with calling vppon the name of the Lorde And that the worde might be made yet more profitable vnto vs it hath pleased the Lord vnto that libertie wee haue of reading hearing read studying and meditation of his holy scriptures knowing the weakenes of our capacitie dulnes of vnderstanding hardnesse and vntowardenesse of our corruption in great wisedome and mercie to ordeine that the same woorde might be applied vnto vs by the holy ministrie of preaching wherevnto he sanctifieth and annointeth by the giftes of his spirit such as he hath chosen and doeth sende foorth into the labour of his haruest Of which S. Paule speaketh when he saith that Christ ascending vp into heauen and leading captiuitie captiue gaue giftes vnto men and filled al things that there might be in his church some Apostles some Prophets some Euangelistes some Pastors and teachers to the knitting together of the Saintes to the woorke of the ministerie and building vp of the bodie of Christ vntill wee all come vnto the vnitie of faith and of the knowledge of the sonne of God vnto a perfit man euen vnto the perfect grouth of the stature of Christ that we might not be tossed and carried with anie blast of doctrine either by the declining frailtie of our owne corruption or by the exercised subtiltie of our aduersarie This ministerie is called the ministerie and ambassage of peace reconciliation which the Lord hath put in the mouthes of all his ministers that being Legates and Ambassadours insteade of Christ as if God himselfe intreated vs by them it might be saide vnto vs in the name of Christ be yee reconciled vnto God. These are the salt of the earth and the light of the world For the same God which in the beginning commaunded light to shyne out of darknes is he that shineth in the heartes of his seruauntes that they might giue foorth the light of the knowledge of the glorie of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Who him selfe saieth that as Moses lift vp the serpent in the deserte so must the Sonne of man be lift vp that all that beleeue in him should not perish but haue euerlasting life And S. Paule saith that the Gospel preached is a most liuelye painting out of Christe before our eyes and a visible crucifying of him in our sight And though it be counted of the worlde foolishnesse and esteemed as ouer weake a meanes to so great a woorke yet is it the mightie power of GOD vnto saluation and the highe wisedome of the Lorde by the foolishnes whereof those shal be saued that beleeue It is the Gospel of Christ and the same preached wherewith it pleaseth the Father to beget vs againe vnto himselfe that we might be the first fruites of his creatures being borne a newe not of mortal seede but of immortall by the woorde of God which woorde abideth for euer and the same is it saith S. Peter which is preached This is that moste excellent forme of Doctrine wherevnto the Lorde hath committed vs to be taught that being obedient thervnto we might be deliuered not onely from the guiltines of sinne but also from the seruitude and bondage of the same As the Spirit of God first beginneth to work faith in our hearts by the woord of the Gospell preached so doeth he continue nourish confirme encrease faith in vs by the self same meanes Wherfore S. Peter exhorteth vs that as newe borne babes wee shoulde long after that sincere milke of the woord that by it wee may growe vp and comming vnto Christ which is the liuely stone our selues also as liuing stones may be builte vp a spirituall house vnto God and made an holy priesthoode to offer vp spirituall sacrifices acceptable vnto God through Jesus christ And when wee are passed the age of our infancie in Christ the same word preached is our sound fast meate wherwith the Lord still feedeth vs in his familie vntill that hauing finished the course of this life and ended the daies of our pilgrimage and warrefare in this worlde hee take vs home into his owne kingdome Unto the worde of the Gospell preached for the more strengthening confirming of our faith in the assurāce of our saluatiō by Christ it hath pleased God in like wisedom and goodnesse towards vs knowing our weakenes and pittying our infirmitie to adde the vse of two holy Sacramentes Baptisme and the Supper of the Lord The Sacramēt of Baptisme is an holy signe seale annexed by God himself vnto the promises of the Gospel to witnesse and pledge vnto vs the forgiuenes and washing away of our sinnes in the sacrifice of the death of Christ and our iustification before the Maiestie of God in the perfection of his obedience also our ingrafting into that bodie wherof Christ is the head from whom streameth the fountaines of life and grace into all his members Further that being baptized into his death wee shall by the power thereof die vnto sinne and by the power of his rising againe be our selues raised vp in a newe creature to walke before him in true holinesse and righteousnesse all the dayes of our life and that we shall be raised vp in the last day out of the dust of earth and meete the Lorde in the aire and dwell with him for euer In the meane time that as we are by one Sacrament of Baptisme coupled vnto one heade so we should consent together in vnitie of spirite preseruing the same by the bond of peace endeuouring those things which first appertaine vnto the glorie of God and then not seeking euery one his owne in priuate but as members of one body mutually the edifying and profite one of another The Supper of the Lorde being a seale of the same promises further witnesseth and sealeth vnto our consciences that Christ is that breade of life which came downe from Heauen and fountaine of saluation of which who so tasteth shall liue for euer And that as truely as our bodies by natural meanes are made partakers of the creatures of bread wine vnto the nourishment of this present life so our soules by the hande and mouth of faith through the power of the spirite of God are made partakers of the body and blood of Christ that he dwelling in our hearts by fayth wee might become bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh vnto the assured hope of euerlasting saluation Also in this Sacrament is not onely confirmed vnto vs the misticall vnion betwene Christ and his Church but also taught vs what vnitie and loue ought to be amongst vs which being all partakers of one bread and one wine are first coupled vnto one head Jesus Christ as members of his bodie and then mutually made members one of another Unto the worthie receiuing of this holy Sacrament it
those dueties which apperteine vnto our seuerall callings commaunding children that they honor loue obey and relieue their parentes remembring that the Lorde hath made them instrumentes of great mercies vnto their children Parentes that beside naturall dueties of nourishment and prouiding for them in earthly things they bring them vp not in idlenes wantonnes and vanitie but in the feare and nurture of the Lord teaching them his wayes in their youth that they may not forsake them in their age training thē in such honest exercises of labour or studie as whereby they may be prepared to serue the Lorde in his Church or in the common weale for his glorie and the profite of his people Chastising them with the rod of correction that both foolishnes may be chased out of their heartes and their soules preserued from death Also in wisedome when necessitie shall require prouide for them the remedie of their incontinencie commaunded of the Lord which is Mariage Seruauntes that they be humbly subiect vnto their bodily maisters in all things in the Lord seruing them with all quietnesse diligence and faithfulnesse as in the sight of god Maisters that they with their families serue the Lord teaching instructing them in all the will of God and knowledge of their saluation Ministring vnto them all necessarie and iust thinges for their honest maintenance correcting in them as well the offences committed against God as those committed against themselues Wiues that they beare themselues reuerently and obediently towardes their husbandes in all things adorning themselues not outwardly in the bodie with golde and precious attire but in the inwarde man of the minde with humilitie modestie quietnes of spirite sobernes chastitie c. Husbandes that they loue their wiues as their owne bodies dwelling with them according vnto knowledge geuing honour vnto the woman as vnto the weaker vessell seeyng they are heires together of the grace of life that their prayers bee not hindred Subiectes that they yeelde all honour obedience and tribute vnto their magistrates not onely for feare but also for conscience as vnto the ministers of God whom he hath set ouer them for their greate and singuler benefite Magistrates that their songues be continually of mercie and iudgement ruling the Lordes people committed vnto their charge in all peace godlinesse and honestie punishing the wicked and rewarding the weldoer defending the innocent straunger fatherlesse widowe and him that hath none to helpe him breaking the iawe of the vnrighteous man and taking the pray out of his mouth fiinally not respecting any mans person without all corruption to administer iustice remembring that iudgement is the Lordes The people that they bee obedient vnto their Pastoures and Teachers submitting themselues firste vnto the Lorde and then also vnto them which watch for their soules and shall render an accompt for their bloode that they may labour the woorke of the Lordes Uineyarde with ioy and not with mourning for that is vnprofitable communicating also with them all good thinges sowing by this meanes vnto the spirit that thence they may reape eternall life Ministers that they be faithful disposers of the mysteries of God euen the treasures of his kingdome committed vnto their trust carefull and painefull in the labour of the Lordes haruest setting alwayes before their eies that terrible day of Gods iudgment and thereby as also by the loue of Christ to be constrained to bring men vnto the faith not seeking them selues and their owne but Jesus Christ and then those that be his that they may be saued feeding the Church of Christ not with the doctrines of men but with the pure and sincere milke of the Gospel of god Not in ostentation of any gift nor desiring to please men but to approoue them selues vnto euerie conscience in the sight of God with all singlenes of heart and simplicitie of speach deliuering the word of life ioyning spiritual thinges with spirituall thinges as becommeth Finally all estates and conditions of men that learning their seuerall dueties out of the woorde of God they reuerently humble thēselues vnto the obedience of the same The sixth commaundement forbiddeth all murder and shedding of innocent bloode all fighting quarreling and prouoking one an other all hatred malice enuie and desire of reuenge Also it commandeth all the dueties of cōpassion in sauing defending and releeuing the person life and health of our neighbour The seuenth forbiddeth all vncleannesse both of bodie and minde in deede woorde gesture or behauiour whatsoeuer that we assault not the chastitie of anie nor be accessarie vnto their filthines It commaundeth vs to kepe our vesselles in honour as the members of Christ and temples of the holy Ghost that we may sāctifie the Lord both in our soules and in our bodies which are the Lordes and for the reliefe of our incontinencie to marie onely in the Lord. The eight forbiddeth al robbing stealing al oppression hard dealing al iniurie and wrong howsoeuer it be colloured with Lawe all withdrawing and withholding of that appertaineth to another all fraude deceit and cosinage in woorde weight measure ware all couetousnes and greedines of earthly thinges commaundeth vs to acknowledge and reuerence the wisedome and goodnes of God in dispensing and bestowing these outwarde thinges to be content the Lord distribute his blessing as liketh him selfe to walke faithfully and diligently in our callings laboring with our handes the thing that is good to be instructed how to want and how to abound and in all things to be content with our present estate waiting with patience vpon the good prouidence of God in all our necessities And according vnto the measure wee haue receiued to beare our selues faithfull stewardes and distributers of the seueral graces of God for his glorie the benefite of our brethren The nienth forbiddeth all false witnes bearing in iudgement or otherwise all sclaundering backebyting talecarying discrediting and dishonoring of others all lying scoffing iesting vaine vnsauorie speaches flattering dissembling and feining all vncouering the secreates of our brethren All bosting vaunting of our selues or others It commaundeth vs to maintaine honour and credit of all and those especially to whome the Lorde hath committed anie part of gouernment either in his church or in the common wealth In al our speaches to be iust simple modest and louing c. The tenth forbiddeth the verie motions of sinne euen the lustes and concupiscences of our cursed nature that they neuer rise vp against the Lorde but that we subdue them in their first assault least if we receiue the temptation with delight we be further seduced by the subtiltie of sinne both to consent vnto the euill and to attempt and accomplish the same The seuenth
proposition Rom. 7. 14. The Law is spirituall but we are carnall euen solde to bee subiect vnto sinne Gal. 5. 17. The flesh lusteth against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh c. TRue it is that we are not able of our selues so much as to thinke anie good thought much lesse to perfourme anie part of that righteousnesse which the Law requireth But this is our comfort that we are not now vnder the Law but vnder grace although the Scripture saith not in vaine that the Spirit which is in vs lusteth after enuie yet it offereth greater grace because it saith God resisteth the proud but giueth grace vnto the humble This grace woorketh first that we knowe the will of God and discerne that which is contrary thervnto Secondly that we haue a will desirous and studious of Gods glorie and profit of our brethren in the accomplishing of his commaundementes Thirdly also some power through the spirit to hate and forsake that which is euill and to loue and follow that which is good that our faith may become fruitfull our loue laborious and our hope pacient through that communion which we haue with Christ in the power of his death and of his rising againe For if we be truely come vnto Christ and coupled with him the old husband of our corruption by whome wee brought foorth fruit vnto death is crucified with Christ in his crosse that wee might be espoused vnto an other euen the newe man which is raised vp from the dead to bring foorth fruite vnto god Neither haue we now onely a commaundement vnto righteousnes and holinesse of life but there is giuen vs a newe spirit by which we are regenerated and renued in the spirit of our mindes to offer vp our selues in soule and bodie an holy acceptable liuely sacrifice vnto god And wheras the flesh euermore rebelleth against the spirit euen in the children of God we haue receiued promises of ayde assistance in this conflict yea of victorie and triumph ouer all our enemies And that we might with boldenes come vnto our God for ayde and defence wee haue entrance by Christ euen vnto his mercie seate and haue receiued that spirit which in this part helpeth our infirmitie and stirreth vp in vs those groninges which no tongue is able to expresse teaching vs to crie Abba father and to call vpon him in all our necessities and to aske all good thinges at his handes who hath made vs promises both of this life and of the life to come knowing this that he that hath not spared to giue vnto vs his onely begotten Sonne will also with him giue vs all things which in his wisedome he seeth to be needefull for vs Our helpe therefore is in the name of the Lorde Which is as an inuincible towre wherevnto the righteous fleeth is deliuered Also we know who it is that hath said aske and ye shall receiue seeke ye shall finde knocke and it shall be opened vnto you euen he which sitteth at the right hand of his father and maketh intercession for vs When wee pray wee must pray onely vnto God onely in the name of Jesus Christ onely for good thinges onely to a good ende with our heartes and not onely with lippes disposing our selues reuerently and religiously as in the presence of Gods maiestie touched with the want of that we aske and grieued with the burthen and feare of that we pray against being assured that the Lord heareth our praiers wil in his own good appointed time graunt our requestes as in his wisedome he knoweth to be expedient for his owne glorie and for our saluation There are many notable examples of this manner of praying in the holy scriptures especially in the booke of the Psalmes framed according to the diuers estates and affections of the Seruauntes of god Let vs therefore after their example examining our selues before the Lord in minde body and outwarde conditions of this life according to our present feeling sence thereof make our humble and vnfeined supplications in his presence for our selues and for all men especially them that are of the housholde of faith concluding sealing vp all our prayers with that forme of peticion which our sauiour Christ him self hath taught Our father which art in Heauen hallowed be thy name thy kingdome come thy will be done in earth as it is in heauen giue vs this day our dayly bread and forgiue vs our trespasses as we forgiue thē that trespasse against vs and leade vs not into temptation but deliuer vs from euell for thine is the kingdome the power and the glory for euer and euer Amen The eight proposition What other helpes there are vnto godlines and weldoing commended vnto vs in the woorde THe Lorde our GOD knowing the frailtie of our corrupt and cursed nature the deceitfulnesse of sinne the power rage and subtilties of Satan hath in wisedome and mercie for their further helpe appointed in his woord two kindes of discipline vnto his seruantes The one priuate the other publique vnto the first appertaineth all the exercises of repentance and godlines commended vnto vs either in precept or example of the holy scriptures As our daily consulting with the worde and lawes of God which to be vnto vs as they were vnto Dauid the men of our counsell the continuall examining of our waies turning our feete vnto the Lordes testimonyes our carefull and diligent hasting and not delaying to keepe his commaundements The grieuing of our selues with our sins past the feare of sinne present which is readie to intrapp vs the wise circumspect preuenting of sinne to come the subduing of the flesh and bring it in subiection after the maner of the Apostle with reuenge taken vpon our corruption for the mortifying of the same by withdrawing the baites prouocations and occasions of euill sobrietie and the pure and chast vse of all the good blessings of God abstenence euen from lawful pleasures and profites when they are either offensiue vnto others or hurtfull vnto our selues as otherwise so by bringing vs vnder the bondage seruitud of earthly things which all of them are ordained vnto corruption Fasting which the Scripture calleth the afflicting of the soule ioyned with continuall and earnest prayer vnto God. Making couenant with our mouths that they shall not speake euil and with our eyes that they shall not beholde vanitie imitating the vertues and godlines of the faithfull vsing holie company and conference with them Hating detesting and abhorring the wayes of the wicked shunning and eschewing all consulting and conuersation with them Not ceasing our conflict against sinne euen vntill blood but casting of the olde man and mortifying the woorkes of the flesh by the spirit to put on the newe man with the woorkes and armour of light to serue the Lord according to his