calcem though now for a season if need bee we are in heauinesse thorough manifold temptations Which are indeed many and manifold within and without on the right hand and on the left even so many as there are things in the world and motions in our minde and mouers of both Thorough which it pleaseth God to lead vs ordering the occasions giuing leaue to Satan to winnowe vs and leauing vs sometimes to our selues whoÌ„ u Extrema muÌ„di atrocius tentaturus aggreditur quia tanto fit ferveÌ„tior ad saeuitiam quanto se viciniorem sentit ad paenam Greg. mor. l. 34. cap. 1. Satan subornes against our selues with a world of motiues reduceable to three principall heads * 1. Ioh. 2.16 the lust of the flesh the lust of the eyes and the pride of life x Iam. 1.3.4.5 But let no man say when he is tempted I am tempted of God for God cannot bee tempted with euill neither tempteth he any man But euery man is tempted when he is drawne away of his owne lust and entised Then when lust hath conceaued it bringeth forth sinne and sinne when it is finished bringeth forth death Which evill of sin death Satan inteÌ„deth we deprecate with God without whose will wee can not bee tempted nor can resist or escape y 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ad sacrum bellum cum carnis vitiis gerendum nos confera mus oportet Sic tamen vt non in nobis ipsis fiduciam collocemus verum diuino subsidio victoriam permittamus Isidor Pelus l. 2. ep 143. Et mox 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In divina autem ope atq auxilio si siduciam nostram positam habeamus victoriam facile consequemur without his power help z 1. Iohn 3.9 Whosoeuer is borne of God doth not commit sin Preseruation * Omne quod radicaium est nutritur catore solis non arescit August tract 3 in 1. ep Ioh. Radicata est charitas securus esto nihil mali procedere potest tract 8. in â—â—and ep for his seed remaineth in him and he cannot sinne because he is borne of God Not that hee sinneth not at all or only falls into some smaller sinnes or that such sinnes are veniall of their owne nature but he doth not commit sinne he makes it not his practise and trade of life though every sin be mortal for the a Rom. 6.23 wages of sin is death yet doth not he sinne vnto death for by the grace of God he shall haue time and grace to repent b Ezek. 18.22 and then all his transgressions that he hath committed they shall not bee mentioned vnto him in his righteousnesse that he hath done he shall liue Although all sinne bee mortall by the law and worthy of death yet doth not the childe of God sinne vnto death c Audeo dicere superbis esse vtile cadere in aliquod apertuÌ„ manifestumque peccatum vnde sibi displiceant qui iam placendo ceciderant August lib. 14. de ciuitate dei cap. 14. Sed etsi aliquando predestinatorum aliquis ad eius slatum infectus contabuit armis poenitentiae accinctus fortior securiorque surrexit expertus admissi turpitudinem hostem suggestorem se consentaneum mira indignatione exhorruit rursum cautior munitior ad conflictus accessit Arnold Abb. Bonaeual de operibus sex dier cap. 4. nay though hee die for his sinne yet doth he not dye in his sinne that dyeth in the Lord. And howsoeuer we fall daily thorough our frailty and may fall dangerously by force of temptation and depart for the time from the grace giuen abusing the gift of grace which was in vs yet shall wee not fall from the grace of God towards vs reserued for vs in Christ Iesus He neuer repents him of giuing howsoeuer we may depart from the grace giuen by abusing our gifts but he that giues forgiues his beloued d Iohn 13.1 and whom he loues he loues vnto the end Neither shall they who are effectually called according to his purpose e In sanctorum cordibus iuxta quasdam virtutes semper permanet spiritus iuxta quasdam vero recessurus venit venturus recedit c. In his itaque virtutibus sine quibus mimime advitam pervenitur spiritus sanctus in Electorum suorum cordibus permanet in his vero per quassanctitatis virtus demonstratur aliquando misericorditer presto est aliquando misericorditèr recedit Gregor hom 5. in Ezech. vtterly depart from the grace giuen but shall by the seed thereof remaining in them f Ar. eccel Angli 16. recouer and amend their liues For g Rom. 11.29 the gifts calling of God are without repentance and h cap. 6.14 no sine shall haue dominion ouer them who are not vnder the law but vnder grace i Ier. 32.40 I will make saith God an euerlasting couenant with them that I will not turne away from them to doe them good but I will put my feare in their hearts that they shall not depart from mee And as by the feare of God we are restrained from the dominion of sinne all our life time so k 1 Pet. 1.5 by the power of God thorough faith we are kept vnto saluation ready to bee reuealed in the last time l Fides aeterna res est à spiritu scribitur vâ— maneat Ambros in 2. Cor. 3. Quomodo pot est amitti per quod fit vt non amittatur etiam quod posset amitti August de bono persev c. 6. Faith is not only the first answer to Gods call wereby we enter and are admitted into the state of grace nor yet farther the continuall mouer of our hearts in m Charitas quae deseripotuit nunquam vera fuit August ep 111 ad Iulian Ficta charitas est que deserit in aduersitate vid. Sixt. Senens bibl lib. 5. annot 240. loue according to the will of God as hath beene shewed but also the finall grace whereby wee persist vnto the end recouering many slips and falls in sinne yea and redemption from death it selfe if we dye in the faith of the forgiuenesse of our sinnes and resurrection of our bodies vnto eternall life n Petrus in lapsu gradum fideì remisit actum intermisit habitum non amisit motumque in eo fuit spiritualis vitae robur non amotum concussum non excussum Tertul. See Mr Hookers sermon of the certainty and perpetuity of faith in the elect saying The faith therefore of true beleeuers though it haue many grieuous downfalls yet doth it still continue invincible it conquereth recouereth it selfe in the end Fides fundit orationem fusa oratio impetrat fidei firmitatem non quae nunquam concutiatur sed quae concussa nunquam epprimatur August de verb. Dom. serm 36. And howsoeuer o 2 Tim. 2.17.18 the faith of some may for the time be ouerthrowne in part as theirs in
the Christian Reader a Synopsis or full view at once of our religion in the vvhole contexture thereof for his better resolution Which lest I should obscure or confound by incident discourses I haue beene forced to passe it may be too cursorily thorough most particulars which would require so many and far larger tracts then this little model of the vvhole And because I seeke not herein to perswade or convince Infidels which seemes to bee the scope of h Iustin Martyr Tertul. in their Apologies Arnob. Aug. de Civit. Dei Morn Viues Raimundus de Sabunde others who haue written of this argument but to resolue and confirme our selues in the present truth with whom it were a folly not to dispute ex praecognitis concessis I haue laide the foundation of this little Fabricke in the receiued principles of Religion And lastly that I may not build heterogeneous stuffe thereon i Cor. 3.12 wood hay stubble but rather gold siluer pretious stones I haue vsed so much as might be the very wordes and phrases of Scripture not onely for proofe but for expression which being the Word of GOD can best speake his owne meaning howsoeuer to some it may make the stile seeme not so aequable and pleasing The Word of God is it not k 1 Pet. 2.2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the rationall milke of our reasonable soules whereby they are nourished to eternall life And our faith hath such force of reason thereby that it is l Heb. 11.1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the cleare euidence and most evicting argument of things not seene most sublime abstruse And it is able to convince and perswade m 1 Cor. 14.23 c. vnbeleeuers neuer so vnlearned and n 2 Cor 10.5 to cast downe all contrary reasonings of the most subtile adversaries that exalt themselues against the knowledge of God bringing into captivity euery thought to the obedience of Christ. The o Rom. 12.1 service of God thereby prescribed vnto vs is it not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a reasonable seruice to all that are not p 2 Thes 3.2 vnreasonable and wicked men To whom howsoeuer they take it wee must and can giue q 1 Pet. 3.15 a reason of the hope that is in vs. The Lineaments whereof I haue indeavoured to draw and shadow out in a new but I hope not vnnaturall method which beeing done seemes to mee rather a bare skeleton then any compleat systeme of that solide body which I tooke in hand Yet it sufficeth mee if as in r Ezek. 37.7.8.9 Ezekiels vision in the valley of dead bones the bones become together bone to its bone For the sinewes and the flesh shall come vpon them and the skinne shall couer them about when the breath of GOD shall come from the foure vvindes and blovv vpon them and they shall liue Howsoeuer I am willing to bee deliuered of this meditation as it is after a longer and more painefull travell by fitts then such an imperfect embrio and vnshapen birth may seeme worthy of And by his helpe ſ Iohn 15.5 vvithout vvhom vve can doe nothing I may heereafter polish perfect what I haue now conceiued not altogether I hope without his Spirit When I shall haue better discerned thereof at a distance and may happely haue gained some farther or clearer discouery by information or obtrectation of others For although I haue no reason to expect an adversary herein hauing not willingly irritated or provoked any yet because trueth many times findes foes where it makes none if any shall trouble themselues to quarrell this little peece what shall be justly found amisse I shall most willingly amend easily neglecting what shall bee petulantly carped and submitting my selfe in all things to my blessed Mother this faithfull Church of CHRIST IESVS †Tertul. Difficilium facilis est venia The Contents BOOKE I. CHAP. I. The bond of Nature The glory of God The author of our good The true zelotes of his glory To glorifie the Creator is the glory of the creature How wee should glorifie God prescribed by the Law of Nature Naturall reason of the Law The covenant of Nature The Law euer in force The case CHAP. II. The Covenant of Grace The Articles and Authors of Grace The Sonne of God the Mediator The Sonne of man The offices of Christ The grace of our Lord Iesus The spirit of Grace Preventing Grace The state of Grace The praise of the glory of Gods Grace CHAP. III. The Testaments The Will of God The Word The Scripture That the Scripture is the Word of God The intent of it The consent in it The olde legall Testament The new Evangelicall Testament The event of prophesies The power of the Gospell The Church The administrators and ouerseers Scripture the absolute Canon of faith and life BOOKE II. CHAP. I. The Stipulation of Faith by the Sacraments The answere of a good conscience toward God The Creed The Sacraments Baptisme Poedobaptisme Anabaptisme Confirmation and penance Communion No transubstantiation Participation by faith Cōmunion in loue The Law conditioned The Covenant indissoluble CHAP. II. Faith working by loue according to the Law The Law established by faith Gods Law our prayer Faith in the Trinity denyes not the vnity of God Christ the onely Image of God to be worshipped by faith in his Name By Prophanenes Hypocrisie Blasphemy the Name of God vnhallowed The Christian Sabbath of the holy Catholike Church The Sabbath not abrogated by Christ. Nor by his Apostles The Iewes typicall vse thereof abolished The Christian Sabbath day within the compasse of the Commandement The Lords day designed by himselfe for our Sabbath It hath euer beene obserued as the Sabbath by the Church It respects the Kingdome of God The Perfect will of God to bee done on earth The heauenly conversation CHAP. III. The Refuge of Hope We are saued by Hope The Law perfect we imperfect Good workes not vvell done Grace and merite incompetible The Christian hope Our daily bread Forgiuenesse of sinnes No immunity to sinne Temptations Preservation Resurrection Life everlasting and glorious BOOKE I. CHAP. I. The bond of Nature The glory of God The authour of our good The true zelotes of his glory To glorifie the Creator is the glory of the creature How we should glorifie God prescribed by the law of Nature Naturall reason of the Law The covenant of nature The fall The Law ever in force The case What is chiefely to be desired THat God may bee glorified in our salvation The glory of God Wherein trusting him for our parts we are principally to intend his glory For vnlesse we wil mocke God and deceiue our own soules we must desire as we pray first that the name of God may bee hallowed by the advancement of his Kingdome in the vniuersall subjection of all to his holy will then that wee may bee saued through his grace by pardon of our sinnes protection in temptations and
the covenant of his grace in our Creed where the agreement is first drawne betwixt God the Father Son and Holy Ghost on the one part and the holy Catholicke tholicke Church on the other as he saith * Ier. 31.33 I will be their God and they shall be my people Then the conditions of the Covenant are expressed first for this life present the Communion of Saints on our part with God and with one an other in loue according to his Law and on Gods part the continuall forgiuenesse of our sinnes For so is the Covenant a Ier. 31.33.34 Heb. 10.16.17 I will put my Lawes in their hearts saith GOD and in their mindes will I write them And their sinnes and iniquities will I remember no more And for the life to come God will recouer vs from death by the resurrection of our bodies and we shall euer liue in his sight praising him as hee saith b Ps 50.15 I will deliuer thee and thou shalt glorifie me Who himselfe alone is the only and all-sufficient cause of our saluation and that of his free grace goodnes the author and first mouer the Mediatour procurer the immediate worker dispenser of all in all The vnsearchable loue of God the Father who made all things and c whose desire is to the worke of his hands fore-seeing that man would not abide in honour to glorifie him vnto eternall life according to the course of Nature provided from euerlasting this way of grace to glorifie himselfe in our saluation Which hee hath euer from the beginning promised in time performeth d 2 Tim. 1.9 calling and sauing vs according to his owne purpose and grace which was giuen vs in Christ Iesus before the World began The grace of our Lord Iesus Christ our Mediatour and Redeemer hath abundantly performed the same for vs a 2 Cor. 1.20 in whom all the promises of God are yea in him Amen to the glory of God by vs b 1 Pet. 1.20.21 who verily was fore-ordained before the foundatiō of the World but was manifest in these last times for vs who by him doe beleeue in God that raised him frō the dead gaue him glory that our faith and hope might be in God The Holy Ghost who proceedeth from the Father and the Son doth by an entire fellovvship most comfortably communicate the same grace vnto vs c Rom. 8.16 testifying to our spirits that vve are the children of God in Christ that we are in grace and fauour with him and thereby working d Heb. 12.28 grace in vs againe to serue him vvith reuerence and godly feare e Eph. 1.14 the earnest of our purchased possession vvhereby vve are sealed to the day of redemption Although the severall parts of our saluation bee thus seuerally attributed to the Persons of the Trinity for distinction in respect of their order and the oeconomy amongst themselues according to their personall proprieties yet is our whole saluation as all the outvvorkes are the ioint vvorke of the Trinity But in this whole mystery of grace the eye of our faith is most set vpon our Lord IESVS the f mal 3.1 Angell of the Couenant g Heb. 12.24 the Mediatour of the nevv Testament h Heb. 3.1 the Apostle and High Priest of our calling i 1 Pet. 2.25 the Pastor and Bishop of our soules k Heb. 2.10 the captaine of our saluation the l C. 12.2 author and finisher of our faith Because m Col. 1.19 in him it pleased the Father all fulnesse should dvvell n Ioh. 1.16 And of his fulnesse vve all receiue by his Spirit euen grace for grace The Son of God the Mediatour As he said of Abraham so might he haue saide of Adam before he was I am For he is the †〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sybil. apud Lactant. l. 4. de vera sapientia c. 6. eternall Sonne of God o Iohn 1.1 his Word and p Prou. 8. Wisdome q Iohn 1.9 the light r Iam 1.17 of the Father of lights ſ Heb. 1.3 the expresse Image of GOD and brightnes of his glory t Exo. 23.20.21 c. 33.14 Esai 63.9 the Angell of his presence very God of very God begotten not made u Mich. 5.2 whose goings out haue beene from euerlasting and x Es 53.8 who can declare his generation * Christus est homo etsi Deus Adam novissimus etsi sermo primarius Tertul de resur carn Although hee bee called the second Adam in regard of the flesh assumed for the worke of our redemption as it was promised from the beginning y Prov. 8.22 The Lord possessed him his essentiall word and wisedome in the beginning of his way before his workes of olde the a Rationem verò eorum quae Deus ab aeterno in sapientia id est in vnigenito verbo disposuit creans ibi omnia simul quae postmodum consequenter producit in opera secundùm provisum ordinem singula traducens c. Ioan. Sarisber Policrat l. 2. c. 21. mirrour of his minde the b Col. 1.15 Image of the invisible God the first begotten of euery creature By whom hee purposed to make all things to preserue some Angels to recouer c Nulla est personarum acceptio quia sic alius gratis honoratur vt alius debito non fraudetur Et mox Nec vlla est personarum acceptio in duobus debitoribus aequaliter reis fi alteri dimittitur ab altero exigitur quod paritèr ab vtroque debetur August ad 2. ep Pelag. l. 2 c. 7. some men of whom hee made choice in him with a non obstante notwithstanding the generall fall at once in Adam and our continuall failing his grace and fals in sin For the Almighty and onely wise God proceedes not meerely vpon occasion or according to a bare speculatiue d Scientia existentium praescientia futurorum dispositio faciendorum providentia gubernandorum praedestinatio salvandorum est Ioan. Sarisber Polycrat l. 2. c. 21. prevision of what would happen but by provision with Almighty power most wisely and justly ordered by his prouidence to accomplish his owne purpose e Eph. 1.11 who worketh all things after the counsell of his owne will Wherefore it seemes most agreeable to Scripture and to the nature of the mystery of his will therein revealed vnto vs which f Durand in 1. sent dist 41. q. 1. art 9. Thom. Aq. 1. part q. 23. art 4. some haue well observed that election was first ordine naturae in the Sonne of God as being the mirrour and then predestination by him as the Mediatour that being an act of Gods praescience this a g Primitiva disponentis Dei gratia Ioan. Sarisber Policrat l. 2. c. 22. praedisposing of his providence h Rom. 8.29 For whom God did fore-know that is approue and make choice of in
Deo per lignum accipiamus nostri debiti remissionem Irenaeuslib 3. cap. 17. For he hath redeemed vs from the curse of the law being made a curse for vs. For it is written Cursed is every one that hangeth on tree And wherefore was the death on the tree accursed aboue all kindes of death but as the serpent was accursed aboue all beastes of the field Both for the first transgression whereof the serpent was the instâ—â—â—â—t the tree the occasion The father of all mankind would needes eate the sinfull fruite of the forbidden tree and the sonne of man must needes tast the deadly fruite of the cursed tree to recover our saluation as it were back againe by the same way h 1. Cor. 15.22 Wherefore as in Adam all dyed so in Christ shall all be made aliue Who hauing on the tree satisfied the law k Colos 2.14.15 blotted out the had writing of ordinances that was against vs and tooke it out of the way nayling it vnto his crosse And hauing so spoyled principalities powers he made a shew of them openly triumphing over them in it For when the law was satisfied and cancelled Satans commission for l Quomodo mors à capite superata videtur quae tanta adhuc libertate saevit in membra victa planè mors opus diaboli peccati poena victum peccatum causa mortis victus malignus ipse peccati author mortis Nam peccatum licet simul cum Christo cruci ipsius non dubitetur affixum adhuc tamen interim non regnare quidem sed habitare etiam in ipso dum viveret Apostolo permittebatur Sic mors ipsa minimè quidem adhuc abesse cogitur sed cogitur non obesse Bernard serm in transit S. Malachiae death which he had by the law expired m 1. Cor. 15.55.56.57 O Death where is thy sting O graue where is thy victory The sting of death is sinne and the strength of sinne is the law But thankes bee to God which giueth vs victory through our Lord Iesus Christ Thus the grace of God The spirit of Grace that bringeth saluation hath appeared vnto vs in Christ Iesus by which n Eph. 2.8 grace wee are saued through faith and that not of our selues it is the gift of God who worketh all grace in vs by his spirit As by the word spirit of God every thing was made at first as God would haue it So now he calleth men a Deus quos dignatur vocat quem vult religiosum facit Ambros l. 6. in Lucam c. 46. whom he pleaseth out of the world that lyeth in wickednes they b Hic absque cmendicatisaliunde suffragijs quos coÌ„pungit inungit quos invitat consummat quod praecipit efficit Arnold Bonav lib. de operibus sex dierum cap. 2. moued enlightened by his spirit belieue come c Haec erit vis divinae gratiae potentier vtique natura habens in nobis subjacentem sibi liberam arbitrij potestatem quod 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dicitur Tertul de an cap. 21. Without whose grace wee haue no present faculty or ability by nature to make meanes for grace or of our selues to vse the meanes being offered d Eph. 2.1 c 4.18.19 Being dead in sinnes and trespasses alienated from the life of God past feeling For although wee haue the same e Potentias habemus potestatem amisimus powers of nature as at the first yet haue we not the same natur all power to vse them being in our selues vtterly indisposed and disabled as paralytikes haue little or no vse of their limmes and sences And is it not often so with perfect men f Potentia prima secunda that they haue not the power as wee say to doe on a suddaine an ordinary thing at hand 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrisost in â—ad Corinth hom 24. or to make vse of that which is their owne g Eccl 5.19 Every man to whom God hath giuen riches and vvealth and hath giuen him power to eate thereof and to take his portion and to reioyce in his labour this is the gift of God And if it bee so with vs in these naturall things and temporall how much more h Neque fideles fiunt nisi libero arbitrio tamen illius gratia fideles fiunt qui eorum a potestate tenebrarum liberavit arbitrium August ep 107. ad VitaleÌ„ mox ab initio in things spirituall and eternall i 1. Cor. 2.10.11 Againe what man knoweth the things of a man which is in him Even so the things of God knoweth no man but the spirit of God by whom they are revealed vnto vs. For k v. 9. they are such as eye hath not seene nor eare heard neither haue entred into the heart of man And naturally nothing enters into the heart but by some sense whereby wee haue all our intelligence Now l 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Haec absque meliori afflatu acâ— diviniore virtute non posunt venire in contemplationem hominum Origen l 4. contr Celsum the things of God are not perceiued by sense nor comprehended by science but by manifestation of the trueth to every mans conscience in the sight of God through a priuate intelligence betwixt him vs by his spirit whereby he revealeth himselfe in the word m 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Neque enim ab vllis perspici aut intelligi possunt nisi quibus Deus Christus eius concesserit intelligentiam Iust Mattyr in Dialog cum Triphone Iudaeo to whom he pleaseth from vnder the letter as Christ did sometimes manifest himselfe to be the word the Sonne of God from vnder the flesh n Prou. 17.16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a foole to get wisdome seing he hath no heart to it o 1. Cor. 2.14 For the naturall man receiueth not nor indeede perceiveth the things of God both because all our p Iam. 3.15 naturall wisdome being carnall is earthly and sensuall if not deuillish and because the things of God are supernaturall But q 1. Cor. 2.14 they are spiritually discerned by the same spirit whereby they were revealed r Iob. 32. v. 8. Surely there is a spirit in man but the inspiration of the Almighty giueth them vnderstanding Every grace of God in vs Preventing Grace is the impresse of the like grace of God towards vs expressed in Christ Iesus s 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vocat Chrisost eiusque discipulus Isiodor Pelus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrisost 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 impressed on our hearts by the Holy Ghost the almner dispenser of the manifold gifts and graces of God t 1. Cor. 12.11 dividing to every man sueuerally as hee will u Eph. 4 7. according to the measure of the gift of Christ * Iob. 1.16 Of whose fulnesse we all receiue euen grace
the just shall liue by his faith The state of Grace for it shall bee vnto him according to his faith which is of life from God the father in Christ Iesus his sonne our saviour by the Holy Ghost quickning the Holy e Habet popusus Dei plenitudinem suam quāvis magna pars hominū salvantis gratiā aut repellat aut negligat in electis tamen praescitis atque ab omnium gegeneralitate discretis specialis quaedā censetur vniversalitas vt detoto mundo totus mundus liberatus de omnibushominibus omnes homines videantur assumpti Ambr. de vocat Gent. lib. 1 c. 3. Catholique Church which is his body f Eph. 1.23 the fulnesse of him that filleth all in all A life of grace here by reconciliation and communion with God and a life of glory hereafter thorough the forgiuenesse of sinnes and resurrection of our bodies to eternall life The g 1. Pet. 3.7 grace of life in Christ worketh in vs a life of grace by his spirit For the sanctifying graces of GOD rest not in the habit but are in action h 1. Thess 1.3 The worke of faith the labour of loue the patience of hope i Heb. 11. By faith A bell by faith Abraham by faith every one of the holy men in the cloud of witnesses did some notable worke which did evidēce their faith to be indeed as they professed k v. 16. Wherefore God was not ashamed to be called their God l Iam. 2.22 Faith wrought with their works for m Heb. 11.6 without faith it is impossible to please God n Iam. 2.22 by workes was their faith made perfect For the perfection of vertue consists in action So must o c. 1.4 Patience haue her perfect worke p 1. Ioh. 3.18 So must loue be not in word neither in tongue but in deede and in trueth q Iam 2.15.16 If a brother or a sister be naked and destitute of dayly foode and one of you say vnto them depart in peace bee you warmed and filled notwithstanding you giue them not those things which are needfull to the body what doth it profit r 20.26 Faith without workes is dead and so is loue no faith indeede but a bolde presumption no loue indeede but a meere pretence ſ Iam. 2.18 Shew mee thy faith by thy workes but do thy workes before God in faith By faith our selues are iustified before God by good workes our faith and profession are iustified and approved vnto men For thereby it appeares that wee are in the faith and that our faith is in God t Tit. 3.8 This therefore is a faithfull saying that they which haue beleeued in God bee carefull to maintaine good workes u Iam. 2.26 For as the body without the spirit is dead so faith whithout workes is dead also And if our faith be dead whereby wee liue how dead are we * Iud 12. twice dead plucked vp by the roots x Rom 3.4 5. C. We are justified by a liuely faith sayth Saint Paul y Iam 2. We are not iustified by a dead faith saith St Iames wherefore little children z 1. Iohn 3.7 Let no man deceiue you saith St Iohn Hee that doth righteousnesse is righteous even as hee is righteous a 1. Tim 1.14 Now the grace of our Lord is exceeding abundant with faith and loue which are in Christ Iesus b 2. Pet 1.3 According as his Divine power hath giuen vnto vs all things that pertaine vnto life godlines through the knowledge of him that hath called vs to glory and vertue Now although the whole Church and euery true member thereof whom the Father hath chosen whom the Sonne hath redeemed whom the Holy Ghost hath effectually called through sanctificatiō sprinkling of the bloud of Iesus bee holy in Gods account although God bee glorified in his Saints here vpō earth by their blessed cōmunion with him with all men in loue wherby they are also highly dignified in a manner diefied c 2 Pet. 1.4 being made partakers of the divine nature so that they doe far excell al the world besides d 1 Iohn 5.19 that lieth in wickednes e In hac vita multi sine crimine nullus vero esse sine peccatis valet Greg. in Moral Vae etiam laudabili hominū vitae si remota misericordia discutias eam Aug. l. 9. confes c. 13. Nemosine peccato Negare hoc sacrilegium est Solus enim Deus sine peccato est Confiteri hoc Deo immunitatis remedium est Ambros in Ps 118. v. vlt. yet whē all is done we beleeue confesse that we haue stil need of farther grace mercy euen the forgiuenes of our sins if by any meanes we may attaine the resurrection of our bodies to eternall life Wherfore as on the one side f 1 Iohn 1.6 If we say that wee haue fellowship with God walke in darknes we lye doe not the truth So on the other side g V. 8. If we say that we haue no sin wee deceiue our selues and the truth is not in vs. But if we confesse our sins he is faithfull and iust to forgiue vs our sins to cleanse vs frō all vnrighteousnes If any man think that being of the Church in the cōmunion of Saints hee needeth not the forgiuenesse of sins to the last let him also raise his own body frō death to life h Phil. 3.20 21. But wee looke for the Sauiour the Lord Iesus Christ who shall change our vile body that it maybe fashioned like vnto his glorious body inheriting eternal life Which begins so soon as we beleeue i Iohn 5.25 for the houre is come that the dead heare the voice of the son of God they that heare it liue neuer ends nor shall euer be quite interrupted by sin nor death k V. 24. For he that beleeueth hath euerlasting life shall not come into condemnation but is passed from death to life The briefe of all is The praise of the glory of Gods grace that l Habak 2. The iust shall liue by his faith which the Prophet Habakucke receiued of God like as Moses receiued the Law namely vpon his watch-towre with expresse charge m v. 2. to write it and to make it plaine on tables And the Apostle hath giuen vs the constat thereof purposely n Gal. 3. comparing the two covenants together o v. 11. That no man is justified by the Law in the sight of GOD it is manifest For the Iust shall liue by faith p v. 12. And the Law is not of faith but the man that doth them shall liue in them q Rom. 3.27 Where is boasting now It is excluded By what Law By the Law of workes Nay but by the Law of faith r 1 Cor. 1.31 That according
as it is written He that glorieth let him glory in the Lord. Which we doe if we beleiue doe as we professe if denying our selues al other means we ascribe the ſ Totum Deo deturqui vosuntatem hominis bonam praeparat adjuvan dam adjuvat praeparatam August Enchir. ad Laurent c. 37. whole worke of our saluation to God alone indeauouring so to liue as may t Tit. 2.10 adorne the doctrine of God our Sauiour in all things and not cause u 1 Tim. 6.1 his Name doctrine any way to be blaspheamed First acknowledging our own naturall vnworthines vntowardlines * 2 Cor. 3.5 who are not able of our selues to think any thing as of our selues wee giue God the praise of his x Hominis bonum propositū adjuvat quidem subsequens gratia sed nec ipsū esset nisi praecederet gratia Aug. l. 2. contra duas Pel. ep c. 9 preventing grace y Phil. 2.13 who worketh in vs both to will and to doe of his good pleasure And then of his z Sine illo vel operante vt velimus vel cooperante cum volumus ad bona pietatis opera nihil valemus Idem de grat lib. arb c. 27. assisting grace if we be willing obey a 2 Cor. 6.1 and receiue not his grace in vaine b Mat. 3.8 but bring forth fruites meete for repentance For by well-doing wee shall shew forth the praises of him c 1 Pet. 2.9 that hath called vs out of darknes into his marvailous light d V. 12. shall thereby occasion others also to glorifie God in the day of their visitation e Iohn 15.8 Hereby God is glorified that ye beare much fruit Againe acknowledging our vnanswerablenesse yet to the grace receiued by reason of our continuall infirmities we giue him the f Majoris prętij beneficium est quod praestatur indignis Salvian l. 4. de gub Dei praise of the al-sufficiency of his grace to saue vs notwithstanding our manifold deficience therefrom whilest g 2 Cor. 12.9 his strength is made perfect in our weaknes Therefore wee glory in our infirmities that the power of Christ may rest vpon vs. And withal confessing our continuall sinnes we giue him the praise of his righteousnes h 1 Iohn 1.9 who is iust to forgiue vs our sinnes though many times hee suffer not malefactors to goe vnpunished i Iosh 7.19 As Ioshuah willed Achan to make confession of the fact to giue glory to GOD. And as Dauid himselfe did saying k Ps 51.4 against thee haue I sinned done this euill in thy sight that thou maist be iustified when thou speakest cleare when thou iudgest Lastly beleeuing the resurrection of the body we giue God the praise of the l Eph. 1.19 exceeding greatnes of his power to vs-ward who beleue m Phil. 3.21 according to the mighty working of his power whereby he is able to subdue all things vnto himselfe As n Ro. 5.17.18.20 Abraham beleiuing God who quickneth the dead against hope beleeued in hope staggered not at the promise through vnbeleefe but being strong in faith gaue glory to God And if we giue him the praise of the glory of his grace o Ps 84 11. hee will giue vs both grace glory no good thing shall he with-holde from them that liue a godly life p Ier. 9. v. 23. Wherefore let not the q 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Basil hom in Psal 33. wise man glory in his wisedome neither let the mighty man glory in his might let not the rich man glory in his riches But let him that glorieth glory in this V. 24. that hee vnderstandeth and knoweth me that I am the Lord which exercise louing kindnes judgment righteousnesse in the earth for in these things I delight saith the Lord. CHAP. III. The Testaments The will of God The word The Scripture That the Scripture is the word of God The intent of it The cōsent in it The old legall Testament The new Evangelical Testament The event of prophesies The power of the Gospel The Church The administrators and ouer seers Scripture the absolute Canon of faith and life VVhat assurance is there of the Covenant of Grace WE haue GOD his Word for it in the Scripture and that in two Testaments both written from his owne mouth and by the direction of his Spirit The covenant of grace being not a bargaine made with God by our owne selues The Will but procured for vs by the intercessiō of a Mediator that through his death he therefore disposeth the estate of life so purchased to the a 1 Pet. 3.7 heires of grace by Will and Testament b Luke 22.29 I bequeath saith he a Kingdome vnto you as my Father hath bequeathed vnto me A Testamēt is a covenāt by wil c Heb. 9.16.17 made good by the death of the Testator who alone prescribes the conditions on both sides because he inables the Executour who prouing the Will stipulates giues his faith by acceptilation For he that accepts the offer vndertakes bindes himself to performe the conditiō So is the estate of grace conveyed by d Berirh Foedus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Testamentum vid. Iun. paral l. 3. in c. 9. ad Heb. ver 15. c. covenant testat or by testament covenanted in which respect the tearmes are promiscuously vsed And the authentike bookes of Scripture being the publike instruments of God his will in writing are called testamēts because they contein the e Quae Deus occulta esse voluit non sunt scrutanda quae autem manifesta fecit non sunt neganda ne in illis illicitè curiosi in istis damnabiliter inveniamur ingrati Ambros l. 1. de vocat Gent. c. 7. perfect will of God concerning vs in Christ Iesus the Gospell declaring what hee will doe for vs the Law what seruice he wil haue vs doe vnto him Whatsoeuer els is mentioned in Scripture whether God's promises or threats of things tēporal or eternall or his works of creatiō or providence his blessings or iudgments or whether the words or deeds of men or angels good or bad all serue one way or other to confirme or illustrat the will of God cōcerning vs in some point of the Law or in some article of our Creed Which two parts of the couenant as it were the condition the obligation haue bin euer the same in substāce though not always in like māner dispensed especially the Gospell by reason of some weighty circūstances The Law was neuer giuen or made positiue without the Gospel neither is the Gospel now without the Law although the old testament be vsually called the Law the new the Gospel because the Law is predominant in the one and the Gospell in the other and the forme of the covenant is in the one logall in
borne once new borne For it is vnto life eternall which once begunne neuer endeth h Rom. 6.3 Knowe yee not that so many of vs as were baptised into Christ were baptised into his death i v. 9. that as Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more k v. 11. so we once dead vnto sinne are aliue vnto God for euer through Iesus Christ our Lord Wherefore should any then be rebaptised For as for them who l Heb 6. hauing beene once inlightned and haue tasted of the heauenly gift and were made partakers of the holy Ghost and haue tasted the good word of God and the powers of the world to come if they shall fall away it is impossible to renew them againe vnto repentance and for them in whom though they fall a 1. Ioh. 3.9 the seed remaineth another baptisme is needlesse For by the grace of God remaining in them b Art Eccles Angl. 16. they may recouer and amend their liues Yet are there certaine mysticall acts though c Sacramentis numero paucissimis obseruatione facillimis significatione praestantissimis societatem novi populi colligavit August de doctr Christ l. 3. c. 9. not other sacraments namely confirmation and penance Confirmation and Penance which are appendants to the sacraments and in this case and other like of good vse in the Church for correction and instruction For by the one children that haue beene baptised are confirmed in the faith when they come to age wherevnto they were baptised When themselues assuming the vow of baptisme d 1. Pet. 3.21 stipulat a good conscience towards God and ratifie what was vndertaken for them by their sureties By the other such as are e Vid. 1. Cor. 5 excommunicate or deserue to be debarred the communion hauing any way violated or scandalized the communion of Saints are humbled both for the satisfaction of the Church whom they haue offended and for their owne reformation That hauing renewed their vow in baptisme by repentance they may bee absolued and g Vid. 2. Cor. 2 readmitted to the Communion Which h See the Preface to the commination in the common prayer-booke godly discipline more frequent in the primitiue Church is much to bee wished that it may be againe restored with vs to adde vigor and life to the word and Sacraments For although excommunication for sinne and absolution from sinne be vertually implied in the word and Sacraments for what is preaching but a generall proclamation of pardon to all penitent beleeuers and a publike denunciation of God his curse against obstinate vnbeleeuers And what are the Sacraments but the personall applying of remission and grace to every man in particular and the detaining of them from the Communion but the retaining of their sinnes Yet the positiue sentence of binding and loosing in a iudiciall proceeding is more powerfull with the conscience being Christ his a Mat. 18.18 Ioh. 20.23 ordinance is ratified in heauen where it is rightly administred Our Birth is at once Communion but our life in grace is a continued act and therefore hath continuall need of spirituall nourishment to repaire what is wasted daily by sinne and corruption wherewith we are incombred and for our growth to a perfect man in Christ Iesus Our naturall life consists in the b Vita animae deus est haec corporis hac fugiente soluitut hoc perit haec destituente deo vnion and communion of the body with the soule and our life supernaturall in the vnion and communion of our soule with God which is in Christ who c Iohn 14.6 is the life d Col. 2.9 in whom the fulnes of the Godhead dwelleth bodily By what meanes he became partaker of our mortality flesh and blood by the same hauing conquered sinne and death he makes vs partakers of his immortality and diuine nature imparted in him to the humane and by it to vs. The Church and all the members thereof are in Christ as Eue and all her children were in Adam g Gen. 2.23 flesh of my flesh saith he and bone of my bone That as wee drew corruption from Adam with his nature so from Christ wee deriue incorruption by his grace Nay nearer then so h Eph. 5.30 wee are members of his body of his flesh and of his bones not only deriued from him or new begotten by him but perpetually subsisting in him As the i Iohn 15.4.5 graft in the stocke which yeeldeth vs continuall sap and spirituall nourishment vnto eternall life k Iohn 14.19 Because I liue saith he ye shall liue also At that day you shall know that I am in the Father and you in mee and I in you So dearely hath Christ loued vs v. 20. and so nearely hath hee vnited vs vnto himselfe that he is not satisfied as not inioying himselfe without vs a Eph. 1.23 his body the Church the fulnesse of him that filleth all in all b 1. Cor. 12.13 And as all the members being many are one body so also is Christ namely his Church Of which communion wee haue this other Sacrament c Poculum immortalitatis quod confectum est de infirmitate nostra veritate diuina habet quidem in se vt omnibus prosit sed si non bibitur non medetur Prosp in responsione ad obiectionem Vincentianam The cup of blessing which wee blesse No transubstantiation d 1 Cor. 10.16 is it not the communion of the blood of Christ The bread which wee breake is it not the communion of the body of Christ For we being many are one bread and one body for wee are all partakers of one bread Bread still though consecrated yea and receaued For it is the e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 communion not the f Not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nor 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 commixtion or confusion of his body with the bread as if they were kneaded together nor the g Nor 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 seu 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 translation of the bread into his body as if the one were supplanted by the other But it is the h But 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 communion of his body by a common vnion of them both in the sacrament which doth necessarily consist both of the outward signe and inward grace Whereof there is such a i A 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nazianz. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Theodoret. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Macarius hom 27. reciprocall relation and mutuall coniunction in a sacrament by diuine institution that they necessarily concurre as integrant parts thereof without either of which it is no sacrament And therefore to signify their neare and intimate vnion they vsually haue one an others k Solet res quae significat cius rei quam significat nomine nominayi August quaest 57. super Leuit. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Talis est praedicatio
hath sanctified that call not thou nor cause thou to be called common or vncleane * 8. Commandement It was the Diuels delight to z Iob. 1. rob Iob of all that hee had He set the Sabaeans and Chaldaeans on worke as he doth all others of that trade But the blessed Angels a 1. King 19.5 Mat. 4.11 minister vnto vs and receaue vs hence into everlasting habitations * 9. Commandement It is the Divell that is b Rev. 12.10 the accuser of his brethren and a false one c Ioh. 8.44 For he is a lier and the Father of it But the blessed Angels d Iud. v. 9. bring no rayling accusations no not against the Diuell himselfe in their greatest conflicts * 10. Commandement Lastly the blessed Angels hauing fulnesse of ioy and all sufficiency in God enuy not the glory prepared for vs as the Divell did our first happinesse and doth still maligne and oppose by all meanes our purchased redemption e Luk. 15.10 but they reioice exceedingly at the conuersion of a sinner f 1. Pet. 1.12 they longe and desire to looke into the accomplishment of God his glory in vs. So must wee g Phil. 2.4 looke not euery man on his owne things only but euery man also on the things of others and not only eschew the euill forbidden but doe all good vnto all men implied in the law h Eccl. 9.10 whatsoeuer our hand findeth to doe as wee haue ability and opportunity i Ps 16.2 Our goodnesse indeed extendeth not vnto God nor to the glorified Saints Angels for what good can we doe vnto them k V. 3. but to the Saints that are on the earth and to such as excell in vertue whilst l Gal. 6.10 we doe good vnto all especially to them who are of the houshold of faith Whereby yet we m Cum ipsis angelis sumus vna civitas Dei cuius pars in nobis peregrinatur pars in illis opitulatur Aug. de civ D. l. 10. c. 7. hold communion with the heauenly host in imitation of them indeauouring to doe the will of God in earth as it is done in heauen by the blessed Angells following the examples of holy men n 1. Cor. 11.1 as they haue beene followers of Christ Iesus that we may bee all like vnto our heauenly father o Eph. 5.1 Eorum filii dicimur quorum actus imitamur Orig. in Ezek. hom 4. followers of God as deare children p Ps 119.89 O Lord thy word is setled in heauen for ever q 90. Thou also hast established the earth and it abideth Thy will be done on earth as it is in heauen r V. 91. according to thine ordinances for all are thy servants CAP. III. The Refuge of Hope We are saued by hope The Law perfect wee imperfect Good workes not well done Grace and merit incompetible The Christian hope Our daily bread Forgiuenesse of sinnes No immunity to sinne Temptations Preservation Resurrection Life everlasting and glorious Doe you now by grace fulfill the Law and merit glory by good workes Wee are saved by hope NO God knowes we all sinne continually and still a Rom. 3.24 come short of the glory of God Which we acknowledge in the regresse of the prayer b Heb. 6.18.4.16 flying for refuge to the throne of grace to lay hold on the hope that is set before vs. c Rom. 8.24 For we are saued by hope in respect of the full accomplishment of our purchased redemption and of the reall fruition thereof which we are now assured of whereinto wee are firmely estated by faith What is hope but a faithfull expectation of good things to come d V. 24. V. 25. Hope that is seene is not hope for what a man seeth why doth he yet hope for But if we hope for that we see not then doe we with patience wait for it In the meane time we are not worth the bread wee eat but haue need to beg it vpon almes at the hands of God from day to day much lesse are we worthy eternall life and glory For although by the grace of God we vnfainedly desire and faithfully endeavour to liue according to the tenor of the perfect law of libertic yet who dares stand to be tryed by the rigour of that royall law For the e Illud autem praeceptum non penitùs impletur ab homine in bac mortali vita sed exparte non ex toto quia ex parte diliginues in futuro autem implebitur ex toto Pet. Lomb. l. 3 sent dist 27. lit F. whole law is required of every one The law perfect we imperfect insomuch that f Iam. 2.10 whosoever offendeth in any one point is guilty of all g C. 3.2 but in many things we offend all many things we know many more that we know not h Ps 19.12 Who can tell how oft he offendeth O cleanse thou me from my secret sinnes The Law requireth the whole man i Deut. 6.5 Mat. 22.37 all his heart all his minde all his soule all his strength but we as k 1. Cor. 13.9 we knowe but in part so we loue and so we doe but in part the least part of what wee ought l Rom. 7.22.23 We may happily delight in the law of God after the inner man * Legem implere id est non concupiscere Quis ergò hoc qui vivit potest August de tempore serm 49. but still there is another law of the members warring against the law of the minde which often brings vs into captiuity to the law of sin m Rom. 7.14 The law is spirituall perfect but we are partly carnall therfore imperfect For althoug n 1 Tim. 1.14 the grace of God be exceeding abundant with faith loue which are in Christ Iesus and shall be in the end o 2 Cor. 12.9 sufficient for vs vnto saluation because it euer p Rom. 5.20 superaboundeth our still abounding sinnes yet in the meane time who is sufficient for it q 2 Cor. 4.7 We haue the heauenly gift in * Nemo esse sine delicto potest quamdiu Carnis indumento oneratus est cuius infermit as triplici modo subiacet dominio peccati factis dictis cagitationibus C. Lactant l. 6. Instit cap. 13. carthen vessels whereby we faile our best actions we corrupt our best workes with carnall respects wee staine and pollute the best motions that arise in vs euē as the purest foūtain water running thorough a filthy channell drawes corruption All our r Hos 6.4 goodnes is as the morning dew ſ Es 64.6 all our * Ipsa iustitia nostra ad examen diuinae iustitie deducta iniustia est sor det in destrictione iudicis quod in aestimatione fulget operantis Greg Mor. lib. 5. cap. 8. righteousnesse as polluted
ragges t Iob 9 30.31 If I wash myselfe saith righteous Iob with snowe water make my hands neuer so cleane yet shalt thou plunge mee in the ditch and mine owne cloathes shall make mee filthy What is that ditch but natures corruption drawen by a perpetuall trench thorough all man kinde from the loines of our first parents Whereof holy king Dauid was by his fall caused to complaine u Psal 51.5 I was shapen in iniquity in sin hath my mother conceaued mee And what are the * Zech. 3.3 filthy cloathes but the carnall motions which being fashioned to our corrupt hearts doe like our garments x Heb. 12 1. easily beset vs and can neuer bee cleane put off vntill nature it selfe bee dissolued Which made Saint Paul cry out y Rom. 7.24 O wretched man that I am who shall deliuer me from the body of this death Solomon puts the question to all men liuing z Prov. 20.9 wÌ„ho can say mine heart is cleane I am pure from my sinne And himselfe being now become a preacher of repentance makes the answer for all a Eccl. 7.20 There is not a iust man vpon earth that doth good sinneth not If there be any be hee as iust as Iob b Iob. 38.3.40 7. let him gird vp his loines like a man I will demand of thee saith God and declare thou vnto mee Wilt thou disanull my iudgement Wilt thou condemne me that thou maist be righteous c Rom. 3.4 Nay let God be true but euery man a lyer let God be iust but euery man a sinner e Gal 3 19. Wherefore then serues the law it was added because of transgressions that wee may know our f Sedcur praecipitur homini ista perfectio cum in hac vita eam nemo habeat Quia non recte curritur si quo currendum est nesciatur Pet. Lomb. l. 3. Sent. dist 27. lit G. duties and defaults g Rom. 4.15 Where no law is there is no transgression h 1. Ioh. 3.4 for sinne is the transgression of the law i Rom. 5.13 and without the law sinne is not imputed Where sinne is not acknowledged grace is not accepted k Rom. 3.20 but by the law is the knowledge of sinne l Rom. 5.20 Therefore the law entred that the offence might abound but where sinne abounded grace hath superabounded The law euer remaines the perpetuall rule of our duety though vnsufficient for our safety m Rom. 8.3 being weake through the flesh And now it hath a double vse first directly to shew vs n Nec latuit prÄ™ceptorem praecepti pondus hominum excedere vires sed iudicavit ex hoc ipso suae illos insufficientiae admonere vt scirent sanè ad quem iustitiae sinem niti pro viribus oporteret Bernard sup Cant serm 50. what is good and evill that o Rom. 2.18 wee may approue the things that are more excellent being instructed out of the law and that wee may performe the same in all holy obedience to him that commaundeth then obliquely to bring vs by p Data est enim lex superbis hominibus viribus suis totum tribuentibus vt cum implere non possent legem datam praevaricatores inuenirentur facti rei sub lege peterent misericordiam à legis conditore August de actis cum Felice Manich. l. 2. c. 11. repentance to the q Heb. 4.16 throne of grace that we may obtaine mercy and finde grace to helpe in the time of need In which respect it is a r Gal. 3.24 schoolemaster still to bring vs vnto Christ reducing vs vnto him obliquely as it were per impossibile not that the law is of things Å¿ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Basil 19. hom Nemo ad impossibile obligatur Non deus impossibilia iubet sed inbendo admonet facere quod possis petere quod non possis Aug. l. de natura gratiae cap. 43. impossible but because we are still impotent and vnable Both which vses of the law Saint Iohn hath put together saying t 1. Iohn 2.1 â— These things I write that you sinne not but if any man sinne we haue an aduocate with the father Iesus Christ the righteous and hee is the propitiation for our sinnes Now u 1. Tim. 1.8 we knowe that the law is good if a man vse it lawfully knowing this that the law is not made for a righteous man namely not to iustifie a man nor to condemne any whom God hath iustified but the law is made for the lawlesse and disobedient to curbe and condemne them who will not be reformed * y. 11. according to the glorious gospell of the blessed God Now if our workes done in grace be not answerable to the law of an holy life Good works not well done then sure they can not merit eternall life and glory The things happily are good that we doe in their owne nature and according to the law of God and they may doe good being beneficiall vnto others as to honour our betters is good and the law of God almes deeds are good and doe good to the poore and yet are they not so good as to merit for vs eternall life glory at the hands of God First because they are not so * Querb abs te vtrum haec opera bona benè faciant an malè Si enim quamvis bona male tamensatit negare non potes eum peccare qui malè quodibeâ—t facit August contra Iulian. Col. 1036. l. 4. c. 3. well done as they ought in regard of some necessary circumstance Vnbeleevers may happily doe the things which God requireth but not their duties because they doe them not in conscience to him that commandeth and without faith it is impossible to please God Then if wee of faith doe some duties and neglect others when he that hath commanded one hath commanded all Can some few good workes make satisfaction for so many euill a Heb. 11.6 Whosoever will be saued before all things it is necessary that he hold the Catholike faith which except a man belieue faithfully hee cannot bee saved Athanas his Creed Aliud est quod sponte impenditur naturae aliud quod praeceptis dominicis ex charitate debetur obedientiae Greg. hom 27 in Evang. Hoc peccarunt quod homines sine side non ad eum finem ista opera retulerunt ad quem referre debuerunt Aug. l. 4. cont Iulian. c. 3. Sordet natura sine gratia Prosper ep ad Russinum which we haue done and compensation for so many other good workes which wee haue left vndone And yet the very workes of faith by some carnall respects interuening are not so good nor so well done in true loue as they ought For true b 1. Cor. 13.4.5 Plenissima charitas quae iam non possit augeri quamdiu hic homo vivit est in
bread to make blood flesh and spirits But God giues it vertue and power beyond the nature and substance thereof to doe vs good speaking a blessing on it for our vse m Deut. 8.3 Mat. 4.4 Wherefore man shall not liue by bread only but by euery word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God n 1. Tim. 4.5 Prov. 30.8 And it is sanctified and made convenient for vs by the word of o 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Honestum hoc insuper Deum iâ—itio comae prandii inuocari Diotogenes lib. de sâ—â—ctiltate God and prayer Yet it sustaines vs but from day to day for it is but daily bread and not as the tree of life whereof if the man had eaten hee should haue liued for euer The Manna which God gaue the Israelites from heauen it was but daily bread it would not ordinarily keepe vntill the morrow and p Ioh. 6.49 they that did eat thereof are dead Such is the condition of this life and the things thereof q 1. Cor. 15.19 And if in this life only wee had hope then were wee of all men most miserable Wherefore our r Ioh. 6.27 labour must bee not so much for the food that perisheth but for the meat which endureth to eternall life the supersubstantiall bread indeed Å¿ Cant. 8.7 aboue all the substance of our house t Ps 119.14 and to bee reioyced in aboue all substance Which Christ giues vnto vs for him hath the Father sealed u Ioh. 6.51 I am the liuing bread saith he which came downe from heauen if any man eat of this bread he shall liue for euer Gods prouidence doth not exclude ours in the vse of ordinary meanes but requires it directs and giues a blessing therevnto both in the things of this life and for a better But this is our folly we will either doe all our selues or no thing And commonly we can be content to leaue all to God for the world to come but in the things of this world we will bee our owne caruers Of the two * Luc. 16.8 the children of this world are in their generation wiser then the children of light They will provide for this life and we must provide x V. 9. that we may be receaued into everlasting habitations Wherin finding how short our store comes of such a purchase how vnworthy Gods grace we walk Forgiuenes of sins how ill we deserue thorough our owne corruption vtterly distrusting and disclaiming our selues wee flye againe vnto the throne of grace for pardon of our sins protection in temptations and rescue in the end from all evill Who can forgiue sinnes but God only against whom we sinne and doe euill in his sight For howsoeuer wee trespasse wrong Omniamandata Dei facta deputantur quando quiequid non fit ignoscitur Aug. l. 1. Retrac c. 19. and giue offence one to another which we may and must forgiue so farre as concernes vs yet can no man forgiue the sinne which is the transgression of the law but hee only who is the law-giuer He forgiues y Ps 32.5 the iniquity of our sin z Exod. 34 7. The Lord the Lord forgiuing iniquity transgression and sinne And he forgiues * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 our debts the obligations of sinne penalties for sinne to whom we are so much bound in duty and by whose law we stand bound ouer vnto death a Rom. 6.23 the iust wages of sinne b Ps 49.7.8 None can by any meanes redeeme his brother or giue a ransome to God for him For it cost more to redeeme their soules so that he must let that alone for euer c Isa 43.25 But I even I am hee saith God that blotteth out all thy transgressions for mine owne sake and will not remember thy sinnes For when the offence is pardoned the d Impium est à Dto diminidiaem sperare veniam August punishment is remitted because it is the forgiuenesse of our debts the penalties of sinne When Christ cured any of their diseases he vsed to say e Mat. 9.6 Thy sinnes are forgiuen thee For they are the cause of all our maladies the remission whereof is therefore a present and a perfect remedy f Ps 103.3 4. God forgiueth all our sinnes and healeth all our infirmities so that they shall not tend to destruction in eternall death the iust wages of sinne and our due debt for the same g Rom. 5.10 For if when we were enimies we were reconciled to God by the death of his sonne much more being reconciled shall we be saued by his life By whose grace we obtaine the forgiunesse not only of h Rom 3.25 sinnes past before grace thorough the forbearance of God but of our i Quotidianae incuâ— sionis Orabant autem vtiq iam fideles iam apostoli NaÌ„ ista oratio Dominica magis fidelibus datur Si debita illa tantummedò dicerentur quae per baptismum dimittuntur catechumenis congeueret magis orare Dimitte nobis debita nostra Aug. in Ps 142. daily sinnes and trespasses for which he hath taught vs as duely to aske pardon as for our daily bread with faith to obtaine k Rom. 5.16 For not as it was by one that sinned so is the gift for the iudgement was by one to condemnation but the free gift is of many offences to iustification euen so many and so long as we haue grace to beleeue and repent Iustification a terme in law denoting an act of the iudge not any habit in the party iustified being once passed vpon vs in grace l Rom. 8.28 according to his eternall purpose is neuer reversed but standeth more firme then the law of the Medes and Persians howsoever it be often reacted confirmed It was purposed of God to every one of his elect in his counsell from everlasting it was purchased and procured for them in the fulnesse of time by the death and passion of Christ Iesus It is published and proclaimed throughout the world by the preaching of the Gospell it is testified and applied to every penitent beleeuers conscience in the sight of God by his spirit and is sealed by the Sacraments and being apprehended by faith is often m Multò firmior est fides quaÌ„ reponit poenitentia Lactant. l. 5. c. 14. renued by repentance Whereby every poore publican that with true faith and repentance cryes God mercy n Luk. 18.14 goes away more iustified theÌ„ any proud Pharisee that iustifies himselfe o Iob. 33.23.24 And if there be a messenger an interpreter one of a thousand to shew vnto man his righteousnesse in his greatest a gonie and distresse God is gracious vnto him and saith deliuer him from going downe to the pit for I haue founde a ransome for him p Mat. 18.18 Whatsoeuer is loosed on earth it is loosed in heauen for it is God that doth it and
not man q In quo quemque invenerit suus novissimus dies in hoc cum comprehendet mundi novissimus dies quoniam qualis in eo quisq moritur talis in die illo iudicabitur Auguss ep 28. which shall at the last bee pronounced in open court when Christ that is our advocate shall be our iudge For as our first admission into the state of grace was by r Rom. 3.25 remission of sinnes past thorough the forbearance of God So shall our admission at the last be into the state of glory by the publike absolution and acquitting of vs at the tribunall of Christ Iesus from all our sinnes and trespasses Å¿ 〈◊〉 34. Come yee blessed of my father receaue the kingdome prepared for you from the beginning of the world t 〈◊〉 4.6.7 which blessednesse of man is by righteousnesse freely imputed vnto him as David describeth it saying u Ps 32.1.2 Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiuen whose sinnes are covered Blessed is the man vnto whom the Lord will not impute sinne Yet haue wee no immunity to sinne No immunity to sin as it were a warrant dormiant or pardon afore hand for we haue no hope of forgiuenesse but onely vpon condition of faith repentance no easie matter nor in our power to doe at our pleasure Hee that giues pardon to the penitent will not alwaies giue repentance to every peccant Neither doth repentance stand vpon such easie tearmes but that flesh and blood chuseth rather to dye in sin then vnto sin by crossing and crucifying and mortefying it selfe For the which every true penitent vndergoes a severe discipline if the Church and our selues neglect it God inflicteth the same vpon his childreÌ„ many times with sore strokes for their humiliation and amendment * Ps 89. Hee will not vtterly take away his louing kindnesse from them when they breake his statutes and keepe not his commandements but he will visit their transgression with a rod and their sinne with stripes And besides all the exercise of mortification God lookes for x Mat. â— 8 fruits worthy amendment of life implied in this one condition that we forgiue one an other without which wee cannot aske forgiuenesse at his hands And if not without forgiuing them that trespasse against vs certainly not without y Non dimittitur peccatum nisi restituatur ablatum Aug. ep 54. ad Maced giuing satisfaction to them whom our selues haue trespassed z Mat. 5.23.27 if thou bring thy gift to the altar there remembrest that thy brother hath ought against thee leaue there thy gift before the altar and goe thy way first be reconciled to thy brother and then come and offer thy gift a Mat. 18. How will God deale with that servant to whom he forgiues an hundred talents if hee will not forgiue his fellow seruant an hundred pence Will he not deliuer him vnto the tormeÌ„tors vntill he hath paid all that is due And good reasoÌ„ b Luc. 7.43.47 Secundum bominem plus fortasse offendit qui plus debuerat sed per misericordiam domini causa mutatur vt amplius diligat qui amplius debuit si tamen gratiaÌ„ consequatur Ambr. l. 6. comment in Luc. cap. 31. for hee must needs I am sure hee had need loue much to whoÌ„ much is forgiveÌ„ c 1. Pet. 4.8 loue will couer a multitude of sinnes d Mat. 18.22 not seauen times but seauenty times seauen A wonderful grace of God where it pleaseth him to bestow it so mortifying the wrath of man e Iam. 1.20 which worketh not the righteousnesse of God so mollifying the heart of man that wee become f Mat. 5.44 c like our heauenly father louing our enimies blessing them that curse vs doing good to them that hate vs and praying for them which dispightfully vse vs. And if God giue vs such grace to forgiue one another hee hath grace in store to forgiue vs and g 1. Ich. 3.19 hereby wee assure our hearts before him Insomuch that as before we desired to doe the will of God on earth as it is in heauen so now wee pray God that is in heauen to forgiue vs as wee on earth thorough his grace doe forgiue one another both alike though nothing equall Now thou art made whole goe thy way and sinne no more least a worse thing befall thee The care is Temptations after we haue obtained the forgiuenesse of our former sinnes and trespasses that we relapse not which is euer more and more dangerous and therefore our humble suit and supplication is that God will not so lead vs into temptations but to deliuer vs from the evill thereof sin death We pray not absolutely against temptation h 1. Cor. 5.10 for then must wee needs goe out of the world It is the will of God wherevnto i 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Duc me o Iupiter tu fatum co quo sum à vobis destinatus Sequar enim alacriter Quod sinoluero improbus 〈◊〉 sequar nihilominuâ— Epict. Enchir c. 77. we must submit to lead vs thorough a world of temptations into the kingdome of heauen as hee led the children of k Deut. 8.2 Israel thorough the wildernesse into the land of Canaan to humble vs and to proue vs and to knowe what is in our heart and withall to manifest the l â—â—inquam servi Dei tentationes diaboli sustinere poâ—uissent si nequitiam eius pietas dei nô temperaret vel refrÄ™naret Bernard l. de mâ—do bene vivend Ser. 67. power of his grace in vs to the praise of his glory Thorough whose strength m 2. Cor. 12.9 which is seene in our weaknesse n Rom. 8.37 we are in all these things more then conquerours For it is a greater glory to haue o Eph 6.12 wrestled with principalities powers p 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Nec vero si succumbamus prohibemur in hac pugna quoÌ„ minus denuò decertemus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Et iterum si non obtineas aggredi licebit quod sisemel viceris similis ei es qui succubuiâ— nunquam Arrian Epict. l. 3. c. 25. and to overcome then not to haue beene at all assaulted by them We must q Ium 1.2.3 therefore count it all ioy when we fall into divers temptations knowing this that the triall of our faith worketh patience r Rom. 5.4.5 and patience experience and experience hope and hope maketh not ashamed Å¿ 1. Pet. 1.6.7.8 When the triall of our faith shall bee found to praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Iesus Christ In whom therefore beleeuing we reioice with ioy vnspeakable and full of glory t 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Itaque dolores provenientes ex tentationibus quas sustinemus aut voleates aut recusantes sunt ad profectum vtiles Arrian Epictet lib. 3. c. 25. ad
the article of the resurrection was by Hymeneus and Philetus who erred concerning the truth thereof p v. 25. yet will God giue thē repentance to the acknowledging of the truth whō he will saue which by the grace of God shall spring againe out of that seede of faith that remaineth in them q Rom. 3.3 Shall our vnfaithfulnesse make the truth of God of none effect r 2 Tim. 2.12.13 It is a faithfull saying if wee deny him he will also deny vs. If wee beliue not if wee doubt and erre in some things for the time yet hee abideth faithfull and cannot deny himselfe For ſ v. 19. the foundation of God abideth sure and hath this seale The Lord knoweth who are his And they who are once iustified with God being effectually called t Rom. 8.28 according to his purpose are neuer vniustified againe For howsoeuer their sinnes may be such as deserue no lesse by the law yet their persons being vnder grace in Christ u Iohn 5.24 they shall neuer come into condemnation but are passed from death to life Now * Rom. 8.10 although the spirit be life because of righteousnesse Resurrection yet the body is dead because of sinne a body of sinne and of death and therefore x Exue corpus istud quod circumfers vestimentum ignorantiae fundamentum prauitaetis vinculum corruptionis mortem viuam cadauer sensibile sepulchrum portatile domesticum surem Hermes in Pemandro the body from whence our corruption springs originally wherein it resides perpetually y Lex est non paena perire must bee dissolued the soule being separated by death or at least some way changed that it may be made a glorious body at the appearing of Iesus Christ Our z Quam deus manibus suis ad imaginem sui struxit quam de suo af statu ad viuacitatis suaesimilitudinem animauit quam incolatui fructui dominatui totius suae operationis praeposuit quam sacramentis disciplinisque vestiuit cuius munditias amat castigationes probat passiones sibi appreciat haeccine non resurget totiens dei Absit vt deus manuum suarum operam ingenii sui curam afflatus sui vaginam molitionissuae reginam liberalitatis suae haeraedem religionis suae sacerdotem testimonii sui militem Christisui sororem in aeternum destituat interitum Tertul. de resur carnis bodies are the worke of Gods hands as our soules are from him he made the first mans body of the dust of the earth and breathed into it the spirit of life and a Psal 139.15 he fashioneth our bodies belowe in the earth * Plato in Timoeo vt habet August de civ Dei 22. scribit animas non posse in aeternum esse sine corporibus Hinc 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 commenti sunt philosophi poetae metamorphosm * De circida Arcadescribit Aelianus quod magno desiderio sit mortuus inquiens sperare se conventurum ex Philosophis Pythagoram ex historicis Haecateum ex musicis Olympum ex poetis Homerum neither is man compleat longer then he consists both of soule and body Now b Iob. 14.15 God who hath a desire to the worke of his hands will recouer and saue the whole man make him to liue notwithstanding the malitious practise of Satan the murtherer to the contrary Whereof hee hath giuen euidence in the whole course of nature euening and morning winter and summer and in his speciall prouidence ouer his Church and people by their Miraculous deliuerances and recoueries from captiuity and desolation as it were from death therefore vsually called their c Isai 26.19 Ezech. 37. resurrection Doe wee not see how d Eccl. 1.4 one generation passeth and an other generation cometh but the earth abideth for euer as it were the common stage and theatre of nature so long as it endureth But when all parts are acted heauen and earth and all shall be dissolued For as all the parts so the vniverse the whole systeme of nature begunne with time continues in time which is the measure of motion vntill time that spends all hath spent it selfe when e Rev. 10.6 time and temporall things shall bee no more f 2. Pet. 3.13 But a new heauen a new earth eternall wherein dwelleth righteousnesse A folly it is that some aske g 1. Cor. 15 35 36. with what body shall wee come No question the same body else were it not a h 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lucianus Pythagorāvena lem exponens quis emet quis esse supra homines affectat quisscire vniuersi concentum reviviscere resurrection The same body howsoeuer changed as in this life wee feed not wee slepe not but our bodies are altered our digested food supplying what nature had consumed we are not cured but our bodies are altered Physicke repairing what diseases had corrupted and wasted Insomuch that some haue doubted whether we be the same bodies in age as we were in youth As a ship is still the same that where it decaies hath new plancks clapt on vntill in every place all be changed so are our bodies And though all be dissolued into the first materials yet being againe put together by the same almighty hand which made all of nothing it is the same mans body the same body of the same soule whereby it was and euer shall be i Forma principium indiuiduationio indiuiduated howsoeuer it be widdowed for a time and wonderously changed in the end in the meane time vtterly putrified and corrupted As the first mans body who was made after the image of God and bare a maiesty amongst the creatures was changed by sinne and became subiect to manifold diseases to shame to death and yet was still the same body so through death our bodies shall haue the vtmost of that change and yet bee raised the same bodyes and changed againe k 1 Cor. 15.42.43.44 from weaknesse to power from corruption to incorruption from dishonour to glory l Phil. 3.21 for they shall bee fashioned like vnto Christ his glorious body As the pure spirits of wine or the spirits of life in a man are bodies spirituall bodies and the quintescence of any mettall or minerall extracted from the grosse elements is of a celestiall nature and yet both it and the spirits are bodies the same bodyes purified sublimated in like manner though farre more excellent shall bee the resurrection of our bodies when God hath as it were distilled them through natures great lymbecke of what forme soeuer whether through the earth or water or bowels of beasts or by fire as all that remaines at the last day and shall extract a glorious body that shall inherit immortality m 1 Cor. 13.51 We shall not all sleepe but we must all be changed some way or other n v. 4◠for as we