noted And his words are words of salutation and words of commission In the salutation hee wisheth or rather commandeth peace to come vpon them they should haue much trouble in the world but in Christ they should haue peace And withall they might thence gather that as any men doe more further and dispatch the worke of Christ so they shall more abound in inward peace and quiet of heart and conscience and if we haue peace within we should not greatly care what troubles or difficulties we meet withall without The words of commission declare both the authoritie of their office in preaching to Iewes and Gentiles and the confirmation of the successe of their ministerie both by signe and by promise The dignitie of their office is great for as God sent Christ so Christ sends them on embassage to the world They doe no other worke than what God laid vpon his owne Sonne The signe that should confirme them was that Christ breathed on them and said Receiue the Holy Ghost And this might confirme them two waies viz. both in respect of themselues and in respect of their hearers In respect of themselues they need not feare the difficultie of the worke for their sufficiencie should be from the Holy Ghost The Spirit of Christ should qualifie them and inspire them to do all that was required of them In respect of their hearers they must take comfort for that God that made a creation of life in man by breathing vpon him could and would breath spirituall life into the dead world by their preaching The promise annexed to their commission is that whose soeuer sinnes according to the tenor of the couenant of grace in the Gospell they should publikely or priuately remit their pardon should be ratified in heauen and contrariwise whosoeuer should for their impenitencie and contumacie be by them bound ouer to the Iudgement of Christ according to the tenor of the couenant of works and according to the malediction pronounced against all such as despise the Gospell Christ would ratifie their act in the day of death and iudgement and for the present account of them as persons reiected of God Thus of the fiue Apparitions on the day of the resurrection In the rest of the 40. dayes we reade of six other Apparitions The first was the eighth day after the resurrection to the Apostles Thomas being present Ioh. 20. 24 c. Where I note only two things the occasion of this Apparition and the manner of it The occasion of it was the vnbeleefe of Thomas which was very grieuous as containing in it many faults viz. forgetfulnesse of the doctrine of Christ that had foretold his resurrection and wilfull blindnesse for though he be told by them as had seene the Lord that Christ was risen yet he professeth he will not beleeue and withall an insolent limiting of God that vnlesse he may see and feele the print of the nailes and speare he protesteth he will not beleeue Which as it sheweth what wickednesse may lodge in the hearts of good men so it exalteth the praise of the compassion and patience of Christ that will shew mercy in curing such Christians But yet obserue the iustice of Christ vpon such wayward Christians First he is kept a long time viz. eight dayes without comfort and besides he loseth that glorious doctrine was deliuered in the former Apparitions to the rest of the Apostles In the manner of the Apparition obserue both the circumstances and the words of Christ The circumstances are reported vers 26. and are the same with the former Apparition of purpose to helpe the faith of Thomas when hee should see it done as the Apostles had before told him The words of our Sauiour are directed either by way of salutation to all the Disciples or by speciall appellation to Thomas in the salutation he wisheth them peace as he did before to shew them that in this world in doing their worke it was enough for them if they could possesse a heart and conscience within that was at peace though in all outward things they finde trouble In the words to Thomas I obserue what our Sauiour said and the effect in Thomas and our Sauiours reply In his first words to shew that he knew all things and heard euery word Thomas had said in his absence he cals to him to do according to the words of his own wilfull limitation but withall giues him a lash for his vnbeleefe vers 27. It is the portion of wayward Christians euen when God doth most comfort them to meet with secret ierks from God and withall they may see that though men would forget their wilfulnesse yet Christ remembers it And as appeares by the reply afterwards when they reforme and doe their best yet their comfort is mixed with their dispraise The effect in Thomas was an excellent confession excelling the most confessions had beene made before expressing more than was in question and much tendernesse of heart both in beleeuing in Christ and resoluing to be ruled by him when he said with such words My Lord and my God Which shewes how Christ can glorifie his power in making weake Christians sometimes to expresse more life of faith and knowledge than stronger Christians In the reply our Sauiour commends that faith most that resteth least vpon sense and feeling The second Apparition was to seuen of the Disciples as they went to fishing Ioh. 21. 1 c. Where the things I would obserue either concerne the time of this Apparition or the persons to whom or are taken from the substance of the Storie it selfe About the time I may take occasion to cleare a doubt which is this The Disciples were commanded immediatly after the resurrection by a message sent them by the women from Christ that they should meet him on a Mountaine in Galile Matth. 28. 10. 16. Now it appeares by the time of this and the former Apparition that they tarry many daies in Ierusalem The answer is that they were bound to tarry in Ierusalem eight daies because of the Passeouer and it seemes they were now going into that place in Galile Now for the persons to whom he appeares they were seuen of them of different conditions Peter and Thomas had fallen shamefully Nathaniel was no Apostle but yet a man without guile the sonnes of Zebedee had beleeued after they had seene the Lord two other Disciples are not named and toward all these in a different respect is the loue of Christ shewed Christ will manifest himselfe not only to constant Christians but to such as haue fallen and repented nor only to Apostles but to priuate Christians not only to knowne and eminent Disciples but to such as we know not Now for the substance of the Storie the things I shall obserue for the letter of it either concerne the estate of godly men in outward things or the demonstration of the Diuinitie of Christ About the estate of godly men I note three things First that
4. The parts of his Priest-hood are Sacrifice and Intercession by Sacrifice he prayes for the sinnes of the Elect to this end to reconcile them to God and to deliuer them from the power of the diuell and this Sacrifice of our Sauiour excells all the Ceremoniall Sacrifices for they were but Types this was the substance They prepared the bodies of beasts or other things he prepared his owne body yea his very soule was made a sacrifice for sinne as hee offered vp himselfe as a Sacrifice for many sinnes they needed many sacrifices but he by one sacrifice of himselfe makes Attonement for all the sinnes of the Elect and that Sacrifice but once offered whereas theirs were offered successiuely and their sacrifices could not cleanse the conscience from sinne properly nor pacifie God as many Scriptures testifie whereas Christs Sacrifice of his owne body and bloud doth fully pacifie God and doth effectually purge the conscience from dead workes Their sacrifices did not make the worshippers more holy Heb. 9. 13. 14. With the bloud of these sacrifices the very high Priest in the greatest solemnity could onely enter within the vaile of the Temple but Christ by his bloud opens heauen and that not onely once a yeare but keepes it alwaies open nor did Christ enter within the Vaile onely for himselfe but hath left the way for vs euen a liuing and lasting way for vs to get to heauen by vertue of his bloud Heb. 10. 19. The second worke of our high-Priest is Intercession or to offer prayers and so he made a threefold Intercession for vs. The one a little before his Atachment recorded Iohn 17. The other in the very time of the Sacrifice while it was hanged vp of which is mention made Luke 23. 34. The third in the heauenly Sanctuary as he sits at Gods right hand to make request for vs Heb. 9. 24. The Vse should be first for consolation and that in diuers respects 1. Because God hath giuen vs such an excellent high Priest 2. Because by his Priest-hood we obtaine such excellent benefits as the Scriptures shew viz. from his sacrifice Reconciliation with God 1. Pet. 3. 18. Rom. 8. 10. The opening of the very Fountaine of grace Zach. 13. 1. Forgiuenesse of all our sinnes Rom 3. 25. Iustification by his righteousnesse Dan. 9 24. The taking away of all malediction and condemnation and the merit of eternall life Heb. 10. 19. and from his intercession we receiue the obtaining of our prayers and suits at Gods hands Reuel 8. 3. 4. and the pouring out vpon vs the spirit of intercession teaching vs and helping vs to pray Zach. 12. 12. Rom. 8. 26. and the perfuming of all our workes making them acceptable to God the non-suiting of all the Accusations of Sathan or euil men brought against vs Romanes 8. 33. Iohn 17. 14. 15. 3. Because he hath made vs Priests also vnto God by pouring out vpon vs of the Oyle of his Grace Reuel 1. Secondly the consideration of the Sacrifice and intercession of Christ should teach vs 1. To take heed that wee dishonor not God through vnbeliefe and dispaire 2. That we liue as may become the glory of him that hath bought vs at such a price abhorring all filthinesse both of flesh and spirit 1. Cor. 6. 20. 3. Seeing we are Priests wee must offer those Sacrifices are inioyned vs which are 1. The Teares of contrition or a broken heart Psal 51. 19. 2. Prayers and Thankesgiuing vnto God Psal 141. 2. Reuel 5. 8. Heb. 13. 15. 3. Almes to the Poore or Contribution to the distressed Phil. 4. 18. 4. The giuing of our selues to our Teachers to be wholy ruled by them our soules so subiected are the sacrifice and they offer them vp to God when they pray and giue thanks for vs Rom. 15. 16. 5. Good workes for these are sacrifices of righteousnesse euery good worke is a Sacrifice Psal 4. 5. But especially to giue our selues soule and body to God to let him doe with vs whatsoeuer he will is the chiefe of Sacrifices euen a whole burnt offering when wee yeeld to obey God in all things without reseruing any thing to our selues Rom. 12. 1. Thus of his Anointing to the Priest hood His Anointing to the Kingdome followes where these things may bee distinctly obserued 1. That the Church of God is not without a King though he be not so visible to vs as the Kings of the Earth are Ier. 23. 5. Psal 2. 6. 2. That Iesus of Nazareth is that King Mat 28. 18. Acts 2. 30. â—3 36. 1. Cor. 15. 25. 3. Iâ— what things it may appeare that Christ is a King 1. He hath the â—â—â—es of a King Yea King of Kings Reuel 19. 16. 2. He liues in the Maiesty and Glory of a King he sits in the Throne of Glory Psal 45. He hath his Court in diuers places of the Earth where he is pleased to keepe house The Sanctuarie is his Court. Hee is attended on as a King hee hath thousands of Angels that waite about his Throne 3. He hath the power of a King All Power is giuen him in Heauen and Earth Mat. 28. 18. 4. He giues Lawes like a King He is the onely Lawgiuer of the Church Iames 4. 12. 5. He Conquers like a King who can recount the greatnes of his conquests in the conuersion of the Gentiles And so he conquers daily in gathering men by his Word and Spirit out of the kingdome of darkenesse into the kingdome of his grace here 6. He gouernes like a King prouiding for the welfare of the godly in all Ages ruling all things by his owne power and making them to worke together for the best to them that loue God 7. He hath power of life and death as a King and is appointed of God a Iudge both of quick and dead Act. 10. 42. 2 Tim. 4. 1. Ier. 23. 5. Fourthly the excellencie of Christ the King aboue all other Kings and so he excells 1. In the preheminence of his Person Other Kings are the sonnes of men hee is the Sonne of God Hee is better borne then any King Whether we respect his Generation as God or his Incarnation as man for he was conceiued of the holy Ghost and so had no sinne and borne of a Virgin not by the way of propagation as other Kings are borne Hee had neither Father nor Mother no Father as man no Mother as God Psal 2. Luke 1. Heb. 7. 2. In the excellence of his gifts for gouernement Neuer King so qualified he is fairer then the children of men and Anointed with the Oyle of grace and gifts aboue his fellowes Psal 45. He is the mighty God an euerlasting Father he is wonderfull for Wisedome and Counfell a Prince of Peace that knowes how to keepe the gouernment vpon his owne shoulders Esay 9. 6. and being now glorified in Heauen hath laid downe all humane infirmities and is glorified in his humane Nature with all degrees of heauenly gifts can
was his Father and the rather because in the Originall the proposition imports that this Conception was not onely by him but of him Answ The holy Ghost did worke this Conception not materially but effectually by causing it to be not by giuing matter out of himself to the Nature of Christ As Damascen said the holy Ghost begetteth not spermatically but operatiuely And Bernard saith that Christ was conceiued not of the substance but of the power not by any generation but by the appointment and benediction of the holy Ghost Rom. 11. vlt. all things are said to be of God Now it were senselesse therefore to conclude that God is the Father of all things for though he made all things yet hee did not make them out of his own substance for he is Father that makes a thing to be out of his owne substance so the holy Ghost did not make the humane Nature of Christ For the fourth there were two things done by the holy Ghost in this conception the first was the production of the humane Nature the other was the vniting of it to the second Person in the Trinity The first of these is most properly the worke of the holy Ghost the secoÌ„d but in som respects for the secoÌ„d Person in Trinity did assume the matter so prepared wrought by the holy Ghost The humane nature produced was both the body and soule of our Sauiour now in the production of the body of Christ there are two things to be considered first the preparation of the matter of his bodie secondly the sanctification of it The matter of the body of Christ prepared in the conception was the very substance of the flesh of the Virgin that is the seed or purest bloud of the Virgin separated by the holy Ghost and carried to the place of conception and therefore is Christ called the fruit of her wombe Luk. 1. 42 The sanctification of this matter containes in it two things first the washing of that substance from the staine of sin with which it was infected by nature so as now it should neuer more haue any spot or staine of sin in it and the stopping of the imputation of Adams sinne secondly the infusion of all purenesse and holinesse which belongs vnto the soule aswell as the body in that very moment it was ioyned to the body Now that Christ was conceiued without sinne of that there was no sin in that flesh when it became the flesh of Christ is manifest by these Scriptures he was made like vnto vs in all things sinne onely excepted Heb. 4. 15. and Rom. 8. 3. he was said to be made onely in the similitude of sinfull flesh Against this diuers things are obiected as Ob. 1. That the Scripture saith that Christ was made sinne for vs. Answ He was made sinne for vs as he was made a Sacrifice for sinne so the sinne offerings in the Old Testament were called sinne Againe he was made sinne for vs by imputation because our sinnes were charged vpon him but he had no sinne in his Nature 1. Pet. 2. 21. Ob. 2. Whosoeuer were in Adam sinned in Adam Rom 5. 12. But Christ was in Adam as appeareth by the Genealogie which is drawne vp euen to Adam Luke 3. Answ It is not true that all that were in Adam sinned in him for they onely sinned that were in him not onely in respect of the substance of the flesh but in respect of the carnal manner by which ordinarily man is begotten by man but Christ was in Adam in respect of the substance of his flesh but not in respect of the manner of propagation by him because he was conceiued without the seed of man and therefore sinned not in Adam or thus Originall sin is deriued vnto Adams Posterity by propagation only now Christ to preuent that came into the world by this wonderfull conception by the holy Ghost Paul saith not of one man but by one man sin entered into the world Christ is onely from Adam other men are from him in respect of substance and by him in respect of propagation Ob. 3. But the flesh of the Virgin Mary was sinfull and therefore his flesh must needs be so Answ That flesh of hers was first sanctified made cleane by the holy Ghost before it was the flesh of Christ Ob. 4. If it be granted corruption of nature was not in Christ yet there is another part of Originall sinne and that is guiltinesse of Adams sinne in Paradise for all his posterity being in him sinned in him as Leui paid Tythes in Abraham and therefore that flesh of Christ sinned in Adam and was guilty of Adams particular offence though it neuer was propagated for propagation caries downe onely corruption of nature or an euill disposition to sinne after conception Answ If Adams offence bee imputed to none but to such as come of him by propagation as the Apostle imports Rom. 5. 12. then this scruple is so auoided secondly doth not the sanctification of that flesh in the wombe of the Virgin clense it from Adams actuall offence aswell as from euill disposition thirdly what inconuenience will follow if we grant that Adams sin was imputed to Christ so as we vnderstand it in respect of the Malediction for Christ was a surety for all sinnes Adams sin and all the sin of his posterity Ob. 5. Vpon whomsoeuer death came he sinned but death came vpon Christ therefore it seemes he sinned Answ It is true that whomsoeuer death by his owne power doth preuaile against that party surely sinned because death is the wages of sinne But death did not exercise any power ouer Christ for hee was not compelled to die but laid downe his owne life voluntarily Iohn 10. 17. 18. besides death befell him not as a sinner but as a surety for sinne and so though death came vpon him for sinne yet it was not for his sinne but for other mens The Papists to auoid sinne in the flesh of Christ say that the Virgin Mary was conceiued without sinne and so it came to passe that Christ was without sinne But this is a senselesse doâ—age for first where doe they proue it by Scripture that shee was without sinne Secondly if shee were conceiued without sinne then her parents were so too and if her parents then theirs and so into an infinite thirdly then what needed Christ this conception by the holy Ghost Thus of the producing of the body of Christ His soule was produced as the soules of other men are that is It was immediately created by the holy Ghost and infused into his body onely there is difference amongst diuines about the time of the infusing of the soule of Christ for in the ordinarie course Nature proceeds in this manner first there is the masse of bloud or seed receiued in the wombe but there is no parts of a body framed at the first after a certaine number of weekes
nature formes that substance into the parts of the body distinctly but yet it is without life then is the soule infused when the body is organicall and so it is quickned a true man it is not before a man but Embryo as they cal it Now the question is how Christ could receiue that imperfect Embryo or the flesh at the first conception seeing it was not a perfect humane Nature To this some answer that our Sauiour did not follow the ordinary course of taking flesh as other men doe but in the very instant of the conception his body was made organical had perfect members and the soule infused at that instant also and their reason is this because the Sonne of God did not become a person to any thing but the Man-hood of Christ Now the Man-hood must needs haue a reasonable soule and body formed and organicall else we must say that something did subsist in the Person of his diuine Nature that was not man as Embryo or the lumpe vnformed and not animated was Besides when God made a man by the power of the holy Ghost without the seed of man hee made him perfect at one instant and euery way formed in all parts as when he made Adam and Eue they were in an instant made perfect in soule and body Other Diuines conceiue that this opinion cannot be true because Christ was made in all things like vnto vs sinne onely excepted now there could bee no sinne in that ordinary course of Nature if originall sinne bee remoued as it was in Christ Now in the course of Nature first that which is materiall is formed as it were the house of the soule and then the soule is infused not onely as the guest of it but as the forme and life of it and so it must be in Christ Now for the first reason they answer that the Hypostatical vnion in the person of Christ was so made aboue nature as withall Christ assumed that which belonged to the nature of man according to the course of Nature and so first the seede and then the body formed and the soule infused according to nature into that body so as that flesh before the comming in of the soule did subsist in the Word as it did after the soule was infused for the Word tooke our Nature which is not hindered by the absence or presence of the soule as when Christ was dead his soule was in his Fathers hands and his flesh was shut vp in the graue and was not quickened then by the soule yet the flesh of Christ without the soule and life did subsist in the word aswell as it did before or after The other reason is of no force for God did not make our first Parents so out of necessity but out of the good pleasure of his will not binding himselfe to that frame of working for all times afterwards And thus of the production of the humane nature The assumption of that Nature into personall vnion with the word followes and the summe of that which wee are to beleeue concerning this Mystery is that the whole nature of man in that particular subiect soule and body with all meere naturall faculties and parts yea and infirmities was taken into an vnspeakeable and eternall personall vnion with the diuine nature of Christ There was nothing which was ours sinne excepted which was not by the holy Ghost vnited to the word for as Christ had all that God the Father had praeter ignascentiam saue that he was not vnbegotten so he had all that Adam had solâ except â peccantiâ saue that he was without sinne as a Father said onely for the manner of this assuming of our nature diuines conceiue that the word was ioyned to the soule immediately and to the body mediately that is by meanes of the soule And thus of the fourth point The fifth is The manner of the conception how the holy Ghost did it and that in respect of the perfect vnderstanding is simply aboue the reach of any creature especially any mortall creature if it be true of our conception in the wombe that we are fearefully and wonderfully made as is said Psal 139. 13. then it must needs be much more true of Christs conception and forming but a certaine glimpse of it is giuen vs by two formes of speech vsed in this Text Luke 1. 35. The first is the holy Ghost shall come vpon thee the other is the power of the most high shall ouershadow thee by the first forme of speech is noted the wonder of the worke that it was not done by any naturall meanes but extraordinarily aboue the course of nature by the holy Ghost and that it was done after a most pure and diuine manner about which a Father saith Oh most pure coniunction without filth where speech is the husband and eare is the wife meaning that shee conceiued vpon the speech and hearing of the promise assoone as shee had giuen her matrimonial consent as it were the ouershadowing by the power of the most High imports that is was not done spermatically but operatiuely and that the holy Ghost did this by a speciall power of working neuer any such thing hauing bin donne before as also it imports that the worke was most secret and mysticall so as the Virgin being couered as with a cloud could not her selfe tell how it was done and that though God did worke this with a speciall excellencie of glory yet his Maiesty should not ouercome her but it should be as it were clouded and lastly that that holy thing which was to be conceiued in her and borne by her should be protected and kept safe as the greatest treasure God had care of or did giue vnto men The sixth thing is why it was necessary Christ should bee so conceiued after such a wonderfull manner and with so much holines and sanctification I answer for two euident Reasons for first if his body had not bin most pure it had not bin fit to bee ioyned in personall vnion with the Word And secondly if he had bin conceiued in sinne as other men are he could not haue bin a Sauiour to vs because then he would haue needed a Sauiour for himselfe The seuenth thing is the time when the Virgin conceiued and that was immediately vpon the speech of the Angell and her owne consent to it which was the twenty fiue of March the day which is called the Annuntiation of the Virgin Mary and one may wonder why that day should not rather be called the day of the conception of Christ then of the Annuntiation of the Virgin The eighth point is the effects of this conception in respect of vs and so the first effect is the hiding of the impurity of our conception from the sight of God and satisfying Gods Iustice for our originall sinne for the holinesse of Christs conception is the first and chiefe part of the righteousnesse imputed to vs All his righteousnesse is ours and so
of our liues against the sense of our owne vnrighteousnesse and defects of Holinesse It is the ioy of our Hearts that we may euer say of Iesus he is the Lord our righteousnesse and that he is made vnto vs of God righteousnesse Ier. 23. 6. 1 Cor. 1. 30. 2 Cor. 5. 21. Rom. 5. 19. And therefore this great and free gift of God we must not only beleeue but acknowledge and professe Againe we should alwaies be stirred vp from the meditation of the singular holinesse of heart and life which was in Christ to striue to be holy as he is holy for though a perfect obedience be not required of vs in the new Gouenant yet this righteousnesse of Christ is bestowed vpon those men only that walke not after the flesh but after the Spirit Rom. 8. 3 4. Now for the reasons why this Article of Christs actiue obedience was not mentioned in the Creed I cannot well tell what they were vnlesse it were for breuities sake or because it is implied in his passiue obedience for it is true that we must not diuide his actiue and passiue obedience the one from the other because as they meet both in one Sauiour so they are both ioyntly imputed to vs to make vp that one worke of our Iustification It remaines now that I enter vpon the explication of the sufferings of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ and so there be Six things of great weight and profit to be distinctly considered of 1. Who suffered 2. From whom he suffered 3. For whom he suffered 4. Why it was needfull he should suffer 5. What he suffered 6. How he suffered For the first hee that suffered is described in the words next before in the Creed it was Iesus Christ the only Sonne of Godour Lord who was so wonderfully conceiued and borne For the vnderstanding whereof we must conceiue that the Passion of Christ belongs to his Person and so is attributed in respect of the Person to both Natures for though in his diuine Nature he cannot suffer because hee is Immutable nor can die because he is Immortall and therefore properly suffers but in his humane Nature yet in respect of the Person suffering his sufferings belong euen to the diuine Nature for if the flesh be the flesh of the Word then must also the sufferings of the flesh be the sufferings of the Word also for neither was the Word disioyned from the flesh nor the flesh seuered from the Word Nor was there any hurt done to the Nature that is inuiolable by that which was to be suffered in the Nature passible If the Sunne shine vpon a peece of timber though an axe cut the timber yet the Sunne remaines impassible so is it when the Diuinitie is ioyned to the suffering flesh of Christ yet I say in respect of the personall vnion the suffering is also attributed to the diuine Nature Thus the Scripture saith God redeemed the Church with his bloud Act. 20. 28. and the Lord of glory was crucified 1 Cor. 2. 8. So then the summe of all is that the Son of God did suffer in that Nature he could suffer in and this point may serue for very many vses As 1. We may stand still and with amazement gaze and wonder at the glory of this Mystery imported in this first point What is this the eyes of our faith behold was it euer thus seene before The Maker of man is made Man and while he rules the Starres he suckes the brests He that is Bread hungereth He that is the eternall Fountaine is athirst He that is the Way is weary He that is the Truth is obscured by false witnesses He that is the Iudge of quicke and dead is iudged by a mortall Iudge He that is Righteousnesse himselfe is condemned by the vnrighteous He that is the God of all Order is beaten with rods He that is the Power of God is made weake He that is Saluation is wounded and He that is Life dies 2. By the Euidence of this Truth the Christian Church draw out those Heretiques were called Patripassiani that held that God the Father suffered and that the termes of Father Sonne and Holy Ghost did note but one Person only Which grosse Heresie as it is confuted by the Doctrine of the Trinity before so by this Doctrine contained in this branch of this Article 3. We may hence gather how hatefull sinne is that can make God suffer that can abase so fearefully as you shall heare afterwards the very Sonne of God who yet did no sinne but was only a surety as is to be shewed yea it makes him suffer from his owne naturall Father so vile a thing is sin and so iust is God What can be more senselesse than the heart of man that from hence doth not clearely see the vgly and monstrous nature of sinne and the most vnauoidable iustice of God in punishing sinne Doth Christ suffer and from his owne Father and is it possible any of vs should be so bewitched as to go on in sinne and yet think there is such mercy in God as to spare him though he forsake not his euill wayes 4. Is Gods Sonne thus abased for vs and doe not wee pitie him Are not our stony hearts melted with compassion towards him Oh why doe we not more mourne for him suffering than we would for our owne and only sonnes This wee should doe and must neuer haue the praise of good Nature till we can be more affected with his abasement that was so high and excellent in his owne Person 5. Our faith should be wonderfully from hence strengthned considering the vnspeakable sufficiencie of the sufferings of Christ for our sinnes for if the Sonne of God redeemed vs and satisfied for vs and suffered for vs then wee must needs be fully ransomed and though our sinnes be many yet the bloud of Iesus Christ the Sonne of God cleanseth vs from all our sinnes 1 Ioh. 1. 7. Note that he saith the bloud of the Sonne of God for that makes his bloud a perfect and sufficient price of Redemption 6. If the Sonne of God suffered then it should be a shame for the sons of men to be vnwilling to suffer or to be impatient in their afflictions Heb. 12. 3. especially such as are in meane condition in this world should from hence be resolued without murmuring to beare hard vsage as is vrged in the case of seruants 1 Pet. 2. 18. 19. Thus of the first Point For the second Point viz. from whom he suffered We must know that if we let passe the higher causes of his Passion and looke vpon the creatures only he suffered from all sorts of Enemies The Deuils and the High Priests the Pharisies and the People Iudas and Pilate Herod and the Souldiers Iewes and Gentiles his owne Countrey-men and strangers all oppose him and from all he suffered as the History of the Gospell more at large shewes Which point is worthy our obseruation for diuers vses First
Christ was pierced First that the Scripture might be fulfilled which said They shall looke vpon him whom they haue pierced Ioh. 19. 37. Zach. 12. 10. Secondly that great mysterie of the originall of the Church is here imported As Eue was formed out of the side of Adam when hee was asleepe so the Church was to bee formed out of that which flowed from the side of Christ when he was dead God opened the side of Adam when he would make the woman and so God opened the side of Christ the second Adam when he was to make the Christian Church Now that place of the Prophet shewes what vse wee should make of this part of the Passion of Christ namely to take occasion from thence to bewaile our sinnes that were the cause of his death and to acknowledge that we were the men that are spiritually guilty of that cruelty shewed vnto Christ And because our hearts by nature are barren and vnapt to this godly sorrow we must pray God to powre out vpon vs of his Spirit as it is a Spirit of compassion to melt our hearts and a Spirit of deprecation to make vs able by prayer to sue for pardon of our sins and to beseech God to accept of the propitiation made in Christs bloud that so his wrath may not fall vpon vs for our sinnes Now the water and bloud that came out of the side of Christ was both miraculous as is thought and wonderfully mysticall That it was miraculous is gathered from that extraordinary notice S. Iohn takes of it Iohn 19. 34. and 1 Iohn 5. 6. wherin the miracle should lye is not easie to tell There is a skin that incloseth the heart called Pericardium which holdeth water in it that cooleth the heart of man which is so essentiall to life that if it be consumed it is impossible the creature should liue Now I take it that the wonder lyes in this that whereas in death especially such a painefull death as Christs was that water is consumed and dried vp with the extreame heat of the heart striuing for life yet in Christ who died not only willingly but also before the time he needed to die with the paine the water was still in that bag or skin and therefore when the speare pierced the heart both water and bloud came forth Now for the Reasons why this fell out diuers are assigned For first hereby the truth of Christs death is infallibly proued For no creature can liue if the heart and that Pericardium be pierced And it concernes our saluation that Christ should die indeed and not in appearance Secondly the chiefe thing intended by this suffering was the discouery of a dreadfull mysterie concerning the vertue of the death of Christ for this is he that came by water and bloud euen Iesus Christ that brings with him for our saluauation both the water of Sanctification to wash vs from the staine of our sinnes and the bloud of expiation to make full atonement before God for the guilt of our sinnes Not by water only but by bloud also Moses when he deliuered the people of Israel in that bodily deliuerance came by water when he went thorow the Red-sea but he brought no bloud for atonement Iohn Baptist when he brought tidings of Spirituall deliuerance he came by water washing men to signifie repentance but there was no bloud that he could exhibite and his water was but Symbolicall and significatiue But Christ came by water and bloud which hee not onely powred out on the Crosse but hath left in the hearts of all beleeuers as witnesses not only to him but to them also 1 Ioh. 5. 7 8. For as there be Three in heauen that beare witnesse of Christ and the happinesse of Christians in him viz. the Father who testified by voice from heauen Mat. 3. and the Word who testified both by doctrine and miracles and the Holy Ghost who testified as at other times so on the day of Pentecost Act. 2. So there be Three on earth that testifie viz. the Spirit of Adoption that witnesseth to our spirits and the water of Mortification which washeth away and destroyeth the staine and power of sinne and the bloud of Iustification for a beleeuer relying vpon the bloud of Christ as the pacification for his sinnes is effectually deliuered from the guilt of them Now there would be no water to wash him from his sinnes nor bloud to make atonement if Christ had not shed both water and bloud vpon the Crosse Now all this is testified by the Spirit also in the Gospell and by water in Baptisme and by bloud in the Lords Supper and these also receiue all their life and force from the water and bloud that came out of the side of Christ on the Crosse Now the vse that we should make of this dreadfull Mystery should be to flie vnto this part of the Passion of Christ for our comfort against the power and guilt of our sinnes as beleeuing that out of the side of Christ at this time did runne that Fountain that was opened vnto the house of Dauid and to the inhabitants of Ierusalem for sinne and for vncleannesse Zach. 12. 1. Though our sinnes were neuer so many and loathsome yet in this Fountaine they may be cleane washed away but then withall wee must striue to get this Fountaine within vs this miraculous Fountaine I say that runnes water and bloud and to shew that we haue indeed a part in the death of Christ by the sound fruits of mortification and by the solide tran quilitie of our conscience beleeuing the expiation made in the bloud of Christ for vs as verily as if that bloud had beene really sprinkled vpon our hearts Some Diuines doe obserue another mystery in this water and bloud running out of the side of Christ for they obserue that as out of the side of the first Adam came the woman that deceiued all the world so out of the side of Christ came redemption and oblation from that deceiuing Thus of the piercing of Christs side after his death The testimonie giuen of his glory in his death was partly diuine and partly humane The diuine testimonies were three the Earthquake the rending of the Rockes and the opening of the Graues Matth. 27. 51 52. The trembling of the earth may signifie diuers things as First the immediate presence of the Diuine Nature for as the earth trembled when Christ came to giue the Law on Sinai Psal 67. 8 9. and as both heauen and earth shall melt and be in a manner consumed when Christ comes to Iudgement 2 Pet. 3. 10. So now that Christ is making atonement for the sinnes of the Elect and going out of the world hee makes the earth doe him homage and acknowledge his Diuinitie at that time when he seemed so despised amongst men Secondly the horrible indignitie of the fact of the Iewes in killing Christ the senselesse creatures tremble when the Lord of life dies and the Creator
of about an hundred pound weight Ioh. 19. 39. Mark 15. 46. but it was done without washing or embalming Lastly it is noted it was done after the manner of the Iewes buriall For the first in that Ioseph makes such haste in respect of the Sabbath approaching it shewes that all men that haue worke to doe towards the end of the weeke should order the matter so as they take vp not any part of the Lords day but vse the more haste and prouidence to haue all dispatched that they may wholly attend vnto Gods worke in that time which he hath consecrated to himselfe And by the way here seemes to be an intimation that burials are not so conuenient to be performed vpon the Sabbath day vnlesse it be in some case of necessitie when the bodie will not keepe till after the Lords day and cannot be prepared for buriall before it begin For the second Christ was buried openly that so there might be no colour of obiecting that there was any fraud vsed about his buriall and besides to testifie that the fruit of his death and buriall did belong to all men and withall it shewes the courage and strength of faith in these disciples that are now no more afraid of men and their terrors but giue glory to God in their hearts and will suffer what can come of it For the third point diuers things may be noted 1. From the cost they are at we may obserue that men that will follow Christ and be true disciples must not thinke much to be not only at labour but at cost also in what may be requisite for the seruice of Christ liuing or dead If rich men must be at cost with the dead bodie of Christ then must they also doe to the liuing members of Christ And further hence it is manifest that it is not vnlawfull to be at cost about the funerals of the dead Saints God makes great account of the dead bodies of his people that haue beene the Temples of the Holy Ghost and therefore it is no sinne according to mens estate to be at such cost as is requisite to comely and decent buriall according to their condition though vaine ostentation or idle ceremonies are not to be iustified 2. In that he was wrapped in pure linnen and with such costly spices it was 1. To proclaime the innocencie of Christ and to take away the ignominie of the Crosse and therefore they would not suffer his bodie to lye amongst the carkasses of theeues and malefactors They tell the world hereby that Christ was no such man 2. To signifie that the memoriall of the iust is blessed after they are dead Therefore they vsed things of such sweet smell in burying the dead that they might thereby signifie how sweet the memorie of the departed Saints is They are amiable euen when they are dead 3. It might in speciall signifie that from Christ dead and buried should arise a most sweet sauour in the heâ—rts of men brought vnto them by the efficacie of the Gospel causing Christ to dye and be buried in their soules 4. This cost about the bodies of the dead was vsed to signifie their assured hope of resurrection and therefore they bestow that cost as knowing that it is bestowed vpon bodies that shall liue againe Yet for all this cost Christs bodie was not embalmed which in respect of them came to passe by reason of the shortnesse of the time the Sabbath was so neere and therefore the women came the third day to annoint him after the Sabbath was ouer but he was rifen But in respect of God this embalming was not performed that thereby might be signified that Christs bodie needed no embalming because it could see no corruption in the graue Psal 16. 10. and that this incorruption might not be imputed to skill or medicines of men but only to the diuine power and withall to signifie that by Christ wee should be freed from that corruption which the sinne of the first Adam brought vpon vs all Lastly in that it is said that Christ was buried after the manner of the Iewes burying it shewes plainly that respect is to be had to the customes of any country or place where we liue and that Gods seruants haue beene carefull to obserue them and not willing to giue offence by crossing such customes This is true of all customes that are not sinfull and against the word of God though they be such vsages as are not commanded in Scripture for this manner of buriall was no where commanded in Gods word and yet the custome preuailes and good men obserue it Now in this place I may adde further two adiuncts of the buriall of Christ The first was the rowling of a great stone vpon the mouth of the Sepulchre which was not done so much out of any fashion as first that the bodie of Christ might not be exposed to any indignities or vile vsages by the enemies and further that thereby the glory of the power of Christ might the more appeare that could rise though a great stone were rolled vpon the mouth of the Sepulchre The second adiunct was the presence of certaine women that were witnesses of the buriall when the Apostles were fled Which also was done the better to shew the glory of Christ and his power and triumph that could make such weake ones strong and braue the enemies of mans saluation by setting weake women in the forefront of the battell that hold out the confession of Christ and giue not backe for all the furie of the aduersaries And thus of the manner of his buriall Now for the last point our Sauiour continued in the graue till the third day for he was buried the euening before the Iewish Sabbath and lay in the graue all the Sabbath day and rose about the beginning of the first day of the weeke Matth. 28. 1. and a little after his buriall his aduersaries desired of Pilate that the Sepulchre might bee watched lest his Disciples should steale him away by night Pilate grants them the Band of Souldiers who were appointed for the guard of the Temple and these they set to watch the Sepulchre and besides sealed the mouth of the Sepulchre now in all that time the bodie of Christ did suffer no putrifaction or corruption Now of all this foure questions may be demanded Quest 1. Why did our Sauiour continue in the graue three daies Answ That the type of Ionas might be fulfilled As Ionas was three daies and three nights in the Whales belly so must Christ be three daies in the belly of the earth Matth. 12. 40. Quest 2. Why did he rest in the graue on the Sabbath day Answ 1. Because as God when hee had finished the works of the Creation especially the making of man rested the seuenth day So Christ hauing finished our Redemption on the Crosse rested the seuenth day in the graue Answ 2. That this resting of his on the Sabbath might be a pledge of our
9. That when he doth come it will be so suddenly as thou shalt not haue time to make thy selfe ready or to mend thy course Matth. 25. 6 10 11 12. 1 Thess 5. 2 3. Matth. 24. 39. 10. That God will be Iudge himselfe 11. That it will be a finall sentence there can be no reuocation or appeale 12. That Gods proceedings in his iustice will be then all cleared they shall haue nothing to obiect and his iustice will the more appeare both by the equity of his dealing They haue had their dayes of sinning and therefore reason he should haue his day of Iudging and by the consideration of his patience that hath deferred this last iudgement for such a wonderfull while and besides God will then discouer a world of offences in euery wicked man that are not now knowne to others and finally God will then open the secrets of his counsell and bring forth exquisite reasons for his decrees and prouidence and iudgement which are now like a great deepe to vs. Lastly it must needs be most terrible to them if their hearts can apprehend now the horror of their summons by the sound of the last Trumpe and their publike shame before all the world and especially their eternall separation from God and all good things and that infinite torment they must for euer be in with the Deuill and his angels But yet vnto them this doctrine hath another vse that is more comfortable and that is that God yet giues them warning to repent and if the Terror of this day can now make them to repent their soules shall be saued in that day Act. 17. 31. else they are most wofully vndone for euer And on the other side it may be a doctrine of wonderf u confort to all the godly and the rather if they consider 1. That they haue iudged themselues already and therefore haue Gods promise they shall not be condemned at that day 1 Cor. 11. 31 32. 2. That God hath iudged them already they haue indured their paine already in this world God will account the afflictions of this life sufficient vnto them 1 Pet. 4 17. 3. That they are alreadie perfectly iustified and absolued from all their sins Rom. 3. 24 25. and 8. 33. 4. That they haue Christ to be their Iudge for there are many comforts in that point They need not be afraid of his sentence because hee hath beene their aduocate all this while and hath pleaded for them at the barre of Iustice 1 Ioh. 2. 1 2. and he is their brother their husband their head and all things else in relation which imports dearenesse Reade but the Booke of Canticles and consider whether he that giues such wonderfull louing and familiar termes of affection to his Church can euer be brought to pronounce a terrible sentence vpon her And besides hath he not in Scripture left many promises that assure vs of our happinesse at that day And further who can reade the story of the Passion of Christ and thinke that he will euer speake terrible things to them for whom he suffered so grieuous things on earth Was he not himselfe iudged for them on earth that they might be absolued from heauen Lastly he hath left vs the seale of the Spirit of promise euen his owne Spirit in our hearts as an earnest of our most glorious and finall Redemption at that day and besides that priuie seale of his Spirit how often hath hee set to his broad seale in the Sacraments from time to time And therefore they may be all assured that there Christ will be made maruellous in that day in all them that beleeue to their euerlasting honour and praise and glory Thirdly the doctrine of the last Iudgement should serue also for instruction and so 1. It should strike a constant feare of God into our hearts and of his dreadfull iustice and maiestie Reuel 14. 7. 2. It should make vs very patient vnder any wrongs or oppressions of the wicked men of the world especially when men suffer trouble for Christs sake and the Gospels for we shall be sure to see a perfect recompence vpon our aduersaries at that day if they repent not 2 Thess 1. 5 6 7. Iam. 5. 6 7. Phil. 4. 5. 3. It should teach euery Christian to be temperate and reserued in the case of censure and iudging of others 1 Cor. 4. 5. and 5. 12. Rom. 14. 10 11 12. But especially it should maruellously fire the hearts of Gods children to all possible care and conscience to expresse all manner of holinesse and good works in all parts of their conuersation and to auoid all things that may offend Tit. 2. 12 13. 2 Pet. 3. 11 14. 1 Cor. 15. 5 8. The eighth Article I beleeue in the Holy Ghost 1 IOHN 5. 7. For there are three which beare record in heauen the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are one HItherto of the Articles of the Creed that concerne the Father and the Son Now followeth the Article that concernes the third Person in the Trinity in those words I beleeue in the Holy Ghost Ghost is an old English word and signifieth Spirit and this Title of the Holy Spirit is giuen to the third Person in Trinity in a speciall manner The word Spirit by way of cause and the word Holy by way of effect He is a spirit not only in nature so the Father and Son are a Spirit but because hee proceeds from the Father and the Son by way of spiration or breathing on the other side he is called holy not only in respect of Nature for so Father and some are holy but by effect because hee makes the Church holy Now to beleeue in the holy Ghost is not only to beleeue that there is a holy Ghost but to relie vpon him for sanctification and saluation and all happinesse to beleeue the holy Ghost to say true when he speaketh or to beleeue what is written of him will not serue turne vnlesse wee beleeue in him The reason why there is but one Article about the Holy Ghost is because the doctrine concerning him hath not beene so much opposed as the doctrine concerning Christ or the Father vnlesse wee take in the Articles that follow and place them vnder this head of the Holy Ghost which may be done thus The third part of the Creed concernes the Holy Ghost and his speciall operation which is sanctification which is declared partly by the obiect which is the Church and partly by the effect which is communion of Saints which communion is enioyed in three things viz. Forgiuenesse of sinnes Resurrection of the body and life euerlasting Before I come to open the full meaning of the words of this Article I obserue from the generall consideration of them with the coherence these things 1. That the Holy Ghost is God as well as the Father and the Sonne because we must beleeue in him as well as in the Father and the Sonne which
the sanctifying of them vnto obedience 1 Pet. 1 2. 2 Thess 2. 13. and this the Spirit doth by quickning them and stirring them vp to good works both by inward motions and by the ministerie of the word made effectually Thus the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodnesse and righteousnesse and truth Ephes 5. 9. and It is the Spirit only that quickens Ioh. 6. 63. and further he doth it by purifying the soule from such drosse as might hinder obedience 1 Pet. 1. 22. such as pride hypocrisie and worldly lusts and by helping our infirmities when we know not what to doe as we ought Rom. 8. 26. and by putting life into v in the manner of well-ding Rom. 8. 10. and besides by causing vs to keepe Gods statutes and to doe them Ezech. 36. 27. as it were working our works for vs setting vs to worke and directing all the worke of our hands and finally by sanctifying the offering vp both of our selues and of our seruice vnto God as the Altar sanctifies the gift Rom. 15. 16. and by opening of an accesse vnto God in all our seruice Eph. 2. 18. The fourth worke of the Holy Ghost in the elect is Consolation for he is giuen vnto them of Christ as an vnspeakable Comforter all their daies Ioh. 14. 16. such a Comforter as the world neuer had nor can receiue as Christ saith in that place and this ioy in the Holy Ghost is a prime part of the kingdome of God Rom. 14. 17. and thus he comforteth them with ioyes vnspeakable and glorious 1 Pet. 1. 9. and this makes the godly to walke on in the feare of God with great incouragement Act. 9. 31. and as he is a Comforter to them in all estates so especially in the daies of affliction and distresse he rests vpon them as a Spirit of glory giuing them such tastes of the ioyes of heauen as makes them contemne all earthly things 1 Pet. 4. 14. and this ioy they finde not only by an habituall gladnesse of heart at all times but especially in the word 1 Thess 1. 5. and in Prayer and Sacraments and fellowship with the godly The fifth worke of the Holy Ghost in the godly is strength for perseuerance and so it is his office to see to it that grace goe not out which in many Christians is but like a bruised reed or smoaking flax and thus he abideth in them for euer Ioh. 14. 16. to strengthen their inward man Eph. 3. 19. and this he performeth both by nourishing the seeds of all grace in them Esay 44. 3. and by supplying their wants Phil. 1. 19. and by a powerfull assistance in all times of triall and temptation 2 Cor. 12. 9 10. and by establishing their faith that they may hold out to the end which he doth both by bearing witnesse vnto their spirits still that they are the children of God Rom. 8. 15. and by being Gods priuie seale to all his promises and an earnest or pledge of the glory to come Eph. 1. 14. 2 Cor. 1. 22. and 5. 5. The Vses of this Article follow and First diuers sorts of men may hence be warned to looke to themselues in many things which perhaps they little thinke of men must take heed of sinning against the Holy Ghost seeing he is God and so wonderfull in nature and works Now the sinnes against the Holy Ghost are either pardonable or vnpardonable There is one sinne against the Holy Ghost cannot be forgiuen The first sort are grieuous but yet may be repented of and forgiuen and thus men sinne against the Holy Ghost 1. When they liue without the Holy Ghost as all wicked men doe that are not sanctified by the Holy Ghost Iude 19. 2. When men acknowledge not the glory of the Holy Ghost in ascribing to him the praise of all those skils or abilities they haue in any estate of life 3. When men order their affaires without seeking counsell or direction from the Holy Ghost by such meanes as he hath appointed Esay 30. 1. 4. When men will not giue eare or regard when the Holy Ghost speaks vnto them in the ministerie of his seruants Neh. 9. 20. 30. 5. When men despise the counsell which the Holy Ghost giues in the word 1 Thess 4. 8. 6. When men are so far from regarding the word that they doe purposely confirme their hearts and striue to be insensible like an Adamant lest they should heare the word God sends in his spirit by his Prophets Zach. 7. 12. 7. When men openly rebell against the doctrine of Gods word and set themselues to vex the Spirit of God in their Teachers Esay 63. 10. Such were they of whom S. Stephen said Yee resist the Holy Ghost alwaies Act. 7. 51. 8. When men tempt the Holy Ghost and that is when they will doe such things as they know are euill and put it to the triall whether they shall be punished or discouered Thus Ananias tempted the Holy Ghost that was in Peter by lying and dissembling Act. 5. 3. 5. 9. By receiuing the grace of the Spirit in vaine and this is a sinne in such as haue beene inlightned and haue had some common graces yet fall away and all comes to nothing in that no sound reformation followes 10. By quenching the Spirit and this may be committed by two sorts of men First by wicked men that haue temporarie gifts of the Spirit with some speciall tastes of remorse or ioy or of the powers of the life to come and then fall away and hauing begun in the Spirit will end in the flesh 1 Thess 5. 19. Gal. 3. 3. Secondly godly men may for a time quench the Spirit when after calling they fall into grosse sinnes which will cause the Spirit to cease working sensibly and put out the ioy and life they finde in Gods seruice and presence There is another way of quenching the Spirit and that is when the people carry themselues so as they discourage the spirit of their Teachers and make them lesse willing or able to preach in their wonted power and vigour Lastly when men grieue the Spirit of God by whom they are sealed to the day of their redemption and this is a sin the children of God are to be warned of and this they may commit if they wilfully persist in any knowne sinne either secretly or in domesticall cariage or in their conuersation abroad Eph. 4. 30. Thus of the sinnes against the Holy Ghost that may be forgiuen if men repent and beleeue in Christ There is one sinne against the Holy Ghost that can neuer be pardoned Matth. 12. 31. Hebr. 6. 4 5. and 10. 26. 29. To finde out the exact nature of this sinne is very hard but vpon the euidence of those three places of Scripture I vndertake to define it thus The sinne against the Holy Ghost that is vnpardonable is a sinne after illumination and sanctification by which a man doth wilfully and wholly fall away contemning the Gospell and
doth despight the works of the power and grace of the Holy Ghost without remorse to the death 1. When I say the sin vnpardonable I exclude all the sins against the Holy Ghost named before 2. When I say a sin after illumination and sanctification I exclude all the sins of such people as neuer had the powerfull meanes of saluation or neuer so as to worke a manifest change in them The person that commits this sin must be such a one as was before inlightned Hebr. 6. and sanctified Heb. 10. 29. that is such a one as did attaine to diuers gifts which he had not before which were wrought in him by the Holy Ghost and had a taste of the doctrine he heard and of the powers of the life to come but yet he was not sanctified with any sauing grace or repentance from all sinne or effectuall relying vpon Iesus Christ for his owne saluation He had tastes of many things but did not soundly digest any thing 3. When I say he doth wilfully and wholly fall away I meane diuers things First that this sin cannot be committed by such as continue in the same manner they were in relation to Religion it must haue apostacie in it Secondly it must be a wilfull apostacie which is when a man falls into sin not only against his knowledge but without any temptation Heb. 10. 26. and this excludes the sins of Dauid and Peter Thirdly I say it must be a totall apostacie not a falling into some one or two grosse euils but a falling away from respect of all parts of truth that should master his nature or works though he shew not all this openly but in heart he is an Apostata from all grace He doth as it were depose or abrogate all the Law Heb. 10. 28. 4. When I say contemning the Gospell I meane two things The one that he doth loath that way of saluation by Christ and the other that he doth extremely scorne the meanes of publishing the Gospell that is effectuall to worke sanctification in men and that meanes which had before power to worke change in the partie himselfe both these I take it are imported Heb. 10. 29. He may brooke the generall vse of exercises of Religion still as the Pharisees did but not that meanes that hath power and life in it 5. I adde the word despight from Heb. 10. 29. to include the sins of persecuting and blaspheming and both out of desperate malice without any colour of cause or measure of dislike This person is alwaies a knowne aduersarie and withall doth reproch godly persons and godlinesse but it is of wilfull malice which excludes persecuting or blaspheming that is done of ignorance as in Paul 1 Tim. 1. 13. 6. When I adde the works of the Holy Ghost I difference this sin from the blasphemie that is against the nature or person of the Holy Ghost for so it is no greater sin than to blaspheme the nature or person of the Father or Sonne but it is the speciall operation of the Holy Ghost that is the obiect of this sin by which God comes more neere vnto man than he is in nature or person 7. I adde works of power or grace because as vsually this sin is committed by despighting the worke of grace in other true Christians so sometimes also it is committed by despighting the works of power as the miracles wrought by Christ were reproched by the Pharisees Matth. 12. 8. I adde without remorse because I thinke that he that commits this sin is so far from being capable of true repentance that it is impossible he should get but that remorse or repentance he had when he was first inlightned So I take that place Heb. 6. and so I thinke such as haue any remorse or despaire arising from the sense of the greatnesse of their sins cannot be guilty of this sin 9. I adde to the death only to note that this is that sin which the Apostle calls the sinne vnto death in a speciall sense Finall impenitencie in any sin is vnto death but then it hath not the description going before Nor doe I meane that it cannot be knowne till death but that it will last vnto death without returning from it Now this sin is said to be vnpardonable not because it is greater than Gods mercy or Christs merits but because God hath resolued to shew his iustice vpon this sin without mercy and because in that way of sauing of men which God hath now resolued vpon all meanes of salustion are disappointed to the vttermost else if they could repent God could forgiue and this iustice of God may not seeme strange since he declares himselfe willing to forgiue all sins and doth except but this one Now the explication of this sin should serue for a warning to such heareres as haue had remorses and illumination and finde themselues in many things changed I say they should be warned to looke to themselues since this sinne can be found in no other persons and to this end they should take counsell in two things 1. Now that they are neere the kingdome of God by these effects of the Holy Ghost in them they should be carefull to goe on and neuer rest till they attaine to sound conuersion and true sauing grace and that they will doe if they humble themselues before God for euery knowne sinne especially those sins that haue beene most loued of them or most rooted in nature and secondly if they will be at the paines to vse all good meanes to get the particular assurance of Gods loue to them for these two things were neuer found in any of those that so fall away 2. My next counsell is that they take heed of those speciall sins that were in such as at length grew faultie in this vnpardonable sin that when they feele any of them in themselues they make haste to get out lest they proue forerunners of the sin against the Holy Ghost such as were in the Pharisees and others these or the like the forsaking of that meanes by which that inlightning was wrought as the Pharisees did the ministerie of Iohn Baptist Secondly the constant affectation of the praise of men more â—â—an the praise of God Thirdly habituall alienation of 〈◊〉 heart from God and goodnesse Fourthly wilfull euill practises without temptations Fifthly constant enuie at the gifts and praises of the godly Sixthly wilfull misinterpretation of all that godly men doe euen their best works especially if they be gone so far as to feele themselues to bee tempted to fall into a course of open opposing and persecuting of good men and good causes if it bee possible let them breake off and by speedy repentance preuent the horrible mischiefes they may fall into lest from these oppositions and the custome in them they fall into malice and despighting of the worke of grace Thus of the Vse of Admonition The Vses for Instruction follow and so the consideration of this Article should
teach all that haue care of their owne soule 1. To examine themselues whether they haue the Holy Ghost or not 2 Cor. 13. 5. Rom. 8. 9. Now the Holy Ghost doth discouer himselfe to be in the heart of a man by these signes all or some of them As first by the combat it raiseth in the heart against the flesh Gal. 5. 17. if there be an internall worker within vs that doth constantly oppose and striue against the secret corruption that is in our nature without doubt it is the Holy Ghost Secondly by the taste and sauour it breeds in vs about spirituall things for if the Holy Ghost be in a man his taste for earthly things is marred and he hath a sensible taste of the things of the Spirit accounting nothing more sauourie than holy things such as are the Word Prayer Sacraments godly society and such like Rom. 8. 5. Thirdly by the victory ouer the power of sin If the Holy Ghost be in vs though we may haue sin yet we are freed from the law of sin our corruptions doe not rule and reigne as they were wont to doe Rom. 8. 2. The bodie is dead in respect of sin Rom. 8. 10. The Holy Ghost doth daily set vs a worke in killing of sin one after another as they arise Rom. 8. 13. and this is done by the duties of mortification thus we are washed in the teares of repentance by the Holy Ghost 1 Cor. 6. 11. and this signe is the more cleare when it reacheth not only to the deeds of the bodie but to the sins of the heart It is an infallible signe of the Holy Ghost if a man haue felt the circumcision of the heart that is if he haue voluntarily implied himselfe in the painfull resisting and cutting off of secret euill in the minde and affections Rom. 2. 29. Fourthly by that transformation is wrought in the hearing of the word 2 Cor. 3. vlt. when a man doth not only heare with admiration but findes himselfe perswaded and presently changed vnto that grace and holinesse is taught him by the word when he is sent home another man Fifthly by the loue of God in affliction It is a speciall worke of the sanctifying Spirit of God when a man can loue God and shew it by the fruits of it euen then when Gods hand is vpon him especially when crosses doe beset him and compasse him about for that is a worke altogether aboue nature This loue to God in aduersitie hee shewes by mourning for his spirituall absence by esteeming any token of his loue and fauour aboue all things in life by delighting himselfe in Gods house and presence by refusing sin for the respect he beares to God though it might bring him neuer so much pleasure or profit by his vexation for any dishonour done to God by his longing after Gods presence in glory and by his constant care to keepe Gods commandements Sixthly by the gift of prayer when a Christian is able in secret with affection and perswasion of God as his best refuge in heauen or earth to make his daily recourse to God vpon all occasions Rom. 8. 15. Thus of the first Vse 2. Such as finde they haue the Holy Ghost should be instructed to carry themselues as becommeth so great an honour done them and shew it especially three waies First by striuing to haue and keepe their soules and bodies cleane from sinne and to make the roomes of their heart as holy as they can for the entertainment of such a diuine guest as the Holy Ghost What a businesse would there be about cleansing and trimming of our houses if some great person were to come thither Secondly we should shew that we beleeue those things taught vs concerning the Holy Ghost by seeking to him vpon all occasions when we finde any need in any thing that belongs to any of those works of the Holy Ghost But especially we should striue not only to get those great works of the holy Ghost wrought in our hearts but also wee should endeauour to shew the power of the working of the holy Ghost in vs by those outward fruits of the holy Ghost more espicially those nine fruits mentioned Gal. 5. 22. it would make a Christian appeare to bee more excellent than any man if hee can soundly act those vertues there mentioned which hee may doe by the holy Ghost that is in him And it were very profitable if men would striue to act them and to lay this patterne still before them Now the things he should expresse are 1. Loue that is a louing behauiour towards the godly yea towards all men such a behauiour as is without hatred emulations enuyings censuring and the like workes of the flesh 2. Ioy that is such a behauiour as expresseth contentment and comfortablenesse both in our spirituall estate in relation to God and in our outward condition in the world 3. Peace that is such a behauiour as is quiet from medling with other mens businesse and is free from discord and contention or sedition or heresies the workes of the flesh mentioned before 4. Long suffering that is such a behauiour as can beare with the infirmites of those with whom hee conuerseth and that is not easily prouoked by slight iniuries but passeth by or pardoneth many a wrong 5. Gentlenesse which is when a man is easie to be spoken to in any businesse without sowrenesse or pride or frowardnesse and doth treat with others in a quiet and humble manner 6. Goodnesse that is such a behauiour as is full of good fruits of mercy when a Christian doth striue to become as helpfull and as profitable as possible he may to all sorts of people where he liueth 7. Faith that is fidelity when a man is iust in his words and promises that hee may bee trusted as safely as if men had his bonds or obligations and withall doth detest lying and deceit and all courses of fraud and guile 8. Meeknesse which consists in the suppressing of anger and inward perturbations which arise from frowardness and discontentment when a man can shew himselfe to be able to beare crosses or prouocations without passion or worldly distempers 9. Temperance which restraines our cares and proiects and excesse in minding or seeking the honours riches or pleasures of life and makes vse soberly of diet apparell recreations and the things wee doe possesse Thus of the second vse Thirdly all men should hence learne to make very high account of all true Christians and to haue them in very high honour because they haue the holy Ghost and vpon them hee hath wrought all those wonderfull workes spoken of before They should bee vsed as the Princes of God in all places where they come Pharaoh when hee would preferre Ioseph could say Where could wee finde such a man in whom is the Spirit of the high God Gen. 41. 38. Thus of the vses for instruction Lastly this Article should be very comfortable to the godly and that in
vs in diuers things page 192 Wicked men likened to Beasts page 193 Gods seruants must learne of Beasts page 194 Beast hurt without the Campe fore signified Israâ—l page 382 How Christ is Begotten page 237 How the Father did Beget the Sonne shewed by way of negation in seuen things page 129 Gods Begetting of Christ informes vs of two things page 130 A threefold manner of Being of things page 120 A two fold Beginning page 103 I Beleeue the Christians answer all his life page 17 Truely to Beleeue the Articles hath in it six things page 18 Beleeue aboue reason page 409 Beleeue in Christ page 209 Right Beleeuing in Christ casts out six things page 309 It hath in it foure things Ibid. Beliefe of our saluation in Christ hath in it six things Ibid. How we must Beleeue in Christ. page 210 Foure Rules for the attaining this right Beliefe page 211 Foure motiues to this duty Ibid. Eight benefits that come to vs by Beleeuing in Christ page 212 What it is to beleeue in God page 113 Three sorts of men doe not Beleeue in God page 114 Tenne things in the manner of Beleeuing these Articles page 19 Christian simplicity in Beleeuing must haue two things in it page 21 Questions about Beleeuing answered page 38 Christ Betrayed many waies page 333 Christ abased at his Birth for three Reasons â—18 Bishops of Rome oppose Christs Kingdome page 358 What it is to Blesse page 479 Christs Bloud shed vpon the Crosse for seuen reasons page 391 Body of man excells all other Bodily creatures in fiue things page 195 Gods Workemanship to make a Body Ibid. Christs Body needes no embalming page 441 Why it did not putrifie page 442 Fiue Books opened at the last day page 521 Not a Bone of Christ broken page 428 Creatures in Bondage how page 531 Christs Buriall He was Buried for seuen reasons page 434 Place where he was Buried page 435 Christ Buried by whom page 436 By rich men why Ibid. Manner of Christs Buriall page 439 He was wrapped in fine linnen page 440 C. TWo signes of a Childe of God page 356 Christ the signification of it page 218 Christ doth two things for vs. page 320 Christ carried from Annas to Caiphas page 351 The indignities the Iewes offer to Christ page 355 Christ indited and condemned for three reasons page 357 Christ charged with three things page 364 Christ falsely accused Ibid. Christ a King page 365 Christ stripped of his clothes why page 381 Christ slaine from the beginning in seuen respects page 426 Christ a sweet Sauiour page 440 Christ suffered strange indignities and scornes for two reasons page 380 Christ lifted vp vpon the Crosse for three reasons page 391 Why Christ did not saue himselfe from the Crosse page 394 Christ first humbled then exalted page 302 Christ did absolutely fulfill the whole Law for three reasons page 103 Christs conception declared by an Angel why page 259 Christ conceiued of the holy Ghost page 260 An Obiection answered Ibid. Two things done by the holy Ghost in this conception page 261 Christ conceiued without sinne page 262 Diuers Obiections answered Ibid. How Nature proceeds in the conception page 263 The manner of Christs conception page 265 Why Christ was so conceiued page 266 When the Virgin conceiued Ibid. Effects of Christs conception Ibid. Christs conception a medicine against originall sinne page 269 Christ Crucified The place where he was Crucified page 382 Crucified without Ierusalem for foure reasons page 382 Christ Carried his Crosse for two reasons page 384 Christ Crucified for foure reasons page 387 Christ Crucified becomes a sacrifice page 388 Christ crucified with his hands spred abroad for two reasons page 391 Christ lifted vp vpon the Crosse for three reasons Ibid. Christ crucified in the midst of theeues for foure reasons page 392 Christ tooke a true body page 267 Christs call at the last day page 533 Difference of being in Christ page 267 Christians like Ezekiels bones page 477 Christians resemble sheepe in foure things page 518 Distinction of true Christians page 438 Coniunction betweene Christ Christians page 526 Christians highly to be esteemed page 553 Church The originall of the Church page 429. 561 Church diuersly taken in scripture page 556 Definition of it page 557 The generall nature of it Ibid. How the Church from the beginning is called Catholike page 558 From what the Church is called page 560 To what it is called page 561 Members of the Church written in the Booke of life page 562 Church borne of God Ibid. Christ the Head of the Church Ibid. Churchmen most malicious against Christ page 358 Computation of the Romans page 440 God communicates himselfe vnto the creature three waies page 257 Christ condemned that we might bee saued page 378 A true Conuert cannot abide sin page 406 A true Conuert loues Christ better then his old acquaintance page 407 Euil Conscience what it doth page 347 377 Cost in Christs seruice page 439 Couetousnesse the cause of Iudas sinne aggrauated page 328 Beware of Couetousnesse page 331 Couetousnesse defined Ibid. Couetous heart not without the Diuell in it Ibid. Couetousnesse foure signes of it page 332 Couetous care vaine in diuers respects Ibid. Couetousnesse 4. vile effects of it page 333 Counsell of God cannot be altered page 368 Testimony of Counsels no infallible markes of truth page 359 Counsels against Christ as well as for him page 226 Sentence of condemnation at the last day page 527 Creation CreatioÌ„ a work of the whole trinity page 145 How all-things were created page 169 Created in six dayes why page 146 Creation the end of it Gods glory page 147 Gods power manifested in the Creation Ibid. Gods goodnesse appeares in the Creation page 148 Gods wisdom appears in the CreatioÌ„ Ib. A curious question about the Creation answered Ibid. Creation teacheth eight things page 149. Giue God the glory of our Creation page 200. Wee should answer the end of our Creation page 201 Doctrine of the Creation terrible to wicked men page 150 Comfortable to the godly page 150,202 Creation of new Heauens page 531 Creatures set at liberty at the last day page 532 Creatures how they discerne things page 59 How God knowes them page 60 Creed The Analysis of the whole Creed page 16 What the Creed is page 3 Why the Creed is called a patterne page 5 Creed called a little Bible Ibid. What respect wee should haue to this Creed page 6 Twelue reasons for it Ibid. Doctrine of the Creed Catholike page 7 No Science hath such a subiect as the Creed page 6 Creed food for all sorts of Christians page 9 Creed the character of the Church Ib. Creed a touchstone to try all religions by Ibid. How called the Apostles Creed page 11 Creed not collected by the Apostles Ib. Gathered out of Apostoticall writings page 12 Creed came not in all at once page 13 When it was finished page 14 Why called the Apostles Creed Ibid. Diuers
It teacheth vs diuers things page 62 It is comfortable to the godly page 63 God is good in himselfe two wayes page 63 Gods goodnesse shewed to man fiue wayes page 64 GOD vnited to man foure wayes Ibid. God delights in his people page 65 He procures all good for them Ibid. Gods loue fiue properties of it Ibid. Gods mâ—rcy six praises of it 66 Effects of his mercy Ibid. God visits from on high three wayes Ibid. Gods graciousnesse page 67 Gods bounty shewed to all though in a different manner page 68 Gods bounty in offering the meanes of grace which are three page 69 Gods patience admirable in foure respects Ibid. Gods patience in great prouocations Ibid. Aggrauations of Gods prouocations from the person prouoking page 70 God prouoked by great euils Ibid. Manner of Gods exercising his patience Ibid. Ends of Gods patience page 71 Causes of Gods patience Ibid. Knowledge of Gods goodnesse informes vs of foure things Ibid. No goodnesse comparable to Gods for fiue reasons page 72 Gods goodnesse should compell vs to seuen duties Ibid. Gods goodnesse praysed foure waies page 73 Gods goodnesse set out in fiue things page 36 Gods goodnesse must force vs vnto Repentance diuers wayes Ibid. Gods goodnesse must make vs loue him page 74 Esteeme of Gods loue Ibid. Striue to imitate Gods goodnesse page 75 Gods goodnesse comfortable against our sinnes Ibid. And in case of affliction 4. waies page 76 It may humble 4. sorts of men Ibid. God is truth in himselfe three wayes page 77 God is true towards the creatures in his workes Ibid. And in his words foure wayes Ib. Gods truth manifested in two things page 78 Gods truth teacheth vs seuen duties Ibid. It comforts the godly page 79 It informes vs of 3. things page 80 Gods righteousnes magnified 6. waies Ibid. Iustice of Gods grace shewed in seuen things page 82 Gods Iustice to the godly teacheth them three things Ibid. God is iust to the wicked in two things page 83 God most terrible to the wicked proued by six arguments page 84 Examples of Gods Iustice Ibid. Gods Iustice vnauoidable page 85 86. Obiections of the wicked against Gods Iustice answered page 86 Gods Iustice must humble wicked men page 88 Yet they must not despaire Ibid. Nothing will quench Gods wrath but the Bloud of Christ Ibid. Gods Iustice vpon wicked men teacheth the godly foure things page 89 Gods glory Ibid. Gods happinesse to be adored for three reasons page 90 Gods glory excels the glory of Kings in foure things page 92 Excellency of Gods praise set out foure wayes Ibid. Gods glory excels in respect of obedience three wayes page 92 Man giues glory to God three waies page 93 We giue glory to God in our hearts six waies Ibid. In our words fiue waits Ibid. In our workes fiue waies page 94 Fiue rules for the attaining to the knowledge of Gods glory page 95 Gods glory comfortable in diuers things page 96 Gods infinite greatnesse what it is page 97 What it comprehends Ibid. Perfection of Gods nature Ibid. This serues for diuers vses Ibid. Gods Omni-presence page 98 Obiections against it answered page 99 How God returnes to the godly Ibid. Gods Omni-presence serues for diuers vses page 99 Gods immutability page 105 How God is immutable Ibid. In what respects he is immutable Ibid. Obiections against Gods immutability answered page 106 Gods immutabilty may serue to humble men page 108 It teacheth three things page 109 It is comfortable in foure respects Ibid. God is a Spirit it teacheth fiue things page 110 God is one Ibid. How he is one page 111 Six vses of Gods vnity page 112 Gods promises must be relyed vpon for six reasons page 113 What things God cannot doe page 140 Gods omnipotency teacheth vs ten duties page 140 God rested vpon in all dangers page 141 We sinne against Gods power six waies page 142 Mistery of godlinesse page 483 Six priuiledges of the godly page 337 Golgotha why so called page 683 Christ suffered here for three reasons Ibid. Ghost what it signifies page 536 A full possession of glory at the last day page 524 A signe of grace to thinke honourably of Gods Seruants page 408 Graues open page 432 Christ in the Graue till the third day page 441 Why three daies page 442 H. OVr Hearts must be clensed page 551 Hades what it signifies page 446 Wicked hate the godly for their goodnesse page 394 Heare Christ page 224 239 Heauen not had for merits page 413 525 Elect in Heauen possessed of foure incomparable benefits page 529 Our conuersation must be in Heauen page 488 What is meant by Heauen page 151 It consists of two parts Ibid. Of that Heauen where God is The names giuen vnto it page 152 Substance of it Ibid. Glory of Heauen admirable page 153 Three questions about this Heauen answered page 154 Consideration of this Heauen should worke in vs three things page 155 Manifest our desire after Heauen by seuen things Ibid. Second Heauen called the Firmament God the maker of them page 165 His praise magnified for this in fiue things Ibid. Strange constitution and nature of those Heauens Ibid. End why they were made page 166 Hosts that people the Heauens praised for foure things Ibid. This teacheth vs 4. things Ibid It is comfortable in diuers respects page 167 Christs soule went not locally to Hell page 413 Descension into Hell page 444 These words not in the most ancient Creeds Ibid. Yet haue beene receiued for many ages Ibid. Diuers acceptions of the word Hell in the Originall page 445 How Christ may be said to descend into Hell Ibid. He may be said to descend in respect of the whole man in foure respects page 445 Christ descention an Epitome of all his â—assion page 448 Christ in his body descended into Hell or the graue Ibid. He bore hellish sorrowes page 449 Christ would not work myracles before Herod why page 366 Herod clothes Christ in a white Robe what it signifies page 370 Heretiques called Patri Passiani page 305 Disciples receiue the Holy Ghost page 463 What it is to beleeue in the Holy Ghost page 537 Holy Ghost is God Ibid. Holy Ghost his nature page 538 Operations of the Holy Ghost Ibid. 7. Operations common to all men page 539 Operations of the Holy Ghost in the Elect page 541 Infusion of diuine gifts a worke of the Holy Ghost page 542 Holy Ghost makes a man resemble God page 543 Holy Ghost our Comforter page 544 Men sinne against the Holy Ghost diuers wayes page 545 The sinne against the Holy Ghost described page 546 How it is vnpardonable page 547 Fore-runners of this sinne page 549 Signes of the inhabitation of the Holy Ghost page 550 Fruits of the Holy Ghost page 552 Inhabitation of the Holy Ghost comfortable page 553 Care of a Holy life page 488 Christs Humanity glorified not deified page 463 An ill Husband may make others suffer for their faults page 376 It is hatefull to
be an excellent estate he brings vs to we are redeemed out of the earth we are first fruits to God and the Lambe Revel 14. 4. hee accounts of vs as a peculiar people and as his onely treasure in the world Tit. 2. 14. The fifth question is when Christ died And that is answered either by the season of his death or by the Chronologie of it For the season S. Paul saith he died in the due time Rom. 5. 6. Christ himselfe saith it was when he had finished the performance of what was shadowed in the types and ceremonies of the Old Testament when all things were accomplished hee gaue vp the ghost Ioh. 19. 28 30. The Author to the Hebrewes saith it was once in the end of the world Heb. 9. 26 27 28. The Angell told Daniel that the Messiah should be cut off after 62. weekes in propheticall account from the time of his prayer Dan. 9. 26. Saint Peter said it was at the time that God had appointed in his eternall counsell and foreknowledge Act. 2. 23. yea he died precisely at the very houre God had set so as he could not be killed either before or after Ioh. 7. 30. and 13. 1. and that houre was the ninth houre of the day euen at the time when the Euening Sacrifice was offered vp Matth. 27. 46. 50. For the Chronologie Scaliger saith he died in the yeare of the world 3982. and the common opinion is that hee died in the 34. yeare of his owne age and on the Friday as we terme the fifth day of our weeke which that yeare was the 15. day of their Moneth Nisan or as others thinke the 14. day which that yeare answered to the seuenth day of our Aprill Quest If Christ were slaine towards the end of the world how can it be said that he was the Lambe slaine from the beginning of the world Revel 13. â—8 Answ Both are true in diuers respects For in respect of the Storie of his death he died at the time before specified but for many other respects it may be truly said hee was slaine from the beginning of the world as 1. In respect of Gods counsell and foreknowledge He was dead in Gods counsell from euerlasting 2. In respect of the promise of his death giuen in Paradise Gen. 3. 15. 3. In respect of the efficacie of his death for the iustice of God was satisfied with that promise of his death knowing it should as certainly be as if it had beene then fulfilled Neither was the effect here before the cause for if a Suretie compound with the Creditor the Debtor is deliuered out of prison though the payment be made long after at the time the Suretie and the Creditor agree vpon so it was here 4. In respect of the Sacrifices which shadowed out his death which were slaine from the beginning of the world Christ was slaine typically in those Sacrifices Adam or Abel offered to God 5. In respect of his seruants that were martyred So Christ was slaine when Abel was slaine 6. In respect of the faith of the godly for it is the propertie of faith to make things to come to be present as giuing a substance or person to things hoped for and a present demonstrarion of things which yet are not seene Heb. 11. 1. 7. In respect of sinne which was the cause of his death which was committed by the Elect and was the cause of his death Their sinne was his death when they began to sinne death was in the pot for Christ and so their sinne was remitted them only for the respect of that satisfaction was to be made in the sacrifice of Christ Rom. 3. 21. to 27. The Vse wee may make of the time of Christs death may be 1. To leaue the times and seasons to God and not to exact an account of him why he doth not doe the things concerne the Church in the time we desire or looke after Though the death of Christ was deferred almost 4000. yeares yet we see God saith it was the due time though perhaps a full demonstration of the reason of it doe not appeare to vs. God is so wise and good as we must beleeue that is the best time for euery worke which he chuseth and therefore we should giue God the glory of the time of euery worke of his whether concerning the Church in generall or our selues in particular as beleeuing that God hath done in the very day that which was fittest for the day and so also in the things we desire either of deliuerance or blessings we should wait till the time appointed come and beleeue that all shall be done when it is most seasonable 2. We should hence be much established about the time of our owne death God hath set the houre and till that houre come no disease nor enemies shall euer be able to take away our life and therefore wee should follow our worke with diligence and a holy securitie and leaue it to God to take vs from our worke when he sees it to be the fittest time Thus of the time when he died The consequences of his death follow and they must be considered negatiuely or affirmatiuely Negatiuely It is obserued by the Euangelists That not a bone of Christ was broken which is worthy to be noted First because the Iewes had made a request to Pilate that the leggs of those which were crucified might be broken to hasten their death that they might not hang on their Crosses on the day of the great Sabbath Iohn 19. 31 32. But notwithstanding they were preuented for Christ was dead before they came backe to shew that he died when himselfe would not when they would to let them haue cause to guesse thereby that he was more than a bare man Secondly because of the excellent signification of this thing for it is said the Scripture had said that not a bone of him should be broken Iohn 19. 36. Now the Scripture had only said so of the Paschall Lambe that not a bone thereof should be broken Exod. 12. 46. which manifestly shewes that Christ was the true Passeouer the true Paschall Lambe which was sacrificed for vs 1 Cor. 5. 6. and withall it signifies that the mysticall bodie of Christ shall be preserued The Church may haue many enemies but yet a bone thereof shall not be broken The flesh of the Church may be wounded but not a bone of the Church shall be broken Affirmatiuely the consequents of his death bot the piercing of his side with a Speare and the testimonie giuen of his glory in his death The side of Christ after he was dead was pierced with a Speare by one of the Souldiers and forthwith came out water and bloud Iohn 19. 34. and this was a businesse of so high a nature that the Euangelist saith thus vpon it He that saw it bare record and his record is true and he knoweth that he saith true that he might beleeue Now the side of
with eternal punishments why page 500 Sins remitted and retained how page 463 Sitting what it signifieth page 489 Christs Sessio at the right hand of God is comfortable in seuen respects page 492 Christs Soule how produced page 263 Excellency of mans Soule aboue other creatures appeares in seauen things page 197 Soule of man made in the Image of God page 197 Soule immortall page 198 What the Soule workes in the body Ibid. Soule resembles God in the Creation Ibid. Condition of our Soules in death page 449 Soule of Christ in his death indured a priuation of what it had before Ibid Soules of the righteous cry vnder the Alter Ibid. Our greatest care must be for our soules page 422 Christ the Sonne of God page 335 God hath many Sonnes page 336 Where the Spirit is there is liberty page 541 Spirit quenched by two sorts of men page 546 Happinesse of Christs subiects page 233 Christs subiects must doe seuen things page 234 Sufferings of Christ Suffering attributed to the diuine nature in respect of personall vnion page 305 Christs Sufferings full of wonder and amazement Ibid. They teach vs six things Ibid. He suffered not for all proued against the Arminians page 307 He Suffered from all sorts of enemies Ibid. To teach vs three things Ibid. Who haue part in Christs Sufferings page 308 Christs Sufferings a matchlesse patterne of his loue page 309 Iust Suffers for the vniust Ibid. Seuen reasons why he suffered page 310 Scriptures fulfilled in his Sufferings Ibid. His sufferings teach vs patience page 311 Two obiections against his Sufferings answered page 312 Difference betweene Christs Sufferings and Martyrs page 313 End of Christs Sufferings teach vs diuers things Ibid. Benefit of his Sufferings appeares in seuen things page 314 Hee suffered by waie of Imputation page 316 Hee Suffered from his conception to his resurrection page 317 What he Suffered from his Baptisme to his last Supper page 320 Where he Suffered page 325 When he Suffered Ibid. Hee Suffered Voluntarily page 326 348 421 Hee Suffered meane vsage why page 356 Christ suffers two things from Herod page 370 Christs Sufferings should make vs afraid of sinne page 397 We should Suffer any thing for Christs sake page 417 Superscription ouer Christs Head page 399 Pilates meaning in it Ibid. God by this giues testimonie to his Son Ibid. Superscription written in three Languages page 402 Deriuation of Symbolum with signification thereof T. ALL men need be Taught page 471 Teares haue power ouer Christ page 385 Christ Teacheth diuers waies page 221 Excellency of Christs manner of Teaching page 222 Christ Tempted for diuers reasons page 320 Christs Temptation teacheth vs fiue things page 321 Christ dwels not in Temples made with hands page 243 Thiefe conuerted page 404 Abuse not his example to procrastination page 405 Three fruits of his conuersion page 406 Thiefes confession page 408 Thiefes prayer hath in it three things obseruable page 409 Christs answer to the Thiefe page 411 How the Thiefe vnderstood what was meant by Paradise Ibid. Profitable to teach the people the whole body of Theology page 2 Thomas his vnbeleefe page 464 Thomas his confession page 465 Christ crowned with Thornes page 381 Thankefulnesse to God for the blessings of Heauen page 176 Thunder and lightning page 170 Times and seasons left to God page 427 Worldfull of Treachery page 334 Christs apparition to his Disciples the doores being shut no proofe for Transubstantiation page 462 Truth of God See God Christ beares witnesse to the Truth page 365 Truth will preuaile Ibid. Constancy for the Truth page 366 Christs subiects are of the Truth Ibid. Christ fastened to a Tree for three reasons page 390 Doctrine of the Trinity page 115 Proofes of the Trinity page 116 In handling the Trinity wee must bee wise to sobriety page 117 Trinity Essence Persons all brought in in the Primitiue Church page 123 Eleuen obiections against the Trinity answered page 124 Doctrine of the Trinity vsefull page 126 We must speake of the Trinity in vnity page 127 Vnsound speeches of the Trinity Ibid. What Heretikes haue assaulted it Ib. V. ORiginall of vegetable creatures page 185 Their variety and vse page 186 Vaile of the Temple rent page 413 What it was Ibid. What it signified page 414 Vbiquitaries confuted page 502 They gaue Christ Vinegar to drinke for three reasons page 398 Virgin Mary not conceiued without sinne page 265 Virgin ouer-shadowed page 265 Christ tooke his Body of a Virgin page 267 Wofull estate of vnbeleeuers page 35 240. Christ vpbraided his Disciples for vnbeliefe why page 470 Vnity of God See God W. GOds dearest seruants exposed to outward Wants page 466 Great Wants fore-runne extraordinary supplies Ibid. Christ speakes to Women page 285 Comfort for Women in Child-bearing page 269 Women chiefe witnesses of Christs death page 419 What wholsome words are page 3 Wicked men incorrigible page 348 Wicked desire Christs miracles not his Word page 369 Wicked men of more account then godly page 371 Wicked men within the Church may be as vile as they are without page 376 Wicked men are impatient vnder Gods hand page 386 Wicked men are like a dry Tree Ibid. Wicked men in a wofull case page 397 Wicked men how condemned already page 509 Wicked men are Goats page 418 Wicked men are cursed creatures page 527 Wicked men forget their sins page 528 Wicked men taste the Word of God without digestion page 540 Difference betweene godly and wicked men in their desire after Christ page 369 Great World a little Garden page 161 It is like a Booke Ibid. Like a faire House Ibid. Fiue things wonderfull in the making of the world page 162 Workes of God of two sorts page 144 Externall Workes of foure sorts page 145 When the world was made page 148 Giue God the Glory of his Workes page 149 Meditate on Gods Workes not delight in idle shewes Ibid. World fiered at the last day how page 531 Word doth not euer presently worke page 354 God Workes sometimes by vnlikely meanes Ibid. How the Word was made flesh page 251 Vnion of the Word and flesh differ from other vnions Ibid. Gods Wisdome moderates betweene his Iustice and mercy â—8 Three beare Witnesse of Christ in Heauen three on earth page 430 LONDON Printed by G. M. for R. R. P. Stephens and C. Meredith and are to be sold at their shop at the golden Lyon in Pauls Church-yard 1626. Pro. 335. * So much as now is published comes vnto thy hands as it was left fully perfected by the Author in his life time 2. Waies of Preaching 1. By Text. 2. Without Text. And both expedient The Apostles Patterne The method intended What the Creed is What wholesome words are Vnwholesome doctrines of two sorts 1. Corrupt doctrine Diuers sorts of corrupt doctrine How many waies true doctrine may be vnwholsome 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 How the Creed is a Patterne Note What great respect we should haue of the doctrines
Christ prepared himselfe for his Passion in fiue things page 3â—5 Christs speech before his Passion Ibid. Patience of God See God The Patience of Christ towards Iudas page 328 Learne Patience page 450. 461 Perseuerance a worke of the spirit page 544. 492 How Perturbations are in Christ page 342 Peters dâ—niall page 351 Foure degrees of his fall page 351. 352 Manner of his fall page 353 Peters fall teacheth vs diuers things page 353 His example no warrant to sinne page 354 Persecutors are Atheists page 394 The wonder of Christs Person page 256 A Person what it is page 118 Fourethings common to each Person in the Trinity Ibid. Each Person is the true God as appeâ—res in three things Ibid. Three Persons are one in another page 119 Persons in the Trinity differ from the Essence how to be vnderstood page 112 Persons differ one from another foure waies page 121 Priority of Persons how to bee vnderstood Ibid. Persons differs in operations how to be vnderstood page 122 A Person in Trinity differs from a Person among men page 424 Christs Piety manifested in his death page 421 Pilate vseth Christ with more respect then the Priests page 362 Pilate examines Christ page 364 Pilate vseth foure policies to saue Christ page 368 Pilate in sending Christ to Herod dealt politickly though vniustly Ibid. Pilates wife declareth Christs Innocency page 373 Christ conuerts Pilates wife whilst he is ready to condemne him page 374 That shee was truly conuerted is probable Ibid. Pilate declareth Christs Innocencie by washing of his hands page 376 Whence that ceremonie was brought page 377 Two causes why Pilate would not deliuer Iesus Ibid. Which are strong motiues to iniustice page 378 When Pilate condemned Christ God condemned sinne Ibid. Pilate consents to Christs buriall for two reasons page 438 Poore men may speede in great suites page 411 Poore men may not repine at their distresses page 164 Potion giuen to Christ and why and what it was page 387 Two things signified by it Ibid. Christ indured pouerty for diuers reasons page 321 This teacheth vs 4. things Ibid. All Power was giuen to Christ at his resurrection how to be vnderstood page 470 Christs Power declared to the Apostles for diuers ends page 471 Christs Prayer Six things obseruable in it page 337 He Prayeth for six things for vs. page 338 Hee vrgeth his Petitions with foure reasons Ibid. Christs Prayer for himselfe page 338 He chuseth three of his Disciples to be with him for two reasons page 340 Christs Prayer for himselfe without sinne how page 344 Christs Prayer was heard yet hee not deliuered page 346 Preachers Publique cryers page 559 Two waies of Preaching page 1 Priests and Scribes most malitious against Christ page 326 The causes of it Ibid. High-Priests Office twofold page 337 Christs Priest of the New Testament page 388 Christs Priest-hood page 227 Difference betweene the Priest of the Law and Christ. Ibid Parts of Christs Priest-hood Ibid. Christs Priest-hood comfortable in diuers respects page 228 Benefits we obtaine by Christs Priesthood Ibid. The Priests more senselesse then Pagans page 433 A Prisoner deliuered at the Passouer the occasion of it page 371 Preferment by Christ. page 454 Man produced foure waies page 272 Production of Christs body page 261 Christ Prophecies in the Ministerie of his seruants page 221 Esteeme of Prophecying page 223 Communication of Proprieties page 252 Strange Punishments to workers of iniquity page 385 No Purgatory for soules page 412 R. TVVo things noted bout the Rainebow page 177 VVhat need wee haue of a Redeemer page 204 Our Redeemer must bee the Sonne of God for diuers Reasons page 237 Redemption giues no liberty to sin page 401 Christ had a Reed put into his hand why page 381 Religion hath small intertainment amongst voluptuous great ones page 370 Wicked men are easily agreed when there is opposition against Religion page 370 Heads of Religion handled two waies page 2 Christ Remembers vs in heauen page 410 Hee Remembers those onely in heauen that remember him vpon earth Ibid. A signe of a gracelesse heart not to Repent when wee are vnder the Rod. page 407 Christs Resurrection proued page 455 When Christ Rose againe page 455 Why not till the third day page 456 Christ Rose againe the same day the world was created Ibid. He Rose againe with an earthquake to signifie foure things page 457 He Rose againe for fiue reasons Ibid. Christs Resurrection assures vs of our Iustification page 474 Fiue fruits of Christs Resurrection page 473 A twofold Resurrection in vs. page 474 Christs Resurrection warrants our perseuerance page 474 Christs Resurrection a proofe of his diuinitie page 475 Rise to newnesse of life Ibid Christs Resurrection comfortable in foure respects page 476 What is necessary to true Repentance page 354 Reprobation of the wicked at the last day page 527 Restraining grace page 540 Rich men must honour Christ page 437 Right hand of God how taken page 489 Rockes rend page 432 Amongst the Romans fugitiue seruants were beaten with Rods. Gods Iustice in sending the Romans to destroy the Iewes S. CHrist Rested in the graue on the Sabbath day why page 442 Sabbath reckoned from morning to morning page 463 Incroach not vpon the Sabbath day page 439 Burials not so conuenient on the Sabbath day Ibid. Christs Sacrifice a propitiatory Sacrifice page 388 Fruit of this Sacrifice Ibid. This Sacrifice continues for euer page 386 That wee may receiue benefit by this Sacrifice we must doe three things Ibid. Christs Sacrifice excells cerimoniall Sacrifices page 227 What Sacrifices we must offer vp page 229 Rest vpon Christ alone for Saluation page 409 In things done for our Saluation consider foure things page 255 Gods glory in contriuing away for our Saluation page 257 Sanctification a worke of the Spirit page 543 How it is wrought page 544 No Satisfaction but Christs page 313 Burden of Satisfaction onely vpon him page 343 Christ a Sauiour page 215. 399 What Christ requires in his Schollars page 224 Christ scourged for foure reasons page 372 Sea What it is page 178 Originall of it Ibid. Wonder of Gods power in placing the Sea page 178 What vse it serueth for page 179 Gods workemanship about the Sea teacheth vs diuers things page 180 It is comfortable in three respects page 181 Prophets and Apostls course in their Sermons page 2 Seruant like theire masters true in courts page 359 A stone rowled to the Mouth of Christs Sepulcher why page 44 Christs goodnesse to his Seruants page 242 Christs Side peirced for two reasons page 429 Water and bloud commeth forth of his Side which is miraculous page 429 And Misticall page 430 Out of his Side came a Fountaine for sinne page 431 Christ was silent being accused for seuen reasons page 362 Christ Silent before Herod why page 369 Simon carried Christs Crosse it signifies diuers things page 384 Sins must be like a dead body in foure things page 443 Sin punished