without Christ in eternal paine with y◠diuel in hel for euer Euerlasting life in heauen is giuen the faythfull by the free mercie of God for Christ his sake And is begun in this life by faith and conuersion which is a full purpose and intent to liue according to Gods commaundements Eternall life is begun here by conuersion and finished in heauen by glorification The peace of conscience which is ioy and gladnesse in God doth assure vs in this life of euerlasting life a The faithfull shall enioy euerlasting life and dwell with christ for euer Matth. 19 28. 29. and 25 34 35. Luke 20 36 Iohn 3 14 15 36 and 5 24 29 and 6 47. 11 25. and 17 3. 1. Iohn 3 2. and 5 11 Esay 51 11. and 65 17 18. Rom. 2 6 and 5. 17. and 6. 23. and 8 17 30. 1 Cor. 2 9. 1. Cor. 15 53 54. Actes 13 48. Tit. 1 2. Reu. 2 10. b The wicked shall haue euerlasting torments with the deuill in hell for euer Matth. 25 41 46. and 8 12. and 13 39 to 43. Luke 16 23 Iohn 5 29. Iude Iob 10 21. 22. Esay 66 15 16 24. 2 Pet. 2 4. The ende of the Creede In this faith I am taught how and what to beleeue concerning God the Father who made me and all the world Secondly what to beleeue concerning God the Sonne who redeemed me and all mankinde Thirdly what to beleeue concerning God the holye Ghost who sanctifieth mee and all the elect people of God Fourthly what to beleeue concerning Gods people called the Church The conclusion how this fayth iustifieth A This is the Catholike fayth which Howe this faith maketh vs righteous before God except a man beleeue faithfully hee can not be saued B And by this faith we haue our sinnes forgiuen vs and are iustified and made righteous freely by the onely mercie of God for the merits death and passion of Christ Iesus our sauiour and redemer C This fayth whosoeuer hath it doeth What is fayth wholy and onely trust for his saluation vpon the mercie and promises of God in Christ And commeth vnto Christ with this true faith repentaunce and newnesse of life And so continually loueth righteousnesse and hateth the doing of euill for this fayth will worke in him conuersion NOwe is to bee called to minde what Of faith and the lawe hath bene heretofore said cōcerning sinne And that the whole life of a Christian consisteth in fayth and charitie Sinne entered on Adam and all his posteritie Gene. 3. Rom. 5. 12 c. from whom all of vs are discended by his offence in breaking of Gods commandement And to make vs more Rom. 5 20. 3. 20. sinfull and to know our sinne the law or tenne commandements of almightie God was giuen Wherein God doth Deut. 27. 26. Gal. 3. 10. Iam. 2. 10. appoynt vs what we ought to do and if wee faile in any one poynt his terrible iudgement and curse doth rest vpon vs and so eternall death D And forasmuch as it is altogether Acts 15. 10. Gal 3. 24. aboue our strength and power to fulfill the lawe of God Therefore our mercifull God hath giuen vs a meane of deliuerance to drawe vs out of this so wretched a calamitie thereby to attaine the heauenly eternall life The which meane is the foresayd fayth and trust in Gods mercie for the merits death and passion of Christ Iesus our sauiour redeemer and by him onely and by none other Acts 4. 12. Hebr. 10. 10. Ioh 3. 18. 17 3. 14. 6. way nor meane it pleaseth our heauenly father to haue mercie vpon vs and to suucour vs. And by this our true fayth the Lawe and cursse thereof taketh no holde in vs but hath an ende Who so euer hath this fayth assuredly The same will worke in him repentance and conuersion and cause him to hate euill and he that hateth euill will repent his doing of euil Thus repenting the breaking of Gods commaundements and our sinnes wee are by this our true fayth iustifyed and made righteous by Christ our Sauiour our sinnes shall not bee layde to our charge And thus beeing iustified The holy Ghost doeth sanctifie vs and prouoke and stirre vs vp to serue God and to our power to reliue our needie neighbours hauing sufficient for our familie because he that ◠Tim. 5. 8. prouideth not for them hath denied the faith and is worse then an infidel So he that hath this fayth will loue Christ with all his power and aboue all thinges And will haue an earnest continuall desire and endeuour to keepe Christ his commaundements Therefore this faith can by no meane be seuered from godly affections because Christ dwelleth in the failhfull by his holy spirite and vertue and sanctifieth them * 1. Cor. 1 30. 2. Thes 2. 13. Hebr. 10. 14. Phil. 2 13. Acts 4. 12. So fayth and good workes are ioyned together This is the onely meane to enioy the eternall blessed life and to dwell with God in glorie for euer So I conclude that he which hath this faith wil to his power endeuour to worship God aright and to keepe his holy commaundements a They that beleeue not are cōdemned alreadie therfore faith is an assured knowledge trust c. Mar. 16 16 Iohn 3 18 36 8 24 10. 25 26. 12 48 Heb. 3 19. 10 22 11 1. Col. 2 2 Mat. 13 23. b The true liuely faith iustifieth for by faith we take hold of Christ his merits and the forgiuenes of sinnes Haba 2 4. Mar. 5. 36. 10 52. 16 16. Luke 7 50. 8 48. Iohn 3 16 18. 5 24. 17 3 20 21 22. Acts 10 43. 13 39 15 9. 16 31. 22 16. 26 18. Rom. 1 16. 3 24 25 26 28. 4 5. 5. 1 5 10 8 9 14 33 34. 9 30. 10 10. Gal. 2 16 20 21. 3 11. 14 22 23 24. 5. 6. Eph. 1 3. 5 7. 2 8 3 9. 2. Cor. 5 19 21. Gen. 15 6 1. Pet. 1 5. 9. 1 Iohn 17. 5 14 Ioh. 16 23 11 26 Mat. 9 29. Lu. 18 42. Heb. 11. 1. Cor. 1. 30. Ti. 3. 5 6. Mat. 7 17 12 33. See more proofe before in the 2. 10. Articles of the Creede that faith iustifieth And what this faith is is shewed before in all the Creede c whosoeuer hath this faith wil loue christ and hate the doing of euill and wil relieue his nee die neighbours to his power Iohn 15. 5. Matth. 5. 16. and 7. 12. c. and 12. 33. Gal. 5. 6. 13. 14. and 6. 8. 15. Tit. 1. 16. and 2. 11. c. and 3. 8 Phil. 2. 13. Acts 17. 28. 1. Cor. 13. 1. Cor. 1. 30. 1. Pet. 1 15. 16. Heb. 12. 14. Iohn 13. 34. 35 15. 8. 1. Iohn 3. 17 18 Col. 1. 10.
for it is the holy ghost that encreaseth and strengtheneth our fayth and maketh the Sacraments to bring forth fruit in vs. We doe not denie but Christ himselfe Matth. 28. 20. with the power of his spirit is present at the administration of the holye Sacraments and the grace of God is there truely present to our fayth when we receyue them Neuerthelesse the inwarde grace of the spirite is seuered from the outward ministerie And the Sacraments doe not profite but being receyued by fayth All that are baptised haue not the spirite of Christ Simon Magus was baptised Acts 8. 13. 18 to 25. by Philip the Apostle but had not the grace of the holy ghost he confessed the truth yet was not regenerate by the holy ghost So Baptisme and the Lords supper may be receyued without the holy ghost Albeit God inwardly worketh by the holy ghost that which the Sacraments testifie Hee that despiseth the holy sacraments and willingly doth forbeare the Gen. 17 13 14. Luke 14 24. Mar. 8 38. vse of them as though he needed them not he is not to bee accounted any of Gods people And also thereby he refuseth the grace of Christ But he that receyueth Iohn 3 16. 17 20 c. them in fayth and repentance vnto him the holy Sacraments seale and confirme most assuredly the promise of 1. Iohn 2 3 Rom. 3 25. 5 9 2. cor 5 21. Gal 3 1â— heb 9 14. 10 10. Col 1 14. grace and forgiuenesse of sinnes and that he shall bee partaker of Christ and his benefites and dwell with him in heauen for euer Of Baptisme BAptisme is a holy signe and an assured Mark 16 16. Tit. 3 5. Gal 3 27. 1. Cor. 12 13. token to mee that my sinnes are forgiuen mee for Christ his sake and that I am receyued into the holy Church as a member of the same and vnited vnto Christ by the speciall working of the holy Ghost Baptisme hath the promise of forgiuenesse Matt. 28 19. Mark 16 16. Rom. 6 3. Tit. 3 5. 1. Pet 3 21. of sinnes and saluation annexed to it that euery one which beleeueth and is baptised shall be saued And in Baptisme wee are renued by the holye Ghost whereby our euill inclinations are chaunged into good that wee haue thereby an hatred of sinne In Baptisme the offence and punishment Gal. 3 27. Ephe. 5 26. Tit. 3 5. 1. Pet. 3 21. of our sinne is taken away Neuerthelesse the corruption or inclination to sinne remayneth in vs which maketh euery one of vs subiect to sinne and alwayes to neede the mercie of God and 1. Iohn 1 8 9 10 forgiuenesse of sinnes Baptisme is a ceremonie or outwarde What Baptism is and wherefore it was ordeyned signe instituted by Christ being washed with water in the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the holy Ghost Whereby Christ testifyeth 1. Iohn 1 7. Ephe. 5. 26. to vs that wee are cleansed from our sinnes by his blood And Baptisme is also a solemne signe of our receyuing into the holy Church and the marke whereby Christians are knowne from Infidels Also it is the Sacrament Acts 2 38. of Christian profession for by my receyuing of Baptisme I do professe 2. Cor. 5 17. Rom. 6 3 4. to liue a Christian to beleeue trust for my saluation all things else which I shall neede onely in the name of the father the sonne and the holy ghost three persons and one true and euerlasting God And I doe thereby solemnly binde my selfe to Christ to keepe his commaundements to my power and to beleeue and trust in his merits death and passion for my saluation And so by Acts 22. 16. 15 9. Mar. 16 16. Tit. 3. 5. fayth in Christ I am sanctified by the spirite vnto eternall life The visible signe in Baptisme is water with which the person baptised is washed The spirituall and inuisible grace is 1. Cor. 6 1 1. Tit. 3. 5. forgiuenesse of sinnes and the renuing by the holy ghost After our Baptisme Christ with his grace by the working of the holy ghost doeth regenerate and frame the faithfull to newnesse of life by fayth and repentance so long as they liue here in this worlde whereby they hate sinne and the deuill and in the end ouercome them To be baptised in the name of the father the sonne and the holy ghost signifieth into the Religion profession and grace of the father the sonne and the holy ghost Baptisme is the solemne receyuing of vs into the holy Church and into Gods fauour therefore euery of vs are but once baptised in our whole life Although our baptisme doe require Baptisme of infants fayth and repentance yet the Baptisme of infants doth very well agree with the institution of Christ and the nature of the signe For the signes consist not in the outward ceremonies but principally Acts 2. 39. Gal. 3 7. 29. Gen. 17 7. 1. Cor. 12. 13. depende vppon the promise of saluation which belong also to the children of the faythfull and wee and our children by baptisme enter into the profession of God that we may be reckoned his people Also Baptisme hath the same office with vs as Circumcision had with the Iewes And God commanded the Iewes to circumcise their infants Infants Mat. 19 14. 15. mar 10. 14. 15. 16. Gal. 3. 29. are partakers of Christ and heyres by promise Therefore are not to be debarred from baptisme The children of Christians are accounted holy although they bee the 1. Cor 7 14. issue but of one faythfull parent Therefore the childe of a Christian may bee baptised The Prophet Ieremie and saint Iohn Baptist were sanctified in Iere. 1 5. Luke 1 15. their mothers wombes whereby plainly appeareth saluation is according to Gods election albeit the infant were Tit. 3. 5. 2 Thes 2. 13 neuer baptised God hath chosen vs before the foundation of the worlde So then saluation is not in him that willeth Ephe. 1. 4. Rom. 9 16 nor in him that runneth but in God that sheweth mercie Of the holy Communion THe holy Communion I receyue in remembraunce Luke 22. 19 20 1. Cor. 11 24. 25 26. Rom. 4 25. that Christ dyed for my sinnes and rose againe to giue mee and all the faythfull eternall life And in this holy Sacrament receyuing the same in true fayth and repentaunce I receyue by the 1. Cor. 13 2 3. working of the holy Ghost grace and vertue from heauen from the verie bodie and blood of our Sauiour Iesus Christ for out 1. Cor. 10 3 4 16 17. gal 2 20 Iohn 6 51 c. of the substance of his flesh he giueth life to my soule and the holy Ghost doeth thereby nourish my heart to beleeue faythfully in Christ his death and merits for my saluation and dwelleth in mee and vniteth mee vnto Christ And also maketh mee
9. 10 16. and 12. 5. Acts 4. 32. Phil. 2. 1. to 5. 1. Iohn 4. 13. b The faithfull are called Saints 1. Cor. 1 2. and 2 Cor. 1. 1. Ephe. 1. 1. Phil. 1. 1. and 4. 21. Philemon 5. verse Col. 1. 2. 1. Thes 5 27. 1. Cor. 6 15. 17. 16. 12. 1. Iohn 4 13. Rom. 8. 9. and 12. 13. THe forgiuenesse of sinnes 10 I beleeue and am fully perswaded in my The forgiuenes of sinnes heart that God will forgiue me all my sinnes and be mercifull vnto me for the merits death and passion of Christ Iesus my Sauiour Christ hath satisfied Gods iustice for mee Therefore I do assuredly rest and hope in the mercye of God through Christ and in no other meane nor way for my saluation A I am assured that by this faith and The faith that iustifieth And see before in the second Article trust in Christs death and merits that al my sinnes shall be forgiuen me and that I shall liue in heauen with Christ for euer So that I repent my sinnes past amende my wicked life and haue a continuall earnest desire and endeuour to my power to obey God to liue godly If I striue to resist sinne with all my power and so resist it that I doe not Rom. 7. 15. c. 8. 1. 2. 1. Iohn 3. 6. obey the lustes thereof and delight in it Then will God be merciful vnto me and forgiue mee all my sinnes For if I doe that I woulde not then is it not I that doeth it but the sinne that dwelleth in me which for the time hath ouercome me till Christ strengthen me with his holy spirit to ouercome it So a true christian in minde and affection doeth serue God with a readinesse of fayth and willing to keepe his commaundements and to Vse charitie to his neighbour But in his flesh and outwarde doings he is defiled with many corruptions Neuerthelesse hauing this fayth the holy Ghost will worke and frame his heart that all his desire to his power shall bee to glorifie God So the life of a true christian consistes inwardly in fayth towardes God and outwardly in charitie towardes his neighbour a He that beleeueth in Christ hath repentance newnes of life God will forgiue his sinnes for Christes sake Esay 1. 15. to 19. 55 6. 7. Eze. 18 21 c. 33. 11 to 20. Ioel 2. 12 13. Luke 24 46. 47. Iohn 3. 17. 18. 19. Mark 1 15. Matth. 3. 8. Iohn 13 34 35. Actes 2 38. and 3. 19. 26. and 5. 31. and 20. 21. and 26 18 20. Rom. 7. 15. c. and 8. 1. 2. and 12. 1. Cor. 6. 11. Galat. 5. 6. and 6. 10. Ephe. 1. 7 10. 11. and 2 Col. 1. 9. c. and 4. 23 24. 1. Thes 4. 3. 4. Heber 9. 14. and 10. 10 14. 1. Iohn 1. 8. 9. and 2. 1 2. 1. Cor. 1 30. Rom. 3. 23 24 25. Rom. 5. 10 and 6. 2. Cor. 5. 19. Prou. 28. 13. 2. Cor. 3. 10. 1. Tim. 1 15 16. and 6. 10 11. 2. Tim. 2. 19. 25 26. and 3 17. Reuel 2. 4 5. Tit. 2 11 c. and 3 4 to 9. Iam. 2 17 26 1. Pet. 1. 15 16. Hebr. 6 10. 11 and 12 â—4 Matth 5 16. and 7 12 and 12 33. Iohn 15 8. 2. Pet. 1 5 to 10. 1 Iohn 3 2. 5 6 23 24. 1. Thes 4 1. to 10. See more proofe aâ— large before in the seconde Article of the Creedâ— THe resurrection of the bodie A I beleeue that after this my life ended The resurrection of the bodie my soule shall go to God that gaue it and my bodie shall rest in the earth vntill the appoynted time for the generall resurrection of all mankinde At the generall resurrection by the power of Christ This my bodie which I nowe haue although it were eaten with the foules or deuoured by many wilde beastes or fishes or lye rotten in dust scattered a great many of yeares shal be ioyned againe to my soule and shall be made like to the glorious bodie of Christ without all corruption to liue with him in heauen for euer And I shall see God in heauen in this flesh mine eyes shall behold him for euer Almightie God by his worde onely made the heauens and earth of nothing therefore he is able to raise our bodyes out of the dust At this generall resurrection of all mankinde that euer were in this world my flesh and soule which I nowe haue shall bee restored and ioyned together againe in the same maner whereof they nowe consist beeing altered from corruption and made immortall and shall liue with Christ in heauen for euer And the bodies of the reprobate shall be then also restored to liue in hell for euer in euerlasting torments This resurrection as the holye Scripture 1. Thes 4. 16. 17 sheweth shall bee in this maner Christ shall discende from heauen with multitude of Angels and by his power all the bodies of all mankinde that euer were shall bee raysed to life And those which shall bee then lyâ—ing shall bee caught vp in the clowdes with them that were raysed to meete the Lorde in the ayre And then shall the elect be with the Lorde and remaine with him for euer And the reprobate shall be sent to hell there to remaine in torments for euer The day of the Lorde shall come as a 2. Pet. 3. 13. c. theefe in the night in the which the heauens shall passe away with a noyse and the elements shall melt with heate and the earth with the workes therein shall be burnt vp But we looke for newe heauens and a newe earth according to his promise wherein dwelleth righteousnesse Wherefore seeing wee looke for such thinges what manner of persons ought wee to bee in holy conuersation and godlinesse a The bodies of all mankind shall be raysed againe the elect to ioy the reprobate to torments Iob 19 25 26 Esay 26 16 66 14 and 65 17. Eze. 37. 5 6 10 13 14 and 18 24. 26. Dan. 12 2. Eccles. 12 7 and 11 3. Luke 16 22 23. and 20 35 36 and 32 43. Matth. 22 30. Iohn 5. 28. 29 and 6. 40. 44. and 11 24 25 26. 12 48. Actes 24 14 15. Rom. 8 21. 1. Cor. 15 20 c. Phil. 3 20 21. Col. 3 4. 1. Thes 4. 13. c. and 5 1 2. 1 Iohn 3 2. 2. Cor. 5. 2. 2 Pet. 3. 9 c. Mat. 25 and 19 28. Rene. 14 13. 20 10 c. 3 21. 1. Cor. 6. 2. See more proofe before in the seuenth Article of the Creede ANd the life euerlasting A I beleeue that after the resurrection And the life euerlasting of our bodies there is no more death or chaunge but the faythfull shall bee glorified to liue in ioy with Christ for euer of the which number I beleeue I am one B And the wicked shall bee
Iesus Christ is that A sauiour which God promised frō the beginning of the world and is also B my sauiour And I beleeue that God will be mercifull vnto me and c forgiue me my sinnes for his sake Christ Iesus hath reconciled all the faithfull vnto God by the sacrifice of his death And is the ransome for our redemption for it pleased almighty God to haue his iustice so satisfied Christ hath D wrought and done for me all that is needfull for my saluation if I beleeue in him and trust in his death and merites Whatsoeuer Christ hath wrought for mans saluation perteineth also vnto vnto me and I shall be pertaker thereof We must not E any where else seeke saluation but onely in Christ That as by the offence of our father Adam who was the first man in this world condemnation came on all men and therfore he and his posteritie from whence we are all descended accursed So theris no meanes to bring vs from this curse and eternall damnation but only by Iesus Christ our Lord for by him God promised saluation from the beginning of the world Wherby the holy fathers before Christs 1. Cor. 10 1 to 5. Iohn 8 56. comming in the flesh were saued by beleeuing that the sauiour Christ shoulde come to redeeme them and obteine of God forgiuenes of their sins wee are saued by beleeuing Christ is come and hath wrought all that is needefull for our saluation So by F our true faith Christ his righteousnes Faith is made ours by beleuing that the once offering of his body and bloud is a full satisfaction for our sins to God the father And that by his obedience and fulfilling of the law of God we shal be made righteous iust before God For as by the disobedience of our first father Adam wee are all made sinners So Se more at large for faith after in the 10. article and at the end of the Creede by the obedience of Christ Iesus all the faithful are made righteous Al those are made righteous by Christ which do beleeue and trust in his death merits do repent and amend their wicked liues a Christ promised from the beginning is that sauiour promised Gen 3. 15. 22. 18. Gal 3. 16. Ge. 26. 4. 28. 14. Deut 18. 18. 19. Esay 7. 14. 15. 16. 9. 6. 7. 11. 42. 53. Ier. 23. 3 to 9. 33. 14. to 19. Mic 3. 5. 2 5 Zach 9. 9. to 16. 11. 12. 13. 16. 12 10. Mala 3. 1. 2. Math 1. 21. 1. Pet 1. 19. 20. Iohn 1. b Christ is my sauiour Math 1. 21. Iohn 1. 1. 2. 3. 4. 19. 1. Cor 1. 30. Eph 1. 5. 7. 2. 16. Col 1. Act. 5. 31. Rom 5. 10. 8. 2. Tim 1. 9. 10. 1. 10. 2 2 Ioh 20. 31. 3. 36. c God wil for giue me my sinnes for Christ his sake Esay 53. Ioh 20. 31. Acts 4. 12. 5. 31. 13. 38. 39. Rom 3. 24. 25. 26. 4. 25 5. 1. Cor 1. 30. 2. Cor. 5. 18. 19. 21. Gal. 3. 13. 14. 4. 4. 5. 6. 7. Eph 2. Col 1. 13 c. 1. Thes 5. 9. 10. 1. Tim 2. 5. 6. 2. Tim. 1. 9. 10. Tit 2. 11 c. 3. 4. to 8. Hebr. 9. 10. 1. Pet. 1. 18. 19. 2. 24. Reuel 5. 10. Phil 3. 20. 21. 1. Ioh 2. 2. 1. 2. Rom 8. 1. 26. 27. d Christ hat done all that is needfull fo◠my saluation Ioh. 19. 30. Luke 22. 37. Ioh 20. 31. 14. 11. to 16. 1. Ioh. 3. 22. 23. 24. E Acts 4. 12 5. 31. 13 38 39. Col. There is no saluation but onely by Christ 1. 14. 1. Thes 5 9 10. Hebr 9. Gal 3. 4. Ioh. 3 18. 2. Thes 1 8 9 Ioh 14 6. f By faith christ his righteousnes is ours Hebr 3 14 7. 9 10. Gal 3. 14 16. 1 Cor 1 30. Rom 5 19 21. Acts 3 17. 2 Tim 2 19. Christ Iesus is the onely sonne of God because his manhoode was begotten of the His only son holy Virgin Saint Mary by the holy spirite of God by that onely power without any acte of man Albeit we are the children of God by grace and adoption by Christ and that God created vs yet hee begatte none in that order with his holy spirite but only Christ Iesus our Sauiour A Christ is the naturall and onely sonne of God Therefore he is the onely naturall sonne of God A Io 1. Mat 1 3 17. Lu 2. 1. Rom 1 3 4. Christ Iesus is our Lord. For God is wel Our Lord. pleased in him A hath giuen ouer to him all power in heauen and earth that he shold giue eternal life to al those y◠beleue in him The B fulnes of the godhead and almighty power dwelleth and a abideth in Christ bodily as my soule dwelleth in my body And he hath redeemed vs doth rule and gouerne the whole world C And by his almighty power and working of the holy Ghost hee maketh all the faithfull to be his members and to be one with God as God is in him and he in God And so the faithfull haue Christ dwelling in thē and are his members and owe to him honour and reuerence as they honour the father therefore he is our Lord. a God hath giuen all power to Christ Math 28 18 Ioh 17 Ioh 1 Ma 17 5 3 17 Ioh 3 35 13 3 17 2. b The fulnes of the almighty power and godhead is in Christ and he is our lord and ruleth althings Io 1 Co 1 15 Io 3 13 35 Ma 28 18 Io 13 3 1 Ro 15 24 25 Ac 10 36 Ro 14 9 c The faithful haue Christ dwelling in them and are his members and he is their heade Ioh 17 21 22 23 1 Cor 12 27 6 15 17 19. Eph 5 23 30 1 22 Rom 12 5 8 9 10. WHich was conceiued by the holye ghost borne of the Virgin Mary This Iesus my sauiour in whom I beleeue Which was conceiued by the holy ghost was conceiued in the wombe of the holy Virgin Saint Mary A by the onelie power of the holy ghost And was borne and formed of her substance Although the holy Virgin was betrothed to Ioseph to take him for her husband and therfore acknowledged hym as her husband Neuerthelesse Iosephe knew not her body at any time before this Iesus our sauiour was borne Christ Iesus conceiued of the holy Virgin without sin by the power and vertue of the holy ghost This Iesus our sauiour B is the seede of the woman and of Abraham In whom all the nations of the earth shal be blessed And hee was borne very man of the holy Virgin formed and framed of her substaunce Beeing borne first a younge babe and after grewe vnto mans state as we doe and
neighbour but seeke reuenge God will not forgiue vs. These wordes As we forgine doeth not signifie the degree and comparison betweene God and vs as if God shoulde forgiue so farre and no more then wee doe forgiue But these assureth vs that God remitteth our sinnes as truely and certainly as we forgiue and remitte our neighbour And that if we do not forgiue our neighbour but seeke reuenge God will noâ— forgiue vs. This prouoketh vs to fayth and true repentance and to forgiue and loue our neighbours For we cannot pray in fayth and true repentaunce if wee hate our neighbour ANd lead vs not into temptation but deliuer vs from euill And lead vs not into temptation In praying that we be not a Psal 125 5 81 12 rom 1 24 26. 2 thes 2 11 12. esay 63 17. 29 10. 1 sam 16 14 iohn 14. 17. rom 6. 12 2. cor 4 7 c. 2. tim 4 18. 1 pet 1 5. 5 8 92 pet 2 9. led into temptation we desire that God will not withorawe his speciall grace from vs but defende and vpholde vs with the power of his holy spirite that we may ouercome all temptations and thereby may be deliuered from the consent and doing of euill When God b 1 Sam 16 14 1. pet 5 8 9. gal 6 1. 1 cor 7 5. rom 1 24 26. esay 63 17. withdraweth his speciall grace in preseruing and keeping vs by his holye spirite Then God suffereth the deuill and our wicked inclinations to tempt vs and to worke vs afflictions and troubles thereby to exercise our fayth or to chastice vs for our sinnes For the Lorde will c 2. Tim 3 12 reue 3 19. heb 12 6 c. 1 thes 3 3 29. 2 cor 7 10 10. pro 30. 9. correct the offences of the godly in this world by afflictions else our flesh would be wanton and forget God Therefore wee pray That he leade vs not into temptation That wee should be d 1 Cor. 10 13 ouercome of it and so consent to the doing of euill but that hee will deliuer vs from euill There are two sortes of temptations The one is from God The other is from the deuill the wicked and our corrupt inclinations The temptations whereby God tempteth vs is a e Iam 1 2 3. 12 5 10 13. 1 pet 4 12 c. deut 8 2. 2 cro 32 31. rom 5 3â— 5. 1 cor 11 10 3â— tryall and proofe of our fayth and obedience that our faith patience and constancie may be manifested vnto our selues and vnto men to his glorie and prayse when hee deliuereth vs from that temptation and tryall So were f Gen. 22 1 2 9. c 29 7 c. iob 1 7 c 2. 1 cro 21. 1. c. the temptations of Abraham Ioseph Iob Dauid and other holy men The tryall or temptation sent from God is by afflictions and troubles as aforesayde g Ioh. 15 5 6 which come on the godly in that tyme that God withdraweth his speciall grace in preseruing and keeping of them by his holy spirite And then God h Iudg. 9 25 suffereth the wicked and our euill inclinations to tempt vs and to worke vs afflictions and troubles that wee maye resort i Iohn 16 20 2 cor 4. 7 c. rom 8. 18 c. to his grace and feele the presence of his strength in succouring of vs. God not working these afflictions for he k Iam. 1. 13 14 15. tempteth none to euill but onely withdrawing his speciall grace for the time For where l 1 Sam. 16 24. heb 3 13. rom 8 9. 1 pet 5 8 9. the spirite of Christ is absent there will the wicked spirit be readie and present to worke our destruction The m Iob 1. 7 to 13 2 mat 8 31. 10 29 30 wicked spirites can do nothing vnto the faythfull but what God shall suffer them and giue them leaue For the Lorde will haue regarde that those his elect shall not perish So n Iud. 9 23. 1. King 22. 22. 2. King 17 27. 24 3. the wicked doe execute the iudgements of God All thinges o Rom. 8. 28. Esa 57 1. worke for the best to them that loue God for hee knoweth what is best for vs. Also temptations are profitable for vs when his mercie doth accompanie them Wee must not p Mat. 4. 7. Wisd 1. 2. seeke for afflictions for so wee shall tempt God and prouoke his wrath But those afflictions which be layde on the godly agaynst their will God in the ende when it pleaseth him q 2. Pet 2 9 reue 3 10 2 cor 4. 7 c. 1. Cor 10 13. will deliuer the faithfull out of those temptations and will suffer no more to be layd on them Then he will giue them strength to beare The temptation whereby the deuill How the deuil tempteth Iam. 1. 13 14. 15 1. Pet. 5. 8 9. the wicked and our corrupt inclinations doe tempt vs is euery soliciting to sinne To the ende wee may bee withdrawne from God and so to perish These are the diuersities of temptations The diuersitie of the temptations God tempteth only by the withdrawing of his speciall grace to exercise the fayth of the godly or to chasten them for their sinnes holding them still in his mercie that they shall not perish thereby to make them to resort to his grace and so to feele the presence of his strength in succouring them But the deuill tempteth to withdrawe 1. Pet. 5 8. 9. vs from God and enticeth and prouoketh vs to doe euill and wickednesse and so to forsake God that wee might be destroyed and damned BVt deliuer vs from euill But deliuer vs from euill In this wee pray That when temptations shall assault vs and prouoke vs to doe euill that God Iohn 17. 15. would deliuer vs from all euill present and to come And that hee will suffer no euill to hurt vs but that all thinges may bee vnto our saluation We shall bee led into temptations Therefore we pray that we may not be 2. Tim. 3 12. 1 Pet. 5 8 9. 1 Cor. 10. 13. ouercome of them and so to bee withdrawen from God but that we may be deliuered from euill FOr thine is the kingdome the power and the glorie for euer Amen For thine is the kingdome c. This clause serueth to confirme our fayth That 1 Chr. 29 10 11 12 Psal 14 5 13. 1. Tim. 1 17. Reue 5 13. 1 Pet. 5 11. Ephe. 3 21. Col. 3. 17. God is able to giue vs those things which we desire For the kingdome and all power and glorie is his therefore we trust in his power mercie and goodnesse Vnto this our God be all prayse glorie honour power and thankes by Iesus Christ our Lorde for enermore Amen This worde Amen signifieth That we wish and desire that it be so done or so be it The
effect of this prayer In the first petition the Lord commandeth vs to desire the true knowledge and worship of God In the second That God woulde gouerne vs with his spirite and so continually preserue and confirme vs in this knowledge In the thirde That euery of vs by the helpe of his holy spirite and gouernment may doe and fulfill our duetie in our vocation that we may doe nothing against his will In the fourth That God would giue vs corporall blessings whereby euery of vs may doe his duetie In the fift That he would giue vs spirituall blessings in forgiuing vs our sinnes In the sixt and last That wee may bee vpholden by his grace that thereby we may bee deliuered from all euill And that so wee may bee able to hallow prayse and glorifie his name through Christ our Lord and Sauiour Before hath bene declared three parts of Religion fayth the lawe and praier nowe followeth the last part which is Sacraments Of Sacraments THe Sacraments which Mat. 28. 19. 20. Mark 16 16. Luk. 22. 19. 20. are to be vsed of vs Christians are onely those which our sauiour Christ did institute and command vs to vse Which are only twoo Baptisme and the Lords Supper which we commonly call the holy Communion These two Sacraments Baptisme and the holy Communion are holy signes ordeyned Gen. 17. 11. Rom. 4. 11. Exod. 12. 14. to be assured tokens and testimonies to me and all the faythfull of the mercie of God and forgiuenesse of sinnes for the merits death and passion of Christ Iesus my sauiour And with those holy Sacraments I receyue such grace and vertue from Christ the which my tongue cannot expresse And the holy Ghost by them doeth moue my heart to beleeue A Sacrament is a testimonie of Gods A Sacrament what it is fauour towardes vs confirmed by an outward signe Or a visible signe of inuisible grace There are three thinges in a Sacrament The first is the visible signe as in Baptisme water and in the holy Communion bread and wine The seconde is the wordes of the Lords ordinance And the third is The thing signified by them The thing signified is Christ for he is the substance of all Sacraments and they doe promise nothing without him For by Christ is the mercie of God and saluation giuen vnto vs. Our Sauiour Christ for the strengthening of our fayth hath ordeyned the preaching of the Gospell And for the further encreasing and confirming of our fayth hath instituted and left to be vsed of vs for euer so long as wee are in this world the twoo Sacraments aforesayde Baptisme and the holy Communion to be testimonies of his grace and saluation These are called the Sacraments of the newe Testament because Christ did institute them and left them to be vsed of all Christians And none other are to be vsed of vs as Sacraments but those onely The vse of our Sacraments are to be Why the Sacraments were ordeyned signes and testimonies of the eternal couenant of remission of sinnes or promise of saluation which God hath made to the faythfull in Christ And also serue to confirme our fayth for that they set before our eyes the good will of our heauenly father and leade vs vnto Christ to seeke our saluation onely in and by him And further by receyuing them wee testifie our profession before men that wee are Christians not Infidels Acts 10 47. And by them wee binde our selues to God to followe godlinesse in fayth and Rom. 6 3 4. Ephe 4 3 to 7. charitie and yeelde vnto God obedience prayse and thankes for our redemprion And in giuing vs these visible signes God testifyeth his benefites towardes vs. The Sacramentes before Christ Gen. 17 4 7 10 21. 1 Cor. 10 1 2 3 4. testified that Christ shoulde come for without Christ none was nor neuer shall be saued And the Sacraments which Christ hath left vs testifie that Christ is Mat. 28 19 20 1 Cor. â—1 26. come and are to vs signes of the couenant of saluation as aforesaid Christ teacheth and instructeth vs with his worde then strengtheneth our fayth with sacraments and by his holy spirite he openeth our hearts to receyue the word and sacraments which otherwise would nothing moue our inwarde parts So without the worke of the holy Ghost the sacraments doe nothing at all profite vs. It is the spirite of God which is the authour of the encrease of our fayth The office of the sacraments The office of the SacrameÌ„ts is to set forth Christ vnto vs and in him the treasures of heauenly grace And to confirme our fayth in setting before our eyes the good will of our heauenly father And by the healthfull working of the holy Ghost the faythfull do receyue with the sacraments such grace and vertue from Christ our sauiour the which we are not able to expresse And so that Note most learned man master Caluin writeth in his booke of institutions If any man aske me saith M Caluin what maner of presence of Christ is in the Lords supper I wil not be ashamed to confesse that it is a higher secret then that it can be either comprehended with my wit or vttered with my wordes And to speake it more plainly I rather feele it then I can vnderstand it Therefore I do here embrace the truth of God wherein I may safely rest With the holy sacraments Christ with his spirit discendeth to the faithful that he may truely quicken their soules Gal. 2. 20. Ephe. 3. 17. 2. Cor. 13. 5. 1. Cor. 6. 15 17. 19. 12. 13. Rom 8 9. 12 5. 1. Cor. 10. 17. Ephe. 5. 30. and dwell in them and they in him and they vnited to him and made members of his bodie he being their head and also members one of another by the wonderfull working of the holy Ghost This secret vniting of Christ with the godly is by nature impossible to bee comprehended For our instruction herein beholde Note the Sùnne shining forth his beames on the earth how it is one thing in the firmament yet all the worlde and euery thing is nourished and comforted with the light and heate thereof Much more and more then may bee expressed with our tongues or coÌ„ceyued in our minds doth the extending beames of the spirite of Christ discende to the faythfull to quicken comfort and defend them with the grace vertue and power that commeth from the bodie of our sauiour Christ Iesus whereby they hate the deuill and sinne and ouercome them Albeit the faythfull receyue the benefites Iohn 3. 18. 1. Pet. 3. 21. Acts 8. 13. 18. 20. 21. Ioh. 1 33 Rom 2. 29. 1. Cor. 10. 4 5. aforesayde with the holy Sacraments yet there is no such secret power knit and fastned to the Sacraments that they may of themselues giue vs the graces of the holy ghost The Sacraments doe not profite vs vnlesse the holy ghost ioyne with them