good and evill naturally knowne and bread in reasonable creatures in the creation many times after repeated and declared by the mouth of God teaching vs that there is a God and what manner of God he is binding all reasonable creatures to perfect obedience conformity externall internal to that rule promising the favour of God and life eternal to all that performe perfect obedience and denouncing the anger of God eternal punishment to all that are not perfectlie conformable therevnto vnlesse there be granted remission of sins reconciliation through the son of God our mediatour 3 The law of nature before the fal was altogether the same with the moral law of god but the knowlege of God being after the fall obscured in mans minde the lawe of nature is now become only a part of the decalogue or ten commandements being obscure and maimed especially in the knowledge and worship of God for which cause also God repeated and declared againe in his church the whole body of his law 4 Ceremonial lawes are certaine precepts of ceremonies that is of actions and externall solemne gestures or such as must be performed in the publique service of God with observation of the self-same circumstances ordained either to signifie future things or for orders sake 5 Iudiciall lawes concerne the externall defence of discipline according to both tables of the decalâ—gue or concerning civil governmeÌ„t amongst the Iewes that is touching the order duties of magistrates iudgments punishments contracts and differences of being Lord or owner of ought 6 This distinction of divine lawes must be obserued both because of the difference of these laws which being neglected their right force and meaning cannot wel be vnderstood also that we may well iudge and instruct others in the abrogation and vse of the law 7 These are the differences betweene the lawe moral and ceremonial and iudicial lawes First moral commandements or precepts are naturally knowne ceremonial and iudicial are not 8 Secondly moral lawes binde al reasonable creatures ceremonial and iudicial were only prescribed to the Iewes 9 Thirdly moral lawes are ever in force ceremoniall and iudiciall are not 10 Fourthly moral lawes commaund external internall obedience ceremonial and iudicial coÌ„maund only obedience external which notwithstanding must be ioined with internal moral obedience 11 Fiftly moral lawes are general not limited with certaine circumstaunces ceremonial and iudiciall are special that is determined by certaine circumstances 12 Sixtly ceremonial and iudicial laws are types foreshewing some thing moral laws are not types but signified by types 13 Seventhly moral lawes are a principall vvorship of God or the ende of other lawes ceremonial and iudicial owe service to the moral that by them these may the better be obserued 14 Eighthlie lawes ceremonial yeeld to the morall but morall lawes yeelde not to the ceremoniall XVII OF THE VSE AND ABROGATING OF GODS LAW 1 THe ceremoniall and iudiciall lawes of Moses in respect of obedience due to them are abrogated by the comming of the Messias 2 The moral law is abrogated in respect of the curse not in respect of obedience due to it 3 Vses of the ceremoniall and iudicial lawes of Moses partly were partly are these First a schooling or leading vs vnto Christ that is a signifying or shadowing of spirituall and heavenly things in the kingdome of Christ 4 Secondly a distinction of Gods people from other nations 5 Thirdly an execution or putting in practise the law moral which requireth a limitatioÌ„ of many circumstances both in church coÌ„moÌ„weale 6 Fourthly â— testifiâ—ng of our obedience towardâ— God 7 Fiftly the sealing of Gods covenant by ceremonies which were sacramental signes 8 Sixtly a preservation of the Mosaicall policie til Christs comming by iudicial lawes which were the sinewes and forme of the common weale 9 Lastly a confirmation of the new testament by comparing the fulfilling of all things with the types 10 The morall law in time of our innocencie had other vses then now it hath as a perfect conforming of the life of man to GODS will a good conscience and sure confidence in Gods loue favour 11 In this our corrupt nature these vses it hath first a maintaining of discipline within and without the church 12 Secondly an acknowledgement of our sinnes which two vses pertaine vnto all men and are that pâ—dagogie or schooling of the law wherby we are led vnto Christ 13 Thirdly an information to the true worship of God which vse is peculiar to the renued or regetate 14 And these are the principal vses besides which there are also some others as namely a testimony that there is a God what maner of God he is 15 A note of the church which is distinguished by integrity purity of the law from all other sects 16 A testimonie of that excellency of mans nature which was before the fall which is restored vnto vs by Christ 17 A testimony of eternal life wherin the law shall be fulfilled seeing in this life it is not fulfilled and God made it not that it shoulde never attaine its proper and principall end OF THE EXPOSITION AND DIVIsion of the Decalogue 1 THe Decalogue or ten commandements coÌ„taining a summe of the whole law of God are to be vnderstood according to that exposition which hath beene delivered by Moses the Prophets Christ and his Apostles 2 The law of god requireth perfect obedieÌ„ce both inward outward in the mind wil hart actioÌ„s that is in our words deeds and external gestures 3 Our obedience to al the other commandemeÌ„ts must be referred vnto the first because the loue glory of God must be the impulsiue final cause of al our obedience 4 The interpretation of every law must be gathered from the end for vvhich it was made 5 For divers ends one the same vvorke may be coÌ„manded or contained in divers coÌ„mandemeÌ„ts 6 Precepts affirmatiue coÌ„manding do include also the negatiue and prohibition contrarily 7 Some principal kind of thing being coÌ„manded or prohibited other kinds also which are neere like vnto that are vniversally commanded or prohibited 8 Where the effect is commanded or forbidden there likewise we must vnderstand that the cause is also commanded or prohibited 9 With the relatiues their correlatiues also are coÌ„maÌ„ded becaus the on caÌ„not be without the other 10 There are two tables of the decalogue the first coÌ„priseth in 4. coÌ„maÌ„dements certaine duties to bee performed immediatly tovvards God the second teacheth in 6 coÌ„mandemeÌ„ts what duties must be performed towards our neighbour immediatlie but towards God mediatly that is towardes our neighbor for the coÌ„mandement glory of God 11 The precepts of the second table yeeld place vnto the precepts of the first 12 That is the truer divisioÌ„ of the decalogue which reckneth the second commandement of images the tenth of concupiscence OF THE FIRST COMMANDEMENT 1 The first table giueth precepts of duties toward God the
and naturally he is so but because from God there is giuen vnto him infinite power maiestie glorie and all giftes of the holy Gost without measure But this accidentall bestowing of the deitie and all properties therof did not make Christ properly and naturally God but onely by divine grace or God improperly so called because he is not the naturall deitie of the worde but a certaine participation thereof with force and efficacie But therfore was it obiected by trew Christians against the Arrians that they ouerthrew the trew and eternall Deitie of Christ because they did not accoumpt him God by nature but onely by participation of dignitie and maiestie through grace Seeing therefore the Vbiquitaries only of equaling our Immanuel to God by participation of proprieties do take awaie his trewand eternall deity we do with good reason condemne and detest this doctrine of theirs as blasphemoâ—ie and hereticall This their owne wordes and sentences do witnesse as Brentius in Recognie Pag 20. Iacob Andr. Thes 20. disputation Tunigeus Item Thes 25 26. Et Apolog. Ingolstad 26. Where it is gathered that the opinion of the Vbiquitaries of the deitie of the man Christ is all one with that of the Arrians and Antitrinitaries that is that by all these he is accouÌ„pted not God by nature but onely by grace of participation a new temporarie created and adoptiue God Which if it be trew Christ shall not be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God maÌ„ but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Divine man such as also he is accouÌ„ted by the Vbiquitaries who at witnesseth Seruetus in his first booke De Trimitate say that God may coÌ„municate vnto man the fulnesse of his Deitie giue vnto him his Diuinitie maiestie power and glorie Which blasphemie being the same both we vtterly hate and detest Argum. 3. Nâ—storius taught that God which is the word vvas vnited vnto man onlie by participation of equalitie in maiestie honour power vertue and operation And that the difference of the wordes dwelling in man assumed by it and in other saintes consisteth in nothing but in the verie gifts and graces bestowed on man by God This also the Vbiquitaries teach because they say there is no differeÌ„ce betweene the dwelling of the Deitie in Peter and Christ except such as is taken from communicating the giftes and properties of the Deitie maintaining that in this respect the manhoode asâ—umed by Christ is God because the Worde doth nothing without it but al things by it And this is nothing els but to make the maÌ„ Christ to be God onlie by accident Wherfore the opinion of the Vbiquitaries is al one with that of the Nestorians Tertullianus 〈◊〉 de Trin. pag. 610. If Christ be oâ—lie â—â—an howe is hee present wheresoever hee is called vpon whereas to be present everie where is not the nature of man but of God By this sentence isâ— felled the Vbiquitie of the humane nature in Christ Obie But the vnion of the divine and humane nature in Christ is inseparable Therefore wheresoever his divine nature is there also is his humane nature Ans It is true that the vnion is inseparable for the worde neuer forsaketh the nature once assumed But the vvord is not so in the humane nature as a soule encloased in our bodies For wheresoever are our bodies there also needes must be our soules and the soule once without the bodie is not present with it But the word is not so in the man Christ but is so inseperably and personally in the humane nature that withall it is without the humane nature in all partes of the worlde by â—eâ—letion or filling everie place and in the godlie and Angels by speciall presence For the personal vnion of two natures overthroweth not the generall action of the presence of his maiestie nor hindereth the speciall action because the word is effectuall in the faithfull and regeneâ—ate RVLES AND AXIO MES OF CERTAINE CHEIFE POINTS of Christianitie Proposed by Vrsmus to be disputed on publiquelie partly in the Vniversitie of Heidelberg partlie in Collegio Sapientia OF THE DOCTRINE OF THE CHVRCH 1 THe doctrine of the church or Christian religion is a doctrine of Gods law and the Gospell of Christ perfect and incorrupt as it is deliuered in the bookes of the Prophets Apostles by which alone God leadeth men to eternall life 2. The whole doctrine of Christianitie is conteined in these two partes the lawe and the Gospell 3. The foundation of Christian religion is the Decalogue or ten commaundements and the articles of our faith rightly vnderstoode 4. Which is all one if we say the foundation is the doctrine of Gods nature and will 5. Paule also meaneth the same 1. Cor. 3. WheÌ„ that the foundation is Christ 6. The church must needes knowe difference between the doctrine delivered vnto it by God and that which is deliuered to it by religion of other nations 7 The first difference is that the gospell of Christ is only knowne in the church other sectes are altogither ignorant thereof All heretiques mainetaine errors either touching the son of Christ or concerning his office 8 The second that the church retaineth the whole doctrine of Gods law other sectes are ignorant of the first table of the lawe and in the second obserue only some parte touching externall discipline 9 The third that the church learneth the knowledge and worship of God out of his whole word and out of that alone neither taking ought from it nor adding to it as for other religions they doe not only cast away the greater parte of Gods truth but also vnto the final portioÌ„ of law which they retaine adde idolatrie granting and approving manie thinges repugnante to the second table of the decalogue 10 Even the trewest philosophie must be discerned from the doctrine of the church for trew philosophie comprizeth onely that parte of this doctrine which the second table commaundeth as for the whole entire loue of our neighbor of that it teacheth vs nothing framing to it selfe an idol insteede of the true God erreth much froÌ„ the trew worship of the trew God 2 OF HOLIE SCIPTVRE 1. The summe of holy scripture is conteined in the decalogue and creede 2. Which is also manifest because it is all conteined in the lawe and the Gospell 3. For what soeuer is there in conteined eyther it concerneth the nature or will or workes of God or the sinne of deuills and men 4. The wil of God coÌ„sisteth in precepts threats and promises 5. The workes of God are eyther his benefites as the creation preseruation and gouerninge of al things the collecting vphoulding his church by the mediation of his sonne oâ— his iudgments as the punnishments of offenders 6. Of all these we are taught either in the law or in the Gospell or in both 7. The same is plaine by the division of the whole scripture into the new olde Testament or couenant 8. For this word couenant doth
these and other such like sentences we vnderstande that it is a true saying which Dionysiâ—â— falsly sirnamed Areopâ—gita but indeed supposed to be of Corinth doth attribute to the Apostle S. Bâ—rtolme The gospell is short and long The shortnes thereof is manifest excelling therein the lawe of Moses and this ought and may be rooted in every of our harts and minds which is the reason why a briefe of the gospell is so often deliuered repeated by the Prophets and Apostles But the wisedome of the gospell will far more hardly bee sounded and searched through all eternity then that of the law But knowing for certainty that we must in this mortality begin our eternal life for we shal be cloathed vpon our cloathing if we be not found naked the nature of true conversion is never to suffer those which are conuerted vnto God to rest in their race but kindleth in them a perpetuall desire of of proceeding Therefore is that commaundement giuen in the 2 of Peter 3. 18. Increase in grace knowledg of our Lord sauiour Iesus Christ Ephes 2. 19. Now therefore yee are no more strangers but Citizens with the saintes of the houshould of God And ar built vpon the foundation of the Apostles Prophets Iesus Christ himselfe being the chiefe corner stone in whome all the building coupled togeather groweth vnto an holy temple in the Lord. And Marc. 9. 24. He prayeth Lord I beleeue but helpe thou mine vnbeleife And Luc. 17 5. his disciples pray Lorde encrease our faith The godly are saide and commaunded to goe forwarde do also pray themselues that they may goe forwarde They are not therfore of that sort of men which haue no desire to go forward Yet must not such be discouraged who finding in themselues lesse light vigor do with true greife of hart acknowledge and bewaile their weaknes and curruption For thus saith the eternall father of his son Esay 42. 3. A bruized reede shall he not breake the smoking flax shall he not quench And the son of his father M. 18 14. It is not my fathers wil that any one of these litle ones should perish himselfe of hiÌ„self Ioh. 6. 37. Al that the father giveth me shal come to me and him that coÌ„meth to me I cast not away Wheresoever is vnfeigned godlines that coÌ„meth from God and is by him furthered and there vnto are linked by the indissoluble bande of Gods truth all the blessings of the gospell which are eternal and without repentaunce For did not the certainety of our faith and salvation depend vpoÌ„ the free mercy of God alone whereby he receaveth into favour all such as beleeue and not vpoÌ„ degrees of our renuing ameÌ„dment our coÌ„fort God knows were built but on a weake foundation HeÌ„ce may be gathered three trials of a Christian man first the embracing of this foundation secoÌ„dly a desire of going forward which two include every of vs vnder the vniversall promise of eternal salvatioÌ„ thirdly this comfort that for difference or inequâ—lity of giftes degrees we shall not be câ—st of and suffered to perish which comfort must be opposed to the griefe conceâ—ved â—pon our owne vnworthinesse These 〈…〉 can neuer be separated hath Saint Pauls comprised in 1. Corinth 3. ca. 11. v. saying Other foundation can no man lay then that which is laid that is Iesus Christ And if any man build on this foundation gold silver pretious stones timber hay or stubble Every mans worke shal be made manifest but he shal be safe himselfe neverthelesse yet as it were by the fire By this therefore which hath hitherto beene spokeÌ„ it is manifest that Gods commaundement and each mans particular salvation exhorteth and bindeth al meÌ„ and amongst them the younger sort which are a great part and seminary of the church to learne aslone as their yeares will permit this foundation of Christian doctrine which most grauely and severely admonisheth all such of this parte of their duty who take vpon them the charge of instructing youth For both teachers learners are all debtors of diligent serious care of preseruing pietie religion debters not vnto our selues only but to as many as are oures and belong any way vnto vs yea and to all succeeding posteritie For wee see by daily experience how easily in small processe of time manifolde defacings corruptions and at length finall vtter abolishment overtaketh that religion and doctrine the summe whereof is not breifely and perspicuously set downe knowne in publique daily repeated beaten as it were into mens vnderstandings Neither are we ignorant of the common prouerbe how the caske or barrell reteineth still the sauour and smell which it first receiued be it good or ill Whereas then for the most parte the evill we learne taketh such deepe roote in vs and cleaueth so fast vnto vs and youth not being daily instructed and trained vp vnto pietie threatneth a barbarous contempte of God and profaning of religion to ensue in time to come againe wheras scarcely by the greatest endeuour and continuall care of gouernours we are wonne to any good no man of discretion and iudgement but will grant that it is wisedome our duty to atteÌ„pt betimes so weighty and difficult a matter The institution therefore of Catechisme is not only necessary for preseruing pure sincere doctrin with vs our posterity after vs but in regard of youth to whoÌ„ as hath already bin proved it is to be imparted because it is framed fit for their capacity For if it be wel said of other arts wherin this age is to be informed In al thy precepts vse such brevity that intelligeÌ„t wits may sone coÌ„ceiue faithfullie preserue them in memory how much more is shortnes and plainenesse to be affected and practised in this heavenly wisedome so strange vnto mans vnderstaÌ„ding especially whereas the testimonies of holy Scripture ratifie and confirme our experience herein saying Every one that vseth milke is inexperte in the worde of righteousnes hee is a babe But strong meate belongeth to them that are of age Therefore both the Apostle Paule thus intimateth and signifieth vnto vs his maner of teaching I gaue you milke to drinke and not meate for yee were not yet able to beare it neither yet now are yee able For yee are yet carnall and since the first preaching of the gospel in the church some notable argument or subiect of doctrine short and pithy plaine and easie hath beene extant and derived vnto posterity Insomuch as certaine compendious summes delivered by Gods owne mouth seeme to bee of equall growth and continuance with mankinde both of the law as If thou continue righteous thou shalt be accepted and also of the Gospell as The seede of the woman shall breake the head of the serpent So not long after the promise and the covenant was repeated vnto Abraham Finally in processe of time certaine briefe Articles were
one and the same Christ consisteth of both natures is in every place by nature of the godhead and contained in some one place according to the nature of his humanity So that the same Christ was both created without beginning subiect to death and yet immortal the one by nature of the worde as he is God the other by nature of the flesh as the same God is also man Being therefore both the son of God man he hath a beginning was created is compreheÌ„ded in some place by nature of his flesh being otherwise before all beginning vncreated and without limitation of place according to the nature of his godhead He is inferior to the Angels in respect of his flesh but equall to the Father as touching his Deity deade sometimes in his maÌ„hood ever-living in his godhead This is the catholique faith and confession which the Apostles delivered martyrs coâ—firmed and the faithfull to this day hâ—ue retained Wâ—â—rfore impiously as tainted with the pâ—â—enous heresie of Eâ—â—yches you presume to taxe Leo whiles by the different actions of one Lorde Châ—â—st hee proveth the verity of both natures in him so that what he wrought for demonstration of the 〈◊〉 of two natures you pervert as if it were a prooâ—e of two persons OF PREDESTINATION A letter of Vrsinus to his friend briefely conteining a full and learned discourse of predestination with wholsome advise for the weaker sorte to follow HItherto I haue not had leasure to peruse your discourse of predestination Neither haue I now but I steale so much time from other my affaires which I deferre that I may at leÌ„gth satisfie your request which in my opinion is not so necessarie if it would please you to read D. Beza and P. Matyr on this question whervnto I thinke you were before directed by me Hereby also I would giue you to vnderstaÌ„d that hitherto I haue rather wanted abilitie then will to gratifie you Of you let me entreate this courtesie that you do not by disputation trouble others who either will not heare ought besides that which they haue before conceiued or can not readilye vnderstand those thinges whereof they never thought before and haue in their infancie learned false in steede of trew principles foundations And were I not fully perswaded that in this question you would frame your selfe to Christian wisdome and patient for bearance of the weaker sorte I would not answeare one worde to your demaunde The doctrine of predestinatâ—â—â— is not in my iudgment as you wright the most difficult point in all Christianitie if we read holy scripture without preiudice or affectioÌ„ with serious purpose not to reforme God after our phansies but to learne of him and to yeeld all glorie vnto him none to our selues For by these meanes that is now become easie to me which before seemed very difficult whilest I depended on the authoritie of men who neuer vnderstoode themselues nor could resolue me There is no one common place of Divinitie wherof more is wrighten by the prophets and apostles then this verie place of Prouideâ—ce Election and free will in so much thâ—â— I can not but marvell learned Christians 〈◊〉 so doubt thereof Do you as I haue don who for this onely reason that I might gather weigh and conferâ—e whatsoeuer â— conteined as well in sermons as examples of holy scripture to this purpose haue diligently perused the whole bible euen from the begining of Genesis to the end of the Revelation Which after I had don I did partely percâ—iue pâ—rteâ—y detest that skumme of disputation and foggie fume of fallacie and sophâ—strie labouâ—ing but to no purpose to eclipse the gloriouse sunne-shine of this doctrine You may at your better leasure do this in Italie where you shall haue no exercise of religion besides reading the bible priuâ—te prayer Which libertie some verie good â—en heretofore haue wanted who otherwise had neuer ben so entangled But eveâ— be are this in â—inde whereof before I warned you Yf for the present every thinge be not plaine and easie to you be not therfore troubled but by leasure diligently meditate with your selfe callinge vpon God and houlding that foundation which amogst the godly is without coÌ„trouersâ—e remembring alwaies that not your selfe but God is author of your salvation and of all besides whatsoeuer you are haue or dâ—e be it great or little So shall you be sure not to erre with any danger of conscience and salvation although you be not able to conceaue and vnfolde whatsoeuer you desire Knowledge puffeth vp but charitie edifieth First you must put a difference betweene providence predestination aâ— betweene the whole and the part For Providence is the eternal immutable and most excellent counsaile or decree of God whereby all things haue their event teÌ„ding to the glory of the creatour and salvation of the elect Predestination is the eternal purpose of God of beginning and perfiting the salvation of the elect forsaking or vtter casting of the reprobate to eternall punishment Wherefore it containeth Election and Reprobation as partes of it selfe Secondly distinguish betwixte Providence of good â—nd evill of offence for the evill of punishmente hath a reference to good namely to iustice and in that respect is found in God God doeth provide that is in his provideÌ„ce purpose wil perfourme in purposed time order and manner and in this respect he is said to be the cause efficient and author of things These things are not only done according to providence but also by the provideÌ„ce of God As for evill or sin that hee foreseeth from eternity that is hee decreeth or is willing to permit it or not to hinder others from doing it but him selfe iâ— in no wise an agent either in them or by them Wherfore himselfe is not the cause of evill but in iustice excellency and depth of wisedome he suffereth others to be the causes therof So that these things are done according to Gods providence but not by it because God did not decree to doe but to suffer others to doe them now to permitt or suffer is nothing else but not to hinder sinne in any action or not to cause men to be conformable to the law of God and nature And in this sence God doth tolerate or suffer siâ— when he doth not either lighten our minds with his holy spirite knowledge of his will or turne our hearts to make this the principall ende of our actions that we doe the knowne wil of God and by this our obedience honor him Which two things except it please God to worke in vs what ere we doe how good iust and holy so ever it is but sinne and corruption in the sight of God Thirdly make a distinction betweene God his creatures or second causes especially â—n matters concerning the government of the worlde First the creatures are bounde one to further the safety hinder the destructioÌ„ of an
other whersoever they can because God hath so commaunded all and themselues may deserue it one of an other And being converted thy selfe remember to coÌ„firme thy brethren God is bound to none as not to create them of nothing so neither to preserâ—e them either in their being or in that good innocent and happie being wherin they were created Because whatsoeuer good wee all enioy we haue it from him neyther can he receaue any good fellcitie and commoditie of any man because of his infinite and most absolute all-sufficiencie in himselfe Who hath giuen vnto him first that he should be recompensed Is it not lawfull for me to do with mine owne as pleaseth me Secondlie Gods iustice requireth that being himselfe the cheifest good and author and end of all thinges he should referre all to his owne glory and if need were rather suffer all the creatures of the worlde to perish then any part of his glory should be left vnsatisfied As for the creatures they owe both themselues and all they haue not to themselues nor to others but to God Therefore Paule desired euen to be accursed from Christ if by the saluation and conversion of his brethren he might aduance the glorie of Christ Thirdely God may therefore most iustly permit tolerate the sinnes of his creatures that is not hinder them because by his infiâ—â—te wisdome power iustice and goodnesse he knoweth how to vse this toleration and permission to his owne glory and the saluation of his elect This the creatures can not do and therefore they are subiect to the law of hindering offences as much as in them lieth Fourthly God is the first cause and author of all good in the worlde the creatures are onely instruments of such good thinges as are by them performed whome God in the absolute freedom of his excellent will pleasure vseth by his prouidence preserueth in that nature and manner of doing which he hath prescribed Fiftely God alone is simply immutable I am God and am not changed All creatures are mutable some of their owne nature which worke onely by vncertaintie 〈◊〉 the vnstable action of elements matter and motion of creatures or by vncertaintie or contingency and yet freely to as the wils of angelles an◠〈…〉 are in deede of their owne immutable and therfore necessarie agents in that which they doe yet are as easie to be altered by God as the rest so the motion of the sonne is naturally such as we see yet God at his pleasure can either stop or interrupt the course therof Sixtly God alone is simply absolutely free that is of himselfe moving all things in himselfe moved and depending of none hauing in himselfe the reason cause of al his purposes with greatest power and authority of disposing al things otherwise from eternity if so he had beene pleased imposing necessity or contingence vncertainety vpon al things himselfe not tied to such conditions by any thing Eph. 1. 9. According to his good pleasure which he had purposed in himselfe But the liberty of reasonable creatures is not absolute that is depending of no other for although they moue themselues by some internal cause vnderstandinge offering some obiect and will of his owne accorde without constraint chosing or refusing it yet are they over-ruled by an other agent namely God who both offereth obiects of what nature quality howsoever to whoÌ„soeuer it pleaseth him and also to them and by them affecteth moveth inclineth and boweth the wils of whomsoeuer whensoeuer and how far soever he will himselfe That mans conceipt of God is too contumelious which putteth no difference betweene the liberty which is in God and his creatures Wherefore Gods providence and working in all things doth not destroy but vphold and encrease the libertie of our wils For the more God mooveth or forsaketh them the more violently consequently with more freedome and fervencie of desire they are carried eithâ—r to good or evill Wherefore theÌ„ indeed we shall with greatest freedome will that which is good when God shall so be all in al that wee can will or wish nothing but what is good which shal be with the favor and grace of God in the life to come Fourthly we must distinguish the manner of effects or things done For the same effect proceeding from divers causes may in respect of theÌ„ bee diversly taken For as it proceedeth from a good cause so it is good as from an evil so evill as from a cause contingent and mutable or necessary immutable so may it be accounted contingent mutable or necessary and immutable Wherfore in respect of God in whoÌ„ we haue our being life motion all things which were made are good as well bad as good considering that God is absolutely immutably good and therefore can neither will or do any thing but what is good and agreeable to his nature and the law wherein hee hath revealed vnto vs his nature and iusâ—ice In respect of creatures all good thinges as they are good are by God vpheld in their goodnesse al evill things as they are evil degeneraâ—e from that goodnes wherein they were creâ—ted God suffering and forsaking them and are not therevnto restored by God So in respect of the liberty and freedome of God al things are done contâ—â—gently and by vncertainety yea even those thinges which seeme to depende most necessarily on second causes as the motion of the heavens but in respect of Gods immutable decree all events are necessary as when the souldiers crucifying Christ did not breake his bones but pierced his side with a speare which in respect of second causes were meerely contingent Fiftly we make distinction of sinnes whereof some in themselues and in their owne nature are sins namely such things as are forbiddeÌ„ by God not are by special law or exception commanded as the robbing of the Aegyptians the offering of Isaac others by occasioÌ„ or accident namely such thinges as are either commaunded or allowed by God but perverted by the creature and not perfourmed in such sort as they were commaunded as are the sacrifices praiers and almes-deeds of wicked men and hypocrites Whether of these two sorts of sinne a maÌ„ commit either that which is sin in it selfe or the other which is sin by accideÌ„t and occasion certaine it is that through his owne fault imperfection he committeth it But that which God intendeth in these actions of men is ever good and iust Lastly we must distinguish the necessity of coÌ„straint and immutability for it were too grosse to confounde them For the former moveth violently and by externall cause the latter naturally some internall cause in the agent moving and being moved as by nature it is apt These thinges when I perceiued GOD opening my eies I did not reckon one â—ote of those foolish fables that GOD was made the cause of sinne that contingence or casualitie and libertie were taken awaie
church Sitting at the right hand of his father iudge of quick and dead c. Also that the holy ghost is called a sanctifier that is a person immediately lightning vs regenerating vniting vs to God comforting and confirming vs. OF THE CREATION OF THE WORLD 1 THe order in nature the minde of man the knowledge of principles civill discipline final causes the finite orderly chaine of causes do shew that it was created by some principall creating spirite 2 Yet because of the knowledge of God now obsâ—ured in men by sin for the continuall change of corruption and generation for the absurditie of imagining the creator to bee idle and for losse of the historie of the creation and originall of the world there is no truth certainety to be found concerning the creation of the worlde but in the doctrine of the church 3 Therefore the sacred scripture teacheth vs that al things begaÌ„ to be to haue bin created by the only true God the eternall father sonne and holy Ghost according to the eternall purpose and pleasure of this true and eternall God 4 But this eternall father created all thinges of nothing by his sonne and the holy Ghost most freely without any alteration or chaunge of himselfe or any labour so that all was verye good 5 The ende of the creation of the worlde vvas chiefly the glorie of God other ends subordinate vnto this are the manifestation and contemplation of Gods wisedome power and goodnesse in his workes his providence or preservation and perpetuall governing of all things especiallie the goodnesse bountie of God toward his church and to conclude that al other things might seruâ— for the life and safety of man 6. OF THE SAME 1 VVHatsoeuer is is either the creatour or his creature 2 All other things which haue begun to be besides this one onely eternall and trew God manifested in his church were created by the one trew God 3. In that beginning of time wherein it pleased God to haue it so 4. And that of the eternall father by the sonne and holy Ghost 5. By the most free purpose decree of Gods will 6. With out anie motion change or laboure of the creator 7. And that of nothinge 8. And so that al things were most excellent in their kind 9. Not that the creator might thereby be made better or more perfect 10. But that in the creation he might impart his goodnesse and ioy to reasonable creatures 11. And afterwardes preseruinge ruling and sustaining by his providence al thinges which he had created he might for ever be beneficiall vnto them especially to his church 12. And that being willing that other creatures should serue especially for mans vse and saftie 13. He might declare vnto them his wisedome goodnesse power and ioy 14. And being knowne by his workes â—ee might for euer be praised by reasoÌ„able creatures for his wisedome bountie power and ioy 7. OF THE ANGELS 1 IT is certaine that there are angells both good and bad 2. But both good and bad angelles are spirites that is incorporall substances not subiect to sense liuing intelligent excellent in strength and wisedome 3. Finite in nature and proprieties 4. Created by God of nothinge then when other things were created 5. In trew holinesse iustice and blessednesse 6. Wherin the good Angells are by the singular grace of the creator confirmed 7. That they may agnize and praise him for ever 8. And be Gods ministers to finish the saluatioÌ„ of the elect and represse and punish the euill 9. But the evill angells by their proper and free will aâ—d by their owne fault fell from God and are made enemies of God and the good angels and mankind 10. And therefore through hatred against God they force men to sinne practize their destruction 11. And these are immutable evill cast of from God into eternall punishment 12. But God suffered them to fall and saueth them being fallen that he may shewe his anger and iustice in their punishments and by them may punishe chastize and exercise the elect 9 OF GODS PROVIDENCE 1. Not onely the doctrine of the prophets and apostles but also the testimonies of God shininge in nature doe proue that the world is preserued gouerned by Gods prouidence As the order which is seene in the principall partes of nature the minde or soule governing the actions of men with her prouidence the lawe of nature giuen to men that it might be vnto them a rule of their life rewardes and punishments conscience the ordering of politique affaires heroick motions vertues the fore-tellinges of future eventes the ends whereunto things are ordained and lastely the verie nature of the most omnipoteÌ„t wise iust and excellent God 2. Gods prouideÌ„ce is the eternall counsell of God most free and immutable most wise iust according to which God bringeth to passe all good in all his creatures suffereth sin to be committed and directeth all both good and evill to his glory and the saluarion of the elect 3. This purpose or counsell in God is not onlie a knowledge or science in God but also the forcible decree and will of God wherby he hath determined from all eternitie both what he himselfe will doe what he will haue become of his workes whatsoeuer he hath decreed he also effecteth in fit time order 4. Good thinges are the substaunces of al things the properties faculties giuen vnto theÌ„ by God al motions mutatioÌ„s actioÌ„s events of al things as they are naturall motioÌ„s or obedience to Gods wil or benefites and blessinges of God or punnishments of the evill 5. That all these thinges are done by the powerfull will of God as manie most euident testimonies of scripture so also these reasons do confirme 1 Because of Gods omnipotencie nothing can be done in the worlde which God simplie wil not haue done And therfore what soever is done God must needes either simplie or in some sorte be willing that it should be done 2 Because a most wise governour such as God is suffereth nothing of al that is in his power to come to passe besides his will and purpose 3 Because he which is willing the ends of thinges should come to passe is also willing either simplie or in sorte that all thinges and events by which we compasse those ends should come to passe 4 Because Gods purposes decrees depend not on the actions of secoÌ„d causes 5 Because the immutable fore knowledge of God cannot be grouÌ„ded but on an immutable cause that is gods wil decree 6 Because God is the first cause of al naturall good things amongst which also are reckned the motioÌ„s of each thing 6 Wheras evill is of two sorts one of offence the other of punishment and that which is a punishment is an execution of iustice therfore good it ought likewise to be referred vnto Gods will as the principall cause thereof 7 But the evil of offence
or sin as it is a motion or triall or exercise or chastisement of the godly or a punishmeÌ„t of the evil so it is from Gods prouideÌ„ce effectiuely that is so that God is the author of it but as it is sin not effectiuely but permissiuely 8. Now this permission is not a ceasinge of Gods prouidence and working in the actions of evill men wherby it may come to passe that those actions may seeme not to depend of any other cause then of the creatures which aâ—â—â—gents but a withdrawing of his heauenly grace wherby God executinge the decree of his will by reasonable creatures eyther doth not reveale vnto the creature his will which will haue that action done or ells boweth not the will of the creature to obey this diuine will in that action Which so standing the creature sinneth necessarilie in deed but with all voluntarilie and freely by Gods most iust iudgment whiles God by it bringeth to passe the iust good worke of his will prouidence 9. God therfore will haue those actions motions which the Divells men by sinning doe effect to come to passe as they are motions and executions of Gods iust iudgment but as they are sins he neither willeth nor appoueth nor effecteth them though he forbid hate horiblie punnish them yet notwithstanding in Divels men â—e suffereth them to concur with his iust actions whilest for verie good reasons most iust causes he doth not effect in them by his spirit the performance of these actioÌ„s iustely that is according to the prescript of Gods will 10 Neither is God therfore the author of confusion which is in the actions of the evill for what they will do inordinatlie that is against the coÌ„maundemeÌ„t of God that God will haue done in excellent most wise order Lastly euen sinnes themselues as they are sins be done by Gods providence though not effecting yet permitting prescribing them boundes directing theÌ„ whither it pleaseth him 11 Neither is God by this doctrine made the author of sin because the sin of the sinfull creature doth by accident concur with the good and iust worke of God which he in his owne couÌ„sel determineth by the sinfull creature executeth And therefore in respect of Gods will those actioÌ„s are iust and right which in respect of the wicked by whom they be done are sinnes 12. And these things are manifest first by the vniversall nature causes effects being such of theÌ„selues naturally or by accideÌ„t For wheÌ„ the same effect hath many causes some good some badde that same effect in respect of good causes is good in regard of bad causes is bad good causes of theÌ„selues naturally are the causes of good effects but by accideÌ„t of euil effects or sins which is fouÌ„d in the effect by some other euill or sinful cause coÌ„trarywise euil causes are of theÌ„selues the causes of evil but by accideÌ„t they may be causes of that good whith is fouÌ„d in the effect 13. Secondly the truth of these matters appeareth by the immutable nature of God the fouÌ„taine and author of all good For Gods wokes are equaly good whether he effect theÌ„ by evil or good instruments neither are they battered by good or made worse by evill instruments seeing their iustice and goodnes dependeth not on the nature of the instruments but of God which maketh vse of the instruments but on the other side the creatures can neither be nor continue good nor do anie thing that is good except God make them good vphold theÌ„ in goodnes so governing theÌ„ that they may work that which is good with God who by theÌ„ worketh that good which he will 14 Yet hereby we do not attribute vnto God coÌ„trary wils For God wil wil not the same actioÌ„s in divers respectes Hee will as they are conformable to his most iust iudgement and order and he will not but rather hateth and detesteth yet permitteth them to be done as they are contrary to his order and law against which they are committed by the wicked 15 Neither doth the necessity of consequence which happeneth to the events by the immutable decree of Gods providence take away that contingeÌ„ce or casuality which they haue froÌ„ the mutable nature of second causes or from the power liberty of God whereby he so decreed from al eternity if we distinguish rightly betweene both as that there is a respect betweene causes working immutablie or mutablie For thereby euerie man may see that the same effect proceeding froÌ„â—auses partly mutable partly immutable may wel be called coÌ„tingeÌ„t in respect of mutable causes and necessary in respect of causes immutable 16 Neither doth this immutable providence of God derogate ought from the vse of teaching our desire of wel-doing as if these things were in vaine or to no purpose for admitting a first cause it is not necessarie to denie the second causes nor the first admitting the secoÌ„d And God hath promised to saue vs not without but by these means and hath for this reason coÌ„manded vs to vse theÌ„ expecting the good successe of them from him 17 But when God in scripture is denied to will the actions of Divels or sinful men that is to bee vnderstood as they are sins or to that end wherevnto they are done by divels meÌ„ not as they are actions or done vnto that end which God in the order of providence respecteth For actions are distinguished by their endes 18 The church thus perswaded her selfe and teaching others of Gods provideÌ„ce doth vtterly coÌ„demne detest the furies madnes of Epicures and Academiques with the devises of all others which wil haue gods provideÌ„ce either to be none at al or not to exteÌ„d vnto all things in the world or els to be only a certain kinde of fore-knowledg in God not any decree and execution 19 As much it condemneth the blasphemies and errours of the Manichees Stoickes Libertines and others which make GOD the authour of sinne or take from him his libertye whereby from all eternitie hee made his decrees or else abolish the operations and vse or differences of second causes working either necessarily or contingently or voluntarily freely 20 This doctrine is to be retained in the Church for Gods glory that so it may appeare that God is the governour of all things yet not the author of sinne but the most free and excellent effector giver of all good things It is also so necessarie for our instruction and comfort that we may become thankefull vnto God as being the well spring of all goodnes and patiently suffer evils as happening vnto vs by his will perswading our selues that all things shal serue for our salvation that acknowledging God to bee the author of punishments we might amende not despaire of Gods helpe though we be left destitute by second causes that we trust not in our selues but in feare of
God aske all good things of him that wee may know that God taketh especial care of his church that we iudge not rashly of the works counsels of God that we contemne not others because God of his free boūty hath bestowed better giftes vpon vs that in all things wee follow the will and order prescribed vnto vs by God 10 OF SINNE 1 ONly the doctrine of the church sheweth entirely the nature causes and effects of sinne 2 Sinne is whatsoeuer disagreeth with the lawe of God that is any defect or inclination or actiō against the law of God offending God and making the offender guiltie of temporall punishmēt and eternal except remission be granted for our meadiator the sonne of God 3 Every sinne is either actuall or originall 4 Originall sinne is the guilt of all mankinde for the fall of our first parentes and a privation of the knowledge and will of God in our minds and of our inclination to obey God in will and hart with an inclinatiō in both to resist the law of God following the fall of our first parents and derived from them to al posterity so corrupting our whole nature that for this corruption we are all guilty of Gods everlasting wrath and can doe nothing acceptable to God except remission be granted for the sonne of God our mediator renuing of nature by the holy spirit 5 Actuall sinne is every action in minde will or heart or in externall partes and members erring from God or a leaving of those things vndone which the law of God commandeth to be done 6 Every sinne is either raigning or not raigning in vs which some call mortall or veniall 7 Sinne raigning is that against which the sinner doth not resist by the grace of the holy spirit renuing him to eternall life therefore he is endaungered to eternall death except he repent and obteine remission by Christ 8 Sinne not raigning is that against which the sinner doth resist by grace of the holy spirit renuing him vnto eternall life and therefore he is not eudangered to eternal death because he repenteth and obteineth remission by Christ 9 Everie sinne in its own nature is mortal that is deserueth eternal death but it is made venial that is it doth not bring eternall death in the regenerate by reason of grace for Christes sake 10. Everie sinne is either against conscience or not against conscience 11. Sinne against conscience is when hee which knoweth the will of God of set purpose doth against it 12. Sinne not against conscience is that which is cōmitted by one ether not knowing the wil of god or else is acknowledged by the sinner to be a sin and is bewailled yet cānot perfectly be avoided in this life as originall sinne and manie sinnes of ignorance and infirmitie 13. Every sin is either vnpardonable against the holy Ghost or pardonable not against the holy Ghost 14 Sin vnpardonable or against the holy Ghost is an oppugning or casting away of Gods truth of set purpose after the mind by testimony of the holy Ghost is instructed confirmed in the truth which sin they that cōmit are punished by God with blindnes so that they neuer repēt consequently neuer obtaine pardon 15. Sins pardōable or not against the holy Ghost are al other sins wherof some repēt and some doe not 16. Al that are elected by God vnto eternall life are so vpheald by him that they neuer sin against the holy Ghost 17. There doe abide some reliques of sinne in all the regenerate as long as they are in this life first original sinne secondlie manie actual sinnes of ignorance omission and infirmitie which notwithstanding they acknowledge and bewaile resist them and therfore they retaine a good conscience remission of sinnes thirdly some runne oftē times into errors crossing the verie groūds or into sins against conscience for which they loose their good conscience and consolation and gifts of the holy Ghost and should be damned if they did perseuere therein to their liues end they perish not in them because they repent in this life 18. There is a threefold difference wherby sinners regenerate differ from the wicked first a perpetual purpose which God hath to saue them secondely certaine and sure repentance at the last thirdely some beginning of faith cōversiō ever in their sinnes which at some times is greater of more force and so wrastleth against sin that they slip not into errors against the groundes nor into sins against conscience at other times lesser more feeble is for a time ouercome by temptations yet preuaileth so far that they never quite revol◠frō God which were once truely conuerted And therfore sin in the regenerat is either to be termed only not raining or els if errors against the foūdatiō or sins against cōscience may be called raining sins as some tearme thē this raigne of sin must needes be diligently distinguished in those that be regenerated and those that be not as that God is in deed grievously angry even with the regenerate when they sinne yet ever with a purpose of amēding and saving them and that in them all waies remaineth some sparkle of faith and conversion some hatred of sinne which is an enemy there vnto so that they do not simply without any resistance giue over themselues vnto sin delight therein as do the wicked which sinne without any resistance and with all their hearts 19 Every sinne is either a sinne of it selfe and in its owne nature or els by accident 20 Sinnes of themselues or in their owne kinde and nature are all such as are forbidden by the law of God 21 Sinnes by accident are such actions of men not regenerate as are indeede commanded by God yet displease him for many defects and sins cōcurring in the wicked or actions indifferēt which are done with scandal 22 God is the cause of no sinne but the wil of divels and men of their own accord turning themselues from God is the efficient cause of al sinnes the efficient cause of originall sinne in men is the fall of our first parents but originall sin is the precedent cause of all actuall sinnes which followed vpon the first fall 23 The effectes of sinne are punishments temporal and eternal and because God punisheth sins with sinnes therefore sinnes following are effectes of sinnes precedent 24 But although all sinnes deserue eternal damnation yet all sinnes are not equall but as there are degrees of punishments so also there are degrees of sinnes in Gods iudgement 11 OF FREE WILL. 1 FReedome of wil in God reasonable creatures is a faculty of chusing or refusing that which reason perswadeth to be chosen or refused of their owne proper motion without any constraint 2 And that is called free which is indued with that facultie the word arbitrium signifieth the wil it selfe but such a will as followeth or refuseth the iudgement of
9 He which is borne of God sinneth not but his seede remaineth in him XI But for al this it is not lawful for any maÌ„ froÌ„ this will of God to take occasion of sinning the more freelie or deferring and casting of the time of his repentance For that promise of the present eternall grace of God pertaineth to such as liue in true repentance and feare of God not in carnall securitie For all such as liue securely are in danger to be forsaken hardened by the iust iudgment of God and dying without repentance to perish euerlastingly but because of the vncertaine continuance of this life especially because of Gods anger against such as with securitie against coÌ„science abuse his mercy Mat. 24. 28. If the evil servant shall saie my Lord delaieth his comming c. And v. 24. Watch because yee kow not the daie the houre c. Rom. 2. 4. Or despisest thou the riches of his bouÌ„tie and patience c. XII The principal efficient cause of our conversion is the holie Ghost neither is any man converted but by his speciall favour But he effecteth it in meÌ„ of ripe yeares especiallie by knowledge of Gods word and faith there vnto given which is in all that repent in them alone so that neither faith is without conversion nor conversion without faith Psal 51. 12. Create in me ô God a cleane heart And v. 13. I will teach the wicked thy waies Ier. 3. 18. 〈◊〉 me 〈◊〉 Lord and I shall be converted because after thou diddest coÌ„vert mee I repented 1. Cor. 4. 15. I haue begotten you through the gospell Act. 15. 9. By faith the heart is clensed Heb 4. â— The word they hard profited them not because it was mixed with faith in them that heard it Iames 2. 17. Faith without workes is dead Rom. 14. 23. That which is not of faith is sinne XIII As therefore vnto faith so also to the effecting exercising furtherance of repentance in men God vseth many means or external helping causes as the good examples of others the punishments of the wicked the rewardes of the godlie especially crosses and chastisements Mat. 5. 16. Let your light c. Rom. 11. 11. By their destruction came salvation to the Gentiles to provoke them to emulation Also ver 21. If God spared not the naturall branches beware least hee spare not thee also Psal 58. 12. And men shal say verily there is fruit for the righteous doubt lesse there is a God that iudgeth the earth Ps 119. 71. It is good for me that I haue beene in trouble that I may learne thy statutes 1. Cor. 11. 37. When we are chastised we are instructed by the Lord. XIV The proper and perpetuall effects of true repeÌ„tance are confession of our owne vnworthines of Gods mercy and all good workes But things indifferent as fasting laying aside our comely costly attire c. are helps signes of repentaÌ„ce not alwaies or necessarily but such as may bee vsed at the discretion convenient occasions of the godly But eternall life and other Gods good giftes benefites are not effectes or deserued revvards but consequents free requitals of repeÌ„tance as also of faith good works Ps 51. Against thee only haue I sinned Dan. 9. 7. To thee O Lorde belongeth righteousnes but vnto vs confusion Mat. 3. 9. Bring forth fruits worthy of repentance 1. Tim. 4. 8. Bodily exercise profiteth little Luc. 17. 10. When yee haue done all say we are vnprofitable servants XV. As therfore al the elect are in this life coÌ„verted so none of the reprobate do truly repent but the more they are vexed with an evill coÌ„science feeling or fear of punishmeÌ„t so much the more falling into despaire they storme against God his iudgements turne themselues away froÌ„ God sin the more grievously and blaspheme openly or some time for feare of punishment or desire of glory or other commodities of this life they forsake their errors embrace and professe the truth abstaine from external offences and make a shew of holinesse being indeede hypocrites without faith loue or feare of God and therefore in the end fall quite away Examples are frequent of Caine Esaâ— Iudas Saul Ahab Esaie the fifty and seventh and one and twentith There is no peace with the wicked Matth. 21. 44. and Hebre. 66. They which haue once bin lightned after fall are not any more renued by repeÌ„tance 2. Pet. 2. 20. For if they after they haue escaped froÌ„ the filthines of the worlde by the knowledge of our Lord c. are yet entaÌ„gled againe therein overcome their latter ende is worse with them then the beginnâ—ng XVI The Papistes opinion touching repentaunce iâ— impious that contrition may bee and is sufficient for our sinnes and that it is a merit of remission of sins that confession or reckning vp al â— mans sins to the Minister is necessarie that the workes or rites coÌ„manded not by God but by the Ministers are necessary and satisfactions for the eternal punishments or those of purgatory due to our sins Psal 90. 11. Who hath knowne the greatnesse of thine angerâ— Tit. 3. 5 He hath saved vs not by those iust workes which we haue done but of his mercy by the wâ—shing c. Psal 19. 13. Who can vnderstande his faults clense mee from my secret faultes Esa 29. 13. Math. 15. 8. In vaine they worship me with traditions of men XV. OF THE LAW OF GOD. 1 A Law in generall is a sentence commanding that which is honest and binding the reasonable nature to obedience with a promise of reward if that obedience be performed threatning of punishment if it be violated 2 Of lawes some are divine some humane 3 Humane lawes are either civill or ecclesiasticall 4 The principall differences betweene divine and humane lawes are these that diuine laws do partly concerne Angels and men partly all and partly some men humane lawes concerne onely some men Secondly divine lawes besides externall actions doe also require the internall qualities and motions humane lawes commaunde only certaine externall actions Thirdly divine lawes propose not only corporall and temporall but also spirituall and eternall punishments and rewardsâ— humane lawes promise and threaten rewards and punishments only corporall and temporall Fourthly obedience to divine lawes is the end of humane laws humane must serue to the observatioÌ„ of divine laws Fiftly of divine laws some are eternall and some mutable all humane lawes are mutable Lastly divine laws can be abrogated by none but God humane lawes for probable causes many bee chaunged and abrogated by men XVI OF THE PARTS OF GODS LAW 1 THere are in holy scripture found 3. partes of Gods law That is to say Moraâ— Ceremonial and Iudiciall 2 The morall law whose summe is conteined in the ten commaundements is a doctrine agreeing with the eternall and immutable wisedome and rule of iustice in God discerning
of God which is publique in his church or the preseruation and vse of the ministrie that is publique preaching and studie of religion administration and vse of the sacraments publique praier honor obedience dew to the ministerie that is a mainteining of the ministerie and spirituall sabbaoth which is obedience to this doctâ—ine It forbiddeth neglect of the duty of teaching corrupting and maiming of doctrine neglect of exhortation to vse the sacraments and their lawfull administration contempt of doctrine and curiositie in searching things not necessarie conteÌ„pt and prophanation of sacraments neglect of publique praier hypocriticall presence at them such recital of theÌ„ as is vnprofitable to the church with drawing others froÌ„ the ministerie abolishing the ministerie calling ther vnto men vnworthy errors about the vse of the ministerie conteÌ„pt of ministers disobedience to the ministerie ingratitude or harde dealing against the ministers neglect of schooles and schollers 5. The fifte precept commaundeth civile ordeâ— or mutuall duties of men betweene superiors and inferiors wherof some are peculiar to pâ—rents as nourishing defenc instruction and domesticall education of their children to teachers as scholastical discipline and instruction to magistrates as commaunding the discipline of the whole decalogue and putting the precepts therof in executioÌ„ by defending the innoceÌ„t punnishing offenders ordeining and executing politique lawes in common weales of maisters as to commaund their families that which is iust to giue rewardes and gouerne by domisticall discipline of such as are honorable for age or authoritie as to direct others both by examples and advise inferiors as honor that is reuerence loue obedience gratefulnesse mildnesse towards superiors Other some are commoÌ„ to all men as vniversal iustice and iustice particular distributiue diligence loue of parents grauity modestie gentlenesse Ther-fore it condemneth in parents neglect or loosenesse of education neglect of defence or foolish zeale for children In parents and teachers neglect of instructioÌ„ corrupting too much indulgence or fauor too much crueltie In magistrates slouth and tirannie in maisters granting too much libertie vniust commaundes defrauding men of their dew hyre or rewarde too much roughnesse in men of authoritie foolish couÌ„sell light and euill manners neglect of yonger sort or others whom they may help or correct in inferiors defect of reuerence loue obedience gratification mildnesse or excesse when more of these is attributed vnto them then the lawe of God doth permit But in all omitting of dutie disobedience eye-service error or respect of persons in distributing offices honors or rewardes slouth busie curiosity want of loue to parents vniust indulgence towards children ingratitude vniust gratification lightnesse pride immodesty arrogancie shew of modestie too much rigor severity too much gentlenesse 6 The sixt precept provideth for the safety of our owne and others life and body therefore commandeth particular iustice hurting no man gentlenesse mildnesse quietnesse coÌ„mutatiue iustice in punishmeÌ„ts fortitude humanity mercy friendship It forbiddeth vniust harming the life or body of our selues or others too much pitty wrath vniust anger desire of revenge strife cruelty respect of persons turbulency vniust gratificatioÌ„ for quietnesse sake cavill vpon too strict law private revenge fearefulnesse inhumanity hatred of our neighbour inordinate loue of our selues reioicing in other mens harmes waÌ„t of pitty in mens miseries lightnesse or inconstancie in contracting or dissolving friendship cousenage OF THINGS INDIFFERENT 1. OF humaine actions some are in their owne nature good or evill some indifferent 2 Of their owne nature good are such as be expressely commaunded by God which wee must needes doe according to the intente of the lawe rightlie vnderstoode 3. Evill in their owne kinde are such as are expressely forbidden in Gods lawe 4. Indifferent are such as are neyther commauÌ„ded nor exhibited by God 5. These may either be done or omitted with sinne or without sinne 6. They are sinnes when they are either done by the vnregenerate or of the regenerate but with scandall offence of themselues or others 7. They are no sinnes when they are done of the regenerate without scandal 8. They are necessarie to be done when they cannot be omitted without scandal 9. Therfore of themselues they are lawfull and good but yet indifferent and arbitrarie by accident they may be evil and vnlawful or necessary XXII OF MANS IVSTIFICATION BEFORE GOD. 1. That righteousenesse wherby we are iustified before God is the fulfilling of Gods lawe 2. Legal iustice is the fulfilling of the lawe performed by him which is named iust 3. Evangelical iustice is the punnishment of our sinnes which Christ endured for vs freely imputed by God to them that beleeue 4. Since the fall of man no man besides Christ alone in this life is iustified before God by the righteousenesse of the lawe 5. Wee are iustified onely by faith in Christ 6 And yet the righteousnes of the law must in this life be begun in al that will be saved XXIV OF THE SACRAMENTS Publiquely disputed at Heidelberg the 23. of August Anno. 1567. 1 GOd from the beginning did ioine vnto his promise of Grace certaine signes or rites which are in the church vsually called sacrameÌ„ts The proofe recited by the respondent afore disputatioÌ„ after the ancient custome of the vniversity From Adam there haue beene sacrifices which God ordained because they pleased him Circumcision vvas commaunded vnto Abraham By Moses the sorts rites of sacrifices were encreased and other ceremonies added vvhich endured vnto Christ who ordained and substituted in their steede baptisme and the mysticall supper of the Lord. 2 The sacraments are signes of the eternall covenant betweene God and the faithfull that is they are rites commaunded vnto the church by God and added to the promise of grace that by them as by visible and assured testimonies God may signifie vnto vs and witnesse that according to the promise of the gospell he doth communicate Christ and al his benefits to them vvhich vse these signes in a liuely faith that so hee may confirme vnto them a confidence assurance of this promise and the church by these visible markes may be distinguished from al other sectes publiquelie professe her faith gratefulnes towards God continue encrease the memory of Christs benefits and be bound and provoked to mutuall loue and charitie vnder one head Christ Iesus The proofe This definition is expreslie set downe Gen. 17. 11. Exod. 20. 10. 31. 14. Ezech. 20. 12. Ye shall keepe my sabbaths c. That rites were commanded vnto the church by God it appeareth by induction also the rites are added vnto the promise as visible signes thereof Because the rites of all sacramens doe not only signifie our duties toward God but especially principally Gods benefits towardes vs as circumcision signifieth remission and mortifying of sinne Deut. 30. 6. Col. 2. 2. 11. sacrifices and the Passeover the killing and eating of Christ 1. Cor. 5. 7. Ioh. 1. 19. Heb. 8. 9. 10. Neither doe we only