beleeuing is nothing but a spirituall sight faith being the eye of the soule whereby we see God reconciled to vs by Christ by which sight we walke now not by immediate sight such as Angells and Saints haue in heauen which glorious sight shall dimme or extinguish rather the obscure sight of faith which seeth thorough the Word and Sacraments as spectacles whereas there in heauen we shall see perfitly AEnig 228. Who is that that makes things visible to be invisible and things past and to come to be present And how this may be Resolution It is a true and liuely faith to which God and heauenly glory things invisible doe after a sort become visible being beleeued that they shall as certainly be performed as they are certeinly promised Also in a wonderfull manner both things past as the worlds creation Christs incarnation and passion And things to come as resurrection Iudgment c. are present to faith Heb. 11.1 AEnig 229. How may one at once both haue faith and loose it Resolution A Christian at once may haue the gift or habit of faith and yet loose the feeling and some fruits for a time as in Dauid and Peter who lost confession of Christ with boldnesse cleannesse and ioy of heart yet lost not the grace of faith AEnig 230. How can one see him that is invisible whom neuer man saw Resolution God being an invisible Spirit maketh himselfe seen vnto faithfull ones and visible as it were in his word sacraments works and creatures Heb. 11. 27. AEnig 231. How is it that a beleeuer still hungers and thirsts yet true beleeuers hunger and thirst no more Iohn 6. Resolution True beleeuers because their apprehension and feeling is weake hindred by sinnes and temptations therefore they still thirst and couet increase of their faith to a more full enioying of Christ and his graces wherin because they doe finde all soule contentment and satisfaction euen whatsoeuer belongs to full happinesse therfore they are said to thirst no more for they rest in him onely and seeke not for an other AEnig 232. How may one beleeue before he haue faith Resolution He that out of an heart truly touched for his offences doth desire through the holy ghost to beleeue the forgiuenesse of them such a one though he haue not that faith which is in strong apprehension and act yet he doth beleeue in Gods acceptance who in his children accepteth the desire for the deed Mat. 12.20 Ioh. 7. 37. 38. AEnig 233. Seeing doubting is contrary to faith how can beleeuing and doubting meet both together in one person Resolution Doubting being a fruit of vnbeliefe is contrary to the nature of faith which is a certaine assent vnto the promises yet it may stand with the infirmitie of faith as in Peter Mat. 14. 31. why dost thou doubt ô thou of little faith doubting springs not from faith but from weake faith AEnig 234. If we be certaine of our saluation by faith how are we bid to worke out our saluation with feare and trembling Resolution As a child may reuerence and feare his Father of whose loue he is certeinly perswaded so Gods child thinking vpon his owne weaknesse and the falls of others may feare to offend God by falling to sinne yet may bee certainly perswaded of his owne saluation when he considers the infinite mercy truth and power of God Phil. 2. 12. AEnig 235. If faith be but one how is it written that righteousnesse is reuealed from faith to faith Resolution Faith is but one as touching the kinde author obiect and end yet this one faith hath sundry degrees and measures righteousnesse is then reuealed from one measure of faith to another from a lesser faith to a greater but not from one kinde of faith to another Rom. 1.17 Eph. 4.5 AEnig 236. How one person at the same time may be an enemie to God yet loued of him Resolution One that is an enemie actually by the guilt and corruption of sinne wherin he stickes being vnregenerate may at the same time be and is loued of God in his purpose and election Rom. 7.10 9.13 AEnig 237. How may it be that one should marry a Wife and yet still remain a Virgin Resolution Hee that is maried to a Woman yet is still a Virgin if his faith be kept pure and vnspotted see 189. AEnig 238. How may one be a maa and a chtld at once Resolution One person at the same time may be a man in yeeres and a child in vnderstanding as Nicodemus Iohn 3. AEnig 239. Who was he that was a man the first day he was borne And how this may be Resolution Paul the Apostle in respect of his great knowledg and strength of grace which hee receiued in his new birth was a man not a babe the first day he was borne into the Christian world Acts 9. AEnig 240. Who is he that is twise borne and thrice dead and how this may be Resolution A regenerate man is borne of his mother naturally and the second time he is borne of the Church spiritually Also he is once dead in sinne by corruption from Adam The second time he is dead to sinne by mortification from the death of Christ The third time dead to the world in the disolution of soule and body by the decree of God AEnig 241. Who is he that fiue a childe and how Resolution One that is regenerate and liues till hee be in great yeares is a childe first by age secondly by new birth thirdly in vnderstanding if he continue weake in knowledge long time after he is new borne fourthly in maliciousnesse being harmelesse as a childe fiftly in yeares as it is said once an old man twise a childe AEnig 242. Who is it that hath foure heades and but one heart also two hearts and but one head and how this may be Resolution A religious beleeuing wife hauing but one naturall heart yet beside her naturall head shee hath her husband as domesticall or houshold head her King as politicall or ciuill head And lastly Christ her misticall and spirituall head Also a man that hath but one naturall head may haue two hearts as hipocrites who are double minded or as the godly comming into the worde with a heart of stone and afterward receiuing from grace a heart of flesh Ezek. 11. 19. AEnig 243. If Gods promise be true why are seales added Resolution Seales are added to the promise not simply to confirme the truth thereof which is more stable then heauen and earth but to help the infirmitie of our faith which needes strengthening against doubts and feares of the flesh AEnig 244. What is that which is called that it is not yet is that which it is called Resolution Sacraments be called by the name of things wherof they are sacraments for likenesse sake yet are not the selfe same things really and substantially but mistically and
others do inioy Also such as haue the least portion want not and such as haue the greatest haue none ouer plus for all haue perfection Euen as many vessels cast into the sea being vnequall measures yet euery one is filled full AEnig 261. How is there one spirit of bondage another spirit of adoption yet the holy spirit is but one Resolution Bondage and Adoption bee but diners affectes of one spirit workeing diuersly in the law too terrifying in the Gospell too comforting Rom. 8. 15. 2. Cor. 3. AEnig 262. What is that that is both kept and giuen at once Resolution Christ giueth the title of sonnes to the faithfull yet himselfe still keepeth it Also the right of heauen hee so keepes as yet he hath be gift bestowed it vpon his members who in way of thankefulnesse for their sonneship and inheritance doe giue to him againe themselues and all their graces which neuer the lesse they do keepe still AEnig 263. How may the childe of Adam be certaine that he is the childe of God Resolution By their faith and the fruits thereof inward and outward See 258. AEnig 264. If the faithfull bee sonnes and heires how is it that they are persecuted and contemned as Vassals and Outcasts Resolution Through the malice of Sathan wicked men who neither know them nor God their father but hate God in them and them for his sake who permitteth his children to bee abused by the world because it makes for their present triall and for the increase of future glorie 1. Ioh. 3. 1. and 1. Pet. 1. 6. 7. Rom. 8. 18. AEnig 265. Seeing the spirit of feare is contrarie to the spirit of adoption how then can they feare which are once adopted Resolution Adopted children of God feare not now with a seruile feare of punishment only as slaues their Lords or malefactors their Iudge this feare is expelled by faith but they do still feare the displeasing of God with a childe-like reuerence out of a louing affection to God as vnto a father Psal. 13. 4. they feare transgression rather then condemnation AEnig 266. How can they be said to bee reconciled vnto God whom God did alwaies loue Resolution The elect were euer loued of God in his eternall decree and purpose yet being by Adams disobedience imputed and their owne naturall corruption together with the fruites thereof become enemies to God and hee to them sinne hauing made a separation they are actually reconciled being loued indeed when by their faith they doe laie hold on the death of Christ for remission of sinne and haue the image of God restored by the spirit of sanctification Rom. 5.7.8.9 AEnig 267. What is that which at once is both olde and new and how Resolution The soule of an elect man by grace of sanctification is renewed to the likenesse of God in righteousnesse and true holinesse yet still reteineth much oldnesse of corruption new it is then by reigning grace and old it is by remaining sinne Rom. 7. 23.24.25 AEnig 268. How may one at once be both persit and vnpersit Resolution The Saints be perfit by imputation of Christs perfection Also in respect of their sincere delire to please God and of their endeauour toward actuall perfection yet in respect of their manifold wants and sinnes the best men are still vnperfect Phil. 3. 12. 13. AEnig 269. How may one and the selfe same person be all flesh and all spirit at once Resolution The childe of God because hee is sanctified throughout in all parts therefore is all spirit but because his sanctification is not perfit in degree therefore he is also all flesh spirit and flesh grace and corruption being so mixed together in the whole man as wine and water in a cuppe or as light and darkenesse in the aire at the break of the day Rom. 7. 14. 15 16. AEnig 270. Who is he that hath two bodies and two spirits at once yet is but one man and how this may be Resolution A truely sanctified person hath one body of flesh another of death Rom. 7. 24. Also he hath one spirit which is his soule and the holy spirit whereby he is led Rom. 8. 1. AEnig 271. Who is he that at once is both free and bound and how this may be Resolution Euery Saint is free both from the curse and power of sinne the bondes whereof are broken in his new birth yet he is bound still to serue God his Creator and redeemer in newnesse of life Rom. 7. 6. AEnig 272. How may one man at once be both vnder grace and vnder the law and yet hee that is vnder grace is not vnder the law Resolution One man at once may both be vnder grace and vnder the instruction and regiment of the law Yet whosoeuer is vnder grace at the same time he is not vnder the malediction and irritation of the law but is freed from it as it is the strength of sinne and accurseth euery sinne Rom. 6.14 7.4.5 AEnig 273. How may one lawfully kill himselfe Resolution Himselfe in Scripture signifieth the corrupt lasts of our reason and will which may lawfully be killed by mortification Col. 3.5 but himselfe that is his person he must preserue and cherish Eph. 5. AEnigma 274. How may one both loue himselfe and deny himselfe at once Resolution Thus. One may loue his person which is himselfe and deny his euill affections which are as himselfe at one time AEnig 275. How may it be that one should sinne no more while he liues And yet there is no man liuing which senneth not Resolution He may be said to sinne no more who earnestly striueth against his sin to weaken and keepe it vnder and in whom the desire and pronenesse to sinne is corrected by grace such a one by reason of his affection would not sinne and by reason of his strife against sinne he sinneth lesse then he was wont to doe daily casting new mould vpon his sinnes to bury them AEnigma 276. How is it that sinne doth still liue in vs if sinne be dead in vs and we dead in it Resolution It fareth with sinne in a truly sanctified person as it fareth with a souldier that hath taken a deadly blow yet still mooues and stirs or with a sick man who still liues yet hath a deadly vnrecouerable disease likewise sinne in the godly hath by mortification taken a deadly wound and can neuer recouer his former strength yet is still aliue moouing and tempting vs to breake Gods law Rom. 7. 22. AEnig 277. How may one bee raised from death whiles he is aliue From the death of sinne the Elect are raised by Christ euen while they are aliue in the flesh to walke in newnesse of life Rom. 6.4 this is the first resurrection AEnig 278. How may there bee in one man both peace and warre at once Resolution Peace with God warre
subiect to wordes but contrariwise 8 He is best interpretour of Scripture which takes the sense from it not which brings a sense vnto it 9 Comparison of places one with another the darker with plainer is a good meane to attaine the sense of scripture 10 Literall sense alone of scripture is the whole substance of faith and of Christian Theologie 11 Without the holy spirit of God no man can vnderstand one iott or title of Scripture because of our inbred darknesse Therefore praier for inward illumination must bee ioyned with outward reading and hearing 12. There can bee but one onely proper true and certaine sense of one place of Scripture the rest are to bee auoided as doubtfull opinions 13. Hysteron proteron a placing of things before which should come after some things after which should be before is very frequent in holy Scriptures AEnigmata Sacra MISTICALL CASES AND SECRETS of Diuinitie with their Resolutions Fower Centuries and vpwards The vnfolding wherof layeth open that Truth that concerneth Saluation We speake the word of God in a mysterie 1. Cor. 2.7 The Secret of the Lord is reuealed to them that feare him Psal. 25.15 Open mine eyes Lord that I may see the wonders of thy Law Psal. 119. Then Mary said vnto the Angell how shall this bee that I should be with childe seeing I know not man Luk. 1. 34. This is the modell or patterne of all the Mysticall cases in this little Booke BY T. W. LONDON Printed by Edward Griffin for Francis Burton 1615. To the Reader CHristian Reader be pleased to vnderstand First that this way of propounding probiemes darke questions and parables is no new deuise but very ancient and of great continuance Secondly it is likewise of great vse for it serueth to try the abilitie of mens wits and vnderstandings also to exercise and to whet them also it puts by much absurd brawling and dangerous talke and giues occasion of many wholesome wise and graue sayings Thirdly praises and rewards haue been appointed and giuen to such as could loose such knots and frame fitting answers Lastly not alone humane and prophane but sacred and diuine Stories afford vs examples and presidents of such mysticall Questions the truth of all this will appeare in these few things heere annexed and set down Plutarch reports that it was a custome amongst Kings of olde times to put Questions one to another to make proofe of best wits and that a certaine praise was appointed to him that got the victory Dius an Historiographer of the Phoenicians rehearseth the Riddles and Questions that Salomon sent to King Hiram saying that it cost him very much in that hee could not open them vntill at length he found a yoong man of Tirus named Abdenan who deciphered to him the most part of them Poets write that Sphinix was wont to set forth a reward of freedom and libertie to him that could absolue his Riddle We finde in the booke of Judges that Sampson put forth a hard question how meat could come out of the eater and sweet out of the fierce an elegant riddle consisting in contraries for he that eateth and he that giueth meat also he that is fierce and bitter and he that is sweet are opposites of contrary natures Hee also promised a reward to him that could read his riddle Ambrose as he is cited by Peter Martir demanded the cause why Sampson made his probleme and he saith that because men in feasts when they haue well drunke are wont to be somewhat full of talke and to rebuke others too intemperately which for the most part turned to contention therefore to auoid that graue men were wont to put forth riddles or problems omitting dangerous talke and turning their mindes to the exposition of things put forth whose example Sampson followed and set a reward for him that could open his question to shew that knowledge and sharpnesse of minde ought to be rewarded and contrarily ignorance and foolishnes ought to be shamed and punished thus farre are the words of Ambrose In the first of Luke Mary the Virgin putteth a difficult question vnto the Angell which brought hir the message of conceiuing and bearing the Sonne of God How saith Shee may this be seeing I know not a man that is how may I be a mother while I am and remain a Virgin Lastly through out the Gospel we finde AEnigmata and many hard parables Christ put vnto the Iewes which his owne Disciples could not open therefore did aske him apart what they ment These things I doubt not make it euident that this course which I take is warrantable and profitable Especially if the nature and importance of my doubtfull cases be considered tending to instruct in diuine things which concern saluation and religion and the iniquitie of these times be thought on wherein it is hard to say whether ignorance or malice doe more abound some that would talke of good things in their meetings cannot for lacke of skill to put forth or loose a question wisely others are so wicked and malitious as they deride all wholesome communication now seeing the sharpning of wits is a maine and principall end of Questions for the trying of our knowledge some may muse why I would set downe answers to ease men of their owne labour in searching and so take both the praise of the answer from others and hinder the benefit which would come by seeking to this I say that I had little cause in this draught to aime at my owne praise for many respects but as I mooued questions to prouoke some which better can to frame better and more so I thought good to frame an answer vnto these that such as could not by their owne knowledge vpon their tryall finde a resolution might haue heere a peece of an answer and satisfaction to giue them some contentment I haue put each case and answer together desiring such as can fit and yeeld more pregnant and substantiall answers to set them downe and to accept in the meane while these my poore endeuours Farewell Mine answer is a slender thing Yet rest in it or better bring T. W. Aduertisements FIrst yee shall finde a worde in the margent opposite to each Resolution to shew vnto what Principle of Religion your case and answer doth belong The cases and answers for the most part doe follow the order and dependance which the Principles haue amongst themselues To the Christian Reader certaine Directions The vse of these darke and mysticall Cases is Fiuefold FIrst to minister occasion of searching and diuing more deeply into the great mysterie of godlinesse To try and draw out your knowledge as also to increase and confirme it by answers fitly framed according to the word To bewray the imperfections and wants of your knowledge whiles you sticke in easie things and stumble in the plaine way To giue light vnto sundry places and passages of Scripture opened and cleared To helpe the practise and exercise of that
commandements are easie to such as being regenerate are strengthned by the Spirit to walke in them and haue their failings forgiuen them by grace to others they bee heauy and buthensome Also the perfect fulfilling of the Law is to all a yoke intolleâ—able Acts 15.10 AEnig 148. How is faith commanded in the Law it being a part of the Gospell Resolution Faith as it is a worke or action it is commanded in the first Commandement wherein we are charged to beleeue what God speaketh and to trust in him but as faith hath a propertie to apprehend Christ with all his merits it is a part of the Gospell a condition of the couenant of grace and is not of the law Gal. 3.12 Ro. 1.16.17 the Law doth generally command vs to beleeue but speciall faith to beleeue in Christ that is required in the Gospell AEnig 149. How is the Gospell and not the law called the ministry of the spirit which workes in and by the law as well as by the Gospell Resolution The law hath the spirit of feare and bondage ioyned to the ministery therof but the ministry of the Gospell being accompanied with the spirit of regeneration and adoption which bee the most noble and worthie eeffects of the spirit hence is it called the ministry of the spirit by an excellency AEnig 150. How was the law ordeined to life yet the law is the ministry of death Resolution In Gods purpose it was giuen vnto life hauing also promises of life It is turned vnto death accidently because by breaking it we incurre the sentence of death whereof we being conuicted in our consciences wee do see and feele our selfes to bee dead and vnder condemnation Rom. 7. 9. 10. AEnig 151. What mould or stampe is that which leaueth no print nor figure Resolution It is the Gospell the doctrine wherof being applied to the Consciences of vnbeleeuers doth leaue behinde it no print or stampe of sauing grace AEnig 152. What glasse is that which changeth into it selfe such as looke into it and how this may be Resolution It is Christ Iesus reuealed in the preaching of the Gospell to the conscience of elect beleeuers transforming them effectually into his owne Image of true holinesse setting vppon them the stampe of his grace 2. Cor. 3. 18. AEnig 153. 154. What sauor is that that is both sweete and deadly at once and how this may be How can one word at once both harden and soften Resolution The word of the Gospell is a sweete sauor to quicken vnto life the elect sinner in his effectuall calling but it giues a deadly sent to the killing spiritually of them that receiue it not Hardening these in their corruption mollifying and softeining the other as the sunne softeneth waxe hardeneth the clay 2. Cor. 2. 15. one cause may haue diuers yea contrary effects in respect of sundrie obiects AEnig 155. What is that which at one time is both seede and bread and how this may be Resolution It is the doctrine of the Gospell which is as it were seede to beget a new the elect who receiue it into their hearts through faith And afterwards it is as bread and will bee to nourish and strengthen them vp in Christ 1. Pet. 1. 23. and the second Chapter and second verse AEnig 516. How may there be a great famine of bread where there is a plenty of bread Resolution This may happen in a Country where earthly blessings abound the word of God to bee pretious and rare to be found there may bee plenty of corporall bread where is scarcity of spirituall bread AEnig 157. How many two men at one time attentiuely heare one sermon being both alike corrupt yet the one receive the doctrine the other refuse it Resolution Thus the one being ordeined to life eternall is also ordeined to faith the meanes of life And therefore is effectually called the time of this happie vocation being come the other not belonging vnto Christ but appointed vnto wrath is left to his naturall corruption and so refuseth the word Act. 13. 48. Ioh. 10. 26. or thus that is reuealed to one which is hid from another because it pleaseth God AEnig 158. How may a woman pray and prophesie in the assembly without sinne seeing she is forbid to speake in a congregation Resolution She may bee said to pray and prophesie because shee is present at both partaketh in both and giueth her consent so in a sort the action is hers but she is forbid to speake as a publike teacher not as a priuate partaker 1. Cor. 11.5 AEnig 159. How may a raine fall plentifully yet no grasse or stone to be wet with it Resolution It is the doctrine of the word which comes downe vpon the hearts of Gods children as dew or raine to make them fruitfull in good workes Deut. 32. 2. AEnig 160. How may the same sâ—ede fructifie the same day it is sowne yet not fructisie in seauen yeare after Resolution The seede of the word in some bringes foorth fruite presently as in Lidia and Act. 2. 37. in other it lies long in their hearts as seede in the ground ere it fructifie as in the Apostles of Christ who remembred and vnderstood the wordes of their Lord long after they were spoken AEnig 161. How is it there being both an old testament and a new yes the testament is but one Resolution The Testament for the substance which is saluation by Christ And for the condition of it which is faith it is but one yet for the diuers manner of dispensation of it it is called old new as if it were two As it was giuen to the Iewes by Moses in many darke rites and ceremonies which in time were to vanish so it was old but as it is giuen to all Christians by Christ in few and plaine Sacraments to continue without change so it is new AEnig 162. How was Abraham dead long ere Christ was borne yet Abraham did see the day of Christ Resolution It is true that Christ came into the world long after Abrahams death yet Christ and his day were seene of Abraham and other beleeuing Fathers by the eye of faith to which things to come are present And Christ is the same for euer AEnig 163. If the Gospell be only the power of God to saluation how were they saued that liued afore the Gospell Resolution If by the gospell we vnderstand the narration of Christs doings and sufferings set downe by Euangelistes the fathers before Christ might be and were without this yet were saued by the gospell for that they had the promises concerning Christ which be the effect of the gospell and did saue such as beleeued them Gal. 3.8 God preached the Gospell to Abraham Act. 15. 11. AEnig 164. Who is he that is both a father and a nurse at once and how this may be Resolution It is the minister of Christ who is
incomprehensible by our reason yet being also a God of infinite truth and purity will not nay cannot write any false thing We may not rashly either our selues affirme or receiue from others any thing concerning Gods worship and mans saluation which wee do not read in scriptures August in Genes 4. Because all things necessary to faith and good maners or christian life are conteined in scriptures which are a perfect canon and touchstone of all things to be taught 2. Tim. 3. 16. 17. Whatsoeuer is truely and soundly collected from scripture is to bee beleeued of vs as though it were expresly written Greg. Naz. 5. lib. Theolog. The doctrine of the Trinity of 2. Sacraments of baptising infants and many such Reason is for that which followeth by good consequence from an expresse scripture is no lesse the minde of God then that which is in so many wordes set downe else godly and sound sermons and disputations and treatises were not to be credited and yet euery thing consonant to scripture is not to bee reputed scripture It is one thing to be scripture peculiarly so called another thing to agree with Scripture or to be grounded on scripture Whatsoeuer article and doctrine is necessary to saluation is deliuered plainly in the holy Scripture August 2. de doct Christ. 9. For otherwise the rule of faith and of life should come vnto a few learned ones except euidently it were taught in scripture so much as euery one may vnderstand for his owne saluation as also by this meanes there is left no plea for ignorance nor pretence of accusing the obscurity of scripture thereby to make people afraide of them as Papistes doe In euery scripture there is some thing visible and something inuisible there is a body and a spirit or soule the letters sillables and wordes be visible as the body but the soule and inuisible part is the sense and trueth wrapt and infoulded in the wordes which are as the barke ryne or bone the meaning within is as the roote and iuice or as the marrow The scripture deliuers some things of God which may be vttered and inquired into as that hee is the creator of the world and gouernour thereof the redeemer of mankinde c. but other things there be which are vnutterable and rather to be adored and beleeued then examined as the vnitie of his essence trinity of his person incarnation of the sonne and such vnconceiueable and vnexpresseable secrets Damascen de fide l. 1. c. 1. Reason is if nothing were found in scripture saue that which men may conceiue the reason and manner of then should not God be thought to be infinitely wise The scriptures haue an admirable and singular harmony and consent among themselues old with new Moses with the Prophets and Apostles with them both precepts promises and examples sweetely agreeing without contrariety though not without variety August de ciuit Dei 8. c. 14. Because the whole scripture comes from the inspiration of one spirit of verity who must needes be in all places like himselfe the whole scripture being but as one chaine or circle Such places as haue shew of repugnancy are easily reconciled by an intelligent reader August As where it is written 1. Tim. 2. 3. God will haue all to be saued yet Rom. 9. it is said he will not haue mercy on all a man of vnderstanding can see that one place speaks of one kinde of will the other of another Also that in Timoth. all may be ment not of euery one but of all sortes and kindes of men rich poore high low c. for there he speakes of the degrees of men for which prayer must bee made Thus by the thing before going or comming after and by the matter in hand all seeming ming contrarieties may be reconciled as when Christ saith in Iohn 5 may father worketh hitherto it seemeth contrary to that in Genes 2. 2. that God rested from his workes howbeit the very next wordes following doe accord these scriptures when he saith from the workes which he made that is from making more workes a new out of nothing but ceased not from preseruing and gouerning what hee had made as Christ ment in that place also Matth. 10. 10. it is written nor a staffe but in Mark. 6. 8. 9. Take a staffe whereas Mathew speaks of a staffe which might comber and burthen but Marke of one which might ease and releeue a traueller Thinges proper to the body are ascribed vnto and affirmed of the soule as hunger and thirst which are peculiar to the body to signifie the earnest desire of the soule and many other of like nature Because the soule is vnknowne to vs therefore the scripture speakes such things as appertaine vnto it in such wordes as our senses are best acquainted with the like is to bee said both of God angels heauen hell and most of diuine mysteries which are taught by earthly corporall things to help our rude and vnperfect knowledge If we do well distinguish times sundry things which seeme to iarre in scripture will bee soone accorded August As one of the theeues crucified with Christ did after the time of his conuersion reproue his railing fellow yet he himfelfe before his conuersion ioyned with his fellow in rayling And those shut vp in prison 1. Pet. 3. 19. were in prison of hel at that time when Peter wrote his Epistle but not when Christ preached by Noah vnto them The Euangelists in their narrations are diuers one from another but neuer contrary For it pleased the spirit to write that more fully by one which was more sparingly set downe by another and that which one toucheth not to expresse by another yet all speake what was true August in Iohan. The parable of the vineyard by Mathew alone of Lazarus and the rich man by Luke alone the story of the man borne blinde by Iohn alone cap. 9. Whatsoeuer is said in scripture by God for the comfort or erection of any one must be held to be said to all in the like case and condition Gregor morall 28. As the consolatory wordes spoken to Iosuah being in necessity Iosuah 1.5 are applied by the Apostle Heb. 13. 5. to all persons which haue any want or distresse Because to like or the same euils belong the same remedies and of like things there is like reason iudgement to be giuen this rule is of large and profitable vse for application of scriptures vnto our owne edification vpon like cases and circumstances both for reproofe exhortation and comfort Scriptures vnto Sacraments giue the names of the things or giftes which we haue by them calling circumcision the couenant baptisme our new birth and washing away of sinnes the bread and cup his body and bloud which is done to shew the similitude betwixt the signes and things giuen
as a schoolemaster leads vs Gal. 3.24 and in Christ all the promises of the Gospell are fulfilled 2. Cor. 1.20 the ceremonies also shadowed him and figured him who was the body Col. 2.17 but the body is in Christ. Therefore all hearers and teachers if they will profit in all their hearing teaching and reading must haue the eye of their minde turned toward Christ as the faces of the Cherubins were turned toward the Mercy-seat Do thus if euer you will do well digest this rule practise it pray for grace to do it it is a rule of rules August in Psal. 71. In some sacred stories and other places of holy scripture some thing is left out which in some other place of scripture may be found August in Psal. 77. Example in Heb. 12.21 Reports of Moses which is omitted in his story Exod. 9. Also Dauid in Psal. 105. mentioneth diuers things which in the story Exod. 4.5.6.7 chapters was left out The reason whereof is not forgetfulnesse or ouersight but the spirit setteth downe the sense in some places and the words in another affecting breuitie and to stirre vs vp to more search All testimonies of scripture are healthfull to men of sound vnderstanding dangerous only to the peruerse and froward who will not bowe their blinde reason and stubborne affections to the scriptures but wrest them to their owne peruersnesse August in Psal. 48. 2. Pet. 3.16 The knowledge of tongues H G L. also of Artes Gr. Rh. L.R. c. and good store of good Interpreters bee needfull for such as would so exactly know the scriptures as to be able learnedly and exactly to expound them to others The scriptures speake some things of Christ the head which also belong to his Church the body Aug. in Ps. 21. as Acts 4.9 why dost thou persecute me i. my members also 1. Cor. 12. 12. euen ' so is Christ i.e. the Church which is the mysticall body of Christ. The reason is because of the most straite coniunction between the head and the body Some speaches of scriptures are affirmed of or directed to one which belong also to others August Math. 16. 17. 18. the words of Christ to Peter were ment to all the Apostles as well as to him as appeareth by Iohn 20.22.23 The reason Christ tooke his beginning of one to teach vnitie to his Church in the confession of faith Of this nature be the Epistles of Christ intituled to the Angell of the Church but directed and ment to the whole Church See Reuel 3. 16. The reason is because the health or decay of the flock depends vpon the worth and vnworthinesse of the pastors Some things are said in scripture not according to the truth of the thing said but after the opinion of the time as others thought Thus Scribes and Pharisies are termed righteous Luk. 15. Hieron in Math. cap. 24. Thus also they bee called builders Acts 4. and Ioseph Christs parent or father Luk. 2. and thus hypocrites are said to haue faith Iames 2.18.19 Those good words of Scripture which we do not presently vnderstand let vs religiously beleeue and diligently ponder till the spirit open our wits Aug. in Psal. 54. Because it pleaseth God to keep our wits shut for a time that wee shall not distinctly see what yet wee are bound to credit for truth because it comes from a God of truth Thus did Peter Iohn 6. 68. and Mary Luk. 2. 51. The scripture vseth to call men by the names of beasts Chrysost. in Gen. homil 12. Thus the Pharisies and malitious Iewes are called serpents Math. 3.8 hereticks dogs Phil. 3.2 desperate sinners swine Matth. 7. wicked slanderers aspes Romanes 3. meeke ones doues wise ones serpents for the likenesse of qualities and passions there be giuen the same or like names to diuers creatures Scripture doth not alwaies allow the things and actions from whence similitudes be fetched Aug. in Ps. 157. as the fashions and manners of thiefes vniust stewards and Iudges Sacred scripture affordeth vs examples of all vertues theologicall politicall morall oeconomicall yea and of all vices prescribing remedies against all sinnes Chrys. in Act. homil 9. Examples of this rule abound euery where and offer themselues to the Reader that obserues the scripture The reason is because Gods word is perfect so is no other writing of any author whatsoeuer The knowledge of humane histories written of the Persians Babylonians Graecians and of the Romanes especially brings no small light to vnderstand sundry parts of scripture namely the books of Daniel and Reuelation which conteine historicall prophesies of things to be perceiued by the euents which are recorded in prophane and ecclesiasticall historiographers Euents of things set downe in humane stories is best interpreter of the prophesies in the Reuelation which book to the Fathers which saw not the euents as we do was therefore darker and harder to them then to vs. In way of disputation the Scripture somtimes infers some absurd consequents which follow vpon some error held by others whom the holy ghost would reforme by laying forth the absurdities which attend vpon their false opinion Augustinus de doct christ l. 2. â— 31 Examples hereof Rom. 4. 14. also 1. Cor. 15.16.17.18 For there is no better way to convict an erronious or hereticall fellow then by laying forth the wicked or foolish things which ensue and arise from his false conceits and thus also the truth is much holpen We may not neglect or lightly esteeme or slightly passe by any thing which we read in Gods word bee it mention of names or obseruation and distinction of time rehearsall of rites and pedegrees or any such matter which may be thought meane Because the holy Scripture being a word of a God infinite in wisdom conteins an infinite treasure if it haue exquisite searchers Did not Paul from obseruation of the time when Abraham was circumcised Rom. 4. 8. and when the Law was giuen Gal. 3. also from Christ his suffering without Ierusalem and from killing the beasts without the camp Heb. 3. gather very wholesome and waighty truths ergo contemn nothing which is found therein Chrys. Hom. 22. and 24. vpon Genesis To the vnderstanding of Scripture there needs great search Iohn 5. with earnest prayer Psal. 119. The reason because otherwise that which lyeth deep in the bottom for want of care may remaine hid from vs. Chrysost. One and the selfesame trueth is taught by many sundry similitudes in sacred scripture and in sundry formes somtime by precept somtime by exhortation sometime in prayers in thanksgiuings in examples and sometime in threatnings August in Psal. 8. The reason is that by varying the manner and forme of speach and teaching not only disdaine and weariness may be remooued but the truth receiueth better impression through such kinde
haue a profound meaning This order of reading I hould fittest for such as bee simple but for the more learned and namely for students in diuinity I wold commend another course out of M. Perkins to beginne with the Gospell of Iohn and the Epistle to the Romans after with the Prophet Esay because these three bookes be as the keyes to open the vnderstanding of the rest Wee may reuerently thinke of the bookes of Apochrypha and of their authors but seeing they are not receiued into the number of Canonicall scriptures wee may not build our faith on them nor alleage them for confirmation of doctrine but reade them for information and institution of our manners receiuing them so farre as they agree with diuine oracles August de ciuit dei 18. cap. 38. Hierom. This rule checkes such as make Apocripha the ground of their Sermons and a rule of faith equall to the Canonicall as Romanists doe There bee certaine writers or authors as Iehn 2. Cron. 20. 34. named in scripture whose bookes are lost being neuer Canonical but as the Chronicles of England August 18. de ciuit dei cap. 38. In the new Testament written in Greeke there be Hebrew or Syriacke names and wordes whereof some haue their interpretation set by them as Bar Ionah the son of Ionah Bartimaeus the sonne of Tymaeus Barnabas the sonne of consolation Boanarges the sonnes of thunder Abba Father Emanuel God with vs. Golgotha a place of sculs c. and some haue not interpretation as being more common and familiar as Amen c. Hieron in Galat. 4. What reason then haue Papists from these words to collect that the seruice of the Church should all bee in a strange tongue It is the manner of the Propheticall writing first to vse reprehensions and threatnings of iudgement and after to ioyne the promises of mercy by Christ to come Because men are not to receiue comforts before their naturall pride being humbled and tamed with feare they can see a neede and haue a desire after the promises of grace see in Esay 1.2 also 9. 10.11.12 also chap. 51. 52. 53. 54. Ioel. 2. Hieronimus in Hose 5. Isay. 16. This rule may be a directory for preachers to gouerne their teaching for the manner of it in respect of their hearers vnhumbled Sacred writers sometime write so of themselues as if they were others as Moses saying hee was the meekest on earth Numb 12. 3. and Iohn This is the disciple whom Iesus loued And Paul 2. Cor. 12. 1. 2. 3. see also Iohn 20. 30. and that other disciple which walked with Cleopas to Emaus is thought to bee Luke who wrote the story This witnesseth their modestie and whereas holy men of God in scripture reueale their owne faultes this sheweth their sincerity as Mathew reports his owne forsaking of his Lord with his fellow Apostles Math. 26. 35. Also Paul reportes his owne persecution and blasphemy 1. Tim. 1.13 also Iohn reports his owne slippe in falling downe and worshipping the Angell which appeared to him Reuel 19. 10. Moyses his owne hastinesse and vnbeleife at the striking of the rocke Numb 20. 12. which shewes that in penning of scripture they were guided by the spirit of God not led by priuate motion For then it is likely they would not haue published their owne follies and faults to all the world 2. Pet. 1. 20. Gregor in his preface on Iob. This rule may be a stay to such as shall bee at any time tempted to doubt of the scripture whether they be of diuine authority Sundry interrogatiues in scripture haue the force of negatiues denying that which seemeth to be but asked after as those interrogations which bee found together Rom. 10. 14. 15. the meaning of euery interrogation there is negatiue as if it were said they cannot Some againe do so aske a question as they require and haue an expresse answere Psal. 15. 1. Rom. 11. 1. Rome 3. 12. the vse of them in scripture is commonly to quicken attention or to vrge more vehemently the affection or to prepare way for some waighty and wholsom discourse The bookes of holy scripture whether they haue the writes name or not it much skilleth not so long as we are resolued in our mindes by the holy Ghost that they come from God Because the authority of scripture dependeth not on the pen man but vpon God the Authour Therefore knowing the Epistle to the hebrewes to bee inspired of the holy Ghost we receiue it with as much faith and reuerence as those other Epistles which haue the Secretaries name set before them The whole scripture is called a Bible as if it were one booke Because it is written all by one spirit Also it is called the Bible by an excellency because it is the most worthy and necessarie booke as if in comparison of it none other deserued the name of a booke as indeede they doe not considering the Author subiect and the ende of it being inspired immediately of God teaching Christ and faith in him for eternall life in heauen to the glory of Gods free grace toward elect sinners The scripture sometime writeth future things in the time past Rom. 8. 30. whom he hath predestinated them he hath called whom he hath called them he hath iustified whom he hath iustified hee hath glorified such like speeches there bee many in the Prophets The reason is because Hebrewes vse so to write also by this forme of words the certainety of the things to come is noted as if they were now done The title God is in scripture sometime put absolutely and in the singuler number then it is proper to the creator and noteth his essence or some person sometime it is vsed with an addition as in Exodus I haue made thee God of Pharaoh or in the plurall number Psal. 84. I haue said ye are Gods and verse 1. in the assembly of Gods then it belongs to the creature Also God in the singular number is vsed sometime personally as Rom. 1. 7. from God our Father c. sometime essentially as Ioh. 4. 24. God is a spirit so the word Father is sometime put essentially for the whole diety Math 6. O our father sometime personally as in Iohn The father is greater then I and my father worketh hitherto and I worke Gregor in Ezek. Ignorance of these rules breedeth errours about the Trinity Who so will vnderstand the scriptures must first loue them before hee learne them Because God will punish such as contemne his misteries as also loue and good will make our labour and studdie more easie Nothing is hard to a willing minde August de vtil credendi cap. 6. When something is written in an historicall narration which seemeth to haue no signification or vse for edification yet then remember that it is written to bee an introduction to some thing which
singular number it argueth certainety as Sabboth of sabboth Lamentation of lamentation Micha 3.4 If it be in the plurall number it signifies excellency as Eccles. 1.1 vanitie of vanities song of songs Cant. 1. God of Gods Psal. 136.2 King of Kings Lord of Lords for most high and excellent Repeating of an adiectiue and of a substantiue sometime signifies encreasing as holy holy holy Iehouah Iehouah Temple c. A verbe repeated and twise gone ouer in a sentence maketh the speech more significant or else it shewes vehemency certainty speedinesse as to die by dying Gen. 2. and is my hand shortned in shortning Esay 30.2 A coniunction dubbled doth dubble the deniall and encrease it the more as Math. 13. 14. shall not not perceiue Some figuratiue speeches beside that they doe enlarge the sense and bring with them delight ornament they do also afford matter for nourishment of our faith as Math. 25.35 ye gaue me Christ to drinke here the putting of Christ for a Christian man doth nourish faith comfort a Christian man Also the like is to be said of putting Christ for a Christian Church as 1. Cor. 12.12 and Act. 9. 4. An Ironie which is when the contrary to that which is spoken is meant carieth with it a iust reprehension of some sinne whereof examples bee in Genes 3. verse last Also Iudg. 10.14 Mark 7.9.1 King 22.15 go vp and prosper 1. King 18.27 crie a loude for he is a God Questions do sometime import an earnest affirmation as Gen. 4.7 also Ios. 10.13 Ioh. 4.35 Gen. 37.13 1. King 20.2 and sometime they signifie a forbidding as why shall the gentiles say where is there God Psal. 79. 10. also 2. Sam. 2 22. and sometime time they argue affections of admiring compassion faultfinding and complayning as Psal. 8.10 Esay 1.21 Psalm 22. 1. Concession and yeelding hath sometime in it a deniall and reprehension 2. Cor 12.16.17 But be it that I charged you not c. Holy writers speaking of things and persons which are past and gone doe vse sometime to anticipate that is they speake of them according to the custome of the place and time in which they wrote as Gen. 12. 8. the place named Bethel by Moses was named Luz in Abrahams time 1 Pet. 3. 19. Christ in spirit preached to them in spirit So they were indeede in regard of the time when Peter wrote this Epistle and not of the time wherein Noah liued In Genes 9. 2. Moses doth mention Canaan who at that time when such things as he writeth of were done was not borne And sundry other things in order of the story go before which in order of time were done after In Sacred accounts and Genealogies either the name or number of yeares how long some Prince raigned be left out The reason is because of the wickednesse of the Prince As Saul who raigned farre longer yet is said to haue raigned but two yeeres and an halfe that is lawfully and rightly Also in Mach. 18. three Kings Ahaziah Ioas and Amaziah are for their wickednesse left out The parts of time are vnderstood inclusiuely sometime and sometime exclusiuely In Math. 17. 1. it is written and after six daies Iesus tooke c. whereas Luk. 9. 28. it is written of the same thing that it came to passe about eight daies after the Reason is because Mathew put exclusiuely those daies onely which went between and were finished but Luke puts the two vtmost daies also into the reckoning Moreouer it is vsual in scriptures historicall to take the time spoken of either compleatly as fully finished or vncompleatly as being begun to be in finishing as 1. Kings 25. 19. 1. King 15. 18. 25. the last yeeres of the Kings of Israel and Iudah are not fully expired but some of them scarsely conteine moneths in them the rest of the yeers of their raigne being put compleatly The lesser number is to be counted vnder the greater and more compleat as Iudg 3. 11. the land had rest 40. yeeres when Othniell died vnder this number bee comprehended all the yeeres from the death of Ioshua vnto the death of Othniell and the 8. yeeres of seruitude vnder the Assirians Iud. 3. 20. the like is vsed diuers times in the Iudges as ch 5. 31. and 8.28 and 9.22 also chap. 10. 2. 3. The scripture vseth to call sonnes which by nature are no sons to them whose sonnes they be called but are there sonnes legally and by succession Thus Salathiel being sonne of Neri naturally Luk. 3.27 is legally and by succession made the sonne of Iechoniah whom he succeeded in the kingdome as Math. 1. 12. after this manner Zedekiah is the brother of Iechoniah or Iehoiakim 1. Chro. 36. 10. and his sonne 1. Chro. 3. 16. his brother by generation his sonne by right of succession By this rule the two Euangelists Mathew and Luke are reconciled in their Genealogie for Luke followes the naturall order and Mathew the legall order This word rather is put not alwaies comparatiuely when two persons or things are compared as like or vnlike but somtime negatiuely as a denying particle in stead of not as Luk. 18. 14. this man went away rather iustified then the other that is not the other but he departed iustified also Ioh. 3. 19. men loued darknesse rather then light that is they loued not light but darknesse This word behold is vsed not alwaies or only to stirre vp attention at the report of some waighty and admirable thing but most commonly it signifieth a thing manifest and plaine wherof all do or may take knowledge as Psalm 51. 6. Math. 1.23 and often elsewhere Doing doth somtime import beleeuing as Math. 7.2 but he that doth the will of my Father Now this is the will of my Father Iohn 6. 40. that he which beleeueth in the Sonne should haue life euerlasting These 13. Rules following are all taken out of M. Luthers works SCripture must be vnderstood not against Christ but for Christ. 2 Precepts presuppose faith as where it is written keep the commandements that is in Christ or by faith in Christ. also thou shalt loue the Lord thy God with all thine heart c. that is in Christ or by faith in him also doe this and thou shalt liue that is doe it in Christ. and so in the rest of this kinde 3 Interpretations must be drawne out of Scriptures these are the supreame and absolute meane of interpretation as the Spirit is the principall Interpreter 4 Many things are said in Scripture by anticipation and recapitulation 5 Negatiue speeches in Scripture be more vehement and forcible then affirmatiue 6 We may not interpret scripture by allegories vnlesse wee be able to auouch the allegoricall sense by some other place of scripture 7 Grammar must giue place to Diuinity Reason is Because things are not
representitiuely by sacramentall vnion as circumcision is called the couenant which yet is not otherwise then a misterie because it is a signe of it likewise water in Baptisme Bread and wine in the Lords supper are not properly that which they bee called but they are it mistically by representation and relation AEnig 245. How may one be saued who is not Baptized Resolution Baptisme saueth onely as an instrument to assure saluation to them that be already saued by the couenant of grace therefore it is not the want of Baptisme when it either not at all or not lawfully may bee had which hindereth saluation but wilfull neglect or contempt of it AEnig 146. How may elementary water wash the soule which is a spirituall substance Resolution Elementarie water washeth not the soule by anie power in it selfe or by any acte done about it but by vertue of Gods ordinance and promise the outward washing by water it is an effectuall pledge to the elect only of that inward washing by the spirit applying Christ vnto their iustification Math 3. 11. Tit. 3. 5. AEnig 247. If God doth onely forgiue sinnes how doth Baptisme take away sinnes Resolution Baptisme forgiueth sinnes instrumentallie as a Sacrament of seale to certifie and confirme our minde in the perswasion of forgiuenesse by Christ but God forgiueth sinnes properly as an Author by his owne power putting away from vs the guilt and punishment yea and the dominion of sin through faith in the bloud of Iesus Christ Psal. 71. 12. Rom. 3. Luk. 5. 11. AEnig 248. What meate is that which is not diminished by eating Resolution It is Christ Iesus whose flesh giuen and bloud shed for the world is the true meate of our soules which being offered in the word and in the supper of the Lord is spiritually eaten by infinite beleeuers and yet remaineth still whole and entire without diminution AEnig 249. How can one eate which hath neither mouth nor stomacke Resolution The faithfull soule doth eate so often as it feedeth vppon Christ and yet is without fleshly teeth or stomach AEnig 250. 251. How can Christ abiding in heauen hee their foode which are in earth How may a man eat mans flesh and drink mans bloud without sinne The Resolutions Though Christ in his manhood be in heauen and the faithfull be abiding here on earth yet by our faith receiuing him as he is offered in the supper the spirit conueying and applying him vnto vs our bodies are not more truly fed with the meate which they take in then our soules be nourished with this spirituall manducation of Christ whose flesh to eate and drinke corporallie and naturally as wee doe other food and as Capernaites dreamed and as our Papistes fancie is a horrible sinne AEnig 252. If faith it selfe be a worke how is it written that we are not iustified by works seeing we are iustified by faith Resolution Faith is a worke of the spirit and an holy qualitie as hope loue and repentance be but doth not iustifie any as it is a worke or qualitie for so it is weake and spotted needing pardon but as an instrument appointed of God to receiue and applie Christ his perfect obedience and sufferings vnto vs for our iustification before God Rom. 5. 1. 11. Gal. 3. 14. AEnig 253. Who was he that was thrise iustified and yet was iustified but once and how this may be Resolution It was Abraham who at his conuersion was iustified by faith in the promised seede Secondly at the time when a sonne was promised vnto him in his old age he is said to be iustified in beleeuing that promise Genes 15. which was but a proceeding of his former iustification Thridly it is written of him that hee was iustified by that worke of offering vp his sonne Iames 2. 2. which was but a declaration before men that hee was a iust person and his faith liuely and not dead AEnig 254. How can the iustice of an other make vs iust and yet the riches of an other cannot make vs rich Resolution The perfect iustice of Christ is without vs sticking or inherent in his manhood as the proper subiect thereof and so it is the iustice of an other yet being accounted vnto the elect at what time they do beleeue it doth become their owne iustice by imputation as verily as if themselues had kept the law and fulfilled all righteousnes in their owne persons whereas another mans riches being so another mans as it is none of ours it cannot make vs rich AEnig 255. How may one which is a transgressour of the law be perfitly iust while he liueth Resolution The godliest man that is transgresseth the law in many things and therefore can neuer be perfitly righteous in this life by any righteousnesse of his workes but Christ keeping the whole law perfitly the grace of God imputing that perfect obedience to the beleeuing sinner hee is made the end of the law for righteousnesse vnto him Rom. 10.4 AEnig 256. How was Abraham iustified by faith if he was iustified by his workes Resolution He was iustified by faith instrumentally by his workes declaratiuely or thus his person was iustified by his faith and his faith iustified by his workes Iames 2. 18. that is made knowne to be a liuely faith AEnig 257. How may one adopt sonnes which hath a naturall sonne seeing adoption is found out for the comfort of childlesse men Resolution Though God haue a naturall sonne euen Iesus begotten of his substance yet men being all by nature the children of wrath he had no sons of our kinde therefore of singular grace to vs not for comfort to himselfe who euer was delighted in his owne wisedome Pro. 8. hee sent his onely begotten sonne to assume our nature and by his willing subiection of the law to purchase vnto vs the adoption of sonnes Gal. 4. 5. AEnig 258. How can a faithfull man bee more sure that God is his father then a naturall childe can be of him to be his father whom he so calleth Resolution That double witnesse of Gods spirit and of their owne sanctified consciences assureth the faithful that God is their father without faile Rom. 8. 16. whereas a naturall childe cannot be certaine of his owne father in very infallible certainty AEnig 259. What sonnes are they which come not to their inheritance before themselues bee dead and how this may be Resolution The adopted sonnes of God they be heires by hope yet do not in their owne person enter vpon their reall and full possession of their inheritance till they be dead Rom. 8 24. 25. AEnig 260. How may an inheritance bee parted amongst many yet not be diminished by such distribution Resolution The heauenly inheritance is distributed to innumerable children yet no way lessened and impaired by such partition neither haue any of the heires the lesse by that which
with his lusts Rom. 5.1 7.22 as the wicked haue peace and league with their sins but warre with God at one time AEnig 279. How may one at once both worke and fight Resolution The true Christian doth at once both performe the worke of his calling and fight against the hinderances whereby the world sinne and Satan would withdraw him from his worke or discourage him in it as Israelites in building Ierusalem AEnig 280. How may hee say who shall free mee from sinne who is already freed from the law 〈…〉 Resolution One who is in part freed from the tyrannie of sinne may desire and long to be perfectly freed Rom 7.24 AEnig 281. How may one repent before he haue repentance Resolution The child of God hath a sound purpose and desire to repent which with God is accepted for repentance before he hath the power and grace of repentance so he repents in will ere he hath actuall repentance wrought in him AEnig 282. How may one haue repentance without repentance Resolution When one hath true repentance wrought in him whereof he neuer need to repent him because it springs out of a godly sorrow for sinnes and tends to saluation then hath hee repentance without repentance 2. Cor. 7.10 for he neuer repenteth him that he hath repented AEnig 283. How may one confesse and leaue his sin yet not repent Resolution If his confession be hypocriticall from stinge of conscience or perforce and not out of displeasure of heart for sinne and hope of forgiuenesse thorough Christ and that he leaue his sin touching the act because he lacks occasion or strength to do it not in affection because he hates it such confession and leauing sinne argueth no sound repentance AEnig 284. How may the children of the kingdome be cast out and harlots enter in and be saued Resolution Such as be children of the kingdom by outward couenant and profession onely as proud Iewes were being without faith and repentance shall be cast out and refused when beleeuing penitent harlots shall be receiued vnto saluation AEnig 285. How can there be in this life a righteous person who needs no repentance Resolution If we speake absolutely there cannot be any such righteous person but there is if we speake comparatiuely for one who hath already repented departing from his sinnes and hauing made good proceedings in a righteous course of life hauing done many good works hath not such neede of repentance as one that goeth still astray being dead in sinnes and trespasses or that is newly turned Also one that thinks himselfe to bee righteous without fault in his owne opinion needs no repentance AEnig 286. Seeing repentance is a grace hidden in the heart how can the Angels who know not our hearts ioy at the conversion of sinners Resolution Angells by outward signes and effects doe obserue and know the inward conversion of our hearts and do ioy therin because it turnes to the honour of God to the increase of Gods kingdome which they greatly loue Also they delight in the good of all elect persons who together with them make vp one glorious Church in heauen Luk. 15. AEnig 287. How may one liue in a grosse sinne till death and yet be saued and another doing so shall not be saued Resolution If it be his secret sinne which he doth not know and marke to be a sin such as the polygamie of the Fathers and fornication amongst the Corinthians and vsury in England were thought to be he that repented not of such sinnes particularly may be saued so hee doe repent generally whereas another liuing in such a sinne against the light of his conscience cannot be saued without a speciall repentance for it Luk. 13.3 AEnig 288. What is that without which we cannot be saued yet is no cause of our saluation Resolution It is good works which be no cause of our saluation and yet the elect which are of yeeres if they haue space and time to do them cannot be saued without them for they are the way to the kingdom though they be not the cause of reigning AEnig 289. To what purpose is it to do good works yet wee are neither iustified nor saued by them Resolution God works though they cannot merit our saluation being both vnperfect and spotfull yet are we bound to do them to obey the commandement of God to glorifie the doctrine and name of God to edifie our brethren to witnesse and assure our owne faith and election and finally to stop the mouthes of the wicked Also to aedifie the weake AEnig 290. How can our good workes please God seeing they haue in them such wants and spots as God hateth Resolution As good works come from our faith and be fruits of Gods spirit so they please God by the intercession of Christ couering the defects and stains of our workes by the mantle of his death and righteousnesse AEnig 291. If heauen be freely giuen for the merit of Christ how is it then the reward of good works Resolution Though heauenly happinesse bee freely giuen as the purchase of Christs passion yet because it is giuen in the end of our life after the workes done as a recompence vseth to be giuen to labourers in the end of the day hence it is in Scripture called a Reward not of debt as due to our worke but of free fauour the better to encourage vs to our worke Matth. 5. AEnig 292. How is it that no man did euer see the Father and yet he that seeth Christ doth see the Father Resolution No man did euer see the Father immediately because the brightnesse of his Maiestie cannot bee endured by any mortall creature but God being in himselfe invisible became after a sort visible in Christ whose doctrine life and miracles be as it were an image or looking glasse wherein to behold the diuine truth power bounty mercy and goodnesse AEnig 293. If in heauen we shall see God as he is and know him as we are knowne how is it written that then our knowledge shall cease Resolution In heauen our knowledge shall bee perfect and immediate by the vision of God himselfe and therefore such meanes as wee haue heere of getting knowledge shall cease no books no ministerie no doctrine c. AEnig 294. How is it eternall life to know God and Christ and yet many shall perish which know God and Christ Resolution It is the beginning of eternall life to know God and Christ by the speciall knowledge of faith begetting in vs affiance and loue in God therfore such as know God and Christ and yet do perish it is because their knowledg is generall and empty of confidence and loue AEnig 295. How may it be that one shall not see that which he doth see Resolution That which one doth see spiritually it may be he shall make no vse of it to himselfe and then hee were as good not
written that he came not to iudge the world Resolution Christ his comming in infirmitie it was to bee iudged and condemned for sinne that he might purchase redemption by the price of himselfe but his second comming in glory will bee to iudge the world by rendring euery man according to his workes AEnig 410. 411. If Christ bee the onely iudge of the world how is it written that the Saintes shall iudge the world How may it bee that the Saints shall iudge the Angels Resolutions Christ shall iudge the world that is the inhabitants angels and men as his fathers lieutenant by his commission and authoritie gathering all before him inquiring into them pronouncing a righteous vnreuocable sentence which presently and mightily shall bee executed thus Christ alone shall iudge the Saints shall iudge as his assistants giuing consent and approbation to his sentence 1. Cor. 6. 2. 3. thus also shall they bee iudged euen of Diuels who are Angels of the bottomlesse pit AEnig 412. How is it that the vngodly shall not stand in iudgement and God will not enter into iudgement with the righteous yet both quicke dead shall stand before him that sitteth on the white throne to bee iudged Resolution The righteous shall not come into iudgement of condemnation nor the wicked into iudgement of absoluâ—ion but all shall come to the iudgement of inquisition and examination Rom. 14. 2. Cor. 5. 10. AEnig 413 What is that that burneth and consumeth not is changed and perisheth and yet abideth still and how Resolution The Bush which Moises saw Exod. 3. also the heauens elements and earth shall bee burned at last day yet their substance not consumed to nothing but purified in that fire like mettall refined in a furnace that they may abide in an immortall and glorious estate being for our sinne in bondage to corruption Rom. 8. 21. AEnig 414. What country is that wherein is all day and no night and how Resolution It is the country which we looke for in heauen where shall be an euerlasting most glorious light without any the least darkeâ—esse AEnig 415. What country is that wherein is all night and no day and how Resolution It is the region of hell where shall be a perpetuall darknes without any light AEnig 416. 417. How may one liue being vnder and in an eternall death How may one bee in hell that neuer came in hell Resolution The life of the wicked in hell shall be a dying life and a liuing death one may be in the hell of conseâ—ence who neuer shall come in the hell of the damned AEnig 418. What reasonable creature is that which had a body and neuer had soule Resolution The Angels are reasonable creatures who assume bodies by Gods dispensation when they were sent on messages to men they aâ—â—â—â—red as men but whence those bodies came or whereinto they were dissolued it is vnreuealeable therfore vncertaine AEnig 419. What people bee they whose life it is at once both happy and miserable bitter and sweete Resolution They be true Christians Gods faithfull children who be happie and liue sweetely vnder the hope reioycing of eternall glory but because they are most troubled with sinne assalted by Satan hated and persecuted by the world therefore their life is miserable and full of bitternesse AEnig 420. What soule us that which neuer was mixed with body Resolution God is the soule of the world which is susteined and gouerned by his secret prouidence as a body is quickned and ruled by the soule 2 Also Faith is the Soule of our soule whereby it liueth to God 3 Finally Christ is the Soule of the legall Ceremonies whereof the truth and substance was in Christ. AEnig 421. What grace is that which once had is neuer last yet is vtterly taken away Resolution A liuely faith is gone and vtterly taken away when wee die and inioy the things beleeued yet in this life it is neuer lost being once had by vertue of Christs prayer Ioh. 17. and by Gods couenant which is euerlasting Ier. 32. AEnig 420. What gift is that whereby we liue to God yet it selfe shall dye when we liue Resolution We liue now by faith in the Sonne of God Rom. 1. 17. Gal. 2. last but when we shall liue by sighâ— in heauen then shall be no vse of faith AEnig 421. What rich man is he who made a great supper without meate Resolution It is Christ Iesus when he cometh to suppe with a faithfull soule without earthly delicates AEnig 422. What fire is that which being once kindled is neuer quenched and how this should be Resolution The fire of contention between the seede of the Serpent and the seede of the woman will neuer be extinct The fire of Gods vengeance in hell will burne for euer so long as God indureth AEnig 423. Seeing all liuing creatures heere in earth be corruptible how is there a worme that shall neuer dye Resolution It is that worme mentioned in the Gospel euen horror of conscience for sinne which shall gnaw the soule euerlastingly euen as wood is eaten by the worme AEnig 424. How are we forbid to fashion our selues to this world yet without sinne we may fashion our selues to the world Resolution We are forbid to fashion our selues to the world of the wicked by imitating their vngodly customes and waies but to follow the world of beleeuers by liuing after their good example this is a duty AEnig 425. How we may haue two mindes and but one soule Resolution A regenerate man hauing but one soule yet in the state of corruption had his minde wholy depraued which by grace is wholy renewed but not perfectly whence it is that still hee hath both a good minde and an euill AEnig 426. How may they waite for adoption which be already adopted and how this may be Resolution The adopted children of God which be already sonnes and haue the spirit of adoption yet they doe want the full fruition of the heauenly inheritance being heare cloyed and clogged with sinnes and miseries which they doe both earnestly and certainly waite for AEnig 427. Whether dumbe and deafe may be saued seeing faith is by hearing and onely beleeuers are saued Resolution Infants idiots dumbe and deafe which be the children of faithfull parents they be within the couenant and haue the seale thereof therefore charitie will hope well of their saluation Secondly though they lacke the ordinary meanes of engendring faith to wit hearing of the word preached yet seeing this commeth to passe without their owne default by defect of yeeres or senses therefore God who is not tyed to the meanes necessarily may without them and doth inspire faith into so many of them as be elect the Spirit bloweth where he liste if the Rauens call vpon God what letteth but Christian Infants may in their kind and degree yea the Scripture doth attribute
heauens haue no glory whereby God is more blessed but wherby Angels and men may be more happy in beholding and enioying there the glory and maiestie of their good Creator AEnig 444. How is it written that wee know not what to aske yet the Lord hath taught vs in a praier what we should pray for Resolution We haue a prayer giuen to teach the matter of our petition but the right manner of asking wee must bee taught by the Spirit who also in extremities and perplexed cases suggests motions and requests such as we our selues know not of Rom. 8. AEnig 445. How may it be said that the wicked know God and yet the Scripture denieth that they know him Resolution They know him by a generall knowledge from the sight of the creation but not by a speciall knowledge of faith they know him as a God but not as a Sauiour Finally they know him historically not effectually to saluation AEnig 446. If the Spirit make intercession for vs how is Christ our only intercessor Resolution The Spirit maketh intercession one way by suggesting and prompting vs helping vs to pray Rom. 8. and Christ another way by merit of his death AEnig 447. If Christ be Lord of all how is he called a seruant Resolution A seruant in respect of his Father who sent him with commandement to teach and redeeme his Church Esay 53. in respect whereof he is Lord hauing purchased it by his death and now gouerning and preseruing it by his Spirit and power AEnig 448. How may Paul sweare yet breake not the precept which saith sweare not at all Resolution The precept forbids rash swearing and swearing by creatures as appeares in the place of Mat. 5. Paul sware aduisedly in a waighty cause by the name of God only AEnig 449. How can he be said to returne to vs who is euer with vs Euer with vs by presence generall by essence and power yet returnes by his grace and benefit when God restoreth them to such as were in part and for a time without them AEnig 450. How can hee be said to differ or long to put off who doth all things in due time Resolution In respect of vs who iudge of God as we would do of men or because he commeth not when wee would yet when it may be best for our good and that is due time AEnig 451. How can Christ be of the seede of Dauid seeing he came not of Ioseph Resolution His mother Mary was of Dauids stocke and linage and that is enough to make Christ the sonne of Dauid after the flesh Rom. 1. 5. AEnig 452. Seeing the Godhead did not arise how was Christ declared God at his resurrection Resolution The raising of his dead body by his owne power was an argument of his godhead which though it rose not yet witnessed it selfe in quickening and raising of his dead body AEnig 453. If euery man be a lier how is not he a lier who spake and wrote this Resolution Not in speaking and writing a lier because he was inspired of God and preserued from error in his doctrine and writing yet naturally a lier as other men be all without exception AEnig 454. How can Paul say no man is iustified by the workes of the law and againe the doers of the law are iustified and say truly Resolution He saith truly in both if wee vnderstand him to speake of the workes of the law in one place as they be performed of vs vnperfitly so they iustifie not and in the other place as they be commanded of God in al perfection so they are able to iustifie in that they do not the cause is in vs who fulfill them not Rom. 8. 3. AEnig 455. Abraham beleeued and it was accounted to him for righteousnes and Phineas did a worke which was reckoned to him for righteousnes how doth this agree Resolution Very well if by righteousnes in the one place yee meane forgiuenesse of sinnes imputation of righteousnesse by the obedience of Christ and a righteous act or dutie in the other place for workes iustifie declaratiuely though not effectiuely AEnig 456. How is patience both the cause and effect of experience Resolution The cause by working experience and trying Gods goodnes and power vpon which followeth increase of patience as an effect of that experience Rom. 5. 6. AEnig 457. How is that iustification doth not abound towards all seeing condemnation came vpon all Resolution Because all be not in Christ by faith as all were in Adam by creation Christ is iustification to all his as Adam is condemnation to all thâ—â— come of him Rom. 5. AEnig 458. Seeing all men were Gods owne how was it that he bought them He bought vs with a price in asmuch as we were by Gods righteous iudgement for sinne inthralled to Sathan who was Lord ouer vs till Christ by the ransome of his life redemed vs AEnig 459. Seeing Baptisme is a Sacrament of repentance and mortification and infants cannot repent and mortifie sinne how is it that they are Baptized Baptisme is giuen Infants by the right of the couenant to which they belong and therefore ought to haue the seale which is a lesser thing also the grace of repentance is both sealed and furthered in Infants by this Sacrament also the effect of Baptisme follows long time atfer the act of baptism AEnig 460. How is it that any were damned seeing the Apostle saith he that is dead is freed from sinne and where no sinne is there is no damnation Resolution They which bee ciuilly dead sinne not by outwâ—â—d actuall sin as theiues strangled steale no more all such as be spiritually dead are freed from the dominion and power of sinne FINIS Basill Hierom. 1 1 Rule Explication 2 2 Rule Expl. 3 3 Rule Expl. 4 4 Rule Expl. 5 5 Rule Expl. 6 6 Rule Expl. 7 7 Rule Expl. 8 8 Rule Expl. 9 9 Rule Expl. 10 10 Rule Expl. 11 11 Rule Expl. 12 12 Rule Expl. 13 13 Rule Expl. 14 14 Rule Expl. 15 15 Rule Expl. 16 16 Rule Expl. 17 17 Rule Expl. 18 18 Rule Expl. 19 19 Rule Expl. 20 20 Rule Expl. 21 21 Rule Expl. 22 22 Rule Expl. 23 23 Rule Expli 24 24 Rule Expli 25 25 Rule Expl. 26 26 Rule Expl. 27 27 Rule Expl. 28 28 Rule Expl. 29 29 Rule Expl. 30 30 Rule Expl. 31 31 Rule Expl. 32 32 Rule Expl. 33. 34. 33. 34. Rule Expl. 35 35 Rule Expl. 36 36 Rule Expl. 37 37 Rule Expl. 38 38 Rule Expl. 39 39 Rule Expl. 40 40 Rule Expl. 41 41 Rule Expl. 42 42 Rule Expl. 43 43 Rule Expl. 46 46 Rule Expl. 47 47 Rule Expl. 48 48 Rule Expl. 49 49 Rule Expl. 50 50 Rule Expl. 51 51 Rule Expl. 52 52 Rule Expl. 1 1 Rule Reason 2 2 Rule Examp. 3 3
In Hell 4 4 In sinnes 5 5 In Sacrament 6 6 In Afflictions 7 7 In Temptations 8 8 In Harts 9 9 In Diuels 10 10 In the Blessings of this life 11 11 In Redemption which exceedeth creation In it mercy and Iustice met together The redeemer is but one Christ. Conceiued by the holy ghost He is without sinne doth subsist in the Godhead both God and man Communication of properties Humiliation in his Birth Two wills in Christ answering his two natures Christ his manhood promised Christ like Melchisedech Christ made sinne by impuâ—â—tion Rom. 8.8 Christ abased in the world His obedience of infinite value Christ heire of the world Our Mediatour our Priest That which is proper to one nature is attributed to the other Christs sacrifice voluntary else it had not been satisfactory Hypostaticall personall vnion is vnseperable The victory of Christ ouer death 2 2 Ouer Satan Christ the corner stone How the manhood of Christ hath eternall life in it Doubble the fruits of Christs death Christ made a curse Hath freed vs from â—uerlasting torment Eph. 1. Phil. 2. Christ his sacrifice but once The vertue of Christs death looke backeward His agonie or soule suffering His loue His buriall Resurrection His life after his resurrection His ascention His locall abode in heauen His sitting on Gods right hand Ieuites of his assention Ioh. 16.7 Sending of the holy Ghost Mediator Intercession His kingdome spirituall Eternall Word of God inspired Mighty in opâ—ration Full of wisdom A mistery Our duty to search the word Indicia Dei 2 2 Indicia oris Dei Effects of the word It is effectuall by the Spirit The antiquitie of the word before the Church The word is Eternall It is a word of peace The word of the Lord is holy Nitimur in vetituÌ„ It iustifieth not How the Law differeth from the Gospel The Ceremoniall Law fulfilled in Christ. The condition of the Law and the Gospel What things are required of him that shall doe the Law Generall Law yeelds to a Speciall Law of Ceremonie yeelded to the Law of Mercy To whom the Law is easie and how Ioh. 5.3 To whom impossible How Faith is commanded in the Law What spirit goes with the law How law is the ministry of death The gospell vnprofitable to the reprobate Profitable to the elect only Diuers effects of the Gospell according to the subiect According to the degrees Famine of the word Gods counsell gouerns the effect of preaching Math. 11. Women may be no publique Teachers Gospell fructuall like raine When the word fructifieth Testament or Couenant of pâ—ace is but one Fathers beleeuing in Christ to come The gospell preached to them Office of the Ministers How ministers be sauiours and what is their worke Maintenance of Ministers Prophets preached Christ. They be Christs friends Iohn Baptist Middle betweene two testaments Apostles Seruants Friends to Christ. They conquered the world to Christ. How Pastors succeede Apostles A good Pastor a good builder Bad Ministers which teach well and liue ill Wolues Hirelings False Prophets Antichrist True Church It is but one Sundryl waies considered It is Christs body She is a Virgine Spouse to Christ. Hos. 2 Fruitfull in begotting children Likenesse betweene Christ and his Church The church a kingdom a body c Faithfull Ministers the Fathers and children of the Church The likenes between Christ and his Church The censure of the Church In excommunication both vnlawfull And lawfull The dignitie of a Christian. Christians equall The church hath a spirituall regiment True Church is vniuersall False Church Vrbs septicollis Reu. 18.2 The benefit of publike assemblies The elect children of Gods house The called children of God Their coniunction with Christ Christs affection vnto them Spirituall mariage betweene them and Christ. How they are in heauen They be new Creatures 1 1 Kings 2 2 Prophets 3 3 Priests They be still vnperfect More excellent then the Angels Most free Separate from the world by effectuall calling Effectuall calling is a new creation A twofold calling What persons for the most part called Faith in Christ is the entrance to eternall life Faith the eye of the soule or spirituall sight Office of Faith with the force thereof Faith once had neuer lost Nature of faith It resteth on Christ onely Least measure of faith No Faith without doubting What fear is ioyned with faith Degrees of Faith How loued before faith Faithfull man a Virgin Vnperfect in knowledge In some more perfect Regeneration Regenerate are children many waies The vse of Sacraments They be misticall signes Against transubstantiation Baptisme how it saueth How it washeth the soule How it forgiueth sinne Lords supper How eaten How Christ becommeth our foode Spiritually 1. Cor. 13. 12. Math. 26. 26. 27. 1. Cor. 11. 24. Against corporall eating Iustification by faith It is but once Christs iustice ours by imputation Rom. 4. throughout Ro. 10. 4. No man righteous in Gods sight How works do iustifie Adoption by Grace Certainty of our adoption Sonnes of God bee heires Inheritance of heauen hath perfection with differences in degrees Adoption an effect of the spirit The dutie of adopted sonnes Certainty of adoptist Adopted ones why afflicted Free from slauish feare Reconciliation Sanctification It is vnperfect It is a totall change But not absolute The end of sanctification Free from the law Mortification Deniall of a mans selfe Buriall of sinne Mortified in part Resurrection to newnesse of life Spirituall Combat is Continuall It is irkesome Least degree of repentance Repentance a great blessing of God How true repentance distinguished from false Repentance giuen to great sins All men need repentance but not all alike Repentance is the ioy of Angels Generall Repentance sufficient for secret sinnes Good works necessary to saluation They serue to many good purposes How they please God Heauen a free reward of good works God is to be known by Christ. Our knowledge not perfect heere Sauing knowledg is effectual and special Practike knowledg is best knowledge Knowledge without practise is fearefull Knowledge ioyned with godlinesse Knowledge with sobrietie Knowledge groweth by right vse Knowledge abused an occasion of sinne Who bee truly wise Hope How it differs from faith Hope aboue hope How saued by hope Hope ashameth not Our loue of God springs from his loue to vs. Loue lesser then faith being an effect of faith Loue mixt with child-like reuerence For loue of Christs all so be forsaken How earthly things to be loued vnder Christ. Parents lesse to bee loued then Christ. Idolatry to loue ought more then Christ. True feare of God Gods children reioyce with feare Humble prayer It is alwaies heard A speedie Messenger It must come from a feeling of our spirituall beggery There is inward mentall prayer Vocall praier By praier the poore profit the Rich. Patience Relieues our miseries Humility Springes from feeling of our vilenesse The humble are exalted Praiers of the humble accepted Sabboth holy True zeale A broken heart better then Sacrifice Our neighbour to bee loued for Gods sake Brotherly loue the bonde of perfection The loue of a mans selfe is the paterne of a mans loue to others Loue makes all things common for vse It cannot make things common to be proper It loues priuate enemies Maketh rich Good things increase by vse Some lusts be good Godly sorrow a path way to ioy Grace the mother of good works Euill works merit hell Vnregenerate men Haue no fellowship with Christ. Wholy poluted Of a brutish disposition Seem to be in Christ. In their ignorance of the Law sin is dead In the right knowledge of the Law themselues doe dye How far they may go and yet perish The hypocrite is a great lyer Sinne turneth men into beasts Securitie Contrary Apparance of some righteousnesse in some wicked men Scorning the height of sinne Sinne in many is still and quiet Sinne of oppression dangerous Vnbeleife the greatest sinne Outward Idolatry how many waies Sinners be slaues Enuy a Diabolicall vice A wicked tongue How farre ignorâ—nce is a sinne An euill heart mars cheife workes Wicked men sinne freely yet cannot chuse but sinne Idle knowledge Deniall of God Men must hinder sin in others else they sinne What is strife is wicked An euill man can doe no good work Actions to be iudged of by the end and minde Sinning against conscience Rom. 14. Wicked praiers be sinnes Losse of soule the greatest losse Vsury committed without sinne Lending being a worke of mercy must be free as Christ commandeth Luk. 6. Euill worship is no impeachment to religious worship Vocation of the Gentils Bodies immortall Death the gate of heauen hell All men must die Death the last enemy must be destroyed Some onely changed Certainety of resurrection By the power of Christ. Of men women Spirituall bodies after their resurrection Last iudgment Christ the Iudge How Saints shall iudge All iudged yet with differences The world but altered in qualitie not aboleshed Heauen Hell Hell of conscience Angels assumed bodies for a time True Christians most blessed God is the Soule of the world Liâ—ely faith â—â—aseth at our death No vse of it in heauen Christ entertained by a faithfull soule Hell fire vnquenchable Torment of the damned We must not follow the wicked Our minde renued in part The full fruit of Adoption enioyed in Heauen Dumbe deafe how saued Elect found of God before they seeke him Vncleannes Originall sinne in Infants Man wise but by participation of Christs wisdom How men-giue glory to God How Paul built on no other mans foundation How one man must please another Gospell how preached to all the world All saued how to be vnderstood Numbring our daies Mortification A Child and a Seruant both at once The ladder to heauen is Christ. Vpon who the Angels ascend and descend The Heauens wherfore made The Spirit it is that teacheth vs how to pray The wicked how said to know God The spirit how it praieth for vs. Christ how called a Seruant Rom. 9.1 Swearing how forbidden How a thing may be said to be prolonged yet done in due time How Christ is said to be the sonne of Dauid The raising of Christs body an argument of his godhead How all men are liers The works of the law iustifie not and why Of Faith and works Of patience Of iustification and condemnation Wee were bought with a price Baptisme of infants Dying to sinne