creatures to his praise fearing to displease him and seeking to please and serve him in that way he prescribes adoring him alone having no faith no hope but in his wisdome pow'r goodnes for what concernes the soule seeking health ease honors riches but from him by lawfull meanes enduring patiently his corrections being thankfull for his blessings in all things submitting his will unto his doth I Beleeve fulfill the Commandements of the first Table which concerne God and his service CXXXIV And who in and for God loveth his Neighbour as himselfe doing what he can lawfully to instruct him in the right full knowledge of the Lord to divert him from sin exhort him to vertue help him to leade a holie sweet life wishing praying for him what is necessarie for his present future happines and freely heartily and fully pardoning him all faults doth likewise fulfill the commandements of the second Table concerning his Neighbour CXXXV But because this love towards God man cannot be so pure perfect in the state of our corruption but that we sin daily 'gainst both so transgresse the law of God and by our transgression loose the blessing of everlasting life promis'd unto its observers doe daily incurre the curse threatned unto its transgressors I Beleeve confesse that though the Law be just perfect in it self yet by reason of our weaknes since the fall of Adam it is not sufficient to Salvation CXXXVI Sith then my workes are imperfect I Beleeve my faith must supplie their want And since the Law cannot save me but rather condemnes me I borrow the helpe of my faith beleeving God for my righteousnes or justification And because it is not enough to beleeve in God without Christ this is my Heartie Faith in him Verball confession of him besides those points I have alreadie toucht concerning him CXXXVII That God Father Son holie Ghost having in mercie Elected some men it pleas'd that onelie wise gracious Spirit to give them Christ as the effectuall meane of their Election sole cause of their Salvation 'T was then decreed that the second Person of the incomprehensible Trinitie should assume mans nature thus to be made to Gods Elect wisdome righteousnes sanctification redemption CXXXVIII And least our Nature should be corrupt sinfull in Christ if as man he had descended from Adam by naturall generation it was likewise decreed that a pure and perfect bodie should be formed by the power of God of the purified substance of a faithfull Virgin without the helpe or seed of man CXXXIX And as this was eternally decreed so I Beleeve it was perform'd in the appointed time for the blessed Virgin Marie beleeving Gods message consenting to be made a Mother without anie carnall knowledge of man did by the power of the holie Ghost conceive that wondrous Child who by an eternall Generation is the Son of God without Mother and by temporall conception the Son of Man without Father CXL Mans nature in Christ â—ubsisting not in it selfe but in the Person of the Woâ—d I Beleeve that in one instant Christs whole humanitie bodie soule was form'd created assum'd or taken up by the second Person of the Divinitie in such a strait perpetuall union that it did never subsist without the Word who assum'd the nature not the person of man so that in Christ there is but one divine eternall indivisible person in to by which our whole nature soule bodie hath its subsistence abiding or standing yet addes nothing unto the Deitie for God being perfect simple eternall he can receive no addition composition alteration passion CXLI The Union being Personall of two natures in one Person I Beleeve that as the Person of Christ can not be divided so his Natures are not can not be confounded but still retaine their essentiall proprieties the divine being eternall infinit omnipotent omniscient and the human temporall finit once passible having a beginning of time limits for knowledge power place For though Christs human pow'r knowledge wisdome were great excellent yet CXLII I beleeve they were finit so that all things were not possible known unto him as man although as God he knew could doe all things which are not contradictorie I say therefore that although Christs Person to whom the proprieties of both natures are common knew all things in the wombe yet it was not by his human nature by which he being born increased in wisdome learning new things by dailie experience And thus I Beleeve he was born CXLIII Although his bodie was by the power of God form'd in an instant to the requisit growth for the reception of the soule yet he was in the Virgins wombe grew in it to greater strength till the dayes were accomplisht that she should be deliv'red CXLIV And then the blessed Maid brought forth in Beth-lehem in a stable the Maker of heaven earth who then appeared to the world in the shape of a poore Servant in the forme of a weak Infant whom beholding with the strong eyes of faith I most humbly adore for CXLV I Beleeve that that Infant is God and Man Man to doe endure for me that is in my steed for my good what I could not yet ought both to doe suffer and God to give infinit price efficacie or force unto the actions passions of the Humanitie apply them to me CXLVI I Rely then wholly on the merits of Christs obedience to Gods Law of his suffrings for my sins Beleeving he exactly observ'd the Law for me fully satisfi'd his offended justice and so by his paines righteousnes both originall actuall redeemed me from sin death hell and purchast me grace life Heaven CXLVII Christ then is all my hope my onelie Mediator of redemption intercession through whom I live on earth in grace shall in heaven in glorie To procure me both these also to shew me examples of humilitie meeknes patience all vertues my Saviour was borne amongst beasts subject to my passions infirmities yet without sin or disorder circumcis'd the eighth day carried into Egipt Persecuted through all his Life which having led most holily humbly painefully patiently miraculously chiefely the three last yeares in which by his mightie wonders divine instructions he manifested his Deitie he ended it by an ignominious and cruell death drinking at last the full bitter cup of Gods indignation against sin and sinners treading alone the Wine-presse of Gods wrath shedding all that precious bloud which is our bath onelie purgation CXLVIII I Beleeve then that as he did represent us he was in his human nature expos'd unto the wrath of God which his innocent Soule so lively apprehended that she was heavie unto death then enduring for his Elect by the helpe of the Deitie supporting the Humanitie th' eternall paines due to their
HERBERTS Beleefe and Confession OF FAITH MADE In CLX Articles FOR Th' Instruction of His Wife Children LONDON Printed by JO DEVER ROBERT IBBITSON MDCXLVI Premonition THe Proverbe is true common That which is meat for one may be poison for another for without doubt all things are not fit for all men therefore it concernes them much to know their particular inclination follow it if just orderlie in their attire diet exercices worldlie Vocations But in matters of salvation in respect of that knowledge faith love works which are requir'd of a Christian in years of discretion then certainly what is meat for one must be meat for all fith the same things are necessarie to all men by which one must be sav'd Let then everie man looke on this Confession as on a thing as fit for him as for my Wife two Children If this hath a faire publick regard my Catechisme other books shall by Gods helpe shortly follow This as the lest nimblest goes out first to see whether the way be cleere smooth I Have perused this Beleefe Confession of Faith writen by a private Christian which I judge according to truth and that he may be a Pattern to others to lay aside the study of vain janglings by which they are perverted to Fables and attend with greater diligence to fundamentalls I approve it to be Printed Ja. Cranford Aug. 24 1646. To my most Deare AND New-Borne Babe Benjamin Herbert Sweet Child THou hast by the Lords Grace this day receiv'd the first visible Signe and Seale of his Covenant with us thou hast e'en now beene Baptiz'd with Water and as I may comfortably conceive with the Spirit of God who if thou canst attaine the yeares of discretion will I hope and pray assist thee with his effectuall grace to cast off the old man Adam with his sinfull affections and actions and put on the new Christ Jesus with his whole Righteousnes renewing thy heart by degrees and sanctifying thy person thus begetting thee to himselfe by the outward seed of his Word and his inward lights and motives This is my hope and pray'r for thee But because this converting Word is not often preacht so fully diligently as I wish our old men being commonly in manie places of this Land babes in knowledge and Children in Christian wisdome lest thou should'st want that necessarie food for thy soules everlasting life here is my Love here is a help to know that God to whom this day thou hast vow'd Faith and Obedience Here is a Confession made for thee in the Wombe and now presented thee for thy future instruction consolation and salvation Receive it courteously Deare Babe cast on it thy mild lookes take it with thy litle fingers kisse it with thy soft sweet sucking lips and hereafter esteeme it above all riches keep it as thy life 'T is thine made for thee although I say it is likewise made for others thy vertuous and beauteous Mother thy wittie and prettie Sister Thou maist hereafter understand Knowledge is like the Sunne which casts his beames abroad and yet looses no light Or like a Torch at which millions may be lighted without prejudice to anie or to it selfe for light and heat are common unto all bodies and given all to all In giving Instructions that which I give remaines with me and although all the world divide my gift yet each man may receive it whole Thinke not therefore this Booke lesse thine because composed for others but rather indeavour to make it truly thine by diligently learning it and heartily beleeving boldly professing faithfully practising that sound Faith and those pious Works I have taught thee in it and in my Catechisme dedicated to thy faire and loving Sister which I give thee likewise And when thus thou hast made them thine hide not thy light my Deare burie not thy talent but as a Sunne impart thy light and heat to thy friends nighbours yea all men with whom thou shalt converse Let it be thy daily studie holie ambition to doe well to all men so behaving thy selfe that by thy vertuous examples Christian instructions and friendlie admonitions no man goe from thee without gaine Convert sinners from their ill wayes comfort the penitent and afflicted in their sorrow griefes releeve the poore in their hunger nakednes miseries instruct the ignorant in honestie and religion and as Peter confirme thy brethren the faithfull in Christian verities and religious duties Doe this my sweet Infant doe this diligently having no other intention then to please serve obey that God who shall I hope give thee both the will the deed both the desire and pow'r to doe such noble things And as that gracious God hath made me a good helpe for thy greater and speedier abilitie to advance his glorie studie my Love studie by thy dutifull observance to answer if I live the great affection care and paines of me Thy then happie Father W. HERBERT Pointington 2. of March and the 13. day of thy Life 1644. The Preface SIth the Just shall live by his Faith I hope no man can justly condemne me for the present Declaration of mine He may rather greatly praise me who knowes that the just man must wisely examine his Heart to see what Faith he hath what he Beleeves to Righteousnes and then boldly open his Mouth to Confesse it to Salvation if it be such as may worke both a true livelie strong Faith by which he wholly relies on Gods free mercie through the onelie merits of Christ for his Justification and Glorification Fearing therefore no condemnation of the wise yet not challenging their commendation my pen hath writ in this paper what Gods finger hath graven in my Heart and shall I hope bring thence into my Mouth when his glorie shall require it to the losse of my goods reputation libertie life How soone this may be I know not but I see this is a fit time to trie each mans Faith and courage for now Divisions reigne mongst us yea over us and are so strong sharpe hot that they like mightie Rocks suppresse all rights like two-edg'd Swords cut asunder those bonds God and nature have made to unite men and like a raging Fire burne and consume this once rich and glorious Countrie Least then by the furie of these unhappie Divisions and most incivill civill Warres that Faith be chang'd that Religion exil'd which by the Lords grace I Professe I have thought expedient to leave my Beleefe in writing for helpe to my Posteritie that so my Wife and Children may find here what a Kingdom may loose and is worth more then all the World If it be said that there are other Confessions to direct my Children in the right pathes of Faith I will answer that such indeed leade into pathes of Faith but that these pathes being in my conceit too strait I have made them here a hie
so forsaking God transgressing his law which then he might have kept if he had been willing he lost that integritie wisdome he was created in that absolute yet gentle pow'r he had over these inferiour creatures yea that immortalitie both of bodie soule by which the bodie should never have been forsaken by the soule nor this deprived of Gods grace which is her onelie Life XLV I Beleeve that as we were all in Adam he did then represent us so he lost for us all what he lost for himself Therefore all his children none excepted but Christ are curs'd dead in him being all guiltie of the sins he committed in eating of the fruit prohibited by God subject to his punishment I say sins in plurall for pride incredulitie murther intemperance theft did all concurre with his disobedience XLVI I Beleeve that those sins having infected the first mans person his person corrupted his nature this spreads her killing infection into all the persons which naturally descend from Adam by him that is by naturall generation so that all such persons are shapen in iniquitie conceiv'd in sinne thus defil'd and curs'd both in soule bodie XLVII I call this sin Originall beleeving it a naturall strong aversion from good propension to ill an inbred lust desire concupiscence by which we will act or not act in opposition to Gods Laws the rules of reason and so is the corrupt fountain of all our Actuall transgressions of the Lords Laws in thoughts affections words actions yea of our omissions of all holie duties XLVIII I Beleeve that this sin hath so corrupt our whole nature that of our selves or without the speciall grace of God we can not think desire love fear work or speak any thing which be pleasant to him XLIX This sin being the cause of all our miseries the breeder of our feares cares paines the murderer of our soules and bodies as I know all men die bodily for it so I judge them all damn'd considering them all in Adam guiltie of his dis-obedience for the wages of sin is dead both corporall and spirituall all sins being of such killing nature so mortall in themselves that the lest deserves many deaths L. Yet I Beleeve to the glorie of my Gods Mercie Confesse that both Originall Actuall sins are not imputed to all men but by his most free gift pardoned to manie who by this grace of Remission of sin are delivered from that spirituall perpetuall death by which the rest of mankind is swallow'd LI. Those blessed men who obtain this gratuit pardon I call Elect those wretched persons who misse it Reprobat the first being taken out of the generall sinfull lump of naturall corruption in Adam by Gods eternall Election and the second left in the same by his eternall Reprobation LII Considering with feare and pitie the miserable state of these and seeking earnestly the Cause of their Reprobation I finde it in Gods will I Beleeve then to the glorie of my Gods Justice Confesse that he decreed eternally to Reprobat reject disallow or passe by some of mankind which should voluntarily fall into sin so damne them to declare his Justice LIII Thus I think not that their Infidelitie or sin foreseen be the cause of their Reprobation for thus we should all be Reprobat but I beleeve say again that God was mov'd to decree it by his free just Will being resolv'd of the same lump to make some vessels to honor others unto dishonor so as a great Lord to furnish his great house with vessels of all sorts LIV. Yet I say not that God made some men to be damn'd although he did reprobat them for none is damn'd as he is man created in great puritie but as he is deform'd marr'd by his voluntarie folie guilt neither is dammation the proper end of his Reprobation or an effect of it but is a meane to manifest the glorie of the Lords Justice and his hate towards sin in the severe everlasting punishments he inflicts on sinners LV These punishments being the fit wages of sin this sin most voluntarie in the Reprobat consid'red in themselves who daily wilfully sin in Adam whose fall was free they have no just ground to complaine of God as if he were the cause or author of their sin which I Beleeve he 's not but rather hates forbids it For though they cannot forbeare sin but much delight in it commit it with greedines yet LVI I Beleeve that sin is not prompted to them nor forc't on them by God but by the suggestions of the Devill corruptions of their nature God is not oblig'd to strengthen them against those tentations depravation but may justly denie to them or withdraw his graces from them give them up to their hearts lusts Satans pow'r neither likewise was he oblig'd to hinder Adams fall but might did most justly permit decree it not as a sin but as a meane to manifest his mercie justice mercie to few justice to manie LVII If my blind reason shall dictat that thus the Lord is hard injust partiall I le reprove it by this my firme Beleefe that God owing nothing to man no not the coursest bread he eates must not cannot be accus'd of severitie injustice or partialitie for no man can pleade against God nor the thing form'd say to him who form'd it why hast thou made me thus We were all in Gods pow'r as the clay in the Potters hands fit to be made vessels to such uses services as our Lord maker thought best for the revelation of his wisdome power mercie justice LVIII If then God lov'd Jacob hated Esau before they were borne and had done either good or ill it is enough for me to know 't was his will to doe so and who can resist or alter it being almightie and immutable And who dares censure it being most just yea the rule of justice I dare not will not cannot find fault with the just and hie God who hath mercie on whom he will and hardens whom he will LIX Although this word Harden seemes hard yet I Beleeve that there is no unrighteousnes with God for he hardens but those who have hardned themselves by their wilfull abuse of good motions predications admonitions corrections he hardens them not by infusing anie malice into their hearts but onely by a just deniall or subtraction of the graces he owes them not so by suffring them to follow their lewd inclinations Satans wicked tentations And this they doe so wilfully eagerly constantly that as their Reprobation is sure immutable in respect of Gods will which can admit no change so they make their damnation most certain by their infidelitie and wickednes LX These Reprobat infidell wicked persons being as lims