ARTICLE Of faith in the holy Trinitie THere is but 1 one liuing and true God euerlasting without bodie partes or passions of infinite power wisedome and goodnes 2 the maker and preseruer of al thinges both visible and inuisible 3 And in vnitie of this God-hed there be three persons of one substance power and aeternitie the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost The Propositions 1. There is but one God who is liuing true euerlasting 2. God is the maker and praeseruer of al thinges 3. In the vnitie of the God-hed there is à Trinitie of persons 1. That there is but one God who is c. It is à truth which 1. Maie be gathered from the al holie and sacred Scripture which giueth vs to knowe that God is 1. But one Exod. 30. 3. Deut. 6 4. Psal. 18 31. Mal. 2 10. 1. Cor. 8 4 c. 1. Tim. 2 5. 2. The verie God 1. Chro. 15 3 Ier. 10 10. Iohn 17 3. 1. Thes. 1 9. 3. Euerlasting Psal. 102 24 c. Dan. 6 26. 1. Tim. 1 17. 4. Without bodie c. Psal. 104 1 c. Iohn 4 24. 2. Cor. 3 17. 5. Of infinite Power Ezech. 10 5 2. Cor. 6 18. Reuel 11 17. Wisedom Psal. 1. 7 5. Rom. 16 27 1. Tim. 1 17. Goodnes Psal. 106 1. Psal. 107 1. 2. Is agreeable to the publique confessions of the Church of God in Ausburgh art 2. Heluet. 2 art 2. Bohem. cap. 3. France art 1. Fland. art 2. Wittemb cap. 1. Whereby we maie beholde th'impietie Of such as flatlie denie there is à God as did Diagoras Theodorus Of such as be doubtful whether there be anie God As was Protagoras As are the Macchiauils Of such as fained two Gods as did the Valentinians Manechies Of such who saie there be manie Gods as did the Gentils wherof some worshipped for God Beastes as the Aegyptians Th'elements as the Persians Iupiter c. as the Indians Graecians Romans Of such as ascribe the forme and lineaments of man vnto God as did the Anthropomorphites Of such as put anie confidence in Sanctes As the Papistes Man As the Papistes Riches As the Atheistes Horses c. As the Atheistes 2. That by God the world 1. VVas made it agreeth with 1. The Scripture Gen. 1 1 c. Psal. 124 8. Psal. 134 3. Psal. 135 6. Heb. 1 2. Col. 1 16. 2. The Confess of the Church of God in Heluet. 2 cap. 6 7. Basil. art 1. France art 7. Fland. art 12 2. Is preserued it accordeth vnto 1. The word of God Psal. 104 1 c. Matth. 10 29 c. Act. 17 25 c. Heb. 1 3. 2. The confess of the Church of God in Heluet. 2 cap. 7. Basil. 1 2. France art 18. Fland. art 12 13. Herebie are condemned al Heretiques errors which impugne 1 The creation of the worlde by God as did Aristotle that saide the world was aeternal and without beginning The Marcionites who saide God made not the world For it was too base à thing for him to create The Manechies which ascribed the creation of al things vnto two Gods or Beginnings or Natures Th'one Good where-of caâ—â— good thinges Th'other Euil where-of came euil thinges 2. The prouidence of God as The Stoikes who ascribe al thinges to Fate or Destinie The Epicures which thinke howe God is idle and gouerneth not the world 3. Though there is but one God yet that there be three persons in the God-head it is agreeable 1. To the sacred Scripture Gen. 1 1 c. Psal. 33 6. Matth. 3 16 17. Gal. 4 6. 2. Cor 13 13. 1. Iohn 5 7. 2. To the Creede Apostolical Nicen Athanasian 3. To the confess of the godlie in Heluet. â— art 6. â— cap. 3. Ausburgh art 1. France art 6. Fland. art 8 9. Bohem. cap. 3. Witemb cap 1 Sueuia art 2. Curssed then are al opinions of men contrarie here-vnto which do Saie there is one God and not three persons in the God head as do the Iewes Turkes Saie there be moe God than one and yet not three persons nor of one nature but of contrarie disposition as the Gnostikes Marcionites Valentinians Thinke there be three Gods or spirits not distinguished onlie but diuided also as the Tritheites Holde that not à Trinitie but à Quaternitie is to be worshipped as the Emperour Anastasius commaunded Graunte The name of three sondrie persons and denie their persons as did the These did saie howe the same God was called in the holie Scripture by diuers names And therfore that the Father became flesh and suffered because one the same God is called the Father Sonne and holie Ghost For this cause they were called Patripassians In this number was Seruetus Noëtians Praxeneans Termogenians The names and persons of three and yet doe depriue not onelie the Sonne and holie Ghost of their Diuinitie but the whole Trinitie of their properties For they sayde there be three in heauen the Father the VVorde and the holie Ghost but the Father onelie is verie God the VVorde is the breath of the Father and the holie Ghost is the Spirit created by God of nothing through the VVorde And so they spoile the Sonne and the holie Ghost of their Deitie and the whole Trinitie of their properties These were the Arian and Macedonian heretiques who were called Pneumatomachoie because they warred against the holie Ghost 2. ARTICLE Of the word or sonne of God which was made verie man THe Sonne which is the 1 VVord of the Father begotten from euerlasting of the Father the verie and eternal God of one substance with the Father 2 tooke mans nature in the wombe of the blessed Virgine of her substance so that 3 two whole perfect natures that is to say the Godhead and man-hood were ioyned in one person neuer to be diuided whereof is one Christ verie God and verie man 4 who suffered was crucified dead and buried to reconcile his Father to vs and to be a sacrifice not only for original gilte but also for al actual sinnes of men The Propositions 1. Christ is verie God 2. Christ is verie man 3. Christ is God and man and that in one person 4. Christ is the Sauiour of the world 1 That Christ is verie God with vs also 1. The Scriptures do witnesse As it is apparent that he is The Word Ioh. 1. 1. Begotten of the Father froÌ„ euerlasting Psal. 2 7. Act. 13. 33 Heb. 1 5. Heb. 5 5. Very God Ioh. 17. 3. Iohn 8 42. Mat. 1. 23. God eternal Heb. 5 5. Of one substance with the Father Heb. 1 3. 2. The Creede Do testifie Apostolical Nicene Athanasian 3. The confessioÌ„s of the churches in Do acknowledge Helue conf 1. art 11. 2. cap. 11. Bohem. cap. 4. 6. Ausburgh art 6. France art 13. 14. Fland. art 10. Wittemb cap. 2. Sueuia art 2. Miserably therefore haue they erred which deny the diuinitie of our Sauiour Christ. As did Arius Corinthus Ebion Eunomius P. Samosatenus As doe
he reteined no more the properties of his bodie and soule nor the vnion of both natures but was meerelie God The Fam. of Loue which take the resurrection of Christ to be but an allegorie and no certaine historie 2. In saying how christ with his very body ascended into heauen we declare our selues to dissent not 1. From the scriptures Psalm 47 5. Psal. 68 18. Psal. 110 1. Math. 22 44. Math. 26 64. Act. 1 9. Luke 24 51. Rom. 8 34. Ephes. 4 8 9 10. 2. From the Creede Apostolical Nicen Athanasian 3. From the Confes. of the Churches of Helue 1. art 11. 2. cap. 11. Basil. art 4. Bohem. cap. 6. France art 15. Fland. art 20. Ausburgh art 3. Saxon. art 3. Sueuia art 2. But we altogether dissent 1. From the Vbiquitaries as Papistes Certaine Germans Which doe holde that the body of Christ is Not only in heauen But also in earth and that euery where Where the Sacrament is 〈…〉 In euery kingdome In euery Countrey In euery citie In euery parish In euery loase In euery peece of bread and cup of wine 2. From the Papistes that say how Christ ascended carrying with him the soules which he losed from captiuitie bondage of the Diuel wheras there is not one word either 1. In the S. Scripture 2. In any sound Confession Olde Newe That the soules of the righteous Were not afore 〈…〉 Were then placed 〈…〉 â— Where we say that Christ shal come again to iudge al men we agree 1. With the scripture Acts. 10 42. Rom. 2 16. 2. Tim. 4 1 8. Iam. 5 9. 2. With the Creede Apostolical Nicen Athanasian 3. With the Confes. of the Churches in Helue 2. cap. 11. 1. art 11. Basil. art 9. Bohem. cap. 6. Fland. art 37. Ausburgh art 3. Sueuia art 2. But we renounce their opinioÌ„s which thinke That there shal be no iudgement at al as the Atheists Epicures of this world do That The Diuels The wicked shalbe saued as do the Origenists That before the iudgement there shalbe a golden worlde the godly and none besides enioying the same peaceablie and gloriouslie as the Iewes do That the righteous are in godly glory shal from henceforth liue euerlastingly with Christ raigne vpon earth as the Fam. of Loue teacheth 5. ARTICLE Of the holie Ghost THe holie Ghost proceeding from the Father and the Sonne is of one substance maiestie and glorie with the Father and the Sonne verie and eternal God This article concerning the holy ghost 1. The Scripture Math. 28 19. Act. 2 4. 2. Cor. 13 â—3 2. Pet. 1 21. 1. Iohn 5 7. 2. The Creede Apostolical Nicen Athanasian 3. The Confes. of the Churches in Heluet. 1. Art 6. 2. Cap. 3. Basil. art 1. Ausburgh art 1. France art 6. Bohem. cap. 3. Fland. art 8 9 11. Wittemb cap. 1. 3. Sueuia art 1. Do verifie In saying That the holie Ghost proceedeth from the Father and the Sonne we shew our selues not to be of the error of the Graecians which said howe the holy Ghost proceeded from the Father but not from the Sonne That the holy Ghost is of one substance with the Father and the Sonne we declare our selues aduersaries to the Macedonian heretiques who sayde the holy Ghost was a Creature which is of another substaunce than GOD is That the holie Ghost is of one substance maiestie and glorie with the Father and the Sonne we altogether dissent from the heresie of the Sabellians Tritheites which thought the holie Ghost to be that which God the Father and God the Sonne were and no distinct person from them 6. ARTICLE Of the sufficiencie of the holy Scriptures for saluation HOlie Scripture 1 conteineth al thinges necessarie to saluation so that whatsoeuer is not read therein nor maie be proued thereby is not to be required of anie man that it should be beleeued as an article of the faith or be thought requisit necessarie to saluation 2 In the name of the holie Scripture we doe vnderstande those Canonical bookes of the old and newe Testament of whose auctoritie was neuer any doubt in the Church Of the names and number of the Canonical bookes Genesis Exodus Leuiticus Devteronomium Iosue Iudges Ruth The 1. booke of Samuel The 2. booke of Samuel The 1. booke of Kinges The 2. booke of Kinges The 1. booke of Chron. The 2. booke of Chron. The 1. booke of Esdras The 2. booke of Esdras The booke of Esther The booke of Iob. The Psalmes The Prouerbes Eccles. or the Preacher Cant. or song of Salomon 4. Prophets the greater 12. Prophets the lesse 3 And the other bookes as Hierome saith the Church doth reade for example of life and instruction of manners but yet doeth it not applie them to stablish anie doctrine Such are theis following The third booke of Esdras The fourth booke of Esdras The booke of Tobias The booke of Iudith The rest of the booke of Hester The booke of wisedome Iesus the sonne of Sirach Baruch the Prophet Song of the three children The storie of Susanna Of Bel and the Dragon The praier of Manasses The 1. booke of Machab. The 2. booke of Machab. 4 Al the bookes of the Newe Testament as they are commonlie receiued we doe receaue and accompt for Canonical The Propositions 1. The S. Scripture containeth al thinges necessarie vnto the saluation of man 2. Al the bookes in the volume of the Bible are not Canonical 3. The 3. and 4. bookes of Esdras the booke of Tobias c. are Apocripha 4. In the newe testament al the bookes are Canonical 1 That the Scriptures of God are al sufficient and necessarie to instruct vs vnto â—â—luation with vs 1 The S. Scripture Deut. 4 2. 12 8. Iosh. 1 7. Prou. 30 5. Iohn 20 31. Gal. 1 8. 2. Tim. 3 16. Reuel 22 18. 19. 2. The confess of the Churches of God in Heluet 1. art 1 4. 2. cap. â— Basil. art 10. Bohem. cap. 1. France art 2 4 5. Fland. art 5 7. Saxon. art 1. Wittemb cap. 30. Sueuia art 1. Do witnesse And therefore we are aduersaries to al such as before the worde of God do prefer their owne Inuentions as the Philosophers whereof one saide of Moses That good man maketh a trim discourse but hee proueth nothing Phantastical imaginations aâ— Did the Manechies Doe the Libertines Anabaptistes Fam of Loue. Traditions as the Papistes which euidently appeareth in that they do moste cruelie punish and torment such as refuse The wicked precepts of men or not at al or ouerslightly correct the breakers of God his commaundements To keepe popish holie daies To heare their blasphemous Masse To obserue their superstitious fastings and ceremonies Statutes or edicts or decrees or iudgements or proclamations or els whatsoeuer proceeding from the braine of man as Macchiauel doth and his fauorers 2. That some bookes in the Bible are Canonical and some Apocrypha it hath bene grauÌ„ted by the best learned and most godly of long time And as all the
which thinke that in force It stil is as do the Iewes Turkes Cerdonits Armenians It shalbe à thousand yeeres together after the general resurrection as do the Apollinareans and Millenaries 2. Moral is to be taught kept and obeied of euerie man is easilie proued Wherebie the vane opinions of the Antinomies is vtterlie confuted and condemned 1. In the S. Scripture by infinite places and namelie Rom. 2 13. Rom. 3 31. 1. Cor. 7. 19. 2. By the consent of al good Christians and by the publique confessions of the Church of God in France expreslie art 23. 8. ARTICLE Of the three Creedes THe three Creedes Nicene creede Athanasius creede and that which is commonly called the Apostles creede ought throughlie to be receiued and beleeued for they maie be proued by most certaine warrants of holie Scripture The Propositions The Nicen The Athanasian The Apostolical Creede 1. Is to be receiued and beleeued 2. Maie be proued by the holie Scripture That the 1. Nicen That the 2. Athanasian That the 3. Apostolical Creedes 1. Are to be receiued and beleeued with vs the Churches of God 1. In the old time haue thought 2. At this daie in By publique confessions do acknowledge France art 5. Saxon. art 1. Flan. art 9. Heluet. Confess 2 cap. 11. 2. May be proued by most certaine warrants of the S. Scripture is verie apparent in that they al speake 1. Of one and the same God whom we are to beleeue is 1. For essence but one Deut. 6 4. Mal. 2 10. 1. Cor. 8 4. c. Ephe. 4 c. 2. In persons three Matth. 3 17. Gal. 4 6. 1. Iohn 5 7. The 1. Father the Creator Psal. 134. 3. Heb. 1 2. Col. 1 16. Rom. 11 36. The 2. Sonne the redeemer Isa. 53. 4. Rom. 5. 18. Gal. 3 13. Ephes. 2 16. 1. Iohn 2 2. The 3. Spirit the sanctifier 2. Cor. 1 21 22. 1. Pet. 1 2. 2. Of the people of God whom we must also thinke to be 1. The Church 1. Holie Ephes. 1. 3. Ephes. 2 21. Coloss. 1 22. Catholique Isa. 54 2. Psal. 87. 4. Acts. 1 8 c. Ephes. 2. 14. Reu. 5. 9. 2. The communion of sanctes Ephes. 4 15. 1. Cor. 10. 16. Heb. 10 25. 1. Iohn 1. 7. 3. Pardoned of al their sinnes Isa. 44 22. Matth. 18 23 c. Col. 2 13. Appointed to 4. Arise froÌ„ death Iohn 5. 28. 1. Cor. 15 12 c Phil. 3. 21. 5. Enioy eternal life both of bodie soule Iohn 6 39. 1. Pet. 1. 4. Reuel 21 4. Therefore we are enimies to al aduersaries of the doctrine in them comprised whether they be Arrianâ— Iewes Turkes Sadducies Papists Epicures Atheists 9. ARTICLE Of original or birth sinne ORiginal 1 2 sinne standeth not in the following of Adam as the Pelagians do vanelie talke but it is the fault and corruption of the nature of euerie man that naturallie is engendred of the ofspring of Adam wherebie man is verie farre gone from original righteousnes and is of his owne nature enclined to euil so that the flesh lusteth alwaies against the spirit and therefore in euerie person borne into this world it deserueth Gods wrath and damnation 3 And this infection of nature doth remaine yea in them that are regenerated whereby the lust of the fleshe called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which some do expound the wisedome some sensualitie some the affection some the desire of the flesh is not subiect to the law of God 4 And although there is no condemnation for them that beleeue and are baptised yet Th'Apostle doth confesse that concupiscence and luste hath of itselfe the nature of sinne The Propositions 1. There is original sinne 2 What original sinne is 3 Original sinne remaneth in God his children 4 Concupiscence euen in the regenerate is sinne 1. Though this worde original sin is not to be founde in the Can. Scripture yet that there is Orig sin it is cleare 1. By the S. Scripture wherein is set downe most euidentlie thereof 1. The cause which is 1. Principalie the fal of Adam as Rom. 5. 15 c. 1. Cor. 15. 22. Who fel partly By the suggestion of the Diuel Cor. 11. 3. Gen. 3. 4. Through his owne free will 2. Secondarily the propagation of the corrupted nature fro man vnto man So sayth Christ Iohn 3 3 6 â—3 Paul Rom. 5. 12 1. Cor. 15 48. Peter 2. Pet. 2. Iames cap. 1. â—8 Iohn 1. Epist. 3 4 5. 2. The subiect euen the old man with al his powers minde wil heart For in the 1. Minde there is Darkenesse Ignorance Of God his wil Matth. 12. 34. Rom 8 7. Rom 3 4. 1. Cor. 2 14. 2. Tim. 3 8. 1. Iohn 3 1. 1. Iohn 5 20. 2. Will and hart there is Concupiscence Rebellious motions For so it is Matth. 5 19. Act. 7. 39. Act. 15 9. Rom. 1 21. Iam. 1 13. 3. The effects which are 1. Not only actual sins and they both Math. 15. 19. 1. Inwarde as vngodly Affections Cogitations 2. Outward as Wicked lookes Prophane speech Diuelish actions 2. But also 1. An euil conscience 1. Iohn 3. 21. 2. The wrath of God Rom. 1 18. Col. 3 ver 5. 6. 3. Death Iohn 8 24. Rom. 5 12. Iam. 1 15. 4. Eternal damnation Rom. 5 18. 2. By the Confession of the Churches of God in Heluet. confes 1. Art 8. 2. Cap. 8. Basil. art 2. Bohem. cap. 4. France art 9. 11. Fland. art 15. Ausburgh art 2. Saxon. art 2. And thus armed both with the word of God and the confessioÌ„s of the purest Churches we do offer battell Both to the Carpocratians and such like who vtterlie denie that there is any original sinne And also Not only to Florinus Blastus c. who make God the Auctor of sinne But also to al such as curiously enquire whether God woulde haue AdaÌ„ to fal or why he stayd him not from offending 2. Original sinne â—â— Not the imitation of Adam his wickednesse For neither doth The Scripture speake thereof Any Church reformed or otherwise so thinke and some flatly by publique coÌ„fession with vs denie it as the Church in France art 10. in Fland. art 15. Partly 1. The Imputation of Adam his disobedience vnto vs. So sayth 1. The Scripture Rom. 5. verse 12. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 2. The Churches of god at Ausburgh art 2. Saxon. art 2. Wittemb cap. 4. 2. The fault and corruption of the nature of euery man As we find in the 1. Scripture Rom. 5. 12. Rom. 3 23. Rom. 7 18. 1. Cor. 15. 48. Ephe. 2 3. 2. Confessions of the Churches in Helue lat ca. 8. France art 10. Bohem. cap. 4. Ausburg art 2. Saxon. art 2. Wittemb ca. 4. Our Sauiour Christonly exempted from the taint of this corruption For He is the immaculate Lambe 1. Pet. 1. 19. He did no sinne 1. Pet. 2. 22. He knew no sinne 2. Cor. 5 21. He was tempted yet without sinne Hebr. 4 15. Now aduersaries herevnto
Cor. 1. 30. 2. Cor. 5 21. Rom. 10 4. c. 2. In the Confessions of the godly militant in this worlde as may be seene in the Confes. of the Church in Heluet. 2 cap. 15. Bohem. cap. 6. France art 12. Fland. art 22. Ausburgh art 4. Wittemb art 5. Sueuia cap. 3. But so beleeue not The Atheists of this world for they are not perswaded of the life to come not of the mysteries of mans saluation The Pharisaical teachers who thinke there is no righteousnes before God but ciuil and external righteousnes in the sight of men The Papistes For they teach that Some sinnes are washed away not by the blood of Christ but by holy water so called as lesser offences Some sinnes are purged By the fire of Purgatorie By almes giuing By Perigrinations By Pardons By Masses By fasting c. 2. The doctrin of our iustification by Faith only as it is whol some and ful of comfort so is it 1. Grounded vpon the worde of God as Mark. 5 36 Act. 10. 41 c. Act. 13. â—8 Act. 15 8. Act. 22 16 Rom. 1 16. Rom. 3 20 c. Rom. 4 4 c. Rom. 10. 3 c. Gal. 2 16 c. Gal. 3 7 c. Ephes. 2 8. Phil. 3 6 c. 2. Subscribed vnto by the godly in al the reformed Churches of this world and by publique writing in the Confession of Hel. 2. c. 16. â—asil art 8. Bohe. c. 6. 7. Fran. art 20 Flan. art 22. Ausburgh art 4. Sax. art 3 8. Wittemb art 4. Sueuia cap. 3. Partakers of the profit comfort of this doctrine â—re not The Infidels who Either be altogether ignorant of this mysterie Either know it but applie it not to their owne soules and consciences but altogether despise the same As did Herod in killing Iams act 12 Agrippa in not desending Paul Act. 26 26 c. The Iewes in persecuting the Apostles Act. 13 41. c. As doe The Diuels Iam. 2. 19. Many vngodly meÌ„ False Christians Tyrans Apostates c. Either teach not a sure confidence in Christ but an historical knowledge of Christ and of other Eccles. matters as in his Catechisme doth Canisius cap. 1. Vaux Cap. 1. Either holde that man is to be stil in doubt whether he shalbe saued or no as the Papists Conc. Trid. sess 6 c. 9. Such as do faine that they please God not through faith by hearing but by reuelation as the Manichies Enthusiasts Anabaptists They whiche hold that man is iustified By Workes without Faith As did The false Apostles in Asia 1. Tim. 1. The Interim of Ausburgh As do the Turkes Anabaptists By Faith works As did the Pseudoapostles at Hierusalem Act. 15. As do the Papists commonly Neither by faith nor workes as they which contemne both a sure confidence in Iesus Christ good virtues yet hope to be saued as they say They who defende how we apprehend not the righteousnesse of Christ by faith but haue it or Christ himselfe rather dwelling essentially within vs as the O sianders 3. Besides what hath bene saide that workes haue no place nor portion in the matter of our iustification it is euident 1. In the holy Scripture where we do find that Al men be sinners and are destitute of the glorie of God and therefore that no man can be iustified by works Psal. 14 2 3. Psal. 53 2 3. Psal. 51. 4. Rom. 5 12. c. The Apostles and the whole Synod gathered together in the holy Ghost did conclude that both Iewes and Gentiles which beleeued were saued not by workes but by the meere grace of our Lord Iesus Christ Act. 15. Eternal life commeth not by desert but Of Promise Acts 2. 39. 3. 25. 13 32 c. Rom 3 21 c. 2. Tim. 1 1. Of Gifte Iohn 17 2. Rom. 6 23. 1. Iohn 5 11. Reuel 2 10 The iust shal liue by faith And the Law is not of â—â—ith Gal. 3. 11. As the godly in olde time were so Christians in these dayes are and shal be iustified But the godly were iustified not for any good works or worthinesse of their owne So iustified was Abraham Rom. 4 1. c. Gal 3 6. c. Heb. 11. 17. The Iewes Act. 2 44. The Samaâ—itans Act. 8 12. Paul Act. 9. Act. 22 16. 1. ti 1. 13 c. Ph. 3. 6. c. The Eunuch act 8 37 The â—ailer Act. 16. 31. c. The Ephesians Eph. 2 4. c. 2. In the Confess of the godly in this world as appeareth plainly Heluet. 2 cap. 16. Basil. art 8. Bohem. cap. 7. France Art 22. Fland. art 24. Ausburgh art 6. 26. Aduersaries vnto this truth are The Pharisies who thought that by external righteousnesse They were saued Moral Ceremonial The false Apostles both In Asia 1 Tim. 1. At Ierusalem Act. 15. The Pharisaical Papists which against the iustification of Faith only do holde a iustification by Merites that of 1. Congruitie 2. Dignitie 3. Condignitie 12. ARTICLE Of good workes ALbeit that good workes which are the frutes of Faith and follow after iustification cannot put away our sinnes and endure the seueritie of Gods iudgement yet 1 are they pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ 2 and do spring out necessarilie of a true and liuely faith insomuch that by them a liuely faith 3 may be as euidentlie knowen as a tree discerned by the frute The Propositions 1 Good workes do please God 2. No worke is good except it spring from faith 3. Good workes are the outward signes of the inwarde beliefe 1. Though God acceâ—â— not man for his works â—ake as hath binâ— proued yet that good works after man his iustification please God it is a cleere truth euerie where to be seene 1. In the Scripture because God hath Commaunded them to be done Matth. 5. 16. Iohn 15. 12. Phil. 2. 14 c. 1 Thes 4 3 2. Tim. 2 19. And requireth righteousnes Not onely outward of the bodie But also inward of the minde Matth. 5 v. 22. c. Act 24. 16 1. Pet. 2. 11 1. Pet 3. 4 c. Rom â—2 2 1. Ioh. 3. 15 17. Appointed For the virtuous rewardes In this life Mat 5 5 Mar. 10 30. 1. Tim. 4. 8. In the world to come Matth. 7. 21. Matth. 10 32. Luke 14 14. Rom. 2 10. To the wicked punishments both Temporal and theie Spiritual Isa 59. 1 2. Iohn 9. 31. 1. Tim. 1. 6. c. 1. Iohn 3. 21. 22. Corporal Deut. 28. 15. c. Ier. 5 24 25. Rom. 13. 1. 2. Heauenly eternal Matth. 10. 33. Matth. 21. 41. c. 1. Cor. 6 9 c. Heb. 12. 14 c. Reuel 21 8. 2. In the confess of the godly in Heluet. 2 cap. 16. Basil. art 8. Bohem. cap 7. France art 22. Fland. art 24. Ausburgh art 6 26. Saxon art 3 5 6. Wittemb cap. 7. Sueuia cap. 4. Which truth is oppugned by aduersaries of diuers kindes whereof Some hold that seing man is iustified
workes besides ouer and aboue the commaundements of God are often coÌ„demned 1. In the Scriptures where We are coÌ„maunded To walke not after the lawes of men but according to the statutes of God Iohn 1. 7. Ezek. 20. 19. To heare not what man he speaketh but what Christ doth say Mat. 9 7. And He teaching the duties of Christians setteth before them the Lawe and word of God Math. 5. 15. 22. And more than that he doth neither ad nor require He sayth They worship me in vaine who for doctrine teache the commaundements of men Mar. 7 7. Teach them to obserue all thinges whatsoeuer I haue comaunded you Mat. 28. 20 My sheep Heare my voice Know not the voice of Straungers 10. 10 27. 5. Such doctine is called somtimes Beggerly rudiments Gal. 4 9. Ordinances of the world c. Co. 2. 20. c The doctrine of Diuels 1. Tim. 4 1. Cursed Gal. 1 8. 2. In al the reformed Churches in Christendom and namely by the Confession Heluet. 2. cap. 16. Aus burgh art 20 Basil. art 10. France art 24. Fland. art 12. Saron art 3. 17. Therfore they which teach such works be Arrogant Vngodly 2. VVhere the workes of Supererogation are taught The Law of God is broken that the traditions of men may bee obserued The S. Scripture must be contemned as not sufficient enough to bring men vnto the knowledge of saluation God is made vnwise in not commaunding so necessarie workes Faith and other spiritual virtues are brought into vtter obliuion Perfection is imputed not vnto Faith but vnto workes and which is most detestable vnto the workes not commaunded but forbidden of God ordeined by men The Lawe of God is thought to be throughly satisfied and more duties performed than man needed to haue done They which broached and defende these errors VVere the Pharisies Are the Papists who besides what hath bine said do holde that such workes Do merite remission of sinnes and that For themselues For others Oftentimes do driue away Diuels Euil spirits Are tokens of the forgiuenesse of sins so wel as Baptisme yea deliuer from the wrath of God so wel as Christ. And so they prefer their owne workes before The word of God The Sacraments Faith The death of Christ. And therfore may Their doctrine 〈◊〉 called 〈◊〉 doctrine of Diuels The teachers be held accursed 15. ARTICLE Of Christ alone without sinne CHrist 1 in the truth of our nature was made like vnto vs in al things sinne only except from which he was clearely voide both in his life and spirit He came to be the Lambe without spot who by sacrifice of himselfe once made should take away the sins of the worlde and sin as S. Iohn sayth was not in him 2 But al we the rest although baptized and borne againe in Christ yet offende in many things and if we say we haue no sin we deceaue our selues and the truth is not in vs. The Propositions 1. Christ is truly and perfectly righteous 2. Al men besides Christ though regenerate be sinners 1. That Christ was pure from sin it is abundantlie to be seene 1. In the Scripture For He was without sin Conceaued Matth. 1 20. Borne Luke 1. 35. He appeared to loose but not to fulfil the workes of Satan 1. Iohn 3 8. He liued And was tempted yet without sinne Heb. 4 15. And did no sinne 1. Pet. 2 22. And knewe no sinne 2. Cor. 5 21. And had no sinne in him 1. Iohn 3. 5. He died à guiltlesse man euen by the testimonie Of Paul Rom. 5 6. c. Of Peter Act 3 14. 1. Pet. 3. 18 Of Stephan Of his aduersarie and persecutor Pilate Act. 7 52. Math. 27. 24. Iohn 19 4 6. 2. In the godlie confessions of the reformed Churches namelie Heluet. 2 cap. 11. Heluet. 1. art 11. Bohem. cap. 4 7. France art 14. Fland. art 18. Therefore à cursed companie were they which laide vnto the charge of our Sauiour That he was à violator of the Sabbaoth Matth. 12. 10 c. Luke 13 14. Iohn 5 16 c. That he taught being not lawfulie autorized therevnto Math. 21 23. That he forbad tribute to be giuen vnto Caesar. Luke 23 2. That he was the destroyer of the Lawe Matth. 5 17. That he ouerthrewe all religion and moued the people vnto rebellion Luke 23. 5. Such were the Scribes Pharisees High Priestes 2 Al men besides Christ are sinners A truth most apparent 1. In the Scripture which testifieth how al men be either Vnregenerate they be vnrighteous alredie proued aboue pag. 46 47 and sinne in al things confirmed pag. 48. Regenerate and there are not without sinne Original reade pag. 31 32. Actual see pag. 43. Besides confirmed is it 〈…〉 2. Eccles. â— 20. 1. Tim. 1 15. Gal. 5 17 1. Iohn 1 8. 2. In the confessions of the godly especialie In Ausburgh art 20 In Saxonie art 3 8. Oppugned is this truth by sondrie aduersaries which hold that besides Christ others either haue bine or be perfectlie righteous such be The Papistes The Manichies The Catharans The Donatists The Pelagians The Familie of Loue. The Marcionites The Adamits The Carpocratians Whereof some haue thought As the Papists that The virgine Marie was pure from al sinne both Original Actual S. Francis hath fulfilled euerie â—ote of the booke of God That they could not sinne so much as in cogitation as the Manechics Catharans That theey haue bin so perfect that they could iustifie other men at their pleasures as the Donatists That they needed not to say as Christ commaundeth Forgiue vs our trespasses c. except it were on the behalfe of others For they cannot sin Of this opinion are the Pelagians Fam. of Loue. That they are so pure euen as Yea more holie than Paul Peter c. such are the Marcionites Adam and Eua before their fal as the Adamiâ—â—â—â— I. Christ himselfe as the Carpocratians 16. ARTICLE Of sinne after Baptisme NOt euerie deadlie 1 sinne willinglie committed after baptisme is sinne against the holie Ghost and vnpardonable Wherefore the graunt of repentance is not to be denied to such as fal into sinne after Baptisme 2 After we haue receiued the holie Ghost we may depart from grace giuen and fal into sinne and by the grace of God we maie rise againe and amende our liues And therefore they are to be condemned which saie they can no more sinne as long as they liue here 3 or denie the place of forgiuenes to such as trulie repent The Propositions 1. Euerie sinne is not the sinne against the holie Ghost 2. The verie regenerate maie fal and yet rise againe 3. None are vtterlie to be cast of which vnfainedlie repent 1. Euerie sin willinglie committed after regeneration is not the sin against the holy Ghost and therefore vnpardonable as maie be seene 1. In the Scripture where we finde though euerie sinne of it owne nature deserue damnation yet that there is A sinne Stripes Luke 12 46. Which shalbe
punished with fewe Which shalbe punished with manie A sinne 1. Iohn 5 6. Vnto death Not vnto death A sinne against which shalbe forgiuen The Father The Son The holie Ghost that neuer shalbe forgiuen Matth. 12 31. Mar. 3 39. Luke 12 10. 2. In the publique confessions of the Church of God at Heluet. 2 cap. 8. Bohem. cap. 4. Saxon. art 10. Diuerslie hath this doctrine bine inuaded For Some haue thought al sinnes to be like as the Stoikes Pelagians â—ouinians Some taught howe none of the godlie fathers and nations from the beginning of the worlde vntill the 15. yeare of Tiberius the Emperour though earnestly theie did repent were saued but were punished alike with vtter confusion as Manes the Heretique Some giue out that al euerlastingly be condemned which depart out of this world Afore theie are baptized as the Papistes Afore theie come vnto yeares of discretion as the Heracites 2. That the verie regenerate maie fal and yet rise againe is à true doctrine 1. Graunted vpon the Scriptures For in them we do euidentlie see That fal They maie Partlie by the admonitions Of Christ vnto The man healed of the palsie Iohn 5 14. The adultresse Iohn 8 11. Of Paul vnto Th Ephesians cap. 4 21. Colossians cap. 3 8. The Hebrues cap. 5 12. Timothie 1. T. 1 9. 2. T. 4 3 2. T. 2 22. Of Peter vnto al the godly 1. Pet. 2 10. 1. Pet. 5 8. 2. Pet. 3 17. Partlie by the example of Dauid Salomon Peter c. Theiâ— do euen by the 5. petition of the Lord his prayer were there nothing beside to proue the same but looke pag. 31 32 43 54. That being falleÌ„ they maie rise againe by the Exhortations of the Angel vnto the churches of Reuel 2. Ephesus Pergamus Thyatira Examples Of Peter who denied and yet afterwarde confessed Christ. Of al the Disciples which fled Matth. 26 56. and yet came againe But subscribe herevnto wil not The Catharans The Nouatians The Iouinians The Anabaptistes The Fam. of Loue. Who thinke that the people of God be regenerate into a pure and Angelical state so that they be defiled with no contagion of sinne The Papistes simplie For though they graunt that the godlie maie rise againe from sinne yet they denie that they can so do without their Sacrament of Penance which is an error Conc. Trid. sess 6. can 29. 2. Grounded by al the godly published in the confession of Heluet. 2 cap. 7. Bohem. cap. 5 8. Saxon. art 10 11. Wittemb art 32. Sueu art 15. 3. Such as do fal yet returne againe by vnfained repentance vnto the Lorde are to be receaued as meÌ„bers of the true Church And this is verified 1. In the Scripture For there is it That God Would haue al men to be saued Matth. 11 28. 1. Tim. 2 4. Is readie to receaue the penitent Luke 15. 7. Luke 19 41. Iam. 5 20. 2. Pet. 3 10. 1. Iohn 1 9. Reuel 2 5 c. Doth refuse none that returne vnto him by repentance as appeareth in th'example Of the prodigal childe Luke 15 20. Of the debitor Matth. 18 26 c. That vpon repentance man must receaue comfort them which haue gone astraie So did Paul wil The Galathians to restore the weake Gal. 6 1. The Corinthians to comfort the man which had committed incest 2. Cor. 2 7 c. Philemon to receaue One simus Phil. vers 12. 2. In the Christian confessions of the godlie in Heluet. 2 cap. 14. Bohem. 5. Ausburgh art 11. Saxon. art 3. Wittemb art 12. Aduersaries vnto this truth are Who leaue nothing but thâ—â—apeaseable wrath of God to such as offend after Baptisme The Montanists The Nouatians The Anabaptistes That saie how being once regenerate sinne is cut awaie as with à rasor so that they cannot sinne neither neede to repent The Messalians The Fam. of Loue. The desperate whose sinnes be either so manie or so grieuous that they think how God he neither can nor wil forgiue them 17. Article Of Predestination and Election PRedestination 1 to life is the euerlasting 5 purpose of God vvhereby 2 before the foundations of the vvorld vvere laid he hath 3 constantlye decreed by his councel secrete to vs to deliuer from curse damnation 4 those vvhome he hath chosen 5 in Christ out of mankinde and to bring them by Christ to euerlasting 5 saluation as vessels made 5 to honor 6 vvherefore they vvhich be endued vvith so excellent a benesite of God be called according to Gods purpose by his spirit vvorking in due season they through grace obey the calling they be iustified freely they be made sonnes of God by adoption they be made like the image of his only begotten sâ—nne Iesus Christ they vvalke religiously in good vvorkes and at length by Gods mercy they attaine to euerlasting felicitie As 8 the godly consideration of predestination and our election in Christ is ful of svveete pleasant vnspeakable comfort to godly persons such as feele in themselues the vvorking of the spirite of Christ mortefying the vvorks of the flesh their earthly members dravving vp their mind to high and heauenly things as vvel because it doth greatly establish and confirme their faith of eternal saluation to be enioyed through Christ as because it doth feruently kindle their loue tovvards God so for curious and carnal persons lacking the spirit of Christ to haue continually before their eies the sentence of Gods predestination is a moste dangerous dovvnfal vvhereby the diuel doth thrust them either into desperation or into rechlesnesse of most vncleane liuing no lesse perilous than desperation 9 Furthermore vve must receiue Gods promises in such vvise as they be generaly set forth vnto vs in holy scripture 10 and in our doings that vvil of God is to be follovved vvhiche vve haue expressely declared vnto vs in the vvord of God The Propositions 1. There is a Praedestination vnto euerlasting life 2. Praedestination hath bine from euerlasting 3. They which are praedestinate vnto saluation cannot perish 4. Not al men but certaine are praedestinate to be saued 5. VVhy some are elected and not others 6. Who they are which shalbe saued 7. VVhat are the effects of Praedestination 8. The vse of the doctrine of praedestinatioÌ„ both to the godly wicked 9. VVhat may keepe men both from desperation also froÌ„ securitie 10. In our actions the word of God which is his reuealed wil must be our direction 1. That amoÌ„g men some be predestinate vnto life it is a truth most apparent 1. In the Scripture 1. By the testimonie Of Christ himselfe Math. 10 20. 20 23. 22 14. 24 22. 25 35. Luke 12 32. 17 34. Iohn 6 37. 10 26 c. Of the Euangeliste Luke Act. 13. 48. Apostle Paul Rom. 8 29 c. 9. 10. 11. 1. Cor. 1. 27. 2. Cor. 2. 13. Ephes. 1. 2. By the example of The Creatures Man Angels Math. 25 41. â—ude vers 6. The two Bretheren Habel Kain Gen. 4.
Pleasant Comfortable Because It greatlie confirmeth their faith in Christ. It doth feruentlie kindle their loue toward God So saith 1. The scripture Rom. 8 18 31. c. Ephe. 1. 15 c. 1. Cor. 15 14 15 c. 2. The Church of God in al places 2. To the wicked and reprobate Soure Vnsauorie Vncomfortable As that which they thinke though moste vntruely and wickedly bringeth them either To despaire of Gods mercie being without faith Not to feare his iustice being so extremely wicked VVhere as neither .1 By the word of God 2. By any sound confession Can anie man collect that he is a vessel of wrath prepared vnto damnation but contrariwise by manie great arguments may perswade himselfe that he is in the fauour of God as in the next table following plainly doth appeere Therfore they are to be held as heretiques against the faith which giue out that this doctrine leadeth Vnto desperation which is with out al comfort Loosenes of life and so vnto Atheis me And therefore to be published neither by mouth nor by writing such were the heretiques called from hence Predestinati Are the newe Pelagians the Fam. of Loue. 9. That men the better may auoide Desperation Carnal securitie Theie are in their mindes firmely to remember 1. That the promise of grace and fauour to men is vniuersal Matth. 11 28. Matth. 18 14. Iohn 3 15. Rom. 3 22. 1. Tim. 2 4. 2. Pet. 3 6. Reade Rom. 9. 10. 11. 2. That the doctrine of predestination is to be preached not vnto a fewe but vniuersalie to al men Matth. 28 19 20. Mark 16 15 16. Luk. 24 45 46 47 3. That the seales of the couenant be appointed to al in general For Concerning Baptisme Al are to be baptised Matth. 28 19. Mark 16 â—5 Touching the Lorde his supper Christ faith Of the bread Take eate this is my bodie Of the cup Drinke ye al of it Matth. 26 26 c. 1. Cor. 11 23. c. 4. That as the disobedience of Adam brought condemnation vpon al men so the bloud and obedience of Christ is able and al sufficient to washe away al sinnes and that of al men 5. That none euer yet did flie vnto the mercie of God by vnfained repentance but he was receaued into fauor so among others was Dauid after his adulterie Manasses after his idolatrie Peter after his apostacie The theefe hanged with Christ euen at the last gaspe The Ninâ—uiâ—s after many and greeuous offences committed So that as theie are not to be heard which do saie The numer of the elect is but smal and seing we are vncertaine whether we be of that companie or not we wil proceede on as we haue begonne That God is an acceptor of persons and so vniust in choosing some and refusing others So is it the parte of al and euerie man Not to refuse the mercies of God as generalie so most gratiouslie offered vnto al men Not to despere in â—espect either Of the greatnes Of the multitude Of his sins Not to prouoke the Lorde to execute his vengeance through prophanenesse of life and securitie 10. In our doings but cheefely in the matter of PredestinatioÌ„ we are to follow 1. Not our oune iudgementes and what seemeth good in our oune opinions 2. The will of God And that wil to Not which is concealed from vs of God his omnipotencie whereby he is minded to gouerne at his pleasure the things by him selfe created Of this wil is mention made Psal. 115 3. Isa. 46 10. Rom. 9 15. Of his fauour and good will towarde mankinde reuealed vnto vs in the S. Scriptures by Iesus christ whome we are to heare Math. 3 17. And he saith Come vnto me c. Math. 11 28. So God loued the world c. Iohn 3 16. Subscribed hereunto haue the Godly in al ages and by name the Church in Heluetia by their publique confession Heluet 2 cap. 10 but so haue noâ— The Enthusiasts Anabaptists Fam. of Loue. So many as leaue the writteÌ„ word of God and depend vpon reuelations either contrarie or besides the truth Of which vngodly cogitations springeth among men Contempt of the words of the Preacheâ—â— and of al godly exercâ—â—â—â— Impeniâ—enciâ— Carnal securitie Desperation 18. ARTICLE Of obtaining eternal saluation only by the name of Christ. THey also are to be had accursed that presume to say that euery man shalbe saued by the lawe or sect which he professeth so that he be diligent to frame his life according to that law and the light of nature For holie Scripture doth set out vnto vs onlie the name of Iesus Christ whereby men must be saued For so much as there is buâ— One faith Onlie the Name of Iesus Whereby men must be saued as witnesse The Scriptures Ephe 4. 5. Act. 4 2. The Godly militant in this world They are to be had accursed which saie that Euerie man is saued by the which he professeth Lawe Sect Men maie frame them selues according to al Times Places Persons Religion As The Libertine Anabaptistes The Familie of Loue. Temporizers Macchiauels 19. ARTICLE Of the Church THe 1 visible 2 Church of Christ is a congregation of 3 4 faithfull men in the which the 5 pure worde of God is preached and the Sacraments be dulie ministred according to Christes ordinance in al those thinges that of necessitie are requisite to the same As 6 the Church of Jerusalem Alexandria and Antioch haue erred so also the 7 Church of Rome hath erred not only in their liuing and maner of ceremonies but also in matters of faith The Propositions 1 There is a Church of Christ not onely inuisible but also visible 2 There is but one Church 3 The visible Church is a catholike church 4 The word of God was and is before the Church 5 The markes and tokens of the visible church are the due and true administration of the Word and Sacraments 6 The visible Church may erre both in doctrine and conuersation 7 The church of Rome most shamefully hath erred both in life ceremonies and matters of Faith 8 There is no saluation without this church and therefore euerie man is firmely to ioyne therevnto and neuer to depart there from by schisme and contention 1 A true saying is it The Lorde and hee onely knoweth who are his For to man the Church of christ is partly 1 Inuisible which are all th elect who are or shall be either 1 In Heauen triumphing 2 In earth fighting against the Flesh World Diuell These as meÌ„bers of the Church are sayde to bee inuisible not because the men are not seene but for that their faith and conscience is not perfectly known vnto vs. 2 Visible whereof some are 1 For God 2 Against God Al notwithstanding well thought of and accompted faithfull so long as they make no manifest and open rebellion against the trueth And this 1 Is gathered out of the S. Scripture where is touched the Church 1 Inuisible and holy 1 Triumphing Reu.