Favour designed before all ages †Jam. 1. 18. Mâ— 11. 27. Eph. 3. 9 10 11. 2 Tim. 1. 9 10. Tit. 2. 11. unto sinners but did only afar off obscurely and as it were through a Lattice or Casement make discovery of it to wit under a general promise thereof | Gen. 10. 1 c. 17. 7. and under a Type * Heb. 11. 16. 10. 1. Jo 1. 17. Col. 2. 17. and shadow of bodily things For although under the Old Testament there were not altogether wanting some who through the Assistance of the said Divine Grace believed on God and through Faith walked uprightly and sincerely before God and by a Life ordered according to the Will of God shook off the Dominion of Sin and by the said lively Faith also were truly justified or absolved from the guilt of their sins and endowed with the reward of Eternal Life †Gen. 4. 4 7. 5. 24. Heb. 11. as is clear in the examples of Abel Enoch and Abraham the Father of all that believe c. Yet were the most carried away and as it were 1. before the â—iood overwhelmed with the weight of their Sin and load of their Misery For whereas at the beginning there was as yet no written Law given but the dictate of Natural Reason Traditions of Fathers and certain other Divine and Angelical Revelations and Apparitions only God so ordering the matter did take place or bear sway amongst Men | Rom. 5. 13. Sin was not only in the World but also did so far exert and put forth its power that all flesh a few only excepted who were * Gen. 5. 24. 6. 9. Act. 11. 3. righteous and by Faith walked holily before God corrupted †Gen. 6. 5 11 12. 8. 21. its way and every Imagination of Man was only evil from his Childhood Whence the Guilt of sin was then so far encreased that an Universal deluge of Water was brought upon the World of the †2 Pet. 2. 5. 2. After the floud Ungodly 9. Again after the Floud Sin was not only not washed away but rather like leaven was diffused and spread throughout the whole race of mankind so that | Josh 24. 1 2. Gen. 12. 1 2. whole People Nations and Countries every where defiled themselves with Idolatry and other foul and abominable sins and in the greatest and largest Societies or Communities of Men there were * Gen. 18. 32. scarce ten Righteous Persons to be found At length when God having passed by other Nations †Act. 14. 16. Psal 147. 19 20. Deut. 7. 6 7 c. ch 9. 4 5 6 c. did choose some certain Men from the rest of the multitude of Idolaters and Sinners unto himself and out of his Special Grace did impose or lay upon their Posterity a written Law consisting of many and divers Precepts moral ceremonial political | Act. 15. 10. Gal. 3. 23. as a burdensome and insuportable Yoak and Fence * Gal. 3. â—4 and that they might be the more effectually restrained from sinning compelled to do their duty did also ratify and confirm the same by most severe †Lev. 26. 3. c. Deut. 27. 15. c. 28. Threatnings and manifold Promises yea further did ever and anon by | Isa 61. 1. c. 62. 6. c. 2 Chron. 36. 15. Act. 7. 51 52 53. his Prophets and other of his Servants cause the Sermons of his Gracious Will and Pleasure to be repeated and inculcated upon them for the further let and hinderance of Transgressions yet sin nevertheless and notwithstanding all still prevailed and overcame and its Dominion was not only not extinct by this Law and the Guilt thereof by * Rom. 5. 20. 7. 8. Heb. 7. 18 19 7. 20. 10. 4. Rom. 3. 19 20. 11. 32. the Blood of Bulls and Goats and other sacrifices of that kind not taken away but sin was ever the more and more encreased and as it were by a prick or goad stirred up and provoked by the Law and the Guilt of Death and Condemnation so far aggravated that the whole World became shut up under sin and liable unto Condemnation 10. From whence at length the most The use and necesity of the Grace of God high necessity and also advantage of the Grace of God prepared or preordained for us in Christ before all ages hath evidently appeared for without it we can neither shake off the miserable Yoak of Sin nor †do any thing truly good in †‑ Rom. 6. 14. c. 7. 1. c. 8. 1. c. Gal. 3. 24. Act 4. 12. 13. 38 39. Religion at all nor lastly ever escape ‑ Eternal Death or any true punishment of Sin Much less are we at any time able without it and of our selves or by any other Creatures to obtain Eternal Salvation CHAP. VIII Of the work of Redemption and of the Person and Offices of Jesus Christ 1. VVHerefore it seemed good The work of Redemption what it is to the most Merciful God in * 1 Cor. 10. 11. Gal. 4. 4. the end of the World or in the fulness of time in very deed to set upon and throughly to accomplish that most excellent Work which †1 Pet. 1. 20. Eph. 1. 9 10. he had foreknown or purposed in himself before the Foundations of the World and in successive ages all along under divers figures | Heb. 9. shadows and Types as it were in a rude draught pourtrayed held forth to be seen afar off and darkly known of Men to wit the Work of Redemption * 2 Cor. 5. 15. c. Rom 5. 12. c. ch 8. 3. c. 1 Pet. 1. 3 c. Eph. 2. 1 c. or of a New Creation whereby he might of his â—â—eer Grace and Mercy deliver Man who by reason of sin was become lyable to Eternal-Death and Condemnation and lay in miserable sort under the bondage of sin from the said Guilt and restore him unto the Hope of an eternal and immortal Life and minister to him sufficient yea and superabundant Power and Ability to cast off the Dominion of Sin and to obey the Will of God with his whole Heart 2. This Work God hath accomplished The Execution or accomplishment thereof by Christ by his one only begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ †Joh. 3. 16 c. 8. 26. Maâ— 11 27. Joh. 1. 18. Act. 4. 12. 10. 43. Gal. 4. 4 c. Tit. 2 11 12. whom indeed he therefore sent into the World not only that he might by him most openly declare and divers ways confirm his most Merciful Will concerning his bestowing Eternal Life freely upon Sinners that do seriously and truly repent and believe but also in very deed that he might through his most holy Obedience and the effectual working of his Holy Spirit in us as far as in him lyeth by degrees bring us to the said wished and desired end 3. Furthermore the whole Knowledg Of the person of Christ of this Son of
and discharge all the duties of good Citizens and Subjects together with our Country-Men concerning both which proceedings both Ecclesiastical and Civil no doubt but God and his Church in their due time will â—udg far otherwise than our adversaries desire or expect Lastly we have no where added to Against rash Anathema's â—his our Confession the direful Anathema's i. e. cursings of mens persons and â—hat a sorrow it is to speak it too â—hread-bare worn Damnamus We condemn but have every-where only bareâ—y or simply spoken our Opinion or Mind or with a moderate rejecting of certain errours added thereunto Not that we religiously fear to denounce an Anathema there where the holy Spirit of God goeth before us by his own example For with the Apostle Paul we doubt not Gal. 1. 8. to bid Anathema to Angels and Men if they preach any other Gospel than what hath been preached Yea further with 1 Cor. 16. 22. the same We bid Anathema Maran-athâ— unto all that love not the Lord Jesus Christ that is to ungodly prophanâ— and Atheistical persons But where we have not the Spirit of God going before us there we upon good right demurâ— and with-hold our assent and do botâ— beg and grant pardon by course remembring that which our Saviour adviseth us Judg not that ye be not judged and Mat. 7. 1. which the Apostle Judg not any thing 1 Cor. 4. 5. before the time untill the Lord come whâ— will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and make manifest the Councils â— Mens Hearts and then shall every Maâ— have praise of God Hence we do not easily denounce an Anathema to him who we believe is held with a pure meer errour if he be otherwise pious fearing God and studious of a good Conscience and Divine Truth that is if he seem to us to love the Lord Jesus and highly to prize his Gospel by which alone he is willing to maintain his errour through which he ignorantly errs For we know how ready a matter it is in so great a multitude of Opinions so great a company of those that err so great a variety of wits or dispositions so great a plenty of hinderances and scruples so great weakness of judgments in such to slip and err and how easy it is by arguments true in appearance to be deceived and mistaken how harmless also it is in it self to err and to mistake in many things how great also clemency and kindness God is like to use towards such as simply err who pardoneth and remitteth even willful sins themselves to those that repent and how aliene or far from the gentle and meek disposition of our Lord Jesus it is not to pittie those that stray Lastly how sad and tragical disturbances that both rash and proud confidence of condemning hath at all times occasioned and made For Anathema's are wont to provoke Anathema's and where this chance is once cast all 's past and there is an end of all hope of remedy For the direful hatreds of parties succeed and the reins of hatreds being let loose they An exhortation to the study of peace moderation and forbearance commonly at length with deadly and spiteful minds rush upon the slaughtering and Butchering of one another and the last fruit of these Condemnings and Anathematizings is an everlasting despair of cure That we might therefore avoid these mischiefs we have carefully and purposely forborn Anathema's deeming it sufficient ingenously to have spoken the Truth and to have shewed the errour leaving in the mean time unto others a free judgment touching every errour and the greatness of the errour but chiefly to him who alone judgeth righteously and searcheth the Hearts and 1 Pet. 2. 23. Apoc. 2. 23. Reins of Men. We have already sufficiently sacrificed to unseasonable Anathema's and to those direful forms of sentencing to punishment each other we condemn we execrate and curse c. It is now time that we sacrifice to Christian Concord Meekness and Charity After so many sad and dismal cursings whereby on every side the fierceness of hatreds and mortal fallings out hath been irritated and exasperated let us lay aside such Enemy-like and exulcerated Minds and by gentleness by long-suffering by kindness by the Holy Spirit of Christ by love unfeigned by the word of Truth by the power of God by the Armour of Righteousness on the right hand and on the left after the example of our Lord Jesus Christ and of his Apostles let us fight against Errours that to our utmost power we may save those that err and deâ—iver them out of the danger of Eternal Jam. 2. 1. Ma. 2. 3. 10. Perdition Let us not be many masters for one is our Master Let us assent to or approve of the wholsome words of our Lord Jesus Christ and that doctrine 1 Tim. 6. 4 5. which is according to Godliness Let us shun vain questions and strifes of words from which arise envy strife railings evil surmisings perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth supposing that gain is godliness Let not us condemn or shut out of the Communion of the Church those that Christ doth not condemn nor shut out of his Kingdom Again let us not become the Servants of Men but withal neither let us be Lords over Phil. 4. 5. the Faith of others Let our moderation appear unto all and in modesty and mutual charity bear with one another being certainly perswaded that none is lightly to be condemned or blotted out of the register of Christians that holds fast his Faith in Christ and in hope of the good things promised by him doth seek from the heart to obey his Commands though in the mean time he err in many things thaâ— in some sort or other concern Religion the which holy and worthily to be praiseâ— moderation or equanimity when the beâ—â— and greatest God shall have inspired the hearts either of all or at least of the most of those who bear rule in Churcheâ— and Commonwealths with then at lengâ—â— the Truth of the Gospel will every wherâ— flourish and an holy peace in the Lord anâ— Concord will set up a settled place of aâ— bode among all that are truly Godly The which that it may shortly cometâ— pass in the whole World especially in thâ— Christian but most of all in the Reformed we humbly beseech of God througâ— Jesus Christ in Spirit and Truth Thesâ— things thus premised we shall now comâ— directly to the heads of our Declaration as those which we would have alwayeâ— joyned by an indissoluble tye with thiâ— very Preface The Confession or Declaration of the Ministers or Pastours which in the United Provinces are called Remonstrants concerning the chief points of Christian Religion CHAP. 1. Of the Sacred Scripture and its Authority Perfection and Perspicuity 1. WHosoever desireth to worship The Foundation of Religion is Faith in God God aright and certainly and undoubtedly
only consist in every particular Man's professing with his | Mat. 8. 38. Rom. 10. 9. mouth and in life this saving doctrine of Christ for himself but also in Believers being united and joyned together among themselves * 1 Cor. 11. 20 c. 14. 4 c. Act. 2. 41 42 Mar. 18. 16. 1 Cor. 16. 1 c. whether they be more or fewer in their doing or performing those things which ordinarily cannot nor use to be performed but in a Society or Congregation and which render the Society or Congregation it self more Illustrious and Conspicuous 10. Which sort or kind of duties Three in chief besides hearing of the Word preached and the profession of Faith already spoken of are chiefly two to †Act. 2. 41 c. 8. 12 c. 20. 7. wit the use of the Sacraments as they are called and * Mat. 18. 17. 1 Cor. 5. 4. 1 Tim. 5. 1 2 20. the exercise of Christian discipline of which more immediately CHAP. XXIII Of the Sacraments and other Sacred Rites 1. VVHen we speak of Sacraments What a Sacrament is we understand the outward Ceremonies of the Church or those sacred and solemn Rites whereby as by foederal * Rom. 4. 11 c. 1 Cor. 10. 1 2 3 16 c. 1 Cor. 12. 13. signs and visible seals God doth not only represent and shadow out unto us his gracious benefits especially those promised in the Covenant of the Gospel but doth also in a certain manner clearly hold forth and seal the same unto us and we again likewise do openly and publickly declare and testifie that we do embrace †Rom. 6. 3 4. 2. 25 26. 1 Cor. 10. 16 c. 11. 25 c. all the promises of God with a true firm and obedient Faith and that we will always with continual and thankful remembrance celebrate with praise his benefits and favours 2. And these like Rites if we must What their number is in the N.T. speak properly and accurately in the New Testament are only two to wit Baptism and the Sacred Supper Of which the one by a | Gen. 17. 10 c. 1 Sam. 17. 36. certain analogie i. e. proportion or likeness doth not unaptly answer unto * Exod. 12. 26 c. Lev. 23. 5 c. the sign of Circumcision which under the Old Testament was a sign of sacred initation i. e. entrance or of a certain ingraffing into the people of God and the other to †1 Cor. 10 c. the eating of the Paschal Lamb which was a Rite of solemn Eucharistia i. e. blessing or publick Thanksgiving for to praise and celebrate God openly for the typical deliverance of the people of Israel that is for their deliverance out of Egypt Of Baptism 3. Baptism is the first publick and The discription use of Baptism sacred Rite of the New Testament whereby all in Covenant without any difference of age or sex are by the solemn washing of water ingraffed into the Church and initiated into the worship of God or are therefore dipped into or washed | Mat. 3. 11. 28. 19. Mar. 16. 16. Joh. 3. 15. Joh. 4. 1. Act. 2. 41 c. 8. 12 36 37 38. 10. 47 c. with Water in or into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost that hereby as by a Symbolical sign and sacred signal they may be confirmed concerning the gracious Will of God towards them that as the filth of their bodies is washed away by Water so they themselves by the Blood and Spirit of Christ if they do not through their own default make void this gracious Covenant unto themselves are to be cleansed inwardly or most fully delivered from the guilt of all their sins and finally to be endowed with the glorious Immortality and eternal Happiness of the Sons of God and withal that they also on the other side may be obliged and * Rom. 6. 3 4. 1 Cor. 1. 13 c. 12. 13. Gal. 3. 27. 1 Pet. 3. 21. to that end openly declare that they constantly expect all Salvation from God alone and the Lord Jesus Christ their only Mediatour Priest and King that they trust in him with their Heart and casting away the filth and defilements of all their sins are willing by the vertue or power of his Holy Spirit to obey him throughout the course of their whole Life Of the Sacred Supper of the Lord. 4. The other Sacred Rite of the New The description and end of the Sacred Supper Testament is the Sacred Supper instituted by Jesus the night wherein he was betrayed to celebrate an eucharistical and solemn †Mat. 26. 26 27 28. Mar. 14. 22 23 24. Luk. 22. 19 20. 1 Cor. 10. 16 17 c. 11. 23 24 25. commemoration of his Death wherein Believers after they have examined and truly proved themselves to be in the true Faith do eat the sacred Bread publickly broken in the Congregation and also drink the Wine publickly poured forth and that to declare or hold forth with solemn thanksgiving the Lord 's bloody and cruel Death undergone for us whereby as our bodies are sustained by meat and drink or by Bread and Wine so our hearts are nourished and fed unto the hope of eternal life and again likewise publickly to testify and declare before God and the Church their quickening and spiritual Communion with the body of Christ crucified and his blood shed or with Jesus Christ himself who was crucified and Died for us and consequently with all the benefits that were procured and purchased by his Death and with all also their mutual love one amongst another 5. Certainly from those things which The reproof or confutation of an errour every where | Luk. 22. 19 20. 1 Cor. 11. 24. in Scripture are read concerning this whole sacred Rite and concerning the things signified thereby and which the very Articles of Faith concerning Christ's true humane body and his ture * Act. 1. 9 10 11. 3. 21. Heb. 8. 4. ascension into Heaven and exaltation c. do suggest unto us and lastly right reason it self dictates it easily appears 1. That here is no †Mat. 26. 27. 1 Cor. 10. 16. 11. 24 25◠c. substantial change made of the Signs into the things signified to wit of the Bread and Wine into the Body and Blood of the Lord. 2. And that there is not any local conjunction or corporeal including or any physical or natural tying or uniting of both together 3. So far is one of the signs to wit the use of the Chalice or sacred Cup from being justly or worthily to be taken away from Believers under this pretence And 4. that true and quickning or expiatory sacrifice of Jesus Christ | Heb. 7. 27 28. 9. 25 26 27 28. 10. 10 11 12 13 14 18.
to be everlastingly saved he must of necessity first of all * Heb. 11. 6. believe that God is and that he is a bounteous rewarder of those that seek him and therefore must conform himself according to that Rule and Square which it is †Mat. 7. 21. Gal. 6. 16. undoubtedly manifest was delivered and prescribed by the true God himself the supream Law-giver and established upon the promise of Eternal Life 2. That God is | Heb. â— 1. 1 Joh. 1. 18. and that he hath at The Revelation of the Godhead in the Old New Testament sundry times and in divers manners spoken in times past unto the Fathers by the Prophets and that he hath at length in the lastâ—â—â—mes most fully declared and manifested his last Will by his only-begotten Son hath been a thing confirmed by * Heb. 2. 3 4. Deut. 29. per totum Act. 2. 22. 1 Thes 1. 5. 1 Joh. 1. 1 3. so many and great Proofs Signs Wonders mighty Deeds or Works Gifts or Distributions of the Holy Ghost and other wonderful Effects and certain Events of several Prophesies and Testimonies of Men worthy of belief that any more certain more substantial and more compleat cannot be given or justly desired 3. The whole Declaration of the Divine The Canonical Books of the Old Testament Will which pertaineth unto Religion is contained in the Books of the Old and New Testaments and indeed authentically only in those which are called Canonical or which it can upon no just ground be doubted but that they were written or approved of by those Men †2 Tim. 3. 15 16 17. 2 Pet. 1. 20 21. who were inspired with and instructed and guided by Gods Holy Spirit such as in the Old Testament are | Luk. 16. 29. 24. 27 45 46 47. Act. 17. 2 3. 24. 14. 26. 22 23. Rom. 1. 2. the five Books of Moses the Book of Joshua Judges Ruth the two Books of Samuel two of the Kings two of the Chronicles or Paralipomena i. e. things omitted or past by Esdras Nehemiah Ehster also Job the Psalmes of David the Proverbs Ecclesiastes the Song of Songs the four greater Prophets to wit Esaias Jeremiah with his Lamentations Ezekiel and Daniel the twelve lesser Prophets to wit Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zechariah and Malachi 4. In the New Testament there are The Books of the New Testament the four Evangelists * Luk. 1. 1 2 3. Joh. 19. 35. 20. 31. Act. 1. 1. divers other places Matthew Mark Luke and John the Acts of the Apostles the Epistles of Paul to wit †2 Pet. 3. 15 16. 1 Thes 2. 2. Eph. 2. 3. 17. to the Romans the former and latter to the Corinthians to the Galatians to the Ephesians to the Philippians to the Colossians to the Thessalonians two two to Timothy to Titus to Philemon also the Epistle to â—he Hebrews one Epistle of James | 2 Pet. 3. 1. 1. Joh. 1. 1 2 3. 4. two of Peter of John three of Jude one lastly the * Rev. 1. 1. 22. 18 19. with other places The certainty of both Revelation 5. That all the said Books were written or approved of by Men Divine and noâ— to be excepted against hath in formeâ— times been clearly found and proved by so many and so certain and evident Testimonies and Proofs that there can nothing further justly or reasonably be desired For though at sometimes therâ— hath been made some doubt of some feâ— of them to wit whether they were penn'â— or approved of by those very Authourâ— whose names they bear yet at length thâ— matter being more narrowly examined and the truth searcht into it hath been abundantly evicted that they were indeed and in truth penn'd or approved oâ— by Divine Men and those whose Authority was infallible and credit undoubted of with all Believers 6. Besides the said Books of the Old The Apochryphal Books Testament there are others also which have been now long since had in great esteem with many commonly called Apochryphal the which although they are not of force to confirm Doctrines of Faith yet may they though some more some less profitably be and are usually read for the proficiency of Faith and Life such as are Tobie Judith Baruch Wisdom Ecclesiasticus the third and fourth of Esdras three Books of the Maccabees and certain additions unto Esther and Daniel which are commonly known 7. That the Doctrine contained in Arguments for the certainty and truth of the Scriptures the Books of the New-Testament by which also the Truth and Dignity of the Old Testament is abundantly establshed and confirmed is altogether True and Divine is not only clear and evident from its being written or allowed of by the said Divine Men we named before and its being delivered by them unto the Churches nor from its being confirm'd and establisht or ratified by | Act. 5. 11 13 14 15. Heb. 2. 3 4. Act. 10 37 38 39. divers and innumerable miracles and mighty deeds Signs and Prodigies exceeding all humane and Angelical Wisdom and Power and furthermore by the * Act. 2. 14 c. Act. 5. 29 30 31 32. glorious Resurrection from the dead of the first Author of it even our Lord Jesus Christ and his Exaltation asserted by many irrefragable Testimonies and Proofs but also even chiefly from its containing precepts so transcendently †Mat. 5. 6 7 8. chapters perfect righteous just and holy that any more perfect just equal and holy cannot be devised or thoughâ— of and promises | 2 Pet. 1. 4. Heb. 8. 6. 2 Cor. 7. 1. so exceeding Great Rich and Precious that neither thâ— mind of Men nor Angels can conceive of any more Excellent more Divine anâ— Worthy of God To which the admirable * Rom. 10. 18. 1 Cor. 2. 3 4. 2 Cor. 3. throughout 2 Cor. 4. 2 3 4 5. c. 2 Cor. 6. 4 5 c. Col. 1. 6. 23. Act. 5. 14 c. Act. 19. 11 12. and so following force and efficacy of the Doctrine it self addeth no small weight to wit thaâ— it although such an enemy and so ungrateful to the flesh was by a very few Apostles and they plain simple weak Men Men most aliene or free from noâ— only the crime but also the very suspicion of all simulation and forgery Meâ— advantaged by no helps of Worldly Eloquence of no renown upon any accounts of humane Authority without force without arms only by the perswasion of Reasons and Arguments and demonstration of the Spirit withal by men armed meerly with Innocency Sanctity of Life and Patience in a very short time in all places though the whole Kingdom of Satan and all the World almost made resistance and head against it was wonderfully disseminated and so spread it self far and wide on every side into all quarters that innumerable myriads of men
of all ranks Orders and Conditions not only of ignorant or private men but of the most learned and wise not a few leaving their ancient and countrey-rites and Religions in which they were born and bred without any hope of any Earthly advantage nay but rather with a certain expectation of afflictions ignominy and all manner of dangers and miseries did most constantly adhere and cleave thereunto yea so far did the force hereof prevail that all other Religions else although every where establisht by humane power and force the Jewish only excepted because that was of God did almost wholly vanish and became extinct at the rising brightness of the same A Prolepsis or prevention and answering of an objection touching the Testimony of the Church 8. And although indeed the primitive Church which was in the Apostles days might most certainly know and undoubtedly also did know that these †Luk. 1. 1. Col. 4. 16. 1 Thes 5. 27. and 2 Thes 3. 17. Books were written or at least approved of by the Apostles and delivered as it were from hand to hand the knowledg hereof unto us and deposited or left the same with us as a certain pledg in trust yet do we not therefore hold these Books for True and Divine because the primitive Church hath by its uncontrollable Judgment judged them true or that they contain in them Divine Sences or Meanings and hath by its infallible Authority decreed that they be held or accounted for such For first it was not necessary that the Church by its Judgment should define and by its Authority determine that those Books which were written or approved of by the Apostles were true and Divine or of God or no for that both before and without all such manner of Judgment was altogether certain and undoubted of by all Christians both in general and particular insomuch that assoon as any one of them knew that any thing was written or approved of by the Apostles he might even | Eph. 2. 20. Act. 2. 42. 1 Thes 2. 13. thereby and of right ought to know that the same was true and of God or Divine and needed not any other Judgment in the case In the next place neither indeed could such a judgment of the Church suffice seeing no Man can be certain no not so much as probably of the being of any Church unto which such an Authority is said to belong except he be first assured that those books wherein the said Authority is said to be given or assigned to the Church are true Divine and seeing he cannot know and determine for certain that any Church is the true Church of Christ * Rom. 10. 14 15 16 1â— Joh. â—0 3 4 27. 1 Pâ—t 1. 23 24 25. chap. 2. 1 2 3 c. if he be not already undoubtedly sure and certain before that whatsoever is contained in the said Books the same is true and from God for by vertue of that very Faith or Belief whereby the Church embraceth or receiveth that as true â—he her self finally obtains and hath her being a true Church And if indeed such an Authority as this agrees not with the very first primitive Church it self much less ought we to believe that it belongs to any Church at this day or any indeed succeeding that first and primitive one 9. The Doctrine therefore contained The Authâ—â—ty of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 †〈◊〉 1. 2 3. Heb. 1. 1. in these Books is of it self altogether Authentick and indeed of Authority Divine and †uncontrollable and by reason of the infallible vâ—racity of God deserves altogether and challengeth undoubted Credit and Belief and by vertue of its autocratorical or absolute and supream Power most humble Obedience Dâ—â—t 4. 2. â—â— 32 â— Tim. â— 15. â— Pet. â— â— from us And whatsoever ‑ Doctrine or Tradition wants this priviledg of being of a Supream and Divine Revelation it hath not by any Right either the same or the like Authority with it much less that which either decreeth any thing else either contrary to it or diverse from it and that by an usurpt Authority | Mat. 15. 9. 16. 6. Gal. 1 8 9. or at least otherwise than is contained in writing in these Books commandeth it to be declared or being declared to be believed upon the pain and peril of the loss of Salvation since God can neither contradict himself and no Authority either Humane or Angelical ought to be equalled to the Divine 10. And now because such Divine-like The Sacred Scripture is the only Rule of Controversies of Faith Authority as this belongeth unto and agreeth with these very Books only it is therefore even withal necessary that by them * Isa 8. 20. Act. 17. 11. alone as by Touchstones and firm and umovable Rules we examine and try all Controversies and Debates in Religion and by them only to reason discourse and judg of them and so to leave them to God alone and to Jesus Christ as the only supream and infallible †Jâ—m 4. 12. Mat. 23 8. Judg peremptorily to be decided for we are not to think that it was any ways God's will and pleasure in the least that they should be decided by any judicial or authoritative right by any visible Judg and one ordinarily speaking in the Church sith it hath pleased him to leave us in his Word a rule only directive or to judg only | Psal 19. 8 9. 119. 105. Luk. 16. 29 31. directively by and not withal coactively or by way of constraint but that there ought to be an infallible Judg always speaking in the Church he hath no where signified nor hath he in his Word pointed out who he should continually be but hath expresly commanded all every one alike * Deut. 6. 6 7 c. chap. 11. 8. so on to search his Laws or Judgments and Statutes to †1 Joh. 4. 1. so on â— 1 Thes 5. 21. try the Spirits whether they be of God yea to try ‑ all things and to hold fast that which is good and moreover hath promised to such as search into his * Prov. 2. 2 3 4 c. chap. 3. vâ—â—s 13. so on Psal 1. 2. †Act. 17. 11. 2 Pet. 1. 19. Laws and seek the understanding of them his Grace and Holy Spirit and †those who have searched the Scriptures and examined Controversies of Faith by them yea who have diligently tryed by the Rule and Square of the Scripture those things which have been spoken by the Apostles themselves he hath commended and praised them with singular Elogies 11. Therefore they who do freely And not the Church or a Synod c. give themselves or suffer to be given by others this irrefragable Authority of peremptorily deciding of Differences and Controversies of Faith or Religion either all or some either to some certain Church or Synod of Doctors or to any Society
and the Evils indeed which he threatneth that we seriously fear them and the good Things which he promiseth that we do with a firm and undoubted Faith expect them Lastly That we do not so long as we serve Christ too much fear the force and power †Psal 2. 3. 27. 46 throughout Joh. 10. 29. Rom. S. 31 c. Of his Blessedness either of the Devil or Death or Hell or Tyrants or any of other Enemies or for their sakes ever commit or do any thing unworthy of the Name of Christ 23. Because he is most blessed and indeed of perfect Blessedness and glorious Majesty it is our Duty that we earnestly aspire unto or breath after a participation of his Glory and Joy according to our measure and therefore desire to be perfectly united with him after Death to see him face to face and to be blessed and satisfied with the fulness of his House and being supported with this desire and hope unshaken that we sincerely do all things that he commandeth carefully avoid those things which he forbiddeth Lastly That we bear with courage whatsoever he will have us to bear although the Punishments of the most bitter and most ignominions Death were to be undergone by us for his Name And thus far concerning the Nature of God in common or absolutely considered CHAP. III. Of the Holy and Sacred Trinity 1. BUt God is considered by way of The Mystery of the Trinity distinction and relatively under a three fold * Mat. 28. 19. Joh. 14 16 26. 15. 26. 1 Cor. 12. 4 5 6. 2 Cor. 13. 14. Hypostasis or three Persons under which indeed he himself in his Word hath manifested his own Godhead to be considered of us oeconomicallâ— i. e. by way of dispensation and with respect to it self And this †1 John 5. 7. Trinity is Father Son and Holy Ghost As one Hypostasis or Person of the Godhead is * 〈◊〉 without cause that is unproduced and unbegotten another is produced of the Father by Generation or the only begotten of the Father Lastly Another in peculiar manner proceedeth from the Father and the Son or floweth from the Father by the Son 2. For it is the * 1 Cor. 8. 6 Eph. 4. 6. Father only that is The distinction and order of the Persons void of all Original or altogether unbegotten and proceeding from none other but who yet hath from Eternity communicated his own Deity both to his only begotten * Joh. 1. 18 3. 16. Rom. 8. 32 Son not indeed by Creation †Job 1. 6. 2. 1. 38. 7. in which respect the Angels are called the Sons of God nor by gracious | John 1. 11 12. Gal. 3. 26. Adoption by which we that are Believers are also the Sons of God nor only by the * Joh. 3. 35. 5. 22 c gracious communication of Divine Power or Authority and Supreme Glory as he is Mediator but also by a true but yet secret and ineffable †Ps 2. 7. Heb. 1. 2 c. Joh. 1. 18. Generation and also to the Holy Spirit proceeding from both | Joh. 15. 26. Gal. 4. 6. 1 Cor. 2. 11 12. by likewise a secret emanation or spiration and therefore the Father is most justly counted the Fountain and Original of the whole Duty 3. The Son therefore and Holy Their Communion of or in the same Deity Spirit although as to both their hypostasis and manner and order of having the Deity they be truly distinct from the Father yet are they truly partakers of the same Deity or Divine Essence and Nature absolutely and in common considered with the Father as amongst other considerations is chiefly proved from the Divine * Joh. 1. 1 2 c. 20. 28. Rom. 9. 5. Col. 1. 15 c. Heb. 1. 2 c. Rev. 1. 2. 3. 4. almost throughout Names or Titles †Isa 11. 1 c. 63. 10. 1 Cor. 2. 10 c. 3. 16 c. 6â—9 22. 12. 4. 11. Act. 5. 4. 13. 2. 20. 28. Mat. 12. 31 32. also from the Divine Properties and Operations which are every where in the Sacred Scriptures clearly given to them both And here is the sum of the whole Apostles Creed wherein we profess that we believe in one God the Father Almighty c. And in his only begotten Son c. And lastly In the Holy Ghost 4. And these things may suffice concerning A pious Caution concerning this Mystery even this Mystery the which indeed to treat of very soberly prudently and religiously we judg altogether necessary and very safe as far as may be to express the same in the proper and express Phrases or Words of the Holy Ghost Since the Spirit of God himself * 1 Cor. 2. 10 c. Joh. 1. 18. Mat. 11. 27. must best know himself and be best able most rightly and truly to express his own Nature nay farther and hath also been pleased as far as is necessary and sufficient to declare the same unto us in his Word whom we ought so long reverently most religiously to follow until at length we †1 Joh. 3. 2 1 Cor. 13. 12. see God himself face to face know him perfectly as he will then indeed in that glorious World to come hold forth himself most clearly to be seen and known of us And thus far indeed of God himself CHAP. IV. Of the Knowledg of the Works of God 1. IN the second place there come to Of the Works of God their various Vse be considered the Works of God whereby he manifesteth his own Glory and communicateth certain good things unto us and in some respect holdeth forth himself to be known of us and which consequently are a certain Foundation whereon there is grounded a right and authority in God * Exod. 20. throughout Deut. 32. 6 c. Ps 136 throughout Act. 17 24. c. Rev. 4 11. by vertue or reason whereof he may and of Right usually doth require Worship of us both for matter and manner or kind as he pleaseth also a Justice and Equity according unto which we are obliged to yeeld unto him wholly and entirely such Worship †Mal. 1. 6. 2. 10. as himself according to his due right requireth of us 2. These kind of works fall under a 1. Division into Decree and Execution twofold consideration 1. As they were fore-known and fore-ordained of God | Act. 15. 18. Eph. 1. 4 c. 1. Cor. 2. 7. 2 Tim. 1. 9. 1 Peâ— 1. 20. before all ages or before the Foundations of the World were laid which are wont in one word to be called his Decrees 2. As they are manifested in time or according to the manner and order now long since most wisely established and pitcht upon in the Divine Decree whether general or special or absolute or
reflect or look back upon his Creator and remain always freely subject to him Again | Exod. 19. 5 c. Deut. 27 28. 2 Cor. 5. 11. 7. 1. 2 Pet. 1. 3 4. 1 Joh. 3. 5. Rev. 3. 18. Ezek. 18. 30 c. Act. 2 22 c. 10. 38. Psal 81. 14. Isa 48. 18. that Man might willingly and chearfully yield and perform the said Obedience God ratifies and confirms the Law which he makes for him by notable and great Promises and Threatnings and that he may the more effectually and the better draw out and procure the same he maketh use of divers Perswasions Exhortations Entreaties Signs mighty Works and Wonders with him c. And doth excite put forward help and strengthen him as far indeed as is sufficient that Man might really and truely obey him and persevere in such his Obedience even to the end Thirdly * Psal 10. 17. 18. 20. 33. 18. Rom. 12. 1 2. Heb. 13. 16 Mal. 3. 16 17. his Obedience and Actions obedientially performed he doth with special care observe approve of delight in them and always faithfully remember them as worthy of his promised gracious Reward and as such continually setteth them in his sight 3. As touching Disobedience or * Psal 5. 5 6. 11. 5 6. Zech. 8. 17. Psal 81. 15. Act. 1416. Sins Providence about sins although he hate it with the greatest Hatred yet doth he wittingly and willingly permit or suffer it to be yet not with such a permission the which being granted Disobedience cannot but follow for so disobedience would as necessarily follow from Gods permission as the effect doth its cause and by this means God would be altogether the Author of sin yea sin would indeed be no longer sin much less worthy of Eternal punishment but which being granted Man only may become actually disobedient though not without danger or punishment if he be altogether so minded or will For What permission is true Permission requireth that not only the power of the Will be free in it self but also that the use and exercise of the said power be free also and indifferently disposed or enclined to the opposites or contraries or that it remain free from all necessity whatever both inward and outward Secondly †Prov. 16. 9. 21. 1. Ezek. 21. 20 21 22. Gen. 45. 3 c. 50. 20 21. Isa 10. 5 c. Joh. 7. 30. 18. 5 c. Luk. 22. 53. Mat. 24. 22. 1 Cor. 10. 13. Psal 124. 125. 2 Pet. 2. 9. 2 Cor. 4. 8 9. the actions that flow or proceed from Disobedience he variously according to his own Infinite Wisdome directeth them either unto this or that object and to some certain end what for matter and kind he pleaseth Man himself oftentimes knowing nothing of it nor suspecting any such matter yea sometimes when it is wholly against his Will and he doth withal so determine or bound them that they do not always really come into act when the Devil and Wicked Men would have them neither are so many nor so grievous nor last so long as they would desire them Thirdly | Exod. 34. 7. Rom. 9. 18. Nahum 1. 2 3. Psal 11. 6. being committed he punisheth or remitteth them as seemeth good to himself But he never decrees evil actions that they should be nor doth he approve of them nor love them * Jam 1. 13. neither doth he ever properly bid or command them much less so as to cause or procure them or to stir up or force any one to them and for the same so procured by himself to punish and take vengeance on him but he always seriously hates and †Psal â— 5. Zech. 8. 1â— Jer. 15. 1. Ezek 14. 14. Rom. 1. 25 c. 2. 5 c. 2 Thes 2. 10 11. detests them and therefore doth holily prohibit and forbid them and at length doth punish sinners especially the rebellious and obstinate severely for them 4. The manner of this same Providence The various manner of Previdence about divers kinds of things and men doth vary both in respect of quantity and also of quality In respect of quantity because first it doth not primarily nor equally extend its care and affection to all its objects alike For it taketh care of Men first and more | 1 Cor. 9. 9. Mat. 6. 26 27. than of other living Creatures and among Men more of the Godly * Psal 33. 18. 1 Pet. 5. 7. Psal 105. 5. than of the ungodly and among the Godly those that are eminent that is those who excel or are eminent either for Virtue †2 Chron. 16. 22. Act. 18. 10. Psal 73. 1 c. Zech. 2. 8. Psal 91. 11 12. Mat. 4. 6. or places of Office and Divine Gifts either in the Church or Common-Wealth above others Whereunto also belongeth that of the Apostle Doth God take care for Oxen Secondly he doth love and accept more of internal actions morally good in themselves than of bare or meer Persons | Gen. 4. 7. Pro. 16. 7. Jer. 7. 3. c. Heb. 11. 5. 6. Joh. 14. 22 23. 15. 14. 16. 27. For such or such actions do not therefore please him because the person doth in some respect or other please him but on the contrary because these actions please him therefore the Person pleaseth him Thirdly towards Persons not yet doing their duty whether because of gross Ignorance under which through the corruption of the times they still labour or by reason of some finful habit haply more deeply rooted than ordinarily and which they cannot easily put off he oftentimes exerciseth greater Patience * Act. 17. 30. 1 Tim. 1. 13. Rev. 2. 3. Heb. 6. 4 c. and 10. 26 27 28. 2 Pet. 2. 20 21. Longsuffering and Forbearance than towards those that are illuminated and do either constantly or ever and anon make head against or resist their enlightned Conscience or have more frequently relapsed Fourthly about those who are truly pious and already do their duty he ordinarily shews greater †Psal 5. 11 12. 18. 20 c. Mat. 13. 12. 25. 29. 1 Cor. 1. 7. Phil. 1. 6. Rev. 3. 9. 10. Affection Pleasure Study and Care about them than about any others Whence also he affords them more and greater Assistances of his Grace Gifts of his Holy Spirit and Means of Salvation than to others yea he is wont to bear with them with greater Patience and Forbearance and more ardent Zeal when they fall through infirmity then with others Fiftly and lastly towards those who altogether do not their duty and are guilty of long contumacy and rebellion he commonly exerciseth greater hatred and wrath towards them than towards any other sinners whatsoever to wit by laying upon | Psal 5. 5 c. Psal 109. 17 c. Eâ—od 7 8. Lev. 26. 14 c. Isa 6. 9. Joh. 12. 40 2
and Worship proper and peculiar to Jesus Christ as he is Mediator of which hereafter in their order and place 9. But from hence it appeareth that Jesus Christ is not our Saviour in one way or upon one account only and alone to wit not only by his Preaching Example Martyrdom or Suffering or that he is not so only therefore because he hath declared unto us the way of Eternal Life and confirmed it by Miracles also by the examplariness of his Life and by his Death and by this means hath purchased to himself a Supreme power and virtue to save us But withall indeed by virtue of Merit with or towards God and Efficacy arising or proceeding therefrom and immediatly respecting us By virtue of Merit doubtless or Desert * Mat. 20 28. Rom 5. 8 9 19 Phil. 2. 5 c. Tim. 2. 5 6. because he hath merited eternal Salvation for us by his Obedience or because by the Mediation hereof especially of his violent and bloody Death as by a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Price of Redemption and propitiatory Sacrifice God hath thus far reconciled all Sinners unto himself that for the sake of this Price of Redemption and Sacrifice he was pleased to be at one with them again and to open the door of eternal Salvation and way of Immortality to them even as it was prefigured many ages before under divers Types Figures and Shadows †Lev. 16. Heb. 9 10. of the Old Testament and especially under the Type of that solemn Sacrifice which the High-Priest once every year performed in the Holy of Holies And he is our Saviour indeed by way of Efficacy | Rom. 3. 34 c. chap. 14. 9. 1 Jol 2. 12. Heâ— 4. 4 c. 1 Pâ—t 1. 3. in as much as he doth effectually apply the Spirituall virtue and fruit of the said Merit of his to his faithful Followers and really affords it to them to enjoy and makes them through Faith really partakers of all those Benefits which he by his Obedience hath purchased for them of which more afterwards 10. But those Men who hold that there The Confutation of an Errour was both an absolute Election and an absolute Reprobation of certain Persons whether considered before the Fall or only under or after the Fall without Faith in Christ on the one hand or Disobedience on the other hand was in order first made and past before Jesus Christ was designed of the Father as a Mediator for them they enervate nay do wholly and utterly overthrow the universal force and vertue of this same Merit and the truth and reality of its Efficacy Neither indeed was it necessary that there should be made any true or real Expiation of Sins by the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Redemption of Christ for them nay nor indeed was it so much as possible if Truth may be freely spoken who were now long before by name peremptorily and absolutely destinated or appointed part unto Life part unto Death For the Elect as they call them or those who are predestinated unto Life have no need of any such Expiation and Reconciliation because upon the very account of their being precisely or absolutely elected unto Salvation they are like wise upon the same account in actual Favour with God and already necessarily beloved of him with the highest and immutable Love and such as is peculiar to those that are Sons and Heirs of God And as for the Reprobate as they call them they themselves deny that there was or is any Atonement truly made for them and besides the thing is absurd of it self as that which implyes a contradiction For upon their being reprobated according to these Mens Opinion they are thereupon wholly and altogether excluded from the Atonement made by Christ Because those whom God hath by an immutable Decree once reprobated or excluded from Salvation or devoted to to eternal Destruction he doth not seriously will nor can will nor can will that any thing savingly good should really be conferred upon them much less that the said Atonement should be common to them with the Elect. And thus far in general of the chief Works of God hitherto CHAP. IX Of the Knowledg of the Will of God revealed in the New Covenant 1. FUrthermore the Will of God A twofold Will of God in the New Testament * Jer. 31. 31 c. Heb. 8. 9. 9. 15 c. ch 10. 15 c. comprehended in the Covenant of Grace which our most high Prophet the only begotten Son of God hath clearly and fully revealed unto us in his Gospel contains two chief heads First those things which God on his part by his Son Jesus Christ hath decreed to do or work in us or about us that we may be made partakers of that eternal Salvation that is offered to us by him Secondly those things which he altogether wills by the mediation or means of his own Grace to be done by us if we will really obtain eternal Salvation 2. Those things which God hath decreed A Subdivision of the former to do on his part in order to our Salvation are chiefly two 1. He hath decreed for the honour of his beloved Son by him to choose unto himself for Sons unto Salvation and Life eternal to adopt justifie seal with his Holy Spirit and at last to glorifie †Joh. 3. 16. c. ch 6. 29. Eph. 1. 3 4 c. Rom. 8. 28 c. 2 Tim. 1. 9 c. Heb. 3. 6 14. all those and those only who truly believe in his Name or obey his Gospel and persevere in the said Faith and Obedience even unto death and on the contrary to reprobate or reject from Life and Salvation | Joh. 3. 18 36. Mat. 25. 41 c. Unbelievers and Impenitent Persons and everlastingly to condemn them 2. He hath decreed through or by his same Son to confer or bestow upon all that are called although wretched Sinners such effectual Grace * Tit. 2. 11 12. Act. 3. 26. 5. 31. 26. 16 c. 2 Cor. 5. 18 19 20. 6. 1. 2 Pet. 1. 3 4. as by which they may be truly and really enabled to believe on Christ their Saviour obey his Gospel and be delivered from the Dominion and Guilt of Sin yea also by which they may actually believe obey and be delivered unless by a new Contumacy and Rebellion they reject the Grace of God that is offered unto them 3. The first Decree is the Decree of Predestination unto Salvation Predestination unto Salvation or of Election unto Glory whereby is established as well the real necessity as profitableness of our Faith and Obedience in reference to our obtaining Salvation and Glory before which dogmatically to See Calv. and the Canons of the Synod of Dort assign or assent another Decree first or before it in order whereby some certain particular Persons by name were elected and that indeed
third is that the Will of God 3 Is for the doing of Gods will may be done in Earth as in Heaven that is that God would grant us and others that Grace * Phil. 2. 13 14. 1 Thess 5. 23 24. 2 Thess 1. 11. that we might every one do his Will now heretofore expressed in his Commandments as readily and as chearfully as the holy †Dan. 7. 10. Mat. 18. 10. Heb. 1. 14 Angels in Heaven are wont to performe it In the next place that those evils which God either | Heb. 10. 36. 12. 7 c. 1 Pet. 3. 17. 4. 12 ctc. suffereth or willeth and procureth to befall us we may bear them patiently and without any repining improve them unto our spiritual advantage or proficiency in Faith and Obedience And furthermore of our Salvation 9. The fourth is that he would 4 For daily Bread give us this day our daily Bread That is that he would vouchsafe always to give us all things | Mat. 5. 25 31 c. 1 Tim. 6. 8. Heb. 13. 5. Phil. 4. 11 12 13. which are necessary for us to pass this life withal without any true and reall want or debility of body and on the contrary to pass it in Peace and Tranquillity and to attend upon and with a serious cheerfulness of Mind and Spirits diligently to apply our selves and to mind those things that are most sacred and holy and that those things which he hath already given us and bountifully bestowed upon us he would be pleased continually further to bless them unto us that so being by their help and means as by * Lev. 26. 26. a Staff sustained and supported we may the better be employed in sanctifying of his †Mat. 6. 33. Luk. 10. 41. 42. Name propagating of his Kingdom and in the doing of his Will and indeed apply our studies and time unto Godliness without distraction 5 For forgiveness of Sins 10. The fifth is that he would forgive us our Debts as we also forgive our Debtors that is that he would graciously pardon unto us in Christ all | Mat. 6. 14 15. 18. 21 35. Luk. 7. 47. 18. 13. Rom. 4. 7 c. our sins at any time committed either through error and mistake or Infirmity or chiefly through Wickedness and Malice even as we also do from our Heart â—ardon and are always ready to pardon â—ll * Col. 3. 12 13. 1 Pet. 4. 8. 1 Joh. 1. 7 9. 2. 7 9. Injuries and Offences and that upâ—n this account only because he willeth and commandeth it to all those who at any time have hurt or wronged us 11. The sixth is that he would not For the mitigating of Temptations â—ead us into Temptation but deliver us from evil that is that he would not at any time suffer us to be opprest †Mat. 26. 41. 2 Pet. 2. 9. Rev. 3. 10. by too sore and long Temptations much less to be overcome by them * 1 Cor. 10. 13. or to be endangered above our strength but that he would †Eph. 3. 16 17 18. 6. 11 c. 1 Thess 3. 2 c. 1 Pet. 5. 10. Heb. 13. 20 21. Rom. 5. 2 c. always according to his singular power and also Fatherly Love strengthen and support us by his Holy Spirit especially in sore Afflictions difficult Dangers and Calamities and other evils of that kind by which Satan assayeth altogether to destroy us and to turn us from God lest haply being too much prest thereby we design and commit any thing which may be contrary to his Divine Will and prejudicial to our own Salvation or a good Conscience Lastly that * 1 Cor. 10. 13. 1 Pet. 5. 8 9 10. 1 Joh. 5. 18. he would always together with the Temptation afford an happy event or issue that we may be able to bear it and so at length be delivered froâ— all the snares and enticements and a the fraud and force of Satan yea anâ— freed from all danger of everlasting peâ—dition 12. The Conclusion hath a threefolâ— A threefold reason of these Petitions ground or reason why we should makâ— bold to desire and ask of God in Prayeâ— those things of which we have alreadâ— spoken and consequently why it becometh us to ask them Because indeed hiâ— is the †Psal 145. 11 12 13. 146. 10. Rev. 12. 10. 2 Pet. 2. 4. Kingdom that is because he himself only is absolute and obnoxious oâ— subject to none being King and Lord oâ— all and who hath command and righâ— over all and therefore over even Satan himself though God and Prince of thiâ— World Because also his is the Power | Psal 115. 3. Mar. 14. 36. Rev. 12. 7 8. that is because he alone can do that is give take away send turn away permit hinder whatsoever he will and that according to his own alone Mind and good pleasure and therefore is he one against whom Satan together with the whole World cannot at all prevail so as for to destroy us Lastly because his is the Glory that is * 1 Cor. 6. 20. 10. 30 31. Col. 3. 17. 1 Pet. 4. 11. Rev. 10. 5 6. because it is he alone and he only to whom we ought to ascribe whatsoever good we either wish for and desire or already have and possess and unto whose alone Glory as to its last end our whole and universal good is to redound 13. But because those who piously Of the word Amen worship God are certainly perswaded of their Prayers being heard which they pour out or make according to the Will of God and because they wish and most earnestly desire †1 Joh. 3. 22. 5. 14 15. 1 Cor. 14. 16. Psal 89. 52. that the everlasting Glory of God and their own Salvation may more and more be promoted by the same therefore is there subjoyned the word Amen Which partly contains a certain Affirmation or avouching of the things propounded and partly also a pious Wish and religious Vow of a faithful or believing Soul 14. The other part or kind or sort of Of giving of Thanks Prayer largely taken is giving of thanks * Eph. 5. 10 19 20. Phil. 4. 6. 1 Thess 5. 15 18. 2 Thess 1. 3. 2. 13. 1 Tim. 2. 1. whereby we give thanks unto God by Jesus Christ for benefits already received whether pertaining to this Life or to that which is to come and that both in publick and in private especially in his Church and testify and declare †Psal 116. 1 c. 2 Cor. 9. 11 12 c. Col. 1. 12. 13. 3. 16. 17. a thankful and mindful Heart both by a singular study and exercise of Piety and by Praises Psalms Hymns Almsdeeds and other pious Duties and such as make for the Glory of God and the Good of Neighbour according to the quality and quantity both of
But besides and over and above Against the invocation of or praying to Saints this one †1 Tim. 2. 5. Mediator between God and Man religously to worship any others either | Col. 2. 18. Rev. 19. 10. 22. 9. Angels or Men whether living or dead whether they have been really and truly Holy or only so in our opinion only that is to give them more than civil reverence or to invocate and pray unto them as indeed our Patrons and Advocates with God or to dedicate Temples Altars Feasts unto them to offer Sacrifices to make vows unto them or to trust in their Merits and Power and Grace and Favour with God c. we judg wholly and altogether unlawful and displeasing to God especially when the business is concerning the dead although Saints for that the Holy Scriptures †Heb. 4. 10. Rev. 14 13. Job 3. 11. 12 13 c. ch 41. 21. Eccl. 9. 5. 2 King 22. 20. Isa 38. 19. 63. 16. everywhere affirm of them that they know not our condition or concerns and that they no way mind those things that are done under the Sun Yet that the memory both of the one and the other is holily to be kept and their vertues with worthy praises to be celebrated and to be proposed or commended to us and others for our and their imitation we rightly judg So far are we either from condemning or any ways blaming the mutual intercession of Believers * Rom. â—5 30. 2 Cor. 1. 11. Eâ—h 6. 18 19. Col. 4. 3. 2 Thess 3. 2. Heb. 13. 18. who are yet alive with God for one another CHAP. XVII Of the Benefits and Promises of God and first of Election unto Grace or Calling unto Faith 1. BUt that Man might not only be The benefits of God that precede Faith able to do or perform those Commandments of God which have hitherto been expounded but that he might be willing to do them readily freely and heartily it hath pleased God on his part to do all things that are * Jer. 31. 32 33 34. Heb. 8. 8 c. Ezek. 11. 19. 36. 22 c. 2 Cor. 7. 1. 2 Pet. 1. 3 4. 1 Joh. 3. Col. 1. 4 5. 1 Pet. 1. 3 4 c. necessary for the effecting of both these in Man that is he hath determined to bestow such Grace upon Man that was and is a sinner whereby he might be apt and fit to perform all that which is required of him in the Gospel and further to promise such good things unto him whose excellency and beauty might far exceed the capacity of all humane understanding and the desire and certain hope whereof might provoke and inflame the Will of Man actually to yield obedience to the same All which indeed benefits God who is most merciful in himself and fatherly affected towards us in Christ is wont by his Holy †1 Cor. 2. 10 c. ch 12. 3 c. 2 Cor. 3. 6 c. 1 Joh. 2. 20 27. Rom. 5. 5. 8. 9 c. Spirit whereof we have treated more largely before both to make known unto us and also really to bestow and confer upon us 2. First therefore God bestoweth Vocation or calling unto Faith Grace | Mat. 11. 20 c. Joh. 5. 34 40. 6. 44 45. 2 Pet. 1. 2 3 4. on sinners not only necessary but also sufficient for their yielding Faith and Obedience when he calleth them by the Gospel unto himself and seriously prescribeth to them Faith and Obedience under the promise of eternal Life on the one hand and the threatning of eternal Death on the other This Vocation or Calling in Scriptures is sometimes called * 1 Cor. 1. 26. 2 Tim. 1. 9. 1 Pet. 2. 9. Election or Choosing to wit unto Grace or the means of Salvation differing much from Election unto Glory or Salvation it self of which hereafter Now this Vocation is wrought and completed by the †Mat. 28. 18. Joh. 5. 34. Rom. 10. 14 15. 2 Cor. 3. 5 6. preaching of the Gospel and the Virtue or Power of the Spirit joyned therewith and that indeeed with a gracious and serious intention to save and therefore to bring unto Faith | 1 Tim. 2. 4 c. Tit. 2. 11. 1 Pet. 1. 23 25. all those that are called whether they really believe and are saved or no and so obstinately refuse to believe and consequently to be saved 3. For there is one Vocation that is †Rom. 8. 28. 29. 1 Cor. 1. 24 26. effectual so called rather from the event A twofold sort thereof then from the bare or sole intention of God to wit which doth obtain its saving Effect not indeed for that it is out of a precise or absolute intent of saving so administred by some certain and singular Wisdom of God so as effectually or successfully to agree with the Will of him that is called by an irresistable Power or by some Omnipotent force which is neither more nor less than creation or raising from the dead so | Act. 2. 4 13 48. Rom. 6. 17. 1 Thess 2. 13. efficaciously determined to believe that he cannot but believe and obey but because man who is now called and sufficiently prepared doth not resist God that calleth him nor set any Bar against the divine Grace which otherwise he might set against the same There is indeed another that is * Prov. 1. 24. 25. Ez. 12. 1. Isa 5. 1 c. Mat. 23. 37. Luk. 7. 30. Joh. 5. 40. Act. 7. 5. 13. 46. 2 Thess 3. 1 2. Contrary to the Cannons of the Synod of Dort ch 3 4. sufficient but yet withal ineffectual to wit which on man's part is without any saving effect and through the alone voluntary and vincible or avoidable fault of man becomes unfruitful or obtains not its wished and due event and end 4. The former which is accompanied Conversion or regeneration on Gods part with its saving effect or is already in its exercit act is sometimes called in Scripture * Act. 3. 19 26. 1 Thess 1. 9. Conversion †Joh. 3. 5 c. Jam. 1. 18. Regeneration a | Eph. 2. 6. Spiritual raising from the dead and a * Gal. 4. 19. 2 Cor. 5. 17. Eph. 2. 10. new Creation to wit because by it we are effectually turned from a corrupt course of living to live †Tit. 2. 11 12. soberly justly and piously and are raised of God from a | Rom. 6. 2 c. death of sin or a deadly custom of sinning unto a Spiritual life or Holy way of living Lastly being reformed according unto the * Rom. 6. 17. similitude or likeness both of the doctrine and of the life of Christ we are as it were begotten again and so by repentance and faith are in him made †Eph. 2. 24. Col. 3. 10. new Creatures 5. Man therefore hath not saving
Faith and conversion are not of our selves †Mat. 11. 17. 13. 11. 16. 17. c. Faith of or from himself nor is he born again or converted by the power of his own free will seeing in the State | Mat. 7. 17. 12. 34. Joh. 6. 44 45 65. 3. 5 c. of sin he cannot so much as think much less will or do any good which is indeed savingly good such is in special manner Conversion and saving Faith of or from himself but it is necessary that he be regenerated and wholly renewed * Phil. 1. 5 6. 2. 13. Eph. â— 1 c. Jam. 1. 17 18. 1 Pet. 1. 23. of God in Christ by the word of the Gospel and by the virtue of the Holy Spirit in conjunction therewith to wit in understanding affections will and all his powers and faculties that he may be able rightly to understand meditate on will and perform these things that are savingly good 6. We conclude therefore that the But from the grace of God alone grace of God is †Eph. 2. 5 18. Tit. 2. 11 12 13. 3. 4 5. Phil. 1. 6. the beginning | Joh. 15. 5. 1 Cor. 1. 4 c. progress and * 1 Thess 5. 23 24. Eph. 6. 13. complement of all good so that not so much as a regenerate man himself can without this preceding or preventing exciting following and co-operating Grace think will or perform any thing that is savingly good much less resist any †Mat. 26. 41. 1 Cor. 10. 13. Eph. 2. 4 c. temptations that do draw and entice unto evil Insomuch that Faith Conversion and all good works and all pious saving actions which any one can think of are wholly to be ascribed to the Grace of God in Christ as their principal and primary cause 7. Yet may man | Ezek. 12. 2. Prov. 1. 24 25. Mat. 13. 19. 23. 37. Act. 7 51. 13. 46. despise and reject The grace of God may be resisted the Grace of God and resist the operation of it so that when he is called of God unto Faith and Obedience he may render himself unfit to believe and obey the divine Will and that by his own proper fault and that too true and vincible either through * Mat. 13. 19. secure inadvertency or through †Joh. 7. 3 4 5 51. blind prejudice or through | 2 Cor. 3. 13. Rom. 10. 2 3. inconsiderate zeal or through an inordinate love of the * Luk. 14. 18. World or of †himself or other irritating or provoking causes of that kind For such an irresistible Grace or force which as to its efficacy is neither more nor less than ‑ Joh. 5. 44. Creation not Generation properly so called nor raising from the dead and which doth effect the very act of Faith and Obedience in such manner that it being afforded or granted a Man cannot but believe and obey cannot certainly but altogether ineptly and unwisely be there made use of and applied where free Obedience is seriously commanded and that under the promise of an exceeding great reward in case it be performed and under the threatning of the sorest punishment if it be neglected For in vain and without cause doth he command this Obedience and require it of another and promise to reward the Obedience who himself both ought and will work the very act of Obedience by such a force as cannot be resisted and ineptly against reason is he rewarded as one truly and really Obedient in whom this very Obedience is effected by such a kind of force of another's Lastly punishment especially eternal is unjustly Another twofold reason for resistible grace and cruelly inflicted on him by whom this Obedience is not performed through the sole and alone defect of that irresistible Grace which is indeed necessary as one disobedient who really and indeed is not disobedient That we may not now say that it is every where in the Scriptures affirmed of some that they have * 2 Cor. 4. 4. 2 Thess 3. 2. 2 Tim. 3. 2 c. 1 Joh. 5. 4. c. resisted the Holy Ghost that they †Act. 7. 51. judged or rather made themselves unworthy of eternal Life | Act. 13. 46. that they made void the Counsel of God against themselves that they would not * Luk. 7. 30. hear †Prov. 1. 24 25. come | Joh. 5. 40. obey that they have * Act. 7. 39. closed their ears and †Zech. 7. 11 12 13. Jer. 5. 3. hardened their hearts c. And of others that they heard the Word readily and | Act. 28. 24. Heb. 3. 12 13. 4. 2. Psal 95. 7 8. willingly that they obeyed the Truth and the Faith that they shewed themselves attentive and teachable that they * Act. 2. 41. 13. 47. 6. 7. 17. 11. Rom. 6. 17. 1 Pet. 1. 22. attended unto the Truth of the Gospel that they received the Word with chearfulness and that they were therein more generous then those who rejected the same lastly that they obeyed the Truth or the Gospel from the Heart c. All which things certainly to attribute to those who either can no ways believe or obey or cannot but believe and obey when they are called is doubtless too inept or weak and plainly ridiculous 8. And though there be a very great Sufficient grace is afforded to all that are calâ—ed disparity of * Rom. 12. 6 c. 1 Pet. 4. 10. Grace according indeed to the most free dispensation of the Divine Will yet doth the Holy Spirit bestow and confer so much †Mat. 11. 21. Tit. 3. 4 c. 1 Pet. 1. 23. 2. 9. Jam. 1. 18. 2 Cor. 3. 6. Heb. 4. 12. Grace upon all Men both in general and in particular to whom the Work of Faith is ordinarily preached as is sufficient to beget Faith in them and to carry on their saving conversion gradually unto the end And therefore not only those who do actually believe and are converted but also those | Isa 62. 2. Ezek. 18. 11. Prov. 1. 24 c. Mat. 23. 37. Luk. 8. 12. who do not actually believe and are not really converted have sufficient grace vouchsafed to them to believe and to be converted For whom soever God doth call unto Faith and Salvation he * Tit. 2. 11 12. 2 Tim. 1. 9. 2 Cor. 5. 20. 6. 1 c. Isa 5. 2 c. Psal 85. 13 14. Joh. 5. 34. 10. 10. calleth them seriously that is to say he doth not call them only in outward shew or only by his vocal Word to wit as therein his serious Precepts and Promises are held forth to those that are called in general but also with a sincere and every way unfeigned intention of saving them will of converting them So that he never intended any
decree of absolute Reprobation or immerited or undeserved blinding or hardening to precede or pass before concerning them CHAP. XVIII Of the promises of God that are performed in this life to those that are already converted and are Believers that is of Election unto Glory of Adoption Justification Sanctification and of Obsignanation or Sealing 1. COncerning Men that are sinners Five saving acts about or towards believers in this life but yet are already effectually called and converted by the Grace of God unto the Faith of Jesus Christ and who do by the help of the same Grace by true Faith order their life according to the Commandments of Jesus Christ God is pleased and useth to exercise towards them and to prosecute them with several †Rom. 8. 28 c. Eph. 1. 3 c. saving acts but of two sorts of which indeed some pertain to this Life others to that which is to come 2. The acts which pertain to this 1. Election unto Salvation 2. Adoption or Sonship Life are five of which the two former are Election unto Glory and Adoption or Divine Filiation or Sonship By the one of which * Mar. 13. 20. Jam. 2. 5. Rom. 8. 29. they that are already converted and do truly believe are separated from the profane rabble of those that perish and being exempted out of the number of those that are to be damned as to their present estate are as it were set apart for God's own peculiar Treasure By the other the same are moreover more nearly or throughly taken into the †Joh. 1. 12. Rom. 8. 17. Gal. 3. 26. 4. 5 7. Houshold of God and so unto a Right of the Heavenly inheritance in due time to be entred upon and so are ranked and registred among those that shall be saved or among those whom God will no ways punish but will pardon unto them their Sins freely in or through Christ Although Adoption * Rom. 8. 23. Luk. 6. 36. 1 Joh. 3. 1 c. elsewhere in Scripture is wont also to denote the very Redemption it self of our bodies or the blessed Resurrection to wit because the complement and consummation thereof will then and there at length appear 3. To these are immediatly joyned 3. Justification or absolution other Acts as Justification Sanctification and lastly a certain singular or peculiar Obsignation or Sealing by the Holy Spirit Justification is a merciful and gracious and indeed full absolution or discharge of a Sinner that truly repenteth and believeth from all †Psal 32. 1 c. Luk. 18. 13 14. Act. 10. 43. 13. 38 39. Heb. 8. 12. Rom. 3. 24 c. guilt before God through and for the sake of Jesus Christ apprehended or laid hold on by true Faith or a gratuitous or free remission of all Sins obtained or received by true Faith in Jesus Christ yea further also a liberal and munificent imputation of Faith it self * Rom. 4. 3 c. 5. 1 c. unto or for Righteousness for that indeed in God's judgment and account we attain not unto it but of Gods mere pure grace †Gal. 2. 16. Eph. 2. 4 c. Tit. 3. 4 c. and by Faith only in Jesus Christ but yet a living one and such as worketh by love without all merit of our own works And this is the meaning of that Article of the Creed when we say I believe the remission or forgiveness of Sins 4. Sanctification in special manner 4. Sanctification strictly taken so called for †1 Cor. 1. 2. 6. 11. Heb. 2. 11. 2 Thess 2. 13. 1 Pet. 1. 2. Act. 20. 32. 26. 18. otherwise sometime in the Sacred Scripture it is taken for Regeneration also or Conversion or effectual Calling of which before or finally for any Spiritual cleansing whatever although it be only outward is a certain more perfect and which continually grows and increaseth separation of the Sons or Children of God from this impure or unclean World being partly a more plentiful and fuller enlightening of true Believers and such as out of Faith diligently perform and do their duty in the * Joh. 7. 17 18. Joh. 2. 20 27. Heb. 6. 4. 10. 10 14. knowledg of the Will of God which even God oftentimes is wont to effect and work in many and admirable manners partly a more †1 Thess 5. 23. 2 Tim. 2. 21. effectual and through-extimulation or engaging of them unto a constant hatred of Sin and study of Holiness true Godliness and a confirmation of them in this zeal or earnest affection so that the Will of a Man that is a true Believer is made more prone and enclined yea more chearful unto vertue every day than other And these obstacles or hindrances which otherwise he is wont to meet with in his study of piety and vertue he either suffereth them not to be lay'd in his way or being laid he diligently and carefully removes them and couragiously and chearfully overcomes them 5. Obsignation or Sealing by the Holy Spirit 5. Obsignation or Sealing by the Holy Spirit is a more solid and strong confirmation * Rom. 5. 5. 8. 15 16. 2 Cor. 1. 21 22. 5. 5. of us in a true confidence and hope of the Heavenly Glory and certainty or assurance of the Grace and Favour of God whereby it comes to pass that Believers as by an earnest or certain pledg received are more and more assured of their Adoption Justification and finally of their following Glorification and unless themselves hinder it they may be preserved even unto * Eph. 1. 13 14. 4. 30. 1 Cor. 1. 8 9. Phil. 1. 6 7 c. the end in a sence or feeling of the Grace of God and in true Faith against all manner of temptations or may have the gift of a total and final perseverance vested in them and bestowed upon them 6. And these kinds of gracious acts Three sorts of just or justified Persons in this life God exerciseth towards all those and only those though unequally and in different measure who truly believe and repent of whom therefore in the Scriptures we find three sorts or orders 1. Of those †Mat. 13. 20. Luk. 8. 12 13 14. 1 Cor. 3. 1 c. Gal. 1. 6 c. Rev. 2. 3. ch who are called novices or beginners and who are newly or but lately converted to the Faith who together with a sincere assent do withal bring indeed a serious and deliberate purpose or resolution of obeying the Divine Will but yet such as when Persecution or the Cross and Affiictions or other dangerous Temptations do arise doth immediately again grow weak or sometimes also vanisheth and wholly decayeth 2. Of those * Mat. 10. 17 c. 24. 9 c. ◠Thess 3. 3 c. 1 Tim. 1. 19. 4. 1 c. Heb. 6. 4 c. 10. 31. 2 Pet.
longer have or account them for his people and therefore doth righteously withdraw from them the †Joh. 12. 35. Luk. 13. 24. 17. 22. Mat. 10. 14 c. Act. 14. 16. Rev. 2. 5 c. Grace of his holy Spirit which hath been so often despised by them yea sometimes also he thinks not meet to bestow upon them those outward means which he is wont ordinarily to make use of for the Salvation of his people to wit by leaving them in their own darkness and sins without true Pastours Godly Teachers or Monitors and diligent Searchers out of Truth 3. Next followeth Blinding and 2 Blinding Hardening | Isa 6. 9. Mat. 13. 14 15. Joh. 12. 40. Act. 28. 26. Hardening to wit when these sinners being now left destitute of the light of Heavenly Truth are by Gods permission and just judgment deeply involved in * Rom. 9. 18. 11. 8. gross ignorance and errours and in wonderful and divers manners seduced and when they are given up to their own †Rom. 1. 24 26. c. unclean lusts or left to their vile or filthy affections or are on every side exposed to the temptations delusions and snares of | 2 Cor. 4. 4. 2 Thess 2 11 12. Satan also when their wicked counsels endeavours and * Psal 10. 4 c. 71. 4 c. Jer. 44. 17 18. Deut. 32. 14 15. practises are suffered for a time to go on with some happy success and themselves for a while to sin scot-free lastly | Ezek. 14. 5 9. Isa 63. 16 17. when manifold occasions of erring and sinning are presented to them and their †Eph. 4. 19. Rom. 11. 8. Consciences in the mean while are not pricked or troubled with any sad remorse or serious sorrow for their sins committed c. All which things indeed and very many other more of like sort profane men are wont to turn to their own destruction From whence there groweth or encreaseth more and more a strange blindness of mind an obstinate hardness of heart and filthy greediness of sinning and finally a thick and gross darkness that is a certain brutish ignorance of God and secure profaneness of life 3. Exemplary punishing doth wholly seize and possess them And sometimes indeed those acts are seconded and followed even with | Exod. 9. 16. Act. 12. 21. 5. 5. 1 Cor. 10. 5 c. 2 Pet. 2. 5 6. Jude 4 5 6. 4 Eternal Damnatiou some exemplary also and publick punishment of these men in this life and such as is visible or obvious to the sight of all 4. The penal acts that pertain to the life to come are most usually contained under the words of the Wrath and Vengeance of God also of * Mar. 3. 29. Rom. 2. 5. 2 Thess 1 5. 2 Pet. 2. 9. 3. 7. Jude v. 7. Judgment and Condemnation †Rom. 5. 16. 8. 1. whereby God will not only by judgment irrevocably pass or give away | Mat. 8. 12. 22. 13. 25. 41 46. from the wicked and unbelievers immortal glory but will also inflict upon them the torments of Hell and eternal punishments Which indeed shall be done openly at the last day when he shall throw them together with the Devil and his Angels into everlasting fire * Mat. 25. 41. Jude v. 7. 2 Thess 1. 9. that there they may be punished with everlasting destruction being banished from the presence of God and his glorious power 5. And these things being thus finished The new World to come there shall immediately †2 Pet. 3. 13. Rev. 21. 1 c. 22. 1 c. arise that new World wherein dwelleth Righteousness and where Jesus Christ our Lord and King having wholly or utterly destroyed all his Enemies shall deliver up or restore the Kingdom to | Rev. 2. 3. 1 Cor. 15. 24 c. God and his Father that from thenceforward God may be all in all CHAP. XXI Of the Ministry of the Word of God and of the Orders of Ministers 1. ANd this indeed is the Will of The use necessity of the Sacred Ministery God which is necessary for us to know for that it consists of such like most holy Precepts and so excellent Promises the which that it might become known unto miserable mortals and be continually set before their eyes it pleased that great Pitier or Compassioner of mankind that it should not only be tacitly insinuated or conveyed into them * Mat. 28. 19 20. Act. 10. 41 c. Rom. 10. 14 15. 2 Cor. 5. 19 20. 2 Tim. 4. 2 c. The immediate Election sending of Ministers by private reading of the sacred Scripture but also that it should by open and publick preaching be every where proclaimed and daily and openly as it were implanted and inculcated or beaten in to them 2. And that it might be rightly or duly performed there was first of all necessary a solemn and immediate both election or separation †Rom. 10. 15. Eph. 2. 20 c. Rev. 21. 14. and mission or sending forth of some certain men for the discharge of the said office and the same indeed accompanied and backt with an infallible instruction and a certain irrefragable authority or spiritual power Wherefore the Lord Jesus pitched upon or designed him | Act. 1. 8. 10. 41 c. 1 Cor. 12. 28 c. Eph. 4. 11. certain Ambassadors extraordinary as eminent and singular Ministers of his and furnished them with all gifts * Mar. 16. 15 c. Act. 2. 1 c. 2 Cor. 12. 12. Heb. 2. 3 4. and virtues of the Holy Ghost necessary for the discharge of this their Embassage and †Act. 13. 1 c. ch 16. 6 7. continually so ruled governed strengthned and confirmed them that they did not only once alone openly publickly declare this Will of God and solidly by all kinds of signs and miracles establish and confirm the same but also every where gathered them | Eph. 4. 12. Act. 14. 21 c. 15. 36. 19. 8. Assemblies or Congregations of pious men among whom the preaching of this his Will as far as might be might always flourish and be preserv'd whole and entire to wit for the continual edification or building up of all that were called in the true and saving Faith of Jesus Christ 3. And indeed these first and chief The singular authority of the Apostles Preachers were * Mat. 10. 1 c. 28. 19 20. 1 Cor. 12. 28. the Apostles who as in teaching and gathering Churches so in the governing and keeping them together used such Authority †1 Cor. 5. 3 c. 2 Cor. 10. 1. 2 c. 13. 10. 2 Thess 3. 6 14. as they had immediately received from the Lord Jesus to wit | 1 Thess 2. 13. 2 Thess 2. 19. 2 Tim. 3. 14. such
as was uncontrollable and unquestionable and to which all Believers were bound to yield and obey And to these indeed were joyned both * Act. 15. 32. 21. 8. 1 Cor. 12. 28. Eph. 4. 11 12. Prophets and Evangelists and Teachers and Pastors and other such like who also themselves used and bestowed their utmost diligence and pains either for the gathering of new Churches or Assemblies or afterward for the nourishing and feeding and further instructing of these that were already gathered by the Apostles 4. But when such Foundations and Their following success first beginnings had now been laid by these lest when they were either absent or dead those Congregations should be scattered and decay again or come to nought and so by this means this divine and saving Doctrine by little and little should vanish away and be lost they every-where in those places where Churches were already gathered appointed them their successors to wit †Act. 14. 23. 20. 28. Heb. 13. 7 17. Phil. 1. 1. 1 Tim. 4. 16. 5. 17. Bishops Elders and Deacons by whose help endeavour and care those Churches might continually be preserved and as much as might be also encreased in number and gave express advice and command that the same afterwards at all times and in all places should be done in all Congregations giving withal an | 1 Tim. 3. 1 c. Tit. 1. 5. 6 c. exact description what manner of persons they ought to be who were thenceforth to be set over the Congregations for this end 5. And they indeed therefore appointed Bishops and Elders * Act. 20. 28. 2 Tim. 2. 24 25. 4. 2 5. Tit. 1. 9 c. 2. 5 17. Bishops and Elders that both of them by preaching the Gospel by teaching wholesome or saving Truth by confuting errors contrary thereunto also by exhorting comforting reproving correcting ruling and lastly by going before others by †1 Tim. 4. 12. Ti◠2. 7. 1 Pet. 5. 3. their example c. might preserve or keep together the Churches already planted and by a continual succession to their utmost power might propagate the same And they ordained Deacons | Act. 6. 1 c. 1 Tim. 3. 9 10 c. that after they had been first proved or tryed they might diligently employ themselves in gathering and distributing alms and in pious and tender care-taking of the poor in the said Congregations From whence ariseth the perpetual necessity and manifold use of the whole Ministry of the Church 6. But because after the Apostles days The authority of those limited and those first Preachers of the Gospel or Founders of the Church when the doctrine of the Gospel had now already been fully enough proposed and in the judgment of God himself abundantly confirmed and lastly clearly committed to writing that immediate sending of Ministers ceased together with infallible instruction and the undoubted assistance of the Holy Spirit therefore an irrefragable Power or infallible Authority in teaching and ruling hath no more place also Which also even the Apostles themselves were minded to testify when they gave and left unto the Bishops and Elders a certain * 2. Tim. 3. 10 14. Act. 15. 24. 1 Cor. 14. 37 38. Tit. 1. 5. and perpetual rule of Doctrine and form of Discipline according unto which these were to teach and rule the Churches for the future by and expresly commanded them and seriously charged them that they should diligently keep the †2 Tim. 1. 13 14. pattern or form of sound words which they had heard of them and that they should remember and hold fast that | Tit. 1. 9. faithful doctrine which they had learned and therefore bade an * Gal. 1. 8 9. Anathema to those who brought any doctrine contrary to or differing from that which they themselves had delivered †Rom. 16. 17. and withal injoyned the Churches that they should receive or admit of no other doctrine besides that which they had received from the Apostles no although even an Angel from Heaven brought it 7. But since it is the Duty and Office Of degrees and order among them of all Bishops and Elders | 2 Tim. 1. 13. to teach and * 1 Pet. 5. 2 3. govern the Churches according to that form that is laid down by the Apostles it appears manifest enough that they have not by any divine right any †Mat. 20. 25 c. 23. 8. Command Power or Authority properly so called one over another And yet do we not therefore notwithstanding altogether disallow of much less proudly reject those degrees of Teachers and Rulers which have now long since been appointed and every where hitherto taken place in diverse Churches of Christ for order and decorum's sake or for preserving good order For indeed God is not the | 1 Cor. 14. 33 40. 1 Tim. 3. 15. Author of Confusion but of Order if so be they do not at length degenerate into Tyranny and make shew of some worldly Dignity and Power rather than of a spiritual Ministry and of that modesty and moderation which becometh the Disciples of Christ 8. But if any one shall abuse the pretence Against the manifold abuse thereof of this order unto pride haughtiness and in particular if any by these degrees shall not stick to climb so high as arrogantly to assume unto himself not only a supreme Right to determine in matters of Religion and to decide all Controversies of Faith * Mat. 24. 49. Luk. 12. 42. c. 3. Joh. 9. 2 Thess 2. 4 c. 2 Pet. 2. 1 c. 2 Cor. 11. 20. Rev. 11. 7. 13. per tot Gal. 4. 29. but also to usurp Lordship over the Lords Heritage and over his fellow-servants yea over Kings and Princes yea further whether directly or indirectly to usurp a coactive power that is armed with outward force or upheld by the secular arm to punish others yea to punish them with the Sword and with Death who cannot out of Conscience attribute this Authority unto him or who refuse to subscribe to his Determinations Decrees and Statutes though in all other respects they be good and loyal subjects to the Common-wealth if any we say shall under this pretence usurp such a power in the Church of Christ or any other whatsoever like it or at least attribute to himself the same in words or suffer it to be attributed to him by others truly he seemeth unto us to recede very far from the Office of a true Bishop CHAP. XXII Of the Church of Jesus Christ and its marks or notes 1. FUrthermore those Congregations The Church of Christ and the Communion thereof or Assemblies which either by the publick pains or labour of these Ministers or otherwise by the word of the Gospel any ways whatsoever preached read or heard are gathered as it were into one body all and every of whose members have
God our Lord Jesus Christ as far indeed as is savingly necessary consists chiefly of two parts For it respecteth partly his Person and partly his Office In respect of his Person Jesus Christ is true and Eternal God | Joh. 1. 1. c. ch 20. 28. Rom. 9. 5. 1 Joh. 5. 20. and withal true and perfectly just Man * 1 Tim. 2. 5 6. Mat. 16 16. 1 Cor. 10. â—1 22. Rom. â— 3 in one and the same person for that he is the natural only begotten and proper Son of God †Joh. 1. 14. c. ch 3. 18. Rom. 1. 3 4. 8. 32. Gal. 4. 4. Luke 2. 31 c. Heb. 414. Of the Truth Perfection c. of his humane nature in the fulness of time by the Operation of the Holy Ghost made true and entire Man and born of the Virgin Mary without any Spot or Stain of Sin 4. And he was not only true or entire and perfect Man as to his substance to wit consisting of a true humane body and a reasonable Soul but also truly obnoxious or subject to the same Infirmities | Joh. 1. 14. c. Heb. 2. 14. c. 4. 15. 5. 7. Ro. 1. 3. 8. 3. Gal. 4. 4 c. Passions Miseries Afflictions Troubles Griefs Sorrows Ignominy Reproaches and consequently the most sharp or bitter Death as we are and that for this very end that being in all things made like unto his Brethren yet without Sin he might be our merciful and Faithful high Priest in things pertaining unto God to expiate the Sins of the People And this is meant by that Article of the Apostles Creed concerning Christ Jesus I believe in Jesus Christ the only begotten Son of God our Lord who was conceived by the Holy Ghost born of the Virgin Mary 5. The Office of Jesus Christ is threefold His threefold Office twofold estate Prophetical Priestly and Kingly | Luk 1. 32 33. Act. 3. 22 23. Heb. 5. â— 7. Rev. 1. 5 19. 16. His State of humiliation all which he did partly now long since in this World in his State of Humiliation and abasement or emptying of himself faithfully administer and now also partly doth gloriously administer or discharge in Heaven in his State of Glory and Exaltation Unto the former State pertain these Articles following * 1 Tim. 6. 13. Act. 2. 36. 1 Cor. 1. 23 2. 2. Eph. 4. 9. Psal 2. 4 c. Heb. 2. 16. He suffered under Pontius Pilate was crucified dead and buried he descended into Hell By which as it were by certain Steps or Degrees the whole Humiliation of Jesus Christ to wit such as became him as our Prophet and Priest Of Exaltation and Glory was leisurely consummated and finished Unto the latter are to be referred these †Mar. 16. 19 20. Rom. 8. 34. Heb. 7. 25. 8 1 c. The third day he rose again from the dead he ascended up into Heaven he sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead By which things is excellently described partly a certain preparation unto both the Kingly and Pontificial Dignity of Jesus Christ partly this very Dignity it self and the magnificent exertion or shewing forth of the same 6. His Prophetical Office he hath now His Prophetical Office long since fully performed and finished not only when he openly revealed unto us by * Joh. 1. 18. 5. 19. 2 Tim. 1. 10. his Gospel the Will of God concerning the communicating of Salvation truly such or of Eternal life to all that only believe and obey after death but hath also by manifest Signs †Joh. 5. 36. c. ch 15. 24. Act. 2. 22. 10. 36. and Miracles too great to be questioned or excepted against and also by | 1. Pet. 2. 21. Phil. 2. 5 c. the example of his own proper Obedience both in his life and death most evidently confirmed it and withall yet further after his death he hath most substantially by divers arguments for * Act. 1. 3. c. Joh. 20. 21. fourty days together asserted and proved the same 7. His Priestly Office he partly performed 2. Priestly long since when at his Father's * Phil. 2. 8. command whom †submissively obeying he underwent on our behalf the cursed death of the | Eph. 5. 2. Gal. 3. 13. Heb. 2. 9 10. 10. 5 6. 1 Joh. 2. 2. Cross and offered up himself to God his Father as a propitiatory Sacrifice for the Sins of all Mankind and suffered himself being innocent to beslain upon the Altar of the Cross * Rom 8. 34. Heb. 7. 24 25. partly he doth yet still daily perform the same whilst being alive again he continually appeareth in Heaven before the Face of God for the sake of Men and doth in effectual and glorious wise intercede for those that believe shewing himself indeed at all times and in all places a most faithful Advocate and Patron to them 8. His Kingly Office he doth even 3. Kingly now continually exercise since being once raised from Death by the Father and advanced to the Throne of Supreme Majesty †Heb. 1. 3. Rev. 3. 21. 1 Thes 1. 10. Psa 110. 1. in Heaven and set down at the right hand of God on high | Maâ— 28. 19. Act. 2. 36. and having obtained all power in Heaven and Earth he rules every where in magnificent manner and indeed he doth so dispose of and govern * Eph. 1. 20 21 22 c. 4. 11 c. Psal 2. 8 c. 110. 1 c. all things according to his own Will and Pleasure that he does chiefly and in the first place consult the Safety and Salvation of his faithful ones to wit since he hath not only now long since instituted the Ministry of the Gospel for our good but doth also continually in powerful-wise preserve it against all sorts of Obstacles or Hinderances and therein still admirably doth exert his own spiritual Efficacy and whilâ—t he doth by his Spirits and Angels his Ministers and Attendants powerfully guard protect and defend even in this Life †Rev. 2 3. Act. 12. 11. 18. 10. Heb. 14. his faithful Subjects against the Devices Wiles Snares Force and Power of Satan Tyrants and all other their Enemies until he shall in the last | Mat. 25. 30 c. 1 Cor. 15. 24. 2 Thess 1. 7 8 9. â— Thess 4. 17. 2 Thess 1. 9 10. Mat. 24. 31. Judgment utterly destroy the one and take up the other into his heavenly and immortal Glory and make them everlastingly happy and blessed And indeed upon these Offices is built both the Knowledg