he rose againe rose againe by his diuine power and vnited his Godhead and soule and bodie together and in his manhoode tooke life againe Our sauiour Christ by the space of fortie daies after his resurrection often shewed him selfe aliue in his manhoode vnited to his Godheade by many infallible tokens and was conuersant with his disciples and was seene of more then fiue hundred brethren at once The same body which suffered and was put to death did rise againe and was glorified all infirmities being done away hauing the Godheade vnited to the same his mans body which rose againe B By this his rising againe Christ sheweth him selfe to be the son of God and the promised sauiour And also sheweth manifestly that he hath conquered and ouercome the deuill sin and death and is nowe the author of our life For our righteousnesse is restored by his resurrection C And his rising againe is a sure pledge to me that my bodie after this life shall in like manner rise againe This his rising againe is a most great comfort to all faithfull and the victorye of our faith D As he is risen from death so hee causeth mee as a member of him to rise from sinne and delight in righteousnes Christ hath giuen me of his holy spirite which subdueth sinne in me and so mortifieth my flesh that I hate sinne and sathan And thereby I feele sanctification and new life to be begonne in me which certifieth my conscience I am in Christ and so of God This benefitte I receaue by Christes rising againe who is nowe the author of my saluation So hee died for our sins and rose againe for our righteousnes to purchace vs life with God his father And hath sent his holy spirite to be our comfort and to gouerne leade and direct vs in our dooinges â— Whosoeuer dooth not taste of mortification and newnesse of life hath no part in the redemption of Christ For he giueth strength to the faithfull to subdue sinne in some measure and to walke in a newe life and righteousnesse here on earth F Christ rose from dead To make vs partakers of his righteousnesse sanctification and glorification which hee purchased for vs by his merit a The bodie of Christ which suffred rose againe Matt. 28 Iohn 20 and 21. Luk. 24 13 c. Acts 1 3 8 9 10. and 2 24 31. and 10 40. and 13 29 30 31 35. 1. Cor. 15. 3 to 9. Matth 20. 18. Mark 9 31. and 10. 34. Luke 9 22. 1. Peter 3 21. 2. Cor. 13 4. b He shewed his power c. that he hath conquered the deuill sinne and death Rom. 1 4. Acts 1 3 Rom. 8 1 34 1. Cor. 15 26 54 57 Ephe. 1. 19. c. Colos 1. 18 and 2. 15. Heb. 2. 14 15. c I shall rise againe in like maner 1. Cor. 15. 13. 16 20 26. 1 Thes 4 14 c. Rom. 6 23. d Christ causeth me to rise from sinne delight in righteousnes Colos 3 1 2 5. Galat. 2 20. Colo 1. 12 to 25. Rom. 6 and 7. 22 25 and 8 1 2 9 10 11 14 15 26. 1. Iohn 4 13 Iohn 3 36 and 14 16 17 18. and 16 7 13. e He that hath not newnesse of life hath not the spirit of Christ Rom. 6 6 12. 14 16. and 8 9 10 11 13 14. Col. 3 1 2 5. 1. Peter 2 24. f Christ rose from death to make vs partakers of his righteousnes 6 He ascended into heauen 1. Cor. 1 30 Rom. 4 25. Iohn 3 16 Mat. 28. 18 20. Rom 5. 19. 21 Gal. 3. 13. 14 Iohn 17 21 22 23. Acts 17 28. 1. Cor. 12 27. HE ascended into heauen Iesus Christ our Sauiour after his Resurrection was here on the earth with his corporall presence fortie dayes And after that A he ascended into heauen bodily and visibly the people looking and seeing him when he ascended Christ his mans body which he tooke in the wombe of the blessed virgin saint Marie before his ascension was not in heauen The same bodie he glorified tooke vp into heauen there to remaine vntill he come againe at the ende of the world to iudge the quicke the dead B Therfore we must seeke Iesus christ in heauen not in earth spiritually not carnally by fayth not by our senses It is by the vertue of his holy spirit that he doth coÌ„municat pertake himself vnto Spirituall thinges are not seene but with the eyes of the spirite For what is neerer to a man then his own soule yet not any man euer at any time sawe his soule or the soule of any other man C Christ his diuine presence is in the earth with vs and is euery where His diuinitie and Godhead filleth both heauen and earth and dwelleth and abideth in the faithfull The body of Christ is in heauen and hath left the world vntill he come to the resurrection and iudgement of all mankinde Neuerthelesse his holye spirite vertue and power filleth heauen and earth and ruleth and gouerneth vs. D Moreouer by this his entrye into heauen hee hath made easie vnto vs the way and dooth assure vs that the gate is already open vnto vs and that our sins be forgiuen vs the which waye before was shutte vp against vs because of our sinnes But now our sauiour Iesus is entered into the heauens with his mans body of the nature of our fleshe which is a gage and pledge that he will conduct vs thether E We haue these benefits by Christ his ascention He is in heauen our aduocate and intercessor to God his father for vs. And by him we shall also ascend into heauen and be glorified F And lastly the holy ghost is sent to vs by whome Christ gathereth comforteth and defendeth his church to the worldes ende The holy ghost was also giuen to the godly which were vnder the lawe before Christes ascension and comming in the flesh but that was in respect of his coÌ„ming in the flesh his ascentioÌ„ and glorification which was then to come After Christ his glorification the holy ghost was giuen more abundantly a Christ ascended visibly into heauen there his body to remaine till he come again to iudgement Luke 24. 51. Mar 16 19. Acts 1. 9. 10. 11. 3. 21. Ioh 20 17. 12 8. 16 28. b We must seeke Christ in heauen with our spirite and faith Acts 1. 11. 3 21. Col 3. 1. Ioh 4. 23 24. Math 15. 9. Acts 7. 55. Hebr 4. 14. 15. 16. Ephe 3. 18. Phil 3. 20. 21. c Albeit Christ his body is in heaueÌ„ yet his Godheade vertue holy spirit and diuine presence filleth heauen and earth and is euery where Math 28. 20. Col 1. 15. 19. 2. 9. Iere 23. 24 Math 18. 20. Acts 7. 49. 17 28. Ephe 1. 23. d Christ his entry into heaâ—en is a sure pledge that we shall bee there with him for where he is there
1. Cor. 6 15 17 19 2 Cor. 13. 5. Rom. 8. 9. partaker of Christ his benefites And after this lyfe to haue eternall in heauen with Christ Iesus my Sauiour In this holy Sacrament we are made 1. Cor. 10. 17. Rom. 12 5. members of Christ and vnited together by his holy Spirite dwelling in vs. The Ephe. 5 30 32. manner of Christ his presence and of our vniting and howe wee eate Christ and drinke his blood is a great secret and more then my tongue can expresse or any mans minde able to conceyue When wee receyue this holy Sacrament Col. 3 1. we must as deuoutly as wee can lift vp our mindes into heauen where Christ is And by our fayth receyue Gal. 2 20. Ephe. 3 17. Iohn 3 16 5 24. ephe 2 8 3 17. acts 10 43 26 18 15 9. gal 5 6. Heb 11 6. grace and vertue from his verie bodie By our true and liuely fayth we are made partakers of Christ and vnited to him by his spirite dwelling in vs and doe obteyne remission of our sinnes and saluation At the receyuing of this holy Sacrament Matth 28 20. Iohn 17 22 23. 2. Cor. 13. 5. Rom. 12 5. Christ is present by the working of his holy spirite and doth make vs one with him and members one of another And we be partakers of the godly nature 2. Pet. 1 4. in that we flee the corruption which is in this world through lust Euery one which receiueth this holy Sacrament 1 Cor 13 2 3. worthily in true fayth repentance 1. Cor. 10. 3. 4. Iohn 6. 54. to 57 63 2. cor 13 5. 1. cor 6. 15 17 19. Rom 8. 9. 12 5. ephe 5 30 1. Cor. 10 17. and charitie doe then receyue the body of Christ working by his spirite and forgiuenesse of all their sinnes Christ then dwelleth in them and they in him and are vnited to him and made members of his bodie and also members one of another by the secret and marueylous working of the holy Ghost Christ doth out of the substance of Gal. 2. 20. Rom. 8. 9. 10. 11 his flesh giue life vnto our soules And we do liue by his holy spirit and vertue abiding in vs. And by that vertue and power we doe hate sinne and the deuill and ouer come them Thus are the faythfull fâ—d with Christ Iohn 14 23. 1. Iohn 3 24 4. 13. Ephe. 3 17. 2. Cor. 1 22. Rom. 8. 11. his body and doe liue by his holy spirit and vertue abiding in them And thereby their fayth is nourished and strengthâ—ned and their soules fed with this spirituall foode in Christ vnto eternall life This is our communion with Christ and the eating of his bodie and the drinking of his blood Thus by our true faith and the working of the holy ghost we are made his members and members one of another so one body in Christ he being our heade from whom wee all Rom. 12. 5. Col. 1 18 to 2â— doe drawe of his fulnesse So wee eate Christ in such sort as hee abydeth in vs. The maner of the receyuing of this grace and vertue and the incorporating Ephe. 5 30 32 of the faythfull into Christ is a great secrete and more then our tongues can expresse or our mindes able to conceyue This holy Sacrament which some call the Lordes supper others the holy Communion of the body and blood of our Lorde and sauiour Iesus Christ and commonly the holy Communion Christ did institute and ordeyne at his Mat. 26 to 31. Mar. 14 22. to 26. Luke 22 19 20 last supper with his disciples Which institution saint Paul expoundeth and declareth in these words following I haue receyued of the Lorde that 1. Cor. 11 23 to 30. which I also haue deliuered vnto you That the Lord Iesus in the night he was betrayed tooke breade and when he had giuen thankes he brake it and said Take eate this is my bodie which is broken for you this doe yee in remembrance of me After the same maner also he tooke the cuppe when he had supped saying This cuppe is the new testament in my blood This doe as often as ye drinke it in remembraunce of mee For as often as ye shall eate this breade and drinke this cuppe yee shewe the Lordes death till he come Let a man therefore examine him selfe and so let him eate of this breade and drinke of this cuppe For hee that eateth and drinketh vnworthily eateth and drinketh his owne damnation because hee discerneth not the Lords bodie Further Saint Paule sayeth The â— Cor. 10 16 17 cuppe of blessing which wee blesse is it not the Communion of the blood of Christ The bread which we breake is it not the communion of the bodie of Christ For we that are many are one bread and one bodie because we all arâ— partakers of one bread Note that as the breade is Christs bodie So is the cup the new Testament The new Testament is the promise of saluation made to all beleuers in Christ Therefore the eating of Christs bodie is spirituall and so sayth Saint Paul 1. Cor. 10 1 2 3 4. This forme order of the Lords Supper we ought to hold wholy to keepe for the remembrance of his death and benefites till he come againe at the end of the world to iudgement THis holy sacrament is a distributing The holy Sacrament what it is wherefore ordeined of sanctified bread and wine in the assembly of the faithfull according to the commandement of Christ To testifie that hee hath deliuered his bodie to death and shedde his blood for our redemption The visible signes of the Lords supper are bread wine The things signified is the breaking of Christs body by the separation of his soule from his body and the shedding of his blood for our redemptioÌ„ And also our vnion with christ that Christ maketh the faithfull pertakers of his body blood as surely and verely as they receiue the saÌ„ctified bread and wine And that the remembraunce thereof with prayse and thankes vnto Christ for the same is vnto our soules Rom. 8 11 spirituall meate and nourishment and strengthening vnto our fayth So the inuisible grace in this Sacrament is Christ himselfe This holy Sacrament was instituted 1. Cor. 11. â—6 Suke 22 19. appointed to bee done of all the faithfull in remembrance of Christ his death and the benefites wee receyue thereby And that wee should publikely declare and confesse till hee come againe to iudge that all our trust for eternall life and saluation is in his death and merits Also this holy Sacrament is appointed Heb. 13. 15. 1. Cor. 10 31. Ephe. 5 20. Col. 3 17. to be a ceremonie of prayse thankesgiuing And that in celebrating it in our assemblies we doe with prayse and continuall thankes glorifie Christ and giue him thankes for his death and passion Further
it is a token of the vnion we 1. Cor. 10 17. Ephe 4 4 5 6. Rom. 12 5. haue with Christ and is the bonde of loue amongst vs Christians For we that are many are one body in Christ vnited together by the power of the holy ghost Christ being our head and we his members And also the receyuing of this holy 1. Cor. 11 26. 1 Cor. 10 17. Ephe. 4. 3 to 8. Col. 3 17. 1. Thes 5 18. Sacrament is a publike confession of our fayth and a solemne binding of our selues to leade a Christian life in fayth and charitie with continuall prayse and thankes to Christ for our redemption THe wicked do not eate the body of 1. Cor. 10 21. Iohn 15 1 to 8. Christ for Christ doth not dwell in them And in whom Christ doeth not abide without doubt is not partaker of Rom. 8 9. mat 5 23 24 Christ his bodie nor any member of him albeit he eate the sanctified breade and wine which is the signe of his bodie and blood He that eateth Christ dwelleth in Christ and Christ in him The wicked which are knowen are to Iohn 6 56. 1. Cor. 5 9 c. Mat. 18 17. 1. Cor. 10 21. bee excluded from this holy Sacrament vntill they shew their true sayth by godly repentance THerefore they which come to this 1. Cor. 11 28. 2 Cor. 13 5. holy Supper must examine proue themselues if they haue faith and repentance and doe faythfully beleeue that they are deliuered from damnation by the onely mercie of God for the merits death and passion of Christ Iesus our sauiour And must desire to profite and goe forward in godlinesse and newnesse of life And so to shewe forth the Mat. 5 23 â—4 2 Cor. 7 10. 1. Cor. 13 2 3. Gal. 5 6. death of the Lorde in fayth and repentance by their godly life being heartily sory for their sinnes and to be in charitie with all men He that sayth he beleeueth and doe â— Iohn 4 20. â— Tim. 3 5. Tit. 1 16. not shewe it in his life and doings is a lyer and by his euill doings he denieth the power of godlinesse Such persons professe they knowe God but by their euill workes they denie him and vnto euery good worke reprobate Saint Paul commandeth vs to withdraw our selues 2. Thes 3 6. 14. 1. Cor. 5. Rom. 16 17. 2. Pet. 2. 20. 21. 22. Mat. 12 45. Reue. 2. 5. and 3 16. from such and haue no company with theÌ„ that they may be ashamed That they and euery of them may remember from whence they are fallen and repent In baptisme we are receiued into the church therefore this is but once to be done in al our life The Lords supper is a confirming of our faith feding of our soules must be often done to declare the Lords death as aforesaid and is to be done not to one alone but in the assembly of the faithfull when they meetâ— 1. Cor. 10 17. and 11. 26. together He that hath true faith is fed with Christ to be saued bodie and soule vnto eternall life To whom be all prayse honour glory power and thanks for euer Amen The conclusion and summe of this Booke THose thinges which are before written Of the holyâ— Trinitie and Gods prouidence consisteth briefly in this That the Almightie God and his fulnesse which is the Almightie power that made Heauen and earth That the same God dwelleth and abydeth bodilye in Christ Iesus And that this holye Spirite the Almightie power which proceedeth from Christ defendeth and keepeth vs from the power of Sathan and preserueth all the faythfull to euerlasting life Iohn 1. Colos 1 22 c. 2 Cor. 5 18 19. Iohn 14 15 c. Ephes 2. 18. Rom. 8 9. 1. Cor. 6 19. Phil. 2 13. Acts 17 28. Psal 34. 7. â— Pet. 1 3 4 5. Also that we beleeue to bee saued onely Of fayth by the mercie of God for the merits death and passion of Christ Iesus our Sauiour And that therefore God will heare our prayers bee mercifull vnto vs and forgiue vs our sinnes And after our lyues here ended at the tyme appoynted for the Resurrection Christ will raise these our vile bodyes out of the dust ioyning againe to them our soules and will then make the bodies of the faythfull lyke vnto his glorious bodie to liue in heauen with him for euer 1. Cor. 5. 18 19 21. Rom. 5 10 19. 1 Iohn 5 13. 14. 1 Cor. 15 22. Col. 1 13 14. 1 Thes 5 9 10. 1. cor 1 30. Phil. 3 20 21. 2. Thes 3 14 c. Luke 20 35 36. Iohn 11 25 26. 1 Cor. 15 33. Iohn 20 31. Further That the holy Sacraments Of Sacraments of Baptisme and the Lords Supper are holy signes ordeyned to bee assured tokens to all the faythfull of the mercie of God by Christ And that we doe receyue with them by the working of the holy Ghost such good benefites and graces from Christ Iesus the which our tongues cannot expresse Matth 28 19 20. Luke 22 19 20. 1. Cor. 10 16. 17. Iohn 6 63. Gal. 2 20. Rom. 8 9. Tit. 3 4 to 8. 2 Pet. 1 3 4 5. And also That whosoeuer hath this Of the life of a Chistian assured fayth shall be saued And that hee which hath this fayth will loue Christ his Sauiour and will haue a continuall feruent and earnest desire to keepe his commaundements And hauing sufficient to mainteyne his familie for that hee which doeth not prouide for them hath denyed the fayth and is worsse then an infidell will also to his power comfort helpe and relieue with his goodes his needie neighbours and brethren in Christ And continually striue with himselfe agaynst his wicked nature to doe vnto others as he would they should doe vnto him Iohn 17 3 and 14 15 c. 1. Iohn 3 23 24. Rom. 7 14 c. and 6 12 16 and 8 1 2. 1. Tim. 5 8 1 Iohn 4 20. 21. Iam. 2 17 26 Mat. 7. 12. So the whole life of a Christian is to beleeue and trust in Christ for saluation and all things else louing him aboue all thinges And to receyue the holy Sacraments and loue one another as Christ hath commaunded 1. Iohn 3 23 24. Gal. 5. 6. 14. Eschew euill and doe good What Christ hath commaunded that we should doe what hee hath forbidden that should we not doe The summe of the holy scriptures is the Lawe and the Gospell The Law teaching vs what we ought to doe And the Gospell sheweth vs the promises of God in Christ and teacheth vs fayth and charitie The whole duetie of man is feare Eccles 12. 13. Pro. 8 8. 13. God and keepe his commaundements The feare of the Lord is to hate euill And the dutie of a christian is to know what Christ hath taught and to doe thereafter and fulfill it to his power Loue Christ aboue all and thy neighbour as thy selfe this is the summe of christianitie The Lord for his mercie direct vs euer in his truth and that directly and only we may all seeke Gods glorie Now vnto the king euerlasting immortall inuisible vnto God onely wise bee honour 1. Tim. 1. 17. and glorie for euer and euer Amen See the principles of Religion more at large in a little booke named A godly comfort for all Christians Dayly lessons to be obserued of euery Christian 1 EVery morning and euening and at thy meales pray vnto God and giue him thankes for his benefits and be sorie for thy sinns And alwayes when thou art tempted to euill then thinke on Gods coÌ„mandement concerning that matter and the godly feare to breake that commandement will ouercome that temptation For the remembrance of God putteth away euill 2 Begin nothing before thou know how to finish the same and consider well of the ende that may come thereof Trust not to much to thine owne wit 3 Rule thy tongue that it runne not before thy wit but let thy mind rule thy tong First thinke and then speake for wordes spoken haue power ouer the speaker Affirme nothing before thou know the truth nor beleeue any thing rashly Refraine from foule language 4 If thou will correct any man doe it with gentlenesse Be gentle in thy behauiour and familier in thy communication 5 Promise with good consideration knowing first howe to performe it when thou hast promised performe it faythfully Requite benefites for it is due to render deserued thankes 6 Vse no familiaritie with any vicious person and beware of liers and flatterers 7 When thou wilt aske counsell aske it of him that gouernes himselfe honestly And make no furious man dronkard nor vicious person of thy counsell 8 Doe not that thy selfe which thou dispraysest in another 9 Eschew idlenesse and bee not ignorant in those thinges which is a shame to thee not to know Vse diligence and doe not that to morrow which thou mayest wel and lawfully doe the same day 10 It is more surer for thee to pardon then to reuenge for euery reuenge ministreth occasions of further crueltie Therefore seeke to liue in peace with all men and meddle not with those matters which perteyne not to thee Be slowe to wrath hate crueltie and in thy furie subdue thine affections Be not hastie nor wrathfull for those be the conditions of a foole Hastinesse causeth repentaunce and frowardnesse hinderance 11 Vse measure in all things for temperance calleth a man backe from all euill affections Temperate sparing is good gayning for small expences often vsed consume great substance 12 Remember what thou art and what thou shalt be and thinke nothing profitable which is not honest and godly Liue honestly hurt no man and giue to euery man his due Eschew euill and doe good and God will blesse thee Giue glorie prayse and thankes vnto Christ our Sauiour So be it Imprinted at London for Iohn Hill dwelling in Pater Noster rowe at the signe of the golden Eagle and the childe 1590.
Perfect God and perfect man Equall to the father as touching his Godheade and inferior to the father as touching his manhoode Who although hee bee God and man yet is he not twoo but one Christ For as the reasonable soule and fleshe is one man So God and man is one Christ a The holy ghost worketh in vs all the benefits we receiue from Christ And preserueth vs. Math. 10. 20. Luke 12. 12. 1. 35. 11. 13. Iohn 6. 63. 7. 39. 14. 16. 17. 26. 15. 26. 27. 16. 7. 13. 20. 22. 1. Cor. 2 10. 12. 6. 11 10. 12 3 to 14 3. 16. Luke 24. 49. Act 1. 4. 5. 2. 17. 5. 32 9. 31. Rom. 5. 5. 8. 9. 14. 15. 16. 15 16. Gal 4. 6. 2. Thes 2. 13. Ephe 1. 13 2 18. 4. 30. Tit. 3. 5. 6. Ioh 3. 5. 6. Mat 3. 11. 1. Pet 1. 2. 22. 2. Pet 1. 21. 1. Iohn 4. 13. Howe nothing happeneth to vs but as Christ our sauiour appointeth or suffereth See the proofe more a◠large in the first article of the creede b God the father God the sonne and God the holye Ghost are but one God Math. 28. 19. 3. 16. 17. Luke 3. 21. 22. Iohn 1. 14. 33. 14. 16. 17. 26. 15. 26. 16 7. 1 Iohn 5 7 2 Cor 13 13 Act 1 4 Rom 1 1 to 5 8 9 14 Ephe ◠17. Psal 33. 6. c The holy ghost was from the beginning with the father and a seuerall person in working Gen. 1. 2 26. Iob. 26 13. Ioel 2. 28. Esay 48. 16. and 61. 1. 2. Pet. 1 22. THe holy Catholike Church A I beleeue there is a holy Catholike Church The which Church I beleeue to 9 The holy Catholike Church be◠those people elected of God to be saued which haue bene in this world from the beginning and hereafter shall be to the ende of what countrey or nation so euer through the whole world of the which number I beleeue I am one B God knewe from the beginning all those that shall bee saued and hath a tender care ouer them C Iesus christ is the head of those people and they are his members all being vnited together by the power of his holy spirit and ioyned together in Christ as one body He which is not a member of this Church is from Christ and therefore shall not be saued D This Church is called Catholike or vniuersall because the members of the Catholike Church bee in euerie nation and countrey vniuersally through the whole worlde without distinction of people E And the same church is called holy because Christ is the head doth sanctify make holy the church his mēbers F This church is inuisible because men cannot visibly see the faith repentance and conscience of the beleuers nor know who they be which God hath chosen to eternall life Therefore is this church inuisible a matter of faith and faith is of things which is not seene G The members of this Catholike church here on earth are visible hauing among them many wicked persons and hypocrites The visible church of God The visible Church is a companie amongest men wheresoeuer they be which embrace and professe the true doctrine of Christ and vse the holy Sacraments according to Christe◠institution H This whole vniuersal church neuer erreth in the foundation of doctrine but many particular churches which are mēbers of this Catholike church do erre haue erred as did some churches which the Apostles taught Also the church of Rome and generall counsels haue erred and condemned the doings one of another and haue decreed direct contrarie one to the other I Some or many of the elect people of God may erre and fall frō the church for a time as king Dauid did but they shall not finally fall away for euer but shal rise againe by sorowful repentance and newnesse of life and so shall come againe to God and haue their sinnes forgiuen them a The Catholike church are only those people which shall be saued which euer haue bene or shall be Ephe. 1. 3. to 12 Rom. 8 29. 30. 9. 30. 32. Heb. 3 6. Ier 1. 5. 1. Pet. 2. 4. to 11 2. Tim. 1 9. 10. Tit 3. 5. 2 Thes 2. 13. Iohn 15 16. b God knoweth them all hath a tender care ouer them 2 Tim. 2 19. Rom. 8. 29. 30. 1. Pet. 1 5 5 7. Mat. 10 29. 30 31. Psal 37 25 55. 22. 104 27 28. 136. 25. 145 15 16. c Christ is the heade of them and they be his mēbers vnited to him by his holye spirite Ephe 5 25 26 30. 1 22 23. 27. 2 22. 4 12 13 16. 10 17. Rom. 8 9. 12 4 5. 1. Cor 12 12 13. 3 16 6 15 17 19. 2 Cor. 13 5 Col 1 18 Iohn 15 5. d This church is vniuersal through the whole worlde Iohn 10 16 Matth 8 11 and 28 19 Marke 16 15 Acts 2 21 and 13 39 10 4 34 35 Gal. 3 28 Col 3. 11 Rom 9 30 Iob 1 1. e This church is holy because christ doth sāctifie it Ephe. 1. 22 23 and 5. 25. 26. 1. Pet. 2 5. Rom. 8. 9 1. Cor. 1. 30. 1. Cor. 12. 12. 13. Colos 1. 18. 2. Thes 2 13. Hebr. 10. 14 Iude 1. verse f This church is inuisible because the faithfull are not knowē frō hipocrites 1. Kings 19. 14 18. Iob 1. 1. Hebr. 11 1. g The members of this Church here on earth are visible c. Matth. 18 20 and 28 19 20. Acts 2 24 and 4 32. Rom. 6 15 1 Cor. 16 19. Luke 8 21 Iohn 8 47 and 10 27 Gal 1 8 Ephe 1 1 Phil 1 1 1 Cor 1 2. h The visible churches here on earth though not all may erre haue erred Gal 2 11 c and 3. 1 3 Actes 10 14. 15 and 15. 19 20. and 21. 20. to 28. 1. Cor. 15. 12. 1. Iohn 2. 19. i The elect shall neuer fall away finally from God The communion of saints 1. Iohn 2. 19. 2. Sam. 11. THe communion of Saints A I beleeue that all the faythfull doe seuerally receaue the benefites of Christ to their saluation as members of his bodie vnited to him by his holye spirit And that they do pray one for another and are readie to helpe and comfort one another as members of one head B The faythfull are called Saints because they are vnited to Christ and haue Christ dwelling in them by his holy Spirite And are made holy by the sanctification of the same spirit a The faithfull euery of them receiue Christes benefits to their saluation and do comfort one another Ephes 5. 30. and 4. 3 to 18. 1. Cor. 6. 17. and 10. 17. 1. Iohn 1. 3. Iohn 10. 14. 15. 16. and 13 35. and 15. 5. Rom. 8.
effect of this prayer In the first petition the Lord commandeth vs to desire the true knowledge and worship of God In the second That God woulde gouerne vs with his spirite and so continually preserue and confirme vs in this knowledge In the thirde That euery of vs by the helpe of his holy spirite and gouernment may doe and fulfill our duetie in our vocation that we may doe nothing against his will In the fourth That God would giue vs corporall blessings whereby euery of vs may doe his duetie In the fift That he would giue vs spirituall blessings in forgiuing vs our sinnes In the sixt and last That wee may bee vpholden by his grace that thereby we may bee deliuered from all euill And that so wee may bee able to hallow prayse and glorifie his name through Christ our Lord and Sauiour Before hath bene declared three parts of Religion fayth the lawe and praier nowe followeth the last part which is Sacraments Of Sacraments THe Sacraments which Mat. 28. 19. 20. Mark 16 16. Luk. 22. 19. 20. are to be vsed of vs Christians are onely those which our sauiour Christ did institute and command vs to vse Which are only twoo Baptisme and the Lords Supper which we commonly call the holy Communion These two Sacraments Baptisme and the holy Communion are holy signes ordeyned Gen. 17. 11. Rom. 4. 11. Exod. 12. 14. to be assured tokens and testimonies to me and all the faythfull of the mercie of God and forgiuenesse of sinnes for the merits death and passion of Christ Iesus my sauiour And with those holy Sacraments I receyue such grace and vertue from Christ the which my tongue cannot expresse And the holy Ghost by them doeth moue my heart to beleeue A Sacrament is a testimonie of Gods A Sacrament what it is fauour towardes vs confirmed by an outward signe Or a visible signe of inuisible grace There are three thinges in a Sacrament The first is the visible signe as in Baptisme water and in the holy Communion bread and wine The seconde is the wordes of the Lords ordinance And the third is The thing signified by them The thing signified is Christ for he is the substance of all Sacraments and they doe promise nothing without him For by Christ is the mercie of God and saluation giuen vnto vs. Our Sauiour Christ for the strengthening of our fayth hath ordeyned the preaching of the Gospell And for the further encreasing and confirming of our fayth hath instituted and left to be vsed of vs for euer so long as wee are in this world the twoo Sacraments aforesayde Baptisme and the holy Communion to be testimonies of his grace and saluation These are called the Sacraments of the newe Testament because Christ did institute them and left them to be vsed of all Christians And none other are to be vsed of vs as Sacraments but those onely The vse of our Sacraments are to be Why the Sacraments were ordeyned signes and testimonies of the eternal couenant of remission of sinnes or promise of saluation which God hath made to the faythfull in Christ And also serue to confirme our fayth for that they set before our eyes the good will of our heauenly father and leade vs vnto Christ to seeke our saluation onely in and by him And further by receyuing them wee testifie our profession before men that wee are Christians not Infidels Acts 10 47. And by them wee binde our selues to God to followe godlinesse in fayth and Rom. 6 3 4. Ephe 4 3 to 7. charitie and yeelde vnto God obedience prayse and thankes for our redemprion And in giuing vs these visible signes God testifyeth his benefites towardes vs. The Sacramentes before Christ Gen. 17 4 7 10 21. 1 Cor. 10 1 2 3 4. testified that Christ shoulde come for without Christ none was nor neuer shall be saued And the Sacraments which Christ hath left vs testifie that Christ is Mat. 28 19 20 1 Cor. â—1 26. come and are to vs signes of the couenant of saluation as aforesaid Christ teacheth and instructeth vs with his worde then strengtheneth our fayth with sacraments and by his holy spirite he openeth our hearts to receyue the word and sacraments which otherwise would nothing moue our inwarde parts So without the worke of the holy Ghost the sacraments doe nothing at all profite vs. It is the spirite of God which is the authour of the encrease of our fayth The office of the sacraments The office of the SacrameÌ„ts is to set forth Christ vnto vs and in him the treasures of heauenly grace And to confirme our fayth in setting before our eyes the good will of our heauenly father And by the healthfull working of the holy Ghost the faythfull do receyue with the sacraments such grace and vertue from Christ our sauiour the which we are not able to expresse And so that Note most learned man master Caluin writeth in his booke of institutions If any man aske me saith M Caluin what maner of presence of Christ is in the Lords supper I wil not be ashamed to confesse that it is a higher secret then that it can be either comprehended with my wit or vttered with my wordes And to speake it more plainly I rather feele it then I can vnderstand it Therefore I do here embrace the truth of God wherein I may safely rest With the holy sacraments Christ with his spirit discendeth to the faithful that he may truely quicken their soules Gal. 2. 20. Ephe. 3. 17. 2. Cor. 13. 5. 1. Cor. 6. 15 17. 19. 12. 13. Rom 8 9. 12 5. 1. Cor. 10. 17. Ephe. 5. 30. and dwell in them and they in him and they vnited to him and made members of his bodie he being their head and also members one of another by the wonderfull working of the holy Ghost This secret vniting of Christ with the godly is by nature impossible to bee comprehended For our instruction herein beholde Note the Sùnne shining forth his beames on the earth how it is one thing in the firmament yet all the worlde and euery thing is nourished and comforted with the light and heate thereof Much more and more then may bee expressed with our tongues or coÌ„ceyued in our minds doth the extending beames of the spirite of Christ discende to the faythfull to quicken comfort and defend them with the grace vertue and power that commeth from the bodie of our sauiour Christ Iesus whereby they hate the deuill and sinne and ouercome them Albeit the faythfull receyue the benefites Iohn 3. 18. 1. Pet. 3. 21. Acts 8. 13. 18. 20. 21. Ioh. 1 33 Rom 2. 29. 1. Cor. 10. 4 5. aforesayde with the holy Sacraments yet there is no such secret power knit and fastned to the Sacraments that they may of themselues giue vs the graces of the holy ghost The Sacraments doe not profite vs vnlesse the holy ghost ioyne with them