deserve grace of congruity yea rather for that they are not done as God hath willed and commanded them to be done we doubt not but they have the nature of sin Hom. III. p. 2. We have neither faith charity hope patience chastity nor any thing else that good is but of God and therefore those virtues be called the fruits of the Holy Ghost and not the fruits of man Truly there be imperfections in our best works Let us therefore not be asham'd to confess plainly our state of imperfection yea let us not be ashamed to confess imperfection even in all our best works To. 2. Hom. XVII The holy company of Saints in heaven confesseth constantly that all the goods and graces wherewith they were endued in soul came of the goodness of God only It is meet therefore to think that all spiritual goodness cometh from God only Expl. 82. When 't is said no meer man since the fall c. 'T is clearly imply'd that before the fall man had power to keep the Law of God perfectly but now since the fall he has not this power in this life neither 1 in his corrupt estate before conversion nor 2 in his regenerate after conversion 1 st Not in his corrupt estate for though men unconverted either to Christianity as the Gentiles or to Christ as all prophane Christians may by the power of nature and freewill or by the help of common grace be able to do some things contained in the Law which in themselves considered are good for the matter yet not in a right manner because not from a right principle true grace and not to a right end Gods Glory nor by a right rule the Law of God in the spiritual meaning of it Nor 2 dly in his regenerate state here in this life for 1 his knowledg of his duty is but in part And how can he do it perfectly when he does not know perfectly 2 His grace imperfect Ex. gr faith love c. because mingled with more or less of the opposite corruption A. 83. Some sins in themselves and by reason of several aggravations are more hainous in the sight of God than others Hom. V. p. 3. Christ saith Wo be unto you for you devour widows houses under colour of long prayers therefore your damnation shall be greater You make them children of hell worse than your selves be Hom. VIII p. 2. Children of unbelief of two sorts who despair and presume and both these sorts of men be in a damnable state as the one should believe the promises so the other the threatnings not over-boldly presume of Gods mercy and live dissolutely Expl. 83. If we consider sin only with reference to the Infiniteness of Gods majesty who is thereby provoked in this respect all sins are equally hainous because all against an Infinite Majesty but if we consider them either in their own nature as transgressions or in their several circumstances then some sins are greater or more hainous than others for though every sin be a transgression of the Law of God yet every Law of God doth not equally and so directly and immediately concern the Glory of God and the salvation of man neither is every Law so clearly promulgated or made known Besides there are some aggravations in the sin it self as when it is not only in the heart but in word and deed so the greater the scandal the greater the means to prevent it the greater the person by whom and against whom the greater the sin as also it may receive its aggravations from many circumstances as time when a man is drunk upon the Lords day place as to cut a purse in the Church or at the Bar before the Judg Company as to be debauch'd in Civil or prophane in Religious company A. 84. Every sin deserveth Gods wrath and curse both in this life and that which is to come Hom. XX. p. 1. We do daily and hourly by our wickedness and stubborn disobedience horribly fall away from God thereby purchasing unto our selves if he should deal with us according to his justice eternal damnation Expl. 84. Every sin being a breach of the Law deserves the curse of the Law or the penalty which is due to the sinner upon every the least sin and that penalty is death not only temporal but spiritual and eternal or the wrath of God to be inflicted upon the sinner both here and hereafter Obj. But if every sin deserve hell then this would seem to take away the difference in punishments Answ. No for this doth not ly in the duration of the punishment for that will be eternal to all who come into that state where the worm never dyes and the fire never goeth out but it will be in the degrees of the punishment some belike shall lose more good and endure more evil or torment than others CHAP. III. Of things to be practis'd according to the Gospel Or the Ordinances of the Gospel particularly of the two Sacraments in 13 Articles with their Explanation From A. 85. to 98. A. 85. TO escape the wrath and curse of God due to us for sin God requireth of us Faith in Jesus Christ repentance unto life with the diligent use of all outward means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of Redemption Hom. XX. p. 1. We have here a perpetual Rule appointed unto us which ought to be kept at all times and that there is no other way whereby the wrath of God may be pacified and his anger asswaged which no man is able to abide but is mov'd by repentance to obtain mercy And with a full purpose of amendment of life fleeing to the mercy of God taking sure hold thereupon through faith in his Son Jesus Christ there is an assured and infallible hope of pardon and remission and that we shall be received into the favour of our heavenly Father To. 1. Hom. VIII p. 2. If we turn to him with an humble and a very penitent heart he will receive us to his favour and grace for his name sake for his promise sake for his truth and mercies sake promised to all faithful believers in Jesus Christ his only natural Son Expl. 85. There were never any more than these two ways prescribed by God unto man for his keeping or obtaining of that happiness which doth consist in the favour of God 1 Perfect and sinless obedience to the whole will of his Creator and this was prescribed in innocency for his keeping in favour with God 2 Faith in Iesus Christ which was prescribed immediately after the Fall for the recovery of the favour of God which he had lost for we are to look upon God not only as the party offended by transgression but also as the supreme Lawgiver and great Governour of the world and therefore God as the supreme Governour was bound by vertue of the perfection of his own Government and for the preservation of the honour of his Law
of the Soul as love joy delight c. are set open that this King of glory may enter in and find entertainment there A. 87. Repentance unto life is a saving grace whereby a sinner out of the true sense of his sin and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ doth with grief and hatred of his sin turn from it unto God with full purpose of and endeavours after new obedience Hom. XX. Of Repentance Which is a returning again of the whole man unto God from whom we be faln away by sin We must return from those things whereby we have been withdrawn pluckt and led away from God Unto whom alone we must return not to the creatures or the inventions of men or our own mercies by Jesus Christ who hath made satisfaction to the Justice of God with our whole heart forsaking all that is contrary to Gods will out of a sincere love of godliness a purpose of our selves by Gods grace to renounce our former wicked life and a full conversion to God in a new life to glorifie his name c. We must beware and take heed that we do in no wise think in our hearts imagine or believe that we are able to repent aright or turn effectually unto the Lord by our own might and strength for this must be verified in all men Without me ye can do nothing Ioh. 15.5 Again of our selves we are not able as much as to think a good thought 2 Cor. 3.5 Expl. 87. This repentance is called repentance unto life because the fruit thereof is unto holiness and the end everlasting life and concerning this repentance several things are to be noted 1 st concerning the nature of it that as well as faith it is a saving-grace because it is a part of Sanctification and not a common work of the spirit which is reckon'd up amongst those things which do not accompany Salvation as every part of Sanctification doth 2 dly Concerning the immediate spring of this repentance and that is a true sense of sin i. e. such a sense of sin as doth break the heart for sin and that in a kindly manner with grief or godly sorrow not with despair this latter sense of sin may be found in a Iudas but only the former in a Paul for whether it be in reference to the guilt of sin a true penitent does not despair of pardoning mercy or whether it be in reference to the punishment of sin he hopes to be deliver'd from the wrath to come and therefore this true sense of sin and a lively apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ are here joyned together 3 dly We have here the inward acts of repentance as 1 grief of heart for sin called therefore a being pricked at the heart and a being contrite and broken in spirit which is when a mans heart is ready to bleed and melt and tremble within him because he has broken the holy Law of God and has thereby foolishly exposed himself to the curse and penalty of the Law 2 Hatred of sin whereby a man doth disrellish and dislike sin and can roul it as a sweet morsel under his tongue no longer when he does not only not love sin but he abhors it the very thoughts of it are grievous and ungrateful to him and therefore 3 he turns from it not only does as one who turns away his face that cannot endure to behold it but his feet for he hastens as far from it as he can and that he may secure himself from the danger of it he turns from it to God 4 With resolution not to return to his old beloved any more 4 thly we have here the outward effects of repentance called its fruits active constant universal endeavours to lead a new life A. 88. The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of Redemption are his Ordinances especially the Word Sacraments and Prayer all which are made effectual to the Elect for salvation Hom. 5. p. 3. Apply your selves chiefly and above all things to read and hear Gods word mark diligently therein what his will is you should do and with all your endeavours apply your selves to follow the same Expl. 88. 'T is here supposed in the A. that there are inward and extraordinary means whereby Christ can and sometimes probably does communicate the benefits of Redemption there being Salvation in no other name than that of Jesus where persons are not made capable of this Salvation in an ordinary way and in the use of means there is no other way left but that which is extraordinary and so we read of those that have been sanctified from the womb But the ordinary means are the standing Ordinances of the Gospel sc. the Word Sacraments and Prayer the Word to inform and reform us Sacraments to confirm our faith and Prayer to beg a divine and effectual blessing upon both and all these three are included in that one great ordinance of the Gospel a Gospel-ministry unto which Christ hath promised his presence unto the end of the world because till then the mystical body of Christ will stand in need of being edified in its most holy faith for if the Unction of the Spirit had taken away the use of preaching why then did the Apostles use to preach A. 89. The Spirit of God maketh the reading but especially the preaching of the Word an effectual means of convincing and converting sinners and of building them up in holiness and comfort through faith unto salvation Hom. I. p. 2. If we lack a learned man to instruct and teach us yet God himself from above will give light to our minds and teach us those things which are necessary for us and wherein we are ignorant Mans humane and worldly wisdom or science is not needful to the understanding of Scripture but the revelation of the Holy Ghost who inspireth the true meaning into them that with humility and diligence do search therefore To. 2. Hom. XVII p. 1. Let us in faith and charity call upon the Father of mercy by the mediation of his well-beloved Son our Saviour that we may be assisted with the presence of his holy Spirit and profitably on our parts demean our selves in speaking and harkening to the salvation of our souls Hom. XVI p. 2. And he of his great mercy so work in all mens hearts by the mighty power of the Holy Ghost that the comfortable Gospel of his Son Christ may be truly preached truly received and truly followed in all places to the bearing down of sin death the Pope the Devil and all the Kingdom of Antichrist Hom. XVII p. 3. We should not be able to believe and know these great mysteries that be open'd to us by Christ but by the Holy Ghost St. Paul says that no man can know what is of God but by the Spirit of God as for us saith he we have received not
pray against afflictions though these are also tentations and lead us not c. but we do absolutely pray to be delivered from the evil of sin and this by God alone who can bring good out of evil A. 107. The Conclusion of the Lords-Prayer which is For thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory for ever Amen teacheth us to take our encouragement in prayer from God only and in our prayers to praise him ascribing Kingdom power and glory to him and in testimony of our desire and assurance to be heard we say Amen To. 2. Hom. IX Amen which word is as much as to say as truth that the blessing or thanksgiving may be confirm'd Expl. 107. In this Conclusion we are taught 1 Self-denial and the renouncing of all worth and merit in our selves for we are not to say Lord do thus and thus for I am worthy for whom thou shouldst do so and so but for thine is the Kingdom c. i. e. Thou who hast commanded us to pray for what we need hast Power to give us what we beg though in our selves never so unworthy From that word therefore Lord we may note 1 That answering of prayers is a special part of Gods providence in governing the world which he will have every supplicant to own and acknowledg The belief of a providence is very necessary to the offering up unto God the sacrifice of prayer 2 From those words and the Power we may note sc. That what God may do as Governour of the world in answering prayers by virtue of his supreme Authority that he hath strength and ability to execute and perform 3 From those words and the Glory observe 1 That God looks upon it as one of his Titles of Honour to be a God hearing prayers 2 That therefore in our prayers as well as in any other part of Divine worship we should principally aim at the honour of God and 't is one of the greatest arguments we can have of hope to speed when our design is rather to gloririfie God than to gratifie our selves 3 That the Kingdom and Power of God and that honour which does redound to him from both these are everlasting 4 That Praise should accompany Prayer 5 That whatever we ask of God in the name of Christ according to his will believing we shall receive for that 's the meaning of that word which doth seal up this Prayer Amen because so it is or so be it or in the words of Christ be it unto thee even as thou wilt a greater encouragement than which unto prayer no rational supplicant can desire for 't is no more than ask and have that your joy may be full FINIS a Psal. 87.5 6. b Ier. 9 3. c Gen. 14.14 d Hos. 4.6 e Eph. 4.18 f Isa. 27.11 g Act. 3.6 h 1 Cor. 3.2 Heb. 5.12 i Mat. 4.4 Amos 8.11 k Luk 8.26 37. 9 5. 10 11 12. l Mat. 10.14 40 c. m Zach. 5. n Ier. 36 23. o 2 Cor. 4.3 p Rom. 10.1 q Gal. 6.6 r Deut. 11.18 19 c. 6.6 7 8. 4.9 Eph. 6.4 Isa. 28.10 Ex. 13.8 Psal. 78.5 Prov. 22.6 29 3. 10.1 1.10 4.1 2. Col. 3.11 12. Gen. 18.18 19. 2 Tim. 1.5 with 3.15 c. s 1 Tim. 4.3 4 5. Ioh. 8.29 t 1 Tim. 3.5 u 1 Pet. 2.2 Isa. 55.1 2. * Sir Edwyn Sands observed Eighty years ago that this was a notable means for the growth of the Reformed Religion x Deut. 17.18 19. y Prov. 29.15 17. with 4. 1 Sam. 2.23 c. 3.13 Luk. 12.47 48. Prov. 1.24 25 c. * Decembâ—r 1670. 1 Tim. 6.3 Eccl. 12.13 Joh. 13.17 Phil. 4.13 1 Cor. 9.23 27. Mat. 10.13 14 -40. Luk. 10.16 1 Thes. 4.8 Joh 12.25 48. Prov. 19.2 Heb. 12.13 1552. 1562. Artic. XXXV 13 Eliz. c. 5. 1655. Dec. 11. 1670. What is the chief End of Man a 1 Cor. 10.31 Whether therefore ye eat or drink or whatsoever ye do do all to the glory of God b Psal. 73.25 Whom have I in heaven but thee and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee 26. My flesh and my heart saileth but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever What Rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorifie and enjoy him c Eph. 2.20 And are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Iesus Christ himself being the chief Corner-stone d 2 Tim. 3.16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousness e 1 Joh. 1.3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you that ye also may have fellowship with us and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Iesus Christ. What do the Scriptures principally teach f 2 Tim. 1.13 Hold fast the form of sound words which thou hast heard of me in faith and love which is in Christ Iesus What is God g Joh. 4.24 God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth h Job 11.7 Canst thou by searching find out God Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection i Psal. 90.2 From everlasting to everlasting thou art God k Jam. 1.17 The Father of lights with whom there is no variableness neither shadow of turning l Exod. 3.14 And God said unto Moses I am that I am and he said thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel I AM hath sent me unto you m Psal. 147.5 Great is our Lord and of great power his understanding is infinite n Rev. 4.8 Holy holy holy Lord God Almighty which was and is and is to come o Exod. 34.6 The Lord the Lord God merciful and gracious long-suffering and abundant in goodness and truth 7. Keeping mercy for thousands forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin and that will by no means clear the guilty g Joh. 4.24 God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth h Job 11.7 Canst thou by searching find out God Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection i Psal. 90.2 From everlasting to everlasting thou art God k Jam. 1.17 The Father of lights with whom there is no variableness neither shadow of turning l Exod. 3.14 And God said unto Moses I am that I am and he said thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel I AM hath sent me unto you m Psal. 147.5 Great is our Lord and of great power his understanding is infinite n Rev. 4.8 Holy holy holy Lord God Almighty which was and is and is to come o Exod. 34.6 The Lord the Lord God merciful and gracious long-suffering and abundant in goodness and truth 7. Keeping mercy for thousands forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin and that will by no means clear the guilty Are there more Gods than one p Deut. 6.4 Hear O Israel the Lord our God
that so many of us as were baptized unto Iesus Christ were baptized into his death f Rom. 6.4 Therefore we are buried with him by Baptism into death that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father even so also we should walk in newness of life To whom is Baptism to be administred g Act. 2.41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized h Gen. 17.7 And I will establish my Covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting Covenant to be a God unto thee and to thy seed after thee 10. This is my Covenant which ye shall keep between me and you and thy seed after thee Every man-child among you shall be circumcised Act. 2.38 And Peter said unto them Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Iesus Christ for remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost 39. For the promise is to you and to your Children and to all that an afar off even as many as the Lord our God shall call What is the Lords Supper i Luk. 22.19 And he took Bread and gave thanks and brake it and gave unto them saying this is my body which is given for you this do in remembrance of me 20. Likewise also the Cup after Supper saying This Cup is the New Testament in my blood which is shed for you k 1 Cor. 10.16 The Cup of blessing which we bless is it not the Communion of the blood of Christ The Bread which we break is it not the Communion of the body of Christ What is required in the worthy receiving of the Lords Supper l 1 Cor. 11.28 But let a man examine himself and so let him eat of this Bread and drink of this Cup. 29. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily eateth and drinketh damnation to himself not discerning the Lords body m 2 Cor. 13.5 Examine your selves whether ye be in the Faith n 1 Cor. 11.31 If we would judg our selves we should not be judged o 1 Cor. 11.18 When you come together in the Church I hear there be divisions among you 20. When ye come together therefore in one place this is not to eat the Lords Supper p 1 Cor. 5.8 Therefore let us keep the feast not with old leuen neither with the leven of malice and wickedness but with the unlevened bread of sincerity and truth q 1 Cor. 11.27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread and drink this Cup of the Lord unworthily shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. What is Prayer r Psal. 62.8 Trust in him at all times ye people pour out your hearts before him God is a refuge for us s Rom. 8.27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth the mind of the Spirit because he maketh intercession for the Saints according to the will of God t Joh. 16.23 Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my Name he will give it you u Dan. 9.4 And I prayed unto the Lord my God and made my confession w Phil. 4.6 Be careful in nothing but for every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God What Rule hath God given us for our Direction in Prayer x 1 Joh. 5.14 And this is the considence that we have in him that if we ask any thing according to his will he heareth us y Mat. 9.6 After this manner therefore pray ye Our Father which art in Heaven Hallowed be thy Name c. What doth the Preface of the Lords Prayer teach us z Isa. 64.9 Be not wrath very sore O Lord neither remember iniquity for ever behold see we beseech thee we are all thy people a Rom. 8.15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear but ye have received the spirit of adoption whereby we cry Abba Father b Luk. 11.13 If ye then being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children how much more shall your heauenly Father give the holy Spirit to them that ask him c Eph. 6.18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all Saints What do we pray for in the first Petition d Psal. 67.1 God be merciful unto us and bless us and cause his face to shine upon us 2. That thy way may be known upon the earth and thy saving health among all Nations 3. Let the people praise thee O God let all the people praise thee e Rom. 11.36 For of him and through him and to him are all things to him be glory for ever Amen What do we pray for in the second Petition f Psal. 68.1 Let God arise and let his enemies be scattered let them also that hate him flee before him g Psal. 51.18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Sion build thou the walls of Ierusalem h 2 Thes. 3.1 Finally Brethren pray for us that the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified even as it is with you Rom. 10.1 Brethren my hearts desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved i Rev. 22.20 He which testifieth these things saith Surely I come quickly Amen Even so come Lord Iesus What do we pray for in the third Petition m Psal. 119.34 Give me understanding and I shall keep thy Law yea I will observe it with my whole heart 35. Make me to go in the path of thy Commandments for therein do I delight 36. Incline my heart unto thy testimonies l Act. 21.14 And when he would not be perswaded we ceased saying The will of the Lord be done m Psal. 103.20 Bless the Lord ye his Angels which excel in strength that do his Commandments hearkening unto the voice of his Word 22. Bless the Lord all his works in all places of his Dominion Bless the Lord O my soul. What do we pray for in the fourth Petition n Prov. 30.8 Remove far from me vanity and lies give me neither poverty nor riches feed me with food convenient for me o Psal. 90.17 And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us and establish thou the work of our hands upon us yea the work of our hands establish thou it What do we pray for in the fifth Petition p Psal. 51.1 Have mercy upon me O God according to thy loving-kindness according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions q Mat. 6.14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses your heavenly Father will also forgive you What do we pray for in the sixth Petition r Mat. 26.41 Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation Psal. 19.13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins let them not have dominion over me s Psal. 51.10 Create in me a clean heart O God and renew a right spirit within me 12. Restore unto me joy of thy salvation and uphold me with thy free Spirit What doth the Conclusion of the Lords Prayer teach us t Dan. 9.18 We do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousness but for thy great mercies 19. O Lord hear O Lord forgive O Lord hearken and do defer not for thine own sake O my God u 1 Chron. 29.11 Thine O Lord is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the Majesty for all that is in the Heaven and in the Earth is thine 13. Now therefore our God we thank thee and praise thy glorious Name w Rev. 22.20 Amen Even so come Lord Iesus