it terrifieth us and prescribeth unto us the rule of well-doing 35 The Gospel is the doctrine of faith which pointeth at Christ our Mediatour who hath made satisfaction for our sinnes and raiseth up the conscience of man 36 The practise of the Law and the Gospel consisteth in true Repentance 37 Whereunto there is required Contrition to be wrought in us by the Law and Faith by the Gospel 38 Faith apprehendeth the Righteousnesse of Christ offered in the word of the Gospel by which man after Contrition wrought in him by the voice of the Law is justified before God and beginneth to be renewed by the receiving of the Holy Ghost 39 For by faith our hearts are purified Acts 15.9 40 Therefore the fruits of true Repentance are good works 41 For Faith worketh by Love Gal. 5.6 And Christ giveth unto us not onely his righteousnesse but also his Holy Spirit which beginneth to renew our nature and bridle in us the concupiscences of the flesh 42 Of Good works there are three ranks some have respect unto God some unto Our selves and others unto our Neighbours 43 For the Summe of Pietie and Christian Religion is this That we live soberly righteously and godly in this present world Tit. 2.12 44 The Sacraments are the Seals of the word appointed for the confirming and strengthening of our Faith And they are the Visible word 45 Such in the Old Testament were Circumcision and the Paschal Lambe and such in the New Testament are Baptisme and the Lords Supper 46 By the Audible and Visible word God gathereth together his Church here on earth 47 Whereof there are three Hierarchies ranks or orders The Ecclesiasticall Politicall and Oeconomicall 48 Of the Ecclesiasticall Hierarchie the Pope of Rome makes himself Monarch and Head 49 But inasmuchas he setteth himself against Christ he makes himself Antichrist 50 The Ministerie of the word or the Ecclesiasticall Hierarchie is ordained at this day by a mediate vocation 51 The Politicall Hierarchie comprehendeth Magistrates both inferiour and superiour 52 Vnto the Oeconomicall Hierarchie belongeth Matrimonie which is as I may so call it a certain Seminarie or Nurserie of the Church 53 God in this life puts his Church under the Crosse and that for many waightie and urgent reasons 54 But at length he will glorifie it in the life to come being delivered and freed from all enemies from all evills perills and dangers 55 Death and the Last Judgement without going through any Purgatorie is to the godly and those that beleeve the entrance into everlasting life 56 But the ungodly and unbeleevers shall at length be cast into everlasting fire CHAP. II. Wherein are contained Theologicall Aphorismes concerning the HOLY SCRIPTURE 1 THe onely Principle of Theologie is The WORD of God contained in Holy Scripture 2 By the name of Holy Scripture properly and strictly taken we understand the books of the Old and New Testament which undoubtedly are Propheticall and Apostolicall 3 Which also are called Canonicall because they are a full and perfect Canon or Rule of the knowledge of God and his worship 4 Such in the Old Testament are Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomie Joshua Judges Ruth two books of Samuel two of the Kings two of the Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah Esther Job the Psalmes the Proverbs Ecclesiastes the Song of Solomon Isaiah Jeremiah Lamentations Ezechiel Daniel Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zachariah Malachi 5 The rest of the books of the Old Testament are called by S. Jerome Apocrypha because they were neither wrote by the Prophets nor received by the Jews for Canonicall 6 Again they want the testimonie of Christ and his Apostles 7 Moreover by the most approved Councells and Fathers they are reckoned without the Canon 8 And besides there is to be found in many of them places either expresly repugnant to the Canonicall Scripture or else peccant against the truth of Historie and Chronologie or else Contradictorie one to the other 9 In the New Testament those are called Canonicall which at all times and by all the Churches have been received without doubting for Apostolicall truely and certainly so called 10 Such are The Gospell according to S. Matthew Mark Luke and John the Acts of the Apostles the Epistle of S. Paul to the Romanes two to the Corinthians one to the Galatians one to the Ephesians one to the Philippians one to the Colossians two to the Thessalonians two to Timothie one to Titus one to Philemon the First of Peter and the First of John 11 The rest have not been heretofore received by all with such a common consent as the former in which respect they are called by some Apocrypha 12 Such are the Epistle to the Hebrews the Epistle of James the Second of Peter the Second and Third of John the Epistle of Jude and the Revelation of John 13 But forasmuch as most of the ancients do not so much doubt of their Primarie authour which is the Holy Ghost as of their Secundarie authours therefore for their Authoritie I willingly suffer them to be equall with the Canonicall neither will I contend with any man about this matter 14 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God 2. Tim. 3.16 And holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost 2. Pet. 1.21 Neither spake they onely but they wrote also 15 The same word of God which with a lively voice was preached and preserved unwritten for a long time in the Old Testament and likewise in the New Testament but not so long The same word I say was afterwards by the will of God written and became Scripture Iren. lib. 3. cap. 1. 16 Therefore between the word of God preached and the word written we make no reall difference 17 For it is but an Accident unto the word of God either to be preached or to be written 18 But although the Prophets and Apostles moved by the Holy Ghost have not wrote their whole sermons yet they have made such a choice of what they wrote that it is sufficient for the salvation of those that beleeve August tract 49. in Joan. 19 And therefore we say that the Holy Scripture is perfect and containeth in it all things necessarie for those that strive for the prize of eternall life which is set before them both for the instructing of them in the faith and the informing them in life 20 That it is perfect it is proved by evident testimonie 2. Tim. 3.16 and 17. where it is said that the Holy Scripture is profitable for doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousnesse That the man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all good works And therefore also the Holy Scriptures are able to make us wise unto salvation 2. Tim. 3.15 21 Seeing therefore that which is Profitable in relation to Indigency and want is taken two wayes either for that which of it self alone is All-sufficient excluding all want or else for
that which is but In part profitable and not sufficient of it self without the help of something else It is manifest that the Apostle here speaketh of that which is profitable taken in the first sense 22 By those things which are written we may be taught to beleeve on Christ. John 20.31 And â—e furnished unto all good works 2. Tim. 3.17 And the brethren of the rich glutton by hearing Moses and the Prophets in the Scriptures might have escaped the torments of Hell Luke 16.29 23 Whereupon it follows without forcing that the perfection of the Holy Scripture is such as we assigne unto it For whosoever beleeveth on Christ and is furnished unto all good works and made partaker of eternall life what can he desire more 24 This also is an Argument worthie our consideration That the Apostle Saint Paul declared unto the Church of Ephesus all the counsel of God to wit concerning our salvation Acts 20.27 Again the same Apostle said none other things then those which the Prophets and Moses did say should come Acts 26.22 Therefore in Moses and the Prophets is contained all the counsel of God concerning our salvation 25 Now if the Scripture be perfect as indeed it is Away then with Traditions which some would thrust upon us to be received with like affection and to be beleeved with like authoritie as the Scripture 26 For they are full of doubts and sometimes also contradictions being very apt to be corrupted and many waies subject unto errour 27 The Ecclâ—siasticall Historie witnesseth that in the time of the Primitive Church under the name of Apostolicall Traditions many falsities were broached and that men of great note have been deceived in former time by the opinion of Traditions 28 Furthermore seeing that the Holy Scripture was by God given unto men to this end to instruct them unto salvation from hence we conclude that The Scripture is perspicuous 29 What Could not God which made both minde tongue speak plainly and perspicuously Yea certainly he used great care and providence that all men might understand what he spake unto all men Lactant. lib. 6. Div. Institut cap. 21. 30 Ought not that which is to instruct the rude and ignorant and make them wise and learned ought not that I say be perspicuous 31 It is perspicuity which is fit to teach and instruct not obscurity or perplexitie 32 Yet when we say that the Holy Scripture is perspicuous we would not have it so understood as if we meant that whatsoever is contained any where in Scripture were so easy and plain that any man at the first sight may understand it 33 But this is our meaning that The perspicuity of Scripture is such that from thence a man may learn sure and infallible grounds and principles of religion the knowledge whereof is necessary unto every man toward the attainment of everlasting salvation 34 The books of the Prophets and Apostles are the integrall parts of Holy Scripture And that both those are perspicuous it is proved by good testimonies If the parts of Scripture then be perspicuous how can the whole be said to be obscure 35 The Propheticall word in the Old Testament is compared unto a Lamp Light or Lantern Psalme 119.105 And as much is said of the Apostolicall word 2. Pet. 1.19 And again If our Gospel be hid it is hid to them that are lost 2. Cor. 4.3 Whereby it appeareth that if the Scripture be obscure and hid it is so onely by Accident But of it self and by its own nature it is perspicuous 36 Seeing therefore it is demonstrated that the Scripture is perfect and perspicuous It follows that It is and ought to be the certain infallible and onely rule and judge of all controversies that are moved about points of Christian religion 37 What David saith concerning the Apostles Psal. 19.4 Their line or their rule or direction is gone out through all the earth the fame Paul applies to the doctrine of the Apostles Rom. 10.18 Their sound went into all the earth But the Apostles wrote taught the same things 38 Christ also and his Apostles for determining controversies of faith appealed unto no other Judge went by no other Rule but the Holy Scriptures and they send us also to search the Scriptures And what sheep will not follow Christ his Shepherd and Leader and the Apostles his followers 39 The word of Christ contained in the Holy Scriptures Propheticall and Apostolicall shall judge all men in the last day John 12.48 Rom. 2.16 Revel 20.12 What hinders then but that it may be unto us in this life a Perfect Rule 40 For if there be any part of celestiall doctrine not contained within the Canonicall books How shall the judgement which shall be passed hereafter according unto them be entire 41 Furthermore seeing that it is not onely permitted but also commanded to all Christians to try the Spirits 1. John 4.1 to beware of false prophets Matth. 7.15 to prove all things 1. Thess. 5.21 and thus it lies upon them to discern between divine truth and humane dreams certainly the rule of truth that is the Holy Scripture belongeth unto all men And therefore The common people ought not to be debarred the reading of the Scripture 42 What the Spirit of God approveth and commendeth let not any man say It is forbidden But the Bereans are commended for this that they examined Pauls sermon by the Rule of the Scriptures Acts 17.11 The elect strangers scattered throughout Pontus Galatia Cappadocia Asia and Bithynia 1. Pet. 1.1 are commended for attending unto the word of prophesie as unto a light 2. Pet. 1.19 And Coloss. 3.16 the diligent study in the Scripture is commended to all Christians 43 And seeing that the common people are altogether ignorant of the Hebrew Greek tongue wherein the books of the Old and New Testament were written and yet are bound to reade the Scriptures Therefore their pains is to be commended who have translated the Holy Scriptures into the vulgar tongues 44 But yet the Hebrew text onely in the Old Testament and the Greek in the New Testament is Authenticall because they were both written in those tongues 45 Whatsoever floweth not from those fountains hitherto hath not cannot neither must it be accounted Canonicall seeing that it is not inspired by God 46 Therefore that vulgar interpretation which may sooner be said then proved to be Saint Jeroms is without cause exalted to that high throne of authenticall authoritie 47 For there are in it many faults both Graphicall Ellipticall Chronographicall and Dogmaticall faults in writing in leaving out many things in Chronographie and in points of doctrine 48 They have a corrupt judgement that say that the Hebrew text is corrupted 49 Neither do they love pure truth who say that the fountains do not flow pure 50 The end and use of Holy Scripture is attained by the true and lawfull interpretation thereof 51 Seeing that the Scripture is perfect and perspicuous
therefore It is to be interpreted of it self and by it self 52 For that which is perfect ought not to be patched with things of another kinde and that which is perspicuous of it self doth not stand in need of anothers light 53 Yet notwithstanding the Scripture is of it self perspicuous the blinde eyes of our understanding are dazled at the light of it 54 Whosoever therefore will take in hand to interpret Scripture let him with earnest prayers and grones desire to have his understanding enlightened by the Holy Ghost 55 Let the glory of God and the instruction of men unto salvation be the supreme law of interpretation 56 And seeing that every head of celestiall doctrine is in Scripture in one place or other therefore let the interpretation of other places be conformable unto it So shall the Analogie or proportion of faith be kept Rom. 12.6 57 Observe diligently the naturall significations of words 58 In matters of doubt have recourse unto the fountains the Hebrew in the Old Testament and the Greek in the New 59 Have respect and regard to the scope of every word to the circumstances to that which goes before and that which follows after 60 Let the obscurer and fewer places of Scripture be expounded by those that are more cleare and more in number 61 Depart not from the letter in articles of faith especially unlesse the Scripture it self sheweth some impropriety of speech and also expound it 62 Use the writings of the Fathers for an help to leade thee by the hand as it were in the interpretation of the Scripture but see that thou usest them aright 63 Yet count them not for Canonicall but examine them by the Canonicall What in them is agreeable unto the authoritie of divine Scripture embrace with due commendation of them what is not agreeable by their leave reject and refuse August lib. 2. cont Cresc cap. 32. CHAP. III. Wherein are contained Theologicall Aphorismes concerning GOD. THe chief end of all the Scripture is To know God and worship him being known 2 From him alone are all things and To him alone are all things 3 That there is a God even the book of Nature sheweth For The world is the school of the knowledge of God Basil. in Hexam 4 The leaves of this book are especially three Heaven Earth Sea and all things therein contained as Clemens Alexandrinus speaketh 5 But there is a more certain evident and perspicuous knowledge to be fetcht out of the book of holy Scripture 6 The eyes of our understanding are blinded by our fall and from thence it is that we cannot so readily make progresse and proficiency in the book of Nature 7 The end of that Naturall knowledge of God is according to the Apostle To seek the Lord Acts 17.27 8 Nature herself confesseth that her book is imperfect and therefore she must as it were leade us by the hand to finde out a more perfect revelation in the Church 9 The Essence of God transcendeth all created things Therefore the perfect knowledge of God surpasseth all understanding God is incomprehensible so saith Damascen lib. 1. Orth. â—id cap. 1. 10 And from hence it follows That as God is a Spirit above all and cannot properly be found out or comprehended by any understanding So likewise he cannot be defined or determined by any definition August de cogn ver vit cap. 7. 11 We cannot in any words so fully expresse what God is as by confessing our ignorance That we know not what God is Scal. Exerc. 365. Sect. 2. 12 What therefore God would have hidden from us that must we not search into But yet notwithstanding so much as he hath manifested unto us by revealing of himself we must in no wise neglect for fear lest we be found on one side more curious then is lawfull on the other side damnably ingratefull Ambros. 1. de vocat Gent. cap. 7. 13 God gave being unto all things Therefore he is the first chief and independent Being 14 He is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is He hath his Being from himself Scal. He is a Being above all beings Dionys lib. 1. de divinis nom cap. 1. 15 He is the Essence of all essences the Creatour of all creatures the Life of all lives the Cause of all causes 16 He it is that giveth all unto all but receiveth not ought from any 17 Above him is nothing without him is nothing beneath him is nothing Vnder him is all in him is all with him is all From him are all things by him are all things in him are all things Aug. de Spec. cap. 33. 18 Between the Essence of God and the essence of the creatures there is an infinite difference Gods Essence is after a singular peculiar and supereminent manner 19 God is a Spirit John 4.24 A Spirit hath not flesh and bones Luke 24.39 Therefore God is incorporeall 20 Whatsoever corporeal things are attributed unto God they are to be understood as it beseemeth the majestie of God not properly spoken but by an Anthropopathie a figure by which that is improperly said to be in God which properly belongeth unto man 21 God condescendeth unto us that we may ascend up unto him and seeing that we are men he vouchsafeth to speak unto us after the manner of men 22 The Scripture by things corporeall teacheth us spirituall and likewise by things visible things that are invisible 23 So God is said to have Eyes which are over the just an Hand by which he giveth food unto all flesh Feet whose footstool the earth is All these are in God in Effect not in Affect Bern. Serm. 4. sup Cant. 24 He is therefore All-eye because he seeth all All-hand because he worketh all All-foot because he is every where August sup Psalm 136. 25 God is Eternall without beginning or end From him are all things but he is from nothing He is subject to no change or succession He alone it is that can say I AM THAT I AM. Exod. 3.14 26 If God had a beginning then he should be subject unto change But he is uncreated without time without beginning without end not subject to alteration Therefore he is truly Eternall 27 But if God be without change or alteration he is also void of all composition whatsoever 28 He alone is truly and properly Simple Besides him all things else are compounded At least Ex Actu Potentia Ex esse Essentia as the School speaks 29 The Essence of God is not onely most Simple but also most Infinite and Immense God is present with all things not onely by his Power by which he conserveth all things but also by his Essence by which he is present with all things created after a more neare and intimate manner then they are with themselves 30 In those words in which it is said That God is every where by his Essence we are to beleeve that there is more contained then any living man is able to
That he thereby might learn Conformitie He gave his Law a Light for man to see Tâ—e Way to Life and blest Eternitie Do this and live Do this and Life is due But no man living ever this could do No man but one And that â—e this might do As he was Man so was â—e God most true God sent his Sonne as he had Promised According to the Time determined He was Conceiv'd and Borne and Liv'd and Died All without sinne And we are justified He did fulfill the Law which none could do And freed us from the Curse to us most due He by his Life for us hath merited Eternall Life to be inherited And by his Death which he once suffered From Death for ever us delivered But that we may these benefits partake We must Repent and all our Sinnes forsake We must by Faith in Christ be Justified And by the Holy Spirit Sanctified Now to this end Christ left his Testament The Gospell and a Twofold Sacrament And sent his Spirit for to Sanctifie Those whom hereafter he will Glorifie Heare and obey Christs will and Testament Wash and be clean Receive his Sacrament Obey the inward Calling of the Spirit Be Constant And Eternall Life inherit READER I have presented to thine eye The Summe of Gerhards whole Divinitie The Contents of each Chapter in this Book The First Chapter containeth the Summe of all the rest Chapter Concerning Page 2 The Holy Scripture 1 3 God and his Attributes 18 4 The Person Office of Christ. 33 5 The Creation and the Angells 52 6 The Providence of God 66 7 Election and Reprobation 81 8 The Image of God in Man before his fall 91 9 Originall sinne 105 10 Free-will 122 11 The Law 136 12 The Gospell 150 13 Repentance 174 14 Faith 197 15 Good Works 217 16 The Sacraments 239 17 Baptisme 260 18 The Lords Supper 283 19 The Church 306 20 The Ecclesiasticall Ministerie 324 21 The Civill Magistracie 345 22 Wedlock 361 23 Our latter end or The foure last things 37â— CHAP. I. A DESCRIPTION OR REPRESENTATION of the Theologicall places or Heads of Divinitie contained in this book together with their order and connexion 1THe onely and proper Principle of Divinitie is the word of God 2 For God came forth from the secret throne of his Majesty and manifested himself unto men in the word 3 At sundrie times and in diverse manners God spake in time past unto the fathers by the Prophets In these last dayes he hath spoken unto us by his Sonne and his Apostles Hebr. 1.1 2. 4 That word of God was first preached by the Prophets and Apostles and afterwards the chief and necessarie heads of divine revelation were penned by them according to the will of God Iren. lib. 3. cap. 1. 5 Therefore the undoubted word of God cannot at this day any where be found but in the writings of the Prophets and Apostles 6 From this word of God floweth Theologie and is busied about it propounding unto us the oracles of God Rom. 3.2 7 Now Theologie is as the name it self imports A doctrine concerning God 8 And by this doctrine men are instructed concerning the essence and will of God unto their salvation 9 And this is life eternall To know the onely true God and Jesus Christ which came in the flesh John 17.3 10 The doctrine concerning the Essence of God is absolved in this question What God is to wit Jehova Elohim One in Essence three in Persons 11 For God hath so manifested himself that in the divine Essence being but one and that undivided there are three Persons neither more nor lesse to wit the Father the Sonne and the Holy Ghost 12 The Father is the first Person neither made nor created nor begotten nor proceeding 13 The Sonne is the second Person not made nor created but begotten of the Father from all eternitie 14 Who in the fulnesse of time took upon him our humane nature in which and through which he payed the price of our redemption 15 The Holy Ghost is the third person not made nor created nor begotten but proceeding from the Father and the Sonne from all eternity 16 We must judge of the Will of God by his decrees made from all eternitie 17 Whereof there are two more principall The decree of Creation and the decree of Reparation or as the Greek words signifie Creation and Recreation Formation and Reformation 18 What those decrees were the fulfilling of them in time doth declare 19 For what God doth and in what manner he doth in time the same thing and in the same manner he decreed to do from all eternitie 20 The reason of which assertion depends upon the immutabilitie of Gods will 21 Creation made in time is the manifestation of the decree concerning the creation of all things made from all eternitie 22 And it is the production of the Angels Men and all other creatures in the six first dayes of the world wrought by God the Father through the Sonne in the Holy Ghost to his own glorie 23 A great part of the Angels fell away from God The rest being confirmed in goodnesse do laud and praise God and are ministring Spirits for the good of men 24 Our first parents Adam and Eve in like manner at the instigation of Satan transgressed the law of God which was written in their hearts and proclaimed by the mouth of God 25 So then by this fall of theirs the image of God was quite defaced in them and their nature was corrupted with sinne 26 Whereupon their posterity also were and are to this day born stark-naked of originall righteousnesse and in a miserable manner corrupted with sinne 27 Through the contagion whereof all the powers and faculties in the soul of man are so infected that there is little or no light of Reason left and scarce any power at all in the will even about external things 28 God who is omniscient could not but know that our first parents would fall and therefore of his infinite mercie he made a decree concerning the Reparation or Redemption of man from all eternity 29 What that decree was the fulfilling of the same in like manner doth declare He sent in time his Sonne to be our Redeemer and Mediatour Therefore he decreed to send him from all eternitie 30 God by his word offereth the benefits of a Mediatour unto all and applieth them unto those that beleeve Therefore from all eternitie he decreed to offer them unto all by the word and to apply them unto those that beleeve 31 This decree in Scripture is called Predestination of which we must not judge but à posteriori that is by the manifestation thereof 32 For the fulfilling of the decree concerning the Reparation of man God hath appointed the Word and the Sacraments 33 The Word is reduced to two chief heads the Law and the Gospel 34 The Law is the doctrine of works Therefore it manifesteth unto us the corruption of our nature
conceive Lomb. 1. Sent. Dist. 37. 31 Neither yet must we conceive that God is as it were diffused through space of places by any corporeall substance so that he is half in one part of the world and half in the other and all in all But he is all in heaven all in earth every where all in himself and contained in no place August Epist. 57. ad Dard. 32 Neither yet suffereth he mixture with other things nor is infected by other things But he is within all creatures and yet not included without all creatures and yet not excluded 33 The Goodnesse Wisdome and Power of God is understood by his Providence over the creatures His Mercie Justice and Truth by the Government of the world whereby those which were more wise amongst the Gentiles were brought to acknowledge all these 34 In the book of Scripture concerning these and other attributes of God there are testimonies extant for number more for authoritie more waightie and for perspicuitie more cleare 35 Forasmuch as God is Immutable therefore these Attributes of God are not qualities in God but they are the very Essence of God Wisdome is not any thing superadded unto Gods Essence but his very Essence 36 There is nothing in God which is not God himself Bern. Serm. 80. sup Cant. 37 Let us understand if we can and as farre as we are able That God is Good without Qualitie Great without Quantitie Creatour without Indigencie Present without Position of place Containing all things without Habit Every where all without Place Everlasting without Time Making all things mutable and yet himself Immutable and suffering in nothing August 5. de Trin. cap. 1. 38 That there is One onely true God The Catholike Church beleeveth professeth being taught it of God himself in the Holy Scriptures 39 With this Vnitie of unities that I may so speak in the Divine Essence the Trinitie of Persons doth well agree without repugnancie The Father the Sonne and the Holy Ghost are that One onely true God 40 We say that there are Three Persons but not to the prejudice of the Vnitie in Essence We say that there is One God but not to the confounding of the Trinitie Bern. lib. 5. ad Eugen. 41 Doest thou demand how this can be Let it be sufficient for thee to beleeve that it is so To make search beyond the bounds and limits of the word it is Rashnes To beleeve that it is so as it is said it is Pietie To know it it is Life eternall Bern. l. d. 42 The Essence of the Father of the Sonne and of the Holy Ghost is all one but to be the Father and the Sonne and the Holy Ghost is not all one 43 I and my Father are one saith the Sonne Joh. 10.30 In that he saith One he hath respect to the Vnitie of Essence and delivereth thee from Arius In that he saith Are in the plurall number he hath respect unto the Distinction of Persons and delivereth thee from Sabellius August lib. 5. de Trin. c. 9. 44 Neither must we so think upon One God as to forget the glorie and brightnesse of the Three Persons Nor must we so distinguish the Three Persons but that still we have our thoughts upon One God Nazianz. Serm. de Sacr. Bapt. 45 Let us beleeve one Divinitie without separation of confusion distinct So that we neither think that there is a single Person in the Trinitie nor a threefold substance in the Unitie but so assigne a Pluralitie unto the Unitie that we take not an equalitie from the Trinitie August Serm. 29. de temp 46 The Father is made of none neither created nor begotten nor proceeding The Sonne is of the Father alone not made nor created but begotten The Holy Ghost is of the Father and of the Sonne neither made nor created nor begotten but proceeding Athanas. in Symb. 47 We must so avoid in these divine matters the name of diversitie that we take not away the Vnitie of Essence We must avoid the name of Separation and Division that we take not away the Simplicitie of the Divine Essence We must avoid the name of Disparitie that we take not away the Equalitie of Persons We must avoid the name of Alienietie or Discrepancie that we take not away the Identitie of Essence We must avoid the name of Singularitie that we weaken not the Deitie which being but One is common to the Three Persons 48 We must so avoid Termes of Vnitie that we take not away the Number of Persons We must so avoid Termes of Confusion that we take not away the Order of Persons We must so avoid the name of Solitarie that we take not away the Fellowship of the Three Persons Th. p. 1. q. 31. art 2. 49 It is well said by S. Augustine that the Essence is predicated of the Father of the Sonne and of the Holy Ghost but neither as a Genus of his Species nor as a Species of an Individuum nor as the Whole of its Parts but after another ineffable and incomprehensible manner 50 We must not therefore denie the Sonne to be Eternall because he is begotten of the Father For he is begotten from all Eternitie 51 The Eternall Father begetteth the Eternall Sonne 52 We must understand the Begetting of the Sonne without passion without time without flowing without separation Damasc. lib. 1. Orthod fid c. 8. 53 Notwithstanding the Sonne is properly said to be begotten The Word is properly the Sonne of God And therefore he is truely properly begotten of the Father 54 But observe both here and elsewhere whatsoever is translated from the creatures unto God is first to be purged from all imperfections and then at length that which is perfect is to be attributed unto God Zanch. 6. de trib Elohim cap. 7. 55 The sayings of the ancients That the Sonne proceeded out of the intellect or minde of his Father are not bitterly to be inveighed against for they intended chiefly to shew his impassibilitie in that he was begotten Nazianz. Orat. 2. de Filio Basil. sup 1. Joan. 56 Neither yet are these things to be stretched too farre but piously they ought to be expounded 57 To speak worthily of the Persons it surpasseth the strength of reason and goeth beyond the wit of man What it is to be Begotten what it is to Proceed I professe I know not Rob. Holcoth q. 10. determin referent Biel. 1. Sent. dist 13. q. un 58 Let us gather from what hath been said this Definition GOD is a Spirituall Essence Simple Intelligent Eternall True Good Just Holy Chast Mercifull Most free of Infinite Wisdome Power another from all creatures of the world and all bodies The Father Eternall who of his own Essence from all Eternitie begot the Sonne his substantiall Image And the Sonne begotten of his Father from all Eternitie And the Holy Ghost proceeding from the Father and the Sonne Creatour and Conserver of all things Redeemer and sanctifier of the Church one
Dispensation his good will pleasure in that which is Good and by way of Permission onely in that which is â—vil 66 This Permission is not as of one imprudent or simply unwilling or not caring or idly looking on or opening a wide field to the Plots and machinations of men and Satan but it is the Permission of a most just judge and avenger and also a most wise ruler and governour 67 God doth in such manner punish sinnes with sinnes that yet he is not the cause of sinne 68 And seeing that the divine Providence doth not exclude the Second causes neither change their qualitie according to the ordinarie manner Hence it is that in respect of the Particular causes some things may be said to be fortuitous and casuall which yet come under the order of the Vniversall cause 69 Chance and Fortune are the voice and words of Humane ignorance August 5. de Civ Dei cap. 9. 70 The holy Meditation upon the divine Providence may effect thus much in us That we be neither lift up in prosperitie nor cast down with despair in adversitie 71 Let us wholly commit our selves and all that is ours unto his care who hath such a care of every one of us as if he had but one to take care of and such a care of all that he forgets not to take care of every one CHAP. VII Wherein are contained Theologicall Aphorismes concerning ELECTION and REPROBATION 1 PRedestination is a certain peculiar act of the divine Providence about the salvation of men 2 By it the reasonable creature is directed to an end which exceedeth its proportion to wit unto eternall life 3 In which sense Predestination is made part of the divine Providence Thom. p. 1. q. 23. art 1. 4 The doctrine of Predestination is not to be involved or concealed in the cloud of silence seeing that it is in Scripture evolved or revealed by the Holy Ghost 5 But we must handle it soberly reverently and prudently 6 Let us speak not what and as much as the curiositie of mans heart desireth but what and asmuch as the Holy Ghost teacheth 7 Predestination or Election is called The Enrolling Registring or writing of our names into the Book of life 8 But yet this Book of life serveth not to put God in minde of some lest he forget them but it signifies the Predestination of those which shall inherit everlasting life Aug. 20. de Civ Dei cap. 15. 9 As therefore none of those that are elected do perish So of those that have their names written in the Book of life none are ever blotted out 10 But they are Properly and according to the phrase of Scripture said to be written in the Book of life who cleave unto Christ by Faith and Perseverance 11 Election as well as Creation is the immediate action of one and the onely true God alone 12 Which belongeth also to the Sonne of God not onely as he is one with the Father and the Holy Ghost but also as he is appointed to be the Mediatour 13 In which sense we are said to be elected not onely by Christ but also in Christ. Ephes. 1.4 14 And it is an Action not Emanant but Immanent 15 And it is also Ordinate whence it is that the elect are said to be ordained to eternall Life Act. 13.48 16 The reason and manner of this order is made manifest unto us by the Gospel by which the Mystery of our salvation which was kept secret since the world began is now made manifest Rom. 16.26 27. 17 In which sense we are said to be elected according to the Purpose and Foreknowledge of God Ephes. 1.11 and 1. Pet. 1.2 18 That Purpose is the counsel and good pleasure of God concerning the salvation of men by faith on Christ. 19 Gods Election is meerly of his grace not according to any merits of works foreseen 20 The onely cause and foundation of this grace is Christ. In him the beloved we are freely beloved Ephes. 1.6 21 But inasmuch as Christ profits no man without Faith Therefore the mention of Christ in this businesse doth include the action of Faith 22 In which sense we are said to be elected not onely in Christ but also through Faith 2. Thesâ— 2.13 23 Again Because the end of Faith I do not mean such Faith as is temporarie and endureth but for a time but that which persevereth and continueth unto the end is Eternall Life Therefore when we name Faith we understand Perseverance also 24 The end of Election in respect of our selves is sanctification in the kingdome of Grace and glorification in the kingdome of Glory 25 The end of our Election in respect of God is the glory of God and the cleare manifestation of his mercy 26 God willeth and earnestly willeth the life of a sinner but he willeth also his conversion by the word and the Holy Spirit 27 If the sinner refuseth and rejecteth the word and resisteth the Holy Spirit and so is not converted then God willeth the death of the sinner and that most justly 28 These things are not repugnant the one to the other but do manifest unto us the wonderfull temper of Gods mercie and justice 29 What some produce concerning the hidden will of God contrary to his will revealed in his word That inasmuchas it is not revealed is not without just cause hidden from the godly 30 Neither doth God in word onely testifie unto us that he earnestly desireth the salvation of all men but also in deed and in truth 31 The first Adam was created after the Image of God whereof immortality was a part 32 All men were in the loins of their first Father Adam Therefore in him they may be all said to have been created after the Image of God unto immortalitie 33 What Christ by his precious bloudshedding purchased for all That the Holy Ghost in the precious treasure of the word offereth unto all 34 The Gospel is offered unto all and in the Gospel the benefits of Christ and in them the grace of God and in that eternall life 35 And thus the love of the Father the satisfaction of the Sonne and the calling of the Holy Ghost are allwaies joyned together 36 That calling in it self and of it self in respect of God which calleth is Vniversall For it is his good will and pleasure that the Gospel should be preached unto all 37 But it is made Particular by the fault of men who by their detestable contempt of the word rob themselves and their posteritie of so great a treasure 38 In which sense such are said to judge themselves unworthy of everlasting Life Acts 13.46 39 If we descend unto particulars we confesse that there are many things yet obscure which hereafter shall be made manifest unto all in the light of glory 40 Neither is the Grace of God which calleth all to be depressed nor the Power of Freewill accepting Grace to be extolled 41 Let the salvation of men