and Worship proper and peculiar to Jesus Christ as he is Mediator of which hereafter in their order and place 9. But from hence it appeareth that Jesus Christ is not our Saviour in one way or upon one account only and alone to wit not only by his Preaching Example Martyrdom or Suffering or that he is not so only therefore because he hath declared unto us the way of Eternal Life and confirmed it by Miracles also by the examplariness of his Life and by his Death and by this means hath purchased to himself a Supreme power and virtue to save us But withall indeed by virtue of Merit with or towards God and Efficacy arising or proceeding therefrom and immediatly respecting us By virtue of Merit doubtless or Desert * Mat. 20 28. Rom 5. 8 9 19 Phil. 2. 5 c. Tim. 2. 5 6. because he hath merited eternal Salvation for us by his Obedience or because by the Mediation hereof especially of his violent and bloody Death as by a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Price of Redemption and propitiatory Sacrifice God hath thus far reconciled all Sinners unto himself that for the sake of this Price of Redemption and Sacrifice he was pleased to be at one with them again and to open the door of eternal Salvation and way of Immortality to them even as it was prefigured many ages before under divers Types Figures and Shadows †Lev. 16. Heb. 9 10. of the Old Testament and especially under the Type of that solemn Sacrifice which the High-Priest once every year performed in the Holy of Holies And he is our Saviour indeed by way of Efficacy | Rom. 3. 34 c. chap. 14. 9. 1 Jol 2. 12. Heâ— 4. 4 c. 1 Pâ—t 1. 3. in as much as he doth effectually apply the Spirituall virtue and fruit of the said Merit of his to his faithful Followers and really affords it to them to enjoy and makes them through Faith really partakers of all those Benefits which he by his Obedience hath purchased for them of which more afterwards 10. But those Men who hold that there The Confutation of an Errour was both an absolute Election and an absolute Reprobation of certain Persons whether considered before the Fall or only under or after the Fall without Faith in Christ on the one hand or Disobedience on the other hand was in order first made and past before Jesus Christ was designed of the Father as a Mediator for them they enervate nay do wholly and utterly overthrow the universal force and vertue of this same Merit and the truth and reality of its Efficacy Neither indeed was it necessary that there should be made any true or real Expiation of Sins by the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Redemption of Christ for them nay nor indeed was it so much as possible if Truth may be freely spoken who were now long before by name peremptorily and absolutely destinated or appointed part unto Life part unto Death For the Elect as they call them or those who are predestinated unto Life have no need of any such Expiation and Reconciliation because upon the very account of their being precisely or absolutely elected unto Salvation they are like wise upon the same account in actual Favour with God and already necessarily beloved of him with the highest and immutable Love and such as is peculiar to those that are Sons and Heirs of God And as for the Reprobate as they call them they themselves deny that there was or is any Atonement truly made for them and besides the thing is absurd of it self as that which implyes a contradiction For upon their being reprobated according to these Mens Opinion they are thereupon wholly and altogether excluded from the Atonement made by Christ Because those whom God hath by an immutable Decree once reprobated or excluded from Salvation or devoted to to eternal Destruction he doth not seriously will nor can will nor can will that any thing savingly good should really be conferred upon them much less that the said Atonement should be common to them with the Elect. And thus far in general of the chief Works of God hitherto CHAP. IX Of the Knowledg of the Will of God revealed in the New Covenant 1. FUrthermore the Will of God A twofold Will of God in the New Testament * Jer. 31. 31 c. Heb. 8. 9. 9. 15 c. ch 10. 15 c. comprehended in the Covenant of Grace which our most high Prophet the only begotten Son of God hath clearly and fully revealed unto us in his Gospel contains two chief heads First those things which God on his part by his Son Jesus Christ hath decreed to do or work in us or about us that we may be made partakers of that eternal Salvation that is offered to us by him Secondly those things which he altogether wills by the mediation or means of his own Grace to be done by us if we will really obtain eternal Salvation 2. Those things which God hath decreed A Subdivision of the former to do on his part in order to our Salvation are chiefly two 1. He hath decreed for the honour of his beloved Son by him to choose unto himself for Sons unto Salvation and Life eternal to adopt justifie seal with his Holy Spirit and at last to glorifie †Joh. 3. 16. c. ch 6. 29. Eph. 1. 3 4 c. Rom. 8. 28 c. 2 Tim. 1. 9 c. Heb. 3. 6 14. all those and those only who truly believe in his Name or obey his Gospel and persevere in the said Faith and Obedience even unto death and on the contrary to reprobate or reject from Life and Salvation | Joh. 3. 18 36. Mat. 25. 41 c. Unbelievers and Impenitent Persons and everlastingly to condemn them 2. He hath decreed through or by his same Son to confer or bestow upon all that are called although wretched Sinners such effectual Grace * Tit. 2. 11 12. Act. 3. 26. 5. 31. 26. 16 c. 2 Cor. 5. 18 19 20. 6. 1. 2 Pet. 1. 3 4. as by which they may be truly and really enabled to believe on Christ their Saviour obey his Gospel and be delivered from the Dominion and Guilt of Sin yea also by which they may actually believe obey and be delivered unless by a new Contumacy and Rebellion they reject the Grace of God that is offered unto them 3. The first Decree is the Decree of Predestination unto Salvation Predestination unto Salvation or of Election unto Glory whereby is established as well the real necessity as profitableness of our Faith and Obedience in reference to our obtaining Salvation and Glory before which dogmatically to See Calv. and the Canons of the Synod of Dort assign or assent another Decree first or before it in order whereby some certain particular Persons by name were elected and that indeed
Favour designed before all ages †Jam. 1. 18. Mâ— 11. 27. Eph. 3. 9 10 11. 2 Tim. 1. 9 10. Tit. 2. 11. unto sinners but did only afar off obscurely and as it were through a Lattice or Casement make discovery of it to wit under a general promise thereof | Gen. 10. 1 c. 17. 7. and under a Type * Heb. 11. 16. 10. 1. Jo 1. 17. Col. 2. 17. and shadow of bodily things For although under the Old Testament there were not altogether wanting some who through the Assistance of the said Divine Grace believed on God and through Faith walked uprightly and sincerely before God and by a Life ordered according to the Will of God shook off the Dominion of Sin and by the said lively Faith also were truly justified or absolved from the guilt of their sins and endowed with the reward of Eternal Life †Gen. 4. 4 7. 5. 24. Heb. 11. as is clear in the examples of Abel Enoch and Abraham the Father of all that believe c. Yet were the most carried away and as it were 1. before the â—iood overwhelmed with the weight of their Sin and load of their Misery For whereas at the beginning there was as yet no written Law given but the dictate of Natural Reason Traditions of Fathers and certain other Divine and Angelical Revelations and Apparitions only God so ordering the matter did take place or bear sway amongst Men | Rom. 5. 13. Sin was not only in the World but also did so far exert and put forth its power that all flesh a few only excepted who were * Gen. 5. 24. 6. 9. Act. 11. 3. righteous and by Faith walked holily before God corrupted †Gen. 6. 5 11 12. 8. 21. its way and every Imagination of Man was only evil from his Childhood Whence the Guilt of sin was then so far encreased that an Universal deluge of Water was brought upon the World of the †2 Pet. 2. 5. 2. After the floud Ungodly 9. Again after the Floud Sin was not only not washed away but rather like leaven was diffused and spread throughout the whole race of mankind so that | Josh 24. 1 2. Gen. 12. 1 2. whole People Nations and Countries every where defiled themselves with Idolatry and other foul and abominable sins and in the greatest and largest Societies or Communities of Men there were * Gen. 18. 32. scarce ten Righteous Persons to be found At length when God having passed by other Nations †Act. 14. 16. Psal 147. 19 20. Deut. 7. 6 7 c. ch 9. 4 5 6 c. did choose some certain Men from the rest of the multitude of Idolaters and Sinners unto himself and out of his Special Grace did impose or lay upon their Posterity a written Law consisting of many and divers Precepts moral ceremonial political | Act. 15. 10. Gal. 3. 23. as a burdensome and insuportable Yoak and Fence * Gal. 3. â—4 and that they might be the more effectually restrained from sinning compelled to do their duty did also ratify and confirm the same by most severe †Lev. 26. 3. c. Deut. 27. 15. c. 28. Threatnings and manifold Promises yea further did ever and anon by | Isa 61. 1. c. 62. 6. c. 2 Chron. 36. 15. Act. 7. 51 52 53. his Prophets and other of his Servants cause the Sermons of his Gracious Will and Pleasure to be repeated and inculcated upon them for the further let and hinderance of Transgressions yet sin nevertheless and notwithstanding all still prevailed and overcame and its Dominion was not only not extinct by this Law and the Guilt thereof by * Rom. 5. 20. 7. 8. Heb. 7. 18 19 7. 20. 10. 4. Rom. 3. 19 20. 11. 32. the Blood of Bulls and Goats and other sacrifices of that kind not taken away but sin was ever the more and more encreased and as it were by a prick or goad stirred up and provoked by the Law and the Guilt of Death and Condemnation so far aggravated that the whole World became shut up under sin and liable unto Condemnation 10. From whence at length the most The use and necesity of the Grace of God high necessity and also advantage of the Grace of God prepared or preordained for us in Christ before all ages hath evidently appeared for without it we can neither shake off the miserable Yoak of Sin nor †do any thing truly good in †‑ Rom. 6. 14. c. 7. 1. c. 8. 1. c. Gal. 3. 24. Act 4. 12. 13. 38 39. Religion at all nor lastly ever escape ‑ Eternal Death or any true punishment of Sin Much less are we at any time able without it and of our selves or by any other Creatures to obtain Eternal Salvation CHAP. VIII Of the work of Redemption and of the Person and Offices of Jesus Christ 1. VVHerefore it seemed good The work of Redemption what it is to the most Merciful God in * 1 Cor. 10. 11. Gal. 4. 4. the end of the World or in the fulness of time in very deed to set upon and throughly to accomplish that most excellent Work which †1 Pet. 1. 20. Eph. 1. 9 10. he had foreknown or purposed in himself before the Foundations of the World and in successive ages all along under divers figures | Heb. 9. shadows and Types as it were in a rude draught pourtrayed held forth to be seen afar off and darkly known of Men to wit the Work of Redemption * 2 Cor. 5. 15. c. Rom 5. 12. c. ch 8. 3. c. 1 Pet. 1. 3 c. Eph. 2. 1 c. or of a New Creation whereby he might of his â—â—eer Grace and Mercy deliver Man who by reason of sin was become lyable to Eternal-Death and Condemnation and lay in miserable sort under the bondage of sin from the said Guilt and restore him unto the Hope of an eternal and immortal Life and minister to him sufficient yea and superabundant Power and Ability to cast off the Dominion of Sin and to obey the Will of God with his whole Heart 2. This Work God hath accomplished The Execution or accomplishment thereof by Christ by his one only begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ †Joh. 3. 16 c. 8. 26. Maâ— 11 27. Joh. 1. 18. Act. 4. 12. 10. 43. Gal. 4. 4 c. Tit. 2 11 12. whom indeed he therefore sent into the World not only that he might by him most openly declare and divers ways confirm his most Merciful Will concerning his bestowing Eternal Life freely upon Sinners that do seriously and truly repent and believe but also in very deed that he might through his most holy Obedience and the effectual working of his Holy Spirit in us as far as
Furniture doth observe a moderation with decorum to wit so that he doth neither unadvisedly render himself contemptible through an affected sordidness nor greedily catch after vain Glory by an excessive proud or disdainful Splendour lastly so that he in all things or places sheweth such an habit or attire of body as becometh true and serious holiness and always * Joh 13. 14 15. 1 Tim. 5. 10. clotheth himself with that affection which will not be ashamed to follow Jesus Christ when he washed his Disciples Feet 8. An immoderate love of pleasures is An immoderate love of pleasures the lust of the flesh †Rom. 13. 12 13 14. 2 Pet. 2. 10 13 14. Jude v. 8. 12 16 He denieth it who doth not at all endeavour the delighting or pleasing of his outward Senses whereby the flesh enjoys its peculiar pleasures and therefore †Job 31. 1. Psal 119. 37. 2 Pet. 2. 14. who doth not feed his Eyes with the sight or beholding of things vain or unlawful for pious men and altogether unprofitable nor pleaseth his ears with obscene uncivil and foolish jests and neither utterreth himself lascivious Quips or Scoffs or scurrilousand | Eph. 2. â—9 â— 4. wanton Verses or Songs * 2 Pet. 2. 8. nor heareth them but sore against his will who also studieth Sobriety and Temperance and taketh no operose or toilsom Care for his Palat or Belly who in Meat and Drink seeketh not those things which are | Luk. 16. 19. 21. 34. 1 Pet. 4. 3 4. 2 Pet. 2. 13. superfluous costly and splendid nor doth overcharge his heart therewith so as to render himself unapt or unfit for the right and due discharge of his calling moreover who seeketh to possess his * 1 Thess 4. 4 5. 1 Cor. 6. 15 c. Vessel in Honour and always and every where observeth that true Chastity as it is prescribed by Christ and carefully shunneth all occasions and incentives to lust †Luk. 16. 19. 21. 34. Eph. 5. 18 19. to wit Drunkenness Luxury Riotings and Banquetings | Eph. 4. 28. 1 Thess 4. 11 12. 2 Thess 3. 8 c. Idleness and all vanity in Words and Gestures and Behaviour and on the contrary doth seriously plie and delight in all meet helps for the cherishing of Continency and Chastity to wit in * Mat. 26. 41. 1 Pet. 5. 8. 2 Cor. 6. 5. Watchings Studies †Rom. 12. 11. pious Conferences | 1 Cor. 15. 33. 1 Pet. 2. 12. and holy and honest Conversation or Company lastly who doth in particular manner commend unto himself * Dan 93. Joel 1. 14. 2. 15. Jonah 3. 7. 1 Esdr 8. 21. Mat. 4. 2. Luk. â— â—7 1 Cor. 7. 5. Act. 13. 2 3. 14. 23. fasting for the better subduing of the flesh and the greater exciting and stirring up of the Spirit especially in time of the Cross and Affliction or any Publick or Private Calamity and therefore doth not so highly prize the rest or quiet nor the advantage nor sweetness of any of these things which may incur or enter into the outward senses but that he had rather want and be without all those things than recede from the commands of Jesus Christ so much as a nailes breadth 9. Whosoever is thus minded and The imitating of Christ bearing of the Cross disposed he will at length rightly imitate Christ and to him in particular it will not be grievious patiently and quietly to take up and bear * Mat. 16. 24. Luk. 9. 24. the Cross of Christ that is through †2 Cor. 6. 8. Ignominy Reproach | Heb. 10. 34. 11. 36. Spoiling of goods Want Hunger Nakedness yea through Prisons * Rom. 8. 35 c. Fires Wheels Crosses and Swords c. after the example of his | Heb. 12. 2. Captain and Lord as oft as need shall require and it shall seem good * 1 Pet. 3. 17. 18. unto God in this way with violence to press towards eternal and immortal Glory and unto a stable both Rest and Happyness For the pious Meditation of this very thing hath added so great courage and so mighty resolution or Spirit to the Apostles and Prophets and other †Act. 5. 41. 7. 60. 1â— 25. 20. 24. 21. 13. Heb. 11. 3 5 â— Rev. 6. 9. 7. 14. Holy Men of God of old time and also in our own age to faithful Martyrs of Jesus Christ not a few that they have gone very often rejoycing and chearful to their Torments although never so most cruel and in the midst of Fires and Flames have blessed God and Jesus Christ his Son with Singing and Hymns †Rom. 5. 3. 8. 21 c. yea yet further have gloryed in their very Afflictions and Sufferings and that under the hope of the Glory of the Sons of God that they were accounted worthy to suffer those evils for the sake of their Lord Jesus Christ and to seal his Truth and to illustrate and set forth his Glory with their Blood CHAP. XIIII Of Prayer and Thanksgiving and in particular of the Lord's Prayer 1. BUt because the whole Life of Believers The use necessity of prayer as we have said a little before and especially their Obedience of Faith which they constantly perform or yeild unto Jesus Christ is daily exposed unto divers Dangers Temptations and Assaults of Satan the Flesh and the World and obnoxious and lyable to many wants and necessities lest therefore in so difficult a conflict they should faint or despair * Mat. 7. 7 c. ch 26. 4. Luke 18. 1 c. Jesus Christ hath willed that all Believers in general and particular should †Joh. 14. 13. 16. 23. in his alone Name with an unwearied entire | Mat. 11. 24. Jam. 1 5 6. Faith and that always * Rom. 12. 12. 1 Thess 5. 17. without ceasing but especially in great Temptations and Adversities implore and earnestly entreat the continual Help and Grace of God and †Phil. 4. 6. Psal 116. 12 13. 102 103 194. 1 Tim. 2 1. Col. 3. 17. 4. â— continually give him thanks for the Benefits and Mercies they have received by this means testifying and declaring that they ow unto God as the chief and prime Author their whole Happiness and that by his alone Aid and free Blessing or Benefit they are able to perform yea and really do perform all things whatsoever are necessary to be done or performed for the obtaining of it Whence arise two principal parts or kinds of Divine Worship Prayer strictly and properly so called or an earnest entreating of the Divine help for good things to be obtained or for the taking or turning away of things evill and giving of Thanks and solemn Praysing of the Name of God for Blessings and Mercies received 2. Both parts or
only consist in every particular Man's professing with his | Mat. 8. 38. Rom. 10. 9. mouth and in life this saving doctrine of Christ for himself but also in Believers being united and joyned together among themselves * 1 Cor. 11. 20 c. 14. 4 c. Act. 2. 41 42 Mar. 18. 16. 1 Cor. 16. 1 c. whether they be more or fewer in their doing or performing those things which ordinarily cannot nor use to be performed but in a Society or Congregation and which render the Society or Congregation it self more Illustrious and Conspicuous 10. Which sort or kind of duties Three in chief besides hearing of the Word preached and the profession of Faith already spoken of are chiefly two to †Act. 2. 41 c. 8. 12 c. 20. 7. wit the use of the Sacraments as they are called and * Mat. 18. 17. 1 Cor. 5. 4. 1 Tim. 5. 1 2 20. the exercise of Christian discipline of which more immediately CHAP. XXIII Of the Sacraments and other Sacred Rites 1. VVHen we speak of Sacraments What a Sacrament is we understand the outward Ceremonies of the Church or those sacred and solemn Rites whereby as by foederal * Rom. 4. 11 c. 1 Cor. 10. 1 2 3 16 c. 1 Cor. 12. 13. signs and visible seals God doth not only represent and shadow out unto us his gracious benefits especially those promised in the Covenant of the Gospel but doth also in a certain manner clearly hold forth and seal the same unto us and we again likewise do openly and publickly declare and testifie that we do embrace †Rom. 6. 3 4. 2. 25 26. 1 Cor. 10. 16 c. 11. 25 c. all the promises of God with a true firm and obedient Faith and that we will always with continual and thankful remembrance celebrate with praise his benefits and favours 2. And these like Rites if we must What their number is in the N.T. speak properly and accurately in the New Testament are only two to wit Baptism and the Sacred Supper Of which the one by a | Gen. 17. 10 c. 1 Sam. 17. 36. certain analogie i. e. proportion or likeness doth not unaptly answer unto * Exod. 12. 26 c. Lev. 23. 5 c. the sign of Circumcision which under the Old Testament was a sign of sacred initation i. e. entrance or of a certain ingraffing into the people of God and the other to †1 Cor. 10 c. the eating of the Paschal Lamb which was a Rite of solemn Eucharistia i. e. blessing or publick Thanksgiving for to praise and celebrate God openly for the typical deliverance of the people of Israel that is for their deliverance out of Egypt Of Baptism 3. Baptism is the first publick and The discription use of Baptism sacred Rite of the New Testament whereby all in Covenant without any difference of age or sex are by the solemn washing of water ingraffed into the Church and initiated into the worship of God or are therefore dipped into or washed | Mat. 3. 11. 28. 19. Mar. 16. 16. Joh. 3. 15. Joh. 4. 1. Act. 2. 41 c. 8. 12 36 37 38. 10. 47 c. with Water in or into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost that hereby as by a Symbolical sign and sacred signal they may be confirmed concerning the gracious Will of God towards them that as the filth of their bodies is washed away by Water so they themselves by the Blood and Spirit of Christ if they do not through their own default make void this gracious Covenant unto themselves are to be cleansed inwardly or most fully delivered from the guilt of all their sins and finally to be endowed with the glorious Immortality and eternal Happiness of the Sons of God and withal that they also on the other side may be obliged and * Rom. 6. 3 4. 1 Cor. 1. 13 c. 12. 13. Gal. 3. 27. 1 Pet. 3. 21. to that end openly declare that they constantly expect all Salvation from God alone and the Lord Jesus Christ their only Mediatour Priest and King that they trust in him with their Heart and casting away the filth and defilements of all their sins are willing by the vertue or power of his Holy Spirit to obey him throughout the course of their whole Life Of the Sacred Supper of the Lord. 4. The other Sacred Rite of the New The description and end of the Sacred Supper Testament is the Sacred Supper instituted by Jesus the night wherein he was betrayed to celebrate an eucharistical and solemn †Mat. 26. 26 27 28. Mar. 14. 22 23 24. Luk. 22. 19 20. 1 Cor. 10. 16 17 c. 11. 23 24 25. commemoration of his Death wherein Believers after they have examined and truly proved themselves to be in the true Faith do eat the sacred Bread publickly broken in the Congregation and also drink the Wine publickly poured forth and that to declare or hold forth with solemn thanksgiving the Lord 's bloody and cruel Death undergone for us whereby as our bodies are sustained by meat and drink or by Bread and Wine so our hearts are nourished and fed unto the hope of eternal life and again likewise publickly to testify and declare before God and the Church their quickening and spiritual Communion with the body of Christ crucified and his blood shed or with Jesus Christ himself who was crucified and Died for us and consequently with all the benefits that were procured and purchased by his Death and with all also their mutual love one amongst another 5. Certainly from those things which The reproof or confutation of an errour every where | Luk. 22. 19 20. 1 Cor. 11. 24. in Scripture are read concerning this whole sacred Rite and concerning the things signified thereby and which the very Articles of Faith concerning Christ's true humane body and his ture * Act. 1. 9 10 11. 3. 21. Heb. 8. 4. ascension into Heaven and exaltation c. do suggest unto us and lastly right reason it self dictates it easily appears 1. That here is no †Mat. 26. 27. 1 Cor. 10. 16. 11. 24 25◠c. substantial change made of the Signs into the things signified to wit of the Bread and Wine into the Body and Blood of the Lord. 2. And that there is not any local conjunction or corporeal including or any physical or natural tying or uniting of both together 3. So far is one of the signs to wit the use of the Chalice or sacred Cup from being justly or worthily to be taken away from Believers under this pretence And 4. that true and quickning or expiatory sacrifice of Jesus Christ | Heb. 7. 27 28. 9. 25 26 27 28. 10. 10 11 12 13 14 18.
in him lyeth by degrees bring us to the said wished and desired end 3. Furthermore the whole Knowledg Of the person of Christ of this Son of God our Lord Jesus Christ as far indeed as is savingly necessary consists chiefly of two parts For it respecteth partly his Person and partly his Office In respect of his Person Jesus Christ is true and Eternal God | Joh. 1. 1. c. ch 20. 28. Rom. 9. 5. 1 Joh. 5. 20. and withal true and perfectly just Man * 1 Tim. 2. 5 6. Mat. 16 16. 1 Cor. 10. â—1 22. Rom. â— 3 in one and the same person for that he is the natural only begotten and proper Son of God †Joh. 1. 14. c. ch 3. 18. Rom. 1. 3 4. 8. 32. Gal. 4. 4. Luke 2. 31 c. Heb. 414. Of the Truth Perfection c. of his humane nature in the fulness of time by the Operation of the Holy Ghost made true and entire Man and born of the Virgin Mary without any Spot or Stain of Sin 4. And he was not only true or entire and perfect Man as to his substance to wit consisting of a true humane body and a reasonable Soul but also truly obnoxious or subject to the same Infirmities | Joh. 1. 14. c. Heb. 2. 14. c. 4. 15. 5. 7. Ro. 1. 3. 8. 3. Gal. 4. 4 c. Passions Miseries Afflictions Troubles Griefs Sorrows Ignominy Reproaches and consequently the most sharp or bitter Death as we are and that for this very end that being in all things made like unto his Brethren yet without Sin he might be our merciful and Faithful high Priest in things pertaining unto God to expiate the Sins of the People And this is meant by that Article of the Apostles Creed concerning Christ Jesus I believe in Jesus Christ the only begotten Son of God our Lord who was conceived by the Holy Ghost born of the Virgin Mary 5. The Office of Jesus Christ is threefold His threefold Office twofold estate Prophetical Priestly and Kingly | Luk 1. 32 33. Act. 3. 22 23. Heb. 5. â— 7. Rev. 1. 5 19. 16. His State of humiliation all which he did partly now long since in this World in his State of Humiliation and abasement or emptying of himself faithfully administer and now also partly doth gloriously administer or discharge in Heaven in his State of Glory and Exaltation Unto the former State pertain these Articles following * 1 Tim. 6. 13. Act. 2. 36. 1 Cor. 1. 23 2. 2. Eph. 4. 9. Psal 2. 4 c. Heb. 2. 16. He suffered under Pontius Pilate was crucified dead and buried he descended into Hell By which as it were by certain Steps or Degrees the whole Humiliation of Jesus Christ to wit such as became him as our Prophet and Priest Of Exaltation and Glory was leisurely consummated and finished Unto the latter are to be referred these †Mar. 16. 19 20. Rom. 8. 34. Heb. 7. 25. 8 1 c. The third day he rose again from the dead he ascended up into Heaven he sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead By which things is excellently described partly a certain preparation unto both the Kingly and Pontificial Dignity of Jesus Christ partly this very Dignity it self and the magnificent exertion or shewing forth of the same 6. His Prophetical Office he hath now His Prophetical Office long since fully performed and finished not only when he openly revealed unto us by * Joh. 1. 18. 5. 19. 2 Tim. 1. 10. his Gospel the Will of God concerning the communicating of Salvation truly such or of Eternal life to all that only believe and obey after death but hath also by manifest Signs †Joh. 5. 36. c. ch 15. 24. Act. 2. 22. 10. 36. and Miracles too great to be questioned or excepted against and also by | 1. Pet. 2. 21. Phil. 2. 5 c. the example of his own proper Obedience both in his life and death most evidently confirmed it and withall yet further after his death he hath most substantially by divers arguments for * Act. 1. 3. c. Joh. 20. 21. fourty days together asserted and proved the same 7. His Priestly Office he partly performed 2. Priestly long since when at his Father's * Phil. 2. 8. command whom †submissively obeying he underwent on our behalf the cursed death of the | Eph. 5. 2. Gal. 3. 13. Heb. 2. 9 10. 10. 5 6. 1 Joh. 2. 2. Cross and offered up himself to God his Father as a propitiatory Sacrifice for the Sins of all Mankind and suffered himself being innocent to beslain upon the Altar of the Cross * Rom 8. 34. Heb. 7. 24 25. partly he doth yet still daily perform the same whilst being alive again he continually appeareth in Heaven before the Face of God for the sake of Men and doth in effectual and glorious wise intercede for those that believe shewing himself indeed at all times and in all places a most faithful Advocate and Patron to them 8. His Kingly Office he doth even 3. Kingly now continually exercise since being once raised from Death by the Father and advanced to the Throne of Supreme Majesty †Heb. 1. 3. Rev. 3. 21. 1 Thes 1. 10. Psa 110. 1. in Heaven and set down at the right hand of God on high | Maâ— 28. 19. Act. 2. 36. and having obtained all power in Heaven and Earth he rules every where in magnificent manner and indeed he doth so dispose of and govern * Eph. 1. 20 21 22 c. 4. 11 c. Psal 2. 8 c. 110. 1 c. all things according to his own Will and Pleasure that he does chiefly and in the first place consult the Safety and Salvation of his faithful ones to wit since he hath not only now long since instituted the Ministry of the Gospel for our good but doth also continually in powerful-wise preserve it against all sorts of Obstacles or Hinderances and therein still admirably doth exert his own spiritual Efficacy and whilâ—t he doth by his Spirits and Angels his Ministers and Attendants powerfully guard protect and defend even in this Life †Rev. 2 3. Act. 12. 11. 18. 10. Heb. 14. his faithful Subjects against the Devices Wiles Snares Force and Power of Satan Tyrants and all other their Enemies until he shall in the last | Mat. 25. 30 c. 1 Cor. 15. 24. 2 Thess 1. 7 8 9. â— Thess 4. 17. 2 Thess 1. 9 10. Mat. 24. 31. Judgment utterly destroy the one and take up the other into his heavenly and immortal Glory and make them everlastingly happy and blessed And indeed upon these Offices is built both the Knowledg