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A66823 The abridgment of Christian divinitie so exactly and methodically compiled that it leads us as it were by the hand to the reading of the Holy Scriptures, ordering of common-places, understanding of controversies, clearing of some cases of conscience / by John Wollebius ; faithfully translated into English ... by Alexander Ross.; Christianae theologiae compendium. English. 1660 Wolleb, Johannes, 1586-1629. 1660 (1660) Wing W3256; ESTC R29273 215,518 472

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how great evil and misery he brought upon himself VI. The happiness of man being yet in his integrity consisted chiefly in the Image of God VII The soul is the principal subject of this Divine Image the body is the secondary so far forth as the operations of the soul do manifest themselves in it VIII The gifts of Gods Image were partly natural partly supernatural IX The natural gifts were the simple and invisible substance of the soul with its faculties the intellect and will X. The supernatural gifts were the clearness of the understanding the liberty and rectitude of the will the conformitie of the appetites and affections the immortality of the whole man and dominion over the inferior creatures XI Such was the clearness of Adam's understanding that he knew all natural things which had a possible existence in the first principles which are of themselves known An excellent proof of this was shewed by Adam when he gave every creature its name according to its nature Gen. 2.20 XII The will was free indifferent to good or evil so that man might have persevered in uprightness if he had pleased he received power if he would but not wi●● and power There is a fourfold liberty of will according to the fourfold state of man In the first man the will was free to good or evil In man lapsed the will is only free to evil In man regenerated or in the state of grace it is free from evil to good by the grace of God but imperfectly In the state of glory i● shall be free from evi● to good perfectly In th● state of innocency he could not sin In the state of misery he cannot but sin In the state of grace sin cannot reign in man In the state of glory he cannot sin at all XIII The inferiour appetites and affections agreed with reason XIV Man even in respect of his body was immortal but not simply as though his body being composed of the elements could not be resolved into its principles but by Divine Covenant not as though it could not die but because it had a possibility not to die XV. Mans dominion over the inferiour creatures was not onely intire in respect of possession but milde also and gentle in respect of use and execution XVI That labour which was injoyned to Adam to keep and dresse Paradise was not toylsome but most pleasant CHAP. IX Of the fall of our first parents the beginning of Mans misery SO much concerning the government of Man in the state of innocency· The government of Man in the state of misery is whereby God in his just Judgement hath subjected Man to divers miseries who of his own accord fell into sin This state of Man consisteth in sin and in the miseries which follow upon sin Sin is a transgression of the Law or whatsoever is repugnant to Gods Law 1 Joh. 3.4 Under the name of Law in this place are understood both things commanded and things prohibited in the beginning proposed to man as also the Law of nature printed in his heart But concerning the restoring and enlarging of the Law after the fall we are to speak in its own place The RULES I. By sin is meant either the subject of transgression with the transgression it selfe in the concrete or the transgression alone in the abstract II. The definition of sin by thought word and deed is too narrow For so it is defined by the Pontificians but as it shall appear afterward this definition belongs nothing to original sin III. God cannot be called the author of sin without blasphemy IV. One and the same thing in a divers consideration may be both sin and the punishment of sin Sin is either primitive or derivative Primitive is the disobedience of our first Parents whereby they transgressed Gods Commandement concerning the Tree of Knowledge of good and ev●l The RULES I. Neither God nor Gods Decree nor the denial of special Grace nor the permission of sin nor the stirring up of natural motion nor finally the government of that sinne were the causes of Adam and Eves transgression Not God because he most severely prohibited the eating of that fruit Not his Decree because that infers a necessity only of immutability not of coaction neither doth it force any man to sin Not the denyal of speciall Grace by which man should continue in his integrity for God was not bound to give that grace to man which he gave him for he received possibility if he would although not a Will to that possibility Not the permission of sin for he was not bound to hinder it as before pag 58 Not the stirring up of naturall motion because motion of it self is not sin Not the government of his fall because to turn evil into good is rather to be the author of good than of evil II. God did both will and nill the first Sin He nilled it so far forth as it was sin he willed decreed it as it was a means of manifesting his glory mercy and justice III. The Procatertical or external cause was the instinct and perswasion of Satan that subtile Serpent IV. The Proegumene or internal cause was the will of man of it self indifferent to good or evil but by Satans perswasion bent to evil V. There be certain degrees of that sin by which Adam fell from God not at once but by little little viz. 1. Incogitancy and curiosity of Evahs talking with the Serpent her husband being absent 2. Incredulity by which she began by degrees to distrust God and to give assent to Satans lies who called in question Gods good will towards man 3. An inordinate desire to the forbidden fruit and an affectation of divine glory 4. The fact it self 5. The seducing of Adam and an inordinate affectation raised in him also VI. If you consider the parts of this sin you may justly call it the transgression of the whole Law of Nature For man sinned by incredulity diffidence ingratitude idolatry whereby he fell from God and of himself indeavoured to make an idol of himself by contemning Gods Word by Rebellion Homicide Intemperance Theft by laying hand on that which was anothers without the owners consent by assenting to false witnesse Lastly by an ambitious affectation of too high an honour yea of that glory which belongs onely to God whence the definition of this sinne by Intemperance Ambition or Pride is too narrow VII Therefore with the blessed Apostle we rightly call this sin a transgression an offence and disobedience Rom 5.14 18 19. VIII Adam in this business is to be considered not as a private but as a publique person and consequently as the Parent head and root of all mankind IX VVhatsoever therefore he received and lost he received and lost it for himself and posterity As the head contains Reason both for it self and the members as a Gentleman keeps or loses his Copy-hold for himself and posterity so Adam lost that felicity for himself
actions of a regenerate man VI. The form of them is their agreement with the precept of the Decalogue For sin is a transgression of the Law 1 Joh. 3.4 that must needs be sin which deviates from the Law VII Therefore those are not good works which are conformable te the commandments of men and not of God Isa. 29.13 Matth. 15 9. In vain do they worship me teaching for doctrines the commandments of men VIII Neither are those good works which the Papists call works of Supererogation by which they say more is performed than by the Law is required IX This opinion is grounded upon their conceit of Councels or things not commanded but left to our liberty the omission of which is not punishable but the performance is greater than legal obedience and therefore meritorious They say such Councels may be seen Mat. 19. v. 11. where they teach that the counsel of single life is not contained within the command and. ver 21. where they say that to the young man a-counsel was given not a cōmand that he should sell his goods and give them to the poor and then follow Christ and 1 Cor 7. where they say that the single life is counselled But this opinion of Councels and works of supererogation is false 1. Because so the Law is made imperfect whilst the performing of councels is preferred to the fulfilling of the Law 2 Because if no man is able to fulfill the Law much less able is any man to fulfil that which is heavier than the Law 3. Because to beg daily for pardon of our sins and to brag of such works are things inconsistent The places above alledged are to be understood of commands and not of Councels which do not oblige men these commands indeed are particular and given only to certain men according to the exigence of their condition and gifts yet they are subordinate to general precepts Matth. 29.11 Single life is not only counselled but commanded two conditions being required 1. If the kingdom of Heaven doth so require it 2. If any be assured that he hath the gift of continency so ver 2.1 It is not a counsel but a command that is given to the young man that his hypocrisie might be unmasked who bragg'd that he was able to fulfil all the Law And 1 Cor. 7. Celibate is injoyned to them that have the gift of continency not simply but because it was expedient for the difficulty of those times Now I pray what is more consonant to Gods Law than to renounce all earthly things for the glory of God therefore in these places nothing is counselled but what by the Law is commanded X. The end of good works is threefold to wit the glorifying of God and the testifying of our gratitude towards him the certainty of salvation and our Neighbors edification We are taught Matth. 5.16 that we must study to do good works both for Gods cause and our Neighbours Let your light ●o shine before men that they may see your good works and glorifie your Father which is in Heaven They are to be performed for our own sakes because we can have no assurance of salvation election vocation and justification but by good works as the effects of Faith ●ustification and Sanctification whence Iohn saith He that doth well is of God 1 Ep. 3. v. 10. XI The subject of good works is man regenerated This was proved in the former Book cap. 10. out of our natural corrupt on whence appears the vanity of the School-nens Doctrine concerning merit of congruity condignity they ascribe that to the works of an unregene●at man before the first grace but this to his works done after the first grace is received I hat they call the merit of congruity because it is fit or congruous that reward begiven to him that worketh virtuously this they call merit of condignity because there is a proportion between the merit and the reward of which opinion Bellarmine and Stapleton were ashamed XII The adjuncts of good works are their imperfection and their necessity neverthelesse XIII The good works of the Saints are imperfect while they are travellers here but they shall be perfect in the state of glory hereafter This Doctrin is not thwarted by those places i● which the Saints are said To walk perfectly and not to turn towards the right hand or to the left hand For in those places is understood not so much perfection it self as the desire of it and the perfection of parts rather than of degrees or their sincerity integrity are meant whereby the faithfull though the Scripture elswhere speaks of their sins study to serve God in the simplicity of their heart without hypocrisie XIV Yet this imperfection is covered with Christs perfection hence our half perfect works and which are joyned with infirmities are reputed for perfect in this respect the Church is said to be without spot or wrinckle XV. Good workes are necessary by the necessity of precept and of the means but not by the necessity of the cause or merit By the necessity of precept they are necessary because the study of good works through al the Scriptures is most severely injoyned to us They are necessary in regard of the means because they are sure marks of Vocation Election and true Faith because they are the way and means to attain heavenly blisse As if a man should make a journey from York to London to obtain an inheritance the way or journey is the medium or means but not the meriting cause or the inheritance even so it is in this matter Works would be truly meritorious if they had these three conditions as exprest in the following distich Da tua 1 sed quae non 2 debes propo●tio 3 adsit Non aliter meritum di●eris esse tuum 1. If they were our own 2. If they were not due 3. If they were proportionable to l●fe eternal But in our good works these conditions are wanting 1. Though good works be done by us yet they are not of us 2 Cor. 3.5 2 We are bound to do them so that is we should do all yet we must confesse We are unprofitable servants Luk. 17.10 3. They have no proportion if they be compared to life eternal CHAP. II. Of Vertues and Works pertaining to the whole worship of God and to the Decalogue VErtue or good works are either general or particular Those belong to the whol worship of God so to the whole Law these to either of the Tables or to each Command The vertues of the first Command are either of the Understanding or of the Will The vertues of the Understanding are Wisdome and Prudence Wisdome is that vertue by which we know Gods will and our own infirmity that we may do what is conformable to Gods will and may seriously beseech God for strength to perform this will Rom. 12.2 That you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God Psal.
antecedent will And 't is a conditional will because Gods precepts prohib●tions con mi. nations and promises have the condition of obedience and disobedience annexed Lastly his revealed will because it 's daily set forth in God's word This distinction of the will is duely to observed left we sh●uld imagine that there are in God either really different or contrary wils III. What things are done against the will of God are not done besides his will For many things may be done against his revealed will which notwithstanding are consistent with his sec●et will or will of his good pleasure God by his revealed will desired not mans fall but most severely forbad it yet he did will and decree the same by the will of his good pleasure as it was a meanes for mani●estation of his glory IV. Therefore by the decree and will of God good and evil comes to passe good by efficiency Evil by permission V. Yet the decree or will of God is not the cause of evil or sin although what God hath decreed necessarily comes to passe For when evil is decreed by Gods will not effecting but permitting it this decree of God is not the cause of evil neither again is the will of God the cause of evil because his decrees are without repentance and unavoidable for they come not to passe by the necessity of coaction b●t by the necessity of immutability VI. The necessity of Gods decrees takes not away the liberty of the rational creature The reason i● because there is no necessity of co●ctions but of immu●ability The fall of Adam if we look upon Gods decree came to passe necessarily In the mean while Adam sinned freely being neither co●manded nor constrained nor fo●ced or moved by God but rather most severely admon●shed that he should not sin VII Nor doth this Necessity take away Contingencie in the second causes For many things are not contingent in respect of the second causes which in regard of Gods decree come to passe necessarily VI●I No moving or impulsive cause can be given of Gods decree except Gods most free will and good pleasure XI The chief end of Gods decree is his own glory X. Gods decree in it self is one and most simple neither is there priority or posteriority in it XI But in respect of the things which are decreed is so distinguished that in what manner or order they come to passe God is said to decree them that they should thus come to passe These are idle questions whether God decreed this or that first VVhether he first ordained the end or the means For whereas the decree of God in it self is one a most simple action there is neither priority nor posteriority in it but it is distingu●shed only in regard of the things which are decreed in which respect we say that God 1. Decreed to create man 2. To bestow his Image upon him but so that it might be lost 3. To permit his fall 4. Of those who were to fal some he decreed to leave to themselves and others he appointed to raise and to save them eternally CHAP. IV. Of Predestination GOD's Decree in respect of the Creatures is either general or special The general Decree is that by which he appointed to declare the glory of his power wisdome and goodness in the creation and conservation of all things The special Decree called Predestination is that by which he appointed to manifest the glory of his grace mercy and justice in the Election and Reprobation of the reasonable Creatures The RULE I. Although Predestination in the mind of God be one and a most simple act yet by reason of the weakness of our understanding it is distinguished into that Predestination which decrees the end and that which decrees the means II. He that is predestinate to the end is predestinate also to the means Predestination is either of Angels or of men The Predestination of Angels is that by which God appointed to save etenally some of them in their first happiness that in Christ their head but to leave others to themselves and to punish them eternally for deserting their station voluntarily and this for the manifestation of the glory of his grace and justice The Predestination of men is that by which God appointed out of the race of mankinde created to his Image but falling into sin voluntarily to save some through Christ eternally but others being left to themselves in their own misery to damn eternally and that for the manifestation of the glory of his mercy and Justice The parts then of this decree are two Election and Reprobation The RULES I. Predestination is a decree partly absolute partly not II. It is absolute in respect of the efficient impulsive Cause which neither is Faith in those which were to be elected nor sin in those which were to be reprobated but Gods most free-will Fore-seen Faith or Holinesse is not the cause of Election for man was not elected becaus he was to believe but therefore he believeth because he was elected Act. 13.28 And they believed so many as were ordained to life eternal Neither are we elected because we were to be holy but that we might be holy and unblamable b●fore him through love Eph. 1.4 Neither is foreseen sm●the cause of Reprobation for so we should be al reprobates but that God according to his most free good pleasure hath done what he did is manifest by that Luk. 12.23 It is your Fathers pleasure to give you a Kingdom and Rom. 9.16 I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy and ver 18. Therefore he will shew mercy on whom he will and whom he wils he hardeneth III. It is not absolute if we consider the matter or object and the means by which he puts this decree in execution VI. For the matter or object of election and reprobation is not man considered absolutely but as he was to fall into sin of his own accord The reasons are most evident because the decrees of manifesting mercy wrath or justice presupposeth sin for there can be no mercy but towards him that is in misery and there can be no justice o● just indignation but towards him that is a sinner 2. But because that onely can be reprobated which may be reprobated but man is reprobable or may be reprobated not as by God he was created but as Satan he was defaced V. Sin therefore is not the impulsive cause of Reprobation but a● necessary condition of the matter or object for though it be not the cause of reprobation yet it is the cause of reprobability or why man should be reprobated Fo● Reprobation and rep●obability diffe● as the act and possib●lity All men are reprobable or 〈◊〉 liable to R●probation for sin but all are not therefore actual Reprobates VI Reprobation then presupposeth 1 The decree of mans Creation Of the donation of Gods Image upon him which Image was to be lost 3. Of the permission of mans
with natures work IV. Mans soul is immortal not simply as though God could not annhilate it but by Gods ordination and that it cannot be destroyed by second causes V. The faculties of the soul are real●y different from the soul as qualities or proper accidents from their subject The reason of this is taken from the event because the essence of the soul remains entire when the faculties are shaken and weakned VI. The souls faculties are either meerly organical as the vegitive and sensitive facultie or are such onely in part and for a time as the understanding and will the former appears not when the body is corrupted but these without the help of the body can exercise themselves and appear when the body is destroyed VII Liberty from coaction is an essential property of the will Otherways the will were no will CHAP. VI. of Gods actual Providence GOd's actual Providence is that by which not only he preserveth his creatures but also according to his great wisdom goodness power justice and mercy he governs all things The RULES I To deny this Providence is to deny God himself II. Actual Providence differs from eternal as the execution from the Decrees III. As in God's eternal ●rovidence the will of his good pleasure so in this his revealed will is chiefly seen IV. Providence doth not only consist in knowledge but also in the Government of all things both great and small V. Gods providence takes not away but establisheth the second causes VI. What things are contingent in respect of the second causes are necessary in respect of Gods providence but this necessity is of immutability not of coaction VII Gods providence is far different from the Stoicks fatall necessity For the Stoical fate ties God to the connexion of seconda●y causes but the Christian fate makes a subordination of the second cause to Gods most free will of which he makes use voluntarily not of necessity out of indulgence rather then indigence VIII By Gods Providence both good and evil are governed IX Good things are ruled by an efficacious action or effectual working to which belong the preventing concomitant and subsequent assistance of Divine power X. Evil things are ruled by an actual permission and so they are permitted directed and determined XI Gods Providence remaineth ordered and undefiled even in those actions that are disordered and sinfull For in evil actions two things are observable the action it self and the irregularity thereof The action it self as all naturall motions is performed by Gods effectuall operation but the irregularity or vitiosity comes to passe by Gods actual permission For sin is ordered 1. By permitting it 2. By determining and containing it within its bounds 3. By directing it to a good issue Now God cannot be said to be author of sin by any of these wayes Not by producing the matter of it or the natural action for as there is one cause of the horses motion another of his halting even so it is one thing to be the cause of the action and another thing to be the cause of the adhering vitiosity Not by permitting the evil action because God is not forced by any law to hinder sin Not by determining it for as he who quenches a f●●e that it may not spread further is not the cause of the fire so he that setteth bounds to sin is not the cause of sin Not by directing it to a good end for as it is a main skill to prepare wholsom Medicines out of venomous creatures so it is the glory of God to create light out of darkness good out of evil Hence it is apparent how frivolous their device is who that they might vindicate God from any contagion of sin they flie to a bare and idle permi●sion of sin XII Though the Scripture ascribes many times the same action and the same work to God to the devil and to wicked men yet sin cannot be in any wise imputed to God In this case we must not have rec●u●se to a bare permission but we must give an estimate of these actions according to their scope and end for in one and the same action God hath one purpose Satan another and wicked men another Iob's affliction is imputed to God God gave saith Job and God hath taken the same is ascribed to Satan to the Sabaeans also and Chaldeans but according to the end we must judge of each of them ●t was Satans purpose to make Iob despair It was the Chaldeans intent and Sabeans to enrich themselves by plundring that holy man but God determined to try and make manifest the faith of his servant So in the crucifying of Christ it was Pilates purpose to continue in the favour of Caesar and of the Jews the Jews drift was to satisfie their desire with hatred and revenge but Gods end was to redeem mankind Hence they are said to do nothing but what the hand and counsel of God had determined Act 4.28 XIII The hardening of the wicked is ascribed to God as a most just Iudgment so as God can neither be blamed as faulty nor can the wicked be axcused The wicked are in this inexcusable because God onely hardeneth those who harden themselves neither doth he harden the soft hearted but in his just Judgment he increaseth the hardnesse of them who were hardened before Now they hardened themselves by abusing those graces which should have softned them I. Gods long suffering Rom. 2.4 5. Or d●spi●est thou the riches of his bounty patience and long suffering not knowing that the bountifulnesse of God leadeth thee to repentance But thou after thy hardnesse and heart that cannot repent heapest unto thy self wrath II. Gods Word 2. Cor. 2 15. For we are unto God the sweet savour of Christ in them that are saved and in them which perish to the one we are the savour of death unto death to the other the savour of life unto life III. Gods correction rod by which as an Anvil they are made harder Ier. 5.3 Thou hast stricken them but they have not sorrowed thou hast consumed them but they have refused to receive correction they have made their faces harder then a stone and have refused to return For this reason then are they most justly hardned by God who harden themselves who so often said of Pharaoh I will hold I will make obstinate I will harden his heart For not only do●h he harden by permission but also 1. By letting loose the bridle with which he held in their exorbitant lusts Rom. 1.24 He dilivered them up to their own lust and v. 28. God gave them up to a reprobate mind II. By delivering them to Satan as to a Hangman 1 King 22.21.22 And there came forth a Spirit who stood before the Lord and said I will perswade him to wit Achab and the Lord said to him where with And he said I will go forth and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets
and his posterity As out of a venemous root nothing can proceed that 's wholsome so all that are come of Adam naturally are born guilty of that primitive sin X. That primitive sin therefore is not only personal but natural also because by it whole Nature is destroyed of which also Adams prosterity is held guilty to wit all that are naturally sprung from Adam Christ then is excepted from this guilt for he was born of Adam but not by Adam not by naturall generation but by the vertue of the Holy Ghost XI As therefore the Person infected Nature so afterward Nature infected the Persons XII We religiously believe that our first Parents were received into favour by God CHAP. X. Of Original Sinne and Free-will THat Sin which is derived from the first or primitive Sin is either original or actual original Sin is that native corruption derived into the whole man and to the whole race of man naturally descending from Adam whereby man having utterly lost his freedom to good becomes prone to evil The RULES I. This sin in Scripture is named by way of excellency Sin and the Body of sin Sinful-sin Inhabiting-sin The law of our members The Old-man Flesh II. It is called also Concupiscence Rom 7.7 I had not known lust or concupiscence unlesse the Law had said thou shalt not covet or lust or Jam. 1 14 15. III. Therefore the Papists doe erroniously exempt it from being a sin reckoning it among the works of God By the name of Concupiscence is understood either that natural faculty of desire which was in man even before his fall or that corruption which naturally adheres to it as it is in it in the first act and as it inclines man onely to evill IV. The proximate cause of Original sin is the guilt of the first sin in respect of which it is a most just punishment from God to wit a part of that death which God threatened to man V. Although the soul is immediately infused by God into man yet being united to the body it is made guilty presently of the first sin imparted to the whole man and therefore is infected with Original contagion VI. Neither for this cause doth Original sin cease to be sin in that it is not wittingly nor willingly committed for it is sufficient that the irregularity of our nature is present though spontaneousnesse be absent VII From this Original sin except Christ alone no man is free not the blessed Virgin Mary Neither is it only in Infants but it is in the Embryo scarce as yet conceived and before the birth and it appears still more and more as the rapacity of Wolves shews it self in their whelps Psal. 51.7 Behold I was borne in iniquity and in sin hath my mother conceived me 2 Cor. 5.21 For he hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin VIII Original sin doth consist not onely in an impotency and inaptitude to goodnesse but also in pronenesse to evill neither is it onely the amission of Original good but also the immission of the contrary evill IX By Original sin our natural gifts are corrupted but supernatural are utterly lost X. The Vnderstanding remained but darkened the Will remained but depraved the inferiour Appetite remained but altogether vitiated XI Hence it is that in natural and civil actions an irregenerate man can do no good without special grace XII Without this special grace no excellent thing could be performed by the Gentiles XIII Whatsoever good then that was which they did it was mixed with much vanity so that their chief vertues were in Gods sight but glorious enormities XIV For those are not good works which are good in themse●ves but which are done well A work is said to be good either univocally or equivocally univocally so such a work is simply good in respect of all circumstances equivocally a work is good in it self but withall vitious either in respect of the subject or object or means or the end for if we look upon the actions of the Gentiles we shall finde that they aimed more at their own than at Gods glory in them XV. Although the affections of the wicked are kept in by God as with a Bit yet they are not healed XVI But supernatural gifts were utterly lost to wit the claritie of the intellect the rectitude of the will and the conformity of the appetite with reason XVII Hence there is no principle of knowledge or performance of spirituall things in us either in act or in possibility XVIII They seek then the house in the ashes who ascribe to an unregenerate man free-will or other faculties by which he may do well or prepare himself to his own conversion or to the acceptation of Gods grace For this is the errour of Pelagians and Semi-pelagians XIX Mans will remained free from coaction but not to good and evill XX. Yea it is free to evill onely and therefore deserves rather to be called servile than free As for the understanding the natural man comprehends not the things that are of Gods Spirit 1 Cor. 2.14 If you look upon the will the imagination of mans heart is onely evill Gen. 8.21 Finally the Scripture cries out that the whole man having lost his spiritual life lieth dead in sin Ephes. 2.1 Col. 2.13 XXI Although this sin is pardoned in the sanctified Parents notwithstanding by generation it is tansmitted to posterity The reason is because the corruption dwelling in us is not altogether taken away by pardon although the guilt be done away and as faith is the gift not of generation but of regeneration so man not as he is regenerate but as man begets man even as seeds being winnowed from the ears chaff and husks do spring up again with the same CHAP. XI Of actual Sin SO much of Original sin Actual sin is whereby Gods Law is broken by thoughts desires words or deeds The RULES I. According to the diversity of circumstances there are diverse sins II. From the efficient cause sin is either of publique or of private persons as they are in more or less dignity III. From the matter which are things thought desired said or done IV. From the form it is either of commission or omission V. From the end it is either of incogitancy or of affectation and against conscience and that rather of malice than of infirmity or contrarily rather of infirmity than malice VI. From the subject it is of the soul chiefly or of the body or of both VII From the object it is either committed against God or our neighbour VIII Sin committed against God is either with a kind of unwillingness or with a full desire this later sin the Scripture cals the sin against the holy Ghost and to death Matth 12.32 1 John 5.16 IX The sin against the Holy Ghost or to death is when one is convicted in his conscience by the testimony of the Holy Spirit resisteth notwithstanding the same
spitefully wantonly and with an high hand X. Sin against man is committed either against superiours or inferiors or equals being knit by fewer or more bands of blood affinity c. XI From the adjuncts a sin is either such of it self or by accident Such are scandals in things otherwise indifferent see Rom. 14. XII No sin of its own nature is venial or so small as not to merit damnation By this maxime the Popish errour that some sins of themselves are venial is condemned the reason is manifest by the object and the effect for there is no sin which is not conjoyned with the offence of Gods Majesty XI●I Yet in resp●ct of the event to wit Christs merits and Gods fav●ur all sins are pardonable ex●ept fin●l infidelity and the sin against the Holy Ghost Not as though these sins were greater than Grace and Christs merit but because they resist grace and Christs merit and despise both XIV We are to judge of the degrees of oth●r sins by the circumstances the considera●ion of which doth aggravate or lessen them Thus the sin of a superiour is greater than of an inferiour for sin is so much the more conspicuous by how much the more eminent he is that sinneth The sin of desire is greater than the sin of thought alone A sin committed in word and deed is greater than that which is in thought and desire sin committed with affectation is greater than that which ●s done of incogita●cy the sin of commission is greater than of omission if it be in the same kinde the sin against God is greater than against man that sin is greater whi●h is committed against him to whom we are most beholding for favours than against another for example A sin aga●nst our Parents is greater if it be in the same kinde than against a brother a scandal against a we●k brother ●s greater than against a stronger CHAP. XII Of the Miseries which follow Sin HItherto of sin now of the mise●y that follows upon sin This misery is either temporal or eternal both which is either corporal or spiritual The RULES I. God comprehended all mans misery under the name of death Gen 2.17 What day thou shalt eat of it to wit of the fruit of the Tree of knowledge of good and evill thou shalt dye the death II. There be four degrees of this death III. The first degree is death spiritual which is the privation of spiritual life Of this man being destitute he liveth only to sin Rev. 3.1 I know thyworks in that thou art said to live but thou art dead IV. The second degree is the death of affliction which is the privation of original happinesse and the inflicting of all sorts of calamities Exod. 10.17 Pray to the Lord that he would remove this death from me V. The third degree is death corporal which is the privation of this life and the resolution of the body into dust and the reversion of the soul to God Eccles 12.7 He shall returne to dust from whence he came and the soul to God that gave it The soul returns to God either as to a Father or as to a just Judge And although by the bounty of Christ our death is become a passage from this life to that which is eternal yet in this place we consider it as it is in it self VI. The fourth degree is death eternal or the state of the damned which in relation to death corporal is called the second death Rev. 21.8 VII We must imagine nothing of the state of the damned which is not in Scripture VIII This state consisteth in the privation of the chief good and infliction of the greatest evill IX The privation of the chief good is whereby they are for ever excluded from the fellowship of God and of the blessed Mat. 25 41. Go from me ye cursed X. But the chief evil shall be a communion for ever with the Devil and his Angels Matth. 25.41 Into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil c. XI The place appointed for the damned is Hell XII But where Hell is we are not to search or enquire XIII 'T is sufficient that in Scripture it is named Gehe●na a Fiery Furnace the place of torment a Prison bottomless pit the lake of fi●e burning with fi●e and brimstone XIV In the paines of the damned we are to consider the multitude greatness and continuance XV. Their multipli●ity is known because their torments will be spiritua● and corporal XVI The chiefest of the spiritu●l pains are the worm of conscience never dying and that which follow ●t an extream and inexpressi●l● sorrow and anguish XVII Th● corporal p●ins are under●tood by the phras● of ●●qu●n●h●●le fire for in this life th●re is no torm●nt greater than that of fire Matth. 13.42 Rev. 20.15 XVIII The greatness of the paines is understood by weeping and gnashing of teeth For these be symptomes of the greatest pain and torture Mat. 22.13 XIX But this misery is eternal whereby no deliverance is to be expected by the reprobate Luke 16.26 Between us and you there is a great gulf that they who would come to you from hence cannot nor from thence come hither Rev. 14. ver 11. The smoke of their torment shall ascend for ever and ever XX. Those fopperies of the Papists which they have borrowed out of the heathen Poets concerning the place of Infants in hell and of the Fathers and of the Purgatory are savourless and not worth the refuting CHAP. XIII Of the Moral Law HItherto of the state of Innocency and Misery now follows the state of Grace and Glory The Doctrine of the state of grace hath two parts the one is concerning a redeemer the efficient cause of this state the other concerning our calling to this state The Redeemer is known by the Law and by the Gospel By the Law we know the necessity by the Gospel the verity of our Redemption The Law is that Doctrine whereby God manifesteth what he will have performed by us under the commination of death eternal and promise of eternal life that by apprehending the inability which is in our selves of satisfying the Law we may be driven to seek help in Christ. The RULES I. The Law of God given by Moses differs not really but in some respect from the Law of nature planted in Adam the remainders of which are as yet to be found among the Gentiles Rom. 2.14.15 The Gentiles which have not the Law doe by nature the things contained in the Law these having not a Law are a Law to themselves which shew the work of the Law written in their hearts II. No man except Christ hath or can fulfill the Law perfectly III. But we are all guilty of the breach and violation of this Law Rom. 3.23 All have sinned and come short of the glory of God IV. We are then doubly miserable both in that we come short of the promise of life eternal and
are made guilty of eternal death Levit. 18.5 Who doth these things shall live by them Deut. 27.26 Cursed is he that confirmeth not all the words of this Law to do them V. Therefore it requires of us a double satisfaction if we would have it fulfilled For it obligeth us to punishment and to obedience The Commination of the Law requires that the Promise requires this Therefore these are falsly pronounced disjunctively to wit That we are obliged either to punishment or to obedience the Law obligeth us to both for there is no way to attain life eternal but in fulfilling the Law of which Christ saith do this and thou shalt live Luke 10.28 Therfore albeit we were free from the guilt and punishment of transgression yet we cannot attain life eternal without fulfilling the Law VI. Whereas we can neither way satisfy it bids us seek for both in Christ. VII And for this end the Law is renewed after the fall and as it were restored from death to life For it was given to the first man that he might attain to eternal happiness by his own obedience if he pleased but it is proposed to man since his fall that by perceiving his own inability to performe it he may performe it in Christ. Rom. 10.4 Christ is the end of the Law unto righteousness to every one that believeth VIII Therefore the promulgation of the Law to the Israelites on Mount Sinai was a singular benefit IX The Law was mended by Christ not as though it had been imperfect nor as though Christ had been another Moses to establish a new one but he onely vindicated it from the Pharisees corrupt glosses The Pharises did expound the Law accoring to the letter onely and did urge onely outward obedience as it appears by the refutation of them Mat. 5. Therefore the Samosatenians and their fellows who accuse the Law of imperfection are deceived for though it be imperfect in respect of us because by our fault it is made insufficient to save us yet in it self it is perfect besides it is the perfect Idea of that Justice which is in the Kingdom of Heaven X. Therefore falsely do the Pontificians-affirm that the perfection of the Law consisteth rather in councels than in precepts The Law is either Moral Ceremonial or Judicial the Moral is that which God comprehended in the ten Commandments The Rules for right understanding and explaining the Decalogue are these following The RULES I. The interpretation of every precept is to be sought out of its next end II. Whereas the precepts are most brief they are also Synecdochical for out of negatives we must understand affirmatives and contrarily so things forbid out of things commanded and on the contrary out of the species the genus and contrarily out of the outward worship we understand the inward and on the contrary out of things done and spoken desires counsels and actions and finally out of relatives we are to understand correlatives III. One and the same thing may be reduced to divers precepts in divers respects IV. A general Law yields to a particular V. There is a greater force or emphasis in negatives than in affirmatives For negatives are of a far larger extent whereas affirmatives include circumstances affirmatives oblige alway but not incessantly whereas negatives oblige both always and incessantly For example we are alwayes bound to do our neighbour good but not incessantly for there 's not continually occasions to do him good on the contrary it is never lawfull to hurt our neighbour VI. Hence there are more negative than affirmative precepts VII Every sin bears the name of that sin which by name is prohibited The reason is that we may take the more notice of the filthiness of sin so Christ calls a wanton look upon a woman adultery and Iohn calls hatred murther Matth. 5.28 1 Iohn 3.15 VIII Earthly promises are symbols of heavenly things Therefore the Servetans and Anabaptists do falsly dream that these promises are onely earthly the earthly promises include heavenly for so it pleased God to apply himselfe to that ignorant people and as yet under the Paedagogie of the Law The parts of the Decalogue are two the Preface and the Precepts The preface is twofold the one of Moses the other of God The Preface of Moses is this Then God spake all these words Gods preface is this I am the Lord thy God which brought thee out of Egypt In which words he shews his selfe-power and full authority in commanding drawing reasons 1. From his divine essence the symbols whereof are the names Iehovah Elohim 2 From the Covenant of Grace the sign whereof is that Phrase Thy God 3. From the benefit of Redemption the type whereof was the delivery of the Israelites out of Egypt Of the Commandments there are two Tables the first is concerning our duty towards God the other of our duty towards our Neighbour The sum of the first Table is Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart with all thy soul and with all thy strength Which words require both sincerity and perfection in our love sincerity because there is mentioned the heart the soul and all our strength perfection because we are b●d love God with all our heart all our soul all ou● strength To this Table there belong four Commandments the first sheweth who is to be worshipped for the true God the second after what manner he must be worshipped the third how we are to honour his name all our life the fourth at what times the publick worship of God is to be maintained The sum of the second Table is Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self this command is like the former because as that is the sum of the four first preceps so this is the sum of the six last concerning our love towards our neighbour to this then belongs the fifth command of preserving the dignity of our neighbour the sixth of his life the seventh of preserving our neighbors chastity the eigh●h of his estate the ni●ht of his fame the tenth of restraining vitious affections towards our neighbour Let this concerning the Moral Law suffice to evince the necessity of Redemption for what good works belong to e-every Precept shall be taught in the second Book CHAP. XIV Of the Ceremonial and Iudicial Law THe Ceremonial and Judicial Lawes serve as hand-maids to the Moral that to the first and this chiefly to the second Table The Ceremonial Law is that in which God commanded certain Ceremonies and outward Rites as Types of Christ hereafter to be exhibited The RULES I. The Ceremonial Law is a School-master to lead us to Christ Gal 3.24 II. The Ceremonial Law gives place to the Moral 1. Because it is in a manner the hand-maid of the Moral Law 2. Because it was not to continue for ever 3. Because charity is to be preferred before Ceremonies Hence is that of Hos. 6.6 I will have mercy and not sacrifice III The Ceremonial
Reas. I. For to be justified by grace and by merit are repugnant Rom. 3.24 They are justified freely by his grace and v. 28. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the works of the Law chap. 11.6 If by grace then not of works otherwise grace were not grace 2. So to be justified by Christ and his merits and by works Gal. 2.21 If righteou●ness is of the Law then Christ died in vain 3. By faith and by works Rom 3.28 We conclude then that we are justified by faith without works 4 To be justified by imputed justice and by works Rom. 4.4 5 To him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace but of debt But to him that worketh not but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly his faith is coūted for righteousnesse II. If by justification all matter of bragging is excluded that God only may be glorified then we are not justified by works Rom. 3.19 That every mouth may be stopped and all the world may become guilty before God ver 23. They have all sinned and come short of the glory of God and v. 27. Where is boasting then It is excluded By what law of works nay but by the law of faith The Pontificians here say that in these places are meant only ceremonial works But he who will observe that Catologue of works rehearsed cap. 1 2.3 to the Romans shall finde that not only ceremonial but moral works also are meant III. If we be justified by works then they are either such as go before or follow after regeneration Bu● with neither of these ar● we justified For be●fore regeneration 〈◊〉 works are meerly evi● and after imperfect● good XIX The effects of justification are Peace with God an accesse to him with boldnesse a rejoycing in tribulation and freedom from sin not onely in respect of guilt as the Papists say but in respect of punishment too Otherwise Christ had suffered for us in vain Isa. 53.4 c. Neither do divine chastisements come upon the Elect that they might by them satisfie God but that they might be proved and bettered XX. Imputed righteousnesse is perfect and equal in all believers The imperfection of our faith is no hinderance for as the same Jewel is touched by the firm and infirm hand so is the same Justice of Christ obtained by the strong and weak believer XXI The same is never to be lost For the gifts of Vo●ation are without repen●a●●● Rom. 11. ●9 XXII It is also one Therefore when the Saints who are justified pray for forgiveness of sins they do not so much respect or consider the act of justification as the fruit certainty and confirmation thereof XXIII Iustification before God is by faith Iustification before men is by works Of this see Iam 2.24 you see then that man is justified by works and not by faith alone Which saying is not contrary to that of Rom. 3.28 we conclude then that man is justified by faith without works For there is meant that justification which is before men but here that which is before God there is understood historical fa●th which worketh not by charity but here that faith which is true and lively Others say that man is justified by work● not as by the cause but as by the declarers and manifesters of justification CHAP. XXXI Of Sanctification SAnctification followes Justification as the light followes the sun This is that free action of God which sets at liberty the faithful ingrafted into Christ and justified by the Spirit more and more from their native corruption and renews them to his image that they may be fitted by good works to glorifie God The RULES I To sanctifie in this place is not to separate from profane use or to dedicate to holy uses but habitually to make holy In the former signification we are bid to sanctifie the Sabbath II. It is called regeneration renovation conversion penance repentance and glorification Yet these words are ambiguous for the word regeneration renovatino and conversion is either equivalent to vocation and the gift of faith or it signifieth newnesse of life when in the very act man dieth to sin and liveth to righteousness in the first sens it goeth before justification and is the cause thereof in the latter follows it and is the effect thereof it is also named penitence and resipiscence from the effect which words do as much d●ffer as the Hebrew terms Nicham and Schubh or the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for that is of the minde this of the heart that wicked men may also have this onely the godly albeit this difference doth not still hold It is called glorification by way of inchoation or beginning as it is a forerunner of future glorification III. The efficient cause of this is in general the whole Trinity particularly and in respect of the terminus the Holy Ghost for this end sent by Christ. Hence he is called the Spirit of Sanctification Rom. 1.4 IV. The internal impulsive cause is Gods free bounty Tit. 3.4.5 But after the kindnesse and love of God our Saviour appeared toward man not by works of righteousness which we had done but according to his mercy he hath saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost V. The external impulsive cause is Christ with his merit and efficacie Ephes. 5.25 Christ loved his Church and gave himself for it that he might sanctifie it VI. The external instrumental cause is the doctrine of the Law and Gospel but the internal is Faith the root of good works VII To these we may adde extraordinary means whereby God casteth down the proud and raiseth the humble such are afflictions miracles terrours c. VIII In the first regeneration or vocation m●n is meerly passive but in sanctification when he is endowed with saving faith he is the chief agent of his own actions yet not without the special grace and motion of the Holy Ghost IX The matter of sanctification is the whole man with his intellect will and affections 1 Thes. 5.23 Now the very God of peace sanctifie you throughout and I pray God your whole spirit soule and body be preserved blamelesse until the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ. X. The form is expressed in two acts in the aversion from evil and conversion to good that is called the mortification of the old man this the vivification of the new man that a crucifying and burying this a resurrection XI The end of this is Gods Glory our salvation and certainty thereof for there is no signe of election more evident 2. Tim 2.21 If a man therefore purge himself from these he shall be a vessel unto honour sanctified 1. Joh. 3 3. And who hath this hope in him purifieth himself even as he is pure XII Sanctification in this life is not perfect hence the works of the Saints are imperfect for they feel a combate in
them betweene the flesh and spirit so long as they live Rom. 7.19 23 24 Gal. 5.17 XIII Sanctification differs from justification I. In their genus for the justice of that is in the predicament of Quality but the justice of this in the categroy of Relation II In their form For 1. In Iustification Faith as a hand layeth hold upon Christs justice in Sanctification it is considered as the beginning and root of good works 2. In Iustification sin is taken a way onely in respect of the guilt and punishment in Sanctification it is by degrees abolished in respect of its existence 3. In Iustification Christs righteousness is imputed to us in Sanctification a new and inherent justice is infused into us III. In degrees for Iustification is one individual perfect act equally contingent to all but Sanctification is a successive act by degrees tending to perfection and according to the variety of the gifts of the Spirit shining in some more in some less CHAP. XXXII Of the perseverance of the Saints SO much of Justification and Sanctification Now follows the perseverance of the Saints and Christian Liberty The perseverance of the Saints is the gift of God whereby the Elect being justified and sanctified are so confirmed by the grace of Christ through the Holy Ghost that they can never utterly fall from it The RULES I. By the word of perseverance we do not here understand that whereby the Elect cannot fall into most grievous sins whereby their Faith cannot be weakned whereby they cannot for a time lose the effectual presence of Gods Spirit but that whereby they cannot totally and final●y fall off from Faith and the grace of God II. The efficient cause of this is God the Father Son and Holy Ghost Joh. 10.27 28 29. My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me and I give to them life eternal neither shall they perish for ever nor shall any man take them out of my hand my Fa●her who hath given them to me is greater than all nor can any man take them out of my Fathers hand I and my Father a●e one Eph. 1.13 14 In whom also after that you believed you were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise which is the earnest of our inheritance untill the redemption of the pu●chased poss●ssion unto the praise of his glory III. The matt●r which hath the nature of the subject is man truly elected cal●ed justified and sanctified IV. The forme consisteth partly in the will to pers●vere partly in the act it self the wi●● is never defec●ive in the godly but the act is sometime ne●re intense sometime more remise V. Though then Faith may be lost in respect of the second act yet in respect of the habit or first act by which it apprehends Christ it is never lost VI. The end of this gift is the assurance of our salvation and a true and firm comfort VII Out of all this we conclude that the Elect who are called justified and sanctified are assured of their salvation Besides the Scripture-testimonies cited above 1. The certainty of our Election confirms this for the elect cannot perish or become reprobate Mat. 24.24 There will arise false Prophets and fa●se Christs and will shew great signs and wonders so that they shall seduce if it be possible the very elect 2. Tim. 2.19 Yet the foundation of God standeth fi●m having this seal the Lord knoweth who are his 2 The certainty of Vocation Rom. 11.29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance 3 The certainty of Faith Isa. 42.3 he will not break the bruised reed nor quench the smoaking flax 4. The certainty of Justification by which there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Iesus Rom. 8.1.5 The certainty of Sanctification Phil. 1.6 Being perswaded that he who hath begun a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Iesus Christ. The testimonies which Bellarmine alledgeth to the contrary are either such as speak not of the faithful but of hypocrites as Mat. 24.12 13. Mark 4.15 Luke 8.13 Iohn 15.2 Heb 6. v 4 5 6. and 10.26 2 Pet. 2.21 22. Or else of a falling off not from the Faith by which we believe but which be believe that is from wholesome doctrine which hypocrites also embrace for a time as 1 Tim. 1.19 and 4.1 and 1 Tim. 6.19 Or they are to be understood of those that are truly faithful but conditionally as Ezek. 18.26 When a righteous man turneth away c. and 1 Cor. 9.27 Gal. 5.4 The examples of evill Angels and of our first Parents are nothing to this purpose for they received onely possibility if they would be willing but not will and possibility too but there is another reason of the regenerate who by the grace of the Spirit both will and can persevere Likewise the exmples of Saul Simon Magus and Iudas are impertinent for they were Reprobates David and Solomon fell indeed grievously but they lost not totally their Faith as the repentance of both witness Psal. 51. and the Books of Ecclesiastes As for Peter's fall we will say with Austine Profession failed in his mouth but not faith in his heart There be two Arguments of our Adversaries chiefly to be considered 1. It is temerity say they to boast of the certainty of Faith whereas our salvation should be wrought out with fear and trembling Phil. 2.12 Answ. The Elect are no wayes to be accused of temerity because they ascribe not to their own strenth the certainty of salvation by which they may a thousand times fall off without Gods grace but they are kept by the power of God 1 Pet. 1.5 Therefore fear and trembling are not opposed to firm confidence in God but to carnal presumption 2. They say that all admonitions will be in vain and so a way w●ll be made ●o carnal security Ans. This will not follow For th●s Doctrine is so farre from occasioning security that it rather drawes us from it 1. Because it is one thing 〈◊〉 stand and another thing to seem to stand 1 Cor. 10.12 2. Because no man can promise to himself the certainty of salvation except he try his Faith by his Sanctification 3. Because although the Saints do not utterly fal off from grace yet they may fall into most g●ievous sins in offending God and their neighbour and may bring upon themselves divers calamities CHAP. XXXIII Of Christian Liberty CHristian Liberty is a spiritual manumission or freedome whereby the faithfull are delivered from that slavery to which they were bound before their conversion that they may freely and cheerfully obey God The RULES I. The efficient cause of this liberty in general is the whole Trinity but in particular Christ our Lord. Joh. 8.31 32. If you abide in my word you shall be my D●sciples and ye sh●ll know the truth and the truth shall make you free v. 36. Therefore if the Sonne make you f●ee ye shall be free indeed II.
to the earth sometimes to the visible heaven and to this purpose is that which Peter saith of righteousnesse which shall dwell there For it is certain that after this world justice shall dwell no where but in heaven To the first reason they answer that there is no consequence from the Flood to the last Judgment because the Flood brought not with it the end of the world so likewise in the other reason they deny the sequel from man to the world because the world will be no wayes available to man when he is advanced to life eternall for it was made onely for him whilest he was a traveler here Now although in controversies of this nature which overthrow not the articles of Faith it be lawful to suspend o●r assent yet without prejudice to other mens judgments the understanding reader may subscribe to the latter opinion for it is one thing to be restored and changed unto a better estate and another thing to wax old like a garment to vanish like smoak to be dissolved to melt to be burned to passe away to be no more as the fo●mer testimonies affirm So much of the end of the World Life eternal is the highest degree of blessedness in which we shall be made partakers of Christs glory enjoying the sight of God and Heavenly joyes for ever and ever The RULES I. The general efficient cause of life eternal in the whole Trinity but particularly Christ our Lord who by his merit obtained life for us and by his efficacy applies it to us and bestows it upon us Hence he is called the everlasting Father Isa. 9.6 and metonymicaly Life it self Ioh. 14.6 II. Good works are not the meritorious cause of life eternal although life is promised to them as a free reward A reward is promised to good works not as a due debt but as a free gift not that by them we can merit life but that we may be provoked to do them III. That eternal happinesse consisteth in our freedom from all evill in the variety magnitude and eternity of joyes Rev. 21.4 And God will wipe all tears from their eyes and there shall be no more death nor sorrow nor crying nor shall there be any more pain for the first things are past IV. The variety of joys is considered in the glorification of man in the delights of Heavenly mansions in the blessed society of the Saints but chiefly in the union with God V. There shall be a glorification both of body and of soul. VI. In the body shall be 1 Clarity 2. Impassibility 3. Subtilty 4. Agility VII The soul shall be far more perfect than it was in the state of innocency for in it shall be understanding without error light without darkness wisdom without ignorance reoson without obscurity memory without oblivion the will also shall be without perversenesse joy without sorrow pleasure without pain In the state of innocency there was in Man a possibility not to sin in the state of glory there shall be no possibility to sin VIII The beauty of ●eavenly mansions was shaddowed by the type of Solomons Temple and Jerusalem ●sal 84 1 c Rev 21. and 22. IX The communion of Saints which be with joy is expressed by the similitude of a feast Matth 22 2 c. X. Neither shall we have communion only with the ●ngels but we shall be also like the Angels Ma●th 22.30 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Luk. 20.36 XI There shall be such a communion with God that we shal see him without end love him without tediousnesse and praise him without wearisomnesse XII So great shall be that joy that neither our tongues can expresse it nor our mindes conceive it For in this life neither had the eye seen nor ear heard nor minde conceived that which can equall that glory 1. Cor. 2 9. XIII Neither shall any bounds be set to this hapinesse nor shall we ever fall from it but it shall continue for ever Psal. 16.11 Thou shall sh●w me the path of life for in thy presence is fulnesse of joy and at thy right hand are pleasures for evermore XIV There shall be degrees of eternal happinesse This is gathered from Daniel cap. 22. v. 3 They that be wise shall shine as the brightnesse of the firmament and they that turn many to righteousness as the Stars for ever and ever Neither is this opinion overthrown by that place of Matth. 13. v. 43. whereas the just in general are said to shine as the Sun for though the glory of the Elect being considered in themselves is likened to the brightnesse of Sun and Stars yet in Daniel c. 12. this is promised to Doctors above other men neither can any other reason be given why there mention is made chiefly of them that instruct others that place 1 Co. 15.39 40 41 is alleadged but to little purpose for proof of this for the simile concerning the diversity of brightnesse in the Stars d●th not prove the degrees of future glory but the ●ifference only that is b●twixt a mort●l an● a glorified body as it appea●s by what followes In the mean while we a●low not that manner of different glory which the Papists teach to wit diversity of merits For as the gift of Faith and Sanct●fication ac●ording to Gods meer grace is unequally distributed to the Saints so he will according to his gracious pleasure impa●t glory but so that no man shal have cause to complain of any want of glory in himself or why he should envie it in another The SECOND BOOK Concerning the WORSHIP of GOD. CHAP. I. Of the Nature of good Works IN the former Book we have spoken of the Knowledge of God now we are to speak of his Worship The true worship of God consisteth in true holiness and righteousness or in the study of good works which good works are performed by the grace of the Holy Spirit out of true Faith according as the Law requires to the glory of God the certainty of our salvation and edification of our neighbour The RULE I. Good works are called Vertues But we take this word vertue in a larger sense than it is taken by Philosophers for here we call vertues holy affections holy thoughts and actions II The same Synecdochically are called by the name of Charity For so Christ saith that the whole Law consisteth in the precept of love towards God and our neighbour whereas love towards God belongs to the first Commandement but love to our neighbour to the second Table III The principal efficient cause of good works is the Holy Ghost in respect of beginning continuation and perfection For it belongs to the same power to begin in us a good work and to perfect it Phil. 1.6 as also to give both to will and to be able or to do cap. 2.31 IV Their instrumental cause is Faith the root of good works Rom. 14 ●3 what is not done of faith is sin V. The matter of good works are the affections and
for the wor● wrought the force is in Gods promise rather than in the prayer VII The Object to which prayer is directed is the whole Trinity yet so that 〈◊〉 the persons conjunctly or either of them s●●verally is called upon That the Father is to be called upon is not doubted The Son is called upon by S●epher Act 7.59 yea all the Angels worship him Heb 1.6 The Holy Ghost is called upon with the Father and Son by Iohn Rev. 1. ● 5. And that Angelic● hymne Holy holy ho●● c. Isa. 6.3 c. applied to the Son 〈◊〉 12.41 and to the ho●ly Ghost Act. 28 2● 26 c. VIII The object for which we pray 〈◊〉 the living not the dead and such as sin 〈◊〉 not to death For God will not be intreated for those who sin unto death 1 Ioh. 5 16. For the dead we must not pray because they are either damn●● or blessed if damne● our p●ayers are fru●●les if blessed needles● IX The object against which we pray are Gods open Enemies We ought not presently to pray for their eternal destruction but we are to bes●ech God that with his mighty hand he would humble and convert them otherwise eternally to plague them if they wil not be converted The imprecations of the Prophets are not to be imitated by us rashly for it is hard to discerne those who sin to death and those of whom we have good hope X. Prayers should be joyned with an humble confession of our sins with a true and firme confidence and a constant purpose of repentance XI External gestures decently used avail much both to excite and to testifie the devotion of our souls So much of the parts of that form whereby God wil be worshipped of us the outward helps follow whereof are Fastings and Vows Fasting is an abstinence from meat and drink undertaken for a time that the lasciviousness of the flesh may be subdued and God with the greater fervency may be called upon The RULES I Fasting is either forced or voluntary That is the poor mans for want of meat this of them who want not meat The voluntary Fast is either Natural Civil or Ecclesiastical Natural is that which is undertaken for healths sake the Civil is that which is enjoyned by the Magistrate in some publique affairs Ecclesiastical is that we define II. Ecclesiastical fasting is private or publique III. Private is that which one injoyns to himself or his family for some private causes Examples are Iob 1.5 2 Sam. 3.35 and 12.16 Nehem. 1.4 IV. Publique is that which is commanded by the Magistrate or the Church for some publique causes especially when calamities are at hand Examples 2 Chron. 20. Hest. 4. V. In a true Fast the manner and end are to be considered VI. For the manner true fasting ● Consisteth not in choice of meats but in abstinence from all meats 2. Not in external abstinence from meat but in abstinence from sin Isa. 58.6 c. Joel 2 12. VII There ought to be no other end of Fasting but onely to give our selves more earnestly to prayer and divine worship to beat down the lasciviousnesse of the flesh to witnesse our humility before God and our repentance before our neighbour VIII Fasting is not tied to certaine times as in the Old Testament but ought to be undertaken freely upon urgent causes and necessity So much for Fasting A Vow is a promise made in a holy manner to God of things lawful to witnesse our readinesse to serve God The RULES I. A Vow in this place signifieth a religious promise not prayers or desires II. A Vow is either general or particular That is of things commanded and is required of all men such is the Vow ef Baptisme this is of things lawful and is undertaken for some private cause that is a part of divine Worship this is only a help thereto III. A particular Vow is considered in its efficient matter form and end IV. For the efficient they are excluded from making a vow who want as yet the use of judgment and reason 2. Who are not Masters of themselves but are either subject to Parents or Husband Numb 6. V. The matter of a Vow is a thing lawful and in our power VI. The form consisteth in the deliberation of the minde in purpose of the will and in the promise either internal or external also VII The end is to testifie thankfulnesse of minde or to exercise some private discipline A Vow of the first kind is when one that hath escaped a sicknesse or danger doth consecrate to God somthing by Vow as a token of his gratitude A Vow of the latter sort is when one by Vow abstains from something in it self lawful yet dangerous to h●m as Wine c. VIII The subject to whom we ought to Vow is God onely IX A Vow before it is made is arbitrary but being lawfully made it is to be kept Psal. 76.12 Vow and pay unto the Lord your God Hitherto of the true manner of worshiping God to which are contrary the intermission of it and fals worship And this is threefold in respect of the object for either it is not commanded by God or else it is expresly prohibited by him or being commanded is directed to some other end The manner of worshipping of God not commanded is called Wil-worship to wit a worship devised by man's brain Paul opposeth this kinde of worshipping God to Christian Liberty Col 2.20.21 22 23. Therefore if you be dead with Christ you are freed f●om the ru●diments of this world Why as though living in the World are you subject to ordinances touch not taste not handle not which all are to perish with using after the commandments and doctrines of men which things have indeed a sh●w of wisdome in wil-worsh●p and humili●y and n●glecting of the body not in any honour to the satisfying of the fl●sh Such are those ceremonies-brought in by Pope●y in Baptisme c and their five Sacraments by them devised canonical hours beads and the Latine tongue in Prayer Fasts placed rather in choise of meats than in abst●nence chiefly Le● fast the Vows also of poverty Monkish obedience and Religious continency The Vow of poverty is impious for whereas man by Gods command should eat his b●ead in the sweat of his face by such voluntary poverty this command is sleighted No better is the Vow of obedience for by it man who is redeemed by the precious blood of Christ is made a slave to money and is drawn off from his lawful calling As for the Vow of Continency it is rash for it is a rare gift and by th●s Vow many under pretence of chastity are intangled in the sna●es of Satan The manner of Religious worship forbid by Gods Word is idolatry and worship of Saints Idolatry is whereby an Idol is made kept and religiously worshipped There be two kindes of Idolatry one is when that which is not God is accounted and worshipped for God
t●e Master of the house shall he brought unto the Iudge● to see w●ether he hath not put his hand to his neighbours goods The same Law follows ver 10 11. concerning the Asse Oxe and small Cattle he that receives a Pawn let him take heed he do not receive on● of a poor body or retain that pawn which the poor man cannot be without Exo. 22.26 If thou take thy neighbours raim●nt to pledge thou shal● deliver it to him by that the Sun goe●h down for that is his covering onely Deut. 24.6 No man sh●ll take the nether or upper M●●stone ●o pledge for he taketh a mans l●fe to ple●g and vers 10. when thou doest lend thy brother any thing thou sha●t not go into his house to fetch his pledge thou sha●t stand abroad and the man to whom thou doest lend shall bring out the pledge abroad to thee Ezek. 18 7. And hath not oppressed any but ha●h restored to the debtor his pledge So much of Justice Beneficence is whereby we help our neighbour with our means freely This vertue is call'd liberality in lesser gifts in greater Magnificence in relation to the poor alms to banished men strangers hospitality To this the Scripture invites us 1 By command Luke 6.38 Give c. 2. By the example of holy men yea of God himself who is the Fountain of all goodnesse Luk. 6.36 Be you merciful as your father is merciful 3. By most sweet promises Luke 6 38. Give and 〈◊〉 shall be given to you c. Especially by promising life ete●al Matth. 25.34 35 Come ye blessed of my Father c. I was ●ung●y and ye gave me food c. To this is opposite the neglect of bounty as also basenes hard-heartednesse and unseasonable bounty c. See above cap. 8. So much of Vertues as they have reference to others the vertues which have respect to our selves are Contentation Parsimonie and Industry 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Contentation is a Virtue whereby man contents himself with his own condition and with the estate which he hath justly got 1 Tim 6 6. Godlines is grea● gain with con●entment To this is opposite unbelieving care concerning the sustaining of this life covetousnesse and a loathing of ones present condition Parsimonie or frugality is a vertue wherby we so moderate our expences that we spend not but what is needful reserve the remainder for future uses We must aime at this 1. Because commanded Joh. 6.12 Gather up the fragments that remain that noth●ng be lost 2. Becaus●●t is a remedy against poverty a mean to exercise our bounty To this are opposite too much sparing and profusenesse Industry or love of labour or the care of getting means honestly is a Vertue whereby one gets an estate by honest labours that he may be the better enabled to live comfortably to himself and to others This was injoyned in Parad●se Gen. 3 19. the same is commended by Paul Eph 4.28 He that st●●e let him steal no mo●e but rather let him labour working with his hands the things that is good that he may have to g●ve to him that 〈◊〉 To this are opposite Idleness and a disordered life dishonest wayes of gaining Usury Dice Mercenarie souldiery and other wayes of getting wealth by right and wrong See what is said of the idle Prov. 6.1 c. and 12.11 and Eccl. 4.1 2. The rest appear out of what is said before CHAP. XIII Of Vertue and Works belonging to the Ninth Commandment HAving spoken of our duty towards our own and neighbours estate now followes that we speak of our duty toward our own and neighbours fame in the ninth precept The summe whereof is that we preserve our own and neighbours fame and good name This precept is negative and Synecdochical for under the phrase of false witnesse is understood every thing wherby our own and neighbours fame or estimation is hurt hence is collected an affirmative precept That we study to preserve our own and our neighbours fame The vertues of this precept are also two-fold some have relation to our neighbour some to our selves those which have respect to our neighbour are truth and sincerity Truth it is a vertue whereby we are bent to know those things that be true to utter or signifie the things known as they are Zach. 8.16 Ephes. 4.25 Let every man speak truth to his neighbour To these in the defect are opposite the neglect of truth and naughty dissembling but in the excesse lying and false witnesse Sincerity is a vertue whereby we deal plainly and ingenuously with our neighbour acknowledging Gods gifts in him taking in good part his sayings and doings not giving rash credit to doubtful evils in him but concealing his known evils or making the best construction of then To this divers sins are opposite to wit evil suspitions curiosity in prying into our neighbors faults not out of any desire to amend them but to calumniate calumnies themselves and flattery To Truth and Sincerity as to the chief vertues are subservient Faith Gravity Silence Gentleness Curtesie and Freedome of speech Faith or fidelity is a constancy in our words and deeds This is called sincerity Eph. 4 15. Carrying your selves sincerely in love for so the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is translated by the best Interpreters To this is opposite the double tongue when a man speaks one thing thinks or doth another Imprudent simplicity when a thing is rashly promised before the matter be sufficiently tryed also counterfeit simplicity and fidelity Gravity is w● h uttereth nothing but what is wel● weighed savoring of Christian wisdom tending to edification Col. 4.6 Let your speech be seasoned with grace and salt that you may know how to answer every man Opposite to this is idle pratling foolish speaking counterfeit gravity Silence is a vertue which faithfully conceals secrets committed to it Mat 18 15 But if thy brother trespasse against thee go reprove him between thee him alone To this is opposite perfidiousness wherby secrets are revealed naughty silence whereby things are concealed that should not be concealed Gentleness is a vertue whereby we shew our selves affable 1 Pet. 3 8. Finaly be ye all of one minde one suffer with another love as breth●en be pitifull be courteous To this is opp●site Peevishnesse and counterfeit gentlenesse Courtesie in speech is whereby our words are seasoned with honest mirth wit with a good decorum or grace To this is opposite Rusticity when one can neither utter witty jests himselfe nor with patience hear them Scurrility also and Dicacitie or biting jests and scoffs Ephes. 5.4 Neither fil●hinesse no● foolish talking nor jesting which are things not comely Freedome of speech is a vertue by which we speak the truth and reprove offenders without fear of danger Levit. 19.17 Thou shalt
that day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night b Mat. 24.32.33 Learn a parable of the fig tree when its branch is yet tender and putteth forth ● leaves ye know that summer is nigh so likewise ye when ye shall see all these things know that it is neer even at the doors a Luc. 17.26.27 As it was in the dayes of Noah c. And as it fell out in the day of Lots c. 1 Thess. 5.3 when they shall say peace and safety then sudden destruction commeth upon them as travel upon ● woman with childe and they shall not escape 2 Tim. 3.1 5. This know that in the last days perillous times shall come for men shal● be lovers of their own selv●s covetous boasters proud blasphemers disobedient to parents unthankfull unholy without natural affection truce-breakers false accusers incontinent fierce despisers of those that are good traitors c. b 2 Thes. 2.3 Let no man deceive you by any means for that day shall not come till there be a falling away first and that man of sin be revealed th● son of perdition v. 8 And then shall tha● wicked one be revealed whom the Lord shall c●●sume wi●h th● Spiri●●f his mouth and shall d●●troy with the brigh●n●sse of his coming c Rev. 18.2 She is fal●en she is fallen that great Babylon c. d Rev. 17.16 And those ten horns that is the ten Kings shall hate the whore and they shall forsake her shall eat her fl●sh and burn her with fire * A. R. This opinion of the calling of the Jews is plausible if it were found in Scripture Here Wollebius strives to weaken the opinion of the Iews conversion before the last day so did of old Caesariensis Greg Nazianzen 's brother Dial. 4. by denying that in Scripture their conversion is expressed whereas indeed the Scripture in many places speaks of this generall calling And though H●erome on Isa. 11. and Hos. 9. seem to con●radict this truth yet we shall finde that he doth not absolutely speak against their final conversion bu● against the manner of it which the Iews thought should be effected by Elias whom they dreamed would reduce them again into their own Country and re-establish the antient Law of Moses and the whole Iudaical worship But to deny a total conversion of the Iews to Christ is to keep up the partition-wall still which Christ came to break down represented by the rupture of the veil of the Temple at Christs death Why was Christ called the Corner-stone if he did not mean to unite the two walls of the Iew and Gentile And how can that proph●sie of his be fulfilled There shall be one sheepfold as there is but one Shepheard That p●ophesie of Zach. 12.10 Rev. 1.7 They shal look on him whom they have pierced shall mourn for him must be ●nderstood of the Iews final conversion which shall be with godly sorrow and repentance before the last day for it is said there He shall come with clouds Luke 21.27 Our Saviour foretels that Jerusalem shall be ●●dden under till the fulness of the Gentiles be brought in We read in Rev. 7. that besides the innumerable multitude of all Nations that stood before the Lamb there were of the Israelites also an hundred forty four thousand on Moūt Sion a definite number being used for an indefinite by which is intimated the Iews total conversion In Mal. c 4. Elias is promised to turn the hearts of the fathers towards their children which prophesie the old Doctors apply to the conversion of the Iews by the preaching of Elias and Christ tels us that Elias shall come and restore all things Matth 17.11 This prophesie indeed is applied by Christ to his first comming and ●ohn Baptist there is called Elias yet this hinders not the application of the same prophesie to his s●cond comming also before which eithe● Elias shall come or else powerfull p●eachers in the force and spirit of Elias who shall convert the Iews And so the Fathers interpret these words Psal. 59 6 14. They shall return in the evening of the conversion of the Iews in the end of the world And so they observe that their late entry into the Church of Christ which is the House of the living God was prefigured by the elder brother Luk. 15. Who came not in till he was intreated by his father and that was after the younger brother or gentiles had returned But their conversion is more plainly foreto●● by Hose● 1.11 The children of Judah and 〈◊〉 shall be gathered together and appoint themselves one Head This cannot be meant so much of their return from their dispersion in their first captivity as of their last conversion for the Is●aelites never returned from their first captivity This is more fully explained in Hosea c. 3 5 Afterward shall the children of Israel return and seek the Lord their God and David thei● King and shall fear the Lord and his goodness in the latter dayes Here by the latter dayes we cannot understand Christs first coming for we do not finde that this prophesie hath been yet accomp●●shed Some few here and there have been converted but what is that to a general conversion of the whole nation or at least of the greatest part which the Apostle expresseth fully Rom. 11 2● I would not brethren have you ignorant of this mystery that blindness in part is hapned to Israel until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in so all Israel shall be saved and ver 32. God hath concluded them all in unbelief that he might have mercy on all Now all the circumstances and wo●ds preceding and following do make it plain that Saint Paul speaks not of the spiritual but of the carnal Israelites or Nation of the Iews and of their total conversion which v 12. he cals their fulness as he cals the total conversion of the Gentiles the fulness of the Gentile vers 25. And doubtlesse Christ who came to save his people from their sin● to whom he preached in his own Person and sent his Disciples first of all to these lost sheep of Israel and prayed for them on the cross and makes intercession for them still in Heaven will not forget when the time comes to bring back these straying sheep into his sheepfold This is that Michael the great Prince who standeth up for the children of Israel and b● whom Daniels people shall be delivered every 〈◊〉 written in the Book of life Dan. 12.1 So certain and indubitable was this truth that in the primitive Church as Saint Austin confesseth l. 20. de civ Dei cap. 29. It was ordinarily spoken believed by the faithful that the Jews by the preaching of Elias should believe in Christ. Yet I deny not but that the Iews hitherto have been like that fruitless Fig-tree in the Gospel which our Savior cursed but here is the difference that the Fig-tree was nev●● to fructifie any more but we
the children of men they speak vanity one to another they flatter with then tongue dissemble with a double ●eart b Mat. 26.35 Peter saith to him although I dy with thee yet will I not deny thee in like manner said all the Disciples c Mat. 2.8 Make enqui●y 〈◊〉 the child when you have found him ●et me know that I may come wo●ship him also a See a notable place for b●idling the tongue Iam 3.2 c. b Ephe● 4.29 Let no corrupt communication proceed ou● of your mouth 1 Cor. 2. And I breth●en when I came unto you I came not with entising words c. a Prov. 11.13 He that goes about as a slanderer discovereth a secret but he that is of a faithfull heart concealeth the matter I his vertue becomes all men but chiefly Ministers left the secrets committed to their breast be rashly div●l●ed except they be such secrets as may tend to the hurt of the Church or State for in that case greater regard must be had of unity thē of one man b 2 Kin. 7 7. Then said the one t● the other we do not well this is a day of good tidings and do we hold our peac● a Luc. ●8 4 And there was a certain widow in that town which came to the Iudge saying do me justice against my adversary but he would not for a time b 2 Sam. 15.3.4 c. Then Absolon said to him see thy ma●ters are good and righteous but there is no man deputed of the King to hear thee Absolon said moreover O that I were made Iudge in the land that every man which hath any matter of controversie might come to me that I might do him justice And when any man came neere to him did him obeisance he put forth his hand and took him and kissed him a 1 Sam. 3.15 Samuel was afraid to tell Eli of that Vision b Luk 6.41 Why dost thou look upon the mote that is in thy brothers eye This vice is seen in them who censure and reprove their neighbour out of preposterous affection or having no warant thereto What is fit in this case for Ministers may be seen in 2 Tim. 4.1 2. a Isa. 3.9 The shew of their countenance doth witnes against them that they declare their sin 〈◊〉 Sodome they hide it not b Pro. 27.1 Boast not thy self of to morrow for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth and v. 2. Let another praise thee not thine own mouth a stranger not thine own lips c so they do who pretend they are in want themselves when they are desired to help their neighbour Pro 24.11 If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death c. if thou sayest behold we knew it not doth not be that pondereth the heart consider it a Luk 18.2 There was a Iudge in a certain city which feared not God nor regarded man b Matt. 23.5 But they do all their works for to be seen of men c 2 Sam 16.9 10 Then said Abishai why should this dead dog curse my Lord the King let me go over I pray thee take off his head Then the King said what have I to do with you ye sons of Zerviah so let him curse Because the Lord had said unto him curse David who shall then say wherefore hast thou done so a 1 Sam. 2.29 Thou hast honored thy sons above me b 2 Tim. 3.2 Men will be lovers of themselves c Prov. 6.25 Desire not her beauty neither let her eye-lids intice thee d 1 Joh. 2.15 Love not the world c And v. 16. Because whatsoever is in the world the lust of the flesh the lust of the eyes and the pride of life is not of the Father but of the world a Psal. 139.21 Do not I hate them O Lord that hate thee Mat. 18 15 If thy brother offend thee reprove him between thee and him alone c. Ro● 7.19 For I do not the good which I would but the evil which I would not do that do I. a 1 Joh. 3.15 whosoever hateth his brother is a murtherer b Psal. 41.5 My enemies said of me when shall he die c. a Psal. 30.12 Thou hast turnd my mourning into joy b Ro. 12.15 Rejoyce with them that rejoyce a Luk. 6.25 Wo to you that now laugh for you shall weep and mourn b Prov. 24.17 Rejoyce not at thy enemies fall a Ja. 5.13 Is any among you afflicted let him pray b Ro. 12.15 mourn with those that mourn a Prov. 17.22 A 〈◊〉 heart doth good like a medicine but a broken ●pi●it dryeth the bones b Mat. 20 15. Is thy eye ●vil because I am good c 1 Sam. 16.1 How long wilt thou mourn for Saul seeing I have rejected him c. A TABLE Of the Principal Matters and Words ADam and Eves fall 71 Adam in his fall not a private person 75 Adjuration what and how we are to obey it 363 c. Adjuration of Devils ib●d Adoration of idols of the hoast of the Cross of Reliques of holy Angels and dead men 349 c. Adoration of Saints 352 c Adultery what the cause of divorce 3●9 c. Aff●ctions how manifold 426 c. Agnus Dei idolatry 351 Alms 413 Angels when created 48. what 51. in what bodies they appeared ibid. the head of good Angels their felicity order and office 61. c. if their adoration be lawful 352 c. The Apostacy of evil Angels 63 c. their sin 64. their Prince ibid. their remaining qualities 65 Anger 390 c. Antichrist what and who 233 c. his ruine how a sign of the last judgment 235 c. Appetite ordered or disordered 426 Arke of the Covenant 103 Assurance vide Salvation Astorgie or want of natural affection 386 Atheisme 323 Avarice vide Covetousnes BAptisme what 190 ●ow it d●ffers from the Lords Supper 20● if to be administred by a private man 19● c if in Bapt●sme 1 ● or 3. sprinklings be requi●ed 193. if children are to be baptised 194 c. vid Infants how baptisme is necessary 196. if the Baptisme of Christ John be the same c. Bargains how to be made 409 c Beatitude its degrees 308 c. Beneficence 413 Benevolence 385 c. Boldnesse vide Fortitude Foolish Bragging 422 Bread in the Eucharist what 197 c. Busie-bodies 387 CAlling how manifold 166 c. Calling common to elect and reprobate 168 Calling proper to the elect 243 c. how it differs from the common 250 Calumnies 418. impatience in bearing Calumnies 423 Censuring 421 c· Charity towards God 325. towards our neighbour 372 c. Chastity 396. how preserved 394 Christ eternal God 22 c. his incarnation 112 117 how the first-born 122 c. his conception 117. c. the union of two natures in Christ 120. communication of properties 122. the excellency of Christs humane nature 123. if equal to the divine nature 163.
OAths what 358 how manifold ib c. of whom and how to be performed why to be kept 359 c. being offered their refusal 391. Obstinacie in evil 321. Opinion of wisdome 318. PArsimony 414. Patience 328. Pawns vide Pledges Pe●fidiousnesse 420. Perjury 361 c. Perseverance of the Saints 274 Perseverance in sin 327 Persons of the Deity what 21 their trinity and unity 28 29 c. how Person and Subsistence differ 21 c. person of Christ how considered 1●3 Pledges to be taken or restored 412 c. Polytheisme or multiplicity of gods 3●3 Pratling 420. Self-praise 422. Prayer what 336. its parts ib. its impulsive causes ib the Lords prayer a perfect form ib c. for whom against whom we must pray 338. c. Externall gesture in prayer 339. Predestination what 38 39 c. whether absolute ib. the means of its execution 41. Priest of the old Law 99. The High-Priests ornaments ib c. Popish Priests 148. Presci●nce and Predetermination how different 43. Profusenesse 414. Promptitude in Gods service 321. Propitiatory 103 Providence of God eternal 33. actual 56 c. How it differs from Fate 57. How it useth sin 58 Prudence 318 c. REdemptions necessi●y by the Law Verity by the Gospel 90 Redeemer who 1●9 Why God and Man 115 116 c. Regeneration diversly taken 270 Rejoycing in evill 377 True Religion what 329. c. Its Antiquity 331. If to be defended by Armes 333. The word Religion diversly taken 330. Reformation of Religion 333. If the Reformers were lawfully called 219 c Reliques vide Idols Worship Repentance 327 Good Report 423 Reprobation and its causes 43 c. Resurrection of the dead 291. c. Desire of Revenge 391 Reverence to Superiours 382 Rusticity 421 SAbbath its Sanctification 367. It s Profanation 371. Sacraments before the fall 68 Sacraments of the New Testament clerer than of the Old 185. c. F●ve Popish Sacraments 187. Sacramental phrases 180 c. Sacraments how differing from the word 183 c. Sacraments of the Old and New Testament their difference 185 c. Union of the sign and thing in Sacraments 178. Signes in the Sacraments of four sorts 179 c. Sacrifices of the old Testament what and how many 103 c. The Masse contrary to Christs Sacrifice 148 231 c. Assurance of Salvation 274 276 c. Sanctification what 269 The causes of Sanctification 270. Sanctification of Gods name 355 Scripture or Word of God unwritten and written 3 c. Scriptures Divinity 5. It 's Authority ib. It 's Perfection 10. Translation 11. Meaning and sence 12 Scurrility 421 Carnal Security 326 Sedulity vide Diligence Self-sufficiency 413 Silence 420 Simplicity fained 419 Sinne what whence how manifold 72 c First Sin 74. Sin orig●nal 77 〈◊〉 actual 23 S●n against the Holy Ghost 84 Sincerity 417 Sloth 387 Sobriety 395 Soul of man its original 52. its immortality and faculties 55 Stars their creation and use 49 c. Spiritual Stupidity 356 Superstition 354 The Lords Supper 197 its difference from Baptism 201. The Cup to be given to the people 198. Tropes in the words of the holy Supper 182 200. THe Tabernacle Its parts 101 c. Temperance 394 Testament old and new vide Covenant Theft what and how man●fold 407 c Holy Times 105. c. Tree of Knowledge what 68 Truth 416 Tyranny 386 c. VIgilancie 396 c VVatchings superstitious ib. Unmercifulness 377 Voracity 395 A Vow what and how manifold 341 c. Usury lawful unlawful 411 c. WAr how lawful 392. c. VVatching vid. Vigilancie Wisdome 317 c False witnesse 416 c Word of God vide Scripture VVorks of God how manifold 3● Good works what 312 if they justifie 265 c if performed by the irregenerate 79 and 315 how necessary to salvation 316. Christs works of mediation 117 126 130 c. works of supererogation 313 c. The World its end 301 The true worship of God 334 Ready Worship 321 Worship of ●dols 349 c. Adoration of the Host 351 Worshiping of Reliques 352. vide Idolatry VVill-worship 343 ZEal for the glory of God 256. The Anatomy of the Body of Divinity Divided into XIV TABLES TAB I. DIVINITY speaks of God as he is to be 1. Known Book I. 1. In himself in regard of 1. His Essence Chap. 1. p. 14. by his 1 Names p. 15. 2. Properties p. 16. 1. Incommunicable p. 17. Such are his 1. Simplicity 2. Infinity 2. Communicable in analogicall effects p. 18. As his 1. Life 2 Will. 3 Power 2. The Persons Chap. 2 p. 21. their 1. Number 1. Father 2. Son 3. Holy Ghost p. 22 23 proved 1. In General p. 23. 24. 2. Particularly proving the deity of the 1. Son p. 25 26. 2. Holy Ghost p. 26 27. 2. Difference p. 28. in respect of their 1. order 2. properties 3. manner of operation 3. Agreement p. 29. in the same 1 Essence 2. Equality Vnion or Cohabitation 2. In his works cap. 3. p. 30. which are 1. Essentiall Both referred to objects 2. Personall Both referred to objects 1. Inward 2. Outward p. 32. which are 1. Immanent Whereto belongs Gods Decrees p. 32 considered 1. Absolutely p. 33. 2. In reference to the Creatures 2. Transient of bo●h See Tab II. 2. Worshipped Book 2. See the IX and following Table TAB II. The outward works of God are 1. Immanent his decree cap. 4. p. 38. 1. Of all things called his eternal providence 2 Of reasonable creatures 1 Angels 2 Men called Predestination p. 38. consisting of 1. Election p 39. 2. R●probation ibid. 2. Transient 1 The Creation in six dayes c. 5. p. 46. Chief● 1. Angels p. 51. 2. Men. p. 52. 2. Actual Providence c. 6. p. 56. 1. General by which all things are preserved and governed 1. Good by effecting them p. 57. 2. Evil p. 58. by 1. Permitting 2. Directing 3. Determining them 2. Special which doth chiefly appear in The government of 1. Angels c. 7. p. 61 1. Good p. 62. 2. Evil. p. 63. 2. Men. See Tab. III. TAB III. Gods special Providence in governing man is considerable in respect of a fourfold estate of 1. Innocencie c. 8. p. 67. where 1. The Covenant of Works p. 68. confirmed by a double Sacrament the tree of 1. Life 2. Knowledge of good and evil 2. Mans happie condition in respect of his 1. Soul p. 69. 2. Bodie p. 71 3. Dominion over the inferior Creatures ibid. 2. Miserie which is in respect of 1. Offence or sin c. 9.10.11 Either 1. The disobedience of our fi●st Parents c 9. p 73 2. Derived from the fi●st which is 1. Original c. 10. p. 77. Whereof Free-will p. 82. 2. Actual c. 11. p 83. Where of the d●verse kinds of Actual Sin ibid. 2. Pun●shment or those other miseries which follow sin c 12. p. 86. which is either 1. Temporal 2. Eternal And both either 1. Corporal 2. Spiritual