viz. 1. The Father Createth but immediately by the Son and the Holy Ghost the Son from the Father and the Holy Ghost from the Father and the Son 2. The Father and the Holy Ghost Redeem us but mediately by the Son but the Son immediately from the Father by the Holy Ghost 3. The Father and the Son Sanctifie us but mediately by the Holy Ghost but the Holy Ghost immediately from the Father and the Son In this deep Mystery of our Religion we must be guided wholly by Faith and endeavor to believe this Trinity in Unity and Unity in Trinity though we are not able to reason the truth thereof by Natural demonstrations Behold the sacred Riddle of Divinity One Godhead in a holy Trinity Of Persons or three Persons all in one Most undivided Deity alone Distinct in Persons not in Essence no The Godhead's not divided think not so For it 's not subject to division Nor admits of any Composition But distinction without seperation As is most evident by Mans Creation Gen. 1.26 §. 2. Gods Word THe Word of God is the Wisdom of God James 3.17 concerning the truth which is according to godliness being given by inspiration of God 2 Tim. 3.16 the original being from heaven not earth Joh. 3.27 and the Author thereof being God not man 1 Cor. 2.10 by which Word God alone doth onely binde the Conscience by causing it in every action to excuse for well-doing and accuse for sin Now this Word of God is the holy Scripture in which name are to be understood all and onely those Canonical Books of the Old and New Testament of whose Authority was never any doubt in the Church which we receive as Canonical not so much because that the Church doth so receive and allow them as for that the holy Spirit in our hearts doth testifie that they are from God Touching which this is a Truth must be held of us That no part of the Canonical Scripture inspired of God such as was committed as the Lords Treasure to the Church for the perpetual instruction thereof in Faith and Obedience is lost and perished nor can be lost or perish so that no one Oracle or Sentence of God can fall away Indeed these sacred Books may be despitefully abused by men many ways but they can never be finally lost and wholly extinguished for the works of God remain for ever and ever And as for any sandy Supposition contrary to this Truth let the vain Supposer answer What Error more can be convinced what Comfort more can be received what Vice more can be corrected what Truth more can be published what Grace more can be commended to the Church out of those Books which he so fondly supposeth to be lost Beware therefore of doubting of Gods Providence herein shaking thereby the Faith of the Church Whosoever thus goes about to strike at the foundation thereof the least dust that falls from the Building will crush the presumptuous Underminer into bottomless destruction The Scripture is a Doctrine inspired by God to make us wise unto salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 16. Rom. 1.16 and containeth all things necessary to be known and believed for the salvation of man Joh. 20.31 2 Tim. 3.16 17. the whole being as it were compendiously comprised in the Decalogue the sum of the Law and in the Creed the sum of the Gospel As for all the fundamental Points of Christian Religion necessary to salvation they notwithstanding the darkness of some Mysteries herein contained are clearly and plainly set down so as the humble and obedient heart may distinctly without wavering and gainsaying conceive and believe them Thus not unfitly is the Scripture compared in regard of the perspicuity thereof to a Foord over which a Lamb may wade and in regard of the difficulty thereof to a Sea wherein an Elephant may swim Now though all things necessary to be known are herein contained yet are not all literally expressed as the Baptism of Infants and Original Sin which notwithstanding are distinctly and demonstratively inferred thence and so are all things that belong to Faith and Obedience whatsoever we are to believe or to practice So that the letter of the Scripture may be alledged and yet the word of God missed as by all Hereticks and a man may swerve from the letter yet alledge the true word of God therefore it is nothing less then necessary that we be diligently familiar and well acquainted with this word of God Josephus tells us The Jews knew the Scriptures as well as their own names many of us may tell the Jews We scarce know the names of the Scriptures Most inexcuseable Ignorance sad and lamentable for we are bound to know the Scriptures themselves that by them we may come to knowledge by knowledge to faith by faith to obedience and by obedience to salvation Touching the Apocryphal Books to which the Imps of Rome as to their own Traditions give power equal to the Canonical Scriptures they were not penned by the Prophets the Lords Secretaries as the Scriptures were nor ever committed of trust to the Israelites They contain certain things disagreeing from the true Scriptures of God and no proof that they were penned by the Spirit of God therefore there is no warrant for the equalling them in Credit or Authority with the Scriptures Besides one main property of the Books of the Old Testament is That every one of them was written either by Moses or some other of the Prophets in the Hebrew tongue the native language of the Jews but the Apocryphal Books were penned by some other in the Greek tongue which was not the language of the old Prophets so that they are no part of the Law or of the Prophets And yet as the presumptuous Papists make the Apocryphal Books of equal Authority with the Canonical so others have more blasphemously long since obtruded for Canonical the fatherless brood of other Books unto these as The third and fourth of Esdras An Appendix of Job A Preface to the Lamentation The third and fourth of the Maccabees a Book called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Book of Enoch The Gospel of Thomas and of Matthias The Acts of Peter and in the year 1120 a certain new Gospel called Evangelium Aeternum was found out being full of Blasphemies All which and the like are damnable presumptions plainly forbidden by the Lord Deut. 4.2 and most fearfully threatned Rev. 22.18 19. So then to withstand the Devils suggestion against the Divine Authority of the true sacred Seriptures it is very necessary to have our judgements well informed therein to pray for the Spirit of Revelation or Inspiration which may inwardly testifie to our Spirits That God is the Author of the Scriptures which Principle we must hold undeniable and give no place to doubting about these uncontradictable Truths The Scripture is said to be the Word of God in regard of 1. The Author who is God himself 2 Tim. 3.16 2. The Matter which is Gods
Will Eph. 1.9 3. The End which is Gods Glory Eph. 3.10 4. The Efficacy which is Gods Power Rom. 1.16 Touching the Scriptures we are principally to consider these 4 things 1. Who is the Author of them that is as hath been shewed God himself Gal. 1.11 12. 2. Who are the instrumental Causes they are as hath been likewise shewed the Prophets and Apostles 2 Pet. 1.21 3. To whom they belong even to all sorts and degrees of men and women Psal 111.2 119.9 4. What is the property thereof viz. All-sufficiency without any patching of mens Decrees or Inventions to teach the true knowledge of God 2 Pet. 1.16 1 Cor. 1.17 〈◊〉 the Scripture is the Word of God and 〈◊〉 Doctrine of infallible Truth and certainty may be firmly proved from these unanswerable Arguments drawn from Scripturâ—it self 1. From the Causes thereof wherein consider 1. That the first and principal is the Author thereof even God himself to him do the Scriptures refer themselves and also shew how God is their Author Now nothing is falsly ascribed to God but God in time will bring the same to nought and therefore if the Scripture had not been Gods Word it would long ago have vanished 2. The cause Conservant for the Devil by wicked men and Hereticks hath labored to take away Gods Word from mens hearts and hands but yet it is still preserved in the Church which argues that it is kept by a greater power then is in all men and all Angels that is by the power of God 3. The causes Instrumental they were holy men of God Prophets and Apostles who for vertue und piety exceeded other Writers far beyond all comparison and if they had been meer Polititians their writings would have shewed it for the Penmen of holy Scripture have herein faithfully registred their own faults which no politick person would have done 2. From the Matter therof which stands 1. In doctrine which is The Law set forth in most excellent purity nothing being therein against it or common Equity The Law is perfect Reason the Gospel above Reason yet not contrary to Reason The Gospel wherein is set down Doctrine altogether above mans Reason touching Christs Incarnation and mans Redemption by his death and although these things be above Nature yet we finde them true wholesom and good in experience of conscience which also proveth that they are the Word of God Men may devise strange things above Nature but they can never be wholesom to the conscience 2. In stile the phrase is plain and familiar and yet in any one speech there is more majesty then in all the writings of men 3. From the End thereof for it sets up Gods Worship and mans Salvation and yet gives nothing to Men or Angels but all to the glory of God but for the writings of men they do either directly or by insinuation ascribe something to the writers thereof 4. From the Effects thereof For 1. Though it is against our corrupt Nature crossing and condemning the same yet it winneth men to the love thereof and to obedience thereto which could not be unless it were the Truth of God for we abhor and detest the words of men that be against our Nature 2. It serves notably to comfort a man in all distresses whatsoever even in the pangs of death when no word of any man can do him the least good but onely his word that is the Lord of our soul and the God of our life 5. From the two properties of Scripture 1. Antiquity Among humane writings we have none of certainty in things they record that go so high as the Creation but the Scripture sets down things done from the beginning 2. Mutual Consent for though the Books of Scripture were written by divers men in sundry Ages and Times yet all agree within themselves there is no contradiction in Scripture but the writings of men have not this consent no not in the same Author whom commonly we shall finde contradicting himself 6. From the signs and true miracles thereof as the parting of the Sea the staying of the Sun and Moon and many others yea the Incarnation of the Son of God the Miracle of miracles 7. From the Contraries Contrary to the word of God is the will of the Devil and mans corrupt Nature the Devil hates Scripture and mans corrupt Nature repines thereat when it is checked and controlled thereby Now that which is contrary to these two must needs be holy and true and that is the word of God 8. From Testimonies whereof there be 2 kindes 1. Of holy Martyrs who in all ages have sealed the truth thereof preferring the word of God before their own lives whence it is truly said Sanguis Martyrum semen Ecclesiae And though Hereticks have dyed for falshood yet there is great difference in their ends the true Martyrs have unspeakable joy in the Spirit in their torments but Hereticks have no such joy but a natural sensless blockishness whereby they undergo these torments 2. Of Gods Spirit which is the principal testimony for when men begin to learn and obey the word of God then the Spirit of God settles their Conscience in the perswasion of the truth of Scripture which is infallibility it self The Testimony of the Holy Ghost touching Gods Word is obtained and discerned from the Testimony of man by doing these two things 1. By resigning our selves to become truly obedient to the Doctrine taught John 7.17 2. By praying unto God for his Spirit to certifie our Consciences that the Doctrine revealed is the very Doctrine of God Mat. 7.7 8. Luke 11.13 Jam. 1.7 The Majesty of the Scriptures consisteth chiefly in these three excellencies 1. In the Majesty of the Spirit of God which shineth in them 2. In the Consent of all the parts among themselves 3. In the Fulfilling all the Prophesies delivered long before yet accomplished precisely each of them in their proper place The Authority of the Scripture doth not as the Papists affirm depend on the Church for these Reasons 1. The reproach of God by making the Testimony of mans voyce greater then the voyce of God 2. Our Comfort for Faith is grounded on approved witness therefore not on man 3. The truth of God is plainly exposed to the mocks and scoffs of the wicked if we affirm that our Religion is from God onely because our selves say so 4. Because the Authority of the Church depends on the Scripture 5. The Scripture it self is in many places against this opinion John 5. 1 Cor. 2. 1 John 5. The Popish twofold Scripture 1. Inward Scripture or a consent of Doctrine written by the Holy Ghost in the hearts of all Catholicks and this say they is right Scripture Unparalleld Blasphemy 2. Outward Scripture which is written in Paper or Parchment which hath no certain sense as they falsly affirm but as the present Church determines thereof but this is a devilish Doctrine abolishing the true Word of God
Gospel being preached and men thereby feeling their corruptions like rottenness in their souls may by the blessing of the Spirit be thereby seasoned with Graces and so reconciled unto God and made savory in his sight 3. Salt preserveth meats from putrifaction by drawing out of them superfluous moistness so the Law and the Gospel being continually dispensed sin and corruption may be daily mortified and consumed both in heart and life and expelled thence like superfluous humors In this calling of the Ministery there be especially four kindes of unsavory Salt 1. The blinde watchmen that have no knowledge and dumb dogs that cannot bark Isa 56.10 that is such as either cannot or will not dispense Gods word for the salvation of mens souls 2. Heretical teachers who preach false and damnable doctrine such as doth not season but poyson and destroy the soul Deut. 30.1 2. 2 Tim. 2.17 18. 3. Such as teach indeed true doctrine but misapply the same sowing pillows under the elbows of the wicked having smooth tongues in respect of sin yet are full of close invectives against the better and godlier sort 4. Such who though they teach the truth and generally apply it well do yet lead scandalous lives whereby their unsavory conversation hindreth the seasoning vertue of the word There are six conditions required to the Calling of a Minister 1. That he feel within himself an inward Calling 2. That he be of a good Conversation 3. That he be of sound Doctrine 4. That he be apt to teach 5. That he be lawfully chosen of the Church 6. That he perform his Office diligently toward the flock committed to his charge The properties of godly Pastors 1. They must be diligent to know the state of their flocks and to take heed to their herds Prov. 27.23 24. 2. They must not be discouraged by the ungodly speeches and venomous tongues of wicked men thereby to grow negligent in their functions 3. They must not be afraid of the faces and frowns of men Ezek. 3.8 9. Jer. 1.17 4. They must wisely apply the word to the necessity capacity and understanding of all and giving to every one his portion of Spiritual nourishment in due season In like maner the duties and functions of Ministers are 1. Faithfully to propound and deliver the true and sound Doctrine of God that the Church may know and understand it 2. Rightly to administer the Sacraments 3. To go before and shine unto the Church by the example of Christian life and conversation 4. To give diligent attendance unto their flock 5. To yield their service in such judgements as are expressed by the Church 6. To take care that regard and respect be had of the Poor Ministers must have these three things in some measure at least 1. A care to win the people a desire to convert them and an earnest hunger and thirst after their salvation 2. They must labor earnestly to work their conversion and not cease or hold their peace when they see them untoward but hold on in a constant course 3. They must testifie their sorrow for their people mourn for the hardness of their hearts be heartily grieved to see their unprofitableness Why all Ministers must be proved tryed before they be admitted to this sacred function 1. Because they have the price of the blood of Christ committed unto them Acts 20.28 2. Because there are many subtile deceivers that transform themselves into Angels of light 2 Cor. 11.13 14. 3. The office of Deacons was a function of less duty in the Church yet they were not to be admitted without due tryal and examination Acts 6.3 4. It makes them the more regarded and better accepted ever as the Ministers of Jesus Christ and it will procure more authority to their person 5. It will shut the door of this sacred function against all insufficient and unworthy presumers that run before they are sent The Titles given to Ministers in the holy Scripture whence appears the excellency and the weighty charge of their Function The Salt of the earth The Builders of Christs body The co-workers of God The embassadors of Christ 2 Cor. 5.20 The stewards of the house Tit. 1.7 The fathers of the Church 1 Cor. 4.15 Fishers of men Mat. 4.19 The Ministers of the Spirit 2 Cor. 3.6 The Builders of the Temple The Shepherds of the sheep Eph. 4.11 The Planters and waterers of the Garden 1 Cor. 3.6 7. The Watchmen of the City Ezek. 33.7 Heb. 13.17 The Trumpeters of the Host and Stars of the firmament Rev. 1.20 Dan. 12.3 The Ministers of the Word must be men of sobriety constancy piety humility patience stayedness wisdom judgement diligence courage gravity and moderation of all their affections 1. Because it appears they have many Titles given them in Scripture every one whereof carrieth some instruction and admonition with it to the Conscience 2. Because the Ministery is a high Calling of great importance and worthiness standing up not onely in the place of the people to offer up their prayers to God but in the room of God to declare his will to them 3. Lest their Calling be blemished and their Ministery reprehended if in their profession they adorn not the Gospel by their unblameable walking 4. Because they are to utter the word of wisdom whereby both themselves and their hearers shall be made wise unto salvation They ought principally and in the first place to look to themselves and that for these Reasons 1. Because unless they be doers as well as speakers they utter words with their own tongues that shall condemn themselves not unlike Vriah who carried about him a Letter to further and procure his own death 2. They cannot with comfort and conscience preach to others unless in their own persons they be practisers of those things they teach they may save others themselves they cannot 3. Such as are teachers and not doers do seduce the people pulling down by the left hand of evil life faster then they build up by the right hand of wholesom Doctrine They ought not to withhold the delivery of the word they must not give over though they see no fruit at all to proceed of their labors 1. Because they know not when God may be pleased to bless their labors and hear their prayers and save the souls of those that are rebellious against him 2 Tim. 2.24 25 26. 2. They have the example of God he is patient and beareth long with the vessels of wrath as Christ saith of Jerusalem Mat. 23.37 3. Because they shall have no less recompence if they be fonnd faithful in their Calling then if they had gained many thousand souls unto God 2 Cor. 2.15 4. He that holdeth not out unto the end makes all his former pains prove but lost labor and fails in the discharge of his Calling for the word may be the savor of life unto him though the savor of death unto others that carelesly neglect or obstinately resist the
aright The duties following upon our faith in the Holy Ghost 1. To keep our bodies holy and pure as the Temples of the Holy Ghost and not to defile them by uncleanness 2. To believe without doubting whatsoever is contained in the holy Scripture because that all were given by inspiration of the Holy Ghost and were set forth by holy men not of any private motion but as they were moved by the Holy Ghost 2 Tim. 3.16 2 Pet. 1.21 3. To use all our gifts to the honor of God for it is the holy Spirit of God from whom we receive them all 4. To submit our selves in all things to the government of Gods Spirit and not follow the sway of our own Natures for he is our guide and will lead us into the way of all Truth Eternal Breath O let thy blessed ayr Imbreathe us with new life or else repair The ruines of our Souls Blow and refresh Our dim-burning Zeal but blow out the Flesh New-mould us fit for Mercy and make good The Charter Christ hath seal'd us with his Blood Vnscale our Vnderstandings make us see The Crown of Hope ' yond hope Faith's Mystery Inflame our Souls with holy fire and then Our Souls thy fire shall flame thee back agen §. 9. The Holy Catholique Church Concerning the holy and Catholique Church of Christ we believe That the Son of God doth from the beginning of the world Joh. 10.11 Gen. 26.4 to the end thereof Rom. 8.29 gather defend and preserve unto himself by his Spirit Isa 59.21 and Word Acts 2.46 out of whole Mankinde Mat. 16.18 Joh. 10.28 a company chosen to everlasting life 1 Joh. 3.21 and agreeing in true faith And that we are lively Members of that Company 1 Joh. 2.19 and so shall remain for ever 1 Cor. 18.9 To believe in which holy Catholique Church is to believe the Doctrine thereof wherein she followeth Christ the Prophets and Apostles the onely sure ground and pillar of Truth and that in this visible Company and Society are some true Repentants and truly converted and my self to be a lively Member of the invisible and visible Church So that to believe and confess the Doctrine of Salvation taught and delivered by the Prophets and Apostles is an infallible and inseperable note of a true Church of God for Gods Church is nothing else but a company of Gods people called by the Doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles unto the state of Salvation so that out of the Church there is no Salvation ordinarily In which regard Noahs Ark was a true Type of the Church none being saved from drowning that were out of it And none but such who are of Christs body shall partake of the benefits of his Office for himself saith He prays not for the world Joh. 17.9 In which respect also out of the Church no Salvation for the body being the true Catholique Invisible Church he that is not a member of this body is out of the Church and so hath not Christ to be his Head and Savior Yea the Church is also Christs Spouse the many espousal Titles which in Scripture are given to Christ and the Church in mutual relation of one to another evidently declareth as much He is stiled a Bridegroom she a Bride Joh. 3.29 He Well-beloved she Love Cant. 1.13 15. He an Husband she a Wise 2 Cor. 11.2 He an Head she the Body both one flesh Eph. 5.23 31. Thus the Church being the Communion of Saints sanctified in Christ Jesus confessing him the Son of the living God in every place knit in one Church as the Body and every Member unto Christ as unto one Head it is most evident that no man can be saved out of the Church for whomsoever God hath chosen and elected to the end which is eternal life them he hath chosen to the means which is the inward and outward calling But here note That Infants born in the Church are in charity to be reputed of the Church till at their mature Age their life notoriously express the contrary The Church is called Catholique or Vniversal because it is not now tyed to any certain place or people as it was under the Law before the coming of Christ Now the Doctrine of the true Church consisteth in the Sentences and Decrees which we are bound by the Commandment of God to believe and obey and no Doctrine is to be proposed to the Church that is repugnant to the holy Scripture or not contained therein And the Church hath Authority to judge and determine in Controversies of Faith according to Scripture to interpret and expound the Word of God with respect to the Analogy of faith Rom. 12.6 And though she be the Witness and Keeper of Gods written Word yet may not inforce any thing to be believed as necessary to Salvation that is either contrary or beside the Word of God The visible Church is a company among men imbracing and professing the true and uncorrupt Doctrine of the Law and the Gospel and using the Sacraments aright according to Christs Institution and professing Obedience unto the Doctrine in which company are many ungenerate or hypocrites consenting notwithstanding to the Doctrine The invisible Church is a company of those which are Elected to eternal life in whom a new life is begun here by the Holy Ghost and is perfected in the world to come They which are in this invisible Church never perish neither are any hypocrites therein And it is called Invisible not that the men are invisible but because their Faith is so that we cannot certainly discern the godly from the hypocrites And although this Universal invisible Church is that Militant Church which remaineth as yet in the field and is fighting on Earth yet it is and lieth hid in the visible Church so that in this respect there is as it were no more difference between them then between a whole and a part Now those visible Churches which refuse to be governed by Christs Word but are by Humane Traditions playing the Adulteresses by committing Idolatry are not of this Catholique Church which is subject to Christ neither are Infidels that defie Christ Hereticks that deny him Ignorant persons that know not his Will Prophane persons that despise Worldlings that lightly esteem him nor any that persecute or scorn him in his Members Thus many have a Name of being of the Church who indeed are not And as for the Church of Rome they are departed from the Truth they have denyed the Faith they have defiled themselves with Idols they will not have Christs Righteousness imputed to them they set up their own Works and seek Justification by them they will not receive Christ to be their onely King and Priest they will merit Salvation for themselves and therefore they are not a true but a false Church The word Church signifieth an Assembly called together which calling is twofold viz. 1. Outward which is common to all that make profession of the Gospel in this respect
God who as he will not be coupled with Idols so will he have his Truth severed from lyes 3. For our own Salvation that the faithful may know which to joyn themselves to and of what Kingdom they are 4. For the better confirmation of our faith and comfort when as we see that to be rightly in our Church which is wanting in others 5. Lest we being deceived should embrace the Doctrine of some other Church or Sect for true Religion 6. Lest we be partakers of the punishments which are to come on such men Rev. 18.4 7. That the wicked may be left unexcusable Why God oftentimes suffereth for a while his Enemies to prevail over his Church 1. Because his own people sin against him and therefore he is even compelled to correct and chasten them howbeit in mercy not in fury for their instruction not for their destruction that they may not be condemned with the world For as the Bush which Moses saw in the Wilderness though in the midst of a fire yet not consumed so is the Church on Earth in the midst of Persecution yet not overcome 2. That his children may learn to rest in God alone and not on themselves or upon the Arm of flesh rather then upon the living God Thus profited Manasseh more in the Prison at Babylon then on his Throne 2 Chron. 33.11 12. 3. To harden the hearts of the Enemies that they may run forward to their own confusion and fill up the measure of their iniquity The difference between the Church before the coming of Christ and now since is fourfold viz. 1. The Church before Christ did set him forth his Death and Resurrection but darkly by certain outward ceremonies as Sacrifices Lights Washings and the like 2. This consisteth in Reformation of life for as the knowledge of Christ is now greater so also the efficacy and working of the Holy Ghost is far greater which mortifieth our flesh so as we do more earnestly obey his Commandments according to the Promises declared by the Prophets some special gifts granted to some special men as Moses Elias and others who went far beyond us onely excepted 3. In that everlasting life was but obscurely and darkly offered to the Israelites wrapped or folded up onely in earthly Promises 4. The Church under the Law was as it were bounded with the borders of Judea or shut up within that countrey but now it is dispersed and scattered throughout the whole world neither is it tyed to any one place time or people The difference of the true doctrine from others viz. 1. This Doctrine was delivered from God other Sects are sprung from men and have been invented by Devils 2. True Religion hath firm Testimonies both Divine and Humane such as quiet Consciences and convince all other Sects of Error 3. In the Doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles is rightly delivered the whole Law of God and both the Tables of the Law are perfectly kept other Sects cast away the principal parts of Gods Law the Doctrine concerning the true knowledge and Worship of God contained in the first Table and reject the inward obedience of the second Table 4. The whole Gospel of Christ rightly understood is in the true Church alone taught and in this true Doctrine alone contained other Sects are either quite ignorant of it or do patch some little part of it out of the Doctrine of the Apostles unto their own Errors True Christian Religion consisteth especially in five principal points distinguished thereby from all other counterfeit Religions 1. It maketh all the chief Points of the Doctrine thereof to agree with the nature of the true God in the knowledge of whom it strengthneth and keepeth the godly 2. That it establisheth the glory of God in the Salvation of men and so the godly are more and more confirmed in the certainty of their Salvation 3. That it joyneth good Works with our Salvation by a most near band although it be no way grounded upon them so that the faithful cannot take any matter of boasting in them 4. That it openeth a way for us unto God to crave of him all things necessary for soul or body for this life or that to come 5. That it yieldeth to the godly matter of patience and joy in adversity yea also Assurance in the greatest dangers and not without much circumspection care and watchfulness in the most prosperous condition The difference between the Church and Commonweals viz. 1. Commonweals are distinct in divers places and times the Church is alway one and the same 2. The States of the World have many Heads the Church but one and that in Heaven 3. Kingdoms are governed by mens Laws the Church by the Holy Ghost and Gods Word 4. The civil State requireth outward obedience onely the Church both inward and outward 5. States give Power to Civil Magistrates to alter and make new Laws the Church is so tyed to the Word of God as she may not adde to or detract ought from it 6. The civil State hath Corporal Power but the Church punisheth by denouncing Gods Wrath out of the Word of God 7. In the Church are always some Elect and holy but not always in the Commonwealth The Office and Authority of the Church as concerning the Scriptures 1. It is as the Keeper of the sacred Rolls and Records to preserve them not to authorize them 2. It is as a Touchstone to distinguish them from counterfeit Scriptures not to make that Scripture which is no Scripture 3. It is as the voyce of a Cryer to preach publish promulgate and teach the Truth but cannot adde to or take from it nor authorize nor alter or change it 4. It is as an Interpreter and Expounder of the Scriptures according to the Scriptures How the Church may be said not to erre 1. The whole doth not erre though some Members do 2. It doth not erre universally though in some points of Doctrine it may 3. It erreth not in the Foundation As the Church may ordain ceremonies tending to order decency unity and edification so hath it no power to appoint what she please For she may not decree any Rites or ceremonies that are 1. Idle or unprofitable but must all tend to edifying 2. For their nature impious like the Ordinances Maners and Idols of our Forefathers Ezek. 30.18 Teachers of vanity Jer. 10.8 and of lyes Heb. 3.10 3. For use Superstitious like the Brazen-Serpent Hezekiah brake 2 Kings 18. 4. For their worthiness in the eyes of the ordainers either of equal price or of more account then the very Ordinances of God so as for the performance of them the Laws of God must be left undone Mark 7.8 13. 5. Against the liberty of Christians to the intangling of them again with the yoke of servile bondage Gal. 5.1 6. For their weight over-heavy and grievous to be born Luke 11.46 7. Any way contrary to the Commandments Will and Word of God Mat. 15.13 8. They must
the Husband of his Church Hos 2.19 20. Jer. 2.2 and cannot suffer his Honor and Worship to be communicated to another Idolatry therefore is Spiritual Whoredom and God is a jealous God of his glory As then God is the Husband of the Church so our Spiritual Worship is a certain Marriage of our Souls consecrated unto the Lord and therefore all false and forged Worship is Spiritual Whoredom and Idolatry towards him 2. Because Idols are but the worke of mens hands moth-eaten painted Stocks Weather-beaten carved Stones crack'd-brittle-crasie Glassgods It follows therefore That such as most sacrilegiously rob the most High true God of his Honor to give it in any kinde to these Stocks and Stones under any pretence whatsoever cannot prosper but shall be confounded Hos 8.8 9. Jer. 3.23 24. 10.15 Isa 44.9 10. 42.17 18 19. No familiarity is to be used with Idolaters but we are carefully to avoid the company of them Hos 4.15 Deut. 7.5 Psal 16.4 Judg. 2.2 1 Cor. 8.9 10.21 2 Cor. 6.17 Isa 52.11 1. Because whosoever will avoid sin must also avoid the means whereby they may be induced and insnared to fall into it Psal 119.115 2. Because our Nature is prone and inclinable to Idolatry and therefore by their Company by their Example by their Practice by their Perswasion and by their Doctrine we may easily be corrupted as the Lord himself threatneth Judges 2.3 Popery may not be tolerated in any State for these Reasons viz. 1. Because it maintaineth inherent Righteousness of their own and Justification by Works done by themselves and in themselves and thereby as by many other ways derideth the imputation of Christs Righteousness abandoning renouncing and rejecting the Savior of Mankinde 2. Because they corrupt the Worship of God in substance by professing and practising Idolatry yea more then Heathenish Idolatry by entertaining a mixture of Paganism and Judaism 3. Because the Church of Rome is the Church of Antichrist and therefore not of Christ 4. A natural Papist that is such an one as acknowledgeth and believeth in the Councel of Trent and is obedient to the Doctrine of the Jesuits cannot be a good Subject and obey for Conscience sake and how dangerous it is for any State to admit them former Times have already recorded in characters of Blood scarce yet dry That the High Priest of Rome is the true and very Antichrist may most evidently thus appear 1. If we consider the Place where we are to seek and where we shall finde him The Seat of Antichrist is Mystical Babylon and Mystical Babylon is no other then Rome it self for the Whore of Babylon is the Great City which in the Apostles time had rule and dominion over the Kings of the earth Rev. 17.18 and this City is scituated upon seven Hills Rev. 17.9 so is Rome as is well known to all Travellers and Historians 2. If we consider the Time when the Church was to look for him The time of Revealing and Manifestation of Antichrist was foretold by the Apostle That he should come when the Emperors were removed and taken out of the way and when once the Empire in the West should be dissolved then should Antichrist succeed in the Seat 2 Thess 2.7 8. that is in the Government of Rome for the Empire of the West was the Roman Empire 3. If we consider the Conditions and Qualities of Antichrist which are plainly described 2 Thess 2.4 he is said to be an Adversary opposed to Christ yet not professed but disguised for under this Vizard of Hypocrisie he oppugneth Christ and his Truth and denyeth the Lord Jesus to be that Christ anointed to be the onely King the onely Priest the onely Prophet of the Church in all which the Bishop of Rome usurps a share lifting up himself above all that is called God that is all to whom the Name of God is communicated or by whom the Name of God is called on and sitteth in the Temple of God as God Witness his usurped Authority upon the Consciences of men upon the Scriptures his Pardons and the like Private Caveats to avoid Idolatry 1. We must not delight in Idolatrous Papists company to be their inward friends 2. We must be careful how we travel for pleasure and delight into Popish and Idolatrous places lest we expose our selves to inevitable dangers by consorting and conversing with such as are ready to allure us to commit Idolatry to go into their Idolatrous Temples to see and hear for fashion and experience sake and afterward to fall down before their Images 3. We may not for Wealth Friends or any worldly wicked Respects link our selves in the nearest Society of Marriage with Popish Idolaters taking and nourishing in our bosoms a Serpent which is ever at hand day and night to tempt and entice us to forsake our Covenant with God to renounce his pure Worship and â—o embrace Idolatry and Superstition This was the sin of the Sons of God before the Flood Gen. 6.1 2. This was Solomons sin for all his wisdom 1 Kings 11.4 Neh. 13.26 This was Ahabs sin 1 Kings 16.31 and Jehorams sin 2 Kings 8.18 4. We are not to be present with our Bodies before the abominable Idol of the Mass whether it be of a fancy or for fashion whether of curiosity or for fear of punishment nor to give the least outward approbation to Idolatry though we reserve our hearts to God and his pure Worship for if this were allowable then the Holy Martyrs needed not to have suffered nor the Three Children of God to have walked in the fiery Furnace rather then bow before the Idol You that Religion t' any tune can sing Make Gods of Wood of Stone or any thing You that are Gods unto your selves can strain Devotion to the Idol of your Brain You that pray to your Lust and Sacrifice Vnto the Glances of Lascivious Eyes You that hoord up your God and put your Trust In What cannot defend it self from Rust And thou Whose Belly is thy God All ye Shall be indicted of Idolatry §. 3. Of Hypocrisie THe other Vice repugnant to this Commandment is Hypocrisie and whosoever will keep his Soul uninfected and unpoisoned by this pestilent and venomous sin must look to his heart to keep that sincere as the Root and Fountain of all his actions otherwise it may deceive others and it will deceive himself but can never deceive God Counterfeit Holiness is a double Ungodliness If it be a good thing to be good indeed what Reason hath the Hypocrite to but appear to be what he would not be And if it be an evil thing to be evil indeed why will be be that indeed which he would not so much as seem to be Wherefore let him appear as he is or be as he appears for what will it profit him to seem to the world a very Saint and to his God a Devil A wicked man of himself as he is wicked is too sufficiently wicked but
respect sake which we owe our Bodies 1 Cor. 12.23 24. Special Rules for Direction in the right adorning of the Body viz. 1. Every one must be content with their own natural Favor and Complexion that God hath given them 2. We must place the principal Ornament of our Souls and Bodies in Vertue and good Works and not in any outward thing 3. In the use of Ornaments we must be very sparing and keep our selves within the mean 4. Ornaments must be used not always alike but according to occasions as in this time of Holy Feasting we may use them more freely then at other times 5. We must adorn our Bodies to a right end viz. That thereby we may honor them and in them honor God The right and spiritual use of Apparrelling our selves viz. 1. To consider our Cloaths are but as the Plaister of our shame and thereby to humble our selves 2. When we clothe our selves to remember to gird up our loyns to prepare our selves for Christ whether by Death or by Judgement 3. By putting on of our Garments we must be admonished to put on Christ Rom. 13.14 4. By putting off of our Cloaths we are admonished to put off the old Man the Body of Corruption Sick Soul hast surfetted with Sin No doubt Thy safest Physick is to Fast it out Or is Gods hand his just Revenging hand Threatned inflicted on thee or the Land Or doest thou want some Blessing Go thy way Prepare thy self to Mourn to Fast and Pray But if God stops a Plague or sheaths his Sword Thou may'st be glad Rejoyce but in the Lord And let thy Holy Feasting never be Without Thanksgiving Fear and Charity CHAP. VIII Of Ecclesiastical Discipline ECclesiastical Discipline is that other Key of the Kingdom of Heaven which is joyned with that of the Preaching of the Gospel and doth open or shut when according to the Commandment of Christ they who in Name are Christians but in their Doctrine or Life shew themselves aliens from Christ Rom. 12.7 c. After they having sometime been admonished will not depart from their Errors and Wickedness are made known unto the Church or to them that are appointed for that matter and purpose of the Church and if neither then they obey the Admonition are of the same men by interdiction from the Sacraments shut out from the Congregation of the Church and by God himself out of the Kingdom of Heaven And again if they profess and indeed declare amendment of life are received as Members of Christ and his Church Matth. 18.17 c. 1 Cor. 5.2 c. 2 Thes 3.14 15. This Ecclesiastical Discipline is to be ministred by the Pastors of the Church whereunto are adjoyned certain Elders for this end as Necessities shall require chosen of the Church For Excommunication is an Action of the Church performed in the Name of Christ whereby a grievous Transgressor or an open ungodly and obstinate Sinner is banished from the Fellowship of the Faithful by the judgement of the Elders by the consent of the Church by the Authority of Christ and by the Holy Scriptures They who are to be Excommunicated are chiefly such as deny some Article of the Faith or shew that they will not repent nor submit themselves to the Will of God according to his Commandments neither make any scruple of persisting stubbornly in manifest Wickedness The chief and principal part in Excommunication is Denunciation whereby is denounced That he that denyeth Faith and Repentance is no Member of the Church as long as he continueth such And this Denunciation whereby one is Excommunicated is not in the Power of the Minister of the Church but in the Power of the Church and is done in the name of the Church because this Commandment was given by Christ unto the Church and not for the destruction of the Sinner which is to be Excommunicated but for his Edification or Salvation 1 Cor. 5.5 Some draw the Original of this Church Censure even from Adam whom the Lord cast out of Eden and by an Angel kept him from re-entring and suffered him not to touch or taste of that Tree which was a Sacrament of Life unto him So some observe touching Cain whom the Lord cast out and banished from his face and indeed the Face of God may be called The place of his solemn Worship where he more specially appears In the time of the Law were many Ceremonies to this purpose the unclean were kept from coming to the Tabernacle from entring into the Temple from the partaking of the Sacrifices and from eating the Passover Num. 19.13 20. 9.13 And Abraham is commanded to cast out the Bond-woman and her son out of his Family which was the Church Gen. 21.10 11. So in the New Testament Matth. 16.19 18.18 The use of the Keys to open and shut and the words of binding and loosing come directly to this purpose This was executed on Hymeneus and Alexander 1 Tim. 1.19 20. From all which it is very clear That Excommunication is a sentence of the Church whereby a Member thereof convicted of some grievous Crime and by no means brought to Repentance is driven out of the Church and cut off from the Communion and Fellowship of the Faithful that thereby he may be driven to Repentance The Church is the City of God Excommunication is the Sword That the School of Christ this is the Rod That the Temple of God this is as it were the Whip to scourge out such as abuse it and themselves That the Body of Christ this is as a Medicine to cure the sick Members thereof That the Vine and Sheepfold this serveth to keep the Foxes and Wolves from it The Mark whereat Excommunication aimeth and the end whereto it tendeth is That the Sinners being ashamed may be brought to Repentance and that such as live in the Church might not be corrupted for the cause of the Institution of Excommunication is not so much the punishment of Sin as the Salvation of a Sinner the edifying of the Church and the glory of God For the Church according to the Doctrine of Christ smiteth none with the Spiritual Sword but such as are impenitent and doth not this unto death but unto life and therefore receiveth them that repent The Censure of Excommunication must be used as an Ordinance of God not as an Invention of Man not onely knowing the nature and use of it but practising it to the glory of God and to the good of others Not like the Church of Rome that playes fast and loose with the souls of men for gain nor like their Apes of Modern Times little regarding whether the Excommunicate repented or not but more advising them to pay their Fees and discharge the Court then to repent of their Offences The persons that are liable to this Censure of the Church are onely such as have confessed Christ and called upon God the Father together with us albeit they have denied him in their deeds
46 b. Bible the Canonical Books thereof not perishable 6 a. Blood of Christ how it saves from sin 321 a b. Body the Metaphor thereof used in Scripture what it implieth 151 a. Bondage from the which Christ hath freed us is fourfold 322 a. Bread daily Bread what is meant thereby 98b Burial of Christ the Causes thereof 37 c. C CAlling twofold 150 c. Censure the evil of it and how many ways it may be committed 305 a. Censures of the Church threefold 379 c. Ceremonies Judaical oblige not Christians 16 a. Chastity twofold 289 b. Rules to preserve it ibid. c. 290 b. Children their Duties to Parents 263 c. Christ his Natures and Properties described 127 b c. the degrees of his Humiliation 127 a. also of his Exaltation ibid. Why called the First-born ibid. why called our Head ibid. 128 a. why called our Lord 127 Messias Christ or Anointed ibid. b. why called the Word 129 a. the Lamb from the c. 322 c. the Head of the Church 151 b. how said to be Present with us 157 b c. to what ends Anointed 128 b. his Royal Prophetick and Priestly Offices 128 129 his Theanthropeity and the use thereof 131 c. Church what it is to believe in the Holy Catholick Church 149 c. why called Catholick 150 a. The Church twofold Visible and Invisible ibid. b. 152 c. its Priviledges 151 c. Marks to know the true Church by 152 a. her Titles of Honor ibid. why called Holy ibid. b. her Properties ibid. why God permits it to be persecuted ibid. c. 153 a. 198 b. why the World hates it ibid. c. How the Church before Christs coming differs from the Church since his coming 154 a. how it differs from Common-weals ibid. b. her Office and Authority touching the Scripture ibid. how the Church may be said to erre ibid. c. what she may not do ibid. The Duties of Faith in the Holy Catholick Church 155 a. Circumcision why Abolished 46 c. why Christ was Circumcised ibid. b. Communion of Saints what 155 c. 156 c. Doctrine thereof 155 to 156. How we are said to have communion with God 157 c. the Signs of true Communion with God 158 a. 159 a. the Duty of the Saints by vertue of this Communion ibid. c. Conception of Christ by the Holy Ghost what 132 c. what it signifies 133 c. why he was conceived ibid. what it is to believe in Christ conceived 134 b c. Confession the Properties thereof 79 b. Christian Confession twofold 246 b. Caveats touching private Confession 225 c. Consubstantiation Reasons against it 57 b. Conversion what 337 Doctrine thereof ibid. to 343. Conversion twofold 341 c. how wrought 342 a b. The Object Subject Parts and Causes of Conversion ibid. b c. how is differs from false Repentance 343 a. Covenant betwixt God and Man twofold 330 a. Covetous how said to be Idolaters 309 a. Covetousness what 306 c. the Evils thereof 309 b. Remedies against it ibid. a. 110 b. Creation described 124 c. 125 a. 316 why God created the World 125 the Doctrine of the Creation ibid. b c. 316 to 319 the use of that Doctrine 119 b. Creatures four kindes thereof in the world 318 b. a twofold goodness in the Creature ibid. a. Creed why vulgarly called Apostolique 117 c. and why so framed ibid. Cross fourfold 198 c. a Cordial against fainting under it 200 a. 201 b. Cruelty the Properties thereof 278 b. Curse for Sin fourfold 19 c. D DEath of Christ why so ignominious 137 c. the Benefits thereby ibid. a. Debt a threefold Debt in Sin 105 a. Decalogue how divided 170 c. the Doctrine thereof 169 to 310 Rules how to expound it 171 c. 172 a b. Deity proved 119 c. 120 a. Deliverance how many ways God works it for his people 113 a. why God sometimes defers it 200 c. Descention of Christ into Hell what 135 c. the diversity of Opinions touching it 138 b c. Despair what 222 c c. Doctrine thereof ibid. to 226 threefold 225 a. Causes thereof ibid. b. Remedies against it 111 b. 225 c. 226 a b. Discipline what Ecclesiastical Discipline is 376 b. the nature of it how and by whom to be administred ibid. why and by whom Instituted 378 a. the Method thereof ibid. the Necessities thereof ibid. c. the Difference betwixt Church-Discipline and State-Government ibid. Distress of Minde the kindes thereof 224 b c. Doctrine how true Doctrine differs from other 153 c. Drunkenness Remedies against it 111 a. Duties the kindes thereof 271 a b. E EArth a twofold Right to it 272 c. Eating to the Lord what and how 374 b. Election what 313 Doctrine thereof ibid. to 316 kindes thereof 315 b. Effects thereof ibid. c. the way to obtain Assurance thereof 316 a. Envy twofold 281 c. why to be avoided ibid. Remedies against it ibid. Essence Divine what 2 b c. 3 b. how the Essence of God differs from the Essence of the Creature 4 a. Why the Difference of Essence and Person in the Trinity is necessary to be known ibid. b. Examination before Receiving the Lords Supper 49 c. to 53 b. Examiners three sorts of Examiners 53 a. Excommunication what 376 c. its parts 381 c. the Original thereof 377 a. how to be used ibid. b. of no force against the Childe of God ibid. c. Three Judgements in Excommunication 378 b. Observations thereon 379 b. Duties to be performed by and to the Excommunicate 380 a b. The fearful condition of Excommunicated persons ibid. c. the end and use of Excomunication 381 a b. with the use to be made thereof 382,383 Eyes Rules for the governing of them to avoid Adultery 289 a. F FAith what 174 b. Doctrine thereof 379 to 194 What the most Mysterious point of Faith 1 a. how many ways we may be said to Believe 183 b. Faith fourfold ibid. Historical Faith what ibid. c. Justifying Faith wherein it consists 184 a b. its Properties 186 c. Gods order in working Faith 184 c. how many ways Faith works 187 a b. how it admits Degrees 186 a. 238 c. 239 a. Effectual Faith what 187 wherein the effectualness of it consists 188 a. the Fruits Effects and Signs of Effectual Faith 192 b c. the Causes of uneffectual Faith 188 a. Faithless Works threefold 187 c. Tryal of Faith 50 b c. 51 c. Duties of Faith in Christ Crucified 138 a. how Faith and Hope differ 189 a. wherein they agree ibid. c. how Faith differs from Presumption 191 a. how Faith differs from Moral Honesty 238 b. the Degrees of Temporary Faith 239 b. Satans Engines to destroy Faith 188 c. Titles in Scripture given to Faith 190 c. how far the sense of Faith may be lost ibid. Motives to grow in Faith 191 b. Means to attain it ibid. c. The use of Faith in Prosperity 193 c. Faithful why called Saints 157 a. Fast what a Religious Fast is 369 a. 370 c. 371 a b. the several kindes thereof ibid. c. 372 a. Rules touching the same
he Rose again ibid. what chiefly is therein considerable ibid. c. why our Resurrection is the Fruit of his 141 b. The Duties of Faith in the Resurrection of Christ ibid. Rest on the Sabbath the several kindes thereof 260 b. Restitution twofold 239 c. why required ibid. Revenge Gods Prerogative 275 c. Motives in man to avoid it 278 a b. Reverence due to Superiors the several kindes of it 266 b. the over-reverencing of Parents sinful ibid. Righteousness of Christ how ours 325 b. Rome an Enemy to the Royal Priestly and Prophetick Office of Christ 129 c. S SAbbath what it signifies 258 b. the nature and Doctrine thereof 254 to 262. Why it is to be kept holy 256 b. 257 a. 258 a. in what maner ibid. 260 b. wherefore must Beasts rest that day 257 b. the degrees of the Sabbath 258 c. the Sanctification of the Sabbath twofold 250 a b. why it is perpetual ibid. c. why now called the Lords-Day 260 b. what chiefly observable in the Jewish Sabbath 261 a. why the Day was changed ibid. wherefore instituted at first ibid. c. how many ways it is broken and prophaned 262. Sacraments what â—7b their Institution 38 b. how the signs therein differ from the things signified 38 c. how Sacraments differ from the Word 39. how they agree ibid. c. how the Sacraments of the Old and New Testament differ ibid. how they agree 40 a. The ends and right use of Sacraments ibid. b. Sacramental Vnion wherein it consisteth ibid. c. Sacrifices under the Law why instituted 21 b. Salvation how wrought by God 329 c. 330 a. not to be doubted by Gods children and why 189 c. Sanctification what 326 b. the Doctrine thereof ibid. to 333. its parts 327 b. the kindes thereof ibid. c. 328 a. and signs 332 c. Scripture Holy Scripture what meant by it 6 a b. why called the Word of God 7 b. Proved to be the Word of God 7 c. 8. The matter thereof 8 a. End ibid. Effects 8 b. 14 a. Properties ibid. Testimonies 8 c. Majesty 9 a. Subject 12 b c. The Division of Scripture 9 c. wherein the Old and New Testament agree ibid. wherein they differ 10 a. why all sorts of men are bound to the knowledge of the Scripture 11a in what respects it is difficult ibid. and the Raeson thereof ibid. b. Means whereby to finde out the true sense of Scripture ibid. c. the Graces required for the right use thereof 12 a. how to profit by the Scriptures 13 a. The several kindes of Neglecters thereof 13 b. Observations for the right interpreting of the Scriptures 13 b. how to decide the doubtful places ibid. c. the Graces obtained by the Scriptures 14 a. the Papists Error touching the Authority thereof 9 b. their twofold Scripture ibid. Seal twofold 205 c. Sects of Jews under the Law 22 b. Sin what 343. why called a Debt 105 a. the seat of sin in man threefold 345 c. the kindes and degrees of sin 346 347. In what sense sin may be said to be venial ibid. c. 348 a. the occasions of sin ibid. b. the sundry kindes of communication with sin ibid. the heinousness of Adams sin 353 a. God not the Author of sin 352 c. why God permitted the first sin 353 a. Two main Disswasives from all sin 350 c. 351. Rules whereby to see our sins 354 a. how God doth punish sin ibid. b. the sad Effects of sin ibid. c. An Antidote against sin 355 a b. Rules to be observed in forsaking of sin ibid. c. Means sanctified by God himself against it 356 a. Sin Original Sin what 343. the nature of it 350 352. Sin against the Holy Ghost what 345 b. ' Degrees thereof 349 a. how this sin is differenced from all other sins ibid. b. why God leaves this sin unpardonable Sincerity the signs and tryals thereof 239 c. Son the second Person in the Trinity 1 to 5. Sprinkling in Baptism what it signifies 43 c. Subjection twofold 270 b c. Sufferings the Doctrine thereof 135 to 139. Supper of the Lord what 48 a. the Doctrine thereof 48 to 58. the signs and things signified 48 b c. the Sacramental Rites of this Supper 49 b. the Properties of a true Communicant ibid. a right disposition in the act of Receiving 53 b c. a true discerning of the Lords Body what 54 a. 55 a. what it is to shew forth the Lords Death 54 a. our Duty after Receiving 54 b c. Resemblance betwixt the Passover and the Lords Supper 56 c. 57 a. why Christ at the last Passover instituted the Lords Supper ibid. why the Bread and Wine is called the Body and Blood of Christ 58 b. Rules whereby to discern the Lords Body in the Sacrament ibid. c. how the Lords Supper differs from Baptism ibid. it is not necessary to come Fasting to the Lords Supper and the Reasons 59 a. the true and right ends of the Lords Supper ib. b. Swearing the Causes of common and prophane Swearing 243 c. when and wherein a man may lawfully swear 250 b c. Why we ought to swear onely by God and not by the Creatures 251 b c.. T TEmptation twofold 108 b. the kindes thereof ibid. c. and degrees thereof 109 a. how God is said to lead a man into Temptation 108 a. Testimony of the Spirit how wrought 330 b. of our own Consciences how discerned 332 a. Thanksgiving the subject matter thereof 68 c. 69. Directions for Thanksgiving ibid. c. Theft the several kindes thereof 291 292 293 a. the degrees thereof 296 b c. 297 299 c. 300 a. Remedies against it 293 b. Thoughts threefold 308 b. Vnclean Thoughts twofold 309 c. how to discern such Thoughts as the Devil injects into the heart ibid. an Antidote against evil Thoughts 316 b. Toleration of false Worship exceeding dangerous 217 c. Transubstantiation Reasons against it 57 b. Trespasses and Sins why called Debts 103 a. 109 b. Trinity what 1. the Doctrine thereof 1 to 5. Trinity and Triplicity how they differ 3 b. Trinity of Persons in Vnity of Godhead why necessary to be believed and maintained 4 b. Truth fourfold 305 c. Truth in speech twofold 301 b. Types are visible Promises 17 c. U UNion taken three ways 157 a. how united to Christ ibid. b. the Saints Priviledges by their Vnion with Christ 158 b c. 159 a. Motives to Spiritual Vnion with Christ ibid. c. the effects thereof 160 a. Vocation what 322 b. threefold 323 a. the Doctrine thereof 322 323 324. Vows how far they are to be kept 242. What is required in every Vow to make it lawful 252 c. 253 a. Considerations touching Vows 253. Usury conditions and qual fications touching it 295 a. Reasons why a man may sometimes take above the Principal ibid. W WAr lawful in the godly without the guilt of Murther 282 b. the Qualifications to be observed therein ibid. c. Will Liberty of Will what 338 b. the nature of the Will ibid. 339. Liberty of Will how constituted 340 a. why called Free ibid. b. Degrees of Free-will ibid. 341 b. the difference betwixt the Liberty of Gods Will and ours ibid. c. What things in the Will are common to Angels and Men with God 341 a. the degrees of the malice of the Will 350 a. Will of God what 93 c. Doing of Gods Will what it signifies 95 a. Rules how to obey it ibid. b. Wishing Conditions required therein 310 a. Witness the heinousness of bearing False Witness 301 c. Wives duty to their Husbands 269 b c. Word of God what 6 a. not alway the same with the letter of the Scripture b c. Why to be warily observed in Scripture 10 c. how falsified by Hereticks ibid. Works of God twofold 123 c. Works Good Works what 356 c. the Doctrine thereof ibid. to 363. kindes 358 a. and ends thereof ibid. 359 b. why Good Works required since they do not justifie 326 b. Rules to be observed in doing Good Works 357 b. how many ways God accepts of Good Works in us ibid. b. the diversity of Opinions touching the Necessity of Good Works ibid. c. how the wicked do things seemingly good ibid. c. why we are bound to Good Works 359 c. Good Works cannot merit 360. See Merit Why they cannot justifie us 361 b. how the Works of the Regenerate and Vnregenerate differ ibid. c. the fruit of Good Works 362 c. Worship the kindes thereof 171 a. wherein it consists 216 a. Rules touching it 217 a. Required in the Second Commandment 230. Doctrine of true Worship ibid. to 240. the kindes of false Worship 231 c. Rules for right Worship 232 a. FINIS