remained sure and both had and hath stil this seale The Lord knoweth who are his that is he so kâ—oweth them that he wil certainly preserue them to wit so many as shal truly â—orâ—ake their sinnes according to that which followeth in the same text let euery one that calleth on the name of Christ depart from iniquitie For the proofe of the second part read 2. Pet. 1 5. c. Therefore giue ye euen all diligence thereunto ioyne moreouer vertue with your faith and with faith knowledge and with knowâ—edge temperance patience c. And thus brethreÌ„ saith the Holy Apostle vse diligence to make your calling and election sure for if ye doe these things ye shal neuer fal For by this meanes an entrance shal be ministred vnto you aboundantly into the euerlasting kingdome of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ Notable to this purpose is the profession of the holy Prophet Ps 119 v. 166. and v. 1â—â— Where he ioineth this trust and longing after saluation with delight in obeying the law of God Lord saith he I haue trusted in thy saluation and haue done thy coÌ„mandements And againe I haue longed for thy saluation ô Lord and thy Law is my delight To this purpose also is that of the Apostle Paul Phil. 2.12 My beloued as ye haue alwaies obeied not as in my presence onely but now much more in my absence so make ye an end of your owne saluation with feare and trembling And Rom. 11 20 Thou standest by faith be not high minded but feare c. For the proofe of the third part of the answere read Heb 10 22.23 24 25 Let vs draw neare with a true heart in assurance of faith c. And let vs keepe the pâ—ofession of our hope without wauering for he is faithfull that hath promised And let vs consider one another to prouoke vnto loue and to good works not forsaking the felowship which wee haue among our selues c. Touching the 4. part read 1. Thess 4.1 c. Furthermore we beseech you brethren and exhorte you in the Lorde Iesus that yee increase more and more as yee haue receyued of vs how yee ought to walke and to please God c. And chapt 5.23.24 Nowe the verie God of peace sanctifie you throughout and I praye God that your whole spirit and soule and bodie may be kept blameles vnto the comming of our Lorde Iesus Christ. Faithfull is hee which calleth you who will also doe it Brethren pray for vs. For the proofe of the last branche reade Rom 12.6 All Prophesie must be according to the proportion of faith Reade also Galat 1.8 9. Though that wee or an Angell from heauen preache vnto you otherwise then that which wee haue preached vnto you let him be accursed As we said before so say we now againe c. And againe 2. Thes 1.2.2 We beseech you c. Be ye not sodainly mooued from your minde nor troubled neither by spirit nor by worde nor by letter c. let no man deceiue you by any meanes c. and verses 9.10.11.12 And 1 Iohn 2.21 No lye is of the truth Hetherto of the dueties of the particular comforts Question NOw what is the duety of all the comfortes of faith in our one onely very true God eternall and almightie infinite inuisible c. they being all put as it were together Answere It is our duty both generally in euery particular respect in most solemne reuereÌ„d religious maÌ„ner to magnifie the most glorious reuerend name of the Lord our God ExplicatioÌ„ proofe This is indeede a generall duety as it were belonging both iointly and severally to all the former comforts of faith The practise wherof we may read to our own instruction and for our example and imitation 1. Chro 29.10 c. King Dauid blessed the Lorde before all the congregation And Dauid saide Blessed be thou O Lord God of Israell our father for euer and euer Thine O Lord is greatnes and power and glorie and victorie and praise For all that is in heauen and in earth is thine Thine is the kingdome O Lord thou excellest as head ouer all Both riches and honour come of thee and thou raignest ouer all and in thy hands it is to make great and to giue strength vnto all Now therfore our God wee thanke thee and praise thy glorious name Read also Psal 47. and Ps 72.18.19 Ps 89.52 106.48 Rom. 16.25 27. 1. Tim. 1.17 and ch 6 15 26. and 1. Pet 5.10.11 and in the Epistle of Iude verses 24.25 and Reuel 5.13 Thus therfore according to the holy exhortation Psalm 34.3 Let vs euerie one for our owne parts praise the Lord with the rest of his faithfull seruants and let vs all magnifie his name together Yea let vs to this ende abound in all particular fruites of true thankfulnesse to his most plentifull honour and praise as much as wee may possiblie attaine vnto For assuredlie faith receiuing the manifolde and aboundant comforts of the manifolde and superabounding grace of God it standeth deeply bound to yeeld all the fruits of thankes that may bee neyther can it receiue the grace of our most gracious God in vaine THe last point of our inquirie now onely remaineth concerning this Article of our faith in one onely true God that is touching the danger of noâ— beleeuing in h m Question What is that Answere Such as will not beleeue in him to their comfort neither walke dutifully before him in the obedience of faith as a fruite thereof besides that they shall want that vnspeakeable peace and comfort of conscience which faith yeeldeth the which of it selfe is a heauy punishment they shall finde in the end that both the wisedome and power and iustice of God yea that euen God himselfe and all that he is in his eternall and infinite nature wil be armed against them to their euerlasting and most wofull destruction Beliefe in one 〈◊〉 God three dâ—stinct 〈◊〉 It shall certainly come so to passe indeede The Danger of not beleeuing If yee beleeue not saith the Prophet 〈◊〉 chap â— verse 9. sureâ—y yee shall not be established And further Ier chapt Exâ—â—â—cation 〈…〉 17. â— Cursed be the man that trusteth in man and maketh flesh his arme and withdraweth his heart from the Lorde For hee shal be like the heath in the wildernes c. And yet further Psal 73.27.28 Loe saith the Prophet they that withdrawe themselues from thee shall perish thou destroyest all them that go a whoring from thee And againe Psal 78.21.22 Wrath came vpon Israell because they beleeued not in God and trusted not in his helpe For they perished in the wildernes chiefly because of this their sin Likewise Hebr 10 38 39. They that withdraw themselues from faith doe it to their perdition Finallie Reuelat 21.8 The fearfull and vnbeleeuing shall haue their portion in the lake that burneth with fire brimstone which is the second death
three men of Israel there mentioned who professed that they would not worship King Nebuchadnezzars Idoll though God should not see it meete for them or for his owne glorie to deliuer them Finallie for the proofe of the last branch Reade Rom. 8.31 For seeing the Almightie God is our Father wee may boldely comforte our selues with the words of the Apostle there saying If God be on our side who can be against vs And so forth as it followeth in a most comfortable triumph of Faith described to the end of the chapter Read also Hebr 6 17 18 19 20. Where the Apostle teacheth vs that the promise and oath of God beeing both of them immutable do minister vnto vs strong coÌ„solation a most sure refuge to hold fast the hope that is set before vs. Read also 1. Pet 1.5 Wee are kept by the power of God through faith vnto saluation Herevnto also belongeth the comfort of the resurrection of our bodies and of the renewing of all the creatures to a farre more excellent state and condition then they were created in at the first For all these are effects of the almightie power of God For by the same power wherwith God made the worlde and after destroyed it by water and restored it againe and shall at the last day destroye it yet againe with fire by the same power I say shal he restore it at the last of all and set all things in a more comfortable estate then at anie time before According to that which wee read Rom 8 19 20. and 1. Corinth 6.14 and 2. Thessalon 1 9 10 11 12. And as wee read further 2 Pet. 3.10 11 12 13. and Reuelat chap 21.1 c. These are the comforts and we cannot but to the glorie of God acknowledge that they are verie gratious and great Question NOwe which are the duties which the faith of these so great comforts ought to yeelde in obedience to God in regarde of the same his almightie and most gratious and Fatherlie power extended towardes vs Answere First it is the dutie of a true and liuely faith in the allmightie power of God our heauenlie Father to acknowledge and ascribe all power to God as belonging onely to him and accordingâ—ie to giue the whole praise and glorie therof to his Name alone Secondly it is our duty to praye vnto God that he would to the further glorie of his name make his power more more manifest in toward his whole church euery one of vs his weak and fraile children specially that power which he hath made knowne by his Gospell through his Sonne our Lorde Ie us Christ to the crucifying of sinne and to the quickening of vs to newenesse of life with mightie increases against all naturall strength of corruption and against the supernaturall power of the Diuell Thirdly it is our duetie beleeuing in the almighty power of God so to tremble at his iudgements that wee doe make his feare as a bridle to holde vs backe from sinne Fourthlie it is our dutie from the same comfort of Faith to animate and incourage our selues and one to incourage and imbolden another against our owne timorousnes or distrustfulnes and against euerie terrour whereby eyther the Diuell or any of his instruments would goe about to discourage and dismay vs from doing of our duties in our seuerall places and callings Finallie it is our dutie in all things yea euen in the dooing ef our best duties eyther to God or man to humble our selues vnder the mightie hand of God Explication and proofe That these are dueties belonging to the comfort of faith in the Almightie power of God First Reade Psalm 62.11 God hath spoken once yea twise that is often haue I heard the same that power belongeth to God And Rom 13.1 Ther is no power but of God Read also Iohn 19.11 It followeth therfore according to that wee read Psalm 68.34 that wee are to ascribe All power to God for his Maiestie is vppon Israel and his strength in the clowdes O God saith the Psalmist in the next verse thou art terrible out of thy holy places The God of Israel is hee that giueth strength and power vnto the people praised bee God See the practise 1. Chronicles 29.10.11.12.13 c. and Psalme 44.1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8 Reade also Psalme 21.13 Bee thou exalted O Lord in thy strength so will wee sing and praise thy power And Psalme 28.7.8 The Lord is my strength and my shield my heart trusted in him and I was helped therefore mine heart shall reioice and with my song will I praise him The Lord is their strength and he is the strength of the deliuerances of his Anointed And then in the same place the last verse of the Psalme there followeth a prayer according to the second branch of your answere Saue thy people and blesse thine inheritance feede them also and exalt them for euer Reade also the next Psalme which celebrateth the power of God c. But more neare to the purpose of this second point lay the Answere of GOD to the prayer of the Apostle Paul 2. Corinthians 12.8.9 My grace saith the Lord to Paul is sufficient for thee for my power is made perfect through weakenes Most of all consider to this purpose the earnest and as hee professeth the often prayer of the same Apostle for the Ephesians chap. 1. of that Epistle verses 16. c 19.20 c. For the third point reade Hebrues 10.30.31 Wee knowe him that hath saide Vengeance belongeth to mee and I will recompence saith the Lord. And againe The Lord will iudge his people It is a fearefull thing to fall into the hands of the liuing God And 1. Corinthians 10.21 Doe wee prouoke the Lord to anger Are wee stronger then he And Psalme 90.11 Who knoweth the power of thy wrath For according to thy feare is thine anger That is No man can feare more then there is iust cause The anger of the mightie God scareth vs not in vaine Worthily therefore saith the Prophet Ier. chap. 10.6.7 In so much as there is none like vnto thee O Lord seeing thou art great and thy name is great in power who would not feare thee O King of Nations for to thee appertained the dominion or power c. For the fourth point concerning incouragement to well doing against all distrust and against euerie timorous and seruile feare c. Reade Matthew 10.18 c. Feare ye not them which kill the bodie but rather feare him which is able to destroy both soule and body in Hell In which wordes our Sauiour Christ incourageth his Mâ—nisters to preach the Gospell boldly without feare of any man Reade also 2. Corinthians 5.11 and Ieremie chap. 1.17 Trusse vp thy loynes saith the Lord to his Prophet and arise and speake vnto them all that I command thee Bee not afraide of their faces lest I destroy thee before them But not onely the Ministers of the word but also euery faithfull seruant of
hearts and reynes And Ierem 11.20 and chap 17.10 I the Lord searche the heart and trie the reynes Acts. 15.8 God which knoweth the hearts and 1. Thess 2.4 Iudge of the whole world Gen 18.25 Shall not the iudge of all the world doe right saith Abraham to the Lord. Read also Iob. chap 34.10 c. 19. He iudgeth without respect of persons Deut 10.17.18 Acts 10.34 Rom 2.11 And in many other places The iudge who maketh lowe who also maketh high Psalm 75.7 Lorde of Hostes Psalm 46.7 The Lorde of Hostes is with vs. And Psalm 82. thrise in that Psal And Ps 84. fower times and Psa 89.8 O Lord God of Hostes who is like vnto thee which art a mightie Lorde and the truth is about thee 32.18 Amos 4.13 The Lord of Hostes is his name And note also that the works of God not onely of Creation of the ordinaâ—ie course of Gouernment but also his extraordinarie and wondrous works partly such as he worketh by his own immediate hand partly such as he worketh by the ministerie of his seruants both for his people and against the wicked they are so manie declarations of his diuine wisedome mercie iustice c. According to that Psal 9.16 The Lord is knowne by executing iudgement Selah A point worthie singular obseruation And in respect of his mercie according to that Psal 68.20 This is our God euen the God that saueth vs. c. Question NOwe which are the titles of God in a more particular respect of the degrees of his people in humane societie Answere He is in this respect called the most high excellent he that inhabiteth Eternitie whose name is the Holie one Isai 57.15 Ps 83.18 The mosthigh ouer the whole Earth Ps 97.9 And 1. Tim 1.17 The King euerlasting immortall God onely wise And ch 6.15.16 He that is blessed prince onely the King of Kings Lord of Lords who only hath immortalitie dwelleth in the light that none caÌ„ attain vnto whoÌ„ neuer man saw neither caÌ„ see vnto whoÌ„ be honor power euerlasting AmeÌ„ Explication proofe This title of GOD Gneljon the most high is often in the Psalms namelie in these 7.9 18.21.46.47.50.56.57.73.77.78.82.83.87 91.92.107 Read also 1. Chron 29.11.12.13 and Psal 24.7.8.9.10 The king of glorie that is the most glorious King And 82.1 God standeth in the assemblie of Gods For Iudges magistrates assembled are the honourable assemblies which God himselfe hath called to the seate of iustice and hee iudgeth among Goddes that is among the same Iudges magistrates gathered togither in his name either ratifying euery right sentence which they giue or reprouing the contrarie as it followeth in the same Psalme For all Iudgement is properlie the Lords it is his soueraigne prerogatiue belonging as it were to his Crowne and Dignitie Deu 1.17 2. chro 19.6.9.10.11 Read also Eccles ch 5.7 If in a Countrie thou seest the oppression of the poore and the defrauding of iudgment iustice be not astonied at the matter For he that is higher then the high regaraeth yea he that is most high aboue them Where the word Gebhohim vsed in the plurall nuÌ„ber noteth the most high excellencie of God And that also as some interpret it in respect of the most high misterie of the holy Trinitie In Ezra NeheÌ„ God is diuers times called the God of heauen Thus we see what manner of one God is in comparison of those that bee in higher place aboue the rest Though they be high yea higher powers as Ro 13.1 yet God onely is the most high Wheras these are mortall Ps 146.3.4 Isa 51.12 The Lord God is immortall Though they dwell in Princely Palaces yet their dwelling places are nothing coÌ„parable to the habitation of his heauenly glorie They are many so their gouernment is a parted gouernmeÌ„t but God is one hath the whole soueraigntie entierly vnited in himselfe Ps 47.6.7.8.9 God is called also oftentimes in the holy Scriptures Adonai the chief Lord authoriser supporter of all Lordship and Gouernment And therfore the title is in a speciall forme of writing attributed to God as some obserue Adonai not Adon or Adoni as it is applied to meÌ„ And in this respect of his soueraignty he is called Adonei Adonim Ps 136.3 the Lord of Lords that is the Lord of all that haue gouernment whether domestical eccl or ciuill And Mal 1.6 The plural nuÌ„ber for the singular in the same sense twise in the same verse Hence or according to this the word Heden is vsed for basis or sustentaculum the foundation of a thing Question NOwe further which are the Titles of God which shewe what manner of one God is in respect of those of inferiour estate and low degree who are humbled in themselues c Answer Hee is the Father of Mercies the God of all consolation and comfort 2. Corinth 1.1.3.4 and chapt 7 6. The God that comforteth the abiecte Hee is the Father of the Fatherles and iudge of the Widowes Psalm 68.5 and Psalm 113.5 who is like vnto the Lord our God that hath his dwelling on high who abaseth himselfe to behold things in the heauens and in the earth Hee raiseth the needie out of the dust and lifteth vp the poore out of the dung c. And Psalm 146.7 He executeth iustice for the oppressed he giueth bread to the hungry He looseth the prisoners c. It followeth that you shew which those kind of titles are which declare what manner of one our God is against the wicked whether Princes or any other Which may they be Question Answere He ouerthroweth the way of the wicked as it followeth in the same 146 Psalm He is terrible to the Kings of the earth Psal 76 12. Yea generally it is a fearefull thing for any conteÌ„ptuous sinner to fall into the hands of the liuing God For vengeance belongeth to the Lord and he will recompence Heb 10 30 30 31. and Rom 12 19 according as Psal 94 He is expresly called God the auenger To this purpose we may call to mind againe That God iudgeth without respect of persons ExplicatioÌ„ proofe For seeing he will not haue his magistrates to respect the poore in any euill cause Exod 23 3 and Leuit 19 15 Much lesse will God himselfe deale partially Question NOw in the last place what are those titles of God which doe concerne his Church and that speciall fauour which he beareth to it and to euerie true member thereof Answere The Lord God of the Hebrewes and the God of Abraham Isaak and Iaacob or Israel in many places of the holy Prophets The holy one Iob. cha 6.10 The holy one of Israel Isai cha 6.3 and 41.14 and cha 43.15 and Luke cha 1.49 Holy is his name The hope of Israel Ierem. 14.8 and Psal 46.1 and 62.8 yea the hope of all the ends of the earth Psal 65.5 The God both of Iew and Gentile Rom 3.29
euer and hath beene most perfect from all eternitie there are neither former nor latter consultations with him THese thinges thus cleared let vs now goe forward Wherein that wee may proceede in some order howsoeuer the holy Prouidence of God is one onely entier in it selfe let vs for our instruction and for the helpe of our infirmitie consider of it as beeing either more generall ouer all creatures or more speciall concerning some aboue the rest And that also either before the fall of mankinde or concerning the fall it selfe or else euer since the fall And touching the more speciall prouidence of God let vs consider of the grounds and declaration of it according to the order of the creation it selfe that is according to the workes of God in euery seuerall daies creation as hath beene from the historie thereof set downe before Question First therefore what ground of holy Scripture haue you for the proofe and declaration of GODS more generall prouidence before the fall of mankinde Answere For the prouidence of God in the generall vpholding of his creatures this may be a sufficient proofe and declaration in that so soone as mention is made of the bringing forth of the creatures it is saide forthwith that the Spirit of GOD sustained and vpheld them ExplicatioÌ„ proofe It is true For that is the true sence and meaning of those wordes in the beginning of Genesis That the Spirit of God moued vpon the waters as they haue beene more fully opened and interpreted before From whence it is well worthie to be marked that the prouidence of God in the supporting of his creatures is as ancient as the creation it selfe The which as it had the beginning with it I meane as touching the actuall operation so it both had and hath still the perpetuall continuance with the continuance of the creature it selfe to the vpholding of it For the creature can no more consist and continue by the owne power then it could possibly consist and take the beeing and beginning of it selfe THus much therefore may briefely suffice for the proofe of the generall prouidence of God in the continuing vpholding of his creatures from the first moment of the creation and so forth Question And nowe that wee may proceede what ground haue you for the prouidence of God in the ruling and gouerning of his creatures before the fall of mankinde Answere The ground of this is determined with the historie of the creation contained as wee haue seene before in the two first chapters of Genesis so much as concerneth all visible and earthly creatures by expresse mention of them And touching the inuisible Angels though Moses writeth nothing expresly of them by name before the fall of mankinde yet from other hely Scriptures we learne for certaine thus much that the Lord vpholding and continuing his elect Angels in their holy and pure estate as they were created hee left the rest to themselues who of their owne accord fell soone away from their holy originall and so depriued themselues of the fauour and grace of GOD and became lyars and murtherers from the beginning Wherefore euen thenceforth that is from the very beginning of their fall from their obedience God hath begun to reserue them in euerlasting chaines vnder darknes vnto the iudgement of the great day Explication and proofe So indeede we reade expresly in the 6. verse of the Epistle of Iude. And Iohn chap 8.44 And this is briefely the summe of all that which God hath iudged meete to teach vs concerning his gouernment ouer his Angels before the fall of mankinde Let vs therefore leauing them for a while come to his gouernment ouer the rest of his creatures the which the Prophet Moses doth expresly describe vnto vs. Question Wherein is this part of GODS gouernment most generally to be discerned Answere It appeareth in this that he appointed such foode and nourishment as was meete to support and mainteine euery liuing creature in life and that euen as well in the vegetatiue life more proper to trees and plants as in the sensitiue life of men and bruit beastes and also of the foules of the aier and fishes of the Sea and whatsoeuer else And in that hee blessed them all with the power of generation conception and bringing forth increase and multiplication according to their seuerall kindes Explication and proofe So indeede we read Gen ch 1. verses 12.22.28.29 30. And in this respect also the Apostle Paule speaking of the continuall prouidence of God in his vpholding and gouerning of his creatures saith thus Act 17 25. Hee giueth to all life and breath and all thinges else And againe verse 28. In him wee liue and mooue and haue our beeing This is therefore the more generall prouidence of God in his gouerning of his creatures Question What was his more particular or speciall gouernment Answere God continued the orderly succession of the night and day according to the ordination of it in the first daies worke And to the same purpose hee likewise confirmed the instrumental gouernment and ordering thereof as it were in the hand and ministerie of the Sunne and the Moone according to the creation of the fourth day God also according to the creation of the third day continued the limitation and boundes of the Seas within their compasse so that they could not returne to ouerwhelme the dry land againe as of their owne nature they would Moreouer albeit God continued his owne souereigne and imperiall gouernment ouer all his creatures as well earthly as heauenly yet hee honoured Adam the first man whom he had created with a ministerial gouernment ouer all earthly â—reatures to rule and order them so farre as should bee to his best commoditit and comfort Finally God did in this his more particular prouidence make a more speciall prouiso as we vse to speake for the propagation and in crease of mankinde aboue all other creatures Explication and proofe That these things are so we may easily perceiue by that which we read Gen chap 1.16.17.18 Secondly reade againe Psalm 104.6.7.8.9 Thou coueredst the earth with the deepe as with a garment the waters would stand aboue the mountaines But at thy rebuke they flee away c. Thirdly read Gen 1.28 and chap 2.15 16.19.20 For God allowed man a more liberall ordinarie and dieate then to any other creature And for the authorizing of him aboue the rest he warned as it were and gathered together all creatures before Adam to take their names as hee should thinke good to call them For that was a special token of subiection like as when one man is content to weare the liuerie which annother bestoweth vpon him For the last point of the answere read Gen chap 2. verse 22. the last part of the verse and verses 23.24 And let it be considered to the illustration of Gods holy prouidence in this behalfe that God did not onely as was obserued before create onely one woman
tumult or to die obscurely yea or any other death then the death of the Crosse Wherevnto also the Lord God would haue him to be solemnly adiudged and condemned as from a high Theater in the sight of all the world as it were and that his body likewise should be lifted vp on high and fastened to the Crosse and that he should be in three langauges proclaimed King not only of the Iewes but also of the people of all Nations and languages and that all this should be done at the time of a most solemne feast solemnized in the chiefe Citie euen in Ierusalem the Citie of God who is the Citie of the great King of all the world where both Iewes and Gentiles were assembled together in a great and populous concourse And all to this purpose that he might in so euident and eminent a manner most famously publish his most gratious promise to saue all those that would accept and lay hold of saluation offered vnto them by the purchase of this most ignominious and cursed death of his Sonne For euen to this end as our Sauiour himselfe fforetolde was he lifted vp as the brasen Serpent was lifted vp in the wildernesse that whosoeuer should beleeue in him might not perish but haue eternall life Iohn 3.14 1â— And againe chap. 12.32 And I saith our Sauiour if I were lifted vp from the earth will draw all men vnto me Most comfortable therefore is the crucifying of our Sauiour Christ for vs insomuch as it bringeth so gratious and mightie an effect as is the drawing of all men to the faith of it by that sweete smell and most pleasant perfume which it casteth forth The Comforts belonging to his crucifying to the refreshing of euery humbled soule and conscience which feeleth what the burthen of sinne meaneth The greatnes of this comfort may be the better discerned if wee make the comparison betwixt the fruite which the brasen serpent aboue mentioned which was but a type of Christ yeelded to the people which looked vp vnto it when they were stung in their bodies by the venimous serpents in the wildernes and the fruite which our Sauiour Christ yeeldeth to all beleeuers from that Crosse on the which hee was lifted vp For it must needes be confessed that it is by degrees aboue number a more gratious benefit to be healed of the stingings of sinne and of the Diuell which certainly without this most spirituall and soueraigne counterpoison is infectious not onely to the body to the indangering of the temporall health and life thereof but euen to the destruction both of body and soule for euer and euer Now this hath our Sauiour procured by offering vp himselfe vpon the Crosse a sacrifice for our sins in that he hath heerein willingly yeelded himselfe to be made sinne for vs that we might be made the righteousnes of God in him as wee reade 2. Cor. 5.21 And in that hee hath yeelded to haue his most holy hands and feetepierced through that his blood might aboundantly issue out of them to be as a fountaine to wash away our sinnes according to the comâ—ortable saying of the Apostle Iohn The blood of Iesus Christ the Sonne of God cleanseth vs from all sinne 1. Ep. 1.7 And Isai 53.5 Hee was wounded for our transgressions hee was broken for our iniquiâ—ies c. And Ephes 1.7 Wee haue redemption through his blood euen the forgiuenes of sinnes accoâ—dâ—ng to his rich grace And Colos 1.19.20 It pleased the Father that in him should all fulnes dwell And by him to reconcile all thinges to himselfe and to set at peace through the blood of his Crosse both things on earth and things in heauen c. Reade also Heb. 9. verses 12. and 22. And chap. 10.19.20 By the blood of Iesus wee may be bolde to enter into the hâ—ly pâ—ace that is into heauen â—y the new and liuing way which hee hath prepared for vs through the vaile that is his flâ—sh c. And chap. 12.24 The blood of sprinkling euen that blood which our Sauiour who is the mediatour of the newe Testament hath shed to reconcile vs vnto God c. speaketh better things for vs as the holy Apostle affâ—rmeth then the blood of Abel which cried for vengeance against that murtherer Caine. And chap 13.20 The same Apostle calleâ—h the blood of our Sauiour The blood of the euerlasting couenant to wit of that couenant which God in Christ hath made with his Church concerning the eternall redemption iustification sanctification and glorification of it To the which most gratious endes wee are further assured to our endlesse comfâ—rt that as our Sauiour hâ—th borne our sinnes vpon the Crosse as wee read 1. Pet. 2.24 so hee vouchsâ—fed also to beare our curse yea euen to be made a curse for vs that we might be blessâ—d through him Galat 3.13.14 And herewithall this also is very comfortable that our â—lessed Sauiour by his bloodie crucifying and by the blood of his Croâ—â—e hath put out the hand-writing of the ceremoniall ordâ—nances of the law fastening it vpon the crosse so that it is of no power either to condemne the beleeuing Iewes or to be any longer a partition wall betwixt the beleeuing Gentiles and them that they should not haue one enterance to the Father by the same faith in Iesus Christ It is yet a further enlargment of our comfort that our Sauiour hath vpon the Crosse gloriously and triumphantly spoiled the Diuell of his power as we haue seene before Colos 2.14.15 Yea and the nakednes of our Sauiour vpon the Crosse is richly apparelled as it were with a robe of singular comfort insomuch as therby he hath taken away that ignominie which the nakednes shame of our sinnes had brought vpon vs in the sight of God and hath adorned vs spiritually with his holines and righteousnes that he might commend vs and make vs comely and gratious in his presence But among all the excellent things right worthy our consideration for our exceeding comfort concerning the crucifying of our Sauiour this is not to be accounted the least that euen then when his executioners were fastening his most holy body to the crosse with nailes driuen through his hands and feete that euen then I say he shewed himselfe so mercifully affected and so earnestly desirous of the saluation of vs poore sinners that hee praied for the trespassers as Isaiah had prophesied long before Father saith our Sauiour forgiue them for they knowe not what they doe For doubtlesse this prayer of our Sauiour being the deare Sonne of God who by his owne appointment made a propitiatorie sacrifice for the sinnes of all the elect must needes bee most effectuall with him not onely for those trespassers among whom he was crucified but also for all other that belong to the Lord and haue their part in his redemption It surely containeth a notable ground of comfort for the quieting of all troubled conscienceâ— when poore sinners remembring this sweete prayer
same end blesse the same his Apostles and leaue his blessing behind him to the effecting of his good will and pleasure for the calling sanctification and saluation of his whole Church to the end of the world ExplicatioÌ„ This questionles must needes be esteemed a singular comfort And the rather if as was noted partly before and may well be called to minde here againe that the blessing of our Sauiour Christ is infinitly to be preferred before the pronouncing of blessing by any other either holy Priest of the Lawe or most faithfull minister of the blessed Gospell For as the one did blesse so doth the other that is onely by way of intreatie from God as his Ministers though in speciall maÌ„ner aboue the priuate mans blessing whether Parent or any other seeing God hath made a speciall promise of blessing in this behalfe as we haue seene before But our Sauiour Christ blessed not onely as a minister of the word or rather as a Mediator of the euerlasting couenant of God intreating itâ— from him but euen as a selfe commander hauing equall power with God to conferre all grace and blessing whatsoeuer He doth not therefore blesse as Aaron blessed Israel but rather as Melchisedek blessed Abraham in whose loynes was Aaron yea rather as God to bee blessed for euer did blesse Melchisedek himselfe And thus it is euident that we are to account it a speciall benefite not onely to the Apostles but euen to our selues being as it were in their loynes touching the spirituall propagation of the Church by them insomuch as being in the action of blessingâ— he went into heauen giuing thereby no doubt to vnderstand that hee minded euen from thence to blesse out of the heauenly Sion euen from that sanctuarie and Tabernacle which the Lord God himselfe pight and not man Heb 8.2 ch 9 11.12 Let vs therefore haue his blessing in most high and singular estimation Iaakob as we know so greatly esteemed to be blessed of his Father before he should dye that by all meanes he laboured to obtaine it Yea profane Esau after he had lost the blessing of his father laboured importunately to recouer it What thankes therefore infinitely much more ought wee to render to our Lord Iesus Christ the euerlasting Father of blessing to his Church In whom and by whom all the nations of the earth are blessed Isai 9.6 Yea for that he hath so preuented vs with his blessing that wee neede not seeke it by vnlawfull meanes as Rebecka and Iaakob did the blessing of his Father Isaak Neither neede wee feare any contrarie curse according to that Number ch 23. verse 23. There is no sorcerie against Iaakob For who can curse when God hath blessed c. Read also Gen 12.3 Question But what comfortable benefite haue wee also by the ascension of our Sauiour Christ Answer As it it aâ—â— higher degree of the exaltation of our Sauiour Christ in our humane nature then was his resurrection from the dead so it it a further confirmation and assurance vnto vs that we are perfectly iustified in the sight of God by him ExplicatioÌ„ The reason is very cleare For insomuch as it is truly said that if our Sauiour had not fully satisfied the iustice of God for our sinnes insomuch as hee had made himselfe sinne for vs by taking vpon him the guiltines and offences of vs and all the elect hee could neuer haue risen againe from the dead as a conquerour of death which is the iust stipend or wages of sinne for euer Rom 6 in the end of the chapter much lesse may we say could he haue beene admitted to ascend vp into heauen But now that we knowe hee is not onely risen from the dead but is also ascended vp to the liuing God appearing there on our behalfe as wee shall haue further occasion to obserue in the next Article we may iustly reason from hence by way of amplification that it is now much more manifest by the ascension of our Sauiour into heauen that we are surely discharged indeede both of the guiltinesse and also of the punishment of all our sinnes and perfectly instified in the sight of God through faith in his name Read Iohn 16. verse 10. and Rom 8.34 For the ascension is included as one degree of exaltation and so of the amplification of the comfort to be vnderstood betwixt the resurrection of our Sauiour and his sitting at the right hand of the Father Of the which more afterward In the meane season let vs gather together the rest of the comfortable fruites of the ascension Question Which may they be Answer A third comfort may iustly bee this that it is likewise a further assurance vnto vs that our Sauiour hath so vanquished and subdued all our Spirituall aduersaries that they shall neuer recouer themselues to be able to preuaile against vs or any of the children of God This also we may see confirmed Ioh 16 verse 11. where our Sauiour himselfe telleth his Disciples that after his ascension the holy Ghost should reproue the world of iudgement because the Prince of this world is iudged We may see it also plainely testified Ephes 4 8. according to the prophesie of the 68. Psal verse 17.18 when he ascended vp on high â—e â—eâ— * Captiuorâ—â—â—stituaâ—â—â—â— scimundum carnen â—â—â—catum mortem Satanam cap titam fecitâ— id est subâ— gâ—t Trenâ— Iuâ— captiuitie captiue that is hee hath most gloriously surprised and taken our enemies and subdued them Hee had euen vpon the crosse rifled and spoiled the diuel and tooke away the hand writing which was against vs. Collos 2.14.15 but his ascension sheweth it more clearly a great deale Neither is it to be neglected for the furtherance of our comfort in this behalfe that whereas the diuel and his arme is described as hauing the aduantage in fighting against vs not onely in heauenly things but also from the aire we being as poore earthwormes creeping vpon the earth Eph 2.2 and ch 6.12 Our Sauiour who is our captaine and vnder whose ensigne we fight is farre higher then they and hath infinitely much more power and aduantage against them for the leading and safe conducting of vs then they haue against vs for our hurt So this may well be a third comfort indeede according to that Psalm 68.34.35 Ascribe the power to God for his maiestie is vppon Israel and his strength in the clowdes c. Question Now in the fourth place how may the ascension of our Sauiour be yet a further comfort vnto vs Answer Our Sauiour Christ being ascended vp into heauen hath from thence and since that time and euen to this day more plentifully inriched his Church with heauenly gifts and graces of the holy Ghost for the further benefiting of euery particular member of it then euer he had done before ExplicatioÌ„ It is true For so Ephes chap 4. verse 8.11 c. the Apostle Paul addeth to the leading of captiuitie captiue
c. ch 11. v. 1.5 ch 36.25 26 27. And Ier 31 33. conferred with Heb 10 15 16 17. And Isai 59 21. Ioel. 2 28. Hagg 2 6. And this Spirit so often spoken of is the holy Ghost The Spirit of the holy God is also after a sort acknowledged euen of the very heathen as Dan 4 5 6. As for that which we read Act 19.2 where the late conuerted Disciples at Ephesus say they had not heard whether there be an holy Ghost either they doe not meane to speake so concerning the third person of the holy Trinitie but coÌ„cerning the extraordinarie gifts of the holy Ghost which had bin giuen in other places by the laying on of the hands of the Apostles or if any thinke they did meane so the same must withall confesse that from their former ignorance this Article is for euer hereafter more certainly confirmed to the church of God by that better instruction which they receiued from the holy Apostle But you haue not yet shewed that the essential attributes or proprieties of the Godâ—eâ—d are attributed to the holy Ghost as well as to the Father the Son This must not in anywise be omitted of vs because the due coÌ„sideration hereof is of great weight to establish confirme our hearts to beleeue in him Question What proofes of holy Scripture haue ye therefore to warrant the truth of this part of your former answer Answer The proofes are so many as I am not able to make rehearsal of them without some helpe by your direction nor then neither but so as there will need some further supply by your addition ExplicatioÌ„ You may iustly say so indeed I will therefore helpe you what I can prouided that you will stirre vp your selfe to call to mind some one proofe or other for euery one of these diuine attributes as well as you may Question And first what proofe haue you that the holy Ghost is eternall I meane so eternal as no crature is eternal that is not onely without ending but also without beginning Answer In this sense the holy Ghost is called the eternall Spirit Heb 9.14 ExplicatioÌ„ proofe It is true Neither is any other Spirit either Angell or soule of man so called though they be immortall and endles by the decree of God And further touching the eternitie of the holy Ghost we may proue it by the same reason that the Euangelist Iohn proueth the eternitie of the Son For insomuch as the holy Ghost was in the beginning that is before any creature was as wel as the Son therefore wee may conclude that the one is eternall as well as the other Neither is it possible that the Father and the Sonne without this their eternall Spirit should euer haue giuen any being to any creature seeing the immediate producing of the creature and also the supporting of it from the first instant of the beginning of it is from and by the holy Ghost as we may perceiue by that which we read Gen chap 1. verse 2. Question Let vs now proceed What proofe haue you that the holy Ghost is of infinite and incomprehensible maiestie or greatnes Answer Whither shall I goe from thy Spirit or whither shall I flee from thy presence saith the holy Psalmist Ps 139.7 Explication proofe This sheweth that the presence of the holy Ghost is as large that is euery where and filling all places as the God-head of the father and the Sonne This infinite and incomprehensible Maiestie of the holy Ghost may bee partly discerned of vs by that which is often testified that from the beginning of the world to the end thereof he hath beene and will be present with the children of God in speciall manner dwelling as it were in the hearts of thousands at one instant and so from time to time sanctifying guiding and coÌ„forting them all And for a most euident instance therof let vs consider it by the aboundaÌ„ce of the gifts of the holy Ghost poured forth vpon the church in these last times of the world since the ascension of our Sauiour Christ Iohn 7.38.39 Act 2.17 1. Cor 12. yea and in that it is expresly saide that our Sauiour himselfe in that he was man was indued with the gifts of the Spirit not in measure Thus may wee argue the infinite Maiestie and incomprehensible greatnes of the holy Ghost though not in any bodily dimentions which is contrarie to the nature of any Spirit and most of all of the holy Ghost but in a manner vnsearchable to vs according to his inuisible nature and most diuine and secret vertue Iohn 3.8 We will hast forward Question What proofe haue you that the holy Ghost is almightie Answer The workes of creation and gouernment made and continued by him together with the Father and the Sonne as hath beene declared before doe sufficiently prooue it to bee so Explication proofe It is very true And besides hee is expresly called the power of the most high Luke 1 35. Read also chap 24 29. and Act 1.8 where the gifts of the holy Ghost are called the power of God from on high And accordingly ch 6 10. the Euangelist testifieth that although many gaine said Stephen though he was no Apostle yet they were not able to resist the wisedome and the Spirit by the which hee spake Generally all the graces bestowed vpon the Church and euery member thereof they proceede from the power of the holy Ghost Our regeneration is called our Baptizing with the holy Ghost Iohn 1.33 and Act 11.16 And 2. Cor 3.18 We are changed into the image of the Lord from glory to glory by his Spirit as we heard before And Act 9.31 The Churches were multiplied by the coÌ„fort of the holy Ghost And Ephes 3.16 Christians are strengthened by the Spirit of God Moreouer 2. Thes 2.8 The Lord will consume the man of sinne euen wicked Antichrist by the Spirit of his mouth that is by the preaching of the Gospell through the mightie power of the holy Ghost Yea all that power which our Sauiour had in that he was man he receiued it from the holy Ghost whether we looke to the power of his doctrine or of his workes according to that Act 10.38 God anointed Iesus of Nazareth with the holy Ghost and with power And Mat 12 28. compared with Luke 11 15. Our Sauiour himselfe professeth that hee did cast out diuels by the Spirit of God whom he calleth the finger that is the diuine power of God Like as when the Prophet Isaiah would note the perfect continuance of Gods power without all defect he saith The hand of the Lord is not shortened And the Prophet Micah ch 2.7 minding to signifie as much though to another end asketh the Israelites whether the Spirit of the Lord were shortened As though hee should say It is impossible hee is as able either to blesse and prosper or to curse and plague as euer he was Thus we
may see an almightie power ascribed to the holy Ghost yea euen the almightie power of God seeing none is almightie but he alone And next vnto this who can doubt of the infinite perfection and fulnes of his holines considering that he is in this respect in a speciall manner and in way of a most chiefe excellencie in himselfe aboue all Spirits called the holy Ghost as was obserued in the beginning And in respect of all the elect the Spirit of sanctificatton because all their holines is wrought by him Rom 1 4. And 1. Peter 1 2. And 2. Thes 2.13 Hee is also a most pure and cleane Spirit infinitely contrarie to all vncleane Spirits of men 1. Cor 6 11. and verses 17 18.19.20 And Gal 5 16. c and to the wicked Angels branded by the reprochfull name of vncleane or foule Spirits Marke 1.23 c c 27. And chap 5 2. c. Let vs now come to the rest Question What proofe haue you that the holy Ghost is infinite in all perfection of wisdome Answer In this respect saith the Prophet Isaiah who hath instructed the Spirit of the Lord and who was his counseller or taught him Explicatiō proofe So saith he indeed chap 40.13 And seeing he hath done all things in excellent wisedome without the aduise or counsell of any creature in any point it is plaine that he hath all perfection in and of himselfe The same also may appeare with like euidence and plainnes from the testimonie of Saint Paule 1. Cor 2.9.10 The things saith he which eye hath not seene nor eare hath heard c. God hath reuealed them vnto vs by his Spirit for the Spirit searcheth all things yea the deepe things of God c. Which things also saith the same Apostle as it followeth we speake not in wordes which mans wisedome teacheth but which the holy Ghost teacheth comparing spirituall things with spirituall things And againe chap 12. verse 4. c. after that he hath reckoned vp the manifold gifts and graces which God bestoweth vpon his Church wisedome knowledge discerning of spirits c. Hee concludeth that there are diuersities of gifts but the same spirit as was alledged before This spirit giueth our Sauiour gifts aboue measure as wee haue seene alreadie and the Church of Christ all aboundance from his fulnesse teaching them in all wisedome c. And therefore he must needes be in himselfe infinite in wisedome Now that we may proceed Question What proofe haue you that the holy Ghost is likewise infinite in all perfection and constancie or vnchangeablnes in truth Answer In this respect he is called the spirit of truth yea that spirit of truth which is incomparable and pierles euen the very truth it selfe Explicatiō proofe It is our Sauiours owne testimonie Iohn chap 14.17 and chap 16.13 And the testimonie of his faithfull Apostle Iohn 1. Epistle 5 6. The spirit is truth And therefore also is it affirmed that those things which the spirit hath foretold must needs be performed according to that saying of the Apostle Peter Act 1.16 This Scripture must needes haue beene fulfilled which the holy Ghost spake by the mouth of Dauid c. Moreouer Ephes 1 13.14 The faithfull are sealed with the holy spirit of promise which is the earnest of our inheritance vntill the redemption of the possession purchased vnto the praise of his glory And ch 5.9 The fruit of the spirit is in all truth And 1. Ioh 5 7. he is a ioynt witnes of the truth together with the Father and the Sonne and of equall authoritie and credite therein with them Question And is he also of the same perfection of diuine goodnes and mercy with them He is so Answer and thorefore is called the Spirit of grace and compassion or as some translate of supplication and introatie Explicatiō proofe So we read Zech chap 12.10 and Heb 10.29 And the holy Ghost is so called because he both giueth grace and also certifieth vs of that grace and fauour and of that pitie and compassion which both the Father and the Sonne beare toward vs yea and stirreth vs vp and teacheth vs howe to intreate the same For as the Apostle saith Rom 5. verse 5. The loue of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the holy Ghost which is giuen vnto vs. And chap 8.16 The Spirit beareth witnes with our Spirit that we are the children of God And in the same cha verse 26. The Spirit also helpeth our infirmities for we knowe not what to pray as we ought but the Spirit it selfe maketh requests for vs with fighes which cannot be expressed c. Moreouer Gal 5.22 Loue ioy long suffering gentlenes and goodnes are the fruites of the Spirit in vs. And Ephes 5 9. The fruite of the Spirit is in all goodnes And therefore the holy Ghost himself is in himselfe most good and gracious And so we read Nehem 9.20 and Psal 143.10 He is called the good Spirit of God And 2. Cor 3 6. The Spirit giueth life And verse 17 Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is libertie And therefore also hee is in himselfe most free working and distributing all things as it pleaseth him 1 Cor 12. verse 11. There is one special attribute of the diuine nature or Godhead yet behind namely righteousnes or iustice Question What proofe haue you therefore that the holy Ghost is infinite in al perfection of iustice together with the Father and the Sonne Answer In the 30. chap of Isaiah verse 1. Woe to the rebellious children saith the Lord who take counsell but not with me and couer with a couering but not by my Spirit that they may lay sinne vpon sinne c. Explication proofe Here it is plaine that the Spirit of God can abide no iniquitie no more then either of the other persons in the God-head And beside our Sauiour himself rehearseth it for a diuine propertie of the holy Ghost to rebuke the world of sinne which is vnrighteousnes and to shewe where true righteousnes is to be found namely in Christ through faith and not in mans own corrupt and sinfull nature or workes In which respect the Apostle Paul saith that our Sauiour was iustified in the Spirit 1. Tim 3 16. without whose righteousnes apprehended by faith through the Spirit none can be iustified in the sight of God 1 Cor 6 11. Neither can we without the sanctifying grace of the same Spirit through Christ performe any dutie of righteousnes For it is the fruite of the spirit alone which is in all righteousnes Ephes 5 9. And they onely Who are led by the Spirit of God are the Sons of God Rom 8 14. And 1. Cor 12 3. No man can say that Iesus is the Lord but by the holy Ghost As touching the rest they prouoke the Spirit of God against themselues to their destruction Isai 63 10. They rebelled and vexed his holy Spirit therfore was God turned to