woorde They which through want of knowledge or weakenes of the minde are not sufficient vnto the well gouerning and brideiing of them selues must as the Lord hath commanded be instructed and strengthened by others that either by mercifull admonition and exhortation they may bee recouered from sinne or else may be saued by terrors and threats of the iudgements of God beeing thereby as it were by violence taken out of the fire of destruction Unto this appertayneth that notable exhortation of the Apostle Let vs obserue and marke one another not vnto enuy or occasion of sin but to stirre vp our selues mutually and euen to whet one an other vnto the duties of charitie and to all good workes The other kinde of discipline is publike consisting of three partes First of the preaching of the lawe which is as a two edged sworde in the hande of Gods ministers to offer vp his people an holie and blameles sacrifice vnto his maiestie not onely opening our eyes that we may see and knowe what is that good perfect and acceptable will of the Lorde but also through the working of the holy Ghost conuerting our soules and fashioning them after the image similitude of him that made thē Secondly admonitions exhortations and counsels ministred by such persons as the Lord hath appointed for the ouersight of their brethren Thirdly of conuenting of the offendours before the Churche in open congregation to bee iudicially admonished or according vnto the qualitie and degree of their offence forbidden the Supper of the Lord or cut of from the Churche vntill by remorse of sinne with smart and shame of punishment laide vpon them for the same they shal with certaine testimonies of true and vnfeigned repentance humbly desire to be restored vnto their former estate amongest the people of God. The weakenes of conscience must often times be holpen by ciuil punishment publikely or priuately to be executed by magistrates parentes maisters and others whom the Lorde God hath authorized and armed with the swoorde of iustice and rodde of correction not for the profite onely of suche as offende but also for the example terrour of others that at least by awe of punishment they may feare to doe euill For as indulgence and impunitie nourisheth increaseth wickednesse as Salomon saith and wicked men so godly seuerity of punishment chaseth away sin and lessoneth the number of offendours In punishing it must be remembred that it be not dumme and silent but ioyned with doctrin admonition exhortation that the force thereof may work the more in the hart of the offenders It may not be the reuenge of our priuate griefe but of the dishonour of the name of God of the breach of his holy commaundementes It must be ioyned with calling vpon the name of the Lord that as it is his good ordinance so it may be both giuen and receiued according to his wil and blessed by his spirit to the reforming of those that haue done amisse and forwarnings of others Finally all meanes are to be vsed that the conscience of the offender may be touched with the horror of his sinne and feare of Gods iustice that we may cleere our selues of all corruption by directing the punishment not against the person but against the sinne beeing greeued that we are compelled to flye to that extreme remedy and yet to doe it with á godly courage and zeale as caryed with most iust hatred and indignation against sinne Unto the abating of the rage of our corrupt and degenerate nature the Lord yeeldeth vs no small helpe by afflictions and aduersities which therefore are called chastisementes and corrections because we are thereby reformed as the Prophet saith before I was corrected I went astray but now I haue kept thy commaundements In so much as he professeth that it was good for him that hee had beene afflicted and acknowledgeth that of very trueth the Lorde had chastened him meaning thereby that as the Lord hath couenaunted with his people all good things so is it also a parte of his couenaunt to punish and correct his children as he knoweth to be expedient for them the reason whereof is rendred by the Apostle For if wee iudged our selues we should not be punished but when we are punished we are nurtured of the Lorde that we might not be condemned with the world The ende of all is that the workes of Satan in the corruption of our nature with the fruites of the same might vtterly be abolished and ▪ that the image of God not blemished onely but euen cancelled and defaced by the fall of Adam might be renued and repaired in vs The first happeneth vnto vs in the dissolution of this earthly tabernacle from which time we sinne no more as appeareth by that vehement and lamentable exclamation of Saint Paule Miserable man that I am would God I were deliuered from this bodie of death The second though begon increased in this life shal not be fully accomplished vntill our Sauiour Christ returne from heauen be made glorious in his Saints For albeit we are now the childrē of God it hath not yet appeared what we shall bee but our life is hid with Christ in God and we knowe that whē Christ which is our life shal be made manifest we also shal be made manifest with him in glorie Then shall we be clothed with that glorious tabernacle not made with handes eternall in heauen then shall mortalitie be deuoured of immortalitie then shall Christ who alreadie is crowned with glorie and honor returne our redemer from heauen and chaunge our vile bodies that they maye be made like vnto his glorious bodie according vnto that power whereby he is able to subdue all thinges vnto him selfe Then shall it be accomplished which is written death is swallowed vp in victorie O death where is thy sting O graue where is thy victorie For the strēgth of death is sinne and the strength of sinne is the lawe But thankes be vnto God who hath giuen vs victorie by Jesus Christ our lord Therefore let vs be strong and immoueable in the trueth abounding alwayes in the worke of the Lord seeing we know that our labour is not in vaine in the Lorde But the day of our redemption shall once appeare wherin the trumpets shal blow and the deade shall rise those that are found aliue shall be changed and wee all which beleeue shall meete the Lorde in the ayre and so reigne with him in glorie for euer which time shoulde long since haue come vpon the worlde sauing that the Lord is pacient to vswarde and will not that anie of vs should perishe and not of vs onely which now liue but of those also which shal be raised vp in posteritie after vs whom he hath likewise appointed vnto saluation and will in his good time call by the ministerie of his Gospell least we without
with calling vppon the name of the Lorde And that the worde might be made yet more profitable vnto vs it hath pleased the Lord vnto that libertie wee haue of reading hearing read studying and meditation of his holy scriptures knowing the weakenes of our capacitie dulnes of vnderstanding hardnesse and vntowardenesse of our corruption in great wisedome and mercie to ordeine that the same woorde might be applied vnto vs by the holy ministrie of preaching wherevnto he sanctifieth and annointeth by the giftes of his spirit such as he hath chosen and doeth sende foorth into the labour of his haruest Of which S. Paule speaketh when he saith that Christ ascending vp into heauen and leading captiuitie captiue gaue giftes vnto men and filled al things that there might be in his church some Apostles some Prophets some Euangelistes some Pastors and teachers to the knitting together of the Saintes to the woorke of the ministerie and building vp of the bodie of Christ vntill wee all come vnto the vnitie of faith and of the knowledge of the sonne of God vnto a perfit man euen vnto the perfect grouth of the stature of Christ that we might not be tossed and carried with anie blast of doctrine either by the declining frailtie of our owne corruption or by the exercised subtiltie of our aduersarie This ministerie is called the ministerie and ambassage of peace reconciliation which the Lord hath put in the mouthes of all his ministers that being Legates and Ambassadours insteade of Christ as if God himselfe intreated vs by them it might be saide vnto vs in the name of Christ be yee reconciled vnto God. These are the salt of the earth and the light of the world For the same God which in the beginning commaunded light to shyne out of darknes is he that shineth in the heartes of his seruauntes that they might giue foorth the light of the knowledge of the glorie of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Who him selfe saieth that as Moses lift vp the serpent in the deserte so must the Sonne of man be lift vp that all that beleeue in him should not perish but haue euerlasting life And S. Paule saith that the Gospel preached is a most liuelye painting out of Christe before our eyes and a visible crucifying of him in our sight And though it be counted of the worlde foolishnesse and esteemed as ouer weake a meanes to so great a woorke yet is it the mightie power of GOD vnto saluation and the highe wisedome of the Lorde by the foolishnes whereof those shal be saued that beleeue It is the Gospel of Christ and the same preached wherewith it pleaseth the Father to beget vs againe vnto himselfe that we might be the first fruites of his creatures being borne a newe not of mortal seede but of immortall by the woorde of God which woorde abideth for euer and the same is it saith S. Peter which is preached This is that moste excellent forme of Doctrine wherevnto the Lorde hath committed vs to be taught that being obedient thervnto we might be deliuered not onely from the guiltines of sinne but also from the seruitude and bondage of the same As the Spirit of God first beginneth to work faith in our hearts by the woord of the Gospell preached so doeth he continue nourish confirme encrease faith in vs by the self same meanes Wherfore S. Peter exhorteth vs that as newe borne babes wee shoulde long after that sincere milke of the woord that by it wee may growe vp and comming vnto Christ which is the liuely stone our selues also as liuing stones may be builte vp a spirituall house vnto God and made an holy priesthoode to offer vp spirituall sacrifices acceptable vnto God through Jesus christ And when wee are passed the age of our infancie in Christ the same word preached is our sound fast meate wherwith the Lord still feedeth vs in his familie vntill that hauing finished the course of this life and ended the daies of our pilgrimage and warrefare in this worlde hee take vs home into his owne kingdome Unto the worde of the Gospell preached for the more strengthening confirming of our faith in the assurāce of our saluatiō by Christ it hath pleased God in like wisedom and goodnesse towards vs knowing our weakenes and pittying our infirmitie to adde the vse of two holy Sacramentes Baptisme and the Supper of the Lord The Sacramēt of Baptisme is an holy signe seale annexed by God himself vnto the promises of the Gospel to witnesse and pledge vnto vs the forgiuenes and washing away of our sinnes in the sacrifice of the death of Christ and our iustification before the Maiestie of God in the perfection of his obedience also our ingrafting into that bodie wherof Christ is the head from whom streameth the fountaines of life and grace into all his members Further that being baptized into his death wee shall by the power thereof die vnto sinne and by the power of his rising againe be our selues raised vp in a newe creature to walke before him in true holinesse and righteousnesse all the dayes of our life and that we shall be raised vp in the last day out of the dust of earth and meete the Lorde in the aire and dwell with him for euer In the meane time that as we are by one Sacrament of Baptisme coupled vnto one heade so we should consent together in vnitie of spirite preseruing the same by the bond of peace endeuouring those things which first appertaine vnto the glorie of God and then not seeking euery one his owne in priuate but as members of one body mutually the edifying and profite one of another The Supper of the Lorde being a seale of the same promises further witnesseth and sealeth vnto our consciences that Christ is that breade of life which came downe from Heauen and fountaine of saluation of which who so tasteth shall liue for euer And that as truely as our bodies by natural meanes are made partakers of the creatures of bread wine vnto the nourishment of this present life so our soules by the hande and mouth of faith through the power of the spirite of God are made partakers of the body and blood of Christ that he dwelling in our hearts by fayth wee might become bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh vnto the assured hope of euerlasting saluation Also in this Sacrament is not onely confirmed vnto vs the misticall vnion betwene Christ and his Church but also taught vs what vnitie and loue ought to be amongst vs which being all partakers of one bread and one wine are first coupled vnto one head Jesus Christ as members of his bodie and then mutually made members one of another Unto the worthie receiuing of this holy Sacrament it
is required that wee should examine our selues first howe wee haue profited vnder the word in the knowledge of the misteries of our redemption Secondly what comfort we haue receiued by applying the same vnto our owne consciences Thirdly what griefe wee haue conceiued in heart for our sinnes past and what hatred and detestation of all that is contrarie vnto the will of God what purpose wee haue the rest of our life to cease from sinne and to follow after righteousnesse that the Gospel maye bee glorified in vs which doe professe it Last of all whether as wee assure our selues of peace with God in Jesus christ so we be at peace with our brethren reconciling our selues vnto those whom we haue offended and forgiuing vnto others the offences they haue cōmitted against vs euen as freely as we would the Lord should forgiue vs. The fifth proposition of the effectes of fayth Let him depart from iniquitie whosoeuer nameth the name of Christ. 2. Tim. 2. 19. Who so is in Christ Iesus is a newe creature 2. Cor. 5. 17. ALbeit the whole worke of our saluation stand sound and perfect vnto vs in all respectes without our selues in Jesus Christ so that we may boldly say with Saint Paule being then iustified by fayth we haue peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ and doe glorie in hope of the glorie of God Yet is not Christ the minister of sinne nor the Gospel a doctrine that giueth libertie vnto euil but contrariwise the death of Christ is of power in those that beleeue in him to cause them to die vnto sinne and to be mortified in the olde Adam of this fleshe with the lustes and concupiscences of the same And the Gospel teacheth vs that the true members of Christ must and do walke not after the fleshe but after the spirit offring vp themselues their soules and bodies and all that they haue an holy and acceptable sacrifice of spiritual worship vnto God inquiring to knowe and labouring to performe that good perfect and acceptable will of God reuealed in his worde Also the same spirit which is called the spirit of adoption because it teacheth vs to crie Abba father and beareth witnesse vnto our spirites that we are the children of God and heires of his kingdom being the seale wherewith hee hath sealed vs and the gage whereby he hath pledged vnto vs all his promises of mercie in Christ is also the spirit of mortification whereby is mortified in vs the workes of the flesh our olde Adam being crucified with Christ in his Crosse and the spirit of sanctification and of our new birth quickening in vs a newe creature and fashioning vs againe after image of God to walke before him in righteousnes and true holinesse all the dayes of our life Also this doctrine is both taught and sealed vnto vs yea the trueth and effect thereof exhibited and perfourmed in the vse of the holy Sacraments which both of them teache vs to die vnto sinne and liue vnto righteousnesse assure vs that as the Gospel was preached vnto the fathers with this effect that they might be cōdemned according vnto mē that is in the flesh but liue according vnto God that is in the spirit so the same shal be accōplished in al the true mēbers of Christ the one by the power of his death the other by the power of his resurrection which thing ought not a little to comfort and incourage vs in that great and daungerous conflict with the flesh the worlde and the diuell when we knowe that our victorie stādeth not in our owne strength which is none but in the inuincible power of him which came to destroy the works of Satan and in whose crosse our olde man is so mortified as the bodie of sinne is weakned in vs which do beleeue Unto whom also he hath giuen that spirit to dwell in vs whereby he hath promised to quicken our mortal bodies which now in part are subdued vnder sinne The sixth proposition of the rule of righteousnes Thy worde is a lanterne vnto my feete and a light vnto my pathes Psal. 119. 105. The commaundement is a lanterne and the lawe a light ▪ and reprehensions for instruction are the way of life Prou. 6. 23. THe rule of holines and obedience is not our owne will nor lustes and affections of our corrupt and cursed nature which euermore rebelleth against God nor the examples and manners of men or customes and fashions of the worlde but onely that most good perfect and accepable will of God commended and commaunded vnto vs in his lawe which must in all thinges be the light vnto our feete and the lanterne vnto our pathes to directe vs to walke with him and before his maiestie so as we may please him with reuerence and carefulnesse which is the seconde vse of the lawe of God. This lawe of GOD requireth at our handes that we honour loue feare and obey him in al thinges and aboue all that wee trust in him flee vnto him in all our needes calling vpon him onely and acknowledging him to be the creatour and gouernour of all things That wee woorshippe him not with our owne inuentions or blinde deuotions nor with the doctrines of men or after the example of others but onely with that worship which he himselfe hath prescribed vnto vs in his worde without adding therevnto or taking from it That we haue and vse in most highe reuerence his holie name woorde and workes whatsoeuer else he is knowen vnto vs by that we know him to be the searcher of all hartes the rewarder of all sinceritie and truth and the reuenger of all hypocrisie blasphemie false and vaine swearing with all other prophaninges and abusinges of his most blessed name and religion That we sanctifie the Lordes Sabboth not doing therein our owne wil nor walking our owne wayes nor speaking our own wordes but ceasing from the honest labours of our lawful callings much more from vayne and hurtfull pastimes Stage playes Dicing carding c. that with all libertie and quietnesse both of mind bodie we may with our families attend vpō those publique exercises of religion which the Lord hath in wisedome and mercie appointed for his owne worshippe and for our edifying Assembling our selues together to heare his holy woorde learne and lay vp the same in our hearts for the ordering of our liues celebrate his holy sacraments and with one heart and one voice call vpon his name rendring vnto his maiestie most humble and hartie thankes for al mercies hitherto bestowed vppon vs and crauing new benefites and blessinges at his handes necessarie for vs and his whole Churche both for this present life and also for the life to come The seconde table of the lawe requireth that wee should loue our neighbours as our selues The fifth commaundement containeth