath even to our bodily delight as the comfort of the soule so farre forth as it may helpe not hinder the hallowing of the day and expresse a holy not heathenish feast or drunken Bacchanalia on this day 49. How is that to be understood As that we may use to our comforts both the creatures by eating and drinking to make it a festivall day Musicke and godly singing or mirth to make it a joyfull day Other such like delights and recreations to refresh our spirits in honest manner whereby to be more cheerfull able to spend the allotted and best parts of the time in those holy duties appointed and so those delights to be a means to further these duties and without all excesse scurrility and prophanenesse which else may prove both an abuse of them and the Sabbath 50. What is the opposite part or vice hereunto opposed The not setting apart a rest or the pollution abuse and prophanation of that rest and day of the Sabbath 51. How not setting apart a day of rest Either in setting out none at all in effect or by not resting from sinning perturbation of the soule ordinary workes or worldly thoughts as they ought to doe or in stealing a part from God by their allotting unnecessarily 1. Early mornings workes to hinder the due observation 2. Part of the day or sometimes chiefe part of the day to other occasions 3. Latter businesses even to be set in hand before the Sabbath ended as too frequent instances may be given in worldings hying to fayres and markets before the Sabbath ended Carriers Millers Shop-keepers Alehouses Tavernes and others no necessity urging but filthy lucre stealing a part if not wholly prophaning the Lords day against which many good Lawes have by good Princes beene enacted though too often the more the shame slenderly executed 52. How to be remedied If good Lawes well enacted were by good Magistrates carefully executed as we read in some Councells decreed the goods to be forfeited as Concilio Dingulonencsis Canon 13. and by Leo and Authemius the persons to be proscribed whereby they were out of the lawes and Princes protection and the goods forfeited 53. How is the farther abuse and prophanation By abusing that rest and day of Sabbath to any evill end as superstition in Jewish abstinency from necessary things to be done for the better sanctification thereof Any Idolatrous fashion Idlenesse only and in doing no good which is worse then bodily labour and this Sabbatum Asinorum or of beasts Vanity or prophane sports which hinder holy duties and sanctification worse also then honest labour this onely Sabbatum tituli bare name of Sabbath Sinne as to gluttony exccesse drunkennesse and the like spending the best day in the worst exercises or wasting idly on the Sabbath what gotten the weeke which is Sabbatum Satanae the Divells holyday and they his slaves that use it 54. How is the heynousnesse of this sinne intimated 1. By Gods strict penall law enacted against it the offendors to dye the death Exod. 31. 15. 2. By that laws execution on him that gathered but sticks Num. 15. 32. 3. By Gods sending the people into captivity for it that the land might keepe her Sabbath that they his people had broken Jerem. 25. 4. Gods providence to have it observed that the day before only no other sent and allowed double Manna Exod. 26. 5. And lastly God and all good mens execrations of it and Prophets exclamations against it as Nehemiah also threatning the Merchants Nehemiah 13. 55. How is it then generally or commonly prophaned 1. Either by labours and journying that are not of necessity and might be avoided 2. By idle resting and sitting at home or other absence from publicke duties 3. By sinfull and vain spending the time allotted to holy duties in wicked manner 4. By suffering others especially those under the authority of Master or Magistrate to offend therein 56. What is the issue generally hereof By neglecting Gods ordinance and herein honour both good order overturned Good duties of all sorts neglected Magistrates and Superiours with God contemned Inferiours by prophanenesse come to misery Gods blessings alienated c. and his judgements assuredly appropriated to the offenders 57. What is the second part of the duty in sanctifying the Sabbath To remember it or mindefully with care and conscience to prepare for it and set about it 1. Seene in removing impediments 2. Using all good helpes 3. Convenient preparation to both the publicke and private duties to be performed by both 1. Ministers 2. People in the celebrating and being present at the celebration of divine Service and publicke worship of God in his Church performing the divine offices or officiating there with helping and assistance in the same 58. What is it to remember To take speciall note of this Commandement as begun in Paradise sanctified by God and now renewed in Christ c. To take speciall note of the duty enjoyned sanctifie the time the Sabbath ourselves to bee prepared And so remember all the dayes of the week so to labour that we may rest and sanctifie this The day before as a parasceve or halfe holyday begin to prepare ourselves to the sanctification of this The last Sabbath how we profited what wee learned and how to improve it in this 59. What impediments to be removed Of workes and labour that would importune us to neglect it worldly cares and distractions and specially sinne and vanity with sleepy drowsinesse of devotion and idlenesse perswading us to absent our selves from holy duties and stay at home 60. What helpes to be used Holy meditations of the benefit institution and command of the Sabbath and blessings attending the same as well as reading conference c. 61. What preparations else Fitting our bodies to the outward rest and presenting our selves and those that belong to us at the Church as our minds to the holy actions and present devotions in such preparation yeelding our presence both of body and minde even to all both publique and private duties of the Sabbath 62. What private duties Those preparations going before and good exercises and actions following the publique duties as also the ordinary meanes of sanctification private prayer reading and meditation Workes of charity and mercy Outward almes visiting the sicke c. peace-making Inward to the soule instruction reproofe exhortation comfort counsell c. 63. What publique The ordinary duties of the Sabbath in the publique worship
that in nature assisted by grace will suppose free will 〈…〉 of supererogation 24. What ability then may we 〈…〉 Only that which is of grace in Christ and to that measure that may be acceptable though not perfect since God is pleased so to accept of our best endeavours 25. Whence are we to expect it From God the giver of all goodnesse and so who is only able to worke in us both the thought the will and the deed 26. What meanes to obtaine it As here is prescribed continuall and earnest prayer the effectuall meanes to obtaine grace and all other blessings from the hand of God 27. Is there such necessity of prayer then Yes as the naturall life cannot be preserved without continuall food no more the spirituall life of the soule in grace without continuall accesse of Gods graces and comforts to refresh and nourish it 28. Is there such need for the faithfull also to pray Yes both I. As continually standing in need of such comfort 1. To shew they are Gods children and faithfull servants 2. To pay their vowes and duties of praise and thanksgiving 3. To performe their obedience to him 29. What manner of prayer required As is here expressed continually earnestl◠and diligent prayer so said we ought at all times to call for grace by diligent prayer and to this purpose we are bid pray continually 1 Thes. 5. 17. 30. What further intimated in the question following this preface That the Lords Prayer is the most excellent platforme that we may desire of prayer and absolutely in it containing all that we need pray for and as a rule for our hearts and words to make request by so most reverently and religiously to be respected and used whence the reproofe of any that either I. Superstitiously neglect 1. It or sleight it 2. All set formes of prayer II. Ignorantly attribute too much to the bare recitall of it so religiously using it with vaine repetitions and babling III. Superstitiously use it to the expiating of sin by the only often repeating it c. 31. Why is it called the Lords Prayer As by him taught to his Disciples and in them to the whole Church so sanctified by his holy lips teaching and commanding it saying when you pray pray after this manner 32. Is it then meant in those very words No doubt after so good a Schoolmaster and in words so well couched in so holy perfect and absolute manner and for the substance comprehending all things necessary to be desired 33. What followeth The expresse requiring the recitall of the same prayer intimated so necessarily to be learned and religiously used by all good Christians SECT 2. The Lords Prayer Hypothesis of the Lords prayer here proposed the generall thesis of prayer and the nature definition excellency sorts order and rules of it come to be considered So the definition explaned and parts of prayer and order of them described as also the sorts or kinds of prayer among themselves compared and illustrated as of vocall and mentall of publick and private ejaculatory and others the difference and degrees of excelleney all of them excellent and usefull in their kindes the holy and religions use of set form of prayer in the Church of God and reasons of the same and how from all antiquity and by all godly men used whence also the Lords prayer by the Lord himselfe so propounded to be used yet none of the others in their due seasons to bee neglected but most necessary on the divers occasions of our life estate and callings to be religiously practised all of them and often as the many and continuall blessings of Almighty God are powred out upon us or presented to our eyes and remembrance the circumstances of prayer further set downe and declared of kneeling and the like gestures the order and rules and conditions of all true prayer the wings of prayer and how made so powerfull and why the prayers of the wicked prove so uneffectuall and unacceptable how we may pray or more to elevate our minds and inflame our zeale and affections to this divine duty of prayer in a due estimate of it we may consider the rare excellencie of it by the divine Elogies and other testimonies of holy scripture concerning it as likenise the exceed 〈…〉 and urgent nesessity pressing us on inciting us to this duty and lastly the admirable force or surpassing vertue and efficacie of true prayer which is of faith even to the obtaining of all our desires overcomming the greatest powers that are in the world the great dignity urgent necessity and wondrous efficacie of it here amply appearing from a survey of the reall worth right use and rare 〈◊〉 both effects of it to which may be added these further godly and profitable directions therein for the right use and practise of the same 1. REcite the Lords Prayer Our Father which art in heaven hallowed 2. What is here especially to be observed In generall what prayer is and how regulated In speciall this prayer the perfection and parts of it 3. What is prayer Oratio quasi oris ratio the calves of the lips or rather a devout pouring forth of the soule before God in our submission to his Majesty and ordinance and so honouring him 4. What in it to be considered The Nature Parts Sorts Rules of it whereby the Essence Matter Manner Order of it declared 5. What the nature or essence As expressed in the definition of it said to be the immediate worship of God by our calling on him in the name of Jesus Christ with devout pouring forth of the soule before him acknowledging his great Majesty and mercies and our owne miserie so desiring both for our selves and others supply of our wants and necessities from the fulnesse of his bounty and giving him praise for the same or more briefly thus a lifting up of the heart to God in the name of Jesus Christ according to his will in full assurance to bee heard and accepted of him 6. Why say you an immediate worship of God Because that though many other holy actions both at Church and else are his worship as preaching and hearing the word receiving the Sacraments sacrifice and obedience better then sacrifice yet none so immediately honouring him as this that primarily and totally respecteth it as tendring him in that very act our duty and so in the act honouring and worshipping him whereas preaching helpeth but our infirmity and prepareth us to this duty sacraments sacrifice and obedience and all other good duties in the service of God and his worship are promoted and made more acceptable by this and have as it were their best perfection from hence and thus this is the greatest highest and holiest duty that can be done by man and even Kings in this action though other great matters required at their hands doe the greatest matter that ever they can doe on earth and performe the holiest duty and most honourable and strongest for their
Father c. as let thy name be sanctified by all 12. What farther intimated Very apparantly also a I. Confession of a 1. Due to God to have his name hallowed 2. Duty of our selves and others to sanctifie the same 3. Defect that it is too often and ordinarily prophaned and so we pray for reformation II. A deprecation against that abuse and prophanation and that God will be pleased to vindicate his honour III. Profession of praise and thanksgiving for that measure of grace whereby we are able to desire this That hope we have to have it performed by our selves and others 13. How summe you up all these together I. Our confession of a 1. Due it is sit O Lord that thy name should receive the glory and be sanctified 2. Duty of our selves others it is just O Lord that we should give thee praise 3. Defect it is too manifest O Lord that thy name is not honoured as it ought to be but by us and others too much dishonoured and prophaned II. Our petition O Lord let thy name be hallowed by us III. Our intercession we pray not only for our selves but O Lord let thy name be hallowed and sanctified by us all and thy glory among all Nations IV. Deprecation we beseech thee to vindicate thy name and honour and let not thy name be prophaned by the enemy V. Our thansgiving for this well disposednesse to his honour that it hath pleased thee O Lord to give us this grace Our hope in respect of our selves and others that thou O Lord hast ordained thy name by us and many others to be hallowed 14. What the second petition That Gods Kingdom may come the number of true beleevers encreased the Kingdome of grace enlarged and his Kingdome of glory hastened 15. What the order of it That after Gods name sanctified his glory desired and advanced his Kingdome and power of grace is thereby promoted extolled within us in our heart by faith and the working of his good Spirit to the subduing of sinne and all that is against God and without us in the world in which Kingdome we and all that are his may readily obey him and doe his will both men on earth with willingnesse as Saints and Angels in heaven with all readinesse joy and alacrity 16. What parts of this petition Two the 1. Object Gods Kingdome 2. Action to come 17. What meane you by his Kingdome That mighty power and infallible providence seen in guiding governing and directing all things to good end for his glory and we use to shew a threefold Kingdome of his as of I. Power in his universall Kingdome the world unto which all creatures are subject both men and Angels yea and Divels and this Kingdome Gods fold and field and draw-net c. as in the Parables and the parts both 1. Good and bad sinners and others 2. Wicked men and tyrants 3. Who are the tares drosse chaffe goats cockle and the like c. 4. As the godly the sheep and the like wheat gold c. and all shall bow under Gods hand II. Grace in his Church militant on earth of which only the godly are subjects as the wheat gold sheep that shall be severed from the tares and chaffe drosse and goats 3. Glory in the Church triumphant in heaven in the which Angels and Saints or soules of the just after the separation are his subjects 18. What meane you by the action come That his Kingdome may be 1. Erected where it is not 2. Continued and confirmed where it is 3. Restored where it is decayed 4. Encreased and enlarged by his effusion of his graces more abundantly 5. Perfected in us and our translation to felicity 6. Consummate in all and in due time compleat to his glory in eternity 7. Universally ruled and guided according to his good pleasure and will 19. How make you application particularly of the action to the object For the universall Kingdome that it may be so universally governed and if it be his good will all Turkes Pagans Infidels and Hereticks converted or confounded all evill men reduced to godlinesse tyrants and persecutors tamed the Divell and his wicked instruments brideled that his power may be seen in all things and celebrated by all and his good pleasure performed 20. What for his Kingdome of grace That it may be erected where it is not both in our hearts by faith and praces of his Spirit and in all places of the world where it is not or where it never was planted so among the heathen and to the ends of the earth that they may glorifie God with us 2. That it may bee continued and strengthened by his gracious presence and blessings where it is both within us in our hearts and without us where ever in the world 3. That it may be daily encreased and enlarged by more abundant measure of his graces and effusion of his Spirit into our hearts and upon all flesh to his more honour and praise and more and more willing obedience 4. That it may be restored where ever by Satans malice decayed whether within us by temptations of sinne from the world the flesh or the Divell or without us in any others or in the vastity of those decayed but sometime flourishing Churches where Gods honour did formerly stand and as among the Turkes and Jewes at this day in that wonder of the world Jerusalem and her Sion now under Turkish bondage and slavery those famous Churches in Asia Greece and Alexandria now oppressed by savage Barbarisme and Mehometicall insidelity and tyranny and where ever else the true faith now oppressed or opposed that God will be graciously pleased to relieve and restore it 21. How for the Kingdome of glory That as begun in grace in us and others by the power and earnest-penny of his Spirit and gracious revelations of his presence that it may be more perfected by our translation to that beatificall vision of his glory and for as much as it is daily tending to more perfection in the encrease of the number and approaching of the determinate consummation that finally he will hastening the marriage of the Lambe consummate and make compleat that number and give them full complement of all joy in eternity that all Saints and Angels together in fullest happinesse and felicity may set forth and enjoy his glory everlastingly 22. What is the Scepter of this Kingdome of God The power of Gods Spirit ruling every where most perspicuously and over all creatures universally as more particularly by grace in his Church militant and in most excellent glory in his Church triumphant 23. What instruments doth God exercise in it Even all creatures generally as instruments of his glory so shall the very Divells be wicked men and tyrants though unwillingly and constrained godly men more willingly and with readinesse and joy Saints and Angels most willingly cheerfully and speedily and more particularly seen by us in this Kingdome of grace 1. All good Kings and
explained the second petition for our selves or fifth in order with the order and Analysis and parts thereof observed what meant by forgivenesse and debts or trespasses and how we are debtors many waies and say justly our trespasses the condition whereon we aske forgivenesse as we forgive others and also no forgivenesse at Gods hand so how and how far men may and ought to forgive their brethren and their trespasses and who offend against this divers wayes how David Moses and others did curse and the Magistrate punisheth and not forgiveth and who truly or as they ought forgive others whereby the way is discussed the power and authority that the Church and Priest hath to forgive sins both according to the doctrine of the holy Scriptures and expositions thereon of the ancient Fathers and all orthodox Writers and so generally of the whole Church of God in all ages as well as the present Church of England with the right understanding of her tenet in that point and the good use to be made of it whereby confession is explaned how far forth requisite and coldly for the most part now used but the defect of discipline and other inconveninces plainly enough to be perceived issuing from the same so the true and genuine use thereof asserted and cleerly proved by many arguments as aforesaid and more fully by the generall practise of the Church and primitiva times demonstrated whereby the manner how it was by them exercised and so the order of the ancient Church discipline is on this occasion set forth and decyphered and for the present petition here is farther declared what herein we ought to doè or avoid so what is here expressed or intimated thus particularly summed up together and explaned 1. VVHat are the three latter Petitions Concerning us and our necessities for things either 1. Temporall as daily bread Give us this day our daily bread 2. Spirituall As forgivenesse of sins c. Deliverance from temptations 3. Partly spirituall and partly temporall as deliverances from all evill ghostly sin and bodily dangers 2. What the first of these Petitions The fourth of the Lords Prayer Give us this day c. wherein we pray for all things necessary for this present life under the name of bread or dayly bread and this day 3. What is the order Placed before those that desire spirituall things or blessings to shew 1. Our exceeding necessity in this life and so first desire food and raiment without which wee cannot subsist 2. Our Fathers mercy that considereth this our need and weaknesse 3. Our account and use wee ought to make of it since allowed to aske it to use it as a step or degree towards better blessings 4. What contained or to be confidered in it 1. The object bread and double epithetons of it 1. Our and 2. Daily bread 2. The action give and adjoyned circumstance twofold of the persons To us time to day 5. What understood by bread 1. Either spiritually bread of life panis vitae or coelestis Angelorum Manna Angels food Christ and Gods word and Sacraments in which respect it might be well preferred to all the rest of the Petitions but thus more improperly 2. Or temporally the staffe of bread food raiment and all other necessities all other comforts of this life whereby to make bread relish well and us to enjoy it 6. How for the first sense Spiritually taken it may be understood indeed that most divinely for Gods holy word which is food of souls bread of life called by such honorable epithetons shewing the vertue and efficacy to sustain the soule according to that of our Saviour Man liveth not by bread onely but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God Secondly also for Christ himselfe who is the incarnate Word and Wisedome of the Father who is the true bread of life and food indeed as thirdly of the Sacraments of his body and blood the spirituall food also of our soules and so this called panis coeli or coelestis Angelorum and the like but not so properly in this place intended since this bread in the first and second Petitions desired where Gods name and glory and kingdome are prayed for and whereas in patriâ wee desire to bee satiated with this heavenly Manna here more properly intended is the panis via or viatorum and that part that concerneth the temporall necessities of this life intimated also by Today and daily and so bread is said to be either Panis Nature of this life Doctrine of Gods word Gratia Christus in Sacramentis Gloriae Christus in Coelis 7. How is the word of God bread As it doth nourish comfort and strengthen the soule as materiall bread doth the body and so noted in these respects of our soules 1. Vivification raising it from death to life 2. Consolation comforting it in that life and against all tribulation 3. Confirmation in goodnesse and against all ill and assaults of the divell 4. Delectation with the heavenly taste and sweetnesse roborating strengthning and illuminating of the heart in the true faith 7. How is Christ the bread of life As the word of God manifested in the flesh to the quickening and raising up of our soules and bodies so panis hominum and as the comfort of Saints and Angels in glory so panis hominum Angelorum c. and so to bee noted this bread of life in I. The Sacraments are to be holâ—ly 1. Prepared for with reverence reached unto with feare received by faith 2. Ruminated with devotion that it may nourish us in Christ and make us one with him II. Heaven doth Satiate without any defect to eternity in glory Delight with eternall sweetnesse maintaine life eternally and so Angels food and as the Psalmist said Man did eat Angels food panem Angelorum thus in grace and glory 9. What then of other naturall or materiall bread As by it we understand the very materiall food of our bodies in this life with all the necessary appurtenances of quietnesse and peace friends house lands or revenewes rayment health and other blessings to make it sweet and comfortable to us as that stay of life the staffe of bread is or is accounted to be so we must remember that it ought to be 1. Got by our honest labour 2. Received with moderation and thankfulnesse and so onely properly our daily bread 3. Imparted to others with us as the poore our bread 10. But why is all food called bread To teach us the 1. Use we should intend for strengthning us the property of bread chiefly not for vanity or voluptuousnesse 2. Moderation that should be as the holy and abstemious men that lived with bread and water onely 3. Blessing if we have it from God it shall be sufficient and having food and rayment to bee content 11. Why say you Our bread To signifie both 1. The love of God that granteth it to be ours by the giving when else we
others good 9. Uncharitable that hate or love not their brother 10. Hard hearted and cruell or disdainfull that scorne or pitty not others 11. Malecontented that doe enjoy nothing as not content with any thing 12. Idle and sloathfull oppressors and theefe deceiver c. that get not their owne but others bread 13. Unthankfull and they that trust in riches or the arme of flesh and never truly depend upon God to aske or receive it of his gift and so in generall we see all ungodly and ungracious men faile in this as most of the other petitions 20. What pray we against Against both 1. Extreame poverty or want of necessaries 2. Want of quietnesse content peace and other comforts of life 3. Unseasonable weather 4. Invasion of enemies 5. Sicknesse and mortality whereby deprived or cannot comfortably enjoy Gods blessings 6. Idlenesse covetousnesse 7. Worldly care 8. Discontent uncharity whereby wee get not or use not our goods lawfully 9. Too much fulnesse whereby in pride or vanity and excesse we forget God and all moderation of daily bread and abuse his blessings and our selves 21. What in the letter hereof expressed 1. The petition for our selves to obtaine such our daily bread and a blessing upon it 2. The intercession for others for the same grace and gifts from God to bee granted there with us What intimated I. A confession of 1. God the giver of all goodnesse and so of his continuall graces to us in giving us c. 2. Our duty to beg it daily at his hand Our defect and neglect of this duty II. A deprecation against all extreame want and poverty or other hindrances of enjoying our daily bread III. Thanksgiving and praise for 1. For all benefits and blessings in generall or speciall received 2. Deliverance from adversities and want Hope of being heard in the continuance and comfortable enjoying c. 22. How summe you it up together in order I. Our confession of 1. Gods bounty that O Lord that every good gift and every perfect giving commeth downe from above c. and that thou clothest the Lilies and feedest the young Ravens that call upon thee 2. Next our duty the eyes of all things looke up and trust in thee O Lord for thou givest them meat in due season thou openest thy hand and fillest all things living with plenteousnesse 3. Defect too often O Lord wee have gone away from thee and have not looked up to the hils from whence commeth our helpe II. Petition Be mercifull unto us O Lord and give us this day our daily bread III. Intercession Shew us the light of thy countenance give thy blessing unto the people IV. Deprecation defend us O Lord from want and let there be no decay no leading into captivity and no complaining in our streets V. Thanksgiving and praise 1. Happy are the people that be in such a case yea blessed are the people that have the Lord for their God 2. We will also tell of thy mercies and sing of thy praise without ceasing 3. In assurance of thy grace we will trust in thy salvation yea Iacob shall rejoyce and Israel shall be right glad 23. What the second petition for our selves The fifth in order forgive us our trespasses as we forgive c. wherein we aske forgivenesse of all sinnes errors and offences against God or man as we are in charity affected and in repentance humbled and ready to forgive others without which condition of charity and repentance in faith it is impossible our sinnes should be forgiven 24. What the order of it After asking good things from God our daily bread we are hereby put in minde what is the hindrances of his blessings our sinnes and so taught to desire the impediments may be removed whereby his blessings may more freely descend for our sinnes are a separation of our soules from God and of him and of his favour from us which that it may be removed and we reconciled we pray forgive c. 25. What herein contained 1. The petition wherein the Action forgivenesse Object of our sins 2. The conditions as we forgive them that c. 26. What meant by forgivenesse Gods absolute remission of sin both in guilt and punishment and blotting it out of his booke and remembrance that it never rise up in judgement against us to shame or condemne us with the meanes whereby we desire it gratiously effected in us therein considered I. The giving of his graces of Faith and Repentance Humility Confession II. Forgiving the Guilt of sin spotting the soule Punishment deserved in his anger Death temporall and eternall III. Acquitting us by 1. Applying Christs merits to us 2. Accounting and acknowledging us just before him 3. Renewing our decayes by his Spirit by sanctification and holinesse 27. What meant by sin or our debts Our offences against God or man for which we owe satisfaction and so become debtors which debts we are never able to satisfie and so we pray for forgivenesse of those sinnes offences or debts of ours being so many and so grievous both against God and men 28. What sorts of these debts are there I. Against God many and infinite ones in number and greatnesse as 1. Errors 2. Ignorances negligences 3. All manner of breaches of his Law both in thought word and deed II. Against superiours in disobedience III. Against equalls in love and and charity IV. Against inferious in uncharity and want of mercy V. Against our selves by our intemperance error and rebellion Or we are debtors To God owing love and duty To all superious owing obedience To all men owing justice in love unicuique suum reddere To enemies to put away anger and forgive injury To our selves owing abstinency from ill that hurts the soule by which we are to be rightly ordered towards God our superiours our neighbours our enemies our selves and ought to render every one of these their due or we be else debtors to God and men and sinners against God especially in every of them as breakers of his Commandements 29. Why say we our trespasses As most sensible of our owne sinnes which doe in number passe the sands or the haires on our head in number and are innumerable as the Psalmist speaketh and which may be a motive to us both 1. To forgive others since we have so many sins to be forgiven at Gods hand 2. To pray also for the forgivenesse of others sins which we will if we have either charity or sense therein of ours or others misery 30. Why adde we that condition 〈◊〉 we forgive c. To teach us that without charity as well as saith it is impossible to please God or obtain our prayers to be heard or forgivenesse at his hand therefore if we ever hope to obtaine our prayers we must be in perfect charity and able truly to pray for our enemies perfecutors and slanderers and forgive them that trespasse against us 31. What if we doe not forgive them We may
and Anen 2. Verbe so his actions that are done in truth and his fiat or Amen was the foundation of all creatures 3. Adverbe so it signifies certainly or without end or doubt and so are all his words and truth and such and hence our confidence 21. How is Amen used Either for 1. Wishing as usually in prayer Amen fiat 2. Confirmation or ratification as Gal. 1. 20. 3. Usuall affirmation single in speech Amen I say c. 4. Asseveration doubled as Amen Amen dico vobis even almost to oath Jo. 16. 23. 5. Consent as in many prayers praises in the Church 1 Cor. 14. 16. c. used by the people 22. How here used In any of these present respects as in 1. Our confession of praise and consent to the praises of God 2. Our affirmation or asseveration of his glory and our duty 3. Our wishing and hearty desiring our prayers to be heard 4. Our ratification of our vowes and thanksgiving and confirmation of our faith 23. For what may it serve us then 1. To confirme us in the faith and confidence we should pray with 2. To comfort us in assurance of the promises of God and truth of them 3. To Convince and 4. To condemne us if as gracelesse ones we pray unfaithfully Hypocrites wee pray but dissemblingly 24. In what may we then be assured or confirmed in this faith and confidence 1. In God who hath commanded us to pray and offer this sacrifice of praise 2. In the promises of God assuring us to bee heard if we pray faithfully 3. In the testimony of a good conscience that we pray as we ought faithfully and charitably 4. In the holy Spirit who witnesseth with our spirits and maketh us truly say Abba Father 5. In Christ in whom the promises of God are Yea and Amen and in whom as we say Father at first we may here also most confidently say Amen 25. What followeth in the Catechisme The question concerning the sum and substance of the Lords Prayer SECT 8. The thirteenth Question The summe of the Lords Prayer and all the parts thereof and petitions before rehearsed epitomized and hereby paralelled with the answer to the thirteenth Question As else the preface both severally and other petitions explained In the first petition hallowing Gods name The second petition thy Kingdome come in all the parts and branches thereof and 3. Petition Thy will be done in earth as it is in Heaven so likewise explicated as the fourth petition for our daily bread and â— Petition for forgivenesse of our sinnes as we forgive others and the 6. Petition for deliverance from temptation and all evill as those before with the conclusion and the whole doctrine in them comprised thus epitomized and explaned An other manner of exposition of the same by some propounded wherein the seven deadly sins in the seven Petitions so by them numbred prayed against and the opposite virtues desired though rather in very deed in every of the petitions are all the said vices and vertues and all others whatsoever plainly deprecated or desired 1. VVHat desirest thou of God in this Prayer I desire my Lord God our heavenly Father who is c. 2. What is here in these words contained An exposition by way of paraphrase of the Lords Prayer and so if we marke it we may find all the parts and petitions of it delivered and expressed in other words a little more at large for our better understanding of the sense and meaning of the same 3. How then shew you the parts and petitions of it particularly 1. The Preface of our Father which art in heaven in these words I desire my Lord God our heavenly Father who is the giver of all goodnesse 2. The first Petition Hallowed be thy name The second Petition Thy Kingdome come The third Petition Thy will be done c. That he will send his grace to me and to all people that we may worship him hallowing his name Serve him in his Kingdome Obey him as we ought according to his will 3. The fourth petition And give us this day our daily bread in these words That he will send us all things necessary both for our soules and bodies 4. The fifth petition To forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them c. in this That he will be mercifull unto us and forgive us our sinnes 5. The sixth petition Not to lead us into temptation but to deliver us from evill in these words That it may please him to save and defend us from all dangers ghostly and bodily and from all sin and wickednesse from our ghostly enemy and from everlasting death 6. The conclusion For thine is the Kingdome power and glory for ever and ever Amen in these words And this I trust hee will doe of his mercy and goodnesse in Jesus Christ our Lord and therefore I say Amen So be it 4. And how doe you more particularly shew the full exposition thereof By considering the substance of what is intimated or expressed in the severall parts and petitions aforesaid 5. How in the Preface In the confession of the great mercy love and compassion of our Father as well as his Majesty and glory in the heavens whither we are to elevate our soules and eyes considering our wants and miseries here on earth and so we say and confesse Him 1. Father of mercy and consolation and fountain of goodnesse Light and Spirits and so of our spirits 2. Our father in Jesus Christ and our loving and mercifull God 3. Who is now and for ever the same Alpha and Omega the first and last 4. In heaven the Throne of his glory by his powerfull presence glorious Majesty The Kingdome of his Church by his graces The hearts of the faithfull by his holy Spirit And thus wee confesse him giver of all goodnesse and elevating our eyes and mindes to heaven say Wee have lifted up our eyes unto the hills from whence commeth our help and to thee that dwellest in the heavens in majesty power and glory most gracious God and our loving father which art in heaven 6. How in the first Petition 1. In our confession of Gods goodnesse Thy name is worthy to receive all honour O thou holy one of Israel and holiest of all holies Our duty and it is fit O Lord wee should set forth thy praise and ever be telling of thy glory and sanctifying thy name Our neglect yet O Lord we have not honoured thee as we ought but rather many wayes prophaned thy most holy name and word and other means of our good Lord we bewaile and give us grace truly to lament our sinnes negligences and offences 2. In our requests our petition and intercessions Lord let thy name bee hallowed by us and all people more conscionably in our lives and all our actions that our tongues may shew forth thy praise and wondrous works and that we may ever be doing good and giving of thankes 3. In our deprecation