Godhead Soule Bodie who as touching his humanitie had no father as concerning his diuinitie had no mother It was necessarie that Christ should die That the Scriptures might be fulfilled Matth. 26.56 That hee might bruse the Serpents head Gen. 3.15 That wee might haue life through him 1. Ioh. 4.9 Christ is said to die generallie speciallie valiantlie for all the world 1. Tim. 2.6 for those that beleeue Heb. 9.12 for that he ouercame death Christ had small cōfort of his Apostles when hee was taken prisoner for Iudas betraied him Peter forsware him Al the rest forsook him And a great multitude followed him to his death Some to hurt him Manie to mock him All to see the end of him The benefite wee reape by the death of Christ is great He reconciled vs to his father Colo. 1.20 1. Ioh. 2.2 He redeemed vs from the curse of the lawe Gal. 3.13 He shewed vs an easier way to heauen Matth. 11.30 Christ by his death became for man Curse Sinne Seruile considering The qualitie of his death Deut. 21.23 The integritie of his life Esau 53.9 The equalitie of his estate Phi. 2 It was requisite that Christ should rise againe after death Because he foreshewed it to his Apostle Matth. 17.9 Because his flesh might not see corruption Acts 2.31 Because we might bee iustified thorow him Rom. 4.25 It was necessarie that Christ should ascend after he was risen That he might be fullie glorified Ioh. 7.39 That hee might send downe the Comforter Ioh. 16.7 That he might become our Mediatour Ioh. 17.3 Christ said that the Comforter at his comming should reprooue the world of Sinne. Righteousnes Because they beleeue not in him Iohn 16.8 Because he is gone to his father c. vers 9. Because the prince of this world is iudged 10. Iudgement Christ hath shewen vs a worthie and wonderfull good example of Patience Humilitie Because being oppressed and afflicted hee did not open his mouth but was like a sheepe dumme before the shearer Esa 53.7 Because he tooke vpon him the shape of a seruant being equall with his father Phil. 2.7 Because he laid downe his own life for vs than this what loue can be greater Loue Christ is verie fitlie called a Priest King Because by his onelie sacrifice hee appeased his fathers wrath Because he raigneth ouer all Ioh. 5.22 Because he declared his fathers will Acts. 7.37 Prophet There be 3. things that beare record of Christ in heauen the Father the Word who sent his Sonne which became flesh which proceedes frō both the Holie Ghost 2. Ioh. 57. There be three things that beare witnes of Christ vpon earth Spirit Water Bloud This assureth vs of our Adoption Rom. 8.16 Regeneration Iohn 3.5 Redemption Ephes 1.7 Those that loue Christ must followe after him passe through him drawe neere him because he is the truth because he is the way because he is the life Christ being the truth the way the life manifesteth to vs his Beza Nature Will Office So that in him we must begin continue ende He that will come after Christ must denie himselfe take vp his Crosse followe him wherin is laid before vs Bondage Basenes In denying himselfe In taking vp the Crosse In following Christ Hardnes Barn Christ amased and appeased his enemies three manner of waies By his sound doctrine By his strange miracles By his mild answers Christ descended into hell as may appeare by these places Articl Relig. 3. Psal 16.10 Iohn 20.17 Ephe. 4 9. For so wee cōfesse in the Creede of Nicene Athanasius The Apostles Many produce these directions to approue that the power and not the soule of Christ descended His speach to the theefe vpon the Crosse this daie shalt thou be with me in Paradise His yeelding vp the ghost when he said It is finished Luke 23.43 His agonie in the garden in sweting drops of bloud water For in hell is no redemption Luke 26.26 Christ spake most by parables to the multitude Because by seeing they should see and not perceiue Because by hearing they should heare and not vnderstand Because it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Prophet Matth. 13.35 Mat. 13.13 The great miracles and wonders Christ wrought in this world were done partlie to this end To shewe the great power glorie and goodnes of his father Matth. 15.31 To approue himselfe the sonne of God Acts 2.22 And that he was sent of him Ioh. 11.42 To confirme the authoritie and excellence of his doctrine to winne the vnbeleeuers to it Iohn 2.23 Miracles are often called in the Scriptures Beza Hebr. 2.4 Signes Wonders Signes because they appeare one thing and represent another Wonders because they import some strange vnaccustomable thing Vertues because they giue vs a glimse of Gods power Vertues Three singuler benefites shewen to man by the Father the Sonne the Holie Ghost He sent his sonne for our reconciliation His righteousnes is ours by imputation This proceedeth frō both for our sanctification yet all one vnion It is a singuler comfort vnto vs to consider the exceeding loue of Christ towards vs by that he hath done he still doth Because he did not onelie sacrifice himselfe vpon the crosse for our sakes but also satisfied his fathers wrath for our sins Because he did not onelie suffer for vs but became also a continuall intercessor for vs. Because he hath not onlie saued vs but shall also come to iudge vs. he will doo Such as will presume of the time that Christ shall come to iudgement may be reproued by these places Math. 24.36 Mark 13.32 1. Thess 5 1. For it is not for vs to knowe the times and the seasons the Father hath put in his owne power Acts 1.12 The comming of Christ is of 3. sorts Vnto men Into men Vnto men in the flesh Ioh. 1.14 Into men by his spirit Ioh 14.18 Against men in iudgement Apoc. 22.12 Against men It stands vs not vpon so much to vse disputation of the time of Christes comming to iudgement as to be in a daylie preparation and reformation of our liues considering Euerie mans end is imminent and vncertaine Iam. 4.14 Euerie mans death is his latter daie Hebr. 9.27 Euerie man as he dieth shal be iudged Eccle 11.3 The comming of Christ to iudgement will be fearefull ioyfull to the wicked to the godlie Because that daie is to them the beginning of their woe Because it is to them the full fruition of their felicitie Because of the sodaine alteration of all things to both wonderfull These things doo argue the world to drawe to an end the Figtree charitie Because it florisheth Mat. 24.33 Because it waxeth cold Ma. 24 Because it aboundeth Ma. 24 iniquitie The comming of Christ to iudgement will be of a sodaine As a woman trauailing with child As lightning from the East In the houre we thinke not Be sober and watch for happie are those seruants which the Lord when he commeth shal find waking Luk 12.37 Although it was
also on hie and therefore saith the same Prophet To thee haue I lift vp my soule Psal 25.1 That therby we should know if our harts be not farre from terrestriall cogitations wee shall hardly receiue any celestiall consolations our hearts We maie lawfullie in praier aske corporal benefites of God Because wee should thereby knowe that he is the author giuer thereof and should not onelie be thankfull to him for it but thereby to seeke loue and worship him Because we should be perswaded of his good prouidence towards vs in that hee hath not onelie promised he wil neuer faile vs. Ios 7. but also hath an outstretched hand to helpe them that call vpon him Because our faith of reconciliation and remission of sinnes should be exercised through the asking of these corporall things The feruent praier of the righteous much auaileth not onelie for themselues but for others At Moses praier the plague ceased Exod. 8. Helias caused great plentie of raine 1. King 17. Queene Hester deliuered her and her people Hest 14. We ought to referre all our praiers requests and dooings to Gods good pleasure following the example of Christ of Dauid when he was crucified without cause by the Iewes Mat. 26.4 when hee was dispossessed of his kingdom by his sonne 2. Sa. 15.26 when he was afflicted most grieuouslie by Sathan Iob. 2.7 13. of Iob The meanes wherby we are drawne to saluation is Faith Hope Charitie The chiefest of these is Loue because it serueth here and in the world to come 1. Cor. 13.13 The work of a true faith is builded vpon things past things present We beleeue the death of Christ is past Wee beleeue at this present hee sitteth at the right hand of his father Wee beleeue that Christ shall come to iudge the quicke and the dead things to come August Faith doth grow and increase in vs three manner of waies By the hearing of the word of God preached By the reuerent receiuing of the Sacraments Because it laieth before our eyes the promises which God in his Gospell hath made vnto vs in his Sonne Because they being right lie receiued of vs are as pledges and seales of the promises of GOD made vnto vs in his word Because God hath made an especiall promise to vs thereby that he will heare vs whatsoeuer wee aske according to his will By praier and inuocation A true and liuelie faith must be simple sound constant in beleeuing in defending in following The word of God without inquiring or searching in Gods mystical matters by humane reasons The truth thereof without inclining or leaning to the erronious opinions of the aduersaries of the same The same worde without doubting for anie reason of mans braine that seemeth contrary nor to be drawn awaie from it by temptations promises or thretnings either of torment or of death Such as will know whether they haue an effectuall faith must consider The fruits of it The triall of it The ende of it is good works affliction saluation For faith without workes is dead Iam. 2.17 For it is not sufficient for vs to beleue in christ but also to suffer for his sake Philip. 1.29 For he that continueth to the ende hath this comfort shal be saued Mat. 24. A iustifying faith is knowne by these effects It bringeth foorth fruites Mat. 7.18 Iam. 3.18 It worketh by loue Galat. 5.6 It apprehendeth Gods mercie offered in Christ Faith differeth from Hope and yet we hope in things present things past As when I hope I am in Gods fauour As when I hope my sins be forgiuen me As when I hope to haue eternall life things to come Charitie is a singuler vertue for without it what is 1. Cor. 13. Faith Knowledge Martirdome It auaileth little though it moue mountaines It profiteth litle though I speake with tongues of men and Angels It helpeth little though I offer my bodie to be burned We ought to liue in Loue and Charitie Because it is the effect and fulfilling of the Commandement or whole Law 1. Tim. 1.5 Because it is a testimonie vnto vs of our translation from death to life whereby wee are made the children of God and heires in heauen 1. Ioh. 3.14 Because it worketh the cause in vs that God dwelleth in vs for God is loue he that dwelleth in loue dwelleth in God and God in him 1. Ioh. 4.8 Workes of superarrogation are verie friuolous for our works are in no wise auailable to saue vs by reason of Their imperfection Gods election Christes passion Because all our righteousnes is no better than filthie cloutes or as some write menstruous clothes Esai 64.6 Because wee shoulde then chose God rather by our workes than he should elect vs of his mere grace and then grace were no grace Rom. 11.6 Because his Sonne should haue suffered in vaine if wee had anie sufficiencie of our selues Although workes are not the cause of our saluation yet partly they are the effects of it good workes are very necessarie to be vsed amongst Christians That therby God may be glorified Matth. 5.16 That by their good exāple others may be wonne to the word 1. Pet. 3.1 That by them they maie make their election sure 2. Pet. 1.10 Dauid numbreth three degrees of our saluation Psal 40.10 c. Gods mercie His righteousnes whereby he fatherlie pitieth vs. whereby he continuallie protecteth vs. wherby appeareth his constant fauour towards vs. His trueth There bee three causes of our saluation the efficient cause materiall cause GOD the Father is the beginning of our saluation Christ Iesus is hee in whom our righteousnes is resident Faithe is the meane whereby wee apprehend the same instrumentall cause S. Paul approueth the formall cause of our saluation to be the free mercie of God for whom he predestinate he callerh whom hee calleth hee iustifieth whom he iustifieth he glorifieth Rom. 8.30 By grace ye are saued through faith Eph. 2.8 Although there be many reasons whereby wee maie assure our selues to bee elected yet wee may brieflie gather our election By the holie Ghost which testifieth with our spirite that we are the children of GOD. Rom. 8.15 By the fruites of the Spirit in hauing good workes or will to doo well By remorse of conscience ioyned with the lothing of sinne and loue of righteousnes Election is knowne by these testimonies Beza 2. Thess 2.10.11 Faith is gathered by sanctification and by according to the truth Truth is gathered by calling through the preaching of the Gospell The Gospell assureth vs of a certaine hope of glorification Touching Election Reprobation this is to be considered That the onelie will and purpose of God is the chiefe cause of both That his free mercie in Christ is an inferiour cause of saluation That the hardning of the heart is an inferiour cause of damnation This vndoubted perswasion wee ought generally to haue Euerie one is elected or eiected at the beginning Euerie one is an vnprofitable seruant when he hath done his best
some question concerning the Sacrament of the Lords Supper By whom we receiue it with whō we receiue it How oft wee receiue it we ought rather to receiue it at the hāds of the good Minister if it be possible yet we must not reiect the ministerie thereof by the wicked so it be done formallie Artic. pe we maie cōmunicate with euerie one so they be not such as are notoriouslie knowne to be dronkards adulterers and such like for that is prohibited 1. Cor. 5.11 we may receiue at al times so our faith and conformitie bee fit for the same otherwise it will turne to our condemnation saith Paule 1. Cor. 11.27 It is a pitifull nay rather a pestiferous thing to see such placed in the Ministerie as be Ignorant Negligent Impudent in learning in their calling in their liuing For where there is no vision the people perish Prouer. 29.18 For they are accursed that doo the worke of GOD negligentlie Ier. 48.10 For their lewdnes maketh the word of God worse liked of 1. Sam. 2.17 Idle Ministers vnpreaching Pastors and such like are called nothing els but blind watchmen Esa 56.9 domme dogges Esa 56.10 subtile foxes Eze. 13.4 who destroy Gods vine for their own aduantage Godlie Preachers and Pastors will be verie carefull of the sinceritie of their doctrine of the integritie of their liues of all their whole actions that it bee agreeable to the word of God they be cōformable to the same word they bee profitable to the example of others These sayings may moue preachers and such like to be verie carefull watchfull fearefull Because they must one daie yeeld an account of their stewardship Because his bloud shall be required at their hāds that dies in his iniquity thorow their negligence Ezek. 33.6 Because an hard iudgement shall trie him that beareth rule Wisd 6.5 Godlie Preachers Pastors are greatlie to be accepted loued obeyed for their office sake for their workes sake for commandement sake Because they represent the person of God Luk. 9.41 Mar. 10.41 Because they dispose his secretes mysteries 1. Thes 5.13 Because they are appoynted ouerseers and watchers for our soules as those that must yeeld accompt for them Heb. 13.17 S. Peter willeth preachets pastors such like to feed their flock caring for it 1. Peter 5.2 Not by constraint but willinglie Not for filthie lucre but of a readie mind Not as though they were lords ouer Gods heritage but as examples to them S. Paul shewed a most worthie example to preachers and such like by his duetifulnes painfulnes contentment in preaching in labouring in liuing For he ceased not by the space of three yeares to preach and warne euerie one both night and day with teares Acts 20.31 For he wrought with his own handes to minister to his necessities not onelie because he would bee chargeable to none but also to helpe to releeue others 1. Cor. 4.12 For although his liuing was little yet he well accepted of all estates without coueting any mans siluer gold or apparell Acts 20.33 Preachers must teach the word of God whether the people regard it or no Because it may be a testimonie against the vnbeleeuers or neglecters of the same at the latter day Deut. 18.19 Because the Lord will vse the means of his seruāts to make the wicked more faultie to proue his Iere. 7.27 c. Because it is their duetie to bee instant in season and out of season 2. Tim. 4.2 The spirit of prophecying or preaching is sometime giuen to the wicked aswell as the godlie as appeared by Caiphas Iohn 11.51 Saule 1. Sam. 10.10 Iudas the Apostle therefore wee must trie the spirits whether they be of God 1. Ioh. 4 1. The word of God ought not to be exempted from any estate neither ought to be cōtemned in any person in respect of his condition calling or vnworthines professing the same profitable considering God hath called Plowmen from the fields to be Prophets 1. King 19.19 20. Shepherds from the folds to be zealous professors Psal 78.7 Fishermē from their nets to be followers of him Mat. 4.18 We must not condemne or contemne the Ministers of God if by infirmitie they fall into horrible offences for Sathan hath beguiled the most godlie professors as Lot that ancient Patriarke became incestuous Gen. 19.30 Dauid that excellent Prophet committed homicid 2. Sam. 11.25 26 Peter that good Apostle prooued periured Iohn 18.27 It is verie dangerous to despise persecute or conspire the death of the ministers of GOD as may appere by these three examples Iezabel did threaten the death of Eliah yet hee liued and was taken vp into heauen when she died was eaten of dogges 2. King 19.35 36. Saul intended the death of Dauid yet hee escaped and became King but Saul procured his owne death most desperatlie 1. Sa. 31.4 2. Sa. 1.9 15. Herod put to death Iohn Baptist but as his deedes were detestable before God so his end was ignominious to the world for he was eaten to death with wormes Acts 12.13 Preachers Pastors such like of all others are most of all subiect to contempt and enmitie Because Sathan by policie procureth many to a disdaine of their persons as a meane to induce them to a disliking of their doctrine Because the Spirits of error are now spread abroad which wil deceiue the harts of many and cause them to become cursed speakers especially against Gods ministers 2. Tim. 3.2 Because these are those perilous daies wherin it was long sithence prophecied that manie should be despisers of thē which are good 2 Tim. 3 Peter was three times commanded to feede his flocke which is expounded 3. waies with sound doctrine with honest life with good hospitalitie Bar. Ich. 21. This worde behold doth commonlie import some great admiration vnto vs as it is vsed concerning Christ at his Natiuitie Passion Second comming Behold saith the Angel to the Shepheards I bring you glad tidings that vnto you is borne this day a Sauiour which is Christ the Lord. Luk. 2.10 Behold at his yeelding vp of the ghost the vaile of the Temple was rent in twaine the earth shaked stones were clouen the graues opened c. Math. 27.51 Behold saith our Sauiour Christ I come shortlie my reward is with me to giue to euerie man as his worke shall be Apoc. 22.12 Christ Iesus came into the world Not as a Iudge but as a Phisition Not as a destroyer but as a Sauiour Not to call the iust but sinners to repentance Christ Iesus descended came as was promised Of the seede of Abraham Of the tribe of Iuda Of the stock of Dauid Beth-lehem brought him forth Nazareth brought him vp Capernaum was his dwelling place Theoph. Christ Iesus was transfigured vpon Mount Thabor Matth. 17.1 was crucified at Ierusalem Heb. 13.12 was taken into heauen at Bethania Luk. 24.50 He liues vpon the earth before his passion 33. yeres after his resurrection 40. daies Acts 1.8 Christ Iesus consisteth of three parts