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A93702 Rome ruin'd by VVhite Hall, or, The papall crown demolisht: containing a confutation of the three degrees of popery, viz. papacy, prelacy, and presbitery; answerable to the triple crowne of the three-headed Cerberus the Pope, with his three fold hierarchies aforesaid. With a dispelling of all other dispersed clouds of errour, which doth interpose the clear sun-shine of the Gospel in our horrizon. Wherein the chiefe arguments each of them have, for the vindication of their erronious tenents are incerted, and refuted; with a description of such whem [sic] the true Church of Christ doth consist of: as also how, and by whom, they may be gathered, and governed, according to the will, and appointment of Jesus Christ, and his apostles, in the primative purity thereof. / By Iohn Spittlehouse, assistant to the Marshall Generall of the Army, under the command of his Excellency, the Lord Generall Fairfax. Imprimated by Theod. Jennings, and entred in the Stationers Hall. Spittlehouse, John. 1649 (1649) Wing S5013; Thomason E586_2; ESTC R203633 304,213 396

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communicated unto Christs humane nature Christ there is a communion reall and personall the Graces created and finite are really communicated to Christs humanity as his wisedome knowledge holinesse c. but the gifts which are infinite and peculiar unto God as to be omnipotent omni-present knowing all things c. are imputed only personally As the man Christ is omnipotent omni-present knowing all things but not the Manhood of Christ for our blessed Saviour saith that the Son himselfe that is in his humanity knoweth not the day and houre of his comming to Judgement Mat. 13. 32. And this is further to be considered that the Manhood communicateth not any property to the God-head of Christ really for the Divine nature receiveth nothing but giveth all but only personally ●in concreto non in abstracto As Mary is called the Mother of God-Christ not of his God-head and God suffered for us but not the God-head but the Diety of Christ communicateth to his Humanity both really and personally SECT 7. Hereticks condemned touching Christs Divine Nature HEre then are condemned all such Hereticks which erre touching the Divine and Human nature of Christ 1. As touching Christs divine Nature some utterly denying it making Christ a meere man and not to have been before he was conceived in the Virgin Mary which was the Heresie of Corinthus and Ebion contrary to Scripture which saith that the Word which was made flesh was in the beginning Joh. 1. 1. 2. Them that would have another Nature in Christ besides his Human but not of the same substance with God yet of an higher nature then any creature as Carpocates and Arius but our blessed Saviour himselfe saith I and my Father am one Joh. 20. 30. 3. Them that affirme that Christ besides his Human nature consisted of a Divine yet not begotten of the Father but makeing one Person with the Father as well as being of one substance so the Sabellians and Patro-passians whereas the Apostle saith God sent his Son made of a woman Gal. 4. 4. the Person then of the Son and not of the Father was made man for us SECT 8. Touching Christs human nature 1. IT condemneth all such as affirme that Christ was not a true man but only in outward appearance as the Manaches and The like touching his Human nature Mertionites who are confuted by Christs owne words Luk. 24. 29. Handle me and see me for a Spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have with 1 Cor. 15. 47. Act. 2. 22. 1 Tim. 2. 5. 2. Those which hold that Christ had not his flesh of the Virgin Mary but brought it with him from Heaven contrary to the Apostle who saith that he was made of the seed of David according to the flesh Rom. 1. 3. 3. Those who hold that Christ had a true Human nature but in respect of his body only as Apollonaris of La●dicea who is convinced by the words of our Saviour Mat. 26. 38. My soule is heavie unto the death 4. Those who grant that Christ tooke upon him our whole Nature but not our human infirmities for the Apostle teacheth the contrary that Christ was in all things tempted in like sort as we are yet without sinne Heb. 4. 15. For infirmities are of two sorts Personall and Naturall SECT 9. Of Personall and Naturall infirmities 1. SOme are Personall as blindnesse sicknesse diseases as Leprosie c. and these Christ was not subject unto 2. There are Naturall infirmitios which doe belong to the whole Human nature as wearinesse hunger griefe and such like and these our blessed Saviour undertooke that he might in all things be like unto us Heb. 5. 2. which is also evidenced Mat. 4. 2. where it is said that after he had fasted forty dayes and forty nights he was afterwards an hungred and Mat. 26. 38. where himselfe confesseth that his soule was exceeding sorrowfull even to the death c. 5. Those that hold that Christ had a true Human Nature but after the uniting thereof with the God-head it was absorpt of his Divine Nature which only remained and this was the Heresie of Swen●feildius But we are otherwise taught in the Scriptures that Christ ascended up in a true visible Human Body and that he shall with the same returne again into the world at the last day Act. 1. 11. 6. Those who hold that the Divine Nature of Christ causeth his Humanity which by the property of its owne nature which The Luthreans error it retaineth for ever can be but in one place at once to be every where which is the opinion of the Luthreans their reason being this viz. because say they the God-head being every where maketh the Humanity for the union sake partakers of its glory To which we answer SECT 10. The Luthreans confuted 1. THat the Assertion concludeth a contradiction for how doth Christs human nature retain the naturall property thereof for ever in being but in one place at once if it be every where by vertue of the God-head 2. If by vertue of this union the human nature can doe all things which the Diety doth then the human nature should be absorpt and as it were changed into the Divine 3. There is a mutuall communion of the properties betwixt the two Natures of Christ but such as destroyeth not the true properties of either but if the property of the Diety were communicated to the humane nature to be every where the Humanity of Christ should be altered in nature being without the true property thereof which is to be but in one place at once 4. As the reason of this Assertion is not sound so the conclusion it selfe viz. of Christs omni-presence in his Humanity is contrary to the Scriptures where the Apostle Peter saith Whom the heavens must contain untill the time that all things must be restored Act. 3. 21. This which hath been spoken I suppose is sufficient to convince all such as deny the Divinity of Christ or that he is not equall with the Father and the Holy Ghost but least some curious Naturalists should not be herewith satisfied in the unity of the Trinity and the Trinity in unity relying more upon human or carnall reason then Scripture I will therefore recite the opinions of sundry men touching the Trinity and Vnity of the three Persons in the same by which they may be made unexcusable and also shamed out of their absurd Heresies and Blasphemies and so revoke them for ever SECT 11. Severall sorts of people proving a Trinity of Persons in the God-head 1. TO which purpose some of the Rabbins doe in the name Jehovah comprehend a Trinity for Jehovah say they betokeneth a God begetting or giving essence and if there be a God begetting there must also be a God begotten and because it is impossible but that betwixt the God begetting and the God begotten there should be a coeternall and substantiall love therefore in this name is also insinuated the Holy Ghost the God of
subjection by incorporating your selves into Bodies Politick by that rule which Christ hath prescribed for that purpose viz. by the gate of Baptisme it being the externall meanes to inisiate you into the externall profession of Christ in his Church Militant your persons being as wel to conforme to the outward Government thereof as your Spirits to the inward Againe as in humane learning he that would be made compleat must first attaine to three degrees of knowledge viz. a good Gramarian a Rethorissian and a Logissian so is it in Spirituall knowledg to which there are also three degrees to be attained before one can be formed a compleat Christian viz. the knowledg of the old testament and the new testament and the Spiritual interpretation thereof And it is worthy of our best observation to consider the Mutuall Harmony of the Scriptures to attaine this Spirituall knowledge as aforesaid For in relation to this threefold knowledg we have a Trinity of persons in the Diety which co-opperate with them and are agreeable and proportionable to them Answerable to which there is also a threefold faith viz. A Fundamentall faith an historicall faith and a Justifying faith the first agreeing with God the Father as the Creator made knowne in the old Testament the second to the Sonne as a Redeemer in the new Testament and the third to the Holy Ghost in the Spiritualitie of the Letter in both of them The first aluding to the knowledg of God as he is in himselfe The 2. as he is in his Son and 3. as he is a Trinity in unity and an unitie in Trinity the 1. describing the Kingdom and government of God the father with his Angellicall Ministers the 2. the government of the Sonne with his Apostollicall Ministers And the 3. The Kingdome or government of the holyghost with his ministring Saints which is now approaching It is also worthy our observation what Sacraments of union and Correspondencie there we●●●●longing to those distinct Kingdomes and governments fro●●●ch as did not belong unto them As in the first under the law they had Circumcision as a badg of their profession under the Gospell or new Testament a baptisme of water in relation to Christ the 2. person as also a baptisme of the spirit in referrence to the third person the water baptisme being a badg of their outward profession as they were a Church millitant or an externall Church and the Spirituall baptisme in relation to their internall or Spirituall societie that of water baptisme being as it were a gate or inlet to the other there beiug also now as much reason why the Saints should be seperated and distinguished from the world and Antichristianisme as there was either before under or after the Law viz. in the Apostle time Againe the new Jerusalem which is now to descend is said to be adorned as a Bride adorned for her Husband which without all controversie cannot alude to any other thing then the primative purity of Gospel-ordinances yea the whole description of it doth evidence as much which to paralell in each particular would be too tedious I shall only hint some few observations of it viz. in that it is described to have walls and gates with its longitude latitude and altitude doth prefiguring a comlinesse decency and order to be admitted into it 3. In that there is said to be no Temple in it is meant that there shall not be a materiall one consisting of wood stone and gold as was in that of Jerusalem built by Solomon and the reason thereof followeth viz. because the Lord God Almighty and the Lambe are the Temple of it that is it doth consist of Saints in whom the Lambe Christ is ever present as also in that he hath opened Heaven in every place to faithful Beleevers 4. In that it is said to need no light of the Sunne or Moone to shine in it is meant of Ecclesiasticall or civill Government as now practised having its proper power and adornment in it selfe viz. from Christ and his Apostles 5. In that the Nations which are saved is said to walke in the light of it is meant that all such who are ordained to eternall life shall be conformable to the government of it in Doctrine Worship and Discipline 6. In that the Nations are said to bring their glory and honour unto it is meant that the Kings and Rulers of the earth shall hate Antichrist in each of his Hierarchies and destroy it in their dominions as also willingly lay downe their owne powers and become loyall subjects to Jesus Christ 7. In that the gates of the City are not said to be shut either by day or by night and yet none is to enter therein that is uncleane c. but such as are written in the Lambs Book of Life is meant that all manner of people may have recourse to the Churches of the Saints to heare the Word As Country-men may have leave to come into a City for Merchandise which admission into the City doth not make them Free-men in regard they are not inrolled in their Records so in like manner albeit the men of the world may have liberty to heare the Word preached amongst the Saints yet they are not thereby made members of their Society not being entred or inrolled a Saint in the Churches Records viz. not being incorporated by Baptisme into their Society or Body Politick 8. In that a cleare and pure River of water is said to proceed out of the Throne of God and of the Lambe is meant of the Spirit of Prophesie which shall be poured upon the Saints who shall be taught of God 9. In that it is said to run through the midest of the streets of the City is meant that the aforesaid Spirit shall be free for each Member of the Church to make use of as well one as other 10. In that on each side of the River is said to grow a tree of Life bearing twelve manner of fruits and yeelding her fruit every month and the leaves being for the healing of the Nations is meant that the Gospel shall flourish and spread it selfe into all Countries by vertue whereof they shall be healed of the leprosie of Antichristianisme Judisme and Heathenism Thus have I briefly discovered unto you the new or Spirituall Jerusalem hoping you will be willing in this day of Christs power to give up your selves as a free-will offering unto him by submitting unto his Kingly Government but I must tell you that at the present there is very small hopes of it in regard of your now condition which if I be not mistaken in as sure I am not may fitly be paralleld with these places of Scripture I shall first instance in that of Marke 14. 38. where our Saviour told his Disciples that their spirits was willing but their flesh was weake even so it is with you for you are awake in the Spirit but asleepe in the body you are awake in the spirituall worship of
c. I am whatsoever was is or is to come It is also reported of a Heathen that being asked what God was said Quod semper est neque principium habens neque finem That which alwayes is having neither beginning nor ending It is also reported that upon the Temple of Apollo were written Tues intimating that such things as are mutable and changeable may rather be said not to be then be There is also the name Jehovah given unto God which signifieth the same with Eheje being added as more usuall and better knowne and it betokeneth two things principally viz. The Eternity Of his name Jehovah and alwayes being of God and his cause of being to all other things as the efficient cause from whom the formall cause through whom and the finall cause for whom all things are 2. It betokeneth Gods power in his goodnesse and truth the first in being able the second in being gracious and willing and third in being constant to fulfill his promise Fourthly this name Jehovah is also incommunicable to all other El●him which signifieth God is sometimes given to Angels sometimes to Judges c. but Jehovah is peculiar unto God so that of all names that are given unto God none doth more fully expresse what God is then the name Jehovah CHAP. II. Treateth of the opinion of the Anti-trenitarians and the confutation thereof THe opinion of the Anti-trenitarians is either to deny the Divinity of Christ or that he is not equall with the Father and the Holy Ghost That there is a God I have proved and it cannot be denyed by any who beleeve the Scriptures or are Rationall Now that Christ is God is also sufficiently confirmed That Christ is God by the Apostle Paul Col. 2. 9. In him dwelleth the fulnesse of the God-head bodily As also the testimony of John Chap. 1. 1 2 3. In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God the same was in the beginning with God all things were made by him and without him was nothing made that was made In him was life and that life was the light of men c. with Col. 1. 16 17. For by him were all things created that are in heaven and earth visible or invisible whether they be thrones or dominions or principallities or powers all things were created by him and for him and he is before all things and by him all things consist as also Ioh. 5. 10. Phil. 2. 6. SECT 2. That the Holy Ghost is God THat the Holy Ghost is God is also proved by divers places of Scriptures as in Gen. 1. 2. where it is said that the Spirit of God moved upon the waters by which the creatures were fostered and formed as Job 26. 13. His Spirit hath garnished the heavens 2. Againe as God only created the world so likewise the renovation of the heart is only the work of God because it is a new creation as the Prophet termeth it Psal 51. 10. where he saith Create in me a new heart but this is also the work of the Spirit as it followes take not thy holy Spirit from me and againe in the 12. vers Hold me up with thy free Spirit intimating that without the aide and assistance of the blessed Spirit no divine work viz. as the creating of a new heart can be wrought or effected 3. It is Gods work to teach us his will and to bring us to eternall life but this is wrought by the Spirit as the Psalmist confesseth Psal 143. 10. in these words Teach me to doe thy will for thou art my God let thy good Spirit lead me into the land of righteousnesse in which place the Prophet confesseth that he could not doe the will of God without the assistance of the Spirit of God 4. The Holy Ghost is excellently proved to be God from that passage concerning Sampson where it is said The Spirit of the Lord came upon him Judg. 14. 5. but after his locks were polled it is also said that he knew not that the Lord was departed from him Judg. 16. 20. from whence we may gather that he that came upon him before was the same that departed from him then there called the Spirit of the Lord and so it is evident that the same that is called the Spirit of the Lord is also called the Lord. 5. It is also proved from Act. 5. where Peter reproving Annanias for his dissemulation saith Why hath Satan filled thy heart to lye to the Holy Ghost and to keep back part of the price of the Land c. Why hast thou conceived this thing in thy heart thou hast not lyed unto men but unto God Where comparing the fourth verse with the third it is evident that the lye which Annanias made to the Holy Ghost was made unto God as also Mat. 12. 31 32. 6. Our Saviour also testifieth as much Joh. 14. 15 16 17. I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter How the Holy Ghost dwelt with the Apostles and not in them even the Spirit of truth I will not leave you comfortlesse I will come unto you by which words it is evident that the Comforter he spake of was himselfe for saith he he dwelleth with you and shall be in you As if he had said as I have formerly declared my selfe the first Person in creating of you and now the second Person in redeeming of you so when I am ascended into Heaven I will then shew my selfe the third Person in sanctifying of you I will not leave you comfortlesse I will come unto you He did then acknowledge himselfe to be the Comforter which he would send them SECT 3. Of the Vnity of the Trinity HAving thus procured the Trinity of Persons in the next place I will treat of the Vnity of them which is sufficiently proved by one Text of Scripture 1 Joh. 5. 7. There be three that beare record in heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are one It is also confirmed by our Saviours answer to Philip Joh. 14. 8. 10 11. where desiring to see the Father is answered by Christ in these words Have I been so long with you and yet hast thou not knowne me Philip he that Christ equall with the Father hath seene me hath seene the Father how sayest thou then shew me the Father beleeve me that I am in the Father and the Father in me the words that I speake I speake not of my selfe but the Father that dwelleth in me he doth the workes beleeve me that I am in the Father and the Father in me Joh. 17. 21. I and The Holy Ghost one with the Father my Father am one Joh. 10. 30. And that the Holy Ghost is one with the Father and the Son we have also the testimony of our Saviour John 16. 1● where he promising the Holy Ghost to his Disciples saith He shall glorifie me for he shall
THe Sacrament then of the Body and blood of Christ is given The Body and blood of Christ only eaten and drunk by faith taken and eaten only after a spirituall manner by the mouth of faith and it is a token of love which Christians ought to have amongst themselves and for which it is called the Lords Table 1 Cor. 10. 11. the Lords Supper 1 Cor. 11. 10. a communion of the body of Christ and they that partake thereof though they be many yet are but one bread and one body 1 Cor. 10. 16 17. Now the same faith shall save us which saved the Fathers before Christs Incarnation who did eate his body and drink his blood spiritually through faith and therefore as the Manna which came down from Heaven and the water which issued out of the Rock was the same to the Israelites as the bread and wine in the Sacrament is to us and in regard as many as did apprehend Christ in the Manna and water of the Rock are said to eate the same spirituall meat and to drink the same spirituall drink which we doe and albeit the figures are changed and altered yet faith abideth one and the same And thus the Fathers did eate Christ before the Manna and after the Manna was ceased Having shewed the manner of eating Christ in the Manna and seeing the like may be spoken of the Pascall Lambe which was not to be eaten raw Exod. 12. 9. that is carnally substantially and visibly with what face can these blockish people think to eate with their mouth and teeth the very body and bones of Christ And who may better be said to eate Christ raw then they which come not with a true and a lively faith but with such an erronious perswasion therefore as raw flesh is offensive to the stomack and such an one as eateth it may to said to eate his owne death so they that eate and drink in the Sacrament unworthily are said by the Apostle to eate and drink their owne damnation 1 Cor. 5. 7. SECT 10. By whom the Sacrament is truly eaten 3. AS none were admitted to eate of the Lambe of Consecration Exod. 29. 33. but such as were of Abrahams Family so none but those that are of Christs Family indeed and doe beleeve in him can be partakers of his body and blood for whosoever saith Christ eateth of my body and drinketh of my blood hath eternall life Joh. 6. 54. so then those men are grosly mistaken and deceived that think that the wicked and unbeleevers doe eate the very flesh and drink the very blood of Christ in the Sacrament for then it would follow upon our blessed Saviours words that they shall have eternall life Further as the Pascall Lambe was not to be eaten by uncircumcised persons or such as were strangers from the faith of Israel Exod. 12. 33. so neither are those Mysteries or Sacraments of Religion to be given to Infidels or profaine persons for our Saviour would not have us give holy things to doggs or cast pearls amongst swine Mat. 7. 2. This shall seeme to be spoken in confutation of the Papists detestable and damnable opinion of Transubstantiation as also that the Sacrament of the Altar giveth life Ex eperè operato by the thing done and being present at though there be never a good thought thereunto by him that is present and a receiver thereof as also that the true and naturall body of Jesus Christ is in with and under the Bread and Wine and may be eaten chewed and digested even of Turkes and Infidels as also that the same true and reall body of Jesus Christ may be devoured of Doggs Hoggs Cats Rats and so consequently these creatures receive and injoy by vertue of the same eternall life which is blasphemy in the highest degree SECT 11. Whether the corporall presence of Christ can be in more places then one at one time Obj. THe Papists verifie it may their reason is because Christs Man-hood say they is so annexed to his God-head as fire in Iron which cannot be separated and therefore must be in all places with the God-head Ans That assertion is false as may evidently appeare by The body of Christ not in two places at one time these Scriptures as Luk. 24. 6. when the woman sought Christ at the Sepulchre where the Angels told them that he was not there for he was risen but if his body had been in every place the Angel had lyed As also at the raising of Lazarus Christ saith to his Disciples I am glad for your sakes that I was not there Joh. 11. 15. and so Christ should not have spoken truly if that he had been there as he was Man Moreover Christ saith The poore you shall alwayes have with you but me you shall not have alwayes Joh 12. 8. Again it followeth not that every thing that is in God should be in every place as God is for the Scripture saith That in him we live move and have our being Act. 17. 28. and yet we are not in every place as he is God for so he is in all places but as he is man he sitteth at his Fathers right hand and if we should grant Christ to be in all places as he is Man we should take away the truth of his body for though his Man-hood be in God and God in his Man-hood yet is followeth not that it should be in all places as his Diety is for as touching his Manhood he was on earth not in heaven when he said No man ascendeth into heaven but he that descended from heaven Joh. 3. 13. And further to confirme this point Christ saith to his Disciples I ascend to my Father and yours my God and yours Joh. 20. 17. Again the being of one body in divers places or in two places at once is against nature and Scripture cannot allow of it One writing to his friend to resolve him touching that passage of Christ to the Thiefe on the Crosse where he saith This day shalt thou be with me in paradise Luk. 23. 43. whether our Saviour meant he should be with his Soule or his Body or his God-head in paradise to which question his friend returned this answer Touching Christs corporall Body that day it was in the Sepulchre and that was not in paradise although in a garden and as touching his Soule it was that day in Hel and none will say that paradise was there therefore that text saith he must needs he understood to be spoken of his God-head and therefore Christs Man-hood was neither that day in heaven or on earth but in the Sepulchre SECT 12. Of Christs preaching to the Spirits in prison Object IN that reply is confirmed that the wicked of the old world were not so condemned but that they might be redeemed from them by the descension of Christ who is said by Saint Peter to be quickned in the Spirit by the which he preached to the spirits in prison which
proved and therefore being so adored here on earth is Idolatry and Superstition CHAP. VIII The eighth Chapter treateth of their Limbus Patrum or their Purgatory SECT 1. Objection THeir opinion of Purgatory or Limbus Patrum where they say all the ancient Fathers were before Christ they ground upon such Texts of Scripture as these viz. In that it is said that Abraham was gathered to his people Gen. 25. 8. c. which Purgatory say they is not for the purging of Mortall but Veniall sinnes and therefore the sinnes of the Fathers were purged there But that Abraham went to no such place is evident Luke 16. Against these grosse opinion of Purgatory or Limbus Patrum 15. where the place to which he went is called Abrahams bosome which certainly cannot be a member of Hell as they make Limbus the Apostle also sheweth to what place the faithfull are gathered unto Heb. 6. 12. where he exhorteth to be followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises as also Heb. 12. 22 23. where the Author termeth the place to which they are gathered The City of the living God the heavenly Jerusalem the place of an innumerable company of Angels the generall Assembly and Church of the first borne which are written ïn Heaven to God the Judge of all and to the spirits of just men made perfect so that where the spirits of just men were there the Angels were for so we read Luk. 16. 22. that Lazarus's Soule was carried by Angels into Abrahams bosome but Angels are not in Limbus Patrum ergo not the soules of Saints departed Again Henock is said to be of that people to whom Abraham was gathered but Henock was not in Limbus for he was taken up into heaven Gen. 5. 24. 2. Abraham went to his fathers in ●race Gen 25. 8. that is with joy and comfort but what joy and comfort is there in Limbus a Lake and dungeon of darknesse 3. To be joyned to his people is not to be joyned to the Angels for Abraham is said to goe to his Fathers but the Angels were not his Fathers neither is the phrase alone as to say he slept with his Fathers or went the way of all flesh or changed his life for Ishmael is also said to goe to his people Gen. 25. 17. SECT 2. Of Abrahams and Ishmaels people NOw Abraham and Ishmael had not the same people to goe unto the faithfull cannot be said to be Ishmaels people nor the prophane sort to be Abrahams people but if the meaning of the phrase were no more then that they were joyned to the state of the dead the faithfull and prophane should all goe to one people wherefore this phrase must needs imply a speciall disposition of the Soules of the faithfull after this life in being associated to the company of the just and laying up their bodies in an assured hope of the resurrection The Apostle also sheweth what it is for the righteous to be gathered to their people Heb. 12. 22 23. to which we are joyned by faith whilst we live and really when we are dead as one saith now quo ad spem in hope but then quo ad rem indeed Again the Spirit of the Lord pronounceth a blessing to them that dye in the Lord Rev. 14. 13. which are three Arguments against Purgatory 1. In that they which dye in the faith of Christ are blessed but they which are in Hells torments for Purgatory they say is a part of Hell are not blessed 2. They are said to rest from their labours but they which are in Purgatory are in labour and paine 3. Their works are said to follow them for their reward but they which are tormented and punished are not rewarded Therefore we acknowledge no other Purgatory but in this life No other Purgatory but in this life a perfect purgation of our sins in Christ and an imperfect which is by a fiery probation of affliction as the Apostle termeth it 1 Pet. 4. 12. where he willeth the Jewes not to think strange concerning the fiery triall which was amongst them to prove them Job also sheweth that our Purgatory fire is in the affliction and sorrow of this life where he saith Ex ibo aurum I shall come forth like Gold Job 23. 10. As also the Prophet Isaiah saith That the Lords fire i● in Sion and his furnace at Jerusalem Isa 35. 9. it is not then in Hell or Purgatory SECT 3. The Papists leave many things uncertain and undiscussed touching Purgatory AGain the most learned of them shewing the difference betwixt the ministry of the Angels in this life and in the next leaveth it as uncertain and undiscussed whether the good Angels or the bad are the Ministers of the torments in Purgatory as for the bad Angels that they should be the Ministers of the Torments in Purgatory or that they should exercise power over them that in their life time did conquer the Devill they hold not neither yet will they have them to be the good Angels for it is not meet say they that they which shall shortly come to be fellowes and partakers with the blessed Angels in Heaven should be punished by such Angels Now let any reasonable man judge whether Purgatory be a meere fantasie yea or no where there is supposed to be torments and yet no tormentors viz. neither good or bad Angels and if not they who then not Christ I am certain for he hath redeemed them neither God himself for the Apostle saith Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect it is God that justifieth who shall condemne Rom. 8. 33 34. God then having justified them by faith in Jesus Christ there is nothing further to be laid to their charge if then there be no tormentor in Purgatory there is no torment in Purgatory and so the fire of Purgatory is quite extinguished and put out SECT 4. Other circumstances not agreed on c. AGain besides the uncertainty who should be the tormenters there be other maine points not yet resolved amongst them concerning Purgatory as 1. Of the place where it is 2. Of the fire what it is whether it be Corporall or Spirituall 3. Of the time how long it shall last whether for hundreds of yeares or thousands 4. Concerning the greatnesse of the paine whether it exceed all the torments and punishments in this life all which Articles are not yet defined and determined amongst them we will therefore leave them to their uncertainties and as they make question of the circumstances of Purgatory so let all Christians not only make question of Purgatory it self but also assure themselves Purgatory and Absolution invented only to get money that it is meerely an invention of their owne as that of Absolution which they invented for no other end then to advance themselves in wealth and dignity For otherwise what rationall man can think that it is in the power of any man to forgive the
more fierce and violent against Christ then Paul and yet a chosen vessell to salvation and a choyce instrument to gaine Soules to Christ it being meerly out of ignorance that he made such havock of the Church Act. 8. 1. 9. 1 2. The like may be also said of the St. Theife who as it appeares by the testimony of Matthew Mat. 27. 44. did first revile Christ as wel as the other until the patience of Christ had convinced his judgement After which he is said to reprove the other as also become a penitent as wil appeare by comparing the two Evangelists together in that relation viz. Mat. 27. 44. with Luk. 23. 40. c. Now for such offenders as these who were amongst the rest of The elect take pleasure in sin before their conversion Rom. 1 32. them which scurged and crucified Christ he might pray for it is likely that Saul whom we call Paul was there and might give consent unto his death as to the death of Stephen Act. 8. 1. our natures being so prone to evill that the very elect before their conversion doe take pleasure in doing many things of which they are afterward ashamed Rom. 6. 21. SECT 5. Obj. IEsus Christ gave himself a ransome for all men 1 Tim. 2. 6. and tasted death for every man Heb. 2. 9. Ans It may as wel be inferred from the words of the Apostle Rom. 11. 33. where God is said to include all in unbeliefe that he might have mercy upon all that all shall be saved for wherein consisteth mercy if not in pardoning offences and where offences are pardoned there is no use of punishment Christ therefore to The word all cannot be meant of every man cleare such scruples betwixt the all of the men of the world and the all of the elect doth thus distinguish them Joh. 17. 10. where he saith All mine are thine and thine are mine and I am glorified in them In which words he doth not say that all men in generall are mine and thine But all mine viz. all them whom thou hast given me as in the 6. ver in whom I am glorified ver 10. but Christ is not glorified by all men in generall viz. by all the world or men of the world for they are of their father the Devill whose commandement they obey Joh. 8. 42. 44. and not Christs therefore the all spoken of in them and the like places cannot be meant of all men in generall Again Christ saith Joh. 10. 27. My Sheep heare my voyce Christ distin●uish ●h betwixt the all ●●●h● w●●ld ●●d 〈◊〉 of 〈…〉 which doth imply that all are not of his sheep He is also said to lay downe his life for his sheep ver 15. but God the Father did not give him all the men of the world to be his sheep but a certaine number of them which he termeth a little flock in comparison of the generality of men as the Scripture witnesseth Feare not and chiefly intended by the Spirit But so is this spirituall sence as the Prophet expoundeth this place of Gods eternall love or hatred of Jacob and Esau 2. That is the proper sence of the place from which an Argument is framed and a conclusion inferred but out of this spirituall sence concerning everlasting election the Apostle reasoneth and concludeth election to be only of grace not by workes ergo it is the proper sence of the place Obj. How would you cleare Gods Justice in creating some to destruction Ans God created none to destruction but by Adams transgression Gods Justice vindicated and cleared we all became the children of wrath and disobedience now put the case that many Malifactors were found guilty of death for one and the same fault not knowing any other but that they shal all suffer according to the Sentence pronounced against them but it hapneth that the superiour Magistrate doth send a pardon to some few of them by name not because they have lesse offended or lesse deserve to dye then the rest but because it so pleaseth him out of his grace and clemency to save them hath the other therefore whom he doth not pardon cause to say he is cruell or tyranous in that he did not doe the like for them all certainly they have rather cause to extol his clemency in sparing some of them So in like manner Adam having sinned and so made guilty of eternall death if God had taken him away immediately he had ●●t off the whole race of Mankinde he therefore out of his free grace and mercy suffereth him to live and propagate not to the end that he wil destroy all his Progeny but because he wil provide a meanes whereby some of them shall be saved from that death whereof they all are guilty and that by sending his Son out of his owne bosome to take their sins upon him and to satisfie his wrath for them assigning him a certaine number whom he shal so redeeme not by any externall and visible marke but by some innate markes best knowne to himself Shal therefore the rest of Adams posterity tax God of injustice in that he hath not redeemed them all Certainly they rather have cause to extoll and magnifie the exceeding mercy and compassion in God that did vouchsafe to preserve some of the race and posterity from that eternall destruction which by that sinne of Adam they were all involved SECT 7. Obj. IT was hard that the Lord should for one sinne condemne so many of Adams posterity for the eating of one poore Apple a hard case Ans Because carnall men doe thus extenuate our first Parents The 〈◊〉 of our first Parents transgression sinne I wil briefly shew the greatnesse of that transgression for therein many sins concurred as 1. Incredulity in not beleeving Gods Word to be true 2. Vnthankfulnesse in not being content with their estate 3. Pride in desiring to be like unto God 4. Wantonnesse in sinning without any necessity having all the trees in the Garden besides to eate of 5. The sin of Gluttony in pampering the desire of the belly 6. Disobedience in transgressing of the Commandement 7. Curiosity in coveting to know the opperation of the fruit in bringing them to knowledge 8. Presumption in that they presumed of Gods mercy that they should not dye though they did eate 9. Then followed the concupisence and rebellion of the flesh in being ashamed of their nakednesse 10. They excused their sin 11. They were guilty of Homicide in bringing death not only upon themselves but all their posterity 12. Beside Eve seduced her Husband 13. Adam sinned in his inordinate affection to his Wife in listning to her 14. The easinesse of the Commandement made the transgression greater As one answering to the question why God forbad Adam to eate of the fruit of that tree which was good saith True it is good but I wil not have thee touch it because I wil have thee obedient God could not
we may read Luke 3. where he exhorteth the Jewes to bring forth fruits meet for repentance or as became penitent men and nor to think it were sufficient then to say they had Abraham to their Father in that the time was come that they must expresse that faith publickly themselves which was in Abraham and that if they refused so to doe that then rather then God would w●nt a people to professe him he would raise them out of the very stones that should effect it and this was in regard of the then so neare approach or manifestation of the person of Christ who was the light it selfe and thus each of these Baptismes did prefigure other untill it came to the highest pitch viz. the most glorious Baptisme of Christ viz. of the Holy Ghost and of Fire which was accomplished at the day of Penticost Act. 1. 2. 3. 4. at which time it was delivered in its full perfection SECT 8. Obj. BY your owne acknowledgement the Sacrament of Baptisme having attained its perfection it ought to be delivered now in that nature or else it is not punctually exhibited by him who doth administer it Ans That doth not follow for the gifts of the Holy Ghost Why the Holy Ghost was given in to that power to the Apostles at the ●east of Pen●icost was never given in that power and efficacy by the Apostles as was then by Christ that being a Baptisme which Christ did peculiarly promise to bestow upon his Disciples only to the end they might be inabled the better to carry on that great designe he had then to act by them as will appeare by our Saviours expressions Act. 1. 5. But yee shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost and with fire c. intimating them only whom he meant to impl●y as also ver 8. but yee shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you and yee shall be witnesses unto me c. Obj. We read that whilst Peter pr●ached to Cornelius and his Kinsmen that the Holy Ghost fell upon them and that they spake with tongues and glorified God Ans But we read not that the Holy Ghost appeared in the VVhy miracles were p●●mitted shape of cl●ven tongues like as of fire c however the gift there spoken of was not the donation of Peter himselfe but of Christ neither can it be expected that the like gift of the Holy Ghost should be now given as was then by the Apostles in regard that such Miracles was only permitted for the bringing in of the Gospel into the world as also for glorifying Christs first comming in the flesh and albeit the Apostles had power to give the Holy Ghost yet did they not alwaies exercise it for when Peter baptized that number spoken of Act. 2. 41. it is not said that he gave the Holy Ghost with it neither is it said to be given to the Jaylor the Eunuch Lidia and many others Obj. In all the places you have named it is not said that the Holy Ghost was not given at the time of their Baptizing so that i● is only your suspicion that it was not given at that time Ans It is punctually proved Act. 8. in that passage concerning Baptisme admi●i●●red without the donation of the Holy Ghost Philip and the Samaritans whom he is said to have baptized ver 12. as also of Simon Magus ver 13. yet notwithstanding that baptizing them by Philip it is said that the Apostles being then at Jerusalem sent Peter and John unto them who is said in the 15. ver to pray for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost for as yet saith the text in the 16. ver he was not fallen upon none of them only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus And in the 17. verse it is said that they laid their hands upon them and they received the Holy Ghost In which passage we may observe 1. That Philip did Baptize without the additionall gift of the Holy Ghost given with it 2. That it was not Johns Baptisme wherewith he did so baptize them but that of Jesus Christ and 3. That the Holy Ghost was given by other distinct parties after the Samaritans was so baptized by Philip. It is evident then that Philip did not give the Holy Ghost to them Samaritans whom he Baptized and therefore it must consequently follow and that of necessity that Philip either had not the power to give the Holy Ghost or else it was no usuall thing for to give it upon such occasions SECT 9. Obj. PHilip being but a Deacon peradventure had not the power to give the Holy Ghost to them Samaritans Ans If he had power to Baptize and not to give the Holy The Holy Ghost seldome given at the time of Baptisme Ghost it proves that such an one may Baptize as cannot give the gift of the Holy Ghost so that you are met with either way yea it doth plainly appeare by Scripture that the Holy Ghost was seldome or never given in the act of Baptisme but sometimes before Baptisme as at the Sermond made by Peter to Cornelius Act. 10. 44. and sometimes after Baptisme as in that fore-named passage of the Samaritans yea it is without dispute that such might Baptize who could not or at least did not give the gift of the Holy Ghost with it Instance in Philip as also in that passage touching Cornelius where Peter is not said to baptize them to whom he preached for the text saith he commanded that they should be baptized now whom was there present to command but either Cornelius or his Kinsmen or his six Brethren which came thither with him from Joppa and for Cornelius and Kinsmen to baptize one another is rediculous to imagine therefore it must needs follow that it was the six Brethren or some of them which had not Cornelius and his company formerly received the Holy Ghost 't is likely they could not have obtained it by any donation from them but whether them Brethren had the power to give the Holy Ghost or no it is apparent that divers have been baptized at which time the Holy Ghost hath not been given as in Acts 18. 8. c. by all which it appeares that Baptisme may be administred by them who could not or at the least did not give the Holy Ghost with it SECT 10. Obj. THe Apostle seemes to c●●●radict that Precept given by our Saviour unto t●●● Mat. 28. 19. willing them to baptize in the name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost it being the Apostles practise to baptize only in the name of the Lord Iesus as these Scriptures witnesse viz. Act. 2. 38. and 10. 48. 19. 5. 8. 16. Rom. 6. 3. Ans There is no question but the Apostles did follow that VVhy the Apostles baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus direction of our Saviour during the time he was resident in the flesh with them but after his ascention