it is not in heauen vnlesse heaven be vpon earth Also from the Montanists Cataphrygians and Carpocratians d Phila. Tâ—od who held how Christ not in body but in soule ascended into heaven From the Papists who say that Christ ascended into heaven carried with him the soules which he loosed from captiuity and bondage of the divell even the soules of the righteous afore that time not in heaven but in Lymbo Catcâ— ch Trid. in Symb. verba descendit ad inferos ascendit adcoelos Vaux catech c. 1. Test Rhem. an marg p. 633. And lastly from those Germane diuines which thinke that our Sauiour carried with him into heaven the faithfull people in soule and body raised at his resurrection f D. Ma. hom in Euang. in festo Ascen Dom. in â—pi Dom. Ascen Dom. 3. Proposition Christ shall come againe at the last day to iudge all men even the quicke and the dead The proofe from Gods Word God anointed Iesus of Nazareth with the holy Ghost and with power c. Him God raised up the third day c. And he commanded us to preach unto the people and to testifie that it is he that is ordained of God a Iudge of quicke and dead saith S. Peter g Acts 10.38 40 41. God shall iudge the world by Iesus Christ h Rom. 2.16 Iesus Christ shall iudge the quicke and dead at his appearing and in his Kingdome c. Henceforth is laid up for me the crowne of righteousnesse which the Lord the righteous Iudge shall give me at that day and not to me onely but vnto all them also that loue his appearing saith S. Paul i 2 Tim. 1.8 The Iudge standeth before the doore saith S. Iames k Iam. 5.9 And this Gods Church and people do firmely beleeve and faithfully confesse l Symb. Apost Nicâ—n Athan. confâ—ss Holâ— 2. c. 11. 1. a. 1. Basiâ— ar 9. Bohem. cap. 6. Beâ—ar â—7 Aug 2â—3 Suâ—â—iâ—a ar 2. Errors and adversaries unto this truth On the other side both they abroad and we at home abhorre them for their opinions which said that There shall be no generall Iudgement at all as did the Manichies m Philaster and doe the Atheiâ—â—s That the divels and the most vngodly some of them and namely so many as in hell doe call upon God for mercy and forgivenesse say the Turkes b Pol. of the Turks Emp c. 23. yea of all them say the Originists c Aug. cons ar 17. and Catabaptists d Bulling cont Catabap l. 1. tract shall be saved That the wicked shall not be iudged at all but shall dye as the bruite beasts and neither rise againe in body nor come unto Iudgement An error of the Family of Love e Display of the Fam. H. 6. That Christ shall not be the future Iudge so thought both Dauid George Coppinger and Arthington For that George rumord himselfe to be Iudge of the whole world f Hist Dauid is Georg. and Coppinger and Arthington published how William Hacket was come to iudge the world and themselves to be his angels for the separating the sheepe from Goats g Conspir for pretend Reform p 47.55 Arthing sedu That besides Christ the Pope is Iudge of the quicke and dead An error of the Papists h Extrauag de sent Excom C. anobis 24 q. 2. That afore the Iudgement there shall be a golden world the godly and one besides enioying the same peaceably and gloriously as the Iewes imagine i Confess Aug. ar 17. That the Beleefe touching the generall Iudgement of Christ over the liuing and dead is a doctrine mysticall or a mystery no history as k H. N in his Instruct praef sent 5. H.N. teacheth That the righteous are already in godly glory and shall from henceforth live euerlastingly with Christ and raigne upon the earth as the l H. N Ibid. sent 1. ar 8. sect 35. and in his Euang. c 1 sect 1. Alent confes in the Display Family of Love holdeth 5. Article Of the Holy Ghost The holy Ghost 2 proceeding from the Father and the Sonne 3 is of one substance maiesty and glory with the Father and the Sonne very and eternall God The Propositions 1 The holy Ghost is very and eternall God 2. The holy Ghost is of one substance maiesty and glory with the Father and the Sonne 3. The holy Ghost proceedeth from the Father and the Sonne 1. Proposition The holy Ghost is very and eternall God The proofe from Gods Word THe holy Ghost to be the very and eternall God the Scriptures teach us For he is the Creator of all things In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth c. And the Spirit of God mooved upon the waters a Gen. 1.1 2. O Lord how manifold are thy workes c If thou hide thy face they are troubled if thou take away their breath they dye and returne to their dust if thou send forth thy Spirit they are created b Psal 10.24 29 30. Ergo the holy Ghost is God Christians are to be baptized in the name of the Holy Ghost c Matth. 28.19 aswell as of the Father and the Sonne Therefore is he very God Ananias lyed unto God d Act. 5.3 4 9. and Sapphira tempted God when both he lyed vnto the holy Ghost and she tempted the Spirit of the Lord. As God he chooseth assigneth and sendeth forth men for the ministery of the Gospell e Acts 13 2 4. as God hee decreeth orders for his Church and people f Act. 15.28 and as God he is to be inuocate and prayed vnto as well as the Father and the Sonne g 2 Cor. 13.13 Vpon this and the like words I beleeve in the holy Ghost h Sym. Apost Symb Nicen. I beeleeve in the holy Ghost the Lord and giver of life i Symb. Atha the Catholike Faith is this that we worship one God in Trinity and Trinity in Vnity c. The Father is God the Sonne is God and the holy Ghost is God And yet they are not three Gods but one God k c. say the ancient Fathers which also is the Faith and confession of all Gods people at this day l Confess Helv ar 6 c. 2. c 2. Basil ar 1. Bohe c. 3. Iâ—â—â— ar 8 August ar 1. Wittemb c. 1. Suevica ar 1. Gal. 6. Harm confess praef The Errors and adversaries vnto this truth This maketh to the condemnation of the Pneumatomachereof whereof Some impugne the deity of the holy Ghost as did in old time Samosatenus a Epiph. and Photinus b Vinc. Lyr. l. advers haer of late yeeres Servetus c Beza epist 1. Ochinus d Zanch. de 3. El l. 4 c. 1. abroad and Francis Ket e Burnt at Norwith 14. Ian. 1588. Hamant f Holinsh chro fol. 1297 and certaine Brownists g Who whisper in corners that
and from the West and from the North and from the South and shall sit at the Kingdome of God Luke 13.28 The promise is made unto you and to your children and to all that are a farre off c. Acts 2 3â— In every nation he that feareth God and worketh righteousnesse is accepted with him Acts 10.35 and that the Church as it hath been from the worlds beginning e Rev. 13.8 so shall it continue to the end f Matth. 28.20 And this is the confession of the Churches g Confess Helv. 2. c. 17. Bohem. c. 8. Belg ar 27. Wittemb ar 32. Errors and adversaries unto this truth Vnsound be they inreligion therefore which have and doe as it were tye the Church to a certaine a Aug lib. 2. con Pet. c 15. country as the Donatists did to Africa a people as the Iewes to themselves b Clenard op lib. 2. 190. persons place calling or time as doe the Papists To certaine persons when they sey The Church is founded upon Peter and his successors c Confess Petrocenien c. 29 All that will be saved must of necessity be subject to the Bishop of Rome d Bonifac. c. 8. Vnam extra de major obed The true Church is united to the obedience of the Pope of Rome e Bel. de eccl milit c 2. To a certaine place when they sey The Church of Rome is the Catholike Church f Test Rhem. an 1 Tim. 345 The Church of Rome is the mother of faith g Jus canonic distinct 22. To a certaine calling by their Petrus à Soto to Bishops and Prelates h Pet à Soto asser p. 133. To a certaine time as when the said Papists affirme how The time was when holinesse was only in the Virgin Mary i Cost r. enchir con when faith rested onely in the Virgin Mary k Disput Concil Basil Acts and Monu in K.H. 6. f. 7. 96. when all the faith was lost save onely in our Lady l Festival ser 4. post festum Palmarum It is a bold assertion also and very presumptuous of Apostata Hill that in England all men were Papists without exception from the first Christening thereof untill the age of King Henry the eighth 4. Propositon m Hilâ—quaâ—t 1. reas p. 5. The Word of God was and for time is before the Church The proofe from Gods Word FOrasmuch as the visible Church of Christ is a Congregation of men either in the eyes of God or in the judgment of the godly faithfull it followeth that the Word of God must be afore the Church for time as likewise the authoritie For time because Gods Word is the Seed the faithfull the Corne a Luk. 8.11 12 and the Children b 1 Pet. 1 1â— Gods Word is the Rocke or Foundation c Math. 16 1â— Eph. 1.20 the Faithfull the House d Eph. 2.21 For authoritie also the Word is before the Church because the voyce of the Church is the voyce of man who hath erred and may erre from the truth but the voyce of the Word is Gods voyce e 2 Tim. 3.10 2 Pet. 1.21 who cannot deceive nor be deceived Of this judgement be the Churches reformed f Conf. Helv. 1 ar 14. 2. c. 13.17 Bohe. c. 1.8 Gal. ar 7 Bolg ar 3.7 Saxon ar 1.11 â—â—â—ev ar 1. The adversaries unto this truth This maketh to the strengthning of us against those Popish assertions oâ— Viguerius and such like viz. that the Church was before the Word for time and is above the Word for authoritie a Viguer In ad Chr. Theo. 10. sect 3. v. 10. fol 83. a. 5. Proposition The markes and tokens of the visible Church are the due and true administration of the Word and Sacraments The proofe from Gods Word THere is the visible Church of Christ where the Word of God sincerely is preached and the Sacraments instituted by our Saviour are duely administred Hence it is that our Lord and Saviour calleth them his mother and his brethren which heare the Word of God and doe it a Luke 8.21 and saith He that is of God heareth Gods Word John 8.47 also My sheepe heare my voyce c Iohn 10.27 and How shal they heare without a Preacher saith S. Paul d Rom. 10.14 Likewise the Apostle S. Iohn He that knoweth God heareth us hee that is not of God heareth us not e 1 John â— 9 Again they are of the world therefore speak they of the world and the world heareth them f Ibâ—b v. 5. And touching the Sacraments first of Baptisme Goe therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the Name of the Father and the Sonne and the holy Ghost teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you g Matth. 28.17 20. We have been baptized into Iesus Christ h Rom. 6.3 yee are washed ye are sanctified i 1 Cor 6.13 By one Spirit are we all baptized into one body k 1 Cor. 11.13 Next of the Lords Supper The Lord Iesus in the night that hee was betrayed tooke bread and when hee had given thanks hee brake it and said Take eate this is my body which is broken for you this doe in remembrance of me After the same manner also he tooke the cup when he had Supped saying This is the New Testament in my blood this doe as oft as ye drink it in remembrance of me l 1 Cor. 11.23.24 25. Luke 22 1â— The Christians in all reformed Churches acknowledge these things m Conf Helv. 1. ar 14. and 2. cap. 17 Bohe. c 8. Gal. ar 27.28 Saxon ar 11. Wittemb ar 12. Suev ar 13. Some and they also many of them very godly men adde Ecclesiasticall discipline for a note of the visible Church But because the said Discipline in part is included in the markes here mentioned both we and in effect all other wel ordered Churches over-passe it in this place as no token simply of the visible Church Neither tye we the Church so strictly to the signes articulate that wee think all those to be without the Church and no Christians which neither doe heare the Word ordinarily and publikely read and preached nor participate in the Sacraments if so be they would and yet can neither heare the one nor receive the other as it falleth out sometimes especially in the times of blindnesse and persecution The errors and adversaries unto this truth Wee renounce therefore as altogether unsound and Antichristian the opinions 1. Of the Papists who both denie the pure preaching of Gods Word and the administration of the Sacraments among Protestants to be the markes of Christ his visible Church a Petrus a Soto assert de Eccl. and affirme the tokens hereof to be Antiquity Vnity Vniversality Succession c. as doth Stapleton b In his Fortresse Bristow c In his Motives Bozius d De
b Psal 124.8 134.3 by him were all things created which are in heauen and which are in earth things visible and inuisible whether Thrones or Dominions or Principalities or Powers as things were created by him and for him c Col. 1.16 by his Son he made the worlds d Heb. 1.8 and all these acknowledged by the Churches Primitiue e Creede Apâ—st Nicen. and reformed at this day f Confess Helv. 2. c. 6 7 Basil ar 1. of France ar â— Fland ar 12 And touching the preseruation of all things by him created My soule praise thou the Lord c. saith the Psalmist which covereth himselfe with light as with a garment spreadeth the heavens like a curtaine which layeth the beames of his chambers in the waters and maketh the clouds his Chariot and walketh vpon the wings of the winde which maketh the spirits his Messengers and flaming fire his Ministers g Psal 164.1 c. c. Are not two Sparrowes sold for a farthing and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father yea and al the hairs of your head are numbred saith our Sauiour Christ h Math. 10.29 30. God that made the world and all things that are therein he is Lord of heaven and earth he giveth life and breath and all things hath made of one bloud all mankind to dwell on all the face of the earth and hath assigned the times which were ordained before and the bounds of their habitation saith Saint Paul i Acts 17.24 25 26. The Sonne is the brightnesse of the glory and the ingraued forme of his person and beareth vp all things by his mighty Word k. The Churches of God in Heluetia l Heb. 1.13 Confe 20.7 Basil m Confess Basil ar 1 2. France n Confess Gal. ar 18. and Flanders o Confess Belg. ar 12 13. testifie the very same Errors and adversaries vnto these truths Hereby are condemned all Heretikes errors impugning either the creation of the world by God or his prouidence in the continuing and preservation of the same Of the former sort was First Aristotle and his followers which said the world was eternall and without beginning Next the Marcionites that held how God made not the world as being too base a thing for him to create a Tertul l. 1. coâ—â—t Marc. 3. Simon Magus Saturninus Menander Carpocrates Corinthus who ascribed the worlds creation by Angels b â—ren Epiph. Philasteâ— 4. The Manichies who gaue the creation of all things vnto two Gods or beginnings the one good whereof came good things the other euill whence proceedeth euill things c Epip Aug. cont Man c. 49 5. The same Manichies d D. August de fide contra Manich c. 40. and Priscillianists e Conc. Brac. cap. 11. which did affirme man to haue bin the workemanship not of God but of the Diuell 6. The Family of Love who deliuer that God by them made heaven and earth f Display of the Fam. of Loue. H. 8 b. 7. The Papists who giue out how sacrificing Priests are the Creators of Christ g Qui creauit me sine me iam creatur mediaÌ„te me Stella cleris Of the latter sort were The Stoike Philosophers and the Manichies who are the great patrones of Destiny Fate and Fortune h Socrat. hist Eccles l. 1.22 The Family of Loue which may not say God saue any thing for they affirme that all things be ruled by nature and not ordered by God i Display of the Fam. H. 7. b. The old Philosophers who thought that inferiour things were too base for God to be carefull of k Dii magna curant parua negligunt Cic de nat Deor. l. 2 And lastly the Epicures who thinke God is idle and gouerneth not the same Of which mind was Cyprian who held that God hauing created the world did commit the government thereof vnto certaine celestiall powers l In exposit Symb. 3. Proposition In the Vnity of the God-head there is a Trinity of persons The proofe from Gods Word THe Scripture saith In the beginning God the Father a The Father by the Sonne made the world Heb. 1. the Sonne b In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and that Word was God The same was in the beginning with God Ioh. 1.1 2. and the holy Ghost c In the beginning God created the heauen and the earth c. and the Spirit of God mooued upon the waters Gen. 1.1 2. created the heaven and the earth By 1 the Word of the 2 Lord were the heavens made and all the host of them by the d Psal 33.6 Breath of his mouth Loe the heauens were opened unto 1 him and Iohn saw 2 the Spirit of God descending like a Dove and lighting vpon him and loe a voyce from heaven saying This is my 3 beloved Sonne in whom I am well pleased e Mat. 3.16 17 Because ye are sonnes 1 God hath sent forth 2 the Spirit of his 3 Sonne into our hearts which cryeth Abba Father saith the Apostle f Gal. 4.6 and againe The grace of our Lord Iesus Christ and the loue of God and the Communion of the holy Ghost be with you all g 2 Cor. 13.13 And S. Iohn There are three which beare record in heauen 1 The Father 2 the Word and 3 the holy Ghost and these three are one h 1 Ioh. 5 3. This truth hath alwayes beene i Creed Apo. Nic. Athan. and seriously is k Confes Helv 1. ar 6. 2. c. 3 Aug. art 1. Gal. art 6. Bel. art 6. Bohe c. 3 Wittemb c. 1. Sucan art 1. confessed in the Church of Christ Errors and adversaries unto this truth Then cursed are all opinions of men contrary hereunto whereof Some denyed the Trinity affirming there is one God but not three persons in the Godhead so did the Montanists a Socrat. eccle hist l. 1. c. 23. and Marcellians b Theo. haer fab lib. 2. and so doe the Iewes c Lu. Caâ—ertus lib. diuiner visor ad Iudae and Turkes d Pol. of the Turk emp. c. 5. Some as the Gnostikes e Clem. Alex. strom l. 5. Marcionites f Clem. Alex. strom l. 5. Epiphan and Valentinians d affirme there be more Gods then one and yet not three persons nor of one and the same nature but of a diuerse and contrary dispositions Some thinke there be three Gods or spirits not distinguished onely but diuided also as did the Eunomeans h Philaster and Tretheites i Zanch de 3. El. par 1. l. 7. c. 1. Some feare not to say that in worshipping the Trinity Christians doe adore three Diuels g Cl. Alex. str lib. 4. worse then all the idols of the Papists and such Blasphemers were Heretikes Blandrat and Alciat k Caluin ep Some will have a Quaternity of
persons not a Trinity to be worshipped so did Anastasius the Emperor command and the Apollinarians did hold l Athanas ad Epictet Some doe grant and acknowledge the name of three in the God-head but deny their persons such were the Noetians Praxentans and Hermogenians These did say how the same God was called by diuers names in the holy Scripture and therefore that the Father became flesh and suffered because one and the same God is called the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost For which cause they were tearmed Patripassians in this number was Serverus Againe some doe grant the names persons of three and yet depriue not onely the Son and holy Ghost of their diuinity but the whole Trinity also of their properties For they say there is three in heauen viz. the Father the Word and holy Ghost howbeit say they the Father onely is very God the Word is the breath of the Father and the holy Ghost is the Spirit created by God of nothing through the Word spoyling so both the Son and holy Ghost of their deity and the whole Trinity of their properties Such were the Arrian and Macedonian heretikes hence by-named Pneumatomachons because they waged battell with the holy Ghost And some doe bring in other names of deity besides of the Father Sonne and holy Ghost as did the Priscilianists m Concil Bra. car cap. 2. 2. Article Of the Word of God which was made very man The Sonne which is 1 the Word of the Father begotten from everlasting of the Father the very eternall God of one substance with the Father 2 tooke mans nature in the wombe of the blessed Virgin of her substance so that 3 two whole and perfect natures that is to say the God-head and man-hood were ioyned in one person neuer to be diuided whereof is one Christ very God and very man who suffered was crucified dead and buried to reconcile his Father to vs and to be a Sacrifice not only for originall guile but also for all actuall sinnes of men The Propositions 1. Christ is very God 2. Christ is very man 3. Christ is God and man and that in one person 4. Christ is the Sauiour of mankinde 1. Proposition Christ is the very God The proofe from Gods Word IN the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and that Word was God a Iohn 1.1 This is written of Christ Therefore Christ is God Christ was begotten of the Father from everlasting b Psal 2.7 Acts 13.33 Heb. 1.5 Therefore very God This is life eternall that they know thee to be very God and whom thou hast sent Iesus Christ c Iohn 17.3 They shall call his name Emanuel which is by interpretation God with vs d Matth. 1.23 Christ he is the brightnesse of the glory and the engraued Image of the Father his person and beareth up all things by his mighty hand e Heb. 1.3 I beleeue in God the Father c. and in Iesus Christ his onely Sonne our Lord Symb. Apost The Godhead of the Father of the Son and of the holy Ghost is all one the glory equall the Maiesty co-eternall Such as the Father is such is the Sonne The Father vncreate the Sonne vncreate The Father incomprehensible the Sonne incomprehensible The Father eternall the Son eternall The Father is Almighty the Son Almighty The Father is God and the Sonne is God The Father is Lord and the Sonne is Lord Symbol Athanas I beleeue in God the Father Almighty c. and in one Lord Iesus Christ the onely begotten Sonne of God begotten of his Father before all worlds God of God light of light very God of very God begotten not made being of one substance with the Father Therefore very God And this both hath beene of the ancient Christians f Symbo Nicen. and is the Faith of the reformed Churches g Confe Helv. 1. ar 11. â— c 11. Bohem. cap. 4.6 August ar 6. Gal. ar 13 14. Belg. ar 10. Wittemb c. 2. Sueuica ar 1. The errors and aduersaries vnto this truth Miserably therefore do they erre which either deny or impugne the Deity of our Sauiour as did certaine old heretikes viz. The Arrians whereof some were called the Douleians because in scorne they tearmed the onely begotten of God the Fathers seruant a Theod. haer fab lib 4. The Cerinthians b Irenaeus The Ebionites among whom some said that Christ Iesus was a meere man others acknowledged him to be God but not from everlasting c Euseb eccles l. hist l. 3 c. 27. The Eunomians d Basil 5. contra Eunom The Samosatenians who thought that Christ was not the Sonne of God before his incarnation e Concil Bracar cap. 1. The Nestorians whose opinion was that Christ became God by merit but was not God by nature f Liberatus The Macedonians which vtterly denyed the Sonne to be of one substance with the Father g Theodoret. l. 4. haeret fab The Agnoites who held that the diuine nature of Christ was ignorant of some things h Gregor ep 22 l. 8. Againe some late heretikes even to the death never would acknowledge Christ Iesus to be the true and very God as namely Certaine Catabaptists i Zuing. lib. contra Catab Blandrat k Beza ep 19. Matthew Hamant burnt at Norwich An. 1579. one of whose heresies was that Christ was a meere and sinfull man l Iohn chron 12.29 Francis Ker burnt also at Norwich An. 1588 who most obstinately maintained that Christ was not God till after his resurrection Dauid George sometime of Basil who affirmed himselfe to be greater for power then ever Christ was m Hist Dauidis Georg. In oppugning the deity of our Sauiour with these heretiks ioyne the Iewes n Lud Caret I. divinior visci ad Iudaeos and Turkes which say that Christ was a good man such as Moses and Mahomet were o Policy of the Turkish Emp. c. 5 p 16. but not God Hence Amurath the great Turke in his letters vnto the Emp. Rodolph the second An. 1593. tearmed our Sauiour in derision The crucified God vnto whom may be added the Family of Love p Display of the Fam. of Love H. 7. ar 2. Proposition Christ is very man The proofe from Gods Word HOlding the humanity of Christ wee ioyne with the blessed Prophets and Euangelists who either prophecied of his future incarnation a The seed of the woman shal breake thine hâ—ad Gen. 3.15 The Scepter shall not depâ—â—t c. vntill Shiloh come Gen. 49 1â— and conception in the wombe of a Virgin b Behold a Virgin shall conâ—â—iâ—â— and beare a Son Esay 7.14 or plainely auouched and writ both that the Virgin Mary was his Mother c Matth. 10.18 2â— Luk. 27 31.34 and that as very man he grew and increased in strength d Luk. 2.40 endured hunger e When he had â—â—sted 40
we must not beleeue in the holy Ghost saith Bredwell writing against Glouer p. 102. among us at home Some affirme the holy Ghost to be but a meere creature as did Arius h Theod. l 5. c. 10. the Semiarians i Philast the Macedonian heretikes k Soz. l. 4. c 27. the Tropickes l Athan. Ochinus m Zanch. de El par l. 2. c. 5. Some haue assumed the style and title of the holy Ghost unto themselues as did Simon Magus n D. â—ren Montanus o Eus I. 5. c. 18. and Manes p Chry des S. Some have given the title of the holy Ghost vnto men and women so Hierax said that Melchisedech was the holy Ghost q Epiphan Simon Magus tearmed his Helene the holy Ghost r Epiphan The Helche said the holy Ghost was a woman and the naturall sister of Christ Å¿ Epiphan Many Papists and namely the Franciscanes t Alcar Fr l â— blush not to say that S Francis is the holy Ghost 2. Proposition The holy Ghost is of one substance maiesty and glory with the Father and the Sonne The proofe from Gods Word THE holy Ghost effâ—cted the incarnation of Christ a Mat 1.18 10. Luke 1.35 teacheth all things b Ioh. 14.26 leadeth into all truth c Ioh. 26.13 giueth vtterance to his seruants d Acts 2.4 and gifts unto his people e 1 Cor. 12.8 placeth Rulers in the Church and Ouerseers to feede the flocke of God f Acts 20.28 sealeth the Elect vnto the day of redemption g Eph. 4.30 aswell as the Father and the Son and these three viz. the Father the Word and the holy Ghost are one h 1 Iohn 5.7 Therefore is the holy Ghost of one substance maiesty and glory with the Father and the Sonne And this was the beliefe of the ancient Fathers I beleeue say they in the holy Ghost the Lord and giuer of life c. who with the Father and the Sonne together is worshipped and glorified who spake by the Prophets i Symb. Nicen. The Godhead of the Father of the Sonne and of the holy Ghost is all one the glory equall the maiesty coeternall Such as the Father is such is the Sonne and such is the holy Ghost c. And in this Trinitie none is afore or after other none is greater or lesse then another But the whole three persons be coeternall together and coequall k Symb. Ath. The very same doe all reformed Churches beleeue and confesse l Confes Helv 1. ar 6 2. c. 3. Basil ar 1. Bohem. c. 3 Gal ar 1. Belg. ar 1. Aug. ar 1 Wittemb c. 1 2. Sucrica ar 1. The Errors and adversaries unto this truth The premisses doe make Against the Tretheites which affirme the holy Ghost to be inferiour unto the Father a Zanch de 3. Eâ— par 2 l. 5. c. 1 Against the Arrians who said the holy Ghost was inferior to the Sonne b Aug. contr Mar. Aâ—rian Against the Macedonian heretikes who held the holy Ghost to be but a minister and servant of the Father and the Sonne c Ruffin l. 1. c. 25. yet of more excellent maiesty and dignity then the Angels d Niceph. l. 9. c. 17. Against many erroneous spirits which deliver the holy Ghost to be nothing else but The motion of God in his creatures as did the Samosatenians e Confess Aug. 5. ar 3. A bare power and efficacy of God working by a secret inspiration as the Turkes f Pol. of the Tur. Emp. 3. c. and certaine English Sadduces doe imagine * Hutâ—â— inson in his Image of God c. 24. p 112 â— The Inheritance allotted to the faithfull g H. N. in his Inâ—â—ruct praef seâ—â— 7. and the being or vertuous estate of Christ h Idem in his Spir. and praef sect 14. as dreameth H.N. The affection of charity or Love within vs an error of Petrus Lombardus i Sen l. 1. dist sect 5. 2. Gods love fauour and vertue whereby he worketh in his children so thought Ochinus k Zanch. de 3. E. par 1 l 4. c 1. and Servetus l Zanch ib. l. 1. c. 2. 2. Proposition The holy Ghost proceedeth from the Father and the Sonne The proofe from Gods Word THe proceeding of the holy Ghost from the Father and the Sonne we gather from the holy Scripture which teacheth how The Father sendeth the Comforter which is the holy Ghost in the name of the Sonne a John 14.16 and the Sonne sendeth the Comforter the Spirit of truth from the Father b John 15.26 he proceedeth of the Father c Ibid. and is sent of the Sonne d John 16.7 So with us say the ancient Fathers and Christians He proceedeth from the Father and the Sonne e Symb. Nicâ—n The holy Ghost is of the Father and of the Sonne neither made nor created but proceeding So there is one Father not three Fathers one Sonne not three Sonnes one holy Ghost not three holy Ghosts f Symb. Athan. which is the faith of the moderne Christians g Confes Hâ—â— 1. c. 3. Gal. c. 3 Belg. ar 8. 11. Wittemb c. 3. Sucrica ar 1. The adversaries unto this truth This discovereth all them to be impious and to erre from the way of truth which hold and affirme That the holy Ghost proceedeth neither from the Father nor the Sonne but is one and the same person that Christ is as the Arrians doe a Basi serm de sp S. That the holy Ghost proceedeth from the Father but not from the Sonne as at this day the Grecians b Russe Commonweale â— 23 the Russians c Guagnin de relig Moscov the Moscovites d Father de relig Moscov maintaine That there is a double proceeding of the holy Ghost one temporall the other eternall an errour of Peter Lombard e T. Sent l. 1. distinct 14. uncontrolled hitherto and therefore well liked of the Papists 6. Article Of the sufficiency of the holy Scripture for salvation Holy Scripture 1 containeth all things necessary for salvation so that whatsoever is not read therein nor may be proved thereby is not to be required of any man that it should be beleeved as an Article of the faith or be thought requisite and necessary to salvation 2 In the name of the holy Scripture we doe understand those Canonicall bookes of the Old and New Testament of whose authoritie was never any doubt in the Church Of the names and number of the Canonicall bookes Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomium Ioshua Iudges Ruth The 1. Booke of Samuel The 2. Booke of Samuel The 1. Booke of Kings The 2. Booke of Kings The 1. Booke of Chronicles The 2. Booke of Chronicles The 1. Booke of Esdras The 2. Booke of Esdras The Booke of Esther The Booke of Iob. The Psalmes The Proverbs Ecclesiastes or the
ar 8. 2. c. in the iudgement of Gods people f Basil ar 2. Gal. ar 11. Saxon ar 11. Errors and aduersaries vnto this truth We stand therefore in this point Against the Papists who say that Originall sinne was not at all much lesse remained in the Virgin Mary a Concil Basil sest 6. Test Rhem. annot Rom. 5.14 Against Giselbertus whose doctrine is that Baptisme once receiued there is in the baptized no sinne at all either originall or actuall b Giselb lib. alte cat Synag eccles c. 8. Against the Family of Loue who affirme that the elect and regenerate sinne not c H.N. Document sent c. 2. sect â— c 13. sect 5 Against the Carpocratians whereof some boasted themselues to be euery way as innocent as our Sauiour Christ d Iren. l. c. 24. Against the Adamites both old e Epiphan and new f Aeneas Sylv. hist Bohe. c. 42. who said they were in so good a state as Adam was before his fall therefore without originall sinne Against the Begadores in Almaigne affirming they were impeceable and had attained vnto the very top and pitch of perfection in vertue and godlinesse g Carranza summa Concil 4. Proposition Concupiscence euen in the regenerate is sinne Concupiscence in whomsoeuer lusteth against the Spirit a Gal. 5.1 7. fighteth against both the soule b 1 Pet. 2.11 and the law of the mind c Rom. 7.23 and theâ—efore but that there is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Iesus d Rom. 8.1 it bringeth death damnation e Gal 5.17 21. Iam. 1.14.15 Mortifie therefore your members which are vpon earth saith S. Paul Coloss 3.5 vnto the Colossians fornication vncleannesse the inordinate affection euill concupiscence c. for the which things sake the wrath of God commeth on the children of disobedience And vnto all Christians S. Peter I beseech you as strangers abstaine from fleshly lust g 1 Pet. 3.11 To the same purpose is both the doctrine and Confessions of Gods people h Confess Helv 2. c. Saxon. ar 2 10. Errors and aduersaries vnto this truth Therefore we mislike their opinions as unsound which say that concupiscence either is no sinne at all or but a veniall fin the former was an assertion of the Pelagians Confess Aug ar 2. and is of the Papists that latter was one of Glouers errors Francis the Monke of Colen counted concupiscence no sin but said it was as naturall and so no more offensiue before God for man to lust then for the Sunne to keepe his course Petrus Lombardus saith that concupiscence afore Baptisme is both a punishment and a sinne but after Baptisme is no sin but onely a punishment Lomb l. 2. dift. 32. â— Catech Trid. praecep 9. The Church of Rome both teacheth that the power of lusting is not but the vse of wicked concupiscence is euill and numbred amongst most grieuous sinnes and decreeth how Concupiscence is noâ— sinne but proceedeth from sinne and inclineth vnto sinne d Concil Trid ses S. decreto de pec Orâ—g Glouer the Brownist said that the intemperate affections of the minde issuing from concupiscence are but veniall sins e Bred. detect â—9 1 9. 10. Article Of Free-will 1 The condition of man after the Fall of Adam is such that he cannot turne prepare himself by his owne naturall strength good workes 2 to faith calling vpon God wherefore we haue no power to doe good workes pleasant and acceptable to God 3 without the grace of God preuenting vs that we may haue a good will and working with vs when we haue that good will The Propositions 1. Man of his owne strength may doe outward and euill workes before he is regenerate 2. Man cannot doe any worke that good is and godly being not yet regenerate 3. Man may performe and doe good workes when he is preuented by the grace of Christ and renewed by the holy Ghost 1. Proposition Man of his owne strength may doe outward and euill workes before he is regenerate The proofe from Gods Word VVEE deny not that man not yet regenerate hath free will to doe the workes of nature for the preseruation of the body and bodily estate which thing had and have the bruit beasts and prophane Gentiles as it is also well obserued in our neighbour Church a Confes Helv. 2. cap. 9. Aug. ar 28. Saxon. 3.4 7. Besides man hath free will to performe the workes of Satan both in thinking willing and doing that which evill is For the imaginations of the thoughts of mans heart are onely evill continually b Gen. 6.5 evill even from his youth c Confes Helv. 2. c. 9. and 1. ar 9 Bohem. c. 4. A truth confessed by our brethren Aduersaries to this truth A false perswasion is it therefore that man hath no power to mooue either his body so much as vnto ourward things as Laur. Valla dreamed a Simon Pauli meth par 2. de lib. Ar. or his minde vnto sinne as the Manichies maintained affirming how man is not voluntarily brought but necessarily driuen to sinne b Aug. epist 28 2. Proposition Man cannot doe any worke that good is and godly being not as yet regenerate The proofe from Gods Word THE wisedome of the flesh is enmity against God for it is not subiect to the Law of God neither indeed can be They that are in the flesh cannot please God a Rom. 8.7 8. â— The naturall man perceiueth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishnesse vnto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned b 1 Cor. 2.14 No man can say that Iesus is the Lord but by the holy Ghost c 1 Cor. 12.3 We are not sufficient of our selves to thinke any thing as of our selues but our sufficiency is from God d 2 Cor. 3.5 Without me ye can doe nothing saith our Sauiour Christ e Iohn 15.5 Which is the confession of the godly reformed f Confes Helv 1. ar 9. 2. c. 9 Basil ar 2. Behem c. 4. Aug. â— ar 18. Belg. ar 14. The adversaries unto this truth Adversaries unto this truth are all such as hold that naturally there is free will in us and that unto the best things So thought the Pharises the Sadduces the Pelagians a August de pec mer. l. 3. and the Donatists b Idem contra Petil. cap 19. and the same affirme the Anabaptists c Zuing. contra Catabap and Papists For say the Papists Man by the forme and power of nature may love God above all things d Gab. Bâ—el 3. sent dist 37. Man hath free will to performe even spirituall and heavenly things e Concil Trid. sess 6. c. 1. Men beleeve not but of their own free will f Test Rhem an Mat 20.16 It is in a mans free will to beleeve or not to beleeve
this truth subscribe will not Either the Catharans a Mag. eccles hist cen 12. â—5 Nouatians b Eus l. 5. c. 43. Iouinians c Magd. eccles hist cent â— c 5. which thinke Gods people be regenerate into a pure and Angelicall state for that neither they be nor can be defiled with any contagion of sinne Either the Libertines whose opinions were that Whosoeuer hath Gods Spirit in him cannot sinne David sinned not after he had receiued the holy Ghost d Wiliams against the family of Loue. ar 14. Regeneration is the restoring of the estate wherein Adam was placed afore his fall e Calv contra Liber fol. â— â—7 Or the Papists who are of minde that The workes of men iustified are perfect in this life f Tapp p 18 9. No man which is falne into sinne can rise againe and be saued without their Sacrament of Penance g Concil Trid. sâ—ss 6. can 26. S. Francis attained vnto the perfection of holinesse and could not sinne at all h Vis ad apicem venire perfectionis Vitam cum mo ribus actende B. Franciesci 3. Proposition No men vtterly are to be cast off as reprobates which vnfainedly repent Such as doe fall from grace and yet returne againe vnto the Lord by true repentance are to be receiued as members of Gods Church and this by the Scripture is verified For there we reade that God would haue all men saved a Matth. 11.28 1 Tim. 2.4 God is alwayes ready to receiue the penitent into fauour For there is ioy in heauen for the sinner that conuerteth b Luke 5 7. Christ is grieued when sinners will not repent c Luke 19 41 42 c. He shall saue a soule from death and hide a multitude sinnes which conuerteth a sinner from going astray out of his way d Iam. 5.20 The Lord would haue no man to perish but all men to come to repentance e 2 Pet. 3.9 If we acknowledge our sins he is faithfull and iust to for giue vs our sins and to clense vs from all vnrighteousnesse f 1 Ioh. 1.9 He evhorteth his erring people to repent and doe their first workes Reu. 2.5 16. neither refuseth he the sinner that repenteth as appeareth in the example of the Prodigall sonne h Luke 25.20 and of the debter i Matth. 18.26 c. God then being so gracious and mercifull man after his ensample is both by all good meanes to prouoke sinners vnto repentance and they testifying the same to receiue them into fauour So did Saint Paul will the Galatians Brethren saith he if a man be falne by occasion into any fault yee which are spirituall restore such one with the spirit of meekenesse considering thy selfe lest thou also be tempted k Gal. 6.1 So did he enioyne the Corinthians when he said If any hath caused sorrow the same hath not made me sorry but partly lest I should more charge him you all It is sufficient vnto the same man that he was rebuked of many So that now contrariwise yee ought rather to forgiue and comfort him lest the same should be swallowed vp with ouermuch heauinesse i 2 Cor 5 6 7 When also 〈◊〉 said Receiue him meaning Onesimus m Phile. v. 12. And so teach the Churches n Confe Helv. 2. c. 14. Bohem c. 5. August ar 11 Saxon ar 3 Wittem ar 12 Errors and adversaries unto this truth Adversaries unto this truth are they First which leave nothing but the unappeaseable wrath of God to such as doe sinne after Baptisme as did both in old time the Montanists a D. Hieron adv Marc. and Novatians b Cypr. epist 4. ad Antoniam and of late yeares Melchior Hoffman the Arch-heretike of his dayes c Ballm contr Anab. l. 2 c. 13. and the Anabaptists in Germany d Calv. Inst 1. and the Barrowists among our selves in England e Giffords râ—pel Next who say that being once regenerate sin is out away as with a Razor so that the godly cannot sinne and therefore neede no repentance so did the Messalians f Magd. eccles hist cen 4 c. 5. and doe the Family of Love g H. N spirit land c 33 sect 3. c. 34. sect 11. c. 37. sect 8 Proverbs c. 5. sect 15. and Crying voice sect 6. Lastly the desperate whose sinnes being either infinite or abominable they think how God neither can nor will forgive them such in times past were Cain h Gen. 4. and Iudas i Acts 1. in our fathers Franciscus Spirae k Hist Fr. Spiâ—â— and one Doctor Kraus l Luther on Gal. 3.1 and in our dayes Bolton even he that first hatched that fact in England which afterward was termed Brownisme m Giffords rep to Barr. and Green p. 17. 17. Article Of Predestination and Election Predestination to life is the everlasting 1 purpose of God whereby 2 before the foundations of the world were laid he hath 3 constantly decreed by his counsell secret to us to deliver from curse and damnation 4 those whom he hath chosen 5 in Christ out of mankinde and to bring them by Christ to everlasting salvation as vessels made to honour wherefore they which be indued with so excellent a benefit of God 6 be called according to Gods purpose by his Spirit working in due season 7 they through grace obey the calling they be justified freely they be made sonnes of God by adoption they be made like the image of his onely begotten Sonne Iesus Christ they walk religiously in good works and at length by Gods mercy they attaine to everlasting felicity 8 As the Godly consideration of Predestination and our election in Christ is full of sweet pleasant and unspeakable comfort to Godly persons and such as feele in themselves the working of the Spirit of Christ mortifying the works of the flesh and their earthly members and drawing up their minde to high and heavenly things as well because it doth greatly establish and confirme their faith of eternall salvation to be enjoyed through Christ as because it doth fervently kindle their love towards God so for curious and carnall persons lacking the Spirit of Christ to have continually before their eyes the sentence of Gods predestination is a most dangerous downe-fall whereby the Devill doth thrust them into desperation or into retchlesnesse of most uncleane living no lesse perilous then desperation Furthermore 9 we must receive Gods promises in such wise as they be generally set forth unto us in holy Scripture and in our doings that 10 Will of God is to be followed which we have expresly declared unto us in the Word of God The Propositions 1. There is a Predestination of men unto everlasting life 2. Predestination hath beene from everlasting 3. They which are predestinate unto salvation cannot perish 4. Not all men but certaine are predestinate to be saved 5. In Christ Iesus of the
meâ—re will and purpose of God some are elected and not others unto salvation 6. They who are elected unto salvation if they come unto yeares of discretion are called both outwardly by the Word and inwardly by the Spirit of God 7. The Predestinate are both justified by faith sanctified by the holy Ghost and shall be glorified in the life to come 8. The consideration of Predestination is to the godly wise most comfortable but to curious and carnall persons very dangerous 9. The generall promises of God set forth in the holy Scriptures are to be embraced of us 10. In our actions the Word of God which is his revealed will must be our direction 1. Proposition There is a predestination of men unto everlasting life The proofe from Gods Word THat of men some be predestinate unto life it is a truth most apparent in the holy Scripture by the testimony both of Christ himselfe who saith To sit at my right hand and at my left hand is not mine to give but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father a Matth. 20 23. Many are called but few chosen b Ibid. 22.14 For the elects sake those dayes shall be shortned c Ibid. 24.2 Feare not little flock for it is your Fathers pleasure to give you a Kingdome d Luke 12.32 I tell you in that night there shall be two in one bed the one shall be received and the other left e Ibid. 17.34 All that the Father giveth me shall come unto me f John 6.37 Witnessed also is this by the Evangelist Luke and Paul the one saith how of the Gentiles at Antioch so many as were ordained unto eternall life beleeved g Acts 13.48 and the other those whom he knew before he did also predestinate h Rom. 8.20 We are unto God the sweet savour of Christ in them that are saved and in them which perish to the one wee are the savour of death unto death and to the other the savour of life unto life a 2 Cor. 2.15 16. Blessed be God even the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ which c. hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world c. who hath predestinate us to bee adopted through Iesus Christ unto himselfe c Eph 1.3 4 5. The example also of the elected creatures man and Angels c Matth. 25.34 41. Jude 6. of the two brethren Abel and Cain Gen 4.4 Isaac and Ismael e Rom. 9.17 c Iacob and Esau Maâ— 1 2. â— Rom. â— 13 of the two Eunuches of King Pharaoh g Gen. 40 10. of the two Kingdomes Iuda and Israel the two peoples Iewes and Gentiles the two Apostles Peter and Iudas the two Theeves upon the Crosse h Luke 23.39 40 43. the two men in the fields and the two women at the Mill i Matth. 24.40 41. make to the illustration of this truth All Churches consent with this doctrine The errors and adversaries unto this truth Erre therefore doe they which stand in opinion that Some are appointed to be saved but none to be damned In soule some persons but in soule and body together none shall be saved of this mind were the old heretikes viz. the false apostles k 1 Cor. 15.12 the Carpocratians l Clem. strom lib. 4 the Valentinians m Iren. the Cerdonites n Iren. the Manichies o Aug contra Faust l. 4. c. 16. and the Hieracites p Epiphan and of their opinion be the Family of Love q H N. Instr ar 5. sect 24. Prophecy of the sp r. c. 16. sect 7. 2. Proposition Predestination hath beene from everlasting The proofe from Gods Word PRedestination begun before all times It will be said saith our Saviour Christ Come ye blessed of my Father inherit ye the Kingdome prepared for you from the foundations of the world a Matth 25 3â— God hath chosen us in Iesus Christ before the Foundation of the world b Eph 1.4 God hath saved us c. according to his owne purpose and grace which was given to us through Christ Iesus before the world was c 2 Tim. 1.9 The publike confession of the Churches namely in Helvetia d Confess 2. c. 10 11. Basil e ar 1. and France f ar 10. beare witnesse hereunto The adversaries unto this truth Those wrangling Sophisters then are deceived who because God is not included within the compasse of any time but hath all things to come as present continually before his eyes do say that God did not in the time long agoe past only but still in the time present likewise doth predestinate 3. Proposition They which are predestinate unto salvation cannot perish The proofe from Gods Word ALL that the Father giveth me shall come to me and him that commeth to me I cast not away saith Christ a John 6.57 I give unto them eternall life and they shall never perish neither shall any pluck them out of my hand c. none is able to take them out of my Fathers hand b John 10.28 29. The gates of hell shall not overcome the Church c Matth. 16.18 Moreover whom he predestinated them he also glorified d Rom. 8.30 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance e Rom 11.29 They went out from us but they were not of us for if they had beene of us they would have continued with us 1 John 2.19 So the Church of God as afore in this article The errors and adversaries unto this truth Wander then doe they from the truth which think That the very elect totally and finally may fall from grace and be damned That the regenerate may fall from the grace of God may destroy the Temple of God and be broken off from the vine Christ Iesus which was one of Glovers errors a Bredwels deâ—ect p. 89. That the number of those which be predestinate may both encrease and be diminished so thought the Pelagians 4. Proposition Not all men but certaine be predestiante to be saved The proofe from Gods Word VVE denie all and affirme that a certaine chosen and company of men be predestinate and so doth Gods Word Rejoyce that your names are written in heaven a Luke 10.20 I know mine and am knowne of mine is the saying of Christ Iesus b John 10.14 I suffer all things for the elects sake saith St. Paul c 2 Tim. 2.10 The very same with us doe the Churches affirme d Confes Helv. 2 cap. 10 Basil ar 1. Gal ar 12 Belg. ar 16. The adversaries unto this truth We are therefore against them which teach how not certaine but all even the most ungodly and damnable yea the very devils shall be saved of which opinion were the Origenists a Wolf Musculus in epist ad Philip praef and are the Catabaptists b Bullin
cont Catabap lib. 1. All men be elected unto life everlasting There is no hell nor future and eternall misery at all but onely either in mans opinion as hold the Atheists c Nashâ—n Chr. his teares p. 58 or in the heart and conscience of man in this life as the Familists maintaine d Ramose is and Allens confess No certaine company be foredestined unto eternall condemnation None more then others be predestinate unto salvation which was an error of Henry Bolseck e Calvin epist munistr Basil f l. 105. In like sort wee condemne such as either curiously enquire who and how many shall be saved or damned or give the sentence of reprobation upon any man whosoever as doe the Papists upon Calvine Beza and Verone when they call them reprobates f Test Rhem. ar Rom. 11.23 5. Proposition Of the meere will and purpose of God some men in Christ Iesus are elected and not others unto salvation The proofe from Gods Word IN the Scripture we reade of mans predestination the cause efficient to be the everlasting purpose of God a That the pupose of God might remaine according to election Rom 9.11 Who doth predestinate us c. according to the good pleasure of his will Eph. 1.5 Not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace 2 Tim. 1.9 the cause formall God his infinite mercy and goodnesse b I will shew mercy to whom I will shew mercy Exod. 33.19 Rom. 9.15 He hath chosen us in Christ c and hath predestinate us through Christ unto himselfe Eph. 1.4 5. Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things c. but with the pretious bloud of Christ as of a lambe undefiled and without spot which was ordained before the foundation of the world but was declared in the last times for your sakes 1 Tim. 1.18 19 20. the cause materiall the blood of Christ c the cause finall or end why both God the Father hath loved and Christ for his elect hath suffered is the glory of God d Who doth predestinate us c. to the praise of the glory of his grace Eph. 16. The Lord hath made all things for his own sake yea even the wicked for the day of evill Prov. 16.4 and the salvation of man e Rom. 8.29 Those whom he knew before he did also predestinate to be made like to the image of his Son that he might be the first borne among many brethren Hath not the potter power of the clay to make of the same lumpe one vessell to honour and another to dishonour Rom. 9.21 And this doe all the Churches militant and reformed with a sweet consenâ— testifie and acknowledge Adversaries unto this truth Hereby is discovered the impiety of those men which think that 1. Man doth make himselfe eligible for the kingdome of heaven by his owne good workes and merits so teach the Papists The kingdome of heaven say they is prepared for them that are worthy of it and deserve it by their well doing a Test Rhem. an Matth. 20.23 Licet electis gloria ex aeterna Dei praedestinatione dimanet non tamen provenit nisi ex corum operibus c. Sine nebis non glorificamur 1. Although from Gods eternall predestination glory floweth to the elect yet for all that it springeth not but from their owne workes c. Without our selves we are not glorified b Stella in Luc. c. 10. fol. 35. 2. God beheld in every man whether hee would use his grace well and beleeve the Gospell or no and as hee saw a man affected so did he predestinate chuse or refuse him 3. Besides his will there was some other cause in God why he chose one and cast off another man but this cause is hidden from us 4. Men by nature be elected and saved an error of the Basilidians and Valentinians c Clem. strom lib 2.4 5. It is in mans power to be elected the error of Theophylact d Theoph in Matth. 22. and of Bolseck e Calvin epis mâ—â— i st Helv. fol. 104. 6. God is partiall and unjust for chusing some and refusing others calling many and electing but few 6. Proposition They who are elected unto salvation if they come unto yeeres of discretion are called both outwardly by the Word and inwardly by the Spirit of God The proofe from Gods Word THough true it be the Lord knoweth all and every of his elect yet hath he revealed unto us certaine notes and tokens whereby we may see and certainly know whether we be of that number or not For such as be ordained unto everlasting life if they live long in this world they one time or other bee called unto the knowledge of salvation by the preaching of Gods Word they obey that calling through the operation of the holy Ghost working within them they feele in their soule the same spirit bearing witnesse vnto their spirits how they are the children of God and finally they walke religiously in all good workes These things are most euident and cleare in the holy Scripture where is set downe both the calling of the predestinate a Whom he predestinate them also hee called Rom. 8.30 God separated me from my mothers wombe and called me by his grace Gal. 1.15 He hath called you to his Kingdome glory 1 Thess 2.12 He hath saved vs called vs with an holy calling 2 Tim. 1.9 They that are on his side called chosen and faithfull Reu. 17.14 and their obedience to the Word being called b Your obedience is come abroad amoÌ„g all Rom. 16.19 in Christ also ye trusted after ye heard the Word of truth Ephe. 1.13 Iesus Christ is in you except ye be reprobates 2 Cor. 13.5 Ye receiued the Spirit of adoption whereby we cry Abba Father the same Spirit bearing witnesse with our spirit that we are the children of God Rom. 8.15 16. After this manner pray ye Our Father c. Matt. 6.9 And because ye are sonnes God hath sent forth the spirit of his Son into your hearts which cryeth Abba Father Gal 4.6 He hath chosen vs in him and their adoption by the Spirit to be the children of God c c. that we should be holy without blame befoâ—e him in loue Eph. 1.4 we are his workemanship created in Christ Iesus vnto good workes which God hath ordained that we should walke in them Eph. 2.10 and last of all their holinesse of life and vertuous conuersation d For the grace of God c. hath appeared teacheth vs that we should deny all vngodlinesse and worldly lusts and that we should liue soberly and righteously and godly in this present world Tit. 2.11 16. All Churches reformed consent hereunto Errors and aduersaries unto this truth Sundry aduersaries hath this truth and First the Papists who teach that none are to thinke or perswade themselues that they are of the number of the Predestinate vnto
saluation but to be euer doubtfull thereof e Con. Trid. sess 6. cap. 1 2. con 15. Test Rhem. an Rom. 8.38 an 1 Cor. 2.12 an Phil. 2.12 The said Papists deliuer that so many persons as are not marked with the signe of the crosse vpon their forehead are damned and reprobate f Test Rhem. an Apoc. 6.4 also that they which will be saued must be Franciscans g Conform F l. 4. fol. 10â— at leastwise become members of the Church of Rome h Ans to the exec of Iust c. 8. p. 192. Secondly the Anti-nomi which thinke the outward calling by the word though they haue not the inward calling by the Spirit and be destitute of good workes a sufficient argument of their election vnto life i Simon Pauli meth par 2. de ege Dei Thirdly the Puritanes who among other affiances giuen them from the Lord of their saluacions made their aduancinâ—â—te Presbyteriall Kingome by the putting downe of Bishops Chancellours c. a testimony that they shall haue part in that glory which shall be reuealed hereafter f Demon. of Dâ—s epist ded Fourthly the Schwenfeldians and all such as depending vpon immediate diuine reuelations condemne and contemne the ordinary calling of God by the ministery of his Word Lastly the Russians g Sartan de Relig Ruthen c. 2 Catabaptists h Zuingl contra Catabap fol. 107. and Family of Loue i Display H. 9. b D. 5. who beleeue that themselues onely and none besides shall be saued 7. Proposition The Predestinate are both iustified by faith sanctified by the Spirit and shall be glorified in the life to come The proofe from Gods Word Diuers be the effects of mans predestination but chiefly it bringeth to the elect a Know that a man is not iustified by the workes of the Law but by the faith of Iesus Christ Gal 2.16 They which be of faith are blessed with faithfull Abraham Eph. 2.8 iustification by faith in this life and in the life to come glorification b Moreone whom he predestinate them also he called and whom he called them also he iustified and whom he iustified them also he glorified Rom. 8.30 Come ye blessed of my Fathers inherit ye the Kingdome prepared for you Matth 25 34. alwaies a conformity to the image of the onely begotten Son of God both in suffering troubles here and in enioying immortall glory hereafter c If we be children we are also heireâ— euen the heires of God heires annexed with Christ if so be that we suffer with him that we may also be glorified with him Rom. 8.17 as we haue borne the image of the earthly so shall we bearâ— the image of the heauenly â—c or 15.49 as testifie all the Churches in their confessions The errors and adversaries unto this truth This is flatly against Papias a Tritcuhem de eccle scrip Iustinus b Wolf Musculus in epist â—d Phil. praef and all Millenaries Eus eccles hist l. 7. c 13. who deny the eternity of mans happinesse and dreame of I know not what blisse in this life to endure a thousand yeeres but no longer Also against the Manichies who said the soule onely shall be saued d Philastrius Also against those heretikes which deny the resurrection of the flesh as did the Carpocratians e Clem. strom lib. 4. Manichies f Aug. contra Faust l. 4 c. 16. and others g See afore ar 4. prop. 1. Likewise against the Hieracites who haue a phantasie that no children departing this life before they come vnto yeeres of discretion and knowledge shall be saued h Epiphan So the Papists doe teach i Positiones Ingolstad de Purgat that no infants dying vnbaptized doe goe to heauen but vnto another place adioyning vnto Hell called Limbus puerorum i Positiones Ingolstad de Purgat 8. Proposition The consideration of Predestination is to the godly wise most comfortable but to curious and carnall persons very dangerous The proofe from Gods Word This doctrine of Predestination is to the godly full sweet pleasant and comfortable because it greatly confirmeth their faith in Christ and encreaseth their loue toward God I account the afflictions of this present time are not worthy of the glory which shall be shewed vnto vs k Rom. 8.18 If God be on our side who can be against vs who spared not his owne Sonne but gaue him for vs all to death how shall he not with him giue vs all things also who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods chosen It is God that iustifieth who shall condemne c l Ibid. 31.34 Yee were sealed with the holy Spirit of promise which is the earnest of our inheritance vntill the redemption of the possession purchased vnto the praise of his glory m Eph. 1.13 14 Grieue not the holy Spirit of God by whom ye are sealed vnto the day of redemption n Eph. 4.30 But to the wicked and reprobate the consideration hereof is very sowre vnsauory and most vncomfortable as that which they thinke though very vntruly and sinfully causeth them either to despaire of his mercy being without faith of not to feare his iustice beeing extremely wicked where as neither from the Word of God nor any confession of the Church can any man gather that he is a vessell of wrath prepared to damnation but contrariwise by many and great arguments may perswade himselfe that God would not his destruction as in the next proposition immediately ensuing plainely may appeare Errors and aduersaries vnto this truth Therefore they are to be taken as much out of the way which say that this doctrine leadeth either vnto desperation which is without all comfort or vnto loosenesse of life so vnto Atheisme and therefore to bee published neither by mouth nor booke and so thought both the Pelagians k Prosper in Epist ad Aug. der elâ—quiâ—s Pela haeresis and the Predestinates a sort of heretikes so called in old time l Magd. eccle hist Cent. 5 c. 5. p. 620. and the Family of Loue in our daies who terme the doctrine of Predestination a licencious doctrine and say it filleth all the prisons almost in England m Display in an epist of the Families l. 7. b. 9. Proposition The generall promises of God set forth in the holy Scripture are to be embraced of vs. The proofe from Gods Word That men the better may auoide both desperation and carnall securitie they are to haue alwayes in minde that 1. The promise of grace and fauour to mankindâ— are vniuersall as Come vnto mee all yee that are weary and laden and I will ease you n Mark 11.38 God sent not his Sonne into the world that he should condemne the world but that the world through him might bee saued o Ion. 3.17 God will that all men shall be saued and come vnto the knowledge of
Scripture k Conf. Cath. de Eccles and Lindau The Scriptures would be of no validitie neither had continued till this day but for traditions l Lâ—nd l. 1. c. 4 5. 7. Proposition The Church may not enforce any thing to be beleeved as necessary unto salvation that is either contrary or besides the Word of God The proofe from Gods Word YEe shall put nothing unto the Word which I command you neither shall yee take ought there-from a Deut 4.2 Put nothing unto his words lest he reprove thee and thou be found a lyer b Prov. 30.6 Though it be but a mans covenant when it is confirmed yet no man doth abrogate it or addeth any thing thereto c Gal. 3.15 If any man shall adde unto these things God shall adde unto him the plagues that are written in this book And if any man shall diminish of the words of the booke of this prophecie God shall take away his part out of the booke of life and out of the holy Citie and from those things which are written in this booke d Rev. 22.18 19. And so witnesse with us the Churches reformed e Conf. Helv. 1. ar 4. 2. c. 2. Basil ar 10. Bohem. cap 1. Gal. ar 5 Belg. ar 7. Saxon. ar 1. Wittemb c. 30.33 Sucvica ar 1. Whatsoever also is grounded upon Gods written Word though not by our common and vulgar tearmes to be read therein we doe reverently embrace which maketh us for doctrine to embrace the Consubstantialitie of our Saviour with the Father and the holy Ghost which the Arrians would not a Trinitie of persons in the Godhead which the Sabellians would never doe the justification by faith onely which the Papists will not the Baptisme of Infants and young children which the Anabaptists dare not and for discipline not to refuse of Church officers the names Archbishops Patriarches Primates Metropolitanes Suffragans Parsons Vicars c. of Ecclesiasticall censures the tearmes Suspension Excommunication of Ceremonies none at all which tend either unto order comelinesse or edification But from the heart we abhorre in matters both of doctrine and discipline whatsoever either agreeth not with the Canon of the Scripture or is not grounded thereupon Errors and adversaries of this truth Hence detest we both all the old heretikes and their fancies with the new prophets of Basilides the manifestation of Marcion the mysteries of the Manichies the Iobelaea of the Scythians the Symbonia of the Achontikes the Cabasa of the Iewes the Alcaron of the Turkes and also all new heretikes and Schismatikes with all their cursed opinions as first the Anabaptists and namely the Libertines and Davigeorgians and Family of Love and all the codeified Elders thereof as Henry Nicholas Eliad Fidelitas Christopher Vitell Theophilus the Exile and the rest Next the Papists whereof Some have commanded that all the Popes Decrees should be taken as confirmed by the mouth of God himselfe so did Pope Agatho the first a Gra. d. â— 16. Sic. Some write as Busgradus that if the Pope beleeve there is no life to come as some Popes have done we must beleeve it as an Article of our faith Some say if the Pope carry innumerable soules with him unto Hell yet he may not be judged so did the Pope Boniface the eighth b Decr. lib 3. cit 2. Crantz lib. 8. c. 36. Some as Bellarmine conclude that it is a point of faith to hold that the Bishop of Rome hath succeeded Peter in the universall regiment of the Church c Bellarm. de Pontif Rom. l. 2. c. 12. Others as the Iesuites perswade their Catholikes that the King of Spain their Catholike faith are so linked together as it is become a point of necessitie in the Catholike faith to put all Europe into the hands of the said King otherwise the Catholike religion will be utterly extinguished and perish d Spaâ— dis of the Eng. Ies d. 7. Others of them have published a new Gospel called Evangelium aeternum Spiritus Sancti which they say doth so far excell the Gospel of Christ as the kernell surpasseth the shell the Sunne the Moone and light darknesse The author whereof was one Cyrillus a Carmelite And lastly the Puritanes and all the speculations of Brown Barrow Greene Penry Marprelate T.C.E.G.R.H.A.C.I.B. with the new Sabbatarians and their fancies 21. Article Of the authority of generall Councels Generall Councels 1 may not be gathered together without the commandement and will of Princes And 2 when they be gathered together forasmuch as they be an assembly of men whereof all be not governed with the Spirit and Word of God they may erre and 3 sometimes have erred even in things pertaining unto God whorefore 4 things ordained by them as necessary unto salvation have neither strength nor authority unlesse it may be declared that they be taken out of holy Scriptures The Propositions 1. Generall Councels may not be gathered together but by the commandement and will of Princes 2. Generall Councels may erre 3. Generall Councels have erred even in things pertaining unto God 4. The things ordained by generall Councels are so farre to be embraced and beleeved as they are consonant to Gods holy Word 1. Proposition Generall Councels may not be gathered together but by the commandement of Princes The proofe from Gods Word GReat is the power and authoritie of Kings and Princes by the Word of God For as the defence of Religion is committed unto them so must they see that all men doe their duties That these things the better may be performed they are as just occasion is offered not as men under the power of others to summon but as supreme governours within their own territories and dominions to command all sorts of men to meete together and that either to the implanting of the truth where it is not or to the suppression of sin errors idolatry and superstition where or in whomsoever it doth arise or is rooted Such Councels were holden both in the time of the Mosaicall government by the commandement of the most godly Kings David a 1 Cor. 3.1 2. Salomon b 1 King 8.1 Asa c 2 Chr. 15.9 Ezechiah d 2 Chr. 29.4 and Iosiah e 1 Chr. 34.29 and since the Gospel hath bin received into Kingdomes and Common-weales by Christian Princes Kings and Emperors who gathered Councels both Generall as the Nicene was by Constantine the Great f Ruffi l. 10.1 1. Eus de vita Const l. 3. c 9. The Councell of Constantinople by Theodosius the elder g Theo. l 5 c. 6. the Councell of Ephesus by Theodosius the younger h Euang. l 1. c. 2 the Councell of Calcedon by Marcian i Leo ep 43.53 and Nationall and Provinciall so the Councell at Franckford Rhemes Turon Arelot and Moguntia by the will and commandement of Charles the Great k Aventin Carrâ—â—zâ— summa Conc. Carion lib. 3. at Marison by Gunthranus