immaculate Lambe even the Son of God to cure that malady and no other meanes found sufficient whence he the expectatation of both Iew and Gentile so in the law and her many types showne or shadowed and by the Prophets foretold and diversly named As here Christ the Saviour which in a manner all the rest The Saviour Emanuel God and man the Christ anointed to his office of King Priest and Prophet for the good of his Church and right administration of the same being Gods onely Son and in all respects our Lord. I. VVHat learne you in this second part of the Creed What we are to beleeve and confesse concerning the second person in Trinity the Son of God 2. What concerning him Two things His nature wherein his Essence Person His office of mediatorship wherein his Humiliation Exaltation 3. Where the first is his nature described In the second Article And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord where we finde his nature Son of God and therein his Essence and person whereby he is also Christ the Saviour and our Lord 4. VVhere his office of meditatorship In the same second and the following five Articles where he is named Jesus the Saviour and Christ so anointed to that office declared in his humiliation for us by incarnation passion and descent even to death and hell for us and our sins as also his exaltation by his resurrection ascension and constitution in glory to advance us to heaven in the adoption of Sonnes to the inheritance of Saints 5. VVhat then of him is declared in the second Article What 1. His name is and therein intimated and described 1. His nature Jesus signifying a Saviour which ought to be Emanuel so named by the Angel from God 2. His office Christ the Messias anointed and appointed thereunto by God 2. He is in nature person in respect of 1. God his only Son 2. Us our Lord so we say Expresly And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord. 6. VVhat is your confession concerning his Essence and office in generall That he is Jesus the Saviour and so Emanuel that is God with us consequently Christ the Messias anointed of the Lord and appointed from everlasting to that office by the Father being his only Son in nature by eternall generation God of God Light of light very God of very God and of one substance with the Father by whom all things were made and so our Lord who came downe from heaven for us and was incarnate and made man and performed the office of a Redeemer paying the price of our redemption and so brought us to this blessed estate of salvation 7. VVhat of his Essence in particular In respect of his divinity that he is very God the only Son of God the eternall Son of the Father equall to the Father as touching his Godhead in respect of his humanity very Man of the substance of his mother borne in the world and inferiour to the Father as touching his Manhood 8. VVhat of his person That he is perfect God and perfect Man both natures combined in the unity of his person 9. How can that be As the reasonable soule and body two different natures make one Man so God and Man one Christ. 10. Are the two natures then consounded No they remaine perfect without confusion of substance that God should be made Man or Man God but joyned in the unity of the person that assumed the Manhood into God 11. But it was said in Scripture God was made Man It is true and the Word was made flesh by assuming the Manhood to it selfe not by turning the Godhead into Manhood or any third nature or Essence but by that most neer union of assuming it into one person 12. VVas there not such a union spoken of before in the persons of the Godhead No for there the three persons were united by an essentiall union in the nature of the Godhead only distinguished by personall propriety and manner of existence here the two natures in this person are essentially distinguished in their being and no way confounded but remaining perfect only joyned and most neerely combined in the person of the Mediator which is Christ. 13. VVhat need was it that the Mediator or Christ should be God and Man 1. That in his humanity he might suffer and bear the weight of our guilt and punishment to make satisfaction to the offended Majesty of God in exact justice man sinning by man expiation to be made 2. Divinity sustaining the humanity that it might be most able to performe it and acceptable in the performance and so outweighing the sins of the whole world in the worth and merit thereof and consequently able to advance all to his glory 14 Why was it thus To shew the great glory and goodnesse of God and how he is most just and yet mercifull 15. How appeareth that In that being so holy and pure and so hating sin that he punisht it in the Angels and just that he cannot but punish sin in whomsoever he findeth it his holinesse requiring it since his purity and goodnesse as he is holy cannot behold or abide it much lesse approve it yet so mercifull that hee sendeth his owne Son out of the bosome of his love and mercy to beare the burthen of that guilt which in justice must be punished but the delinquents not able to beare the heft thereof or satisfie so the same 16. But doth God so hate sin As nothing more it being most necessary to his holy nature and most to his dishonour by disobedience and as it were a denying or despising of his Majesty 17. Are there not yet degrees in sin No doubt and the most haynous sin against the Holy Ghost as a perverse obstinate and continued deniall of the truth of God even to his face and in despite of the Spirit of grace leading to desperation or finall impenitency 18. But Adams sin was not so No not in regard of the intention or malice of the act or extention of infidelity to finall impenitency or deficiency of grace and despaire yet in other spects if not greater yet large and exceeding great 19. How was Adams sin so great Though onely a taste of the forbidden fruit yet in that a fearfull disobedience and transgression both in the great Intention of the guilt Extention to all mankinde 20. Jt seemes a small offence the taste onely of an Apple forbidden But in that very sense as so small a matter and many other wayes the guilt and offence so much more horrible and deformed and whereby Adam grew presently most wofully ashamed and confounded as appeared by his hiding and flying from the presence of God 21. How appeareth this greatnesse of his sin These many wayes as generally in all sin and sinnes 1. By the greatnesse of the Majesty forbidding it infinite so an infinite offence 2. His great authority Lord and giver of all good so heynous the offence to neglect his authoritie and
against finne pressing him on all parts that hee cryed out Eli Eli c. Did God forsake him No but the heavinesse of the wrath and curse pressing on him so sore in the grievousnesse of the anguish made him insensible of the comfort so though the divinity never parted from him yet in the parting of body and soule and grievous torments he felt not the comfort though by the assistance of it he was more then conqueror 32. But how could hee in that excellency of soule feele such torment or not feele the comfort By how much more excellent in soule and spirit by so much more sensible of the wrath of the offended Majesty of God as all best soules best know and feele it when the unwise doth not consider and the foole doth not understand it but his as the most excellent so most pressed with it especially considering the waight of the sinnes of the whole world infinite in waight number and measure as against the Infinite Majesty under which his soule now groning made a sacrifice for sin as most excellent most exquisitely felt the sorrowes of death even beyond all the Martyrs and sufferings in the whole world and so might well be robbed of comfort when plunged into that gulph of misery when yet by that deepe anguish and dignity of his person with assistance of the Deity that never left him hee conquered and brake open the gates and power of sin death and hell 33. What were the consequents His death and buriall wherein by his death hee destroyed death and by his buriall he fulfilled the curse to the utmost mite to dye and returne to earth yet thereby sanctifying both death and the grave to a gate of life and way towards glory 34. How did his death destroy death By fulfilling the Law and punishment not only to the full but beyond all debt by the dignity of his person and so death having seized on him that knew no sin had exceeded his commission and the law given that the soule that sinneth shall dye and by this meanes lost both his sting the power of the Law now satisfied for them that are in Christ and his authority having beyond his authority swallowed him that knew no sin and must render him againe and with him many others in respect of whom death it selfe was now swallowed up into victory 35. What memorable occurrents at his death 1. The Sun darkned to shew Light of Truth eclipsed and Son of God that suffered as Dionysius Areopagita then in Athens perceiving it is reported to say Aut Dens naturae patitur aut mundi machina dissoloetur 2. Veile of the Temple rent as a token of opening a way for the Gentiles to come to the Church and Temple of God 3. Graves opened as a token of death destroyed by the power of his death 4. Dead bodies of Saints arose and appeared to many in the holy City as an embleme or testimony of the resurrection in his power begun in so much that the Centurion and they that stood by confessed Verily this was the Son of God 36. Why is his buriall also remembred To shew prophesies in all points fulfilled hee made his grave with the rich so an honourable man Ioseph of Arimathea having begged his body laid it in a new Sepulchre in the garden and not onely a Consummatum est afore his death but in and after his death of all things and more fully to expresse the mystery as to dye with Christ to sin so to be buried with him in baptisme that wee may rise and live with him in glory 37 What then learne we hence Many and excellent duties As 1. sorrow for sin that caused our Saviours so great sufferings especially he being our dearest Friend or Spouse Lord and Saviour The Son of God 2. A holy comfort in him that death and danger is passed and overcome if we be but truly his and in him for then hee hath fulfilled the Law for us and freed us both from curse and punishment 3. Constant patience in all tribulations both because our blessed Saviour endured greater and that thereby we are freed from eternall death and anguish which as but gentle corrections may be esteemed for what should the condemned person if life be againe granted and full pardon given care to endure a small stroke a moments griefe else and such is our case 4. Mortification of our earthly members so to dye with Christ that wee may live with him for else 1. we doe but as much as in us lyes crucifie againe the Lord of life and worse then the Jewes 2. we have no part in him we doe not deny our selves but him and shake hands with sin the world and the devill in contempt of him 5. Joy in any sufferings especially for the truth thereby more confirmed his as honoured to bee worthy to suffer for him that suffered so great things for us 6. Thereby boldnesse and resolution in any combat or terror of conscience since the greatest enemies of all are conquered by his death and death it selfe destroyed 7. Courage even in the agony and pangs of death since death is conquered the sting taken away the power abated and Law satisfied yet death and the grave sanctified for a gate to life and way to glory sweetned by his taking it on him and in that hee went before us that way to glory 38. What followeth The fifth Article or as some make it a part of the others onely He descended into hell the lowest and last step of the humiliation of Christ. SECT 7. The 5. Article He descended into Hell The exposition of the 5. Article of Christs descent into hell and divers interpretations of the same and acceptations of the words both figuratively and literally by severall authors and expositions thereof insisted on and how far forth severally according to the analogy of which onely confidence faith to be allowed of and approved whereof the exposition containing the bitter torments and even paines suffered in his soule as the second also his descent to manifest his glory preferred but the third of Lymbus and 4 5 and 6. as improper or lesse pertinent rejected but the true and Catholique sense and meaning of this Article explained and demonstrated which how it was in some Creeds omitted and divers objections against the truth of it showne answered and refused as more captious then solid which sort some taken out of Luk. 23. 4. and that saying of our Saviour to the thiefe that this day thou shalt be with me in Paradise and thirdly from his consummatum est then also on the Crosse uttered As fourthly from the want of it in some Creeds and by negative divinity for that not expresly mentioned in the Evangelists though on the contrary firmly proved by them and from divers other places confirmed and so as generally in the Church in all times and by all persons and Orthodox Writers remembred and taught received and beleeved and lastly some of their
the grievous torments that he suffered in his righteous soule beyond compare or that he descended or stooped so low in his humility and exinanition of himselfe to manifest his love extended to mankinde and glory now asserted and assumed to the very gates and into the dungeon of hell to the soules and spirits there desolate and deserted of the grace of God or out of his gracious presence there plunged in unspeakable griefe and torments by their wretched and wicked fall from God or prevarication against God and his Christ which though never so great joy to Saints Angels and soules of the Just onely served to them to increase their torments and so after his victory on the Crosse over sin and death this representing a triumph over hell and all that wicked rabble or all that is accounted evill and that hold of sinne and hell or the Prince of hell the Divell 24. But as is said in the story of Dives there is a great space set that none can goe from heaven to hell or returne thence to heaven Luke 16. It is true of any other but the Son of God hee only excepted and yet they also there saw and spake to one another but indeed there is so great a gulfe between them and their estates of despaire and other ugly hellish terror and griefe they can never come one at the other or to the joy and comfort or other estate one of the other such endlesse distance is there betweene their severall habitations and conditions the one injoying eternall blisse by the other quite forfeited and utterly desperate of all remedy and within himselfe as well as before God judged and condemned or this one having unrecoverably lost all grace and time of grace but the other made so good use of it and by grace and in the day of grace momentae unde pendit eternitas improved both that eternally and invincibly impossible to be cast out and possessed of glory which is the joy of the elect summe of all blisse and so the one of all things receiving joy and comfort as delighted in and pleased with the will of God the other in all things tormented that if in heaven as Satan came before God and among the children of God Job 1. yet no comfort in or joy from the glory of that place but rather griefe and torment to be or be accounted no more worthy of it having forfeited it and the price of it the time graces and what else once granted them for the gaine and obtaining that pearle or treasure and the very joy of the Saints a corrasive to them so this such a gulfe they can never passe and though see and speake can never come one at the other yet as these might see and speake as it were at enterview one to another and God is every where much more may Christ who is God how he please descend to shew his victorious conquest and triumph there and so truely divers wayes to be understood he descended into hell 25. But this phrase was left out in some Creeds It is true so it was in the Symbol of the Church of Rome and divers of the Easterne parts as appeareth by the Smyrnian Sardian Toletan Ephesine Constantinopolitan Chalcedon Councels and other ancient confessions but in some of them as the Roman since added is and may be well thus interpreted Whether Literally for his descent in triumph and manifestation of his glory Figuratively and parabolically for the pains of hell sustained in soule at and before his passion under the heavy wrath of God and curse due to us in body and soule Ruf. in Exposit. symb Jerom. Epist. 41. part 1. 26. But there are many and maine objections used against this his descent into hell Many but not so maine or indeed of any consequence to evince what they would or subject so plaine an Article of the faith so universally received and so fully confirmed by holy Scripture 27. They may be easily solved then They are and more pregnant places and proofs by farre produced to the contrary and in confirmation of the truth of the position evidently shewing them but in a manner falacies or captious and sophisticall argumentations 28. But many have infisted on them Yes and no point of doctrine almost never so sound but hath had many impugners no conceit so foolish but hath had many maintainers and upholders 29. It may be profitable to heare them Yes related and resolved since not once but so often stirred and agitated by uncircumspect and simple persons that have erred by them so to receive and have more full solution and to insist more firmly in the truth cleare foundation and though else it might seeme Camarinam movere to stirre up the stinke of some old heresie yet in this respect needfull to satisfie and recall the erring judgements of any missed by partiality or misinterpretation against the current and generally received doctrine of the Church and holy Scripture and such onely left to erre that are either 1. Lazie and will not seeke to know the truth and full satisfaction 2. Wilfull and bent to follow any by-way whatever evident proofe and reason able to satisfie any judicious evince the contrary of which overweening and wilfull spirits every age affording too much plenty and ours superabounding to the sowing and planting or replanting of many an ancient and later heresie 30. May we heare some of the principall objections then It is objected out of that Luke 23. 4. c. Father into thy hands I commend my spirit that therefore hee was not in hell but as a bare conceit scarce worth an answer as falling of it selfe for as by Gods hand his power and protection meant what place is free or out of the hand of God the Psalmist teacheth us as Psal. 139. 8. If I ascend to heaven thou art there if I goe downe to hell thou art there also if I take the wings of the morning and flye to the uttermost parts of the earth there also shall thy right hand hold me So our blessed Saviour in the words of the same Psalmist commendeth his Spirit into his Fathers hand or protection which he was also assured of whether in Heaven and Paradise and hell 31. How secondly It is objected out of that saying This day thou shalt be with me in Paradise spoken to the thiefe on the Crosse that therefore he was not in hell But the answer most plaine both that of Saint Augustine that he filleth all places Heaven Paradise and hell and no place free from his presence as before and so as he was God with him in Paradise or Heaven in regard of his divinity as in his Epistle 57. ad Dardanum Secondly his Soule and Spirit might both ascend into Paradise as was convenient and the same day to hell also for the manifestation of his glory or descending first and ascending after Ephes. 4. 9. as we see the excellent quick motions of the minde and soule and
for it and agreeing fully with it though else we need not desire this neither it being without it so fully by the former proofes demonstrated 41. Yet if said to what end did he descend or what needed his descent how is it to be answered Though curious questions and such as this seeking into Gods secret determinations need no answer but reproofe it being our duties to rest in Gods revealed will without presumptuous seeking into his secret counsels as many gracelesse ones use to doe to their owne perdition such curious devisers thereby giving evidence of want of grace by their immodest seeking and presumption yet because this being used for an argument to overthrow all is well and sufficiently with warrant as before of holy Scripture for confirmation of this truth and retorted to the overthrow of the opposers error it may have a ful and plenary answer and solution 42. How shew you this As indeed if no end why or no need of it they conclude no descent so whereas to good end and great good occasions then great and good need of such descent to hell and consequently that he descended The reasons why many alledged by many principally these 1. As some say to binde the divell and power of darknesse but if nescio or non plene intelligo be set here it matters not 2. To fetch soules thence dixere patres but non audeo dicere 3. To suffer as Flaccus Illyricus indignam Christo whose consummatum est had abundantly on the crosse finished all satisfactory sufferings and overcome the bitternesse of them 4. To triumph or in triumph even when at lowest to manifest his glory and power there by holy men is beleeved 5. To convince the disobedient in the dayes of Noah as Saint Peter shewes ante or any the like since condemned by their owne conscience and convicted by testimony of his presence such his preaching there to be understood 6. To convince the gainesayers and to condemne the unfaithfull then alive denying herein the mighty power of God and his word of truth able to doe all things especially what promised as in the signe of the Prophet Ionah they looke for signes but no signe shall be given but that of the c. So here spoken as it were Come ye despisers and wonder c. 7. Comfort of faithfull and assurance of salvation in the very Son of God to whom heaven open and grave sanctified hell vanquished with all her power of sin and death so no power against them with whom Christ is si Deus nobiscum quis contra nos and he is Emanuell God with us 43. Are those the reasons then They are and thus is our assurance sealed hee went to the dead yet alive to the damned yet blessed to hell yet reigneth in heaven since impossible that he should be holden of either grave or hell for the Grave opened and sanctified Death swallowed in victory Paines thereof loosed Hell it selfe vanquished the power thereof subdued and triumphed over and he that sanctified the grave by his presence opened hell by his power which he vanquished in the gates or strength of it thought else impregnable and made it the gate and way of life by his resurrection opened and entred heaven by his ascension 44. What to be learned hence Our duty of religious care and thankfulnesse that in the meditation and remembrance 1. Of his extreame passions and torments in soule suffered for us 1. It may be an Antidote against sin that caused such sufferings and so sore displeased God 2. A motive to hearty sorrow and repentance for sin committed so great anger and punishment 2. His descent may make us by contemplation of his great humiliation for us to humble our selves that comming even to the gates of hell often by our deepe humiliation repentance and sorrow out of those deepes calling unto the Lord he may heare us from his holy heaven and by the merit and in the vertue of Christs descent save us from the eternall prison 45. What followeth The fifth Article or that part of it that concerneth the exaltation of our Saviour and first degree thereof his resurrection in these words The third day he rose againe from the dead SECT 8. The exaltation of Christ in the five sixe and seventh Articles A farther Analysis of the five six and seventh Articles of the Creed and first of the resurrection and time and types thereof as well as prophesies and other observations concerning the same wherein farther thè efficiency and mighty power by which it was wrought and performed and divers Types as of Adam Enoch Eliah and divers others are showne and remembred with some necessary lessons to be thence learned and uses to be made of the same The second degree of his exaltation in his ascention wherein the order and manner of it prophesies concerning reasons and end of it observed together with the time and divers apparitions of his before the time reasons of them and no lesse divers types thereof as Enoch Moses and Eliah prefiguring the excellency of it as wherein his triumph over death was most apparantly seene and shewne when he gave gifts to men even his holy Spirit and graces and the use to be made and fruit hence to us arising the the third degree of his exaltation in his session at Gods right hand in glory with the maner or figure of that speech declared and how it is to be understood with the distinction of it from the former and how great is that excellency of that his estate of glory and majesty and what we are to learne from the same 1. VVHat is the exaltation of Christ As his humiliation was his descent from his glory and humbling himselfe even to death and hell for our sinnes and to our salvation so this exaltation is his raising himselfe in the power of his divinity from death and hell to life and the height of glory for our happinesse and justification 2. What herein considerable That as by divers degrees he humbled himselfe from glory to the depth of humility so here by divers degrees from the lowest humility he ascended againe to the highest state of glory and as he came from heaven to earth so now he ascended from earth to the highest heaven 3. In what degrees seene In his resurrection as in this fifth Article the third day he rose againe from the dead In his ascension and session in glory in the sixth Article he ascended c. In his returne to judgement with power and great glory in the seventh Article from thence he shall come c. 4. What to be considered in the Resurrection 1. The time the third day 2. The action he rose againe from the dead Why the third day In Remembrance and regard of the Trinity in whose power he arose Conveniency of the time Foretelling and Prophesie Type of it Jonah 5. How conveniency of the time Only then and no sooner that it might appeare he was truely and
us to 1. Observe and watch against the Divell world flesh and their temptations 2. To shut the corporall and spirituall eyes and senses against the baits of sinne and temptations of Satan and take heed especially of most dangerous sins as presumption despaire oblivion c. II. Of defence taking the whole armour of God Eph. 6 13. the 1. Shield of faith 2. Helmet of salvation 3. Sword of the Spirit 4. The word of God 5. Breastplate of righteousnesse c. III. Of deliverance by Christ and taken hold on by faith and effectually applied proved in true repentance and humility whereby rest and peace to the soule 14. What is here then desired All things that may confirme and strengthen us in goodnesse and to the resisting and extinguishing of evill 1. As Gods graces both preventing subsequent persevering with us to the end 2. A illumination of our spirit to discern what is good 3. As stedfastnesse of â—aith and that spirituall armour to resist temptations and evill 4. As comfort of his Spirit unto us in this life by turning evill to good unto us in humiliation of us In making us more carefull In estranging our affections from sin In privation of power to sin In preventing herein eternall death 5. Patience under the crosse c. 6. Everlasting life and blessednesse hereafter 15. What prayed against 1. Against sollicitation to sin in any degree as evill suggestion counsell consent delight c. 2. Against disertion and forsaking of God or his forsaking and leaving us 3. Against sin it selfe and the adjuncts of it oblivion of God presumption obduration despair 4. Against grievous and long afflictions and calamities 5. Against sudden death or strange and fearfull death or dangers and trialls 6. Against everlasting death and hell and our arch enemy the Divell 16. What expressed in the letter 1. The deprecation against all leading into temptation or evill 2. The Petition for deliverance from evill sin temptation 3. The intercession for others as well as our owne deliverance from evill defence against temptation 17. What intimated I. A confession of Gods power graces and free Spirit that is able ready and willing to aid us Our weaknesse and frailty ready to be tempted and overthrowne of evill Our duty to seek to him for his graces and so decline temptation and evill II. A thanksgiving and praises for 1. His graces we have had experience of Assistance in temptations and giving a happy issue to many of them 2. Many deliverances of us and others and that full deliverance the Saints enjoy 3. Our hope of full deliverance being freed from sinne hereafter in life everlasting 18. How summe you it up together in order 1. Our confession of Praises to God that he is only our Lord and Redeemer powerfull and able and willing and ready to deliver Our weaknesse that we poore creatures subject to many temptations and calamities Our duty therefore O Lord we looke to the hills whence our helpe and defence 2. Our Petition that thou O Lord wilt be a Tower of defence our Castle and defendor from temptation our deliverer from evill 3. Our intercession to him to deliver Israel from all her sinnes 4. Our deprecation against all the wicked men and instruments of the Divell temptations c. All evill remove O Lord lying lips and a deceitfull tongue and a heart that is froward all ungodlinesse and wrong all evill c. 5. Our thanksgiving and praises for our selves that have received many graces deliverances and best things as faith c. Others with us and bewayling our unfaithfulnesse and forgetfulnesse Our blessed hope of Saints that thou givest us and life everlasting promised The happinesse that thy Saints enjoy in thee O Lord eternally SECT 7. The Conclusion The conclusion with the reason and Analysis of the same wherein is shewed what is to be understood by Kingdome power and Glory so in their eminency excellency heere taught to him to bee ascribed and are now and ever shall be by all creatures most certainely to all eternity to be attributed which may teach all Kings Princes and Potentates as well as all other the aithfull and servants of God how zealously they ought to remember to set forth his glory in which conclusion the whole prayer seemes epitomized and included in assurance and confidence of which our zealous and faithfull prayers and praises as else diversly and for good respects used and here explicated as added Amen 1. VVHat is the conclusion added For thine is the Kingdome power and glory for ever and ever Amen whereby we acknowledge God both able to doe all hee will and willing to doe all for his glory which only we desire in all the Petitions and therefore in assurance to be heard in our just desires we say Amen 2. Why is it added As a very fit conclusion to prayer in the forme of praise and thanksgiving to him for so we acknowledge him the only powerfull King worthy to be praised and that there is no end of his greatnesse and honour and withall intimate our desire of his honour and that glory unto which all things are directed as to their end and it selfe without end even for ever and ever we give thanks for our and others good in it included and rejoyce in the same in that hope and assurance resting confident of his favour as our God and King as well as Father in Christ and in that desire of his glory thus conclude the thanksgiving and praises againe with prayer saying So be it 3. What herein contained A most firme reason of our faith and assurance as well as thankfulnesse drawne from 1. The object or matter ascribed Kingdome power and glory 2. The action or ascribing it Thine is the Kingdome power and the glory 3. The circumstance of the eternity of it for ever and ever certainty of it Amen 4. How a reason of our faith and assurance For that he whom we pray unto is so great and powerfull and glorious a God and King as to whom both 1. All Kingdome Power and Glory over all is due and to be ascribed 2. It is ascribed by all tongues and hearts both of men and Angels 3. It is ever and shall be acknowledged either by the good to their comfort or others to their condemnation 4. It is so certaine as truth it selfe for he hath said it that will doe it who is Yea and Amen 5. How a reason of our praise and thanksgiving Because who is more worthy to receive praise and thanksgiving then this our God whose Kingdome power and glory is so established in the heavens and whole truth endureth for ever in heaven 6. What meant by Kingdome His dominion and government absolute over and above all both generally in the world Specially over his Church in grace glory as in the second Petition more amply expressed 7. What his power His Almightinesse able to doe all that he pleaseth That we can desire That shall be good
is of the power and by the finger of God effected so every evill thought word and act the workes of the Divell perpetrated by his lend agents and instruments 41. In the second place what meane you by the wicked world All that is not of God produced in the world viz. all the corruptions and as it is called the covetousnesse and concupiscience and pompes and vanities of the same 42. But are not these the workes of the Divell Yes and so with him and in him considered as the author in the world as the subject place and matter where seene and acted in the slesh as the agent and instrument the Divell useth in effecting them 43. VVhat is meant by pompes All unnecessary proud and superfluous excesses in the world exceeding that Christian measure and moderation becomming the servants of God whether in meat drink apparell or other vaine ostentation 44. Are all pompous showes pageants and solemnities then unlawfull By no meanes if within measure and moderation prescribed in comparison of the estate or persons to whom they appertaine 45. How meane you that All the solemnities in the publique service of God fitting the magnificence of him and his Temple all ornaments of estate belonging to King Magistrate City or University for the better administration of the government of the Church and Common-wealth all ensignes of honour and the like on lawfull and honest occasions used and worne Publique triumphs and shows in honour of Prince Countrey City or Common-wealth or any member thereof by law of God and man approved and allowed or for some good end ordained 46. VVhat doe these profit To the well and orderly government and apparant honour and decency of Church and Common-wealth yea to the advancement of vertue and so encouragement of good and vertuous mindes 47. How may it be By the fitting splendor and glory of Gods House the Kings Court City or University eminently advanced in such manner testifying the flourishing estate and prosperity of the same which every good man is glad to behold 48. Doe any envy them this If any doe as loath either Kingly Courtly or other robe of decent ornament should exceed the size of the Millers or Weavers jacket that may be apparantly seen such more precise then wise little respect the decency and comelinesse fitting a well ordered estate the honour of God and his Church or Majesty of the Prince 49. What is then here renounced Unnecessary proud vaine and superfluous pompe beyond those rules of decency ornament or honour by law and wisdome prescribed 50. VVhat are the vanities of the world All these superfluous excesses and whatsoever else savoureth of the nature of sin which is vaine 51. How is sin vaine As empty of all goodnesse and making the soule empty of grace and worse then nothing so both vaine the use not satisfying and in the end extreame vanity and vexation of spirit 52. How saith the wise man all is vanity In two respects 1. As all things in the world are but momentary and soone fading 2. As they are too much infected with sin the just sinning seven times a day and so all his actions and all things else even vanitie of vanities 53. VVhat are the sinfull lusts of the flesh Our homebred corruptions our sins and lusts traitours to our selves and owne soules by which the Divell working taketh us his captives and so we become servants to sin and him whom by his meanes we obey 53. VVhat meane you by the flesh The worse part of man the house of clay the body of death or prison of the soule as rebellion against God 54 VVhat the lusts All evill concupiscence tyrannizing over the soule by the meanes of the flesh so drawing both captive to sin and death 55. How sinfull lusts 1. By the subtilty of the Divel suggesting them 2. By the maliguity of the world fostring them 3. By the frailty of the flesh breeding them And by whom the soule infected the whole man becommeth exceedingly sinfull if we doe not resist and strive against them 56. How are we to resist them By faith and continuall and hearty prayer to God to give us his grace whereby it commeth to passe the life of a good Christian is a continuall warfare or combat against these three spirituall enemies fighting against the soule the Divell the World the Flesh. 57. In the second place how is faith here described By beleeving all the Articles of our Christian confession 58. VVhich are they Expressed hereafter in the Creed 59. VVhom doe they concerne God and his Church whereof we are made visible members of the baptisme so received into that society 60. VVhy doe we professe or learne them That we may know God and our owne estate 61. VVhat of God How he is a most powerfull eternall wise glorious and gracious God and our Creator and father in Jesus Christ. Redeemer delivering us from all our enemies Sanctifier comforting and preserving us in all our necessities 60. VVhat of our selves That though by nature we are sons of wrath in Adam yet in Christ adopted sons and made members of the Catholique Church and communion of Saints have blessed hope of forgivenesse of sins resurrection of the body and life everlasting 61. To what end are we taught this That we may both conscionably Learne Know Professe Promise Practise our Christian duties the better 62. How so By ordering our selves as the servants of so great and good a God and applying our selves to his worship and obedience as becommeth Saints 63. In the third place then how is obedience here decyphered That generall duty of ours is set forth 1. By the universall diligence in keeping and observing 2. By the universall object of this diligence the will and commandements of God 3. By the universall countenance of this diligence all the dayes of our life c. 64. How followeth it in this place As a fruit of faith whereon it dependeth for if we know God as we ought we cannot chuse but serve and obey him 65. How is this duty commended In that obedience is better then sacrifice 66. VVhy so preferred Because by sacrifice we offer but the flesh of Lambes Bullocks or other Cattel by obedience we offer our owne selves soules and bodies to God as a living holy and acceptable sacrifice mortifying and subduing our corrupt affections to the will of God 67. How is our diligence in this duty described By keeping and walking in or observing the Commandements and will of God 68. VVhat meant by keeping Our will and desire to Seeke into Learne to know Remember Lay up in our hearts Ponder consider That holy wil of God his Commandemēts 69. How to walke and observe them To direct our wayes and words and workes and counsells thoughts and hearts according to the same 70. VVhat the object or matter here named The will and Commandements of God his holy Lawes 71. VVhat is the will of God Our holinesse and sanctification in body and
for some temporary or other respects more servent and faire in outward appearance to the world then the weaker faith though a true faith of the elect but for the most part discovered at last by the want of the Root love Fruit good workes Continuance to the end 37. How may wee know the true though weake faith By many good signes in ones selfe longing after God and proficiency in grace and especially by this one grace of God of unfained desire not onely of salvation which the wicked and gracelesse may desire but of reconciliation with God in Christ. 38. Is this a true signe of true faith It is and onely peculiar to the elect proceeding out of a touched and humbled heart for sinne and whosoever have it have in themselves the ground and substance of true and saving faith which afterwards may grow to greater strength and so Blessed are they that hunger and thirst c. Matth. 5. 6. 39. How many wayes may faith be weake Either by want of due Knowledge of the Gospell Application to the soule Though in that measure of knowledge that may else seeme sufficient 40. How is it to be strengthened By using diligently the meanes appointed of God the Word and Sacraments so humbly walking before God it is knowne to bee a true faith and daily encreased 41. What is a strong faith That whereby a man so apprehendeth and applieth the promises of God in the Gospell that hee can distinctly and truly say of himselfe hee is fully resolved in conscience that hee is reconciled to God in Christ and so not neglecteth to finde all godly signes and shew the fruits of the same in his cheerfull service of God 42. Js there any faith perfect No for howsoever it may be strong and stronger then others yet it is alwayes imperfect and requiring encrease and confirmation for which we must pray and strive for so also our knowledge is and will bee so long as wee live in this world as mingled with ignorance unbeleefe and sundry sorts of doubting 43. Have not all sorts of saving faith their fruit following Yes according to their degrees more or better all in some acceptable degree obedience to the will of God and willing profession of the truth and more particularly confession of the faith of Christ. 44. Why must we confesse it For divers reasons these especially that 1. With the mouth outwardly confessing wee may glorifie God and doe him service both in body and soule 2. By confessing of the faith we may sever our selves from all false Christians hypocrites and seducers whatsoever 3. We may incite confirme and strengthen others in the same 45. Js there any other acceptation of this word faith It is sometimes taken for the doctrine of the truth as 1 Tim. 3. 9. and 4. 1. as well as that habit or Theologicall vertue thence and by the gift of God produced in the minde of which wee spake before also where a dead faith false and fained faith hypocriticall faith and the like they are understood to be want of faith or a temporary onely or historicall faith as faith to be healed Matth. 8. under faith working miracles 1 Corinth 18. of all which before 46. What is else necessary to be knowne concerning faith To observe the causes and effects of this true faith 47. What causes The Efficient cause matter form and end of this true faith how wrought and formed in us 48. What efficient cause Either principall or instrumentall What principall God 1. The Father Ioh. 6. 29. this the work of God that ye beleeve in him whom he hath sent 2. The Son Heb. 12. 2. the author and finisher of our faith Jesus 3. The holy Ghost 2 Cor. 4. 14. the Spirit of faith and former of it in us without our preparation or workes 49. What the instrumentall cause The word of God and Sacraments and comfortable learning and using of them What the matter of faith In respect of the Subject Understanding to apprehend Will to assent and apply Conscience to make use of the promise and grace of God Object referred to the 1. Understanding the truth of Gods promise 2. Will grace of God manifested in Christ. 3. Conscience joy and comfort in the holy Ghost 50. What is the forme of faith 1. To beleeve or to seeke to apprehend and know the mercies of God with our best understanding 2. Receive and apply to our soules the free mercies of God in Christ with our whole heart and will 3. Make use of it in our conscience to the Purging and rooting out of dead workes and sin Bringing forth good workes fruits of a living faith 51. What the end of faith In regard of God his glory in his mercies Us our justification by his free mercies in Christ. 52. What is justifying or our justification To be Discharged before God of our guilt Approved before him free and innocent Accepted of God and allowed his favour and presence 53. Doth faith doe this Faith is said to doe it as the instrument whereby we apprehend apply and take benefit of Christ and his merits the very originall and principall cause of this as in whom only and alone we are Discharged and acquitted Approved innocent and accepted God is well pleased and reconciled 54. But Saint James saith we are justified by workes Saint James doth not there speake of our justification as the cause whereby we are justified inwardly before God which is only faith in Christ but of the outward justification as the testification approving thereof to our consciences to the world that we have faith seen by the fruits thereof 55. What of the distinction of generall and speciall explicite and implicite faith Generall and implicite faith are indeed no faith or not true faith explicite and speciall may be as they may be rightly understood the same with our faith and the saving and true faith 56. What are the effects of faith Many or at least by many names stiled and called in holy Scripture and may be reduced to These two 1. Putting off the old 2. Putting on the new Man or this one word encluding both repentance 57. How else called or described Either Workes of the Spirit Gal. 5. 22. death to sin and life to righteousnesse Rom. 6. walking not in the flesh but the spirit Rom. 8. Renewing the minde Ephes. 4. 22. True holinesse and righteousnesse ibid. 23. A new creature Gal. 6. 15. Generally good works Jam. 2. Tit. 2. c. 58. But if these workes doe not justifie us what need we doe them and why For divers reasons especially these 1. Because they are good and so to be done 2. They are for the glory of God and his Gospel and nothing more against God then the works of sin 3. They are to the good of the Church and faithful 4. They testifie our faith James the 2. 5. They confirme our election Jo. 4. 12 13. 6. They win others to the Gospel 1 Pet. 3. 7. They
and mercy to our consolation 5. Thankfull expression of praise both in word and deed life and actions for this his admired mystery and meanes of our redemption 41. What followeth in the Creed The other parts of his humiliation in his passions and sufferings death buriall and descent to the grave and hell in the following foure and five Articles SECT 6. The second degree of Christs humiliation in the fourth Article The Analysis of the fourth Article In his passion and the maine parts thereof His sufferings and obedience to the Law and thereby to death for us that by our transgressions of it had so deserved and by whose death and performance of it or obedience both active and passive we are freed if we study and strive with our best endeavours to performe the same whence our chiefest comfort ariseth As by whose stripes we are healed The many degrees and processe of whose sufferings and continuall travels labours and contumely that he throughout his whole life and especially at his death a little before it for our sakes endured and under-went are here in order described as also the most bitter potion or cup of his Fathers wrath his bloody passions with all those remarkeable ciroumstanstances agony betraying unjust judgement crowning with thornes buffetting reviling and lastly crucified that night shamefull and ignom nious death wherein how much more excellent his soul so much more sensible of misery and exquisite his torments of both soule and body though death by his death destroyed and by his buriall our graves as it were opened and our rest or sleepe ther sanctified and so we learne to sorrow for sin that caused such his hitter sorrow and sufferings yet comforted in his death that destroyed death and opened to us the gate of glory 1. VVHat is the fourth Article He suffered under P. Pilate was crucified dead and buried 2. What is hereby expressed The manner of his many sufferings he suffered in his life at his death His humiliation to death buriall under Ponce Pilate dead and buried 3. What is therein briefly then to be observed The second degree of his humiliation and therin two things especially 1. Intimated his perfect obedience to the whole Law in undertaking the performance and curse for us 2. Litterally laid downe his sufferings 4. VVhat obedience Perfect and absolute obedience which all ought to performe hoc fac vives or else cursed every one that continueth not in all these Lawes to doe them 5. How is this part of his humiliation for us In that hee not onely descended from heaven and was incarnate for us conceived and borne and so fitted in the forme of a servant to performe these things for us but was also actually obedient to the Law performing it and all righteousnesse whereby man fulfilled the Law and which is more suffered the penalty due for our delinquencies and by it was made sin for us that we might be the righteousnesse of God in him 6. How did he fulfill the Law In performing what was required and written both in the Law and the Prophets Math. 5. 17. 7. How in the Law 1. All the whole Ceremoniall Law concerned either the service and honour of God the types of him and his sacrifice Math. 15. 17. us to performe and so himselfe as Luke 2. 21. circumcised and offering gifts Lepers as every one of us Luke 1. 2. c. Math. 26. 2. Morall Law in most exquisite love to God and his neighbour all mankinde his brethren for whom he laid downe his life and what greater love 3. Judiciall did wrong no man nay even required not his owne but gave to Caesar what was Caesars and to God the things c. and over and above himselfe for others good 8. How in the Prophets What ever was written by them in exposition of these Lawes or of him and signified in types to be performed by him so he performed all righteousnesse Math. 3. 9. Were we bound to the performance Yes of the whole Morall Law and so much of the residue as were branches thereof seene in the other and pertaining to the service of God or justice to our neighbour 10. But are we now freed From the curse and servility thereof not from the duties and performance for wee are freed from the curse or bondage and feare to be in love with joy a people studious of good workes 11. But hath not Christ performed it for us Yes if wee strive to shew our selves obedient and willing to doe all righteousnesse and so it is Rom. 8. 4 he hath fulfilled the Law for us but with this limitation if we walke not after the flesh but the spirit that is who are willing to be righteous and keepe the Law though not for our weaknesse able 12. How of them that strive not to keepe it He hath done nothing for them for they walke not after the Spirit so if they be sonnes of Beliall without grace not seeking to walke godly or securely thinking or presuming Christ hath done all for them and therefore they seeke to doe nothing to their cost they will finde Christ hath nothing for such gracelesse and secure ones but hath done these things only for his faithfull ones 13. The doctrine then of faith destroyeth not good workes No but confirmeth the godly to goe on more cheerefully in good workes since there is is a reward for such godly and though the worthinesse of them and acceptablenesse be of the power of faith and in Christ yet as God is thereby more glorified so by them a more abundant reward when the ungodly or they that want them shall find none or only the miserable reward of iniquity 14. We are then bound to doe them Yes but to looke for the perfection and sweetning of them to our soules and assurance from him that they are made worthy and acceptable by faith and his most preceious blood 15. What comfort herein That there is help laid on one that is mighty and able to performe and so if we be willing though not able to performe all righteousnesse hee hath done it for us yea and borne all our transgressions 16. How is that In that second part of fulfilling the Law his sufferings for sin and bearing the punishment both in body and soule due to all our offences 17. What were his sufferings Of two sorts 1. Generally all those miseries in the flesh sustained for our sakes even in his infancy childehood and before his manifestation to Israel 2. Especially those grievous ones suffered 1. after his manifestation 2. immediately before and at his death 18. Which of the former sort 1. In his infancy the common miseries in his infancy which as the rest considered in regard of his excellency of person so much more eminently perspicuous 2. Persecution raised by Herod so soon as born in pretence of worship seeking his blood and slaying so many infants not sparing his owne childe that it was said and verified better be
arguments retorted on themselves and other scisenatiques and Heretiques or misbeleevers but showne more strengthning and confirming our present assertion with the use to be made of the same 1. VVHat is the last degree of Christs humiliation His descent into Hell expressed in these words He descended into Hell which some annex to the former as included in them others to the following words as a preparation to the consideration of his resurrection from the dead some repute it a distinct Article 2. How is it then interpreted After divers manners and so consequently as diversly understood so variously referred 3. Whence growes this difference From the divers significations and interpretations of this word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 used in the Hebrew and more Easterne Churches as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Greeke Church 4. What is the Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 It signifieth either the Grave or Hell and so divers times either way accepted and used 5. What is the Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 By it also signified the Grave and Hell and no lesse the estate of the departed indifferently whether good or bad to joy or torment 6. How many severall interpretations are there then Six at the least deduced from this ground or difference 7. Which are they The first figuratively understood for the torments of soule and in his soule suffered at in and before his death the heavy anger of God against our sins which caused his agony and bloudy sweat and crying out Eli Eli c. even as it were the paines of hell being depraved of that solace which he was wont to finde in God as learned Doctor Field speakes l. 5. de Eccles. c. 18. 8. Which the second Literally understood of the place of the damned whither he is said to descend not to suffer any torments for consummatum est was said before and the worke finished of redemption and he assured the penitent thiefe This day thou shalt bee with me in Paradise but to triumph over the Divell and Hell conquered and for manifestation of his glory there and to the disobedient spirits to their greater torments and confusion 1 Pet. 3. 19. 9. Which the third Understood the lower parts or some places neare hell but not the hell of the damned where the Patriarchs or Saints before were supposed to abide not having full sight and fruition of God 10. Which the fourth Literally by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 understanding the grave to which his body descended 11. Which is the fifth Figuratively thereby understood in the phrase of the Greeke the estate of the dead 12. Which the sixth Figuratively also to signifie his stay in that state or the grave three dayes as it were the duration or permanency thereof 13. Which is the most approved interpretation The first and second as most consonant to the analogy of faith and expressed or allowed in the doctrine of our Church the others either exploded or impertinent 14. How the first approved For that it is most assuredly true that our Saviour felt most extreame torments in his soule that even the paines of hell after a sort gat hold upon him as the Psalmist and Prophet David speaketh when he sweat drops of bloud and that there needed an Angell from heaven to comfort him as Luc. 22. 34. and after cryed Eli Eli c. by the dismall apprehension of the heavie wrath of God and sorrowes endlesse due to us and lying so heavy on his soule which may further bee illustrated and proved by these reasons following 15. Which be they That such and so great sorrowes did seize on his soule appeareth in that 1. That with onely consideration of them hee was so troubled that he confessed My soule is heavie even unto the death and prayed those three times with that fervency Father if it be possible c. Mat. 26. 28. c. 2. His apprehension of the sorrowes caused these drops bloudy sweat and agony and so terrible griefe and trouble of soule that needed the Angell from heaven Luke 22. 42. c. 3. The feare of death so terrible was so apprehended that it wrested those prayers and supplications from him with strong cryings and tears to him that was able to save from death whereby he was heard in that hee feared Heb. 5. 7. which shewes the greatnesse of the trouble of his soule 4. So wonderfull was that feare he was surprised withall when he suffered that hee cryed Eli Eli c. and a second time and gave up the ghost that offering for sin 5. As he was more powerfull then all the Martyrs so he suffered more then all if all were put together from righteous Abel to this day 6. His soule being an offering for sin and soules having sinned and all the faithfull in him and their sins in his soule to be expiated and everlasting death due heavy indeed and grievous paines must needs take hold on him by which we delivered in his power though with extreame paines and sufferings 16. But what is the end thereof That howsoever insupportable by men and Angels or unutterable yet thereby perfectly redeemed both body and soule by passions both of body and soule in the power of his divinity that never left him not even in that agony passion and death when hee seemed to bee overcome whereby yet he became conqueror 17. This interpretation then of his descent into hell is approved of Yes though perabolically interpreting it yet as agreeable to Scriptures and the analogy of faith 18. How the second interpretation Literally true also as consorting with the plain text of Scripture words of the Creed and testimony of Fathers and expounded by our Church so in regard of his triumph over hell and Satan and manifestation of his glory there and to them to their greater terror torments and confusion as Saint Peter seemeth to intimate saying in the spirit hee went and preached to the spirits in prison which were disobedient in the dayes of Noah 1 Pet. 3. 19. 19. How of the third Exploded by our Church and holy Scriptures as that acknowledge no third place or state of soules departed but Heaven or Paradise the place of joy and hell the state of the damned 20. How the fourth As lesse pertinent or proper since thereby is only signified what was before expressed by hee was buried and so a tautology of buriall as to say He was buried and descended to the grave in effect but he was buried and he was buried 21. How the fifth A like impertinent interpretation and inferring A tautologie of death before expressed in that he was dead for what difference betweene he was dead and descended into the state of the dead 22. How the sixth Little other then the former for being in that state it importeth some stay and how long that was is declared in the words following The third day he rose againe from the dead 23. What then Catholiquely understood by his descent Either
fully dead he had fulfilled the law and curse 2. Later lest his Disciples faith might faile or comfort too long be deprived and their hope to be turned into despaire 6. How the Prophesies Both of Hos. 6. 2. After two dayes c. and the third day he shall rise Jonah 1. 17. and 2. 2. utged the 1 Cor. 15. 4. c. Christ himselfe Matth. the 17. 12. 23. The Son of man shall be slaine and rise againe the third day and Matth. 20. 10. Mark 10. 34 Joh. 2. 19. 7. How the type of Jonah As is declared Matth. 12. 40. as Jonah was three dayes and three nights in the Whales belly so must the Son of man be in the heart of the earth 8. What more considerable in the time That it was 1. The first day of the week the Lords day our new Sabbath the Christians rest the day whereon the creationbegun and the day of the second creation so by Christ perfected our redemption 2. Morning early the first time of the day so day of grace here begun and true light arise in it and enlighten it 3. Extraordinary light of the world as before the Sun rising to shew the new Sun of righteousnesse with his preventing graces riseth so for the illustration of the new world in that true light 4. The first Month with the Jewes as a beginning of the new yeare of joy and eternall Jubilee of all Saints 5. Spring of the yeare so the spring of the new world as the day spring from on high so the worlds new birth and spring in restoring peace and redemption 6. Time of the Passeover when to fulfill the Passeover the true Pascall Lambe was offered the ceremonies so to cease all shadowes abolished the truth it selfe appearing 7. Finally he rested the Jewes Sabbath to the fulfilling but end thereof at his death that brought new life to the Christian Church and Sabbath by his Resurrection What note you in that action his Resurrection The efficiency in the power of divinity whereby according to the decree and will of God his soule reassumed the body and raised it out of the grave The effect in him his body raised from death to life the first fruits of them that beleeve The effect in us spiritually our raising from the death of sin to the new life of grace Corporeally our assurance and earnest of our resurrection at the last to the strengthning of our hope and confirming of our faith The effect in Types thereof for our farther comfort and instruction 9. What was the efficiency The great power of the divinity united to his humanity and by that to us as his members to the raising of him the first fruits and us at last that though it suffered him to sleepe that three dayes death in his passion did not leave his body in the grave nor suffered that Holy One to see corruption and in the same vertue by his merits after our sleepe of death will at last raise us out of the dust 10. How the effect In both his humanity and by him over ours in the mighty power of the divinity and raised him first and so will us at the last 11. What Types thereof Not onely Jonas by those three dayes in the Whales belly representing the time of our Saviours stay in the grave and bosome of the earth but Isaac after a sort at his birth in the deadnesse of Sarahs wombe and Abrams age received from death and more at his binding for the sacrifice on Mount Moriah restored to life and a figure of this onely Sonne of God and Sonne also of Abraham Christ here offered in sacrifice on the Crosse and thus restored to life 12. What other Types were there Both Adam himselfe Enoch Elias and divers other types of him and Emblemes herein of him and of the resurrection 13. How was Adam Though in him we all dye yet whiles he was in the state of perfection see wee in him a type of Christ the second Adam and the resurrection who in a dead sleepe had the woman taken out of his side his spouse named Eva the mother of the living as Christ in this dead sleepe had out of his side sending forth water and bloud the Church his spouse taken as it were out of those wounds by his death who is the mother indeed of the living 14. How was Enoch As one that walked with God and so taken from men was no more seene but raised so to life from state of that mortality 15. How Eliah In that manner taken away from men and mortality by the chariot of God translated to heaven to have this part in the resurrection of the just and be an evident type of Christ and embleme of the same 16. How any others The three in the Old Testament raised to life the widowes sonne of Sarepta the Shunamites son and the man raised by the Prophets body The three in the New Testament Lazarus the widowes son of Naim Jairus daughter all as it were to shew us the power of God in them and so many emblemes of Christs resurrection who was so the seventh of them that were raised or tenth of them all that were types and emblemes of him and his resurrection as a perfect number as from whom they received all the holinesse vertues and power of the resurrection which they were ordained to foreshew as figures of the same 17. What learne we hence Our duties as of mortifying our earthly members in remembrance of his death so a rising from the death of sin in the remembrance and power of his resurrection who dyed for our sinnes and rose againe for our justification who will so raise our soules in this life as both bodies and soules after death at last and also many other comforts hence arising 18. Which are they 1. Both the strengthning and confirmation of our faith in the comfortable remembrance of Christs resurrection already performed and so many other Saints of our owne nature of flesh and bloud with him or emblemes of him 4. Erection of our eye of hope to the state whereunto hee our eldest brother is entred and hath already received and invested divers in life and the resurrection of the just 3. Comfortable walking in this vaile of misery where we must one day meet with death in regard of our assurance in him of a joyfull resurrection 19. What fruit hereof Fourefold 1. heavenly minde set on heavenly not earthly things 2. Holy life new borne babes pure innocent and harmlesse 3. Joy in the graces and Spirit of God and in heavenly not corruptible things 4. Growth and increase in holinesse as branches of the true Vine Christ c. 20. What followeth In the sixt Article the second degree of his exaltation in his ascension to heaven in these words Hee ascended into heaven 21. What herein to be considered 1. The matter action ascension termini from earth to heaven 2. The manner in the presence of many witnesses with the time and
11. and 12. Articles of the Creed concerning the Priviledges of the Church and first forgivenesse of sinnes by washing us in Christs blood covering of our sinnes and imputation of his righteousnesse to those that are his and none others we being not able to satisfie for our owne but needing God powerfully the Church ministerially to forgive them where faith in Christ is required the condition whence the use of much comfort and consequently the blessed hope of resurrection the second priviledge manner certainty and reason wherof are here observed taken from Gods justice equity and mercy As also farther illustrated by divers examples and similitudes presenting to us a shew of the resurrection so the order of it and excellent estate therein more amply expressed in respect of the godly and what good duties to be hence learned and what good uses to be made of the same Whence also consequently our joyfull hope of life everlasting The last Articls where life of joyntly of soule and body raised and united in joy unspeakable and endlesse in heaven is by that to be understood which is also called the union With God and fruition of the glorious Godhead and blessednesse eternal which is the life of Angels though the meanes or cause of it as Christ or the word sometimes figuratively called life and life eternall or as it may be inchoate herein in the kingdome of grace as consummato in glory whereas the contrary and estate of the damned not properly a life but death or ever dying life and so not mentioned in the Creed where onely the comfort of the godly intended the use they make and duty they ought o learne in seeking striving for it in assurancâ— of which their blessed faith and hope they say Amen 1. VVHat is contained in these three last Articles Three priviledges granted to the Church and not elsewhere to be found or attained each Article one viz. 10. Forgivenesse of sinnes 11. Resurrection of body 12. Life everlasting 2. What is forgivenesse of sins Gods passing by our sins without calling them to his remembrance to shame or punish us for them but on the contrariwise imputing righteousnesse to us and accounting and allowing us just 3. Wherein consisteth it In these two things the Covering or cancelling and discharging of sinne Imputation and gift of justice 4. How is the covering or discharging of sin In taking away both the spot and staine of guilt and consequently the removing all punishment 5. How is it done By washing our soules in Christs bloud purging them by his merits and drowning them in the sea of his infinite love and mercy and as wee are in Christ he beholdeth no staine in us hee seeth no iniquity in Iacob and the cause of sin removed punishment the effect and death eternall the due to sin must needs be done away 6. How the imputation of Christs justice and his merits As in him our sins done away so in him is justice given by putting on him and his robes of righteousnesse as we are in him part of that holy society the communion of Saints and members of the true Catholique Church 7. To whom is then forgivenesse of sins Onely to the true members of the Catholique Church for so to them that are in Christ thence is no condemnation because they are of that body and in him in whom God is well pleased and so to all others who are not in him what can bee expected but condemnation 8. Can we not satisfie for our owne sins How can we satisfie for sin that without him and his grace are not able to thinke a good thought and when our best workes in comparison of true holinesse are but as poluted and filthy clouts before him and when wee have done the most we can it is but our duty yea when the best we can we are but unprofitable servants where is then our merit of our selves or ability to satisfie for our misdeeds 9. Who forgiveth sin Onely God the Father Son and Holy Spirit who having power to make the Law have power to forgive the offence 10. How is the Church said or men to forgive sinnes The Church ministerially and that divers ways from God as by The ministry of the word procuring it by offering and ordering the doctrine of repentance and forgivenesse of sin and converting sinners to God The exercising the power of the keyes by Gods order and commission for the benefit of the Church to humble the soule The applying the same to the penitent and so in the power of Gods commission to give and pronounce absolution to the benefit and comfort of the soule desiring the same 11. How the keyes or power of them exercised In foro 1. Exteriori in facie Ecclesiae more publiquely in the sight of the Church to the reforming of offences and removing of scandals 2. Interiori conscientiae more privately to the comfort of the soule and quieting the conscience of the humble penitent 12. How men how doe they forgive Onely partially in regard of some part of some offences concerning them but God forgiveth to the truly penitent totally in respect of all parts of both guilt and punishment and fully whatsoever either the Church holily intendeth or men neglect or wilfully refuse to forgive if he please 13. How stands this with Gods justice As in justice even to the utmost satisfied in the sufferings of Christ and in mercy as he gave and accepteth him and in his merits for us 14. What is then required to forgivenesse of sins A lively faith in Christ whereby we apprehend him and his merits and perfections thereby applyed and made ours whence commeth true repentance forsaking sinne and cleaving stedfastly to God 15. What certainty of it Gods gracious promises in Christ effectually applyed and sealed to the soule by the ministry of the Church in the holy use of his Word and Sacraments 16. What learne we hence In this life seeking this priviledge in the Church 1. To make our calling and election sure in Christ. 2. To become truly a member of his so to have our sins forgiven 3. Obtaine peace of conscience thus and both with God and men 4. To disclaime our owne merits so in humblenesse crave and have Christs justice 5. To try our faith by our repentance and so by our assurance of forgivenesse and thus seeking we shall surely attaine it both from God and his Church and have peace with God and men 17. What followeth of this Resurrection of body as a consequent of forgivenesse of sins for as death entred by sin so sinne also taken away the punishment also to be removed which being of the body in part shall also in that part be dissolved at the last and the body raised 18. But how and when shall it be By the mighty power of God and in his word by the voice of his Angell and sound of his trumpet at the end of the world 19. How can this be Though wormes have eaten it or
and vertue thus comparative in respect of that name referred to his Attributes though otherwise usually accepted for his name 23. How are his attributes else showne By his appropriating or entituling himselfe to Israel or Israel to himselfe calling himselfe thy God O Israel and who brought the deliverance whereby he is not onely said the Lord or God but their Lord and their God their deliverer and defendor and as David speaketh the lifter up of their head 24. What learne we hence By that neare bond that we are obliged unto him so loving and good a God that calleth himselfe ours what should be our intimate affection duty and allegiance and how we should be his 25. But how doth this concern us As Israel was the true people of God the naturall vine and we the branches ingrafted in the same and so all true beleevers are in Christ the Israel of God as well as what was literally spoken of them is typically of the whole Church to be understood as is hereafter shewed 26. What the actions here Of deliverance from a most wretched estate and slavery into liberty and peace from all oppressors and oppression to worship and serve him so From Egypt and her proud King Pharaoh From Egypt and tyrannicall oppressors the Egyptians From Egypt and constrained Taske-masters of their owne Nation From Egypt and that house of bondage temporally and corporally of the bodies spiritually of the soules in danger of Idolatry and other abominations abounding there 27. How is this understood Literally of the Israelites so indeed delivered by the hand of Moses in the mighty power of God and mystically of all true Israelites in Spirit having many and mighty deliverances from all enemies spirituall and temporall by the hand of God and in Christ. 28. Who are the true Israelites in spirit All the faithfull engrafted into Christ and so the seed of Abraham who as many deliverances in body so more especially in soule are delivered by Christ out of The spirituall Egypt or Sodome of this world and her Prince the Divell wickednes and vanity and from her 1. Tyranny of sin death and hell 2. Oppressors and 3. Taske-masters 1. Of the Egyptians all externall Agents 2. Of the owne bloud evill lusts fighting against the Spirit House of bondage whether the Flesh and body of death house of clay that depresseth the Sipirit World wherein all wicked Agents and Instruments under the Divell their Prince threaten both spiritual and corporall and endanger us both in temporall and eternall bondage of sin and her punishments 29. What hence enforced As honour to this Lord and love to our God so all duties of love and thankefulnesse for these blessings and deliverances and in especiall obedience in all those respects to his Lawes As if Lord his honour and feare As if God his greatnesse and power As if our God and deliverer love and duty require our best respect reverence and obedience to his Lawes that doe so ensue 30. What else learne we from hence Gods mercy singularly manifested in thus dealing with us and those that are his to win us to grace and obedience our duty in following his example by all meanes to seeke how to procure our owne and others good to his glory 32. How his so especiall mercy In that in delivery of his Law and Commandements there he doth not onely shew what is good or his will and pleasing to him which is a favour and mercy or command it barely which he may doe with all authority in equity but much more seeketh by all meanes to allure us by his mercies favours and promises of life and goodnesse and putting us who are too forgetfull in minde of his many blessings and deliverances 33. What our duty hence For Ministers and all others to seeke by all meanes to bring themselves and many to God setting forth and calling to minde his manifold mercies and graces His goodnesse enforcing love of him His power and authority requiring obedience His excellencies winning honour and admiration His workes requiring reverent consideration His Law our meditation and best attention His deliverances binding us to all best duties of joy thankes praises and the like and that so what justice requires of duty may be performed towards him if possible with all sincere affection and good will 34. For what profit or to what end should wee doe this That by often and continuall meditations in his Law wee may know what the good and perfect will of God is who will so make it easie to us and us to understand wisedome secretly and the excellent and wonderfull things of his Law 35 How should we best understand his Law By seeking to know it in the internall meaning not so much according to the letter as in the intention and illumination of the Spirt for the letter seemeth sometimes dead but the spirit giveth life and as it is said holy Davids Psalmes ought to bee sung with his spirit or with the spirit and understanding to bee rightly used and so Saint Pauls writings to be read with his spirit to be truly understood so much more this holy writing the Law by Gods Spirit that endited it 36. VVhat rules or instructions have you for the better understanding of it There are certaine briefe rules and directions given for the right and true understanding of it or to guide the soule into due and orderly meditation of the things therein contained and may serve both Ministers in their interpretation and others in conceiving the true sense and interpretation or meaning thereof and where these come short of attaining this it is to bee further sought for by prayer in humility as from more speciall and internall illumination of Gods Spirit which can only bring the best knowledge of these things and contentation to the soule 37. Explaine this farther As required Davids spirit rightly to understand Davids Psalmes and Saint Pauls spirit or the Spirit of God rightly to conceive of Saint Pauls writings or holy Scriptures so for the spirituall and true understanding of the Law not onely according to the letter the letter killing or dead but the spirit giving life in the spirituall sense intending or comprehending all goodnesse here are further directions for such spirituall meaning required and as in law this one word the whole law and duty of man comprehended so in one word here not seldome to be seene in one vertue all the branches in one sinne all the kindes or what ever neere of kin comprised and therewith all signes meanes occasions and provocations to it so spiritually to be understood and by and with the vertue commanded and by and with the vice prohibited as well as by any vertue commanded the opposite vice and all his sequell discommended forbidden and by the vice or sin forbidden the opposite vertue and all of kin commanded and commended to bee embraced by our selves and all others in the Communion of Saints so there are such rules to this purpose
given for the right understanding and interpreting the Law whether to our conscience or the use and understanding of all others 38. VVhat rules are those Five principall that concerne the right and true understanding thereof to which some others secondary may be added for illustration VVhich are those five 1. That where any duty or vertue is commanded the opposite vice is forbidden é converso 2. Where any vertue or vice is commanded or forbidden there all of the same kinde are commanded or forbidden with it 3. Where any vertue or vice is so touched all signes meanes instruments occasions and circumstances of it are with it intended 4. Not only the outward actions but the whole man body and soule words thoughts and actions are hereby comprised 5. As we are a communion of Saints not onely to our selves but to all in our society to the uttermost of our power to further it these things are required and enjoyned 39. VVhy is it thus to be understood Because as the Law is spirituall and willing the sanctification of the whole man and whole society of mankinde and according to the direction of the Spirit the author giving life to the same diffusing it selfe to all and to the good of all in the amplest manner and so after the wisedome and meaning of that good Spirit that gave it penetrating and understanding all things to bee understood and interpreted it being that without this the bare letter killeth or is dead but the Spirit in the true full and spirituall meaning and intention giveth life 40. How explaine you the first rule The first where any duty or vertue is commanded there the contrary vice is forbidden and where the vice forbidden there the opposite duty is inferred or commanded whence doe grow in every Commandement 1. An affirmative part commanding the duty 2. A negative part forbidding the vice And hence that distinction of sinnes into sinnes of 1. Omission in omitting a good duty 2. Commission by committing of ill or vice 41. How the second Rule Under any particular vice all of that kind are forbidden and under any vertue all of that kind commanded even in the extremest degree so vertue required and commanded in the highest degree according to the rules of charity and portion of grace and vice in any degree forbidden whence unadvised anger is accounted murther and seeing a woman to lust after her adultery Matth. 22. 37. and so under those names forbidden 42. What of the third Rule Where any vertue or duties commanded or vice forbidden there also all meanes allurements signes and tokens of the same are likewise commanded or forbidden that so the graces of God may be sought for and shine forth to the glory of God and good example of all men Matth. 5. 16. and vices avoided and even all appearance and shew of evill 1 Thes. 5. 22. 43. What the fourth Rule That the effect of the Commandement concerneth not onely the outward actions of the body but the very inward dispositions of the minde for governing of the same Reasons of this are 1. The Law of God is perfect and so requireth perfect obedience both inward and outward even of the whole man 2. The Law of God is spirituall requiring not onely outward obedience in word and deed but inward also in soule and spirit in minde and heart where vertues are to be planted and corruptions rooted out 3. Our Saviour thus teacheth to expound the Law Matth. 5. 21 22 27. so also the first of John 3. 15. c. and divers other places 44. What the fifth Rule As we are of the communion of Saints vertues are to be procured and vices to be avoided not onely in our selves but also in others to our power whereby we are to instruct admonish comfort and encourage others in good to the edification of the Church and salvation of their souls and reprove disswade and if possible reclaime the evill so having no fellowship with the unfruitfull workes of darkenesse Eph. 5. 11. nor accessory to the offences of others 1 Tim. 5. 22. 45. May not these five Rules be contracted to a lesse number Yes perhaps reasonably well to three as thus 1. That where any vertue commanded the opposite vice forbidden è converso 2. That where any vertue so commanded or vice prohibited all of kin to them together with all signes meanes and occasions or circumstances with them to be understood and that not onely for the outward actions but whole man body and soule 3. Where either prohibition or command is it extends not onely to our selves but as we are a communion of Saints to the good of others to our power to care for helpe and further them the neglect of which is but in effect with Cain to expostulate with God Am I my brothers keeper whom we else kill whether by murther ill example or not saving him if what in our power wee doe not when he is like to perish And how were they five rules then before By dividing this second rule and in it under every vertue and vice 1. Observing the species and kindes in the breadth making that the second rule 2. The meanes occasions signes and circumstances for the third rule 3. The extent to the whole man body and soul intensivè for the fourth rule and so are five as aforesaid 46. What are the other secondary rules Some that are directed rather to the understanding of the difference of the natures and qualities of the offences or the differences of the Tables rather then the true understanding of the sense immediately and interpretation or meaning of the Commandement as the former rules did such are these 1. That every negative Commandment bindeth alwaies and at all times every affirmative onely alwaies but not so precisely to all and every particle of time 2. That the Commandements of the first Table are to be kept for themselves absolutely those of the second for the first 3. That though every sinne deserveth death eternall yet there is an imparity of sinnes and one offence may be greater then another in many respects 4. That the sinnes against the first Table simply and in themselves considered are more heynous then those of the second though such aggravation or respects else of extreme malice presumption infirmity or the like may ever ballance or much alter the same 5. That there is so neare a tye and relation between the Commandements that whosoever faileth in one is guilty of all as a breach of the whole Law in breaking that royall Law of charity and offending God the author of them all in contempt of his Majesty which five last rules as secondary and more concerning the difference of sinnes among themselves compared and arising from the difference of the Tables more shall bee said of them at the beginning of the second Table 47. What followeth here then next to be considered The first Commandement of the first Table immediately following the Preface in these words Thou
Mandate in the first words of the precept expressed Redoubled mandate in the next words of the explication of the precept but the seventh c. Example of God himselfe working the sixt resting the seventh day Reasons annexed of his so blessing this day other dayes with it and by it So sanctifying it to the holy use of his worship and service in it appointed so it is the whole scope of the Commandement from the first words of the memento remember to doe it to the last words the reasons rendred why so respectively commanded What followeth The fifth Commandement and first of the second Table as next to our duty to God expressing our duty to superiours SECT 7. The fifth Commandement The order of the fifth commandement first of the second Table and reasons of it with divers necessary rules for the better understanding or conceiving of the rest of the Commandement and differences of the two Tables as first of the affirmative and negative Commandements or parts of them compared Secondly of the ground of the duties of both Tables Thirdly of sinnes of divers degrees and imparity of offences Fourthly of sinnes of the first and second Table and Analysis of the same with the reason why the Commandements of the first Table have reasons annexed and not they of the second but this called the first Commandement with promise as nighest them and concerning those in whom is Gods image of authority The Analysis of this fifth Commandement with the parts or duties and opposite abuses therein intimated or expressed who are to be accounted fathers in what respects and what manner they are so and how diversly thereby distinguished with their general duties whereby to be worthy of honour hereby 〈◊〉 â—â—timatca of 〈◊〉 â—eriours and inferiours in gifts of minde or yeares in nobility and gentry in wealth and such externall matters the gifts of fortune in and good actions government and authority or private as Masters of families and their charge Parents and children and other the like Superiours and inferiours in the common and usuall oeconomioall or politick societies as of Tutors or Guardians and Pupills husband and wife their mutuall duties Masters and servants Governours in Colledges Schooles and any like societies or mysteries so of the Prelates and people or Preachers and their congregatiens Kings and Princes or Soveraignes and their subjects as under them the Magistrates and other the Kings Officers and the commâ—â— people with their severall duties and neglects thereof or enormities and vices opposite illustrated and explained where also in generall the duty of obedience in all lawfull commands in all singlenesse of heart and not with muttering and murmuring or other despitefull repirings and so in the duries in either side even all the vertues in a manner comprehended the reasons of the Commandment and promise of blessing in long life how to be understood and indeed when given of God though else a shorter life here so appointed by God no lesse to be accounted a blessing as well as the lands possession the good gift of the Lord. 1. VVHat is the fifth Commandement Honour thy father and thy mother that thy dayes may be long in the land c. 2. What is the order of it The first of the second Table as next to the honour of God importing our duty to superiours for good orders sake and better observation of the rest by their command as also this and all the Commandements of the second Table to be observed for the honour of God principally and in respect of the first Table according to the rules aforesaid manifesting the difference of the second Tables and Commandements among themselves and the dependancy of this 3. What rules were they 1. That every negative Commandement bindeth alwaies and at all times every affirmative only alwaies but not so precisely to all and every particle of time 2. That the Commandements of the first Table are to be kept for themselves absolutely those of the second for the first 3. That though every sinne deserveth death eternally yet there is and may be imparity of sins in many respects 4. That the sinnes against the first Table simply and in themselves considered are more heynous then those against the second though such aggravation or respects else of extreme malice presumption or infirmity or the like may over balance or much alter the same 5. There is so neare a tie and relation between the Commandements that whosoever faileth in one is guilty of all As that it is indeed a breach of the whole Law An offence against the royall Law of charity the intent and sum of all An offence against God the author of them all A contempt of his Majesty and command 4. What the meaning of the first rule That the negative commandement or negative part of the Commandement is at all times and every particle of time to be observed as not to deny God or set up any false gods abuse his holy name prophane the Sabbath dishonour parents commit murder adulterie stealth or other offence forbidden at anytime but all time and every and the least particle of time must be free from offence or the commandement is broken and in it the whole Law though the affirmative part or duty commanded is broken as honouring God or Parents observing the Sabbath or doing good actions cannot be performed at all times and every particle of time but at set and determinate times and occasions and that with some remission and relaxation as seene in sanctifying the Sabbath because of our weake nature requiring respitation so that as the Schoole phrase is the affirmative is semper but non ad semper the negative both semper and ad semper that is no minutes permission of the offence though some minutes relaxation of the duty may be necessity requiring 5. How the second rule explained That the Commandements of the first Table are meerly and absolutely to be observed for themselves and the love and honour of God in them commanded and who doth observe them but for fashion sake or worldly respects beforemen and to please others for feare of punishment or shame or the like doe mainly erre and offend and are guilty of sin though the action be performed but the Commandements of the second Table are to be observed for conscience of the first Table commending the love of God to us and the love of our neighbour for Gods sake whose image wee are and who do observe the Lawes of the second Table for the praise of men more then the love of God or of morality onely and to bee like dealt with againe and friendly to those deale friendly with them as Publicans and sinners doe the like though the action be done are farre from the performance or duty of the Commandement required to be done for the love of God 6. How the third rule explained That though eternall death be the wages of sin as an offence against the infinite Majesty of God
his truth if he bid thee so end thy forrowes he is a liar for it is to god from temporall to eternall sorrow if he say thou must commend thy soule to God and die so he is a liar and if it were good he would not tell thee so for it is to die in murder and going from God and a murder of soule and body and that everlastingly so only flie to Gods mercy and leave sin and Satan and if thou pray for this he cannot come nigh unto thee nor hurt thee 40. But some as Lucretia have been commended for it for preservation of chastity or vertue It may be so by heathens that know not God but not by Christians who know Gods Law and the damnablenesse of the crime and so Saint Augustine sheweth this Lucretia's vice in this though by the heathens commended for a vertue whose chastity was to be admired but selfe-murder to be discommended lib. de Civitate Dei 41. What sorts of selfe-murder Either 1. Body and life naturall by 1. Omission and neglecting of the means of life for niggardlinesse or starving through idlenesse or not using other lawfull means of preserving the same 2. Commission of ill in prejudice thereof by 1. Sins of drunkennes whoredome or excesse imparing health 2. Thrusting ones self in danger therewith quarrelling c. and 3. Contriving their owne death 1. Indirectly by coÌ„mitting some capitall crime worthy death 2. Being their own butchers murderers 2. Soul by 1. Omission in the neglecting the means of salvation c. 2. Commission in 1. Making no conscience of sin but sinning against conscience and knowledge 2. Persisting in sin without grace or repentance 4. What opposite duty required Seeking all ordinary and honest means of preservation of life and health by moderate recreations of body or minde physicke and avoiding dangers or sins so distempering both body and soule and finally for the souls health seeking the means of salvation flying sin and praying and practising repentance 43. What in other murder else to be considered The person as well as the matter manner and punishment 44. What of the persons The 1. Murderer whether 1. Principall or 2. Accessory 2. Murdered whether 1. Stranger or near of kin 2. Private person or publick 3. Offender or innocent person whereby the guilt is diversly distinguished and so accepted extenuate or encreased 45. How the principall or accessory I. The principall as prime agent the deepest in offence II. The accessory also murderers if abettors or counsellours whether 1. Superiours by 1. Unjust command 2. Wrongfull sentence 3. Not punishing murder but coâ—niving at one to the perpetration of other 2. Any others by 1. Consent and abetting 2. Counsell or hiring 3. False testimon 4. Treachery c. 46. What the other respects As 1. the parricide or murderer of father brother or near kin more abominable then the ordinary homicide Secondly the regicide or murderer of superiours or them in authority as of servants their Masters or wives of husbands or private persons of publicke accounted treason or petty treason in the lowest degree more abominable then common murder Thirdly the murder of an innocent person more then of an offender and proscribed or condemned person who is yet to be put to death by the person and manner appointed by law and not at randon by any person which were murder but done according to law is not only not evill but good and just 47. How is it said to be good and just As warranted both by divine and humane law when bloud requiring bloud God commanding that who sheddeth mans bloud by man shall his bloud be shed and who so blasphemeth or obey not the Father Deut. 21. 8. 19. 20. or the voice of the Priest Dent. 17. 12. the Sabbath breaker adulterer ravisher and divers other in Gods Law and such exorbitant offences by humane lawes commanded to be punished by death and so the Magistrate beareth the sword not for naught Rom. 13. 4. 48. All taking away life is not then here forbidden No for hence are exempted and excepted all those persons and in all those cases where the Lord himselfe 1. Giveth the sword Of justice as the Magistrate who beareth it not for naught In lawfull battel as the souldier for their Prince or Countrey In just defence as of ones selfe against theeves robbers or other necessity 2. Offereth another as manslaughter by meere chance and not of any malice or anger for whom God provideth refuge of sanctuary Exod. 21. 13. Deut. 19. 4. 49. How of Moses Phinees and the like Of speciall instinct and commission from God in extraordinary manner and if private men yet of heroicall or divine zeale but Christians must follow ordinary rules and examples not speciall exceptions or imitations of extraordinary actions 50. What else of the matter or manner Murder or the taking away the life the greatest wrong that can be done to man and defacing of Gods image is either in respect of The 1. Meanes perpetrated 1. Directly by force and violence 2. Indirectly by Poyson Witchcraft or the like 2. Manner and motion 1. Ones owne accord and that of 1. Maliceprepensed 2. Blind zeale 3. Heat choler 4. Drunkenness or other passioÌ„ 2. Another as 1. Commanded 2. Counselled 3. Hired c. to doe it 51. What the punishment Bloud for bloud usually and in some fearfull manner also according to the aggravation of the offence so that who spilleth mans bloud by man shall his bloud be spilt it being a crying sinne as Cains murder Abels bloud crying to heaven for revenge Gods judgement shewing it selfe many times in extraordinary manner revealing the murderer and presenting him to be punished as by the dead body sometimes the bloud or the murderers owne conscience 52. Why so severe punishment Because it is even 1. A destruction of the little world the Microcosme of man 2. Defacing of Gods image betwixt which and clipping the Kings coin wherein is his image yet death for it there is no comparison 3. An encroaching upon Gods office whose onely right to call men when he please out of the world 4. The greatest sin against man that can be unlesse murder of his soul which also is punished like as this bloud for bloud soule for soule so the bloud of soules is required at their hands and lyes heavy in their heads that destroy them 53. How is soule murder understood Either in respect of the life I. Naturall an unjust grieving and vexing of a mans soule II. Spirituall by first omission of duties of 1. Governours Ministers Masters to whom belongeth the guiding care and 2. Instruction of others for their soules health and salvation Second commission in being cause of sinne and offence as by provocation counsell evill example c. 54. What duties opposite required Both preservation of life and preventing so much as possible all meanes of hurt both in ones selfe and others with helping and not hindering our owne and others
childbed or any other sicknesse 16. VVhat the opposite of this 1. Both incontinency in single life or widowhood 2. Breach of wedlocke 3. Using the mariage bed First immoderately and lustfully Secondly immodestly without shamefastnesse or honesty Thirdly unseasonably at forhidden times 17. VVhat meanes of preserving chastity to bee observed I. Either generall 1. Prayer for continency as the gift of God 2. Keeping company with sober and chaste persons II. Speciall preservatives and remedies 1. Sobriety and moderation of delights 2. Temperance in diet 3. Diligence and painfulnesse in our callings 4. Vigilancy over our affections 5. Modesty in eyes and countenance Speech and behaviour Attire and gesture 6. Marriage it selfe the lawfull remedy if the other means faile provided that such as have not the gift of continency may marry and keep themselves undefiled members of Christs body 18. What opposite to this I. Both frequenting the company of unchaste drunken effeminate and wanton persons places suspected and infamed II. Intemperance in gluttony drunkennesse and the like III. Idlenesse and slothfulnesse IIII. Immodest 1. Eyes beholding unchaste or beautifull and wanton persons obscene pictures reading lewd bookes or playes 2. Countenance impudent and harlots forhead 3. Speech gesture and gate wanton mincing and dancing 4. Attire proud and excessive V. Unlawfull marriages vowes divorces either expresly and ipso facto adultery or the occasions and meanes of it 19. What signes of chastity to be noted Sobriety modesty and shamefaltnesse keeping good and chaste company and avoiding suspicious shew of evill which are both meanes and signes of chastity and so doubly worth the regard as on the contrary wantonnesse immodesty impudency haunting unchaste company suspected places and at suspected times both signes and meanes of unchastity 20. What duty of procuring or preserving others chastity The generall care thereof in all as occasion serveth and especially For parents to provide for their childrens honest bringing up behaviour and marriage For Magistrates to provide good lawes and due execution with severe punishments to represse uncleannesse 21. What the opposite hereof To be accessory or procurers of others unchastity as bawds the divells instruments to bring naughty packs together those that counsell consent hire or allure to uncleannesse or prostitute them whose chastity they ought or promised to protect and so Parents Magistrates or others that connive at such offence deny or forbid the remedy marriage or execute not due punishment against the offenders 22. What are the degrees in this sin 1. In this order the first means motives and all occasions of this sinne by gluttony drunkennesse intemperance or other meanes whatsoever 2. Motions of the heart whether with or without consent of the will so who seeth a woman to lust hath committed adultery Mat. 5. 28. 3. Outward appearance of evill in adulterous and unchaste eye and countenance tongue gesture attire c. 4. Fornication and the act of uncleannesse in any sort 5. Adultery and other the monstrous and unnaturall sins whose punishments ordinarily by divine and humane lawes is death and sometimes with more infamous aggravations thereof 23 How account you of the first degree As the high way to the foulest of the rest and therefore he that would avoid crying and great sins ought to make conscience of the smallest as occasions draw on the action and gluttony and drunkennesse marshall in chambering and wantonnesse the heart is made the shop and store house of sin and the eyes the lewd shop windowes to let it in or set it to sale evill words corrupt good manners light and vaine apparrell curious ornaments frizeled haire and the like signs of loosenesse and immodesty as idlenesse the way to wantonnesse and that to impudency which at last bringeth forth fornication and adultery or other grosse and crying sins 24. What of pride in atire dancing and gadding abroad As appearances of evill and fruits of the flesh if not open defiance and enmity with God and so noted alwaies as pride the forerunner of shame wanton dancing of all good men condemned as an extreame folly and enticement to lewdnesse if not used with rare moderation as for the dancing in armour in the Pirrichian dances or men or women by themselves for exercise or joy of some great good hap or victory as Miriam as David before the Arke excellent and commended by all but for lascivious and amorous dances men and women confusedly together with wanton gestures kissings and dalliance the fuell of lust and as Herodias daughters dancing cost Saint John Baptists head so this many a headlesse soule and for gadding abroad the token of the wanton and idle widdowes 1 Tim. 5. 12. and of the harlot and those of loose behaviour Prov. 7. 9. and cost Dinah her honesty and the Sichemites their ruine 25. Some speake very bitter words against dancing Very true and so to be understood of wanton and dissolute dancing and at unfit times or in too impudent and foolish manner with mimique and even zany gestures and fashions as loosely as lewdly performed the very fellowes to kindle the flames of lust and impudency and such indeed was the gravity of the Romans at sometimes and some other Nations that they highly detested or were displeased with such lightnesse and folly as Demosthenes before his Athenians reproached Philip of Macedon and his Courtiers for common dancers such as having filled their bellies with meat and heads with wine fell scurriloussy and loosely a dancing and Salust of Sempronia said she was to fine a singer and dancer to be honourable withall and Cioero in his Apologie for Murena challenged also for dancing not minding to excuse it of him putteth it of or slatly denieth it with a concession nemo saltat sobrius and Plutarch in the vertues of women putteth it that shee ought to be no dauncer 26. But doe not the Fathers and Doctors say as much Yes for Saint Basil saith thou caprest and leapest with thy feet in dances unwise as thou art when thou shouldest rather bend thy knees in prayer to thy Creator but what gaine is got thereby surely this that virgins returne robbed of their virginity married wives of the truth to their husbands all lesse chaste then they went and more dishonest then they should though lesse perhaps then they would as if not in act which peradventure may be yet stained in thought which cannot be eschewed 1. So Saint Chrysostome saith to the maides and wives that daunce at marriages and so pollute their sex in such lascivious daunces the divell beareth a part as dauncing with them 2. Saint Ambrose that it is better to dig and delve on holy-dayes then to daunce and where banquets are concluded with dauncing there chastity is commonly but in an evill case 3. Vives in his instruction to a Christian woman hath not a little to this purpose who holdeth it for a strange vanity and saith he certaine Asians seeing the Spaniards daunce ran away for feare thinking them lunaticke nothing
continuall theft and she since she so cut herselfe from him and her bastardly issue continuall theeves 4. Sometimes as continually so wholly robbed of his estate and his inheritance transferred to the bastardly breed of some lewd varlot and harlot 5. And lastly with him sometimes others robbed as the inheritance and estate that ought to descend to them thus carried to others that worst and least deserve any good and hence the severity of divers laws both divine and humane that shew the odiousnesse and deterstation of it among all Nations by the punishments 39. What punishments By the Law 1. Of God death as aforesaid Deut. 22. 22. 2. Solon lawfull instantly to kill those taken in adultery 3. Certaine Indians adjudging the adultresse to cut the adulterers throat and some kinsman of hers 4. Nebuchadnezar broiling them on a gridiron 5. Zaleucus among the Locrians to have their eyes put out 6. Egyptians the adulterous nose cut off and the adulterer to have a thousand stripes 7. Turkes though allowing many wives yet adultery punished with death usually 40. How many instances of the execution of such lawes If there were not yet the lawes and sentence of them and the law makers sufficiently shew the foulenesse of the evill but both execution of them according to the letter are abundantly shewed in stories and even beyond the letter of them approved of by Magistrates and such as had the power of interpretation and execution of them and some others 41. How shew you that 1. Zaleucus whose owne sonne and heire of his kingdome taken in adultery and the subjects praying release of the punishment the father caused one of his sons eyes and one of his own to be put out in execution of the Law 2. In Alexander approving the act of the noble Theban Lady Timoclea that slew her adulterous ravisher 3. In the Romans that punished the adultetry and ravishing of the Lady Paulina with destruction of the Priests and Temple of Isis by whose means it was done 5. In the famous strumpet and adulterous Messalina lastly executed by the good Emperour Claudius command 6. In the law Julia executed long time duly and adulterers both of noble bloud and else without difference put to death as testified by all Writers and Tacitus with them 7. In the Emperour first Valentinians time many noble women of great parentage for adulery put to death as testifieth Ammianus Marcellinus 8. In Andreas King of Hungaria whose Queen having betraied a noble Lady wife of Baudebam to her brothers rape and being slaine by him who with his bloudy sword carring her heart to the King had his act approved and retained his honour 8. In Philip the faire King of France that spared not his owne daughters adultresses or their Paramours 9. In Lawes the eleventh that never made shew of anger or offence for his sisters death slain by her husband Seneschall of Normandy with her adulterer in bed together 10. In Gonzaga Duke of Ferrara that caused his treacherous and adulterous Captaine first to marry the party wronged and whose husband he had slaine to marry her and then hanged him 11. In the rape of Lucretia where for Tarquinius adultery the Kings and their race banished and whole forme of government changed and many like stories or as pregnant of the odiousnesse of adultery and punishments attending inflicted both by the hand of God and men 42. Recite some of them 1. Such as King Osbrights adultery rape of the Lord Bruers wife the bringing in of the Danes in revenge of it and subversion of his estate and kingdome with many others and the ruine of all England 2. Such as Paris Helens adultery the ruine of Troy and firebrand of almost all Asia and Greece 3. Such as Valentinians the third his adultery with Petronius Maximus wife that cost his life besides the sacking of Rome and destruction of the Romane Empire with the death of many thousands bringing in Gensericus King of the Vandalls and all miseries that follow warre and desolation 4. Such as Davids adultery punished with many plagues and crosses in himselfe and his Kingdome and with lewd children 5. Such as the Benjamites adultery with the Levites wife or concubine the rooting out of that tribe and fearfull dissolution Judg. 20. 7. Such as the Israelites adultery with the Midianitish women causing the plague wherein 24000. slaine and the Mideanites and their whorish wives and women utter destruction by Gods command all of them saving the unpolluted virvins 42. In this sufficiently declared the odiousnesse of this soule and crying sin If it be not you have it at least charactered fully in the booke of God and writings of other holy men that describe it in the proper colours with the punishment vengeance due and belonging 1. As whoremongers and adulterers God will judge Heb. 13. 4. 2 Such shall not inherit the Kingdome of God 1 Cor. 6. 9. 3. Adultery is a fire that devoureth to destruction Job 31. 12. 4. Saint Basil saith adultery is the hooke of the divell whereby he draweth us to destruction 5. Gregory it is a furnace whose mouth gluttony flame pride sparkles filthy words smoake infamy ashes poverty and shame It is noted of it it woundeth body and soule goods and good name posterity and all that belong to us to death 43. How is it to be shewed As it woundeth a man or he woundeth himself 1. In his body as well as soule by it and fornication polluted 1 Cor. 6. 13. 2. In his soule polluted and dishonoured Prov. 6 31. 3. In his wife wronged despised Mal. 2. 14. 4. In his children impoverished punished or bastardized threatned and seen in David and his posterity 1 Sam. 12. 10. and Prov. 6. 25. 5. In his goods and estate commonly wasted Job 31. 12. 6. In understanding and judgement Prov. 6. 32. 7. Name and to his dishonour Prov. 6. 33. and so it woundeth every way even to death that it is true of this in an eminent degree lust having conceived bringeth forth sin and sin perfected bringeth forth death 44. But what say you then of chastity in the other side As much by all to be honoured and admired and no lesse seen blessed by God then by all commended 45. How shew you this In that it is remembred as of humility to be the roote continence the girdle temperance the nurse so chastity the crowne of all vertues and all Saints and soules of the just that shall be taken up to Sion and the new Jerusalem in the embleme of this as with the title of Virgins and crowne of chastity in token of their holy desires as redeemed from men the corruptions and pollutions of the world are so onely said worthy to accompany and follow the Lambe and the blessing of Joseph that mirror of chastity on earth doe abundantly testifie 46. How in Joseph In that for his sake the Lord knowing and thereby testifying his innocency many received blessings 1. As his Masters
house that prospered in all that was under his hand 2. As the keeper of the prison that committed all to his charge seeing it so to prosper 3. As Pharaoh and his whole house and servants that so honoured him 4. As the whole land of Egypt preserved by him and his wisdome God blessing him 5. As his father also and whole family preserved from fury of the famine and destruction by his hand and God working by him 6. And so good to the whole Church of God then comprised in them being faithfull Abrahams family 47. How then was Polygamy being but a kinds of pollution allowed to the Jewes 1. As a peculiar priviledge of that people only then in expectation of the Messias and blessing of many children 2. As a dispensation of the Law and for the hardnesse of their hearts more truly alledged 3. As a connivencie to the hardnesse of their hearts rather then full allowance by such tolleration or making it lawfull and yet where many wives allowed the same law for adultery in full force and with death to be punished 48. What can be said then more in detestation and of the heinousnesse of those crying sins There needs no more for full manifestation thereof unlesse we say with S. Gregory lib. 31. Mor. or Tho. secunda secundae q. 153. art 5. that the sequell or eight infernall daughters that follow them may seem to make them shew more detestable which are reckoned to be 1. Blindnesse of minde 2. Precipitancie 3. Inconsideration 4. Inconstancie 5. Self-love 6. Love of this world 7. Feare of the future 8. And hate of God Which though the off-spring of all or many other sins more often especially from this spring for as saith Navar sum do Luxuria cap. 23. sect 113. Hoc vitium inclinando mentem ad delectationem venerorū quae est omnium vehementissima occupat partem animae inferiorem in appetendo procurandoilla rursus rapit ad idem superiorem sibi valde cognatam quasi vim inferendo ut non permittat illi circa ult ad alium debet finem intendere nec media ad ille illum deligere at impellet ad se mundumque hunc minis amandum futurumque horrendum tandemque ad deum ultorem odio habendum quo fit ut eo longius ab hoc vitio excaecante abesse debeam contemplationi addicti literis dediti gubernatores duces judices quo Lucidiori prudentiâ sapientia consilio circumspectione constantia indigent tam ad prefigendas sines scopos quem ad diligendum media quibus cos assequantur 49. What is the best course to be taken to avoid so horrible a sin Surely even 1. To avoid even the first motions or occasions and so lesse endangered to fall into the enormousnesse thereof 2. To make conscience of the least sinnes so more easily to avoid more crying sins a good course in all sins and all degrees of them 3. To avoid the causes of sin especially and apply all lawfull remedies 50. Which are they in this sin Remembred before under the names of occasions or meanes of falling opposite to the meanes of preserving chastity and may be thus marshalled as the causes of this sin with their remedies in this order As 1. Naturall corruption 2. Excesse and riot 3. Idlenesse and ease 4. Soft apparell and delicacie 5. Unstaidnesse of minde 6. Wandring sences 7. Evill occasions of all sorts and especially evill company To which may and ought to be opposed as remedies 1. Prayer 2. Abstinencie 3. Honest labours 4. Temperance 5. Sobriety and modesty 6. Restraint of senses 7. Shunning of occasions and especially evill company 51. Explane it further Naturall corruption that bringeth forth sinne and that death Ja. 1. 15. continually abideth and buddeth forth in us which is to be restrained by grace sought for and obtained by prayer Ja. 1. 5. Secondly excesse and riot is the shop of lust against which abstinencie is to be opposed for else as Gregory Nazian saith who pampereth his belly and would overcome the spirit of fornication is like him that would quench a flame with oile and so Prov. 23. 33. Thirdly idlenesse is the opportunity that Satan and lust desireth to enter by opposite to which honest labour in a calling that cutteth the throat of that fiend otia si tollas periere c. Fourthly soft apparell minstralsey and delicacie are the bellowes that blow the fire and nurse of idlenesse and lust as temperance of chastity and all vertues Fifthly unstaid and wandring thoughts usher in loosenesse and wontonnesse that sobriety modesty and staidnesse of minde seeke to expell Sixtly eyes wandring and eares open to evill whisperings of lust and Satan are the windows to let in sinne that such fit restraint of the senses should avoid and lastly shunning evill company is to avoid many especiall and pregnant occasions or causes of much evill 52 What say you then of marriage A remedy also and so appointed that they that have not the gift of continencie may marry and so keep themselves und efiled members of Christs body and which ought to be done in the Lord and with an especiall care of divers circumstances and things therein 53. What speciall care to be had then in marriage Principally to observe as neare as can be and have respect unto I. The equality of the parties in 1. Religion 2 Cor. 6. 14. and 1 Cor. 7. 39. 2. Age. 3. Parentage 4. Condition and the like things II. The ends for which marriage ordained 1. Avoiding incontinencie 2. Mutuall helpe comfort and society spirituall temporall 3. Increase of a faithfull and blessed seed in the Church III. The nearnesse of degrees or impediments by law prohibited to shunne them IV. The consent of Parents Deut 7. 3. 1 Cor. 7. 38. Parties themselves and their mutuall love and affection as Gen. 24. 27 c. Opposite to which as in generall to marriage the forbidding or ungodly restraint thereof unlawfull divorces and marriages so in particular the neglect of these cautions in the contracting of marriage it selfe which is intended to be a furtherance to godlinesse honesty and chastity but in the neglect may prove but a gap to incontinencie and evill of all sorts as well as adultery or fornication 54. What to be said of incest As a detestable offence and the heynousnesse gathered by the punishment death Levit. 20. 10. and the odiousnesse since forbidden also seene in the dishonour of bloud and holy societies as well as the breach of Gods Commandements and so the Apostle reproveth it as a sinne scarce heard of among the Gentiles to take the fathers wife 1 Cor. 5. 1. 55. What of sodomy and the like As a most abominable unnaturall monstrous and bestiall offences even if possible not to bee named among Christians and if perpetrate though death appointed no punishment grievous enough for the sin and so Sodome and Gomorah as well as some other places recorded in Histories have been
others good 9. Uncharitable that hate or love not their brother 10. Hard hearted and cruell or disdainfull that scorne or pitty not others 11. Malecontented that doe enjoy nothing as not content with any thing 12. Idle and sloathfull oppressors and theefe deceiver c. that get not their owne but others bread 13. Unthankfull and they that trust in riches or the arme of flesh and never truly depend upon God to aske or receive it of his gift and so in generall we see all ungodly and ungracious men faile in this as most of the other petitions 20. What pray we against Against both 1. Extreame poverty or want of necessaries 2. Want of quietnesse content peace and other comforts of life 3. Unseasonable weather 4. Invasion of enemies 5. Sicknesse and mortality whereby deprived or cannot comfortably enjoy Gods blessings 6. Idlenesse covetousnesse 7. Worldly care 8. Discontent uncharity whereby wee get not or use not our goods lawfully 9. Too much fulnesse whereby in pride or vanity and excesse we forget God and all moderation of daily bread and abuse his blessings and our selves 21. What in the letter hereof expressed 1. The petition for our selves to obtaine such our daily bread and a blessing upon it 2. The intercession for others for the same grace and gifts from God to bee granted there with us What intimated I. A confession of 1. God the giver of all goodnesse and so of his continuall graces to us in giving us c. 2. Our duty to beg it daily at his hand Our defect and neglect of this duty II. A deprecation against all extreame want and poverty or other hindrances of enjoying our daily bread III. Thanksgiving and praise for 1. For all benefits and blessings in generall or speciall received 2. Deliverance from adversities and want Hope of being heard in the continuance and comfortable enjoying c. 22. How summe you it up together in order I. Our confession of 1. Gods bounty that O Lord that every good gift and every perfect giving commeth downe from above c. and that thou clothest the Lilies and feedest the young Ravens that call upon thee 2. Next our duty the eyes of all things looke up and trust in thee O Lord for thou givest them meat in due season thou openest thy hand and fillest all things living with plenteousnesse 3. Defect too often O Lord wee have gone away from thee and have not looked up to the hils from whence commeth our helpe II. Petition Be mercifull unto us O Lord and give us this day our daily bread III. Intercession Shew us the light of thy countenance give thy blessing unto the people IV. Deprecation defend us O Lord from want and let there be no decay no leading into captivity and no complaining in our streets V. Thanksgiving and praise 1. Happy are the people that be in such a case yea blessed are the people that have the Lord for their God 2. We will also tell of thy mercies and sing of thy praise without ceasing 3. In assurance of thy grace we will trust in thy salvation yea Iacob shall rejoyce and Israel shall be right glad 23. What the second petition for our selves The fifth in order forgive us our trespasses as we forgive c. wherein we aske forgivenesse of all sinnes errors and offences against God or man as we are in charity affected and in repentance humbled and ready to forgive others without which condition of charity and repentance in faith it is impossible our sinnes should be forgiven 24. What the order of it After asking good things from God our daily bread we are hereby put in minde what is the hindrances of his blessings our sinnes and so taught to desire the impediments may be removed whereby his blessings may more freely descend for our sinnes are a separation of our soules from God and of him and of his favour from us which that it may be removed and we reconciled we pray forgive c. 25. What herein contained 1. The petition wherein the Action forgivenesse Object of our sins 2. The conditions as we forgive them that c. 26. What meant by forgivenesse Gods absolute remission of sin both in guilt and punishment and blotting it out of his booke and remembrance that it never rise up in judgement against us to shame or condemne us with the meanes whereby we desire it gratiously effected in us therein considered I. The giving of his graces of Faith and Repentance Humility Confession II. Forgiving the Guilt of sin spotting the soule Punishment deserved in his anger Death temporall and eternall III. Acquitting us by 1. Applying Christs merits to us 2. Accounting and acknowledging us just before him 3. Renewing our decayes by his Spirit by sanctification and holinesse 27. What meant by sin or our debts Our offences against God or man for which we owe satisfaction and so become debtors which debts we are never able to satisfie and so we pray for forgivenesse of those sinnes offences or debts of ours being so many and so grievous both against God and men 28. What sorts of these debts are there I. Against God many and infinite ones in number and greatnesse as 1. Errors 2. Ignorances negligences 3. All manner of breaches of his Law both in thought word and deed II. Against superiours in disobedience III. Against equalls in love and and charity IV. Against inferious in uncharity and want of mercy V. Against our selves by our intemperance error and rebellion Or we are debtors To God owing love and duty To all superious owing obedience To all men owing justice in love unicuique suum reddere To enemies to put away anger and forgive injury To our selves owing abstinency from ill that hurts the soule by which we are to be rightly ordered towards God our superiours our neighbours our enemies our selves and ought to render every one of these their due or we be else debtors to God and men and sinners against God especially in every of them as breakers of his Commandements 29. Why say we our trespasses As most sensible of our owne sinnes which doe in number passe the sands or the haires on our head in number and are innumerable as the Psalmist speaketh and which may be a motive to us both 1. To forgive others since we have so many sins to be forgiven at Gods hand 2. To pray also for the forgivenesse of others sins which we will if we have either charity or sense therein of ours or others misery 30. Why adde we that condition 〈◊〉 we forgive c. To teach us that without charity as well as saith it is impossible to please God or obtain our prayers to be heard or forgivenesse at his hand therefore if we ever hope to obtaine our prayers we must be in perfect charity and able truly to pray for our enemies perfecutors and slanderers and forgive them that trespasse against us 31. What if we doe not forgive them We may
and distinct places observed answering to the severall sorts of persons and their degrees in the bosome of the Church in so comely order from all antiquitie to us in the form and structure of our Church or from the platform of them very lively representing to us the times practise and founders intentions may minde us of the same and teach its what order and decency or other respects of reverence before God and to God and all holy and consecrated things to him for his owne and to them for his sake were fit to be observed and by all dutifull sons of God and the Church religiously ought to be performed as by all godly and religious persons of all ages and devout Christians have ever been accustomea and never by any unlesse godlesse prophane or gracelesse mereticks and factious Sectaries detracted or denied so the degrees of the persons places and things consecrated as well as their consecration here instanced both in the Iewish Church and ours and thence issuing difference and degrees of the reverentiall respects to them usually exhibited both by us and them all which proved from holy Scripture and constant and continued practise of the people of God and more illustrated by the dictates of naturall justice equity and reason and so clearly vindicated from all shew of idolatry or superstition but the neglect and contempt hereof by the factious producing miserable and wretched effects both to the dishonour of God and disorder in religion Church State government wheresoever and such unreverence used and their prophanesse suffered to passe unâ—â—â— or uncorrected so the order In ours and the ancient Christian Church and why so necessary to be observed hereby sufficiently explained and against all sacrilegious gainsayers too commonly palpably found to be such plainly demonstrated and the name of Altar toward which such reverence is used and even anciently prescribed and enjoyned whence by such perhaps more despitefully handled from their calumnies and aspertions vindicated and to the true use of it according to the Churches ancient idiome asserted and restored and so both Churches Altar and other decent ceremenies in and about the same in our Church retained shewed in generall consonant to the practice of all approved antiquity and in particular of the Greek Easterne Churches thus In that point with our coâ—senting to be recoâ—ciled And for close to this Sacrament of baptisme certaine criticall disquisitions on the name of God so ordinarily used by us in our common discourses and writing usefull as more solemnly in the profession of our religious duty and observance or other acts of highest consequence as especially in the administration of the sacrament of baptisme and ceremony thereof whence also by the way other like observations on the mystery of iniquity and name of Antichrist the Beast and Whore of Babylon in such mysticall manner with much anigmaticall obsecurity by numbers and else expressed or rather unveyled and involved so in the first place the number of the heads hornes of the Beast considered as leaaing way to the number of the name of Antichrist being 666. with the illustration thereof from the name and nature of the Fiend calling himself Legion the very power at that time of that armed Pagan impiety that did afflict and oppresse the Church Saints of God the application whereof may be to to any the like times and occasions or oppressions referred and so lastly concluding with the Nomen Tetragrammaton so usually pronounced Jehovah but corruptly in stead of Jaho proved by the Text of the Bible and other authorities which might perhaps more regularly and orderly be by Iahvah yet all vowels to come nearest to the former sound though lesse rightly so as it is by some intended 1. VVHat is the outward signe in Baptisme Water wherein the person baptized is dipped or sprinkled with in the name of the Father and of the Sonne c. 2. What herein to be noted 1. The Matter or Element Water used so of old as is to be seen in 1. The leprous and unclean 2. Naaman the Syrian 3. The blind man sent to wash in Siloam Ioh. 9. 7. 4. John baptizing in Jordan 11. The Action 1. Dipping in Summer or warmer Countries 2. Sprinkling in colder Clymats or weather 3. Or for the tendernesse and danger of the infant 4. Form of words prescribed in the name c. of which outward signe and parts thereof none ought to be omitted or altered which would make the Baptisme else bee no Baptisme and which rightly once performed ought not to be iterated 4. What the inward grace The cleansing of the soul from sinne by sprinkling of Christs blood in the power of the Trinity whence a death to sinne and a new birth to righteousnesse is wrought in us 5. Whence is it Or what reason of this Because being by nature borne in sinne and the children of wrath wee are hereby made the children of grace 6. What is herein to be considered 1. The parts resembling one another the Relata and Corclata 2. Resembling our representation in the parts 3. The relation and presentation of the thing signified to the soule 4. The effect and efficacie or vertue of the Sacrament in the death to sin new birth to righteousnes And manner and reason thereof explained For whereas by nature c. 7. Which are the parts resembling one another The 1. Water representing the blood of Christ. 2. Sprinkling thereof on the body the washing the soul. 3. Action of the Priest The operation of Gods Spirit Blessing the action 4. Form of words prescribed Power of the Word and vertue of the Holy Trinity promised 8 How distinguished into Relata and Corelata The 1. Water 2. Sprinkling 3. Action 4. Words The outward part of Relata to the Blood of Christ Washing the soule Operation of the Spirit Power of God to the inward part or corelata 9. Which the Relation The representation that the parts have between themselves one to another as water to the blood of Christ the washing the body to the cleansing the soule the action of the Priest and words prescribed to the operation of Gods Spirit and power in the grace and blessing proposed and promised 10. How the presentation of it to the soule In those outward Emblemes as seales shewing the grace by faith throughout the whole life apprehended and exercised by the power and operation of Gods Spirit making it profitable to the soule 11. What the effect or efficacie and vertue thereof 1. The death to sinne being baptised into the death of Christ and the soule so washed in his blood made clean and dying unto sinne that is crucified in us as we unto it 2 The new birth unto righteousnesse as being baptized and buried with Christ in his death wee are also raised up in him to newnesse of life and sanctification 12. What is intended herein 1. Our mortification of sin and the old man in all the corrupt lusts of the flesh
2. Our vivification in the Spirit or of the new man Christ in us by the power of his grace and Spirit that so bringeth forth in us Our justification by The merit of his death Imputation of his righteousnesse Sanctification by Our new birth raised up in him Our new life going forward by grace in holinesse of living 13. How is this explained By the opposition of our former estate to this as we were Born in sin and the children of wrath by nature in old Adam Dead in sin dying to grace Damnati antequam nati and having the image Of God oâ—literate blotted out of of our soules The divel imprinted therin being without all Grace Justification or Sanctification And being in this case have by the mercy of God this favour shewed us to have the meanes offered of faith and the seale and pledge the Sacrament whereby wee are made children of grace Renewed Justified Sanctiâ—ied in Christ by his Spirit to God 14. How is this Renewing wrought By the power of the Spirit of God and grace which is given whereof the Sacrament is the pledge and seale and also the ordinary meanes whereby conveyed unto us and we receive it as many as have the power given to become the sonnes of God which is seen by the effect Of a 1. New life 2. New creature 3. New birth 4. Newnesse of affections and 5. Souls as new borne babes desiring the sincere milke of the word having put off the old man and all carnall affections of sinne 15. But who is so renewed Every one that is born of water and the holy Ghost which is the regeneration herein expressed whereby the sâ—ing of sinne is plucked out both in regard of the sin and punishment though sin it selfe not quite extinguished which is never quite abolished till death but broken so that it reigneth not only remaineth as a rebellious head or poysonous root to exercise our faith and graces whiles we live here 16. But is this done in us by the very act of Baptisme or of the Baptizer No For there is also required a right disposition of the person in faith and within the covenant of grace and then it doth convey grace confirme the heart seale the covenant purging the conscience and so effectuall to the faithfull otherwise as in those that came to Iohns baptisme they may remaine a generation of vipers whiles they keep themselves out of the covenant by their malice impiety and hypocrisie whereby they mock God though they take the signe of the covenant on them and so much the rather mockers as taking the signe and neglecting the grace 17. What is then required in persons to bee baptized Repentance whereby they forsake sinne and faith whereby they beleeve the promises made to them in that Sacrament 18 What is Repentance A turning from sinne and a returning to God wherein many steps or degrees to bee considered 19. Which are they In the 1. Turning from sin a Knowledge of sinne one step by faith Sence or feeling of sinne two steps in grace Horror of sin for the uglinesse before God Shame of sin for the filthinesse in it selfe Sorrow and grief of sin for the displeasing of God thereby Resolution to forsake it and lead a new life 2. Returning to God by 1. Forsaking sin 2. Taking a new course and leading a new life 3. Constancie in that intended course 4. Perseverance which onely attaineth the promise and crown our blessing 19. What is the fruit of Repentance A continuall renewing of the force and efficacie of baptisme to the soule which though it selfe may not be iterated yet it is thus continually refreshed and the vertue thereof renewed in us and so is both effectuall in the receiving baptisme and ever after both in The 1. Knowing and acknowledging of sin the barre of grace whereby to obtaine forgivenesse at Gods hand and have the bar moved 2. Sorrowing for and forsaking of Sinne whereby to obtaine grace in the power and vertue of the Sacrament 3. New intended course of leading a new life in obtaining some degree or measure of sanctification either of which is sometimes called repentance and in all three together the perfection thereof and are else stiled Confession Contrition Reformation 20. What is Faith My assurance in respect of God of the Truth of his promises Stability of them in Christ. The head and corner stone my self of the Application of them to me Forgivenesse of my sinnes 21. What is the seat of Faith The heart For in the heart the man beleeveth to justification Rom. 10. 14. And so Christ dwelleth in the heart by faith Eph. 3. 17. 22. What is the ground of faith The word and promise of God giving assurance to the soule because he is true that promised 23. What is the object of faith Things not seene but apprehended by the soule for the truths sake of him that promised as forgivenesse of sins salvation and everlasting life 24. How is use to be made of it By application to my selfe of these things that for his Sonne and promise sake I shall be assured of salvation and my sinnes forgiven and so blessed as whose unrighteousnesse forgiven and whose sin covered 25. What condition required Repentance or confession and forsaking sin Prov. 28. 13. and so faith beginning repentance is also perfected by repentance and wrought and working together are either for the perfection of other and the graces are thereby seen whereof the Sacraments are the seales 26. How doe we then need them As the necessary conditions whereby applied and where with the vertue and efficacie of the Sacrament is transfused into the soule that is not else sufficiently well disposed to the receiving thereof without them 27. Why are Infants then baptised when by reason of their tender age they cannot performe them Yes they doe performe them in such convenient sort as is required and standeth them sufficiently instead in that their tender age 28. In what manner By their sureties who promise and vow them both in their names which when they come to age themselves are bound to performe 29. But is that sufficient It is as may be shewne and confirmed by sundry good and valuable reasons taken from Both 1. Circumcision the forerunner of it 2. The institution and action of Christ himself 3. The doctrine of the Apostles 4. The practise of them and primitive times 5. Reason it selfe and the intent of the covenant What is the ground of the reasons Because as the Covenant was made not only with Abraham but with him and his seed so the seale pertaineth to whomsoever the Covenant doth and the children being so within the Covenant of grace the sâ—ale pertaineth also unto them especially this that succeedeth circumcision 30. How as it succeedeth circumcision Because that being with them the admission into the Church and seale of the Covenant as this is to us and the foretunner of this was commanded the eight day and for the same reason this
wine is prepared by 1. Cutting downe 2. Casting into the 3. Wine-presse 4. Troden with the 5. Feet 6. Powred to be drunk used So Christ was Cut down for us Cast into and troden in The wine-presse of his Fathers wrath for us Troden under the feet of the contumelious Jewes and others Powred out his soule and bloud for our sakes like water shed on the earth that we might receive the comfort 6. How receive we the comfort As in the creatures of bread and wine though we have them in abundance the comfort onely is by Gods blessing so in this bread and wine though the signes or symboles of it be had it is the grace of God that giveth the true comfort sanctifying them and applying them indeed in the nourishment of the soule to whom we must looke up for a blessing in the use of the Sacrament 7. How was he the Paschall Lambe As by whose bloud on our door-posts the destroyer cannot hurt us and hereby we delivered have power to passe out of the Aegypt of this world into the land of Canaan in heaven 8. How or why minde we his death As he was threshed and troden downe to death for us that deserved it his body broken and bloud shed and soule powred out for ours that ought to have beene so eternally the punishment of our sins was so heavy on him that he was bowed downe to the grave whereby in his stripes we are healed and so with thankfulnesse are to remember his death 9. How was there in his death a sacrifice As his body and soule was made an offering for sin propitiatory by the worth of it for the sins of the whole world as more worthy then the whole world and all creatures being in the Person of the Son and Creatour God and man and so in this one sacrifice of which all other sacrifices were but shadows and types they all had their end and this was the end and substance of all both the Lambe slaine every morning and evening for a dayly and continuall Oblation the Paschall Lambe the Scape-goat the many other sacrifices and bloud shed for propitiation figuring Christs bloud that was to be shed the price and redemption of all our bloud herein and hereby in the Sacrament remembred 10. What was the use of those often sacrifices 1. To expiate and do away sin and so commanded 2. To sanctifie those that were uncleane or infected with leprosie defiled by any other uncleannesse Legall or Ceremoniall 3. To prosper weighty attempts as Saul when he was to fight with the Philistines 1 Sam. 13. 8. 11. Is Christs sacrifice effectuall to this Yes more fully and abundantly in every respect For By it sin is fully expiated his bloud cleanseth from all sin 1 Joh. 1. 6. By it we are sanctified thorowout both in soules and bodies prayers and all our actions and other things sanctified to us in him By it all things made prosperous and a blessing to both soule and body in life and death through him 12. But how was he a sacrifice As his crosse was the Altar whereon offered suffered As himselfe the Priest that made the Oblation As his humane nature the Creature offered of that infinite worth as united to his Divine Nature As his precious bloud the bloud shed in the offering that ought to have purifying power in bloud As the fat fuming up the sweet perfume of his merits by which sacrifice thus offered he obtained eternall Redemption for us Heb. 7. 27. and 9. 12. 13. What the benefits we remember herein The sealing and confirmation of his Covenant and graces The strengthening of our faith The câ—mfort and nourishing of our soules The union with Christ and God The communion with all Saints the whole Church Of which more hereafter 14. How said you the perpetuity of memoriall noted As it is the continuall remembrance of his death so in the institution commanded and worthy by all good Christians to be used and remembred as the most beneficiall action that ever was done for mankinde worthy to be remembred everlastingly that maketh him live to eternity 15. But doth not Baptisme represent this also Yes but not so fully and powerfully as this Sacrament it being in that a secondary end to shew that by our washing remembring it on the by but in this Sacrament the full end scope and intention of it 16. What prescribe you then for the end of this Sacrament The 1. chiefe end the confirmation and seale of faith and graces unto us whereby the testification of the union with God and Christ communion with the Saints 2. Other ends also to be conâ—esired 1. As testification of our obedience and saith used 2. As solemne thanksgiving and praising God therein so called an encharisticall sacrifice 3. As confession and celebration of the memoriall of Christs sacrifice 4. As bond of love among the visible members of Christs Church so called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or festum charitatis 5. As meanes of more solemne celebrating the publicke meetings and drawing them together so called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 6. As publick note of distinction to the Church and faithfull from all others as also the other Sacrament 7. As recordation of the many benefits of Christs sacrifice called to minde and continually renued in our remembrance 17. How is it then said before the end only a memoriall Because in the memoriall of Christs death and sacrifice all the rest both chiefe and other ends for which it is either instituted or so often so used may seem after a sort to be included 18. How doth it agree with baptisme In the chiefe end the sealing of grace and of the Covenant in generall and divers other particular ends as the testifying our faith obedience thankfulnesse the note of distinguishing between the faithfull and others as well as after a sort also remembrance of Christs death by our being washed in his bloud 19. How differeth it from Baptisme Very much in many things as in 1. The ceremony and externall rites action and elements 2. The signification of them and manner of it in Baptisme a washing in Christs bloud the other a feeding on him and so a communion and participation of Christ and his merits 3. The proper ends baptisme to admit us regenerate renue us The Lords Supper to nourish strengthen conserve us in the Church 4. The order of them Baptisme first the Supper after and not otherwise 5. The person using baptisme all regenerate even children the Lords Supper only those that can acknowledge and remember the benefits and reason of it 6 The manner of use of baptisme with faith and repentance the Lords Supper besides them with confession also commemoration thanksgiving had so only of those in yeares 7. The usurpation of them baptisme but once as once admitted into the Covenant though often renewed by repentance never iterated the Lords Supper the oftner used the better for continuall nourishing of us and commemorations
What herein to be observed The due examination of themselves and First of their repentance both in regard of their whole life and sinnes Past and present to repent them truly of those sinnes To come to prevent them by stedfastly purposing to lead a new life Secondly of their faith wherein to bee noted the Ground of it Gods mercy and promises Meanes of it in and through Christ. Fruit of it referred to Christ and This mystery a thankfull remembrance of it and of his death His members so to forgive as we desire to bee forgiven in him and be in perfect peace and charity with all men 4. Why is this preparation and examination required Because otherwise eating and drinking unworthily the unprepared persons eate and drinke their owne damnation not considering the Lords body by their presumption 1 Cor. 11. 28. And so making the power of it that should be salvation to their perdition So he that came unprepared to the feast without his wedding garment was for that presumption cast out into utter darknesse Matth. 21. 12. which may teach us to bee prepared when we come to this feast and Supper of the Lamb. 5. What may move us to this preparation The consideration and due weighing with our selves 1. Our great unworthinesse of so great a blessing thus neer to approach to the Lord of glory 2. The great presence we are to approach unto even the highest estate of the world the honourable company of Saints 3. That highest place the Church and presence of God and the Lamb that we are to come before and so neere to be thus received and how shall we appeare in our filthy nakednesse orragged and polluted cloathes of sin 4. The great favour of God thus inviting us to this feast taking us home to him tying us so neere in bonds of love 5. The great and inestimable benefit wee receive hereby as Christ himselfe his graces union with God communion with all Saints and confirmation in this happy estate 6. What other motives or consideration to bee used Such godly and pious meditations as the very mystery it selfe and every part of it considered apart may present unto us to stir up devotion and a desire of the same in the soule as of 1. The types and figures of it and the like 2. The excellencie of it compared with other feasts 3. The wonderfull graces and effects of it 4. The Sentences of Scripture and Fathers concerning it 5. The necessity of it whereby the soule may be inflamed with more earnest desire of it and desire to be prepared and adorned in fitting sort for the receiving it worthily as a Bride for her Bridegroome Christ or the guest having on a wedding garment 7. How for the types and figures of it By remembring the types aforesaid and such like other figures representing the divine manner and majesty of the mystery as well as the antiquity and eternity of the blessing intended and prepared for the godly as it is 1. The feast of the marriage of the Lamb the feast of our Passover and feast of our Souls 2. The wedding dinner in the Gsopell 3. The supper of the Lamb in the Revelation 4. The banquet of the great King 5. Figured 1. In the Passover 2. The Cakes Abraham set before the Angels 3. The bread and wine by Melchisedâ—c set before Abraham 4. The Shew-bread in the Temple before the Lord. 5. The Cakes that Elias did eate walking in the strength of them fourty dayes to mount Horeb. 6. The meale and oyle of the widow of Sarepta that did not waste in the famine 7. The Manna Tree of life Rock and such other things representing the sweetâ—esse comfort and eternity of it 8 How the Excellencie compared with other Feasts In that the feasts of the world commonly 1. Are profane and sensuall this heavenly and spirituall sanctified and ordained for the health of the soule 2. Have variety and vanity this onely one dish but of that perfection and divine relish in that unity yeelding infinite pleasure and all saciety 3. Have or use little speech of death but all of earthly pleasures in this like the Philosophers banket here is a deaths head to teach temperance the memoriall of Christs death and passion but cause of our salvation proposed Store of meats bring diseases to the body and destruction to the soul in this the soul refreshed with the grace of Christ bringing salvation The great excesse openeth the way to hell in this holy feast Christ setteth open the ready way to heaven 9. How the graces else and effects considered In a wonderfull measure manifested in it and so worthy to be admired loved and desired since as he is wonderfull holy Esay 9. 11. so is this mystery and as was said by Manna Man-â—u what is this so may wee say truly with admiration of his mercy and love what is this 1. That the Sonne of God should be thus given bread of life and Manna to his people 2. That hee that dwelleth in heaven among Quires of Angels should thus be food to the sons of men 3. That the Lord of Majesty should thus make his Mansion on earth and among the tents of his servants 4. That hee should bee thus received whom the heavens cannot containe for his glory 5. That this meat should thus comfort the soule purge the conscience and cure our leprosie of nature 6. That he doth nourish us with his owne body after so divine a manner 7. That the heavenly effect is such that the meat is not converted into our nature but wee changed by it into a more divine nature 10. What other effects and graces remembred In that herein is the most comfortable work under heaven for our good wherein especially remarkable 1. That whereas other meats receive life of the body this giveth life to the soule 2. That whereas other meates are changed into our substance this changeth us into it and a more heavenly substance 3. It doth change the mortality of our nature into immortality of life and glory 4. It cannot therefore be that our bodies should remaine in the sepulchre since refreshed and nourished by Christs body 5. It is so a pledge of our resurrection and ascension with Christ into glory 6. As bodily food reneweth and comforteth naturall heat and strength so this the heat of the soule 7. As the forbidden fruit corrupted soule and body so this by the blessing of God sanctifieth both 8. Hereby not onely spirituall diseases that cause death but death it selfe expelled and put to flight 9 Hereby all sinnes cleansed vertues encreased and the soule made fertile with spirituall graces 10. Hereby we are deified as we may speake made divine like God reformed to his image in grace here in glory hereafter which are by some referred to twelve heads 11. Which are they In that his holy remedy cure of sicknesse comfort in health ease in infirmity and mystery is 1. To quicken us in death or deadnesse of
if all Isreael and the Priests as before noted without touch or staine of Idolatry could or might and did worship as well as David and Daniel towards the holy Temple towards the mount the cloud the pillar of fire the Tabernacle the Arke Oracle and Mercy-seat where yet were Images of Cherubims and Palmetrees Exod. 37. 7. and 1 King 6. 23. 32. how much more we before God in his Church and to him towards his holy Table his Altar Mercy-seat and mysteries there tokens of his graces and presence and where he hath no lesse mercifully promised then powerfully performed his promise and manifested such his goodnesse and gratious presence yet firmly looking at him so graciously promising and performing or his promises and graces in the things shewed and performed not the bare things nor boots it to cavill or say thus the Heathen or any Idolaters might palliate their Idolatry it is farre otherwise with them besides the difference of the worship before noted who terminate their worship even divine in the thing on their Altars or under the thing shew a false god Wherein it is terminated as Dagon Molec Anubis Osyris Jupiter or a creature or Divell as some Heathens and Indians yea sometimes such wicked men and caitiffes As a noble Christian Lady told a heathen tyrant and persecutor worse then the wretches that did or commanded sacrifice to them as she asked him if he would willingly be counted so beastly blind bad or blockish as Vulâ—an Plutus Mercury Stercutius nay Mars himselfe or his wife as Venus or Flora so infamous for lewdnesse theeves and stales of theft or strumpets thus the case far different though even in the best things we may note the Divell as it were Gods Ape and hereby perhaps in his divelish policy seeking to disparage and disgrace what were good by such his apish imitation which yet are and ever shall continue holy and his devices frustrate soon as discovered 59. Why doe we worship generally towards the East Not as having it from the Gentiles or Persians adoring the Sun rising but according to the position of our Churches and that originally from antiquity derived as placed opposite to the sight of the Jewish Temple and Synagogues that looking to the west or Sun-set were so to end and had their Sun-set as this Son of righteousnesse our Saviours rising or his setting in the flesh with that their Temple but brighter rising againe by his glorious resurrection and ascention so ours looking to that Son-rising and to the East towards the face of Christ as he was exalted on that Altar of his crosse looking from Mount Calvary West and as the Temple stood which was to vanish from the Temple or with the sight and posiâ—ion of it a looking westward towards us and our Church and so we and our Churches on the opposite part as it were over all the world looking East and towards him in his rising and that Temples declining whence we thus with antiquity as well as authority commanding it and good reason and Religion so enjoyning ordinarily doe our devotions as it is fit according to such prescript and the voice of the Turtle that is heard in our land the voice of Christ and his Church the Spirit and the Bride who thus say come and whom we ought to heare and not the voice of Babell or confusion of tongues that would pervert all things the voice of Schisme and Sedition whence flow disorder and dissention kindling the flames of contention and rebellion or sowing the seeds of discord Anarchy and confusion 60. This may then serve for answer to them also that aske why we worship towards the upper parts of the Church and Altar It may from such position and site of our Churches or if it content them not we may thus farther return and retort it against them that urge at it or against it by so questioning it why do they rather use reverence to God at the Church then any other place but because of his more presential apparance or gracious presence as themselves confesse there then any other place esteemed so within the Church for the same reason as more excellent tokens of his graces and gracious presâ—nce there in those places then any where else exhibited doe we so tender there our humblest reverence and devotions to him memorising thereby his graces and goodnesse that we acknowledge there represented to our eies and mindes oâ— eies of our minde and devoutest consideration in these places and things which how can we fitly remember or acknowledge but in the most dutifull and submisse manner and gesture and with such reverenciall respects in token of our duty thankfulnesse and humility 61. What followeth What preparation is required of us for the due receiving of so great a mystery and the graces of it set forth in the last question and answer of the Catechisme SECT IV. Of our preparation to the Lords Supper The preparation we arâ— to make before receiving by a due and conscionable examination of our selves and our faith charity and repentance with convenient motives and consideration to stirre us up and invitâ— us to the same taken the types excellency and other the wonderfull graces and effects of it as well in holy Scriptures testimony as else by the secret working and speaking of Gods secret spirit to our souls and â—â—nsciences manifested and revealed whence also we may finde many and excellent Elogia or encâ—mions of the same and the comforts we receive thereby and learne what we and our soules or we in soule ought to say thinkâ— and tâ—stifie of the blessed â—aorament if we be indeed worthy Receiverâ—â— So as our Preparation by repentance the examination of the truth of it in our loathing dotesting of sin and lonâ—ing desire after Christ and his righteousnes our preparation by faith in examining the truth evidence ground and fruit of it the excellency of this excellency of this faith seen in the operations of all parts of both body and soul work by love towards God and charity towards men enflamed with good and holy desires and zealous of good allions Whereby worthy receivers or so much deficient as falling short or deficient in this to be accompted and so all possible means before and reverent gesture behaviour and holy Meditations at the time oâ—â—eceiving to be used as after receiving a due serious and thankefull recognition of this benefit and Gods mercies and blessings in Christ with prayâ—rs and pious meditations to be used and all opposiâ—e vanity and prophanesse avoided 1. VVHat is required of them that come to the Lords Supper A due preparation to be rightly disposed both before at and after the receiving of the same 2. What is this preparation To examine themselves whether they repent them truly of their former sins stedfastly purposing to lead a new life have a lively faith in Gods mercy through Jesus Christ with a thankfull remembrance of his death and be in charitie with all men 3.
heart 2. To set at liberty in the spirituall bondage of sinne 3. To inflame us with a kinde of heat of devotion 4. To give patience in adversity and trouble 5. To nourish us in health and prosperity 6. To restore us in sicknesse or extremity 7. To unite us to God in peace and charity 8. To Communicate his graces to us in necessitie 9. To make us whole if weak and lame 10. To preserve us being made whole 11. To strengthen us in all our life 12. To conduct us to glory in our death And according to this is Saint Bernards meditation on the same 12. How is that That this heavenly Manna and divine mystery 1. Is physicke to the body 2. Way to the traveller 3. Strength to the weak 4. Joy to the whole 5. Refuge to the poore 6. Counsell to the rich 7. Help to them in danger 8. Heavenly comfort to the departing soule According to that which saith a reverend moderne Divine 1. If that I am sicke here I may cure me 2. If whole here I may keep me 3. If living here I may comfort me 4. If dead in sin here I may raise me 5. If I desire to burn with the love of God here I may inflame me 6. If I am cold in devotion here I may warme mee 7. If blind here I may enlighten me 8. If spotted here I may cleanse me 9. I will not flie from God as Adam did since here I shall finde grace to strengthen me 13. What sentences of holy Scripture concerning it For our comforts we may remember That 1. To Adam was said that day thou eatest of that tree thou shalt die but of this here to us eat and live for ever Joh. 6. 58. 2. Of mount Sinai it was said he that toucheth the hill Exod. 19. shall die but who commeth to this hill and feast described Esa. 25. 6. shall live 3. In Sampsons Riddle De forte dulcedo and out of this Lion of the Tribe of Juda the sweetnesse of this heavenly Manna in the Eucharist 4. Jacob said surely God is in this place though I was not ware of it Gen. 28. 16. so may we say God is here though we see him not 5. David saith Memoriam fecit mirabilium suorum Psal. 111. true of this holy mystery his memoriall and Tues magnus faciens mirabilia Psal. 86. 9. 6. Abraham weaning Isaac made a feast Gen. 21. 8. Christ to weane us from the love of the world maketh us this heavenly feast 7. To Zacheus was said This day is salvation come unto thy house Luke 19. this is said to our soules by Christs comming 8 Adam cast out of Paradise must eat the bread of carefulnesse man received to grace in Christ doth thus eat the bread of life Angels food 9. The Spouse in the Canticles saith Cant. 5. 1 I have gathered my myrrhe with my spice I have eaten my honey-combe with my honey I have drunk my wine with my milk eat O my friends drink c. so speaketh Christ to our soules in the Eucharist 10. Christ teacheth this salutation Peace be to this house Luke 10. 5. he saith so to us in this and if we open to him he promiseth to sup and rest with us Rev. 3. 21. 14. What should the soule say in this respect It may well answer in the words of the Spouse 1. Ecce Sponsus as the wise Virgins Mat. 25. 6. and go forth to meet him 2. Ecce Ancilla Domini with the blessed Virgin Luke 1. 18. 3. Dic verbum vivet anima with the Centurion Matth. 8 29. 4. Lift up your heads ye gates and be you lift up you everlasting doors and the king of glory shall come in Psal 24. 5. Taste and see how gracious the Lord is c. Psal. 34. 7. 6. Give us Lord this water of life with the woman of Samaria John 4. 7. As the Hart longeth for the water-brookes c. Psal. 42. 15. What other comfortable sayings of the Fathers of this In that reverent stile they use of it as aforesaid and as St. Chrysostome saith it is a miracle of mysteries Saint Cyprian a joyfull solemnity Thomas Aquinas a precious banquet admirable wholesome and full of all sweetnesse as by the ancient Christians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 feast of charity and so generally a great divine venerable inestimable and most noble mystery 16. What is our necessity of it or how discovered By considering 1. Our want and nakednesse without it and what need of refreshing we have in our earthly journey 2. What comfort it bringeth with it bringing Christ and his graces into our houses 3. What is our work our land our people as was demanded of Jonah Jon. 1. 9. 4. Whither our journey tendeth in this our pilgrimage of life 5. Heaven our home and haven and this the onely or chiefe viand we can have for our refreshing on the way 17. How may we be confirmed or farther enflamed with the love and desire of this holy mystery By serious considering and ruminating with thy selfe these or the like holy meditations of the necessity greatnesse worthinesse of this divine and heavenly Sacrament or thy duty in the same and blessednesse by it As 1. How it is Manna Angels food Bread of life the Seale of the Covenant Pledge of Grace c. Marriage feast 2. How in regard of it all earthly honours and substance are vaine And hereby peace is come to thy soule and salvation 3. How whilest thou dost communicate thou art a temple of the holy Ghost and thy soule a house of prayer 4. How by it thou art become a living and new sepulchre for thy Saviours body or which more his graces to reside in 5. How he is thus taken down from the Crosse by thee and lodged in this new Sepulchre in thy garden 6. How hereby myrrhe and pure spices shall flow and distill into that Garden thy Soule 7. How it is the heavenly viand of the soule and onely best refection in thy journey towards heaven and eternity 8. How hereby thou mayest be cured of thy sicknesse of sin blindnes issue of bloud lamenesse or other infirmity 9. How thou art bid to this feast bring but faith and have it and all blessings Pray Lord increase my faith 10. How if Napkins brought from the body of the Apostles wrought cures and miracles how much more this body of the Lord in thee and to thy soule 11. How Christ in his conception tooke our nature and we in this spirituall reception and conception of him partake of his Divine nature 12. How as we receive him here in this state of grace he will hereafter receive us in glory 17. How is our preparation by repentance The examination of the truth of our repeâ—tance by the consideration of the time past and former sins Present weaknesses and infirmities To come our purpose of amendment by leaving our former courses and study to amend our present imperfections by our striving and