That he by the power thereof might stirre vs vp to a new life Rom. 6.4 Coloss 3. 1. Ephes 2.5 4. That the resurrection of our head is a pledge to vs of our glorious resurrection 1. Cor. 15.12.13.14 Rom. 8.11 The conuersation of Christ vpoÌ„ the earth fourtie dayes after his resurrection was done to that end that he might most certainly confirme his resurrection so that no man might doubt of it Actes 1.3 Of Christes ascension into heauen The ascension of Christ into heauen is that whereby in body he was visibly lifted from the earth and was receiued vp into heauen Mar. 16.19 Actes 1.9 Iohn 14.2 The heauen into which Christ ascended The heauen into which Christ ascended and into which he will take vs Christ himself teaching vs it Ioh. 14.2 is the house of his heauenly father in which there are many dwelling places the throne of God the place of ioye and it is not euery where but in the highest heaueÌ„s it is a place as 2. Chron. 6.21 And therefore we beleeue that Christs body is not now on earth much lesse euery where but in heauen Actes 13.21 yet Christ shal be with vs euen to the end of the world by his Godhead grace and spirit Mat. 28.20 There are three endes of Christes ascension 1. Because he doth make intercession for vs before his father in heauen Heb. 9.24 and 10. 19. 1. Iohn 2.1 Rom. 8.34 2. Because we haue our flesh in heauen that we by that as by a certaine pledge might be confirmed that it shall come to passe that he which is our head may lift vs his members to himselfe Iohn 14.2 and 20.17 Ephes 2.6 or else that he might prepare a place for vs that where he is we might be also 3. Because he doth fill the Church with his spirite and vnspeakeable power and beautifie it with diuers giftes Iohn 14.16 and 16.7 Ephes 4.10.11 Psal 68.19 or else because he sendeth vs the holy spirite in steed of a mutuall pledge Hitherto concerning Christes ascension now concerning his sitting at the right hand of God the father Of Christes sitting at the right hand of God The sitting of Christ at the right hand of God his father is the highest degree of Christ his glory whilest he doth possesse all power ouer all creatures in heauen earth that the father might both worke and gouerne all things immediatly by him Psal 110. Actes 2.30 and 3.21 and 7.56 1. Cor. 15.27 Ephes 1.20 Phil. 2.9 Heb. 1.34 Mat. 28.18 That is attributed to the person that is to say not to one nature of Christ seuerally but euen to whole Christ God and man For when the kingly office of Christ is noted by it it ought to be taken of the whole person or of both natures And Christ sitteth at the right hand of God his father not euery where but in heauen as the Scripture plainly testifieth Heb. 8.1.4 Eph. 1.20 Col. 3.1 Acts. 3.21 Heb. 1.3 And that not till after his ascension Mar. 16.19 1. Pet. 3.22 The difference betweene the ascesinon and sitting of Christ at the right hand of the father And the ascension of Christ into heauen is one thing his sitting at the right hand of God his father is another thing 1. Because his sitting is the end of his ascension for therefore Christ ascended to heauen that he might sit at the right hand of his father 2. Because Christ doth perpetually sit at the right hand of his father but he ascended but once in heauen 3. Because we shall also ascend into heauen but we shall not sit at the right hand of God Hitherto concerning the person of Christ now concerning his office Of the office of Christ The office of Christ is to bestow on the elect all things which are required to eternall saluation This office doth ioyntly belong to both natures in the person of Christ Iohn 6.3.53 Heb. 9.14 Actes 20.28 And as that dutie belongeth to both natures so also the effectes that is to say Of the 〈◊〉 of the â—â—â—â—â—tour the workes of the office are attributed to Christ accorrding to both natures Heb. 3.2.3.4.5.6 and 9.14 Actes 20.28 But in the performing of euery effect or worke some things doe pertaine to the diuine nature other some to the humane nature 1. Pet. 1.18 and 2.24 and 3.18 For although euery effect or worke of the mediatour be one because the person of the mediatour is but one yet to the effecting of this worke there doe concurre two operations that is to say two actions one of the Godhead another of the manhood the Godhead doing those things which belong to the Godhead the maÌ„hood doing those things which belong to manhood as the worke of a man is but one but in performing it there doth concurre the action both of the soule and body the soule doing those things which beloÌ„g to the soule and the body doing those things which belong to the body And as the natures and properties of the same remaine distinct so also the actions and operations of the natures so that either of them doth seuerally worke that which is proper to it namely the word working that which belongeth to the word the flesh accoÌ„plishing that which beloÌ„geth to the flesh The offices of Christ are three his Prophecie Priesthood and Kingdome Psal 110. Heb. 7.2.3 and 13.20 Of the prophecie of Christ The Prophecie of Christ is perfectly to deliuer the whole word of God to men Heb. 1.1 Iohn 1.16.17.18 Esay 61.1 Therefore he is called the chiefe Prophet teacher Apostle of our confession Heb. 3.1 Of his Prophecie there are two partes namely the foreshewing of things to come and doctrine Of doctrine there are two parts the laying open of the Gospell and the true interpretation of the law The laying open of the Gospell is the first part of Christes doctrine when he did lay open the secret counsell and all his fathers will concerning our redemption Iohn 1.18 and 15.15 Mat. 11.17 The true interpretation of the law is the other part of Christes doctrine when he expounded the true meaning of Gods law Mat. 5.20 and so forward Thus farre concerning the Propheticall office of Christ now concerning his Priesthood Of Christes Priesthood The Priesthood of Christ is to performe the workes of a Priest Heb. 5.10 Of Christs Priesthood there are two parts the expiation of sinne intercession to God Of the expiation of sinne The expiation of sinne is the first part of Christes Priesthood when Christ offering to God his father the onely sacrifice of his body did pay the punishment for the sinnes of the elect to redeeme them from all the power of the deuill 1. Pet. 2.24 and 3.18 Esay 53.12 1. Iohn 2.2 Rom. 3.25 Heb. 10.12 Whereupon also it is called redemption As also the satisfying for sinnes And that is done two wayes by merite and by a powerfull working Of the merite of Christ The merite of Christ
inward or outward The outward calling is a calling which is done by the Ministers of Gods word And that is two fold effectuall or vneffectuall Mat. 22.2 The effectuall calling belongeth to the elect in whose harts the word preached doth abide The vneffectuall calling belongeth to the reprobate in whose harts the word of God either findeth no abode or else vanisheth away so that it is become to them the sauour of death and a matter of more grieuous condemnation Thus much concerning the outward calling now concerning the inward The calling that is inward is a calling which is wrought by the holy spirit by whoÌ„ the father draweth vs and giueth vs to his sonne Iohn 6.37.44 and 17.11 Hitherto concerning our calling to Christ now concerning our calling to some office The calling to some office is the separating of a fit person to some office Rom. 1.1 Thus farre concerning our calling now concerning Gods couenant Gods couenant is a bargaine which God hath made with meâ— in which God promiseth to men some good requireth of them again that they performe those things which he commandeth And that couenant is either eternall or temporall The eternall couenant is a couenant in which God promiseth men eternall life And that is two fold the couenant of workes or the couenant of grace The couenant of workes is a bargaine of God made with men coÌ„cerning eternall life to which is both a condition of perfect obedience adioyned to be performed by man also a threatning of eternall death if he shal not performe perfect obedience Gene. 2.17 The couenant with Moses is the couenant of workes The repetition of the couenant of workes is made by God Exod. 19.5 Deut. 5.2 1. King 8.21 Heb. 8.9 and that chiefly for foure causes 1. That God by all meanes might stirre vp men to performe obedience 2. That euery mouth might be stopped and all the world might be made subiect to the condemnation of God for not performing perfect obedience Rom. 3.19 3. That he might manifest mans sinne and naughtinesse Rom. 3.19.20 and 7.7.8.9.10.11 4. That he might thrust vs forward to seeke to be restored in the couenant of grace Gal. 3.22 and 5.23 Thus much concerning the couenant of workes now concerning the couenant of grace Of the couenaÌ„t of grace The couenant of grace is the reconciling of the elect with God by the death of the only mediatour Rom. 8.30 2. Cor. 5.17.18.19.20.21 Heb. 9.15 The mediatour That onely mediatour is our Lord Iesus Christ who onely doth reconcile vs to his father by his satisfaction and merit Gene. 3.15 and 11.35 Gal. 3.12.13.14 Gene. 15.18 17.2.10.11 Exod. 6.4 the Epistle to the Heb. Chap. 7.8.9 10. The couenant made with Abraham is the couenant of grace Actes 3.25 The couenant of grace is also called the Testament because this reconciliation was made and ratified by the death of the testatour Christ comming betweene Heb. 9.16.17 Christ purchased reconciliation between his heauenly father and vs by his death and there withall left it vnto vs no otherwise theÌ„ parents dying doe leaue their goods to their children And that perpetually is one and the selfe same if we consider the substance thereof as there is but one Church in all ages one true faith ReligioÌ„ of Saints one God one mediatour Christ but one sacrifice for sins but one righteousnesse redeÌ„ptioÌ„ of the world one manner for all the ages of the world to obtaine saluation namely by faith in Christ Heb. 13.8 Reuel 13.8 1. Tim. 2.5 Rom. 12. and 4.3 Ephes 1.10 Rom. 9.5 Col. 1.18 Ephe. 2.21 Actes 4.2 Mat. 11.27 Iohn 14.6 Luke 10.24 Iohn 8 56. Gene. 3.15 and 22.18 But by the circumstances it is called the old or new Testament It is called the old Testament or couenant because it was hid from the faithfull by diuers shadowes and figures before Christ was manifested in the flesh Gene. 12.7 Heb. 9.4.18 Exod. 24.8 It is called the new TestameÌ„t or couenaÌ„t because it is clearely manifested to the faithfull by Christ himselfe shewed in the flesh Heb. 8 6. Therefore the faithfull in the old Testament had Christ as yet couered in a type or rather they looked for a true manifestation of him but we haue him manifested indeede They had figures we haue the thing it selfe they did reioyce in outward and ceremoniall things we triumph in spirituall and the things signified without types Ierem. 31.31 Matth. 26.28 1. Cor. 11.25 Heb. 8.9.10 and Chap. 9. and 10. Of the couenant of grace there be two parts the promise of grace the answering againe of a good conscience The former respecteth God the later respecteth the faithfull Heb. 8.10.11.12 Of the promise of grace The promise of grace is the first part of the couenant of grace by which God promiseth freely his benefites purchased by Christ vnto all those who beleeue in Christ The benefites purchased by Christ for vs and promised in the Gospell are these the giuing of the holy spirit the communion with Christ and our preseruation in this communion and the giuing of eternall life Of the giuing of the holy spirit The giuing of the holy spirite is a benefite of God by which he giueth vs his holy spirite who maketh vs partakers of Christ and of all his benefites Of the knowledge of the holy spirit there be two parts the first concâ—rning the person of the holy spirite the second concerning his office If we consider his person he is true God equall with the father and the sonne Actes 5.3.4 Gene. 1.2 Math. 28.19 Mar 16 15. But the office of the holy spirite is this that by him the father and the sonne doe shew foorth their power and execute the decrees of their will in creating sustaining and mouing all things but chiefly in mouing the harts of those that heare Gods word and in sanctifying and quickning the elect with eternall saluation Thus farre concerning the giuing of the holy spirite now concerning our communion with Christ Of our communion with Christ Our communion with Christ is the benefit of God whilest he giueth to the beleeuers Christ himselfe and his merits that he might powerfully worke in them eternall life Iohn 3.16 Rom. 8.32 That is also called our ioyning vnion knitting together with Christ our ingrafting into Christ the eating of Christes flesh the drinking of Christes bloud the bringing of vs vnder one head ioyning into one body vnder one head to wit Christ Ephes 1.10 our washing in the bloud of Christ the quickning of vs the raysing of vs from the dead the placing of vs in heauen together with Christ Ephes 2.5.6 Now the communion of all Saintes with Christ is one and the selfe same that is to say onely spirituall There is not a bodily entrance and remayning of Christ within the bodies of the Saints neither doth Christ dwell spiritually in some and bodily in other some but in all beleeuers spiritually onely And that is
anger of God are those punishments by which he punisheth sinnes Rom. 1.18 And that is also called the reuengement of God Esa 47.3 Psal 2.5 The furie of God is the fierce and mighty wrath of God declared by most grieuous punishments Psal 2.5.12 The hatred which is in God is an abhorring lothing and reiecting of euill Mala. 1.2.3 Rom. 9.13 Of the repenting of God The repenting of God is not a changing of his diuine counsell and decree which is immutable 1. Sam. 15.29 but a chaunging of the workes of God Genes 6.6 1. Sam. 15.11 Ierem. 18.8 The causes thereof are either the sinnes or repentance of men Notwithstāding this kind of change is decreed by God from euerlasting For God hath decreed both of these namely to performe some worke and to change it againe for the sinnes repentance of men That changing of the worke is called the repenting of God And these are the affections which are attributed to God the adioynts follow The adioynts of man which are attributed to God are these to sit in a throne to see Psal 2. to arise to ascēd to descēd apparell Psal 104.2 he is called also a husbandman Iohn 15.1 And these attributes are taken from mā others follow which are both common also taken from other creatures Of this sort are these place time ascending descending Wings are also attributed to God by which is meant protection and defence Deut. 32.10 Psal 17.8 Psal 91.4 Likewise a shadow is attributed to God Psal 91.1 by which is meant protection For euen as a shadow doth protect vs from the beames and heat of the sunne so God doth protect vs from daungers So God by a metaphore is called by diuers names He is called a tower Psal 91.2 For euen as in high and defenced towers we are safe from the enemy so God doth set vs in safetie He is called a shield a buckler Psal 3.4 He is called a consuming fire Deut. 4.24 9.3 Heb. 12.19 He is called a rocke Psal 71. He is called a strōg dwelling place Psal 71.3 He is called a defence Psal 71.3 Hitherto we haue spoken concerning the attributes of God now we will speake concerning the persons of the Deitie A person of the Deitie is a subsistence in the Deitie Of the persons of the Deitie hauing such properties as cannot be communicated from one to another There are three persons in the Deitie the Father the Son the holy ghost Mat. 3.16 28.19 1. Iohn 5.7 Ephes 2.18 Gene. 1.26 and 18.2 Exod. 3.6 and 15.16 Psal 33.6 Esa 6.3 These are coeternall and equall of one the selfe same simple essence distinct one frō another by an incommunicable proprietie And those are distinguished one from another not essentially because the essence of them is but one yet notwithstanding really they differ from the essence of God not in deed but by respect or by relation onely The Father is the first in the Godhead which hath begot the Sonne frō euerlasting Psal 2.2 Cor. 13. The Sonne is the second in the Godhead which is begotten of the Father by an eternall communicating of the whole essence Iohn 1.14.18.34 and 3.16 Mat. 3.17 2. Cor. 1.19 Hose 11.3 Luke 1.31 Rom. 1.4 Of the diuine generation The diuine essence neither doth beget neither is begotten because that which doth beget is in very deed distinguished from that which is begottē now the diuine essence being but one and most simple it cannot be distinguished from it selfe The Sonne is beggotten of the essence of the Father and hath the whole essence of the Father not by flowing from neither by cutting out of the Father neither by propagation for the essence of the Sonne doth not flow from the essence of the Father neither is it propagated or cut out of it but by cōmunicating And the Sonne is not in deede the Sonne of himselfe because he is the Sonne of the Father yet notwithstanding he is God of himselfe that is to say that essence which is in the Sonne is not of another but of it selfe seeing the essence of the Father and the Sonne is one and selfe same The essence of the Father is of it selfe without all beginning but the essence of the Son is the essence of the Father For the Godhead by which the Son is God is that same by which the Father is God therefore the essence of the Sonne is of it selfe and without beginning Therefore Christ is God of himselfe For except he be God of himselfe he certainly can not be God at all For that he be God God hath it of himselfe naturally He cannot be God whose essence is not of it selfe But it is one thing for the essence to be begotten and another thing to be begotten of the essence The essence is not begotten of the essence the essence is without generation Therefore the Sonne also as he is God is not begotten But the Son is begotten of the essence of the Father Wherefore Christ as he is God is of himselfe as he is the Sonne he is of the Father The holy Spirit is the third person in the Godhead which proceedeth from the Father and the Sonne Iohn 15.25.26 and 20.22 Rom. 8.9 Esa 6.8.9 Actes 28.25.26 5.3.4 1. Cor. 3.6 and 19.20 2. Cor. 6.16 Therefore God is one in essence Exod. 3.14 Deut. 4.35 and 6.4 and 7.9 and 10.17 and 32.39 1. Cor. 12.6 Gal. 3.20 Ephes 4.6 1. Tim. 2.5 But three in persons whereupon we worship the reuerend Trinitie or Trinitie in vnitie Genes 1.26 and 18.2 1. Iohn 5.7 Ephes 2.18 Rom. 9 5. 1. Timot. 3.16 Actes 5.3.4 Hitherto concerning the essence of God now concerning his workes Of the workes of God The works of God are those things which God doth for his own glory Psal 8.1 19. 104.1 Prouerb 16.4 Esay 48.9 Rom. 1.20.21 And by the cōsideratiō of Gods works diuers names are giuē to God in the Scripture Furthermore those are the vndeuided workes of the Trinitie yet we must keepe the personall proprietie the naturall distinction order of the persons in working For as the Son is of the Father and the holy Spirite of the Father and the Sonne so the Father worketh immediatly by the Sonne and the Father and the Sonne by the holy Spirite in performing the same worke For the Father is powerfull but by the Sonne and the holy Spirite Iohn 5.19 The Father worketh by the Son not as by an instrument or helper of the working The workes of God are either benefits or iudgements The benefits of God are the works which God doth performe for our good The benefites of God are either spirituall or bodily Spirituall benefites are those which pertaine to the soule or spirituall life Bodily benefites are those which pettaine to a bodily life Hitherto generally concerning the benefites of God now concerning his iudgements The iudgements of God are those works by which he iustly layeth afflictiōs vpō men Againe the
done by the holy spirit who notwithstanding doth truly ioyne and knit together by faith all the godly and faithfull with the flesh of Christ although it be lifted vp and remaine in heauen 1. Cor. 12.13 By one spirit are all we baptized into one body and all we drinke one drinke into one spirit For one and the selfe same spirit worketh that in all Baptismes in all the holy Suppers that we might be one with Christ and ioyned spiritually to him Ephes 3.12 He dwelleth in our harts by faith Ephes 4. One body one spirit 1. Iohn 4. By this we know that he dwelleth in vs and we in him because he giueth vs of his spirit Rom. 8. If the spirit of him which raised Iesus frō the dead dwell in you he that raysed vp Iesus from the dead shal also quicken your mortall bodies by his spirite that dwelleth in you Irenaeus booke 3. Chap. 19. As one lumpe and one loafe cannot be made of dry wheat without moysture so neither can we being many be made one in Christ without the water which is from heauen And it belongeth to all the elect and beleeuers onely euen from the beginning to the end of the world 1. Iohn 3.24 and 1. Iohn 4.13 Iohn 14.23 and 15.1.2.3.4.5.6 The parts of our communion with Christ are these Iustification and Regeneration Adoption and the freedome of the sonnes of God Of iustificatiō Iustification is a benefit of God by which we being receiued by him into fauour are accounted iust Rom. 5.19 Ephes 2.8.9 Rom. 3. and 4. and 5. The partes thereof are two forgiuenesse of sinnes and imputation of Christes righteousnesse Of remission of sinnes The forgiuenesse of sinnes is a benefit of God whereby he pardoneth vs both the offence and eternall punishments due vnto it for sinne 2. Cor. 5.19.21 Iere. 31.34 Psal 103.3.10.12 Rom. 7.24 and 8.1.2.3 Of the forgiuenesse of sinnes there be two parts the forgiuenesse of the offence and the forgiuenesse of eternall punishment Therfore by one forgiuenes both are remitted to wit the offence the eternall punishment For the iustice of God requireth that because Christ hath satisfied for both to wit for the offence the punishment Therfore God should be vniust if he should onely forgiue vs the offēce not the punishmēt also Therefore the Papistes erre who say that the offence only is remitted and not the punishment for which they will haue men to satisfie when as they can by no meanes do it but Christ hath fully satisfied for it Of the imputing of Christs righteousnesse The imputing of Christs righteousnesse is a benefit of God wherby God vouchsafeth to account Christs obediēce by which he sustained for vs the punishments of sin to be ours euen as though we our selues had sustained those punishmēts for sins Esa 53.3 4.5 Rom. 4.3.5 Rom. 5.11.18 Col. 1.22 2. Cor. 5.19.21 Thus farre concerning iustification now concerning Regeneration Of regeneration Regeneration is a benefite of God by which our corrupted nature is renewed to the image of God by the holy spirite 2. Pet. 1.4 Tit. 3.5 Gal. 4.6 2. Cor. 3.7 That same is also called sanctification and the gift of grace Rom. 5. Also of schoolemen it is called an infused grace Regeneration is either begun or perfected the former belongeth to this life the later to the life to come In regeneration are to be considered both the partes and also the perpetuall adioynts Regeneration is both of the soule and also of the body 1. Thess 5.23 Regeneratiō of the soule is that wherby the powers of the soule are renued Tit. 3.5 Gal. 4.6 Of the regeneration of the soule there are two parts enlightening and repentance As there are two parts of the soule vnderstanding and will so also regeneration is wrought in those same two partes The enlightening belongeth to the vnderstanding and repentance belongeth to the will So Paule sayth that in regeneration the image of God is renewed to the acknowledgement of the creatour Coloss 3. and to true righteousnesse and holinesse Ephe. 4.23 Of the enlightning or annoynting of the holy spirit Enlightening is the first part of the regeneration of the soule whereby the naturall darknesse being driuē forth our mind is enlightned with true knowledge how to obtaine eternall life Psal 16.11 Col. 3. Rom. 12 2. That is also called the annoynting of the holy spirit Of enlightening there are two partes spirituall wisedome and prudence Spirituall wisdome is the wholesome knowledge of faith the misteries of saluatiō ioyned with confidence in Christ Eph. 1.17.18 Spirituall prudence is a wholesome knowledge of things commanded or forbidden by the law of God with a desire of the former and shunning of the latter ioyned to it Thus much concerning enlightening now concerning repentance Of repentance Repētāce is the other part of the regeneratiō of the soule whereby our will is renewed that it no longer willeth euill but that which is good only Rom. 6.4.5.6 Ephe. 4.22.23.24 2. Cor. 5.7 Phil. 2.13 It is also called repentance and turning to God by putting the part for the whole it hath the former name truly of the first part and the other of the latter part And that doth not proceede from our owne free will which being lost by sin there is no more will to goodnesse after the fall especially to eternall saluation Gen. 6.5 But it is the gift of God There are two partes thereof the mortification of the old man and the quickning of the new man Of the mortification of the old man The mortification of the old man is the first part of repentance whereby sinne so far as it may be in this life is abolished in vs. Rom. 6.4.5.6 Coloss 3.5.6.7.8.9.10 Rom. 8.13 It is called also the denying of our selues Also the putting off of the old man Coloss 3.9.10 The partes thereof are both the acknowledgement and confession of sinne and also the detestation and hatred of sinne next a profitable sadnesse for sinne The ackhowledgement of sinne is when we acknowledge that we haue sinned Ierem. 3.2.13 Of the confession of sinne The confession of sinne is that whereby we openly testifie that we haue sinned offended God 1. King 8.47 2. Sam. 24.10 And that is either publicke or priuate The priuate confession is that which is done priuatly of euery one euen within his own priuate house And that is either to God onely or to man To man either to the Minister of the word or to some faithfull friend Publicke confession is that which is done publickely with the whole Church Publicke confession is either of the whole Church or of one or many in the face of the Church The detestation of sinne is when we accuse condemne both the sinnes committed by vs and our selues also for our sinnes sake 1. Cor. 11.31 If we would iudge our selues we should not be iudged by the Lord. The hatred of sinne is a perpetuall shunning of sinne
was made by the father of the family and did signifie that God would giue his son that he might be sacrificed for the sinnes of the world 1. Cor. 5.7 The action of the faithfull receiuer was also two fold the eating of the Paschall Lambe and thankesgiuing By the eating of the Paschall Lambe was signified the participation of Christs passion 1. Cor. 5.7.8 In the thankesgiuing was remembred to the praise of God the benefite of bringing forth the people of God from the bōdage of Egypt as also the benefite of the deliuerance that should be from the spirituall Egypt that is to say from the bondage of sin both which were to be wrought by the sacrifice of the Messias Exod. 12.24.26 13.8.9.10 Thus farre concerning the ordinary Sacraments of the old Testament now concerning the extraordinary The extraordinary Sacraments were those which were extrordinarily both before the instituting of the two ordinary Sacraments as also those which were added to them afterward Before the ordinary Sacraments were the sacrifices from Adam euen to Abraham Genes 4.4 The extraordinary Sacraments which were added to the former two were also two The Baptisme of the cloud and of the sea and the supper of Manna and of the water flowing out of the rocke The Baptisme of the cloud and sea was an extraordinary Sacrament in the old Testament whereby the Israelites being vnder that cloud and passing through the sea were all baptized into Moses in that cloud and in that sea 1. Cor. 10.1.2 The supper of Māna of the water flowing out of the rocke was a Sacrament of the old Testament whereby the Israelites were nourished with meat sent from heauen to signifie the spirituall nourishment of the flesh of Christ and did drinke the water flowing out of the rock to signifie the spiritual drink of the bloud of Christ 1. Cor. 10.3.4 Hitherto concerning the Sacraments of the old Testament now concerning the Sacraments of the new Testament Of the Sacramēts of the new Testament A Sacrament of the new Testament is that which being by Christ himselfe instituted for his owne Church came in the roome of the Sacraments of the old Testament Matt. 26.26 28.19 The Sacraments of the new Testament are two Baptisme and the Lords supper Of Baptisme Baptisme is a Sacrament of the new Testament wherby is signified and sealed vp to vs that we are as certainely washed in the bloud of Christ from sinnes as our body is certainly washed through water in the name of the father the sonne and the holy Ghost Mat. 28 19. Acts. 2.38 Mat. 3.11 Mark 16.16 Rom. 6.3 Mar. 1.4 Luk. 3.3 Baptisme commeth in the place of Circumcision and kepeth the analogy and proportion thereof for both of them is a Sacrament of entrance into the Church and of regeneration And as the Israelites were but once circūcised so we are but once baptized onely because we are but once borne onely and as circumcision was the first beginning of Iudaisme so Baptisme is the first beginning of Christianity Of Baptisme there are two parts the water of Baptisme and the outward action in Baptisme By the water of Baptisme is signified the bloud of Christ shed on the crosse Heb. 12.24 1. Pet. 1.1 Zach. 13.1 Ezec. 36.25 The outward action in Baptisme is two fold the one of the minister administring Baptisme the other of a faithfull man vsing Baptisme The action of the minister is two fold the sanctification of the water and the outward washing The sanctification of the water is the appointing of it to this end that it might signifie the bloud of Christ The outward washing is a signe seale and very sure pledge of the inward washing whereby we with the bloud of Christ are washed from sins Reue. 1.5 Rom. 6.3 1. Cor. 1.6.11 1. Pet. 3.21 Eph. 5.26 1. Ioh. 1.7 For as the filthinesses of the body are purged with water so our sinnes are taken away by the bloud of Christ Reue. 1.5 7.14 1. Cor. 6.11 Gal. 3.17 1. Ioh. 1.7.3 Therefore the outward Baptisme is called the washing of regeneration Tit. 3.5 The washing away of sinnes Acts 22.16 not because the washing is properly and by it selfe that by which we are regenerated for we are properly regenerated by the holy spirite but because it is the signe and seale of the inward washing that is to say of regeneration and adoption according to the forme of the couenant I will be thy God and the God of thy seede The minister washeth outwardly with water but Christ washeth inwardly with his bloud Mat. 3.11 Reue. 1.5 Thus farre concerning the action of the Minister administring Baptisme now concerning the actions of a faithfull man receiuing Baptisme The actions of a faithfull man vsing Baptisme is also two fold the receiuing of Baptisme and thankesgiuing In the receiuing of Baptisme is signified that the infant is by the bloud of Christ so certainely washed from sinnes as his body is certainly sprinckled and washed with water Reuel 7.14 Ezech. 36.25 To be washed with the bloud of Christ is is to be made partakers of the benefites of the couenant of Grace that is to say to be reconciled iustified regenerated adopted by God to be his sonnes to be endued with the freedome of the sonnes of God and so forth The outward man feeleth the force of the water but the inward man feeleth the powerfull working of the bloud of Christ Euen Infidels are washed with water but beleeuers onely with the bloud of Christ Therefore all who are Baptized are not regenerated but onely the beleeuers Now not onely those that are of yeares of discretiō are to be Baptized but also infants 1 Because they also do pertaine to the couenant of the grace of God 2 Because to them also belōgeth the promise of forgiuenesse of sinnes through the bloud of Christ 3 Because they belong to the Church of God 4 Because they are redeemed by the bloud of Christ 5 Because to them is promised the holy Spirite 6 Because they are to be discerned from the children of Infidels 7 Because also in the old Testament infants were circumcised Thankesgiuing is eyther presently done by the party Baptized if he be of yeares of discretion or else it is performed by the the witnesses in his stead if he bean infant who yet when he commeth to ripe yeares ought afterward in the whole course of his life to be thankefull to God for this benefite Hitherto concerning Baptisme now concerning the Lords Supper Of the Lords Supper The Lords Supper is a sacrament of the new Testament by which is signified sealed vp vnto vs that we are as certainely nourished to eternall life by the body of Christ crucified and by his bloud shed as we do certainely with the mouth of our body eate the bread broken and drinke the wine out of the cup. Mat. 26.26.27.28 Mark 14.22.23.24 Luk. 22.19.20 1. Cor. 10.16.17 11.23.24.25 12.13 In the fame sense it is called
zeale fortitude the glorie of God pag. 181. 182. and those that follow 52 Of the inward outward worship of God the things that disagree therefrom where of liuely faith pag. 188. 189. c. 53 Of inuocation where of prayer of the Lords prayer of an oath pag. 197 54 Of thankesgiuing and the confession of truth pag. 211. 212. 55 Of the rites or ceremonies of the Church where of a godly fast vow sacrifices of the old Testament feast pag. 215. 216. and so forward 56 Of vertue where concerning the desire of wisdome of fortitude temperance chastitie liberalitie iustice and the whole company of vertues pag. 196. and so forward 57 Of priuate iustice where of wedlocke and of diuorse pag. 243. 244 58 Of the publike iustice where of Magistrate and lawes of peace and warre pag. 273. and so forward THE FIRST BOOKE OF THE PARTITIONS AND DEFINITIONS OF DIuinitie framed according to the rules of a naturall methode by Amandus Polanus of Polansdorf Of Faith THe word of God is a doctrine written by the Prophets and Apostles the holy spirite being the inditour thereof perfectly deliuering the way how to obtaine eternall life 2. Pet. 1.21 Ephes 2.20 Iohn 5.24.39 and 20.29.31 1. Cor. 1.21 2. Tim. 1.10 and 2.5 Tit. 1.1 2. Rom. 1.16 Psal 32.1 and 1.1 and 119.1 and so forward Mat. 5.3 so forward Iam. 1.21.22 Of the word of God there be two partes the first concerning faith Act. 24.14.15.16 Rom. 1.16 Hab. 2.4 the other cōcerning good workes Iam. 2.20 Phil. 1.27 Tit. 3.8 Mar. 1.15 1. Tim. 1.18.19 Of faith The first part namely concerning faith doth teach vs what we must beleeue to saluation And that cōcerneth either God or the Church God is an eternall infinite omnipotent Of God and most holy spirit Iohn 4.24 Psal 9.2 92.8 102.13 Esa 63.16 Dan. 6.26 Heb. 1.12 Reu. 4.8 11.17 16.5 1. Kin. 8.27 2. Chro. 6.18 Iob. 11.7.8 Iere. 23.23 Psal 139.7.10 Esa 6.3 Gen. 17.1 35.11 Exod. 6.3 Deut. 7.8 10.17 Num. 11.23 Esa 40.12 Matt. 19.26 Luk. 1.37 Reu. 1.8 Mat. 19.17 2. Chr. 30.18 Of the knowledge of God or of faith concerning God are two parts the first concerning the essence of God the second concerning his workes The essence of God is the nature of God whereby God is indeede and doth subsist And that essence is but one and therefore God is but onely one also There are two partes of the knowledge of the essence of God the first concerning the attributes of God the second concerning the distinction of the persons The attributes of God are those titles which are attributed to God to declare his essence better vnto vs. Of the attributes of God The attributes of God are either simple or compared The simple attributes of God are the esential properties of God which doe agree to him without comparison Of these some haue such a similitude of him as is in the creatures by creation some haue not Of the former kind are blessednes immortalitie vnderstanding praescience memorie will goodnesse holinesse iustice clemencie long sufferance patience constacie fortitude truth faithfulnesse and the rest The goodnesse of God is that by which he hath bene euerlastingly contented with him selfe not hauing neede of any other thing 1. Tim. 1.11 6.15 The vnderstāding of God is that by which he hath a perfect vnderstāding of al things this is somtimes called the wisdome of God The immortalitie of God is that by which he neuer dieth 1. Tim. 1.17 6.16 The praescience of God is a most perfect foreknowledge of all things to come The memorie of God is that by which he doth most exactly remember all things Psal 25.6.7 Esa 49.16 Of the will of God The will of God is that by which he willeth all things Rom 9.15.22 Eph. 1.5.9.11 And that will is onely one most simple if we respect God him self but so farre as we respect mē to whō it is either reuealed or hid it is two fold manifest or secret The schoolemen do call the former of these the wil of the signe the other the will of the good pleasure of God The secret wil also in due time appointed by God is made open and manifest The will of God is most free whereupon also it is called the free will of God The free wil of God is that self same essence of God vnderstanding by it selfe all things immediatly and most perfectly that most freely but yet vnchangeably and necessarily willing that which is good onely and abhorring that onely which is euill neither depending of another former beginning but of it selfe onely And this alone may properly be called of his owne power The goodnes of God is that by which he is the author of all good things And he doth exercise this either generally towards all creatures or else particularly towards his elect The former is called beneficence the later is called mercie The beneficence of God is that by which he giueth his gifts to all his creatures Mat. 5.44.45 Act. 14.17 The mercie of God is that by which God doth good to his elect although they deserue nothing of him but euill Esa 49.10.13 Eph. 2.3.4 Psal 145.9 The holinesse of God is that by which he doth altogether abhorre all impuritie vncleanesse Esa 6.3 Reu. 4.8 Ierem. 3.12 The iustice of God is that by which he dealeth iustly in all things Psal 116.11 Rom. 3.4 The clemencie of God is that by which he doth represse his anger which is most iust that he might spare vs. Exod. 34.5 The long sufferance of God is that wherby he doth a long time defer his anger and punishment against sinners that he might prouoke them to repentance Exod 34.5 The patiēce of God is that by which he suffereth a long time patiently the sins of men that he might lead thē to repentance Esa 48.9 The constancie of God is that by which he performeth most certainely that which hee hath spoken Exod. 34.5 The fortitude of God is that by which he is able to performe all thinges that hee doth wil. 1 Sam. 2.2 2 Sam. 23.13 Esay 28.2 49.26 Ier. 50.34 Reuel 18.8 The truth of God is that by which hee speaketh and doeth all things as they are indeed he himselfe being most free from all lying Rom. 3.4 Deut. 7.9 The fayhfulnes of God is that by which he most faythfully performeth to his children that which hee hath promised Esay 49.7 Exod. 34.6 Deut. 7.10 Hitherto we haue handled the simple attributes of God which are of the first sort they of the latter sort follow The simple attributs of God of the later sort are those which haue not in thē such a similitude of him as is in some creatures by creatiō Of which sort are these Eternitie Infinitnes vbiquity omnipotency omniscience Eternitie is an essential propertie of God by which hee is sayde to bee without any beginning or ending Esa 43.13 Ps 90.2
vnion The personall vnion of the two natures in Christ is such a coupling of them as they might be one person 1. Tim. 3.16 Coloss 2.9 Gal. 4.4 Heb. 2.16 In this personall vnion both the distinction of the two natures is to be considered and also the effectes of the vnion In the personall vnion the natures remaine distinct and not confused whether we respect their essence or the properties or operations Rom. 1.3.4 and 9.5 1. Tim. 9.16 Heb. 9.14 1. Pet. 3.18 and 4.1 As therefore in that one person of Christ there be two natures so there is a double minde or vnderstanding a double will working wisedome strength power vertue and so forth The one heauenly and not created the other humane and created Luke 2.52 Mar. 11.13 and 13.32 1. Iohn 2.1.17 Iohn 2.25 and 6.64 and 5.20 Heb. 1.9 Iohn 1.33 and 4.6 Heb. 1.3 Iohn 2.19 and 10.18 And each of the natures retaineth and keepeth his owne essentiall properties neither doth it communicate them to the other nature and that for two causes the first is least the natures should be mingled and confounded the other that there might foreuer remaine a difference betweene the natures Luke 24.39 For he that confoundeth the properties D. Luther confoundeth the natures and he that taketh away the properties taketh away the natures Thus farre concerning the distinction of the natures in the personall vnion now concerning the effects of the vnion Of the maiestie of the humane nature of Christ The effectes of the vnion are two fold the one the exaltation of the nature assumed to the highest and vnspeakeable dignitie and the communicating of the Idioms or proprieties The exaltation of the assumed nature to the highest and vnspeakeable dignitie is that honour which the person of the sonne of God hath communicated to the nature assumed so that he hath exalted it aboue all Angels men whom he surpasseth and excelleth by most farre and vnspeakeable degrees Heb. 14. Mat. 28.18 Iohn 17.2 Phil. 2.9 Ephes 1.20.22 That exaltation consisteth chiefly in these three points 1. In the personall vnion with the word because the humane nature is assumed into the vnitie of the person of Gods sonne so that it is the proper flesh of the eternall son of God Heb. 2.16 2. In the giftes because it hath the fulnesse of all the giftes of the holy spirite which can be in a creature that is to say it hath not onely some giftes as the rest of the Saints who haue them according to measure but all giftes not onely in number but euen in the most excellent degree Iohn 3.34 Those giftes giuen to the humanitie of Christ are created qualities because his humanitie is creaâ—ed That truely is adorned with most excellent and incomprehensible giftes but such as doe not ouerthrow and destroy the same 3. In the fellowship of the office both of the mediatour betweene God and the beleeuers and also of the head of the Church and of the Iudge of the whole world Mat. 28.18 Phil. 2.9 Ephesians 1.20.22 Psal 110.1.1 Timot. 2.5 1. Iohn 2.12 Heb. 7.25.26.27 and 8.1 and 9.24 Hitherto concerning the exaltation of the nature assumed now concerning the communicating of the Idioms or properties Of the communicating of the Idioms or properties The communicating of the Idioms or properties is a Sinecdoche whereby that is spoken of Christs person which is proper to one of the natures in the person Iohn 3.13 Actes 20.28 1. Cor. 2.8 1. Iohn 1.1 and 3.16 For because of the personall vnion of the two natures their properties are common to the person And the communicating of the Idioms or properties haue a place in the concreet or primitiue but not in the Abstract or deriuatiue The concreet is the name of the person The Concreet or primitiue is a name vnderstood of the person of Christ as these God Man Christ Iesus the sonne of God the sonne of man and so forth The Abstract is the name of the nature The Abstract or deriuatiue is a name vnderstood of one of the natures onely in the person of Christ as these the Godhead the manhood flesh Iohn 1.14 The seed of Abraham Heb. 2.16 And if in steed of the Abstract the CoÌ„creet be sometime vsed for the most part there is added a note or particle of difference restraining it to one or other of the natures sometime also it is vttered absolutely without any note of difference expressed yet vnderstood The notes of difference are these by nigh to as long as or vntill in through as much as and those that are like these Rom. 1.3.4 1. Tim. 3.16 Heb. 9.14 1. Pet. 3.18 and 4 1. Rom. 9.5 Actes 2.30 And by these notes of difference is signified the property of the one nature which caÌ„ not be spoken of the other nature As therefore it is most rightly sayd of Christ God is borne of the virgine suffered vnder Pontius Pilate crucified dead and buried and so forth So also it is most rightly sayd of the same Christ he is a man eternall present euery where omnipotent knowing all things Contrariwise as this is a most wicked and blasphemous speech to say the Godhead is borne of the virgine suffered vnder Pontius Pilate crucified dead and buried so this is a most wicked and blasphemous speech to say that the humanitie of Christ is eternall present euery where omnipotent knowing all things Thus much concerning the personall vnion Of the natiuitie of Christ The natiuitie of Christ is that whereby he was borne of the virgine Mary at BethleheÌ„ that he might be our Sauiour Luke 2.4 Mat. 2.1.5 Thus farre concerning the incarnation of Christ now concerning his obedience Of the obedience of Christ The obedience of Christ is the other part of his humiliatioÌ„ whilest he was in all things obedient to his father It is also called the righteousnesse of Christ Esay 53. Heb. 5.8 Although he were the sonne of God yet he learned obedience by those things which he suffered Of the obedience of Christ there are two parts the fulfilling of the law and the paying of the punishment for our sinnes The fulfilling of the law is the first part of Christes obedience whereby in his whole life he performed for vs perfect obedience to the law of God Otherwise it is called the actiue righteousnesse of Christ and also the obedience of the holy life of Christ The paying of the punishment for our sinnes is the other part of Christes obedience whilest he for vs sustained the punishment which we had deserued that he might satisfie for vs the most seuere iustice of God so that we are no more bound to suffer that punishment seeing Christ hath payed it for vs. Otherwise it is called the passiue righteousnesse of Christ or the obedience of his Passion and death The partes of paying the punishment for our sinnes are both his Passion and death also his burying and descending to hell Of the Passion
is a full satisfaction for our sinnes sufficiēt for all the men of the world if all did receiue the same by faith The powerfull working of Christ is that by which he doth certainly bestow on the beleeuers benefites purchased by his merite for them as for example the forgiuenesse of sinnes regeneration the holy spirit and eternall life and doth preserue the same benefites in them and endue them with perseuerance that they fall not from grace Thus much concerning the expiation of sinne now concerning intercession to God Of intercession to God Intercession to God is the other part of Christes Priesthood whilest that he causeth by the perpetuall memory of his sacrifice that his father should receiue vs into grace Hitherto concerning Christes Priesthood now concerning the kingly office of Christ Of the kingly office of Christ The kingly office of Christ is this that he as the head gouerneth the Church Psal 2.6 Luke 1.33 Mat. 28.18 Iohn 10.28 And he exerciseth that two wayes one way if we consider the Church by it selfe another way if we cōsider the enemies of the Church If we consider the Church by it selfe he exerciseth his kingdome two wayes 1. Because by his holy spirit he powreth heauenly giftes vpon vs which are his members Ephes 4.10.11.12 2. Because he gouerneth vs by his word and spirite If we consider the enemies of the Church of Christ he exerciseth his kingly office also two wayes 1. That he by his power doth defend preserue and mightily deliuer both vs and that saluation which he hath purchased for vs against our enemies Psal 2.9 and 110.1.2 Iohn 10.28.29.30 Ephes 4.8 2. Because he doth beat downe their enemies vntill at the length he may fully perfectly deliuer vs from them The vanquishing of the enemies is two wayes 1. Because he doth depriue our enemies of all power although they be neuer so strong and proud as the deuill and all the wicked 2. Because he doth vtterly abolish other as death 1. Cor. 15.26 Thus farre concerning the reuelation of doctrine now concerning the foretelling of things to come Of the foretelling of things to come The foretelling of things to come is a laying open of Gods will by which God would foretell those things which shall be hereafter as farre as it might be for our good to know them And that is either confirmed by an oth or else it is without an oth The oth of God is a confirming of the foreshewing of things to come not because that foreshewing is doubtfull but because God would so prouide for our infirmity iudging of God according to the maner of men that if any bee not contented with the bare wordes of God the othes might suffice him Taulerus saith thus O blessed are they for whose sake God sweareth ô miserable are they who beleeue not God whē he sweareth The bare foretelling is that which hath no oth adioyned to it but yet it is as certain as if God that had sworne had done it And therfore Philo sayd elegātly all the words of God are othes in respect of their certaintie neither do they need any cōfirmatiō as whose truth proueth and defendeth it by the effectes as the shining of the natiue light being sēt forth Againe the foretelling of things to come is either absolute or with a condition The absolute foretelling is that which is without all condition and that is prophecie or foretelling A prophecie or foretelling is a reuealing of misteries or secret things which shall come to passe in their due time Such were many foretellings of the Prophetes of Christ concerning his owne passion death resurrection concerning the ouerthrow of Ierusalem cōcerning the end of the world cōcerning false Prophets of Agabus concerning the pestilēce to come of Paul concerning the restoring of the Iewes and concerning Antichrist c. Hitherto concerning the absolute foretelling of things to come The foretelling of things to come with condition is that to which some certaine condition is annexed which if it be present the things foretold are done And that is either promise or threatning Gods promise is a foreshewing of good things to come which God will giue vs if we also performe those things which he requireth of vs or if we satisfie the condition which he layeth vpon vs. The promise of God is either spirituall or bodily The spirituall promise is that whereby God doth shew that he will giue vs spirituall good things The bodily promise is that whereby God doth shew that he will giue vs bodily good things as farre as it may be expedient for our saluation Againe the promise is either of the law or of the Gospell The promise of the law is a promise which the law propoundeth hauing a condition of perfect obedience annexed vnto it For the law precisely commandeth the condition to be fulfilled neither otherwise performeth it the promises then as the condition shal be throughly performed Therfore the perfect fulfilling of the condition commanded by the law should haue had a respect of merit and should haue bene a cause of obtaining those rewards which the law promiseth But the perfect fulfilling of the condition of the law cannot be performed by men corrupted with sinne The promise of the law although it hath a condition adioyned vnpossible to be performed by a corrupted nature notwithstanding it is not vnprofitable or idle for the vnpossible condition is therefore adioyned that men might be admonished of their weakenesse and they throughly vnderstanding the same might flye to Christ by whō they being receiued into grace and already hauing obtained iustification might obtaine those same promises The promise of the Gospell is a promise which the Gospell propoundeth hauing the condition of faith adioyned to it For the Gospell promiseth forgiuenesse of sinnes and eternall life yet to the beleeuers onely The promise of the Gospell is vniuersall but to the beleeuers for all which beleeue in Christ do receiue forgiuenesse of sinnes and eternall life Actes 10.43 Iohn 3.16 But it doth not pertaine to the vnbeleeuers Thus much concerning the promise now concerning the threatning Threatning is a denouncing of euils to come by which God will either chasten his or punish the wicked except they repent Therefore the condition of repentance is adioyned Threatning also is either spirituall or bodily Spirituall threatning is that whereby God doth denounce that he will send spirituall euils vpon vs. Bodily threatning is that whereby God doth denounce that he will send bodily euils vpon vs. Hitherto concerning the supernaturall manifestation of Gods will now concerning his calling of vs. Our calling is a worke of Gods speciall prouidence whereby God doth call men to some certaine end Matth. 22.9 1. Cor. 1.9 1. Tim. 2.4.29 And that calling is either to Christ or to some office The calling to Christ is that calling wherby God doth inuite vs to Christ that by him we might obtaine eternall life And that calling is two fold either
For to hate sinne is to turne away from it and to shunne it Nehem. 9.35 Ierem. 36.3 Ezech. 14.6 A profitable sadnesse is true feare and grief of conscience for sinnes committed by which we offend God ioyned with the true hatred of sinne Esay 66.2 2. Cor. 7.11 Ioel. 2.12.13 Deut. 4.29 Ionas 3.8 2. King 22.19 Hitherto concerning the mortification of the old man now concerning the quickening of the new man The quickning of the new mā is the other part of repentance Of the quickening of the new man whereby a new spirituall life is raysed vp in vs. Gal. 2.19 Rom. 6.10.11 And that same is called our resurrection with Christ Of this there be two parts the comfort of the conscience and spirituall gouernement The comfort of the conscience is the true ioy of a contrite cōscience in God hauing receiued forgiuenesse of sins by faith through Christ Psal 51.10.14 Rom. 5.1 Esay 57.15.16.17.18 and 61.1 Esay 49 13. The spirituall gouernement is the other part of quickning by which God leadeth by his spirit the regenerate in the right way of his commandements so that they liue no longer to sin but to God and do lead a new life Rom. 6 throughout Also 7. and 8. where he speaketh largely of sanctification or regeneration Dauid very often prayeth to God for this spirituall gouernement chiefly Psal 119.33.34.35 and euery where throughout the whole Psalme So Psal 25.8.9.10 Thus far concerning the regeneratiō of the soule now concerning the regeneration of the body Of the regeneration of the body The regeneration of the body is that by which the body is made obediēt to the spirit being regenerated Rom. 12.1 Therfore there is both a mortification and quickning of the body also Rom. 6.12 c. The parts of the regeneration of the body are two the bridling of the affections and the ruling of the moueable members The bridling of the affections is the first part of the regeneratiō of the body by which the affectiōs of the body are tamed that they might obey reason regenerated The ruling of the moueable mēbers is the other part of the regeneration of the body by which all the members of the body are ruled lest being thrust forward by the rēnāts of corrupted lusts they shuld do any thing cōtrary to the cōsent of the mind will regenerated The testimony of regeneration is a holy and iust life O how many are there who by their wicked life do openly shew that they are not regenerated An vpright man a corrupted mā a regenerated man an vnregenerated man differ by a rationall respect and not in subiect and truth of being Hitherto concerning the parts of regeneration the perpetuall adioynts thereof remaine Of the spirituall warfare The spirituall warfare or battell and victory of the Saints are things continually accompanying regeneration The spiritual battel or warfare is the battel of a regenerated mā by which he fighteth against the deceipts of the deuill the bad exāples of the world the sollicitings of his owne flesh as the causes of sinne resisteth them stoutly Rom. 7.8 and so forward Gal. 5.16.17 The victory of the saints is a victory wherby the Saints doe through Christ ouercome the snares of the deuill of the world and their owne flesh Hitherto concerning regeneration now concerning adoption and the freedome of the sonnes of God Of adoption Adoption is a benefit of God by which he receiueth vs for Christes sake to be his sonnes and maketh vs heires of heauen and eternall life with him Rom. 8.15.16.17 Gal. 3.26 Ephes 1.5 Iohn 1.12 Adoption is two fold imperfect is that which we haue in this life of this it is spoken to the Romanes For ye haue not receiued the spirit of bondage againe to feare but the spirite of the adoption of sonnes by which we crye Abba father And they already haue obtained this adoption who haue receiued Christ by faith Iohn 1.12 The other adoption is perfect which in the resurrection shal be giuen of that it is spoken in the same Chapter to the Romanes Euery creature sigheth and waiteth for the reuealing of the sonnes of God Moreouer euen we also hauing the first fruites of the spirite doe sigh within our selues wayting for the adoption and redemption of our bodies Thus farre concerning adoption now concerning the freedome of the sonnes of God The freedome of the sonnes of God is the deliuering of vs by Christ from a spirituall bondage Gal. 5.1 The freedome of the sonnes of God is either inward or outward The inward freedome is that which belongeth to the inward life Iohn 8.31.36 And that is two fold freedome from eternall bondage and freedome from the bondage of sinne Freedome from eternall bondage is that by which we are freed from the power and tiranny of the deuill and from condemnation and eternall death Iohn 8.36 By this we are comforted in the conflict of conscience with the iudgement of God Freedome from the bondage of sin is that by which we are deliuered from the dominiō of sinne that sin may no longer raigne ouer vs but that we being iustified and endued with the holy spirit might liue to righteousnesse and vnto God Iohn 8.34 2. Cor. 3. where the spirit of the Lord is there is liberty Rom. 6.6 and so forward euen to the end 2. Pet. 2.19 Galat. 5.13 Thus much concerning inward freedome now concerning outward freedome Of Christian libertie The outward freedome is that which pertaineth to the outward life And it is called Christian liberty because it belongeth to Christians onely And that is two fold freedome from the lawes of Moses and freedome in indifferent things Of freedome from the lawes of Moses Freedome from the lawes of Moses is that by which Christians are loosed from the ceremoniall Iudiciall lawes of Moses namely so farre forth as they onely pertaine to the ciuill gouernement vnder Moses 1. Cor. 9.1.19 2. Cor. 3.17 Heb. 9.10 For such lawes which belong to the law of nature and by which all nations are bound are not abrogated Freedome in indifferent things is that by which Christians are free in the vse of indifferent and meane things 1. Cor. 9.1 Of freedome in indifferent things Things indifferent or meane things are those which are neither commanded nor forbidden by God but are deliuered and instituted by men Of indifferent Such are the ceremonies instituted by humane authority for good orders sake These may be kept or omitted by the power of Christian liberty They may indeed be obserued in this respect namely for the preseruing of concord and auoyding of the offence of the weake Rom 14.15.16 1. Cor. 8.1.9 11.29 2. Cor. 11.12 but so that alwayes there be no false opinion namely 1. of merit as though the obseruing of them might merit forgiuenesse of sinnes 2. Of worship as though God would be worshipped with thē cōtrary to his expresse word Mat. 15. In vayne they worship me according
of Christ 9. Because if at any other time in suffering the griefes of this life yet especially in the agony of death the power of comfort which the spirite of Christ ministreth doth beyoÌ„d all account ouercome the sorrowes of death 10. Because the flesh indeede is weake but the spirit is ready Mat. 26.41 Therfore the whole man doth not feare death indeede but his meaner part namely the flesh 11. Because the desire that we haue clearely to behold God and to be deliuered from whole sinne doth greatly diminish mitigate the feare and sorrow of death 12. Because our loue towardes the faithfull who ouercoÌ„ming death haue gone before vs and with whom we greatly desire to be ioyned in one country ought to be no lesse then it is towardes them whom we leaue aliue behind vs in this miserable exile and from whom we are loth to be separated who must yet notwithstanding by and by follow after vs. 13. Because we do so euidently and so often perceiue the mercy of God towardes our children being dead therefore it becommeth vs to be of a resolute mind especially sith we know that we are sealed with the pledge of the holy spirite 14. Because we must not make greater account of this naturall life then of the spirituall for so it is meet that the desire hereof might lessen the feare of death 15. Because we certainly know that the soule indeede is immortall and is caried by Angels to the assembly and congregation of the first borne who are written in heaueÌ„ Luke 16.22 Heb. 12.13 And we know that the body resteth in the earth neither indeed hath one vnfitly called the graue the hauen of the body 16. Because we beleeue the resurrection of the body and life eternall 17. Because as in the whole life so in the agony of death God doth not suffer his seruants to be teÌ„pted aboue that which they are able to beare but doth giue euen the issue with the teÌ„ptation 1. Cor. 10.13 That in deed is a wonderfull thing which Gregory saith in his Morals Some dye laughing But we had rather say that death is ouer-come in vndergoing it manfully 18. Because we must not thinke so carefully of a quiet death as of an holy life For as Augustine said excellently We must not thinke that death euill before which hath gone a holy life And as the same man sayth He cannot dye euilly who hath liued well and he hardly dyeth well who hath liued euilly 19. Because death neuer is altogether vntimely whether we respect the good or wicked For the godly are called before the time that they should no loÌ„ger be vexed of the euill but the euill and wicked are taken away that they should no loÌ„ger persecute the good As the same Augustin saith 20. Because this life is filled with so many great miseries that death compared with it is taken to be a remedy not a punishment as Ambrose iudged 21. Because he that hath an extreme feare to dye doth not hope to liue aâ—â—â—r death as saith Chrysostome 22. Because it is better to offer that I meane our spirit for a free will offering to God which otherwise we are bound to restore because it is his due as Chrysostome saith 23. Because as death is euill to the euill so it is good to the good to whom all things worke together for good 24. Because death is the way to life as Ambrose wisely saith 25. Because this death is the reparing of life as the Church singeth 26. Because as Bernard saith The death of the iust is good by reason of the rest it bringeth with it better because it reneweth vs best because it putteth vs out of daunger And as the same man saith the death of sinners is bad worser worst of all but the death of the good is good better best of all 27. Because that death is good which taketh not away life but traÌ„slateth it into a better estate This a senteÌ„ce of the same Bernard 28. Because as the same man also witnesseth death hath freed vs from death life from errour grace from sinne 29. Because faithfull men take death to be but a name onely as saith Chrysostome 30. Because God ruleth death that it cannot be a cause of any euill Hitherto concerning comfort now concerning the rest of the benefites The hearing of the elects prayers is a benefite of God whilest the elect praying in Christes name God performeth vnto them all things which profit their saluation Iohn 9.31 Psal 145.18.19 Iohn 14.13.14 and 15.16 Defence against enemies is a benefite of God whilest he so defendeth the elect against their spirituall and bodily enemies that by no meane they can hinder their saluation Deliuerance out of dangers is a benefit of God whilest he doth often beyond all hope of man deliuer his elect being in distresse that so trying his presence in their perils they might reioyce in him The gift of perseuerance is a benefite of God whilest he doth so seale in the elect the grace of Iesus Christ by the holy spirite that they continue in it euen to the end and can not fall from it Rom. 11.29 Matth. 24.24.1 Iohn 2.19.27 2. Pet. 2.18 Iohn 10.28 Rom. 8.35 Luke 22.32 Hitherto concerning our preseruation in this communion with Christ now concerning the gift of eternall life The gift of eternall life is a benefite of God purchased for vs by Christ when after this life God will giue the elect that they may liue with him for euer Hitherto concerning the promise of grace now concerning the answering againe of a good conscience The answering again of a good conscieÌ„ce is the other part of the couenant of grace whereby the beleeuers do againe promise to God that they will in true saith receiue his benefites and that they will serue him in true righteousnesse and holynesse the better to declare their thankefulnesse towardes him Hitherto concerning the eternall couenant now concerning the temporall couenaur Of the temporall couenant The temporall couenant is a couenant in which God promiseth men temporall good things Of this sort was the couenant which God made with mankind after the flood that he would not destroy the world any more with a flood Gene. 9.8 and so forward And that standeth vpon the eternall couenant is as it were belonging thereunto Hitherto concerning Gods couenant now concerning the diuine signe Of sigues August in his 2. book of Christian doctrine Chap. 1. Phil. Melanct. The diuine signe is that which of it selfe doth cause some diuine thing to come into maÌ„s mind besides that shew which it offereth vnto the senses Or else it is some thing offering it selfe vnto the senses which putteth men in minde of some other thing which is ioyned with that signe A signe is either naturall or giuen A naturall signe is a signe which by nature hath that selfe same thing in it which it signifieth Of this sort is the rainebow signifying either showres or faire