its corrupt and carnal state to a state of real and true holiness though imperfect in this life the mind renewed in saving-knowledg the will renewed by being subdued and made pliable to the will of God the affections renewed by being spiritualized or fixed upon spiritual good objects and so the memory conscience phancy c. as also the life because in this change a man becomes a new man The particular parts of which sanctification are 1. Mortification or a Believers being dead unto sin i. e. in his inclinations thoughts cares affections endeavours all which were before lively and strong towards sin 2. Vivification or a living unto righteousness i. e. being holy in all manner of conversation A. 36. The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from Justification Adoption and Sanctification are assurance of Gods love peace of conscience joy in the Holy Ghost increase of grace and perseverance therein unto the end To. 1. Hom. ix p. 2. All those therefore have great cause to be full of joy that be joined to Christ with true faith stedfast hope and perfect charity and not to fear death nor everlasting damnation But rather contrariwise their godly conversation in this life and belief in Christ cleaving continually to his mercies should make them so long sore after that life that remaineth for them undoubtedly after this bodily death To. 2. Hom. xij Released from the burden of sin justified through faith in his blood and finally received up into everlasting glory there to reign with him for ever Expl. 36. By this first priviledg of assurance we are to understand not meerly a believers probable guess or conjecture or his hope and expectation to be saved but an infallible certainty or that which is called in Scripture the full assurance of faith concerning the love of God and the believers eternal salvation which certainty is built 1. Upon the infallible certainty of Gods promise to save those who do believe or accept of Christ as he is tendered in the Gospel 2. Upon the unquestionable evidence of the truth and reality of those graces unto which the promise of salvation is made 3. Upon the necessary connexion which there is betwixt the means and the end betwixt true and saving-grace and salvation it self 4. And upon the sure testimony of the Spirit of Adoption witnessing with the spirit or conscience of this or that particular believer by name that he is a Child of God Concerning which assurance these three things are to be noted 1. That there may be a true saving-faith where there is not the full assurance of faith It doth belong to a believer only but not to every believer 2. That it is every believers duty to look after this assurance to use his utmost endeavours to make his Calling and Election sure 3. Though this assurance may be darkened diminished and interrupted through sin or temptation yet it is ever accompanied with so much secret support to the soul as that it does keep the soul from total and final despair And so there is room left still for the second benefit sc. peace of conscience in which there is 1. Something privative sc. a very comfortable freedom not perfect and universal from that which Divines call trouble of mind arising from the apprehension of guilt and of the wrath of God and though in one who has this assurance the peace of his mind may be disturbed yet it is but disturbed and not absolutely lost as the peace of a State is not lost by every tumult whereby it is disturbed 2. There is something positive in this peace sc. that sweet calm and satisfaction which there is in the mind upon the attaining of this assurance Third benefit sc. Ioy in the Holy Ghost sc. a joy springing up in the soul from the comfort and certainty of his testimony and for the sweetness of his presence Fourthly growth of grace If not so observably in the leaf and fruit yet in the root like a plant in winter Perseverance in grace Not depending upon the mutability of mans will but upon the immutability of Gods decree and purpose to save the believer upon the unchangeableness of the Fathers love upon the purchase merit and intercession of the Son upon the abiding presence of the Holy Ghost together with the victorious efficacy of his grace in the soul and upon the stability of the Covenant of grace which is ordered in all things and sure A. 37. The Souls of Believers are at their death made perfect in holiness and do immediately pass into glory and their bodies being still united to Christ do rest in their Graves till the Resurrection Artic. xxij The Romish Doctrine concerning Purgatory Pardons is vainly feigned and grounded upon no warrant of Scripture but rather repugnant to the word of God Hom. vij Of Prayer p. 3. The soul of man passing out of the Body goeth straightways either to Heaven or else to Hell whereof the one needeth no prayer and the other is without redemption The Scripture doth acknowledg but two places after this life the one proper to the elect and blessed of God the other the reprobate and damned souls Expl. 37. At death Believers are made perfect in holiness 1. Negatively i. e. they sin no more from that very moment but are freed from sin for ever 2. Positively 1. The image of God is then perfect in the believers soul and the full bent of his will is to do the will of God as the Angels do it in heaven perfectly and without all reluctancy 2. It doth immediately enter into eternal life when it leaves the body and not into any middle state as that of Purgatory 3. Their bodies though separated from their souls for a time yet they do still remain unseparated from Christ and therefore do remain under his care whilst they sleep in the grave so that he will not lose any one member of them A. 38. At the Resurrection Believers being raised up in Glory shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of judgment and made perfectly blessed in full enjoying of God to all Eternity To. 2. Hom. xiv The truth of this most Christian Article of the resurrection which is the ground and foundation of our whole Religion O most comfortable word evermore to be born in remembrance he dyed saith St. Paul 1 Cor. 15. to put away sin he rose again to endow us with righteousness by his resurrection hath he purchased life and victory for us opened the gates of heaven to enter into life everlasting to enjoy an inheritance immortal that never shall perish which is laid up in heaven for them that are kept by the power of God through faith set with himself among the heavenly Citizens above If thou hast received Christ in true faith with repentance of heart and full purpose of amendment thou hast received him for an everlasting
of the Soul as love joy delight c. are set open that this King of glory may enter in and find entertainment there A. 87. Repentance unto life is a saving grace whereby a sinner out of the true sense of his sin and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ doth with grief and hatred of his sin turn from it unto God with full purpose of and endeavours after new obedience Hom. XX. Of Repentance Which is a returning again of the whole man unto God from whom we be faln away by sin We must return from those things whereby we have been withdrawn pluckt and led away from God Unto whom alone we must return not to the creatures or the inventions of men or our own mercies by Jesus Christ who hath made satisfaction to the Justice of God with our whole heart forsaking all that is contrary to Gods will out of a sincere love of godliness a purpose of our selves by Gods grace to renounce our former wicked life and a full conversion to God in a new life to glorifie his name c. We must beware and take heed that we do in no wise think in our hearts imagine or believe that we are able to repent aright or turn effectually unto the Lord by our own might and strength for this must be verified in all men Without me ye can do nothing Ioh. 15.5 Again of our selves we are not able as much as to think a good thought 2 Cor. 3.5 Expl. 87. This repentance is called repentance unto life because the fruit thereof is unto holiness and the end everlasting life and concerning this repentance several things are to be noted 1 st concerning the nature of it that as well as faith it is a saving-grace because it is a part of Sanctification and not a common work of the spirit which is reckon'd up amongst those things which do not accompany Salvation as every part of Sanctification doth 2 dly Concerning the immediate spring of this repentance and that is a true sense of sin i. e. such a sense of sin as doth break the heart for sin and that in a kindly manner with grief or godly sorrow not with despair this latter sense of sin may be found in a Iudas but only the former in a Paul for whether it be in reference to the guilt of sin a true penitent does not despair of pardoning mercy or whether it be in reference to the punishment of sin he hopes to be deliver'd from the wrath to come and therefore this true sense of sin and a lively apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ are here joyned together 3 dly We have here the inward acts of repentance as 1 grief of heart for sin called therefore a being pricked at the heart and a being contrite and broken in spirit which is when a mans heart is ready to bleed and melt and tremble within him because he has broken the holy Law of God and has thereby foolishly exposed himself to the curse and penalty of the Law 2 Hatred of sin whereby a man doth disrellish and dislike sin and can roul it as a sweet morsel under his tongue no longer when he does not only not love sin but he abhors it the very thoughts of it are grievous and ungrateful to him and therefore 3 he turns from it not only does as one who turns away his face that cannot endure to behold it but his feet for he hastens as far from it as he can and that he may secure himself from the danger of it he turns from it to God 4 With resolution not to return to his old beloved any more 4 thly we have here the outward effects of repentance called its fruits active constant universal endeavours to lead a new life A. 88. The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of Redemption are his Ordinances especially the Word Sacraments and Prayer all which are made effectual to the Elect for salvation Hom. 5. p. 3. Apply your selves chiefly and above all things to read and hear Gods word mark diligently therein what his will is you should do and with all your endeavours apply your selves to follow the same Expl. 88. 'T is here supposed in the A. that there are inward and extraordinary means whereby Christ can and sometimes probably does communicate the benefits of Redemption there being Salvation in no other name than that of Jesus where persons are not made capable of this Salvation in an ordinary way and in the use of means there is no other way left but that which is extraordinary and so we read of those that have been sanctified from the womb But the ordinary means are the standing Ordinances of the Gospel sc. the Word Sacraments and Prayer the Word to inform and reform us Sacraments to confirm our faith and Prayer to beg a divine and effectual blessing upon both and all these three are included in that one great ordinance of the Gospel a Gospel-ministry unto which Christ hath promised his presence unto the end of the world because till then the mystical body of Christ will stand in need of being edified in its most holy faith for if the Unction of the Spirit had taken away the use of preaching why then did the Apostles use to preach A. 89. The Spirit of God maketh the reading but especially the preaching of the Word an effectual means of convincing and converting sinners and of building them up in holiness and comfort through faith unto salvation Hom. I. p. 2. If we lack a learned man to instruct and teach us yet God himself from above will give light to our minds and teach us those things which are necessary for us and wherein we are ignorant Mans humane and worldly wisdom or science is not needful to the understanding of Scripture but the revelation of the Holy Ghost who inspireth the true meaning into them that with humility and diligence do search therefore To. 2. Hom. XVII p. 1. Let us in faith and charity call upon the Father of mercy by the mediation of his well-beloved Son our Saviour that we may be assisted with the presence of his holy Spirit and profitably on our parts demean our selves in speaking and harkening to the salvation of our souls Hom. XVI p. 2. And he of his great mercy so work in all mens hearts by the mighty power of the Holy Ghost that the comfortable Gospel of his Son Christ may be truly preached truly received and truly followed in all places to the bearing down of sin death the Pope the Devil and all the Kingdom of Antichrist Hom. XVII p. 3. We should not be able to believe and know these great mysteries that be open'd to us by Christ but by the Holy Ghost St. Paul says that no man can know what is of God but by the Spirit of God as for us saith he we have received not
gage or pledg of thy salvation Rising with him by our faith we shall have our bodies likewise raised again from death to have them glorified in immortality and joined to his glorious body having in the mean while his holy Spirit in our hearts as a seal and pledg of our everlasting inheritance Expl. 38. At the resurrection of a Believer 1. There is a re-union of a soul which is free from corruption or sin to a glorified body that is incorruptible 2. These two parts being thus re-united in the very same individual person to whom they did belong before death will be actually capable at the resurrection of all that eternal bliss which Christ hath purchased and prepared for them 3. Then Christ will openly acknowledg own and approve every true Christian to be a part of his body mystical and that before his Father and all the holy Angels 4. The Believer then shall receive his general discharge and acquitment in a most solemn publick and triumphant manner from all manner of guilt whatsoever so as that none shall be able to lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect For though a Believer does receive his private discharge from all his sins at his death and as it were under the privy Seal yet his discharge is ratified confirmed and as it were enter'd into the publick Records at the day of Judgment CHAP. II. Of things to be done in the Ten Commandments with a short Explanation of 46 A. from 38 to 85. A. 39. THE duty which God requireth of man is obedience to his revealed Will. To. 1. Hom. V. The good works God hath commanded his people to walk in are such as he hath commanded in the holy Scripture and not such works as men have studied out of their own brain of a blind zeal and devotion without the word of God And by mistaking the nature of good works man hath most highly displeased God and hath gone from his Will and Commandments To. 2. Hom. X. p. 3. Mark diligently what his Will is you should do and with all your endeavour apply your selves to follow the same Expl. 39. By obedience to the revealed Will of God we are in the general to understand the conformity of our wills affections words and actions to the preceptive or commanding Will of God for all this is comprehended in that one Scripture Fear God and keep his Commandments for this is the whole duty of man It is the will of Gods command which doth declare and require what is our duty but as for the secret will of Gods eternal purpose though it be a rule to himself whereby he acts yet it neither is nor can be the rule of our actions because not known to us nor indeed curiously to be enquired after nor is it barely the revelation of Gods will that makes it our duty to observe it but the revelation of it to this very end and purpose that man do willingly conform to it A. 40. The Rule which God at first revealed to man for his obedience was the Moral Law To. 2. Hom. X. Let us esteem the holy Table of Gods Word appointed by him to instruct us in all necessary works so that we may be perfect before him in the whole course of our life To. 1. Hom. 1. p. 3. Such hath been the corrupt inclination of man ever superstitiously given to make new honouring of God of his own head and then to have more affection and devotion to keep that than to search out Gods holy Commandments and to keep them Which we should know to separate or sever Gods Commandments from the commandments of men In keeping the Commandments of God standeth the pure principal right honour of God and which wrought in faith God hath ordained to be the right trade and pathway to heaven Expl. 40. When it is here said that the Moral Law was at first i. e. in a state of innocency revealed to man i. e. to our first Parents in Paradise we are not to understand that this revelation was visible to the eye as afterwards the writing of it was in two Tables of Stone nor to be heard by the ear as when it was first given by God in Mount Sinai But it was at first revealed inwardly i. e. it was imprinted in the hearts and minds of our first Parents except that positive prohibition of eating the forbidden fruit yet being in a great part blotted out was afterwards written in two Tables of Stone A. 41. The Moral Law is summarily comprehended in the Ten Commandments Ham. V. Christ rehearsing the Commandments declared that the Laws of God be the very way that doth lead to everlasting life and not the Traditions and Laws of men So that the works of the Moral Commandments of God be the very true works of Faith which lead to the blessed life to come To. 2. Hom. II. Containing the immutable Law and Ordinances of God in no age or time to be altered nor of any persons of any Nation of any age to be disobey'd Expl. 41. By a Law in the general we are to understand the Will of the Lawgiver requiring duty But here by the Moral Law we are to understand 1. More generally the revealed Will of God of what man is to believe and do in order to salvation 2. More particularly the Decalogue which is the sum of all Moral Laws which are scattered up and down in the Scripture And this Decalogue or Ten Words or Ten Commandments may be called Moral 1. Because of the universality of it for the Decalogue doth oblige all mankind it being that very Law for substance which was written in very legible Characters in the heart of Adam and is not quite blotted out of the minds of the veryest Gentiles in the world 2. It doth oblige at all times 3. The whole man for it requires as well the internal obedience of the soul and all its powers and faculties as outward obedience of the body A. 42. The sum of the Ten Commandments is to love the Lord our God with all our heart with all our soul with all our strength and with all our mind and our neighbour as our selves Hom. 5. p. 3. Mark diligently what Gods will is that you should do and with all your endeavour apply your selves to follow the same 〈◊〉 You must have assured faith in God and give your selves wholly unto him love him in prosperity and adversity and dread to offend him ever more Then for his sake love all men Cast in your mind how you may do good unto all men to your power and hurt no man Expl. 42. The sum of these Ten Commandments or Ten Words we may take in one Word and 't is Love for Love is the fulfilling of the Law and this Love is threefold 1. To God and this must be in the highest degree or more than we are to love either our selves or neighbours yea this later love in
believed the Ten Commandments shewing our duty to God and our Neighbours the Doctrine of the Sacraments the things contain'd in the Lords Prayer And there they who present Children at Baptism are charged to call upon them to hear Sermons and chiefly provide that they may learn the Creed the Lords Prayer and the Ten Commandments in the English tongue and all other things which a Christian man ought to know and believe to his Souls health All which are as in so short a room can be well expected methodically presented to you in this Book Wherein lastly you have our departed Friend's endeavours in a short and easie Explanation to make the Principles plain to be understood Now for the use and improvement of it and the advantage you may have by it supposing you will first read this Epistle of mine to you I would advise you who have the charge of Families especially and can read or have those in your house or neighbourhood who will do it for you unless your own prudence dictate somewhat better for any of you in your circumstances 1 Distinctly and treatably to read over the Articles or Answers without taking any notice then of the Questions and require those under your charge to attend diligently thereunto I suppose you may go over if not all one half of the A. s which are printed in a large letter at one solemn reading then the next time the rest beginning where you left But if any of you think the Task too large for once or twice divide it into four or three Readings If according to Chapters you may read each day that you set apart for this purpose one if into three according to Chapters or chief heads for distinction of matter you may the first one day the second another and the two last on the third If according to Articles for five days on the first day read Nineteen Articles on the second Nineteen more ending with the Thirty-Eighth Article on the third twenty A. s more ending with Article Sixty-two on the fourth Twenty-two A. s more ending with A. Eighty-five on the fifth Twenty-two A. s more to the end 2 Your next reading of these Principles or Articles over should be with the Texts of Scripture that prove them and the Testimonies of the Reformed Church of England attesting and in a sort opening or some way clearing each Proposition 3 The last reading if not dispatch'd at once with the second should be the Explanations of the Author enlarging more upon each Article and so making it more plain and clear even to the meanest understanding who will be attentive and considerate To which purpose those who govern in each Family should be always watchful to see there be an attendance to it without noise But you should at the beginning after the first Reading set in with those under your charge to get the Articles or Answers without book and if by Friends I understand the poorer sort will in good earnest learn them by heart likely I may procure the A. s printed in one sheet by themselves to give to them those who are more able will I suppose buy them Then you may hear them repeat what they have learned and proceed those days you Catechise them especially every Lords-day you who have not better helps to read some portion of the Explanation so much at least as was learn'd the week before engaging them by small rewards and punishments to hearken with all seriousness and to do that with all their might which is evidently prov'd to be their duty This conscientiously and constantly perform'd will I hope through Gods blessing turn to a good account for you and me 'T is only for the sakes of some I am thus minute Give me leave then particularly to mind those who have not yet exercised themselves to Prayer as they should have done how this Book may be helpful and improv'd to a solemn performance of that duty and an attainment of a gift therein by having variety of orderly and fit matter upon all occasions from a distinct knowledg of our sins and wants As for instance A. 98. you have the nature of Prayer described which you will do well to read pause upon and consider how it is prov'd by Scripture-Testimony and how attested by our Forefathers then read our Authors Explanation of it whereby you will come to understand the parts of Prayer and in whose name it is to be offered to God for which see also A. 21 25. Now for you who are a Learner to frame your self to pray orderly and pertinently you may look into and meditate upon A. 4. compar'd with A. 100 101. for a Preface Then pass on to confess your original sin by considering and if you will you may take your Pen and write out particulars prayer-wise A. 14 15 16. compared with A. 13. Then you may particularize your actual transgressions by considering what is forbidden in every Commandment of the Law and acknowledging those sins which by looking into that glass you find your hearts to upbraid you with A. 47 51 55 61 65 69 72 75 78 81. Then you may see their aggravations A. 83 84. with their Explanations Then the consequents or punishments due to transgressors A. 17 18 19. Hereupon consider the Gospel requires Faith and Repentance A. 86 87. Then come to the next part of Prayer viz. Petition Here you may have directions to pray for the Spirit working in Effectual Calling A. 29 30 31. Pleading Christs mediation A. 23 24 25 26 27 28. and seeking particularly that God would give what he requires in his holy Commandments A. 46 50 54 57 64 68 71 74 77 80. compar'd with A. 101 102 103 104 105 106 and A. 33 34 35 36. still collecting and compacting such materials out of these Articles and the Scriptures proving of them with what follows where it is needful in the Explanation more briefly or largely as every ones present condition and circumstances require Now for the remaining part of Prayer which is Thanksgiving you will better know what you are to give thanks for by seeing what sins or evils God hath kept you from and what good things he hath bestow'd upon you And this you will materially discern by considering well what you have confess'd and petition'd then it will be further helpful to meditate upon A. 9 10 12 20 21 22 31 32 85 88 89. For Conclusion read A. 107. with the Scriptures and Explanation Turn to these Articles as you see them noted here thus minutely for the sake of you who need such direction and yours some of whom possibly you may engage to write what you shew them in this order or when you read to them for the teaching of them to be more methodical in learning to pray and that longer or shorter as occasion requires for their own and others edification But still remember It is the Spirit likewise that helpeth our infirmities Rom. 8.26 So that our prayers through
applying of the Redemption purchased by Christ to all those whom he has redeemed by his blood Not that the Spirit may be said to believe in the elect but that he doth work that faith in them whereby they as Members are united to Christ their Head and so do mystically and spiritually but really become one with him for they that are thus joined to the Lord are one spirit and so being one with Christ what was done for them by Christ as their Mediator Head and Husband is accounted as done by themselves he having pay'd their debt as their Surety they receive their discharge and shall never come into condemnation or be cast into Prison after they are once thus one with Christ and effectually called by the Spirit A. 31. Effectual Calling is the work of Gods Spirit whereby convincing us of our sin and misery enlightning our minds in the knowledg of Christ and renewing our wills he doth perswade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ freely offered to us in the Gospel Artic. X. The condition of man after the fall of Adam is such that he cannot turn and prepare himself by his own natural strength and good works to faith and calling upon God Wherefore we have no power to do good works pleasant and acceptable to God without the grace of God by Christ preventing us that we may have a good will and working with us when we have that good will Hom. II. Of Alms p. 2. The good deeds of man are not the cause of making him good but he is first made good by the Spirit and grace of God that effectually worketh in him and afterward he bringeth forth good fruit God of his mercy and special favour towards them whom he hath appointed to everlasting salvation hath so offer'd his grace especially and they have so received it fruitfully that though by reason of their sinful living outwardly they seemed before to have been the children of wrath and perdition yet now the Spirit of God mightily working in them unto obedience to Gods will and commandments they declare by their outward deeds and life in the shewing of mercy and charity which cannot come but of the Spirit of God and his especial grace that they are the undoubted children of God appointed to everlasting life Expl. 31. That we may the better know what effectual Calling is we are to consider of a double Call which doth many times prove ineffectual as 1. Outward in the preaching of the Word and the voice of the Rod or any Providence whatsoever which doth call men to repentance faith and holiness but notwithstanding all these outward Calls there are Millions in the world who turn the deaf ear to God and will not return to him by repentance nor come to Christ by faith 2 dly There is an inward Call which is no less ineffectual than the former and it is the Spirits Call as when he proceeds no further than that which Divines call a common work as 1. Common illumination or some kind of floating knowledg in the head concerning the word of God and spiritual matters and no doubt but many men who have wicked hearts and lead bad lives may be well stored with gifts of this kind as Iudas for one 2. Some kind of flashy affections excited and stir'd up in the Soul towards good things called foretasts of the powers of the world to come and such was in Herod and Balaam 3. Some kind of faint languishing inclinations in the will to obedience such as Herod had when he did many things 4. Some kind of sense of sin both in its guilt and horrour such as Iudas had and yet notwithstanding all this inward work of the Spirit his Call may be ineffectual And if all this may be without success then no wonder if the Arminians Call that of moral suasion or of arguments do prove no better But then 2 dly There is another inward Call of the Spirit which is effectual to the Elect sc. that whereby the Spirit doth not only call but enable them to come at his call as when he doth renew the mind and change the will sanctifie the heart purifie the conscience and affections and doth work a lively faith in such persons and repentance from dead works A. 32. They that are Effectually called do in this life partake of Justistification Adoption Sanctification and the several benefits which in this life do either accompany or flow from them Artic. xvij They through grace obey the Calling they be justified freely they be made Sons of God by Adoption they be made like the image of his only begotten Son Jesus Christ they walk religiously in good works and at length by Gods mercy they attain to everlasting felicity Expl. 32. Into the nature of these particular Benefits of Effectual Calling there will be occasion to enquire hereafter but as to the certainty of the thing that all that are effectually called shall partake of these is evident from these grounds 1. In that Christ did purchase these benefits not for himself but for them nay he had never laid down such a price in his Fathers hands but for the sake of Believers 2. The tenour of the Covenant of Grace doth ascertain this for when God the Father and Son did treat together concerning the redemption of the Elect it was upon these terms sc. That upon the Sons undertaking to satisfie both the Law and Justice of God and upon the full performance of this undertaking all those that do believe in Christ though by nature they had been children of wrath as well as others should upon their believing be justified adopted sanctified and saved 3. Upon their believing they do receive Christ and he gives himself freely to them and how shall they not with him have all things else they stand in need of A. 33. Justification is an Act of Gods free-grace wherein he pardoneth all our sins and accepteth us as righteous in his fight only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us and received by faith alone Artic. II. We are accounted righteous before God only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ by faith and not for our own works or deservings To. I. Hom. III. Because all men be sinners and offen-ders and breakers of his Law and Commandments therefore can no man by his own acts works and deeds seem they never so good be justified and made righteous before God but every one is constrained to see for another righteousness and this which we so receive of Gods mercy and Christs merits embraced by faith is taken accepted and allow'd of God for our perfect and full justification Part 3. Our works do not merit or deserve remission of our sins and make us of unjust just before God but God of his own mercy through the only merits and deservings of his Son Jesus Christ doth justifie us Nevertheless because Faith
it should be express'd or set forth in any Image or bodily Similitude And that in the First Table and the beginning thereof is this Doctrine aforesaid not briefly touch'd but at large set forth and that with denunciation of destruction to the contemners and breakers of this Law and their posterity after them Expl. 49. We have here principally observable 1. The order 2. The matter of the Commandment From the order we are to observe that God doth prefer the inward worship of the heart which is required in the first Command to the outward worship of the body which is here principally directed that the later or that of the body without the former is but hypocritical and the former without the later but partial so that God is to be worshipp'd with all our bodies and spirits Those therefore who do present their bodies in Idol-worship as that of the Mass and yet plead they keep their hearts for God are here condemned 2. The matter or argument and scope of the Command i. e. to prevent all miscarriages and abuses in bodily worship and to instruct men how they may present their bodies as well as their souls a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God Yet to prevent mistakes about what is forbidden in this Command we are to note these two things 1. That not all making of Images or Pictures or likenesses of the creatures is here forbidden for then it would follow that a man might not so much as frame an Idea in his own fancy of one mans being like another contrary to the very notion of truth which is nothing else but a conformity betwixt the mind and the object 2. Nor is all civil use or historical representations of things to the eye which is so helpful to the understanding and memory here forbidden A. 50. The second Commandment requireth the receiving observing and keeping pure and entire all such religious Worship and Ordinances as God hath appointed in his Word Hom. II. p. 3. Let us honour and worship for Religions sake none but God and him let us worship and honour as he will himself and hath declared by his word that he will be worshipp'd and honoured not in nor by Images or Idols which he hath most straitly forbidden neither in kneeling lighting of Candles burning of Incense to believe that we should please him for all these be abomination before God but let us honour and worship God in spirit and in truth fearing and loving him above all things trusting in him only calling upon him and praying to him only praising and lauding of him only and all other in him Hom. XX. He requireth a sincere and pure love of godliness and of the true worshipping and serving of God i. e. that forsaking all manner of things that are repugnant and contrary to Gods will we do give our hearts unto him Expl. 50. In the general is here required that the bodily worshipping of God be performed only in such a manner both for substance and circumstances as God doth require or allow or at least is not expresly and consequentially contradicted in his word More particularly 1. It doth require our utmost and constant care and endeavour to observe and preserve all holy Ordinances and external Church-priviledges in their purity and freedom from all manner of corrupt mixtures in any kind whereby God is provoked fasting prayer thanksgiving hearing reading the Word singing of Psalms administration and participation of Gospel-Institutions as the Sacraments Swearing the Discipline and Censures of the Church Maintenance of Gospel Ministers c. 2. All outward decency in such external Rites and Ceremonies as are warrantably used in Religion especially in publick 3. All outward reverence in gesture speech and behaviour in the worship of God 4 All disapproving detesting and loathing all manner of Idolatries Will-worship superstition together with all the monuments and occasions and appearances thereof A. 51. The second Commandment forbiddeth the worshipping of God by Images or any other way not appointed in his Word To. 2. Hom II. p. 1. Lest the Doctrine against Images should not be marked or remarked the same is written and required not in one but in sundry places of the word of God Neither could the notableness of the place being the very beginning of the very loving Lords Law make us to mark it So that if either the multitude or plainness of the places might make us to understand or the earnest charge that God giveth in these places move us to regard or the horrible plagues punishment and dreadful destruction threatned to such worshippers of Images or Idols setters up or maintainers of them might ingender any fear in our hearts we would once leave and forsake this wickedness being in the Lords light so great an offence and abomination p. 3. Images and Image-worshipping were in the primitive Church which was most pure and incorrupt abhorr'd and detested as abominable and contrary to true Christian Religion p. 3. Idolatry cannot be separated from Images any long time but as an unseparable accident or as a shadow follows the body when the Sun shineth so Idolatry followeth and cleaveth to the publick having of Images in Temples and Churches It is not possible to keep men from Idolatry if Images be suffer'd publickly the Images of God our Saviour the Virgin the Apostles Martyrs and others of notable holiness of all others most dangerous Expl. 51. More particularly this command forbiddeth 1. absolutely and altogether the making of any kind of Images of God or of any person in the Trinity at least as God 2. It forbiddeth all making of Images in order to the worshipping of God in them or by them or any way abusing them in the true Religion as conceiting the presence of God to be in or with an Image in a more especial manner than elsewhere 3. All the means and direct occasions of Idolatry all inventions traditions and corruptions of men in Gods worship or about the worship of God 4. All manner of witchcraft or consulting those that have familiar Spirits 5. All worshipping of Images as well as of God before them together with all that religious respect that is given to them as in shrining cloathing them c. 6. All prophaning neglecting opposing or contemning of the worship and Ordinances of Christ as also all kind of Simony and Sacriledg A. 52. The Reasons annexed to the second Commandment are Gods Soveraignty over us his propriety in us and the zeal he hath to his own Worship Hom. II. p. 1. Concerning none other matter did God give more or more earnest and express Laws to his people than those that concern the true worshipping of him and the avoiding and fleeing of Idols and Images and Idolatry for that both the said Idolatry is most repugnant to the right worshipping of him and his true glory above all other vices and that he knew the proneness and inclination of mans
the spirit of the world but the Spirit which is of God for this purpose that in that holy Spirit we might know the things that be given us by Christ. Expl. 89. In this A. there is 1 something supposed 2 something asserted Here it is supposed 1 that sometime the reading of the Word doth prove effectual for the spiritual and eternal good of the Soul and hence it is that Christ commands us to search and read the Scripture and doth charge mens ignorance and error about Soul-matters upon their negligence herein 2 That reading of Scripture at home doth not at all excuse people from hearing the Word in the solemn Assemblies where it is preached for there is an especially here fixed on the word Preached as to the efficacy of it either for conviction conversion or comfort 3 That the Word whether read or preached except the Spirit go along with it is but a dead letter till the Angel i. e. the Spirit of God move upon this water of the Sanctuary no healing is to be expected from it And therefore 2 ly 't is here asserted 1 concerning the Word read 2 concerning the Word preached that the Spirit of God doth make it effectual 1 for the opening of blind eyes so as to discover to men the things that concern their peace and their duty 2 For the turning of sinners unto God from the error and evil of their ways from darkness unto light 3 For the building of men up in their most holy faith because hereby is laid the first stone for faith cometh by hearing hereby is laid the last for 't is by the Ministry of the Word that the Christian is made an habitation of God through the Spirit or a temple of the Holy Ghost 4 For the perfecting of holiness in the fear of God 5 For comfort for this is that brook in the way of which the Christian traveller drinketh and so is able to run the ways of Gods commands and not be weary to walk and not to faint A. 90. That the Word may become effectual to salvation we must attend thereunto with diligence preparation and prayer receive it with faith and love lay it up in our hearts and practise it in our lives Hom. I. p. 1. The Scriptures have power to turn through Gods promise and they be effectual through Gods assistance and being received in a faithful heart they have ever an heavenly spiritual working in them In reading Gods will he profits most that is most turn'd into it that is most inspired with the Holy Ghost most in heart and life chang'd into that thing which he readeth Read it humbly with a meek and lowly heart to the intent you may glorifie God and not your self with the knowledg of it and read it not without daily praying to God that he would direct your reading to a good effect Let us hear read and know these holy rules instructions and statutes of our Christian Religion and upon that we have made profession to God at our Baptism Let us fear and reverence lay up in the chest of our hearts these necessary and fruitful lessons Let us night and day muse and have meditation and contemplation in them Expl. 90. This A. doth inform us of the right manner of using and managing the word whether read or preached with profit as 1 st our attendance upon the Word must be with diligence now this doth imply 2 things 1 the intention of the mind that when a man is reading Scripture or hearing a Sermon he do seriously mind what he is about do not suffer his mind and thoughts to be roving upon other things and the reason of this intention of mind is because he knows that the eye of God is intent upon him 2 An holy sollicitude or a mans being concerned in the issue of the duty he being sensible that he is now engaged in the use of that means for eternal life that God has prescribed he now reads every Chapter and hears every Sermon as if it were as indeed it is for his life so in this diligent attendance there is something wherein the outward man is concerned sc. a devout reverent and serious composure of the outward man to the work 2 dly Preparation and this doth imply 1 a mans laying aside all worldly cares affairs and business sports or recreations which might any way hinder him in such holy and heavenly employment that so he may attend upon it without distraction 2 A mans laying aside all worldly affections as love of the world c. or his putting away all superfluity of naughtiness 3 A mans putting himself into the presence of God or a pressing upon himself the sense of Gods authority majesty and holiness as well as of the truth and importance of his word 3 dly Prayer that Gods word may do us good and here we are to pray 1 for the Minister that he may preach as becomes the word of God and an Ambassadour of Christ. 2 For our selves that we may receive it as the ingrafted word which is able to save our Souls yet more particularly 1 that we may mingle it with faith it being that which deserves the most firm or the highest degree of assent that we are able to give to any thing 2 That we may receive it with love 1 to God the author of it and because 't is his word 2 To the Preacher as sent by God 3 to the word it self because for the matter 't is that which doth so highly import our happiness 4 We are to give reception and entertainment not only in the porch of our ear but in the best room of our hearts yea it being a precious treasure better than gold and silver it must be our care 1 to lay it up as treasure in our hearts to hide it there as David did 2 As treasure to be improved to lay it out now this cannot be done any other or better way than by a mans taking heed to his ways according to Gods word for he that thus ordereth his conversation aright shall see the salvation of God A. 91. The Sacraments become effectual means of salvation not from any virtue in them or in him that doth administer them but only by the blessing of Christ and the working of his Spirit in them that by Faith receive them Artic. XXVI The effect of Christs Ordinance is not taken away by the Ministers wickedness neither the grace of Gods gifts diminish'd from such as by faith and rightly do receive the Sacraments ministred to them which be effectual because of Christs institution and promise although they be ministred by evil men Nevertheless it appertaineth to the discipline of the Church that enquiry be made of evil Ministers and that they be accused by those that have knowledg of their offences and finally being found guilty by just judgment be deposed Expl. 91. Here we have it expressed 1 negatively how
pray against afflictions though these are also tentations and lead us not c. but we do absolutely pray to be delivered from the evil of sin and this by God alone who can bring good out of evil A. 107. The Conclusion of the Lords-Prayer which is For thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory for ever Amen teacheth us to take our encouragement in prayer from God only and in our prayers to praise him ascribing Kingdom power and glory to him and in testimony of our desire and assurance to be heard we say Amen To. 2. Hom. IX Amen which word is as much as to say as truth that the blessing or thanksgiving may be confirm'd Expl. 107. In this Conclusion we are taught 1 Self-denial and the renouncing of all worth and merit in our selves for we are not to say Lord do thus and thus for I am worthy for whom thou shouldst do so and so but for thine is the Kingdom c. i. e. Thou who hast commanded us to pray for what we need hast Power to give us what we beg though in our selves never so unworthy From that word therefore Lord we may note 1 That answering of prayers is a special part of Gods providence in governing the world which he will have every supplicant to own and acknowledg The belief of a providence is very necessary to the offering up unto God the sacrifice of prayer 2 From those words and the Power we may note sc. That what God may do as Governour of the world in answering prayers by virtue of his supreme Authority that he hath strength and ability to execute and perform 3 From those words and the Glory observe 1 That God looks upon it as one of his Titles of Honour to be a God hearing prayers 2 That therefore in our prayers as well as in any other part of Divine worship we should principally aim at the honour of God and 't is one of the greatest arguments we can have of hope to speed when our design is rather to gloririfie God than to gratifie our selves 3 That the Kingdom and Power of God and that honour which does redound to him from both these are everlasting 4 That Praise should accompany Prayer 5 That whatever we ask of God in the name of Christ according to his will believing we shall receive for that 's the meaning of that word which doth seal up this Prayer Amen because so it is or so be it or in the words of Christ be it unto thee even as thou wilt a greater encouragement than which unto prayer no rational supplicant can desire for 't is no more than ask and have that your joy may be full FINIS a Psal. 87.5 6. b Ier. 9 3. c Gen. 14.14 d Hos. 4.6 e Eph. 4.18 f Isa. 27.11 g Act. 3.6 h 1 Cor. 3.2 Heb. 5.12 i Mat. 4.4 Amos 8.11 k Luk 8.26 37. 9 5. 10 11 12. l Mat. 10.14 40 c. m Zach. 5. n Ier. 36 23. o 2 Cor. 4.3 p Rom. 10.1 q Gal. 6.6 r Deut. 11.18 19 c. 6.6 7 8. 4.9 Eph. 6.4 Isa. 28.10 Ex. 13.8 Psal. 78.5 Prov. 22.6 29 3. 10.1 1.10 4.1 2. Col. 3.11 12. Gen. 18.18 19. 2 Tim. 1.5 with 3.15 c. s 1 Tim. 4.3 4 5. Ioh. 8.29 t 1 Tim. 3.5 u 1 Pet. 2.2 Isa. 55.1 2. * Sir Edwyn Sands observed Eighty years ago that this was a notable means for the growth of the Reformed Religion x Deut. 17.18 19. y Prov. 29.15 17. with 4. 1 Sam. 2.23 c. 3.13 Luk. 12.47 48. Prov. 1.24 25 c. * Decembâ—r 1670. 1 Tim. 6.3 Eccl. 12.13 Joh. 13.17 Phil. 4.13 1 Cor. 9.23 27. Mat. 10.13 14 -40. Luk. 10.16 1 Thes. 4.8 Joh 12.25 48. Prov. 19.2 Heb. 12.13 1552. 1562. Artic. XXXV 13 Eliz. c. 5. 1655. Dec. 11. 1670. What is the chief End of Man a 1 Cor. 10.31 Whether therefore ye eat or drink or whatsoever ye do do all to the glory of God b Psal. 73.25 Whom have I in heaven but thee and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee 26. My flesh and my heart saileth but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever What Rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorifie and enjoy him c Eph. 2.20 And are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Iesus Christ himself being the chief Corner-stone d 2 Tim. 3.16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousness e 1 Joh. 1.3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you that ye also may have fellowship with us and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Iesus Christ. What do the Scriptures principally teach f 2 Tim. 1.13 Hold fast the form of sound words which thou hast heard of me in faith and love which is in Christ Iesus What is God g Joh. 4.24 God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth h Job 11.7 Canst thou by searching find out God Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection i Psal. 90.2 From everlasting to everlasting thou art God k Jam. 1.17 The Father of lights with whom there is no variableness neither shadow of turning l Exod. 3.14 And God said unto Moses I am that I am and he said thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel I AM hath sent me unto you m Psal. 147.5 Great is our Lord and of great power his understanding is infinite n Rev. 4.8 Holy holy holy Lord God Almighty which was and is and is to come o Exod. 34.6 The Lord the Lord God merciful and gracious long-suffering and abundant in goodness and truth 7. Keeping mercy for thousands forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin and that will by no means clear the guilty g Joh. 4.24 God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth h Job 11.7 Canst thou by searching find out God Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection i Psal. 90.2 From everlasting to everlasting thou art God k Jam. 1.17 The Father of lights with whom there is no variableness neither shadow of turning l Exod. 3.14 And God said unto Moses I am that I am and he said thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel I AM hath sent me unto you m Psal. 147.5 Great is our Lord and of great power his understanding is infinite n Rev. 4.8 Holy holy holy Lord God Almighty which was and is and is to come o Exod. 34.6 The Lord the Lord God merciful and gracious long-suffering and abundant in goodness and truth 7. Keeping mercy for thousands forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin and that will by no means clear the guilty Are there more Gods than one p Deut. 6.4 Hear O Israel the Lord our God
separate from sinners What Offices doth Christ execute as our Redeemer i Act. 3.20 Moses truly said unto the fathers A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren like unto me him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you k Heb. 5.6 Thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec l Psal. 2.6 Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Sion How doth Christ execute the office of a Prophet m Joh. 1.18 No man hath seen God at any time the only begotten Son which is in the bosom of the Father he hath declared him n Joh. 20.31 These things are written that ye might believe that Iesus is the Christ the Son of God and that believing ye might have life through his Name o Joh. 14.26 The Comforter which is the holy Ghost whom the Father will send in my Name he shall teach you all things How doth Christ execute the office of a Priest p Heb. 9.28 Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many q Heb. 2.17 In all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren that he might be a merciful and faithful High-Priest in things pertaining to God to make reconciliation for the sins of the people r Heb. 7.25 He is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them How doth Christ execute the office of a King s Psal. 110.3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power t Isa. 33.22 The Lord is our Iudg the Lord is our Law-giver the Lord is our King he will save us u 1 Cor. 15.25 For he must reign till he hath put all his Enemies under his feet Wherein did Christs Humiliation consist w Luk. 2.7 And she brought forth her first born Son and wrapped him in Swadling-clothes and laid him in a manger x Gal. 4.4 God sent forth his Son made of a woman made under the Law y Isa. 53.3 He is despised and rejected of men a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief z Mat. 27.46 And about the ninth hour Iesus cried with a loud voice My God my God why hast thou forsaken me a Phil. 2.4 He humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the Cross. b Mat. 14.40 As Ionas was three days and three nights in the Whales belly so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth Wherein consisteth Christs Exaltation c 1 Cor. 15.4 And that he was buried and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures d Mark 16.19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them he was received up into heaven and sat on the right hand of God e Act. 17.31 He hath appointed a day in the which he will judg the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained whereof he hath given assurance unto all men in that he hath raised him from the dead How are we made partakers of the Redemption purchased by Christ f Joh. 1.12 As many as received him to them gave he power to become the Sons of God g Tit. 3.5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done but according to his mercy he saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost Which he shed on us abundantly through Iesus Christ our Saviour How doth the Spirit apply to us the Redemption purchased Christ h Eph. 9.8 By grace ye are saved through faith and that not of your selves it is the gift of God i Eph. 3.17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by saith 1 Cor. 1.9 God is faithful by whom ye were called into the fellowship of his Son Iesus Christ. What is Effectual Calling k 2 Tim. 1.9 Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling l Act. 2.37 Now when they heard this they were pricked in their hearts and said unto Peter and to the rest of the Apostles Men and brethren what shall we do m Act. 26.18 To open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God n Ezek. 36.26 I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and I will give you a heart of flesh o Joh. 6.44 No man can come unto me except the Father which hath sent me draw him 45. Every man that hath heard and hath learned of the Father cometh unto me What benefits do they that are effectually called partake of in this life p Rom. 8.30 Moreover whom he did predestinate them he also called and whom he called them he also justified and whom he justified them he also glorified q Eph. 1.5 Having predestinated us to the adoption of children by Iesus Christ unto himself r 1 Cor. 1.30 Of him ye are in Christ Iesus who of God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption What is Iustification s Eph. 1.7 In whom we have redemption through his blood the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace t 2 Cor. 5.21 For he hath made him sin for us that knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness of God in him u Rom. 5.19 As by one mans disobedience many were made sinners so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous w Gal. 2.16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but by the faith of Iesus Christ even we have believed in Iesus Christ that we might be justified by the faith of Christ. What is Adoption x 1 Joh. 3.1 Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons of God! y Joh. 1.12 As many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God even to them that believe on his Name Rom. 8.17 And if children then heirs heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ. What is Sanctification z 2 Thes. 2.13 God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit a Eph. 4.24 And that ye put on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness b Rom. 8.1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from Iustification Adoption and Sanctification c Rom. 5.1 Being justified by Faith we have peace with God through our Lord Iesus Christ. 2. By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God 5. And hope makâ—â—â— not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Ghost which is given unto us d Prov. 4.18 The path of the just is as the shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect