by through Christ that we leese not the same any more but let vs lay sure hold on our Lord Sauiour and as Simeon Luc. 2.28 tooke him vp in his armes so let vs take him vp also not in our armes without but inwardly in our heartes and then may we boldly come before and praise his holy name One sometime that could not tell how to escape losse of life from a certaine king because the king was provoked against him tooke vp the kings son who was enwrapte with the loue which he bare to his sonne that he cleane forgate the hatred hee bare to his enemie so we must pray Christ Iesus to bee our advocate to his Father beeing assured that God is well pleased in him and we must take CHRIST as it were in our armes and then God looking on vs forgetteth our sinnes For by this means it will come to passe that wee shall haue iust cause to reioyce at all times yea even then when God is saide to iudge the worlde with righteousnesse For though wee bee not righteous in our selues yet Christes righteousnes is imputed for ours And as Parents loue their children though they bee never so deformed so God louing his Sonne lookes on vs and loues vs. This is called Rom. 13 14 Gal. 3 27 a putting on of Christ And as Iacob hauing putte on Esaues apparell wan the blessing so wee putting on Christs garments of righteousnes shall obtaine the blessing and fauour of God for evermore Lastly vnto this our spirituall mariage and coniunction it shall not be vnconuenient to annexe three necessarie obseruations rules or conclusions as followeth First this coniunction heere spoken of must be substantiall or essentiall and not only energeticall that is to say Virtuall namely whole man with whole Christ yea and by meanes of him even with the whole Trinitie and Godhead See these places 2 Epist Pet 1 cap 4 ver Ioh 17 22 23 Ioh 14 23. 1 Ioh 4 ca 12 13 15 16. v. Secōdly it must be reall true therfore not imaginatorie or accidentall namely as the braunches with the vine as the stones of the wall with the whole building as the members of mans body with the head and as the coupling of man and wife 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in one flesh according to Gods ordinance be they never so far a sunder in respect of place Ephes 5 cap 29 30. Thirdly which must ever diligentlie be marked It must quoad modum that is in respect of the māner be a spiritual and no corporall or carnall cōiunction This is over hard to bee comprehended of flesh and bloud nay it surpriseth cleane mans sense his witte and reason in-somuch that St. Paule himselfe calleth it Ephes 5 32. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a great secret which we cannot attaine vnto but by a sure and liuely Ephes 3 cap 3 9 v faith yea which is more the verie Angels themselues 1. Pet 2 cap 12 vers doe desire 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 introspicere that is to behold or more neerely to the Greeke word to see and prie into this mystery of the salvation of mankind purchased and wrought by Christ wherof this spirituall vnion with him is the very sūme interest earnest of the holie Ghost givē to his elect children for their most ful assurance which they doe enclose lay vp in their harts by faith What shal one say then to these bussardly Papists that bee they convinced by the scriptures never so plainely yea though the Apostle St. Paule so wonderfully endewed with the Spirit doth not omitte to say and confesse that it is a great mysterie moreover that the holy Angels too thēselues do even long to know this secret yet for all this they are neverthelesse caried and ledd away still with a carnall or fleshly vnderstanding of this so spiritual deepe a mysterie avouching that they doe eate orally the transubstantiated bodie of Christ made by the cunning slipper-devise and incantation I should haue saide consecratiō of the maskinglike attired massing-Priest Hitherto we haue handled the three first special endes of the Lords Supper the two latter whereof tended to our mysticall incorporation or inauguratiō with Christ as also vnto a spirituall repast food wherby we gather strength and growe vp continually from faith Rom. 1.7 to faith vntill we bee made a perfect man in him It resteth now that we should declare the two other ends but that present occasiō vrgeth vs to interlace certain reasōs against the orall fleshely eating of Christes body in the Sacrament with the absurdities that doe rise therevpon Q. You said before in the third speciall ende that this Supper is a Sacramēt of our spirituall nourishment do you then make a difference of eating seeing you adde spirituall A. It is right meete so to distinguish least wee shoulde bee caried away with the sweepe of grosse errour as to to many are For māducatio or eating is sometime sacramentall sometime spiritual onely sometime both spiritual sacramentall Q VVhat is sacramentalleating A. It is the externall sēsible eating drinking of the bread wine without faith Q. VVhat is spirituall eating A. It is that which is done onely by faith and it answereth ex opposito vnto that first which is nothing else but a signe symball heereof Q. Then these two are not alwaies ioyned togither A. No. For as the externall ceremoniall eating may be without the spiritual so the spiritual also may be without the externall As saith St. Austen de Ciuit lib. 21. cap. 23. Q. VVhat is the Sacramentall spirituall eating togither A. It is the very right vse of the Supper which is required in the institution of Christ Q. How is carnall eating convinced by the word A. Christ himselfe doth overthrow it by two arguments Iohn 6. ca. 62.63 v. The one drawen from the signe the other from the vse viz. 1. A signo or from the signe Doth this offend what then saith he if yee should see the Sonne of man ascend vp where he was before Signifying therby as Athanasius rightly thinketh that his ascension carnall eating of his flesh can in no wise stād togither 2. Ah vsu that is from the vse It is the Spirit saith he that quickneth the flesh profiteth nothing the wordes that I speake vnto you are Spirit and life That is as the naturall and proper sense of the Text inferreth earnall eating is vnprofitable but the spirituall doth giue life and quickneth Now the Papistes doe checke these words of Christ and cavill stoutly or rather stubburnely spitefully with vs that it is the orall fleshly chamming and grinding of Christ betwixte their teeth that profiteth But it is in vaine to reason the cause which these drawe-latches and cornerlurkers For as the Proverbe goes an Ape will be an Ape still putt him into a coate of velvet or what you will so is a Papist no changling in opinion but will liue and die
Spirit by whose gracious working being freede from these hellish downefals of sin wickednes of desperate sinnes of presumptuous sinnes of sinnes by omission of sinnes by commission of sins by ignorance of secrete sinnes of notorious and outragious crying sins briefly of sines against the first table and of sins against the second table we may the residue of our daies which are but few and evill be lifted vp to place our cogitations on heaven and heavenly things there to contemplate with the eye of a stedfast and liuelie faith Christ Iesus our alone and onely redeemer that through a true feeling and apprehension therof wee may with that blessed Martyr St. Steven pearce the heavens and behould our alone al-sufficient saving Mediatour standing at the right hand of God cladd with the garmēts of our slesh both preparing the way and making intercession for vs and that we likewise by vertue of our mystical incorporation and vnion with him receaving from his handes the garments of his righteousnes may be covered from the accusations terrours of our sinnes For who is it that shal stand vp lay anie thing vnto our charge It is God that iustifieth Or who is it that shal cōdemne It is Christ which is deade yea or rather which is risen againe who is also at the right hand of God and maketh request also for vs. Wee then truelie resolved through a due cōsideration of these thinges doe beseech thee our most gracious loving Father to establish these thy blessings in vs to continue vs in the truth of thy holie Gospel that as wee are according to thy great mercie freely adopted and accepted for iust in thy sight by the only obedience and merits and ful satisfaction of Christ our Saviour so againe that we might striue through thine especial favour in our daylie conversation and in the midst of a crooked and stiffnecked generation to approue our selues out of the fruites of a lively faith to be sincere followers and embracers of thee To which purpose we begge of thee ô Father to sanctifie vs with thy Spirit that we loathing from the heart our inborne filthines and mortifying our members which are on earth fornication vncleanes inordinate affection evil concupiscence and covetousnes which is Idolatrie putting away evē al these things wrath anger maliciousnes cursed speaking filthy speaking out of our mouths and in a word putting of the olde man with his workes wee may thine onelie goodnes to vs-wardes effecting it bee prepared to receive the new by putting on as the Elect of God tender mercy kindenes humblenes of minde meekenes longsuffering forbearing one another and forgiving one another Finally wee stirred vp with a fellow feeling of others wants as members of one body with the residue of thy Saints in the Communion thereof doe humbly entreate thy diuine Maiestie to bee gracious and louing vnto thy Church which liueth here in continuall exile warfare vpon the earth protect it O Lord saflie vnder thy wings against the rage of Satan and the furies of blood-thirsty men particularly for these of England Scotlād Frāce Ireland in them as the Principal member therof for thine obedient seruant our dread Soveraigne Lord Iames by thy Grace King of the foresaid Realmes Dominions defender of the true ancient catholike and Apostolike faith and in all Causes over all Persons within these his Maiesties Kingdomes next and immediatly vnder thee Supreame head gouernour grant vnto him health and prosperitie all his daies crowne him so long as he liueth vpō this earth with cōtinuall victories over his enemies giue him the spirit of wisedome knowledge and iudgement that he may carefully vprightly go in and out before thy people enrich his Royal heart with thine heauenlie blessings namely true faith godly zeale loue and feare of thy holie name euen al the daies of his life after this life once expired crowne him in thine euerlasting Kingdome with blisse and triumphant glorie We pray thee eftwise for al the Nobility Gentry and comminalty of this Realme and more especially for the Lords of the Privie Councell that as they are high in Honor great Peares of this Land so they may be great Pillers also in the Church to exalt and advance thy name Blesse in like manner all the Cleargie and Ministerie of this Land by what names and titles soeuer they are called engraue in their breasts that Vrim and Thummim that is to say an inwarde burning zeale ioined with soundnes of doctrine and with vprightnes and integritie of life Extende thy mercifull care on all Vniversities and schooles the nurceries of good learning that they may according to thy good pleasure remaine euermore as habitations for the Prophets Prophets children so long as the Sun and Moone endureth Keepe O Lord direct in thy feare the Magistracie of this Land that they in their Places may discharge a good conscience in the Ministration of equitie iustice togither with the advancement of pietie and vertue Moreover wee doe pray thee for all those that suffer any Crosse or trouble either sicknesse of body or vexation of minde affliction persecution for thy names sake and the testimony of a good conscience that it may please thee to en arme them with patience cōstancie to perseuere vnto the end of al their trials knowing that patience bringeth forth experience experience hope and hope maketh not ashamed And more particularly we powre forth our hūble supplications and suites vnto thy Maiestie for al such as doe lie groueling and groaning vnder the burdē of their sins make thou their bed in the time of their sicknes by putting thy Spirit into their harts by comforting and relieuing thē with inward ioies that thereby their faith may be increased their hope confirmed their loue enflamed their patience perseuerance made known vnto men and Angels tried continued preserued that neither Leviathan that crooked wylie serpent withall his mischieuous assaults without neither the bruisedly afflicted conscience within neither the gaping gulfe of hel beneath neither the angrie threatning heauens for our sinnes aboue neither the allurements and earthly cogitations changes of this world on the one side neither the wicked Imps thereof on the other may strik a terror into our minds but that in the assurance of a good conscience we may being bold confident as a Lyon breake through them al and saie with the Prophet Dauid The Lord of Hostes is with vs the God of Iacob is our refuge And againe with St. Paule In all these things we are more then Conquerours through him that loved vs. For I am perswaded that neither death nor life nor Angels nor Principalities nor Powers nor things present nor things to come nor height nor depth nor any other creature shal be able to separate vs from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord. Last of al we yeeld vnto thee good Lord most humble thanks for thy mercies showred forth yea powred downe vpon vs out of the riches of thy Grace that is for our Creation in time our Election before al time our Preseruatiō Vocation Iustification Sanctification and for the good hopes sake of our Glorification in the time to come as also we thank thee so long as we shal moue breath vpō the earth for our health our wealth our food our rayment our education our instruction our peace tranquillitie and for this so long and so large a time of repentaunce giuen vnto vs by the preaching of thy truth amōgst vs which vphold thou stil O Lord wee praie thee euen for thine owne glories sake and for the vnspeakeable consolations sake gathering in togither of thy Saintes That so in the end we maie al meete iointlie in the vnitie of one faith that in the meane time we may wait for the hastning consummation of the kingdome of Christ thy deare Son our Lord and Sauiour who testifieth these things and saith Surely I come quickly Amen Even so come Lord Iesus 1. Tim. 2. chap. 1.2 verses I exhort therfore that first of all supplications praiers intercessions and giving of thankes bee made for all men For Kings and all that are in authority that we may lead a quiet and a peaceable life in all goodnesse and honestie A very short but sweete Dialogue betweene an ancient deepe learned Father and his Sister reasoning vpon the Case with in themselues O Sister saith hee no man is righteous euery man is guilty of wicked workes words and thoughts and what then shal we doe when wee shall come before God to bee iudged For if the righteousnesse of the righteous shal not be had in remembrance if the iust shall scarse be saued where shall the wicked and sinner appeare O brother she saith again this causeth me to wish with the Prophet that mine heade were a fountaine of teares that I might bewaile my sinfull life Indeede saith the other that is somewhat for one teare in this life is better then al the weeping and gnashing of teeth which shal be after this life For God is neere in this life that is he will be entreated to forgiue vs but then he wil be far of which is he wil not yeeld to anie petition As the last howre of thy life leaues thee so the first howre of iudgment shal finde thee For where the tree falleth there it lieth Eccl. 11. chap. 3. verse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 FINIS
sinnes when we were in case of misery wholie trodden downe and vanquished of the Devill and lying as it were groveling in our filthines doth raise vs vp again free vs from death nourish comfort refresh and quicken our farre yea whole spent soules vnto life not temporal but eternall Q. What is the Coniunction namelie of the Signe with the Thing signified A. It is a most true and spiritual coniunction grounded on the promises of Christ and wrought by the holy Ghost Q. Is there no mutation then of the bread and wine or at least no physical copulation A. There is no change of the Elemēts in respect of their substaunce but yet there is a mutation of them in respect of the end viz. The bread wine are no more novv prophane or common meate drinke but do serue and are applied rather vnto a proper sacramentall and sacred vse and end And that learned and worthy man M. Beza Dial. 2. saith that the mystical Symbols bread and wine even after the sanctifying of them doe not leese their proper nature For S. Paule saith he euen after the giuing of thankes calleth bread stil by the name of bread 1. Cor. 11. vide locum Q. Can you instance in such a change A. Verie wel For wax which is affixed to euidēces differeth nothing in substance from that which is vnsealed but in the vse there is such a change or alteration that the one doth signifie confirme the writings whereto it is annexed whenas the other which is remoued and not applied to that vse doth not Q. If there be no physicall copulation or Consubstātiation as the Lutherās hold neither mutation of the substance of the Signes which the Papists call transubstantiation why doth St. Iohn Chap. 6. say that wee must eate the flesh of Christ and drinke his blood A. St. Iohn doeth by this manner of speaking set downe most perspicuouslie vnto the eies as it were of our soules the verie summe of the promise of the Gospel as namelie what faith is by which wee doe enioie those promised good things to the end we might vnderstand how the vertue thereof doth beareful sway in our hearts cheering and lifting vs vp to buckle mightelie against the frontiers of sinne the world and the Deuil Q. Then by this it seemeth that to eate the flesh of Christ and to drinke his blood are taken for one the selfe same thing as to beleeue in Christ A. It is so And therefore S. Austen saith plainely Crede manducasti that is beleeue and thou hast eaten Q. But can you proue that to eate and to beleeue are one thing in the Scriptures A. Easilie out of the sixt chap. of Iohn and the 40. 47. verses as verely verely I say vnto you hee that beleeveth in mee hath everlasting life Now vers 51. of the same chap. hee expresseth this another way that is by eating of his flesh As I am that living bread which came downe from heaven if any man eate of this bread he shall liue for ever and the bread that I will giue is my flesh which I will giue for the life of the world Here you maie see that both these manner of speeches though diverse in words yet al one in sense and meaning do obtaine likewise one the selfesame promise euen life eternal Moreouer hence it riseth that the Fathers oftētimes treating vpon the Supper of the Lord do cite those places out of the sixt of Ioh not that they thought the Lord to haue spoken there precisely strictlie or solelie of the Supper of the Lord but that rather because in the right lawful vse of the Supper faith of the thing promised is there sensiblie as one may say expressed by the Lorde vnder the names of eating drinking of which promise the Supper is a pledg and seale Q. Seeing there is now no physicall application doe wee receiue onlie the bare tokens of the things signified or els are they effectuallie there given vs A. For so much as Christ is the verie truth it selfe and therfore most faithful in all his promises so vndoubtedly according to his promise made at his Supper and as the Signes do represent he maketh vs partakers of his verie substance to make vs grow therby into one life with him Calu. Q. Christ is in heaven as Act. 3. cap. 21. verse sci VVhom the heaven must containe vntill the time that all things be restored besides looke all these places as Hebr. 7.26 Eph. 4.10 Act. 1.11 Act. 7.56 Act. 1.9 Ioh. 6.62 Colloss 3.1 Act. 2.33 Psal 110.1 Luk. 22.69 Luk. 24.51 Ioh. 12.8 Heb. 10.12 1. Tim. 3.16 and we are heere Pilgrims on the earth How then can this Vnion of substance bee A. This Vnion is not in respect of the place for so indeede is the body of Christ in Heauen 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or circumscriptible but it is in respect of our faith by which we do worthily receiue this holy mysterie For Christ although he be in heaven according to his humane nature and so sitteth glorified at the right hand Iohn 17.5 of his Father both our Mediatour and Intercessour vnto God for vs yet is hee also these fiue waies present in the earth with vs. viz. 1. By his Godhead and Spirit 2. By our faith in him 3. By mutual loue 4. By his vnion with humane nature that is in Coniunction of his Soule and body with ours 5. By hope of our Consummation glorification Or According to others thus the presēce of Christ now with vs is twofolde the one in respect of his person the other in respect of his office In Person hee is with vs as true God filling both heauen and earth In of fice he is with vs by his grace Spirit Math. 28.20 And loe I am with you alway vntill the end of the world Amen But Christ in his Humanity is not with vs but so hee sitteth at the right hand of the Father and of the throne of his Maiestie in Heauen Heb. 8.1 Q. So then this commeth to passe by the wonderous and vnsearchable working of Gods Spirit powring faith into vs which faith coupling vs with the Son of God causeth that wee are more neerely ioined vnto the flesh and blood of Christ then we are vnto the bread which we eat the wine which we drinke A. Iust For indeede such is the effectualnes of faith which it hath frō the powerful working of Gods holy Spirit that it doth most neerly cōioine things which are in place farthest remoued asunder Concerning this Coniunction therefore of ours with Christ it is manifest that the Fathers doe all agree with this which hath bin said for the right receiving and vnderstanding of this Sacrament and more especially for the words of our Sauiour Christ Ioh. 6. cap. verse 53.56 As Then Iesus said vnto them verely verely I say vnto you Except yee eate the flesh of the Son of man drinke his bloode yee haue no life
6.35 47 48 Coloss 3.15 Heb 3 14. Likewise Revelation 3. cap 20 verse as Behold I stand at the doore knocke if any man heare my voice and open the doore I will come in vnto him and vvill suppe with him and he with mee Besides Revel 12 ca 1 2 verse And there appeared a great wonder in heaven a woman cloathed with the Sunne the Moone was vnder her feete vpon her head a Crowne of 12 starres And shee was vvith childe and cried traveyling in birth was pained readie to bee delivered This is not properlie meant as some will of the Virgin Mary but of the Chruch for these reasons 1 The Church is in this manner of speaking figured out aptly vnto our perceavance vnder the name of moone as also Christ is by the word Sunne Mal. 4 2 From a certaine relation betwixt the Sun the moone For the moone is a lesser light yea which borroweth al her light from the Sunne so this womā or church being the weaker vessell relieth vpon Christ her strength stay frō whome as from a loving husband shee receaveth all her glorie Furthermore in this most sacred and inviolable mariage betweene Christ his Church we must note three especiall things 1. The precontract 2. The solemnization 3. The full accomplishment and vpstroke thereof First the precontract is done by the immediate working of the holy Ghost powring faith into our hearts by which we willingly giue our consent Secondly the solemnizing heereof was and is celebrated both in the ceremonies of the old and new law as then by Circumcision Paschall lambe now by Baptisme and the Lords Supper where all the graces of Christ the true and faithfull husband of his church are and were as in a rich Treasure-house most firmely sealed confirmed made vnto vs on his behalfe and where we againe our selues doe plight most inviolably our owne fidelitie and obeysance to him Thirdly the consummation or the accomplishment and vpstroake hereof is done two kinde of waies 1. In the dissolution of this our earthly Tabernacle 2. In the ful particular enioying the presence of the lambe our Bridegroome whenas we shal behold him as he is euen face to face Then shall this woman which is the Church be truely perfectly cloathed with the Sun that is shee shal be clad about with the rich and glorious robes of Christs owne righteousnes And this must bee vnderstoode two waies as the Schoolemen hold tam privativè quà m positivè The first is a not imputing that is a pardoning forgiuenes of our sinnes by which we are let to goe scotfree and are deliuered as wel from the guiltines of sinne as from the punishment thereof namely death eternall The second is an imputatiō of Christ his righteousnes by which even for the righteousnes of Christ attributed vnto vs through Faith and made ours by imputation we are allowed for iuste in the sight of God and which is more we are accompted worthie to ascend vp into the high habitation of the most omnipotent and mightie Iehovah even into that most holy hill of Sion new Ierusalem Revel 21.12 cap. This thing doth David point out vnto vs whē he saith Ps 32.1 2. verses as Blessed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is hee whose vvickednes is forgiven and whose sin is covered Blessed is the man vnto whō the Lord imputeth not iniquity in whose Spirit there is no guile Out of whēce behold 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is a definitiue certaine resolute sentēce the summe wherof is that the blessednes of man doth consist in the remission of sinnes and in the imputation of Christs righteousnesse whose effect is sāctification which is taught in the end of the second v 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in whose spirit there is no guile Now Iustification is heere declared in a threefolde manner 1 That our sinnes be so taken away as that they are not 2 That they are so covered as not the prints filth thereof may appeare v. 7. 3 That God doth not impute them after he hath taken them away but imputeth onely the righteousnes in Christ by faith as did vnto our father Abraham Gen. 15. ca. 6. v. And Abraham beleeved the Lord he coūted that to him for righteousnes Well we see nowe that by vertue of this our Mariage with CHRIST we are invested covered with Christs innocencie and cloathed vppon with the garments Ezech. 16. reade the chapter of his righteousnes Looke Ierem. 23. c. 6. vers 1. Cor. 1.30 Rom. 4.6.7.8 And hence is it whie St. Paule exhorteth vs so instantly to put on the Lorde Iesus Christ As Rom. 13.14 Ephes 4.24 Ephes 6.11 Coloss 3.10.12 Againe 1. Thes 5.8 we are willed to put on the brestplate of faith loue and the hope of salvation for an helmet For by this faith we are mistically inserted vnited into Christ seeing he is the vine it selfe we are the braunches he is the tree we the fruit he the Sunne we the beames he is the head wee the mēbers he is the Bridegrome we the Spouse This espousage and coniunction is so sure as shal not nay cānot be dissolved For the Spirite of GOD is the Scribe which drawes the bandes betwixte vs the word of God is the band his mercy the seale the deliverance benefite and freedome that wee haue by it is our peace Peace with God who hath reconciled vs to himselfe in Christ peace with our neighbour in shewing all duties of Christian charity now vnto him peace with our owne selues not daunted any more with the dreadful horrour and power of the Devill Lastly peace against our enemies nothing apalled nor fearing what man can doe vnto vs. For if God be on our side who then can be against vs. Rom 8. wherefore such so great is this faith the force therof that it is called a brestplate a shield yea even victorie it selfe 1 Ioh 5 Ca 4 ver And right excellētly speaketh a learned man heereof Fide inquit tantum possumus quantum credimus that is By faith wee can doe so much how much vvee doe beleeue But wheras we are vnited vnto Christ by faith we must not misconceaue and vnderstand presently a bare historicall temporarie or idle faith that is to faie dead in it selfe but rather that which is accompanied or attended on from everie side by all good works namely a iustifying a liuely an effectual a working and fruitful faith It must not be like vnto those appels mētioned by St. Austin which grewe in the place of Sodome comorrha such as shewed faire without but so soone as one toucheth them trāseunt in fumum they vanish away to nothing But is verè credit as a Father speaketh qui verè exercet opera bona credendo that is hee doth beleeue aright who in beleeving is carefull to shew forth good workes with all It behooveth vs therfore now being receaved into the favour of God againe
a Papist speake write read reason or do what ye list nay what you can Notwithstanding how obstinate and selfe-willingly wedded soever they bee to their opiniōs yet it standeth vs greatly vpon to be obedient and yeeld vnto the truth demonstrated vnto vs by vndeniable testimonies out of Gods most holy word let vs pray the Lord both night day to be constantly grounded and established heerein And in deede it is a shame for vs to bee inferiour to our Adversaries heerein which are so purposedly stiffely nayled vnto their imaginarie devises dreames of men who after saying once it is my Conscience looke for no more they haue told you all it is a shame I say of all shames that wee should not most resolutely liue and die heerein For wee haue more to alleadge for our selues then It is my Conscience and who knowes not that conscience must bee grounded on science which science too commeth from the word of God otherwise it will proue but a bare buckle and thong that is a verie meere conceipte For wee haue these three thinges to stand in our behalfe 1 First the worde of God which is truth it selfe cannot lie this they haue not because they derogate therefrom saying that the authority of their church is aboue the same yea they sticke not to make their trashie traditions equal with it yea they abuse it and blaspheme it with the rankest Atheistes of our time the one tearming it a nose of waxe a shipmans hose a blackincky Gospel the other belching out this blasphemie valuing it to be no more but a wittie policie of wise men to keepe fooles in awe but let them walke togither as never a barrell of them better hering 2. Secondly Besides the word which is our warrant from God himselfe wee haue also his holy Spirit to ascertaine vs therein powring faith into our heartes whereby we do assuredly beleeue it this they haue not neither because they rob him of his proper effect and operation which is immediatly frō the Father the Sonne to illighten our minds giving to vs the right meaning and vnderstanding of his worde which they most bastardly appropriate to their Pope whose power is such as that he may racke thē at his pleasure And no marveile seeing they haue made a quarter God of him to rule the rost in the world as his holines listeth according to this blasphemous verse of him Oraclô voc is mūdi moderaris habenas Et merito in terris crederis esse Deus Yea hee is become such a sawcie Syr that he can change the Articles of faith and giue auctority to general councels as it is saide Articulos soluit synodumque facit generalem 3 Thirdly lastly Besides the word and spirit of God we haue our owne spirit that is our whole soule and conscience to testifie with vs that what we do we do it as his adopted children that is not hypocritically but faithfully truly and sincerely This doth St. Paule teach Ro. 8.16 The same Spirit beareth witnes with our Spirit that we are the children of God Let them then cast of this deceaveable maske of a sleeueles and pretended conscience of theirs and let thē soundly groūd it on Gods word desiring him to vonchsafe them of his Spirit to illuminate their mindes nowe darkened with errours and superstition that so they may ioine togither in one with vs to professe beleeve the same Which I pray God to graunt according to his good pleasure and will But to the Purpose where I doe mean to shew partly ab impossibili that is from the vnpossibilitie of the thinges partly a consequente absurdo that is frō the notorious absurdities which must follow that this carnal eating may not nor cannot at any rate stand with the analogie of faith which was as effectuall vnto the Fathers before Christes comming as it is to vs since his comming If Christ cannot bee receaved or eaten but after a carnal and grosse kinde then I pray how did the Patriarkes and Fathers eate Christ whenas Ioh. 6. c. 53. our Saviour Christ saith Verely verelie I saie vnto you vnlesse yee shall eate the flesh of the sonne of man and drinke his bloud yee haue no life in you But the fathers had life in them because they had an vndoubted faith in Christ to come which was as effectuall to them for their salvation receiving vp into glorie as was Enoch Heb. 11 cap 5 vers and Elias 2 Kings 2 cap. 11. verse as our faith is effectual in him now that he is come For which cause they must needes grant another māner of eating differing altogither from carnal which is spirituall onely done by faith Now as they did eat Christ then being not yet come in the flesh so doe nay so must wee also eate him nowe for if there be any difference it is in circumstance and Signes not in Substance as St. Paule wel declareth 1. Cor. 10 c. 1.2.3.4 verses viz. Moreover brethren I would not that ye should be ignorant that all our Fathers were vnder the cloud al passed through the sea And did all eate the same spirituall meate And did all drinke the same spirituall drinke for they dranke of the spirituall Rocke that followed them and the Rocke was Christ According to which spirituall kinde of eating both ours and theirs St. Austen saith thus Vt quid dentes ventrē parasti crede manducasti that is why hast thou prepared teeth a bellie beleeue and thou hast eaten Ab Absurdo 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith the Philosopher that is grant one absurditie and others do follow straight vpon Wherefore if the reprobate should eate the body of Christ al these and a great many moe absurdities must needes follow as that the reprobate are made the members of Christ that the reprobate are ingraffed into the bodie of Christ that Christ doth dwell in the reprobate that they can bee made partakers of Christ Belial togither which is horrible to speake For which cause one saith Iudam panem Domini sed non panem Dominum comedisse that is Iudas did eate the bread of the Lord but hee did not eate bread the Lord. Reasons against carnall eating To make short of the matter these reasons following doe all make against carnal eating of Christ 1. First he tooke a true humane nature so that we can eate him no otherwise then did his disciples in the first supper But here do the Vbiquitaries giue vs the slippe wringing themselues out of the briars with a sophisme de falso subiecto elenchi whē they teach that Christ in these words of the supper take eate gaue commaundement for the orall or fleshly eating of his bodie yet those wordes are not spoken of the body of Christ because hee tooke not that into his hands neither did he breake his bodie and giue it to his disciples but they are spoken de pane of the bread which he tooke into his
the Abstract Iudge whether this bee not workemanlie knockt and beaten out by their sophistrizing hammer 4 Fourthly and lastly the vbiquitarians trifle most passing idlely in behatching a threefold māner of the body of Christ that is 1 A naturall manner 2 A glorious manner 3 A maiesticall manner The first two waies they denie marveylous crookedly that Christ is euerie where in body but come ye once to the thirde which is his manner of Maiesty then haue say they along with you to Westminster seeing in this sort both there and euery where els throughout the world we shal neuer misse him Examination First here is in this distributiō a notable Catachresis or abuse of the voice manner which is placed heere most improperly for an adiunct Secondly the parts do not cohere agree with the Distribute for the naturall manner is not an Adiunct of the body of Christ but it is the forme it selfe And as for that their manner of Maiesty some men are over hastie to tearme it figmentum perquisitè excogitatum but I had rather speake English and call it a plaine cogge and foisted legerdemaine Thirdly the Partes do not oppositlie disagree betwixt themselues because the glorie of the natural body is an adiunct and it remaineth notwithstanding the adiunct stil a true physical natural body although it be also glorified For glorificatiō hath not taken away the nature of Christ his body but the infirmitie thereof patibilitie But these Vbiquitaries are sure cardes take them at any time without a fitten and strike of their neckes They durst not say that Christes natural bodie is euerie where fie that were to grosse and therefore see what cunning can bring to passe they haue wrought it out maiesticallie Wherfore beholde their follie whiles that they thinke to shun the raine they run mee out of hād aboue head eares into the riuer For it had bin as good nay better for them to say at first dash that the natural body of Christ is euerie where so to make no more then one body of him then by such an vnartificial blinde distinction both to affirme his body to be everie where over and besides to ordaine him a triple body too that is 1. a Naturall body 2. a Glorious body 3. a maiesticall bodie I might set downe much more such stuffe of theirs but I count this sufficient to shew what they are euen in this respect the Popes own ympes and still like vnto thēselues wil bee so though the Diuel saie nay This I doe and maie speake boldly vpon regard of their wilful obstinacie and malitious harts both against our selues our doctrin Ours nay the Lords owne doctrine The Corollarie and vpshot of this whole treatise vpon the Lords Supper LEt vs most hūbly beseech the Lord our God of his abundant kindnes mercy towards vs in his Son Christ Jesus that he wold stay vs with his grace that we denying and defying from our harts al vngodlines al heresies scismes erroneous opinions false doctrines all superstitious reliques ceremonies of that whorish church of Rome in a word al Epicurisme Atheisme Papisme Bron nisme we may be groūded in the truth of his most powerful word being nourished vp continuallie in a liuelie faith with this heauēly holy banquet may persist in stedfastnes of the same truth even to our last breathing and yeelding vp the Ghost into the hands of our allouing gracious God who hath faithfullie promised that hee will not faile vs nor forsake vs Hebr. 13.5 but wil bee readie then especiallie by his holie Angels to receaue vs vp vnto himselfe into his holie mountaine and new Ierusalem the citie Hebr. 12.22 of the living God where wee shall liue in ioyes vnvtterable with the congregation it selfe of the first borne which are writtē in heauen with God the Iudge of al with the spirits of iust perfect men And with Iesus the Mediatour of the new Testament and with the bloode of sprinkeling that speaketh better things then that of Abell God grant vs al these things for our Lord and Saviour Christ Iesus sake to whō with the Father the holy Ghost be attributed al praise and glory now for ever So be it Amen A Praier for the whole State of this Church and Realme of England conteyning a true confession of our sinnes before the Lord fitte to bee saide at all times and seasons Merciful Lord and Father which refusest not to hear thy servants at what time they doe flee vnto thee in the contrition of their harts we beseech thee to expell the darkenes of our vnderstanding that being directed by thy holie Spirit we may from a true feeling of our woeful state in the name of Iesus Christ vnlocke our grieved cōsciences powre out the affections of our brokē harts by sincerely invocating on thy holy blessed name Amen O Most gracious and louing Father wee come vnto thee in the name of thy dearely beloued son Iesus Christ beseeching thee out of the humility of our soules that thou wouldest vouchsafe to looke downe vpon vs with the eie of pittie notwithstanding most vile miserable sinners as we are For we were conceaved in sin borne in iniquitie having no truth nor sound part within vs seeing from the sole of the foote vnto the crowne of the head there is nothing whole but woundes swelling soares ful of corruption we are a seede of the wicked corrupt children forsaking the Lord and provoking the holie one of Israel to anger Nowe though we are thus vncleane sunken deepe into all impieties though our righteousnes be as filthy clouts though we doe al fade like a leafe and that our iniquities like the winde haue caried vs away yet thou O Lord art mercie and truth promising to harken vnto repentant sinners that doe cal vnto thee We cal and crie vnto thee O Lord out of the true sorrowes and grievances of our hearts to remove from vs the burden horrour of our sinnes which do lie most heavie vpon our consciences stinging and pressing vs downe vnto the verie gates of Hell thou therefore ô heavenly Father which savest both man and beast thou whose mercie reacheth vnto the heavens and whose faithfulnes vnto the cloudes thou whose righteousnes is like the mightie mountaines and thy iudgments like a great deepe powre forth vpon vs most sillie wormes and vnworthie wretches as we are of the rich plentie of thy Grace let thy accustomed mercie breake forth and prevent vs in al our actions reforme our froward wils our corrupt affections our inbred depraved natures create in vs cleane harts renue right Spirits within vs that so our whole man both soules and bodies may bee conformed to thy holie will And to this ende out of the longing desires of our harts we prostrating our selues at the foote-stoole of thy mercie seate doe craue of thee ô bountiful Father to quicken vs with thy holy