hope consists 1. The charity of his adoption 2. The trueth of his promise 3. The power of his performance Hauing an annointing from him which is the oile of gladnes Bern. de frag sep hom 3. The ninth Article I beleeue the Church 1. The house of God 2. The piller grouÌ„d of the truth 3. The mother of the faithfull For Mat. Virell Caluin li. 4. Institut c. 1 l. 4. 1. Hee dwelleth in it to defend it and-guide it by his spirit 2. By the ministery thereof God preserueth and propagateth his truth in the world 3. Shee brings forth sonnes and daughters vnto God Vse 1. Happy therefore am I liuing in this family where God the father is the House-holder Iesus Christ the first borne and the heire the holy Ghost dispencer of all graces the Preachers of the word the Stewards the word it selfe the foode and portion the faithfull the domesticks liuely stones of that building and golden vessels of that house which are 1. Elect of God before all worldâ— 2. Separate from the rest of men 3. Knit and vnited vnto Christ their head They bring one body and one spirit as they are called in one hope of their vocation Ephe. 4.4 2. Sure shall I be to bee led into all truth and to come to him which is way life and truth Iesus Christ the righteous if I hold mee fast by this piller and be led by it as the Israelites by the pillar of cloude and fire in the wildernesse Exod. 13.21 and seeke him in this Church and with this Church of which hee is head 1. In perfection 2. In office and 3. In efficacie Hauing in all things the praeeminence Bucan Col 1.18 gouerning and inspiring all his members 3 Worthy were I to perish for want of food Caluin li. 4. Iustitut 1. sect 5. if I should refuse it giuen vnto mee from Heauen by the hand of such a mother worthy were I to be driuen out of the tents of the godly and to be cast out of the sight of God my Father if I should despise the instruction and the gouernment of the Church of my mother Pro. 30.17 known to me to be the true spouse of Christ by the 1. Profession of true doctrine Vrsin 2. Right vse of the Sacraments Bucan 3. Profession of obedience to the doctrine or Ministerie Nourishing vp children vnto God by the preaching of the Gospell examples of good workes Holie 1. By imputation of righteousnesse Vrsin 2. By inchoation of righteousnesse 3. By being consecrate to an holy and diuine vse For 1. Christâ— holâ—nesse and obedience is imputed vnto â—t 2. The regenerate members 〈◊〉 â—â—e diligently apply themselues to newnesse of life 3. It is sequestred from the râ—â—t of the wicked and those that are without the Church Vse 1. Because therefore I am assured that I am a member of this Church which is holy by being clothed with the roâ—â—â— of Christ his righteousnes when I proâ—â—rate my selfe before my heauenly Iudge in the examination of mine owne conscience here searching my heart and sifting my life or els at the last iudgement should I foâ—le and feare 1. The imperfâ—ction of mine own righteousnesse 2. The multitude grieuousnes of my sinnes 3. The dread and terror of the angry Iudge I will hide my sinne from sight my selfe from wrath vnder the skirt couering of his roabe 2 Because I professe my selfe to be one of this congregation which is called of God vnto holines followes the example of the Sonne of God in holines is guided by the spirit of holines is instructed in the word concerning holines and daily profiâ—â— more and more in holines keeping these three things for holines sake Aug. li. de doc Christiana 1. Purity and cleannesse of bodâ— 2. Chastity of minde 3. Veritye of doctrine I will exercise my selfe to godlines Holines of â—ife 2 Tim. â— 7 Perkins in lec 3. Because I haue ioined my selfe to the people of God am become one of his house I will be no companion to Atheists drunkards blasphemers fornicators and other godlesse persons which are not of this people neither are they of this house but all my delight being on the Saints in earth and those that excell in vertue conuersing with them alone 1. Bâ—â—â—â—se they are â—ust 2. Because I may makâ— them iust 3. Because I may bee bâ—ttered by them my selfe I will haue no fellowship with the vnfruitfull workes of darknesse Octau de trin cap. 6. Ephe. 5.7 Catholike 1. In respect of place 2. In respect of time 3. In respect of men the members of the same For 1. It spreads it selfe throughout the world 2. It hath had a being iâ— all times and ages 3. It is gathered out of all sorts of men states kindreds and nations Vse 1. â—â—m therefore from the largenes of the Church iâ— respect of the place taught that it can neither bee shut vp in one corner of the world Caluin Orbâ—â—â— in orbem nor the world be brought into one City nor the Church restrained to one schismaticall congregation though there hath beene and is much and earnest contention with the 1. Donatists 2. Romanists 3. Separatists While they would assert the Church to their quarter City side alone 2. I haue to answere the adâ—ersarie when hee shall aske meâ— of our Church where it was before the preaching of these men Luther Melanchton Zwinglius and such like that neither are they the founders of our faith neither is our Church or yesterday 〈◊〉 would they pretend but that it had its being in all ages 1. Before the law 2. Vnder the law 3. In the time of grace While we hold â—ast the foundation wheron the faithfull al times haue been built 3. I see how vniustly the Romish Priests Perkins and shauelings doe challenge to themselues to their tribe alone the name of the Church which consists of all degrees of men estates and callings I see here matter of incredible comfort ministred vnto all Gods people in that no degree or estate of men are excluded from grace in Christ Ambros sup luc li. 5. and that none can take him from them but that they may 1. Follow him 2. Lay holde of him 3. Feed on him While they â—hut not out themselues by vnbeleefe Bernard in ser and take themselues from him The Communion of Saints which consists 1. In the vnion and coherence of the faithfull with Iesus Christ 2. In the vnity and fellowship of the faithfull one with another while they liue together here on earth 3. In that which these of the Church militant pertake with these of the Church triumphant For 1. Hee iâ— their head they are his body and members for their part 1. Cor. 12.27 2. They haue all things common amongst themselues 3. These conuerse with those in heauen in affection those other pray for these â—n earth Now then Vse 1.
in iudgement 1. To accuse me before my God 2. To condemne me with my God 3. To hinder from me the loue and mercy of my God That my conscience may be quieted in this life within my brest 3. I will not henceforth feare the power of death nor the horror of the dust and graue seeing my Lord hath conquerd death and sanctified the graue to be to the bodies of his Saints a bed to rest in Es 57.2 where they repose them till the resurrection 1. Hauing laid aside a grieuous burden the burden of the flesh 2. Free from the troubles and miseries of this life August in Ioan. 3. Kept safe to immormortality That I may lay me downe quietly at the time of my dissolution also sleepe in peace Ps 4.8 He descended into hell 1. That he might deliuer vs from the streights and torments of hell 2. That he might destroy the diuels Kingdome 3. That hee might triumph ouer powers and principalities and make an open shew of them hauing disarmed them for 1. We were before in feare and danger of hell 2. He onely could ouercome the strong man binde him and spoile his house Luk. 11.21 Mat. 12.29 3. Thereby he led captiuity captiue and tooke into his hands the keies of death and hell Vse 1. Whereas therefore by this descending of Christ into hell I finde my selfe deliuered from the danger of hell I doe consider that it is my duety that as my Sauiour hath deliuered me from this death so I should endeauour also to saue others from this place of torment where there is 1. Want of all grace 2. Defect of all glorie 3. Excesse of all paine Sadnesse burning the minds of men Bern. de med geh suppli and flames the bodies 2. Whereas by this his conquest of the infernal powers my Lord hath strucken a perpetuall terror and feare into the diuell I see that I need not to stand in feare of satans tyranny seeing he shall neuer more be able to set vp his kingdome thus destroyed 1. Although he hath great wrath 2. Although he hath great subtlety 3. Although he hath great power Alwaies enuying the people of God fighting against the Saints 3. Whereas my Lord rides on in his glory with his and our enemies bound before him I will no longer looke on the mockgames of this worlds vanities and triumphs but turne mine eies from all earthly spectacles to behold this glorious show where 1. The conqueror is the Lord of heauen 2. The conquered are the powers of darknesse 3. The monument of victory is the crosse A triumph excelling all other shewes alone worth the beholding The fifth Article The third day he rose againe from the dead 1. Which is to vs a signe that hee hath ouercome death and fully satisfied for all our sinne 2. Which is to vs a token that wee must be raised here to newnesse of life 3. Which is to vs a pledge that we shall rise againe to the resurrection of life For 1. Els could he not haue freed himselfe out of deaths hold and prison of the graue 2. We must be made conformable as vnto the image of the death Phil. 3.3 so also to the resurrection of Iesus Christ 3. As he raised himselfe by his owne power so also will he quicken our mortall bodies to make them like vnto his glorious body Vse 1. What great comfort then is this vnto my soule that I haue an assurance that my Lord by dying hath not onely quite abolished and done away my sinne but also by rising againe hath brought vnto me righteousnesse and life applying vnto me by vertue of his resurrection the whole merit of his death and passion whereby I am 1. Separate from sinners 2. Reconciled vnto God 3. At peace and quietnesse in mine own conscience Ro. 5. Which is my chiefest ioy happinesse in this world 2. What great care and conscience should I vse seeing Christ is risâ—n againe from the dead that I no longer lie amongst the dead how should I pray vnto him that as by the power of his god-head hee raised himselfe from the graue so he would also raise me vnto newnesse of life from this death and graue of sinne where I ly rotting and stinking while I 1. Delight in sinne 2. Worke sinne 3. Accustome my selfe to sâ—nne Which is my greatest misery in this life Aug. de ver dom 3. What great hope and assured confidence should I haue that I shall be raised vp againe to life for if he being dead could raise himself Vrsin Max. in ser de pa. much more being aliue can he raise me If he my head my flesh my blood and my portion be risen then shall I his member flesh of his flesh and bone of his bone also rise and come to an inheritance in heauen 1. Immortall 2. Vndefiled 3. And that fadeth not away Which will be my blessednes in the world to come The sixth Article He ascended into heauen 1. That he might prepare the way thither and take possession thereof for vs. 2. That hee might giue gifts vnto men 3. That he might send the comforter vnto his Church For 1. He is entred before into the rest and makes vs to sit together with him in heauenly places 2. He did ascend that he might fulfill al things Eph. 4.10 3. He saith Ioh. 16.7 If I goe not away the comforter will not come vnto you Vse 1. I will therefore leaue all by pathes of this world to take me to this way which my Lord hath trod before me and trained it with his blood neither will I be slothfull in it nor turne out of it but in affection hast me into heauen Greg. following thither in my heart where Christ is in his body where I conuerse already in hope and expectation and viewing him with the eie of my faith ascending Aug. Epist ad Dardan 1. Beleeue on him in his absence 2. Hope for his comming 3. By his hidden mercy feele his presence Nothing doubting but that where my Lord is I his seruant shal be also Ioh. 14.3.11.26 2. I will not swell on that which I haue receiued nor otherwaies abuse my gifts because from him I haue them receiued nor scorne my brothers graces to quench the spirit in him but rather stirre vp the gift of God in me acknowledging the giuer 1. Of whom 2. Through whom 3. For whom are all things Rom. 11.36 Nothing of good giuings perfect gifts but comming down from him the father of lights Iac. 1.17 3. I will not seeke for solace in the heauinesse of my soule and day of mine affliction from any worldly comfort but from that heauenly spirit which he sent downe ascending who in flesh departing from vs yet alwaies remaines with vs as concerning his Aug. tra 50. in Io. 1. Maiesty 2. Prouidence 3. Vnspeakeable goodnesse Nothing wanting to true consolation where he is present by his holy spirit And sitteth on the
right hand of God the father almighty 1. Partaking of endlesse rest and felicity 2. Administring and gouerning all things both in heauen and in earth 3. Making intercession to his father for his people For 1. In the presence of God is fulnes of ioy and at his right hand there are pleasures for euermore Ps 16.11 2. He is ordained King head ouer al. 3. Hee is our great high Priest that is passed into the heauens Heb. 4.14 Vse 1. As therefore I beleeue that he now rests in heauen in happinesse and blisse after his so many labours and so much suffered here so doe I also hope that I shall rest with him there 1. Where nothing shall be wanting to me Cyp. de lau Mar. 2. Where nothing shal be hurtfull to me 3. Where Christ being present shall fill all my desire Though here I mourne and suffer for a season 2. As I beleeue his kingdome so doe I trust in him my king and bowing my knee vnto him yeelde him reuerence and obedience withall thankfulnesse Perkins hoping that he will graciously in his good time come and 1. Supply al my wants 2. Vanquish all mine enemies 3. Succour and helpe me in all mine aduersities Though he differ his helpe and comming for a while 3. As I beleeue him sitting at the right hand of the throne of maiesty to make request to God so doe I goe with boldnesse vnto the throne of grace Heb. 4 16 being very well assured that I shall receiue mercy and finde grace to helpe in time of neede through him that makes intercession for me 1. By the worth of his sacrifice already offered 2. By his owne will 3. By the consent of the father Though my person be vnworthy my praier sinne Vrsin The seauenth Article From thence he shall come 1. Visibly 2. Gloriously Mat. 24.30 Vrsin 3. Suddainely For 1. They shall see the sonne of man come in the cloudes of heauen 2. As his first comming was in humility and weakenesse so his second comming shall be in power and maiestie 3. Of that day and houre knoweth no man no not the Angels of God in heaâ—en Vse 1. I beleeue therefore that the iudgement shall be his not onely as he is God but also as he is man in as much as he shall so come as he was seene to goe into heauen Act. 1.11 returning in his body at the last day 1. A great comfort to the godly 2. A great terror to the wicked 3. A great signe and wonder in heauen As he shall come riding vnto vs vpon the cloudes 2. I looke not for him againe in the shape of a seruant in his humblenesse but as the Lord of all things in his brightnesse descending vnto vs 1. 1. Thes 4 16 With a shout 2. With the voice of the Archangell 3. With the trumpet of God As he shall come accompanied with the Angels of God 3. I dispute not curiously about the time of his comming but like a faithfull wise seruant watch that I may be ready against his comming that he come not to finde me sleeping in the day that I looke not for him nor in the houre that I am not ware of Mat. 24.50 for then his comming will be to me 1. Like the suddaine lightning 2. Like trauaile vpon a woman that is with child 3. Like a thiefe in the night As it will be to al the world on whom hee shall come at vnawares To iudge both the quicke and the dead 1. The wicked of them with all seueritie 2. The iust amongst them with all clemency 3. All in generall with all equity For 1. He shall inflaming fire render them vengeance 2. When they are iudged they shall not be condemned 3. He shall giue to euery man according as his workes shall be Apoc. 22.12 Vse 1. Hence conceiue I of the terrour of the wicked in that day when their owne consciences accusing them and their sinnes witnessing against them they shall say to the rockes couer vâ— and to the hils fall downe vpon vs to hide vs from the presence of that iudge 1. Bast Who wisedome knoweth all things 2. Whose power is almighty 3. Whose iustice is vnchangeable And therefore will giue sentence against vs for our wickednesse 2. Hence conceiue I of the incredible comfort of the godly which they haue both from the goodnesse of their cause Bast Vrsin and the ends of the iudgement as also from the promise and person of the iudge 1. Who is their Prince they his subiects Caluin 2. Who is their head and they his members 3. Who is their patron and they his clients And therefore will giue iudgment with them to saluation 3. Hence learne I patience in my sufferings not to reuenge my selfe though here I suffer wrong Eccle. 4.1 and the strength be of the hand of them that oppresse me thinking of his iudgement because it is iust hence learne I diligently to doe my duety and to bee carefull to shew foorth good workes seeing he will iudge according to works 1. From whom nothing secret is hidden Ambr. Iâ— de offic 2. By whom nothing vncomely iâ— approued 3. To whom all iust and honest things are a pleasure And therfore will iudge his people according to equity The eight Article I beleeue in the holy Ghost 1. Acknowledging his God-head 2. Taking him to be my sanctifier comforter Perkins 3. Putting all the confidence of my heart in him For 1. I worship him calling vpon him and giuing thanks vnto him 2. I am assured that he dwels in me 3. It is good for me that I hold me fast by God Vse 1. Bastin Let Seruetus therefore and his schollers say that the holy Ghost is no substance but a working and a motion Let Macedonius impiously affirme that he is a creature and not the creator yet this is my faith that he is a distinct person in the godhead and with the father and the sonne 1. Coeternall Vrsin 2. Coequall 3. Consubstantiall Proceeding from them the spirit of both 2. Let mine infirmity be neuer so great let ignorance blindes dulnes euill affections lusts in my members fighting against the spirit heauinesse and distrust of Gods gracious helpe and fauour possesse my body soule and spirit yet shall he purge out of me all corruption by his fire all darknesse by his light all infirmity by his strength all heauinesse by his comforts Bern. in ser 2. PeÌ„tecost which giueth vnto me 1. The strength of life 2. The light of knowledge 3. The earnest of saluation Teaching me in these three all things that pertaine to saluation 3. Let others trust in man make flesh their arme Ier. 17.5 In lying words Ier. 7.4 In vanity and things of nought Es 59.4 as in their owne counsels wisdome riches strength yet will I trust in him the spirit of truth while I consider these three things in which my
feele in this life though the absolute comforts thereof he reserued to that other life in which I shall 1. Perfectlie knowe God 2. Fully inioy God 3. Worthily praise God Being vnited vnto God and coÌ„formed with God 2. If that eternall life be the end of my hopes I will learne farre to stretch them beyond this momentary life the perishing things thereof Gold shall not be my hope nor siluer nor seruants nor children nor wealth nor health nor bewty nor honor nor ease nor age but that life which is hid with Christ in God after which I sigh and long as one that is from home while I am here in the flesh knowing that there are prepared for me of God the things which 1. Eye hath not seene 2. Eare hath not heard 3. Neither haue they entered into the heart of man Es 64.4 1. Cor. 2.9 Being one of those that feare God and doe reuerence before him 3 If there be nothing to be desired which is not in that life if there be nothing to be wisht away which iâ— in that life why should I then regard this present life of troubles sorâ—ow sicknes danger need vexation which giues no satisfaction for contentment no secuâ—ity for rest and safegard to set my loue vpon it why should I not rather contemne it thinking on eternity and in the height of mine affection and earnest desire of this blessednes cry Come Loâ—d Iesu come quickly that I may also comâ— 1. To thy gladsome presence 2. To the sweet fellowshippe of thy saints in Heauen 3. To the blessed company of thine Angels Being made partaker of the fatnes of thine house Heb. 12.22 and the fulnesse of thy pleasures The diuision of the Decalogue 1. We may deuide the Commandements thus into three 1. A Preface of the whole 2. The precepts of the first table 3. The Commandemeâ—ts of the second 2. In each Commanâ—ement is hanled 1. The affirming part 2. The forbidding part 3. The Appendix Thereof 3. The Appendix of each Commandement is either 1. A promise 2. Or a threatning 3. Or some other reason Exprest in the Commandement or vnderstood The ten Commandements God spake these words 1. VVHose is the greatest authoritie 2. Whose words are words of veritie 3. Who requires out perfect obedience and the hearts sincerity Saying I am the Lord thy God which brought thee out of the land of Egypt out of the house of bondage In the words of which preface that we should yeeld more willing obedience to the precepts following the Lord sets out vnto vs three things to induce 1. A declaration of his eternall rule and power 2. A promise of the goodnesse of his grace 3. A remembrance of his benefits before conferd For he saith 1. I am the Lord Iehouah 2. I am the Lord thy God 3. I brought thee out of the land of Egypt out of the house of bondage Vse 1. A powerfull argument to moue vs to obey seeing he that requires our obedience is the Lord of power the almighty eternall onely wise God owner of all that is in heauen and in earth who abideth the same for euer vnchangable in his 1. Essence 2. Will and 3. Workes And therfore in right of his dominioÌ„ respect of his excellencie requires our seruice 2. A pithy perswasion to affect our soules to yeeld him ready seruice seeing he is no strange God that requires it but our God ours not onely because he hath created vs doth preserue and gouerne vs as he hath and doeth also all the rest of his creatuâ—es but because he doth singularly participate and manifest himselfe vnto vs louing and fauouring vs before all others in as much as hee hath 1. Chosen vs for his own inheritance 2. Called vs to the knowledge of himselfe in his sonne 3. Inspired vs with his grace and holy spirit And therefore with the remeÌ„brance of this his goodnesse would win our hearts 3. A forcible reason to stirre vp our mindes readily to receiue and haâ—â—en to his words seeing he that spâ—akes them hath before deliuered vs as Israel from Egypt and the house of seruants so our soules and bodies from the 1. Diuell 2. Sinne and 3. Death And therefore in regard of so great purchase and deliuerance expects our thankfulnesse The first Commandement Thou shalt haue none other gods before me 1. The affirming part of this precept Iehouah must be our God The things commanded in this precept are 1. THat we know the true God and acknowledge him 2. That we fall downe and doe reuerence before him 3. That with purpose of heart and minde we cleaue fast vnto him For 1. Otherwise he cannot be our God neither can we be his people Ier. 24.7 2. Otherwise we cannot glorifie him as God nor be thankfull Rom. 1.21 3. Otherwise wee cannot tast and see how good and gracious the Lord is Ps 34.8 Vse 1. As therefore we desire that when God writes vp his people he should not passe by vs so should we indeuour also to know him for our God as he hath reuealed himselfe vnto vs in his word and workes and knowing to acknowledge him 1. With our hearts 2. With our mouthes 3. With our workes As it becommeth those that call vpon his name 2. As obedient children to the fathers of their bodies are in their inward well affected and with their whole minde will and heart doe honour and respect them so should we much more God which is the father of spirits rendring vnto him from our soules 1. Honor 2. Obedience 3. Thankfulnesse As it beloÌ„geth to such glory power goodnesse 3. As we would haue the Lord to be with vs in all our troubles and aduersities standing on our side against al that rise vp against vs as we would haue him to lift vp the light of his countenance vpon vs to cheere and to refresh vs as we would heare his voice which is sweete and see his countenance which is comely so let vs cleaue to God Cant. 2.14 and make the Lord our stay Ier. 17.7 knit vnto him alone in 1. Affiance 2. Loue and 3. Feare As it beseemeth well his Saints and is agreeable to his holy will Perkins 2. The forbidding parts of the first commandement We must preferre no other thing aboue the head of our ioy The things defended in this precept are 1. Ignorance of God his word and workes 2. Errors concerning God the persons of the god-head and their properties 3. The affection set on any other thing but God For 1. How can we imbrace and worship the things we doe not know Act. 2. How can we be saued if we erre concerning the trueth 2. Thes 2.10 3. How should we not desire the chiefest and greatest good Aug. l. de nat gra Chrysost Vse 1. Although therfore there are some things which are better for vs not to know then to know although we may be ignorant of some things without sinne yet can there be nothing