Article And in Iesus which saueth vs 1. From the guilt of sinne 2. From the punishment of sinne 3. From the power of sin and Satan For 1. He was made sin for vs. Gal. 3.13 2. He was made a curse for vs. Ga. 4.4 3. Hee appeared to loose the workes of the diuell Ioh. 16.54 Vse 1. Whereas therefore the law of God accusing me in my selfe I am but a lost creature and can find nothing in me but 1. A froward heart 2. A wicked life and 3. A defiled conscience I betake me to this saluation 2. Whereas wrath is here gone forth against me and hell else-where prouided that I may yet haue hope and safety 1. In life 2. In death 3. In iudgement I cleaue vnto this Iesus 3. Whereas solde vnder sinne a captiue to the Diuell I haue liued long in bondage that now I may be freed from such 1. Bad Masters 2. Heauy chains 3. Seruile labours I flie vnto this Sauiour Christ annointed vnto vs 1. A Prophet 2. A Priest 3. A King For he 1. Teacheth his people the will of his Father 2. Maketh atonement twixt them and their God 3. Doth mightily gouerne and defend his Church Vse 1. I therefore leaue all other teachers which speake not as the word of God to harken to this Prophet with whose 1. Threatnings I am terrified 2. Promises I am allured 3. To whose precepts I doe obey Because hee hath the words of truth and peace 2 I come vnto the father through him offering spirituall sacrifice trusting to be accepted and lay hold vpon his sacrifice which was 1. Priest 2. Altar 3. Sacrifice Because hee is the high and only sacrificer 3 I count me happy liuing in his gouernment and will shew me faithfull to him that so 1. Mightily ouer-rules and punisheth his enemies 2. Gratiously rules protects his subiects 3. Bountifully rewardeth all their seruices Because he is the King of pâ—ace righteousnesse His onely Sonne 1. Not by creation 2. Not by adoption 3. But by eternall generation For 1. So are othâ—r men and Angels sonnes of God 2. So are sonnes all the chosen people of God 3. So is Iesus Christ himselfe alone Vse 1. These otâ—er therefore men and Angels though they are called sonnes of God as being from him in the institution of their nature in whome 1. They liue 2. They moue 3. They haue their being Yet do they not partake of Gods own nature 2. These other Saints of God and chosen people â—hough they haue the honour to bee called the Sonnes of God because they are 1. Elect of him before all worlds 2. Begotten of his immortall seede the word 3. Borne againe of water and of the spirit Yet do they not communicate of Gods owne essence 3 But this his Sonne alone his vndefiled of-spring begotten of him before all worlds and deare to him that did beget him is rightly called his onely Sonne being 1. The bright image of his Father 2. Light of his light 3. Coaeternall to him and consubstantial Because hee alone communicates of the diuine nature and essence Our Lord 1. Potestas arrepta Accepta Not by a power vsurped and vniust 2. Not by a power borrowed and limitted Iâ—genita de Soto 3. But by a power ingenit and lawfull purchase For 1. So are Lords also the tirants of the earth 2. So are Lords also those that raigne by him 3. So is he our Lord alone that is heire of all things Vse 1. Hence therfore am I quickened in my seruice to performe all due obediencâ— and doe willingly resigne to him my body soule substance whom I serue Greg. li. 2. Morall 1. Out of the affection of charity 2. Out of the loue of iustice 3. Free from all seruile feare and terror Because his gouernment is so iust and equall 2. Hence draw I no small comfort both for the hope of the reward of my seruice and helpe in need and trouble as also from the dignity of this my calling that I serue a power 1. Whose ability is not poore to reward 2. Whose arme is not short to helpe 3. Whose will cannot bee crossed by a greater power Because he is chiefe Lord subordinate to none 3. Hence thinke I of the account that I am to make of my goods and tallent and withall referre all that I haue to his goodnesse and all that I speak think or do to his praise from whom I haue so much receiued and whose I am by right of 1. Creation 2. Redemption 3. Preseruation Because he is my true and naturall Lord. Vrfin in loco The third Article Which was conceiued by the Holy Ghost 1. After the will of God alone 2. After a manner vnspeakeable 3. After the prophecies that went before For 1. He decreed it thus to come to passe 2. Wee cannot conceiue nor vtter how 3. They spake thus of it long agoe A Virgin shall conceiue All which was done Vse 1. That he might be without all spot or blemish in his conception 1. The sourse of corruption being stopped in his mother 2. Purenesse infused into the masse wherof he was made 3. The humane nature vnited vnto the god-head That so his integrity might couer our defects 2. That we might know that by the same spirit Christ may be formed in our hearts â—ulgent li. de incarnatio August in Ps 17 by which he was conceiued in the wombe if we haue the virginity of the minde which is 1. Sound faith 2. Solid hope 3. Sincere charity That so a fit receptacle bee prouided for him in our soules 3. That we might be assured that nothing shal fall to the ground which the Lord hath spoken though it seeme as impossible to vs as a Virgin to conceiue a thing 1. Which is beyond the course of nature 2. Which hath not entred into the heart of man 3. Which hath not otherwise been hard of in the world That so our faith may bee confirmed in the promises Borne of the Virgin Mary A thing 1. In reason wonderfull 2. In example singular 3. In effect desirable For 1. Who can tell out of his generation 2. Who can euer instance in the like 3. Blessed and happy is the wombe that beares him Vse 1. I acknowledge herein therefore the great worke of God maruellous in our eies so strangely ioyning these three things together Bern. ser in vigil natiu 1. God and man 2. A mother and a maide 3. Faith of these things and the hart of man And magnifie his glorious name therefore 2. I regard herein the humility and loue of my Sauiour which being borne from euerlasting of the father God rich ouer all dwelling in the heauenly palaces came downe into this earth to be 1. Borne of his hand-maide 2. Wrapt in clouts 3. Laide in a manger And follow him in and loue him for these vertues 3. August I long to beare him blessedly in my heart as the mother of God did beare him
feele in this life though the absolute comforts thereof he reserued to that other life in which I shall 1. Perfectlie knowe God 2. Fully inioy God 3. Worthily praise God Being vnited vnto God and coÌ„formed with God 2. If that eternall life be the end of my hopes I will learne farre to stretch them beyond this momentary life the perishing things thereof Gold shall not be my hope nor siluer nor seruants nor children nor wealth nor health nor bewty nor honor nor ease nor age but that life which is hid with Christ in God after which I sigh and long as one that is from home while I am here in the flesh knowing that there are prepared for me of God the things which 1. Eye hath not seene 2. Eare hath not heard 3. Neither haue they entered into the heart of man Es 64.4 1. Cor. 2.9 Being one of those that feare God and doe reuerence before him 3 If there be nothing to be desired which is not in that life if there be nothing to be wisht away which iâ— in that life why should I then regard this present life of troubles sorâ—ow sicknes danger need vexation which giues no satisfaction for contentment no secuâ—ity for rest and safegard to set my loue vpon it why should I not rather contemne it thinking on eternity and in the height of mine affection and earnest desire of this blessednes cry Come Loâ—d Iesu come quickly that I may also comâ— 1. To thy gladsome presence 2. To the sweet fellowshippe of thy saints in Heauen 3. To the blessed company of thine Angels Being made partaker of the fatnes of thine house Heb. 12.22 and the fulnesse of thy pleasures The diuision of the Decalogue 1. We may deuide the Commandements thus into three 1. A Preface of the whole 2. The precepts of the first table 3. The Commandemeâ—ts of the second 2. In each Commanâ—ement is hanled 1. The affirming part 2. The forbidding part 3. The Appendix Thereof 3. The Appendix of each Commandement is either 1. A promise 2. Or a threatning 3. Or some other reason Exprest in the Commandement or vnderstood The ten Commandements God spake these words 1. VVHose is the greatest authoritie 2. Whose words are words of veritie 3. Who requires out perfect obedience and the hearts sincerity Saying I am the Lord thy God which brought thee out of the land of Egypt out of the house of bondage In the words of which preface that we should yeeld more willing obedience to the precepts following the Lord sets out vnto vs three things to induce 1. A declaration of his eternall rule and power 2. A promise of the goodnesse of his grace 3. A remembrance of his benefits before conferd For he saith 1. I am the Lord Iehouah 2. I am the Lord thy God 3. I brought thee out of the land of Egypt out of the house of bondage Vse 1. A powerfull argument to moue vs to obey seeing he that requires our obedience is the Lord of power the almighty eternall onely wise God owner of all that is in heauen and in earth who abideth the same for euer vnchangable in his 1. Essence 2. Will and 3. Workes And therfore in right of his dominioÌ„ respect of his excellencie requires our seruice 2. A pithy perswasion to affect our soules to yeeld him ready seruice seeing he is no strange God that requires it but our God ours not onely because he hath created vs doth preserue and gouerne vs as he hath and doeth also all the rest of his creatuâ—es but because he doth singularly participate and manifest himselfe vnto vs louing and fauouring vs before all others in as much as hee hath 1. Chosen vs for his own inheritance 2. Called vs to the knowledge of himselfe in his sonne 3. Inspired vs with his grace and holy spirit And therefore with the remeÌ„brance of this his goodnesse would win our hearts 3. A forcible reason to stirre vp our mindes readily to receiue and haâ—â—en to his words seeing he that spâ—akes them hath before deliuered vs as Israel from Egypt and the house of seruants so our soules and bodies from the 1. Diuell 2. Sinne and 3. Death And therefore in regard of so great purchase and deliuerance expects our thankfulnesse The first Commandement Thou shalt haue none other gods before me 1. The affirming part of this precept Iehouah must be our God The things commanded in this precept are 1. THat we know the true God and acknowledge him 2. That we fall downe and doe reuerence before him 3. That with purpose of heart and minde we cleaue fast vnto him For 1. Otherwise he cannot be our God neither can we be his people Ier. 24.7 2. Otherwise we cannot glorifie him as God nor be thankfull Rom. 1.21 3. Otherwise wee cannot tast and see how good and gracious the Lord is Ps 34.8 Vse 1. As therefore we desire that when God writes vp his people he should not passe by vs so should we indeuour also to know him for our God as he hath reuealed himselfe vnto vs in his word and workes and knowing to acknowledge him 1. With our hearts 2. With our mouthes 3. With our workes As it becommeth those that call vpon his name 2. As obedient children to the fathers of their bodies are in their inward well affected and with their whole minde will and heart doe honour and respect them so should we much more God which is the father of spirits rendring vnto him from our soules 1. Honor 2. Obedience 3. Thankfulnesse As it beloÌ„geth to such glory power goodnesse 3. As we would haue the Lord to be with vs in all our troubles and aduersities standing on our side against al that rise vp against vs as we would haue him to lift vp the light of his countenance vpon vs to cheere and to refresh vs as we would heare his voice which is sweete and see his countenance which is comely so let vs cleaue to God Cant. 2.14 and make the Lord our stay Ier. 17.7 knit vnto him alone in 1. Affiance 2. Loue and 3. Feare As it beseemeth well his Saints and is agreeable to his holy will Perkins 2. The forbidding parts of the first commandement We must preferre no other thing aboue the head of our ioy The things defended in this precept are 1. Ignorance of God his word and workes 2. Errors concerning God the persons of the god-head and their properties 3. The affection set on any other thing but God For 1. How can we imbrace and worship the things we doe not know Act. 2. How can we be saued if we erre concerning the trueth 2. Thes 2.10 3. How should we not desire the chiefest and greatest good Aug. l. de nat gra Chrysost Vse 1. Although therfore there are some things which are better for vs not to know then to know although we may be ignorant of some things without sinne yet can there be nothing
not disturbed and broken by them when for the peace and quietnesse sake they should haue 1. Discretion to passe by offences 2. Care to giue no occasion of offence 3. Warinesse to reconcile offences Which all men well aduised haue and shew 2. Let them come hither whose inwards are of flint their bresâ—â— of iron their hearts of stone whose bowels neuer yet yearned ouer their brethren in affliction whose eye neuer yet spent teare when they saw the extreame necessity of their friend and neighbour who neuer yet knew what it was to suffer with those that suffer and grieue with those that mourne and learne to doe in the distresse and calamitie of others as Iesus did when he saw the Iewes and Marie weeping Ioh. 11.23.35 who 1. Grieued in the spirit 2. Troubled himselfe and 3. Wept Which all wil doe of tender hearts bowels 3. Let them come hither that are negligent of the safety of their owne or other mens soules and bodies which for themselues tempt God thrusting themselues into danger as the horse rusheth into the battell for others care not what becom of them but with the euill shepheard say let that which will perish perish hauing the question of Cain in their hearts Gen. 4.9 Am I my brothers keeper Let them come hither I my learne to be more regardfull of themselues and others 1. Least their owne blood be vpon their owne heads 2. Least the blood of their brethren be required of them 3. Least they perish exposing theÌ„selues to needlesse danger Which men of any conscience will beware 2. The Negatiue We mâ—st by no meanes endanger or hurt our owne or another mans life The things forbidden in this precept are 1. Wrath and euill conceiued and hidden inwardly in the heart 2. All outward signes prouoking or incouraging to a mischiefe 3. Hurt and damage offered to any mans body and life indeede Mat. vi rel For 1. Whosoeuer hateth his brother is a manslaier 1 Io. 3.15 2. He loueth transgression that loueth and stirreth vp strife Pro. 17 1â— 3. Hereby Gods image which hee hath ingrauen in man is wronged and abused Vse 1. An euill guest surely is wrath hid in the heart that will make place for the diuell resist it therefore if thou canst giue place if thou canst not Ambros If anger hath preuented and fore possest thy minde and riseth vp against thee leaue not thy place thy place is thy patience least thou take vpon thee insteed of God to reuenge thy selfe who saith of himselfe vengeance is mine least thou grow from wrath to slaughter of which thou maiest be guilty and haue thine hands therewith defiled though thou lay not thine hand on thy brother but doest either 1. Secretly consent to 2. Wickedly counsell or 3. Vniustly command and will The thing for which the earth wil cry for vengeance 2 An horrible crime it is to be tainted with blood a grieuous imputation to bee called the man of blood a man may not thinke himselfe free of these the crime and imputation for that he hath not giuen the deadly blow or poison for that with his owne hands he hath not taken away the life of his brother remember Dauid slew Vrias by the hand of the children of Ammon A man may be written vp before God in the list of murderers and man-killers that neuer drew sword in wrath but yet hath animated others to wrong and violence 1. By his words 2. By his lookes 3. By his gesture The thing for which the land it selfe doth mourne 3. An heauy account they haue to make to God that vncharitably haue withheld their hand from their brothers helpe how wil they answer then that haue smitten with the fift of wickednesse An hard iudgement shall they finde that haue not maintained life Goe from me ye cursed when I was hungry c. Mat. what shall their iudgement bee that haue spilt both limbe and life surely most grieuous and eternall torments in that place 1. Where death kils and doth not extinguish Greg. l. 9. moral 2. Where griefe torments but doth no whit driue away feare 3. Where the flame burnes but doth not expell darkenesse The thing to bee considered of the men of blood 3. The Appendix A threatning he that sheds mans blood by man shall his blood be shed Gen. 9. Or the murderers hoare head shall not goe downe to the graue in peace 1. Reg. 2.6 God in his iust iudgement 1. Either cutting him off by the sword of iustice 2. Or shutting vp his soule into the hand of his brother enemy 3. Or making the man of blood the executioner of himselfe For 1. The magistrate beareth not the sword in vaine Rom. 13.4 2. Ere the murderer shall goe vnpunished the man that findes him shall slay him Gen. 4.14 3. Of how many haue wee read that haue turned their murdering weapons into their owne breasts Vse 1. Consider this you murderers manquellers when you haue spoiled others shall you not be spoiled your selues when you haue spilt innocent blood with the hand of violence shall not the hand of iustice cut you off yea though you flie to lay hold of the altar yet will he slay you there that is appointed of God the auenger of blood to cut off from the earth all 1. Ioabs 2. Athaliahs 3. Theudasses And others of that crimsen-handed crue 2. Consider this ye men of blood that haue hurt and yet are hidden that haue slaine and no man pursues you thinke not that your iudgement sleepes nay vengeance dogs you at the heeles for an euill and vnnaturall death shall finde you 1. Either in the wood with Abshalom 2. Or in the field with Achab. 3. Or in the deepe as it did Pharaoh the Egyptians And others of that list in other places 3. Consider this you sanguinaries that are imbrued with gore yet no man dares say vnto you why doe yee so that make it a sport to kill and spill the blood of the innocent like water vpon the ground thinke you to escape vntoucht because the sonne of man riseth not vp againâ— you because an euill beast out of the forrest doth not read you God can vse your owne hands against your owne liues ere you shall goe vnpunished and goe down to your graues by a drie death as he did 1. Abimeleches 2. Sauls and 3. Zimries And others guilty of like crimes as these The seuenth Commandement Thou shalt not commit adultery 1. The affirming part of this Commandement We must gouerne all the parts of our life chastly and continently The things required in this precept are 1. That for the preseruing of chastitie we be religiously watchfull ouerall our member 2. That we came our flesh and bring it in subiection 3. That we vse the remedy that God hath appointed against incontinency For 1. Chasâ—â—â—â— is of times wounded by the eyes oft times by the eare Cassian de instit monarcho li. 6. 2. Thereby dwelling in
the truth of his body A representation is a signe or remembrance of a thing it is not the thing it selfe Augustine what doest thou prepare thy tooth and thy belly beleeue and thou hast eaten Cyprian we sharpen not our teeth to bite but with sincere faith wee breake and diuide that holy bread Bernard Christus tange potest sed affectu Ser. 20. in Cant. non manu veto non oculo fide non sensibus tanges manu fidei desiderij digito devotionis amplexu tanges oculo mentis Christ may bee toucht but with affection not with the hand with the desire not with the eye with faith not with the senses Thou shalt touch him with the hand of faith with the finger of desire with the imbracing of deuotion thou shalt touch him with the eye of the minde Credere inuenisse est saith one to beleeue is to haue found Et credere edisse est say I to beleeue is to haue eaten Norunt fideles saith another Christum habitare per fidem in cordibus suis quid proprius est The faithfull know that Christ dwels by faith in their hearts what can be neerer All these speake of a spirituall eating and no other an eating that is of faith should I then teare him againe with my teeth that was once pittifully torne for mee with nailes thornes speare vpon the Crosse should I dreame that my stinking carkase should be a Sepulcher to bury my Sauiour descending into the cauernes of my belly I will bury thee oh my Sauiour in the new sepulcher of my soule where neuer yet any man lay Thus of examining our selues before we eate of the manner of examining of our selues of the things wherof we are to examine our selues against the doubtings of our vnfitnes vnworthines of eating of what we receiue the conclusion is that hauing receiued Christ into the chamber of our heart we be thankefull to him for his comming we desire him to stay and lodge with vs all night we so demeane our selues towards him that we grieue not his spirit make him to leaue his lodging which if we doe our soule that was his lodging will become a cage of vncleane birds and our latter end will be worse then our beginning A praier before the Communion VVHat shall I doe O Lord drawing neere to this thy table but confesse against my selfe mine owne vnworthines thou requirest that thy guests haue on the wedding garment and behold I am couered as yet with the rags of mine owne filthinesse and with the confusion of my sinne The corruption of my nature the iniquity of my life the vnprofitablenesse of my best workes the abhomination of my worst the despight that I doe to thee the euill example that I haue giuen to men the shame and horror that I haue brought vpon mine own face and conscience my want of faith knowledge loue and sorrow for sin mine indeuotion to thy seruice my seruing of mine owne intentions out of the causes of thee my GOD and the causes of religion the whole bande of mine other iniquities my secret and to my selfe vnknowne sinnes stand vp against me to accuse me and cast me in the teeth I am in a straight with Dauid neither know I what to doe or what to choose whether to draw neere to this thy Table or to with-draw and turne my selfe away If I with-draw my selfe I forsake thy comforts and refreshing if I draw neere I am in danger of my sin But I will draw neere vnto thee trusting in the multitude of thy mercies O my Lord Christ I come laden with an heauy burden thou wilt ease my shoulder I come in my defects thou wilt couer them with thy perfection I come in the confession vse my sinne with thee is forgiuenesse thou wilt doe away my sinne I come in the feeling of my wants thou art God all sufficient thou wilt supply all my wants I come in the acknowledgement of mine vnworthinesse thou wilt accept me make me worthy and refresh me heere with the comforts in thy word with thy body and thy blood at thy Table elsewhere thou wilt make mee drinke of the riuer of thy pleasures in the kingdome of thy father where thou raignest euerlastingly one God with him and the Holy Ghost To thee be ascribed all praise and glory world without end Amen A Praier at the receiuing of the bread and wine O Lord Christ and blessed Sauiour which hast giuen mee thy body to bee my meate thy blood to be my drinke thy soule to be my redemption enter now the chamber of my heart with all thy vertues graces spirituall benedictions adorne it make it beautifull and dwell in it for euer and graunt that the memory of thy most bitter passion of all other thy wonders and benefits may neuer slip out of my minde but that I may alwaies thinke on thy loue meditate on thy mercies and thanke thee for thy goodnesse which hast done so great things for thy Church thy chosen and for my soule Amen A Praier after the receiuing of the Communion AWay from me all ye workes and workers of iniquity out of mine heart all euill thoughts out of my mouth all euill wordes from mine hands all euill deeds for I haue made a couenant with my God to serue him with all my strength with all my soule and with all my members and hee is come to dwell in mine heart Oh my GOD and oh my mercy how can I giue thee worthy thankes which being King of Kings and Lord of Lords hast not scorned to visit my soule and to come vnder the roofe of my poore dwelling Teach me O LORD to loue thy loue and for thy loue to denie all vngodlinesse and wordly lusts teach mee to leaue this world for thee which for my sake leftest Heauen to come downe to mee and gauest thy selfe vnto mee being made my brother in thy birth mine example in thy life the price of my redemption in thy death my food and nourishment at thy Table my reward in the Kingdome mine wholly and whatsoeuer thou art I cannot vtter the ioy of mine heart I cannot conceiue words to expresse my thankfulnesse If I had the tongues of men and Angels I cannot speake sufficiently to thy praise Grant O Lord that I which haue receiued so much from thee of thine thee thy selfe may in all things indeauour to bee to thine honour and praise Amen My Thankesgiuing after GOD had raised me vp from the bed of my sickenesse I Haue a song of praise to sing to the Lord O LORD thou hast holpen me and comforted me when I had receiued the sentence of death in my selfe thou saidst vnto me Liue when my life drew neere vnto the pit and to the buriers thou saidst vnto me Returne I had now almost imbâ—â—ced the dust and claimed my kindred in the graue saying to corruption thou art my father and to the wormes yee are my mother and my sister
right hand of God the father almighty 1. Partaking of endlesse rest and felicity 2. Administring and gouerning all things both in heauen and in earth 3. Making intercession to his father for his people For 1. In the presence of God is fulnes of ioy and at his right hand there are pleasures for euermore Ps 16.11 2. He is ordained King head ouer al. 3. Hee is our great high Priest that is passed into the heauens Heb. 4.14 Vse 1. As therefore I beleeue that he now rests in heauen in happinesse and blisse after his so many labours and so much suffered here so doe I also hope that I shall rest with him there 1. Where nothing shall be wanting to me Cyp. de lau Mar. 2. Where nothing shal be hurtfull to me 3. Where Christ being present shall fill all my desire Though here I mourne and suffer for a season 2. As I beleeue his kingdome so doe I trust in him my king and bowing my knee vnto him yeelde him reuerence and obedience withall thankfulnesse Perkins hoping that he will graciously in his good time come and 1. Supply al my wants 2. Vanquish all mine enemies 3. Succour and helpe me in all mine aduersities Though he differ his helpe and comming for a while 3. As I beleeue him sitting at the right hand of the throne of maiesty to make request to God so doe I goe with boldnesse vnto the throne of grace Heb. 4 16 being very well assured that I shall receiue mercy and finde grace to helpe in time of neede through him that makes intercession for me 1. By the worth of his sacrifice already offered 2. By his owne will 3. By the consent of the father Though my person be vnworthy my praier sinne Vrsin The seauenth Article From thence he shall come 1. Visibly 2. Gloriously Mat. 24.30 Vrsin 3. Suddainely For 1. They shall see the sonne of man come in the cloudes of heauen 2. As his first comming was in humility and weakenesse so his second comming shall be in power and maiestie 3. Of that day and houre knoweth no man no not the Angels of God in heaâ—en Vse 1. I beleeue therefore that the iudgement shall be his not onely as he is God but also as he is man in as much as he shall so come as he was seene to goe into heauen Act. 1.11 returning in his body at the last day 1. A great comfort to the godly 2. A great terror to the wicked 3. A great signe and wonder in heauen As he shall come riding vnto vs vpon the cloudes 2. I looke not for him againe in the shape of a seruant in his humblenesse but as the Lord of all things in his brightnesse descending vnto vs 1. 1. Thes 4 16 With a shout 2. With the voice of the Archangell 3. With the trumpet of God As he shall come accompanied with the Angels of God 3. I dispute not curiously about the time of his comming but like a faithfull wise seruant watch that I may be ready against his comming that he come not to finde me sleeping in the day that I looke not for him nor in the houre that I am not ware of Mat. 24.50 for then his comming will be to me 1. Like the suddaine lightning 2. Like trauaile vpon a woman that is with child 3. Like a thiefe in the night As it will be to al the world on whom hee shall come at vnawares To iudge both the quicke and the dead 1. The wicked of them with all seueritie 2. The iust amongst them with all clemency 3. All in generall with all equity For 1. He shall inflaming fire render them vengeance 2. When they are iudged they shall not be condemned 3. He shall giue to euery man according as his workes shall be Apoc. 22.12 Vse 1. Hence conceiue I of the terrour of the wicked in that day when their owne consciences accusing them and their sinnes witnessing against them they shall say to the rockes couer vâ— and to the hils fall downe vpon vs to hide vs from the presence of that iudge 1. Bast Who wisedome knoweth all things 2. Whose power is almighty 3. Whose iustice is vnchangeable And therefore will giue sentence against vs for our wickednesse 2. Hence conceiue I of the incredible comfort of the godly which they haue both from the goodnesse of their cause Bast Vrsin and the ends of the iudgement as also from the promise and person of the iudge 1. Who is their Prince they his subiects Caluin 2. Who is their head and they his members 3. Who is their patron and they his clients And therefore will giue iudgment with them to saluation 3. Hence learne I patience in my sufferings not to reuenge my selfe though here I suffer wrong Eccle. 4.1 and the strength be of the hand of them that oppresse me thinking of his iudgement because it is iust hence learne I diligently to doe my duety and to bee carefull to shew foorth good workes seeing he will iudge according to works 1. From whom nothing secret is hidden Ambr. Iâ— de offic 2. By whom nothing vncomely iâ— approued 3. To whom all iust and honest things are a pleasure And therfore will iudge his people according to equity The eight Article I beleeue in the holy Ghost 1. Acknowledging his God-head 2. Taking him to be my sanctifier comforter Perkins 3. Putting all the confidence of my heart in him For 1. I worship him calling vpon him and giuing thanks vnto him 2. I am assured that he dwels in me 3. It is good for me that I hold me fast by God Vse 1. Bastin Let Seruetus therefore and his schollers say that the holy Ghost is no substance but a working and a motion Let Macedonius impiously affirme that he is a creature and not the creator yet this is my faith that he is a distinct person in the godhead and with the father and the sonne 1. Coeternall Vrsin 2. Coequall 3. Consubstantiall Proceeding from them the spirit of both 2. Let mine infirmity be neuer so great let ignorance blindes dulnes euill affections lusts in my members fighting against the spirit heauinesse and distrust of Gods gracious helpe and fauour possesse my body soule and spirit yet shall he purge out of me all corruption by his fire all darknesse by his light all infirmity by his strength all heauinesse by his comforts Bern. in ser 2. PeÌ„tecost which giueth vnto me 1. The strength of life 2. The light of knowledge 3. The earnest of saluation Teaching me in these three all things that pertaine to saluation 3. Let others trust in man make flesh their arme Ier. 17.5 In lying words Ier. 7.4 In vanity and things of nought Es 59.4 as in their owne counsels wisdome riches strength yet will I trust in him the spirit of truth while I consider these three things in which my
worse then either the naturall or affected ignorance of God for knowledge must needes goe before the imbracing of vertue and no man can faithfully desire that which he doth not know wherefore they are iustly here condemned whosoeuer are ignorant of God because they are 1. Carelesse of knowing him 2. Sloathfull in learning of him 3. Ashamed to inquire after him Whereas both by the benefit of our creatioÌ„ Bern. and his gracious manifestation we ought to know him 2. Although as in many things we offend all so in many things we erre all yet beware we Iam. 3.2 that we doe not erre concerning God for as the least error in the beginning is made greatest in the end so the least error concerning him was in the beginning if it be not corrected may make vs concerning all trueth to erre in the end growing to this impiety 1. To suppose that there is no God 2. To imagine that there are more gods 3. To set vp in our hearts thoughts an idol false God in stead of the true Whereas such Atheisme and Idolatrie is forbidden in this law 3. Although there are many things in this world of which we may haue a liking and that without sin although naturally we may desire affect some things without offence aâ— wiues children parents brethren friends c. yet let this be our care that our life be not bound vp in the loue of them as old Israels life in the life of his sonne Ioseph Gen. 44 30. that we loue them not inordinately and in excesse least our hart be therby withdrawne from God so that as much or more then in the creatour 1. Wee affie in the creature 2. Wee affect the creature 3. We feare the creature Whereas God shold be honoured with the beâ—â— of our affectioÌ„â— 3. The appendix of the first Commandement Promises and threatnings not exprest 1. If herein we harken to his voice we shall be his chiefe treâ—sure aboue all people Exod. 19. â— 2. If we like not to retaine him in our knowledge he will giue vs ouer to a reprobate minde and vile affections Rom. 1.26.28 3. If in our hearts we estrange our selues from him he also will be farre from vs and from our helpe For 1. Thus doth God honour those that honour him 2. Thus doth God testifie his wrath in this world against vnbeleeuers and wicked men Rom. 1.26 3. Thus is it iust with God to punish those that forsake him and contemne his maiesty Vse 1. Seemeth it a small thing in our eies to be the people of the Lord to be the men that God will honour to be those vpon whom he will shew forth his goodnesse and all for the obseruance of this commandement 1. In temporall blessings 2. In spirituall graces 3. In the euerlasting rewards What then wil seeme great or worthy in our eies 2. Thinke we it not a grieuous punishment for the breach of this commandement to be forsaken and left of God and giuen vp vnto our owne lusts so that being past the feeling of sinne and remorse of conscience the feare of Gods iudgement cleane extinct in our soules and his cords cast away from vs Ps 2.3 1. We should euen giue our selues ouer to wickednesse 2. We should make a trade of sinne 3. We should commit vncleanenes euen with greedinesse What wil we then thinke great of wrath or euill 3. Iudge wee if we haue lifted vp our hands to any strange god and our heart departed from him that it shall not be iust with God to withdraw himselfe from vs though in our aduersities we make long praiers and stretch out our hands vnto him when we shall be 1. In misery waking 2. In misery sleeping 3. In misery whethersoeuer we turn our selues What then wil be iust equal in our sight Greg. in ser The second Commandement Thou shalt not make to thy selfe any grauen image c. 1. The affirming part of this Commandement We must worship God according to his will reuealed in his word Or we must worship God as he hath appointed by his word The things required in this precept are 1. That we be religiously carefull of all the parts of Gods seruice 2. That wee stirre vp our selue thereunto by all godly meanes 3. That we stoutly oppose against all corruptions which may defile the pure worship of God For 1. Thus it becommeth vs to fulfill all righteousnesse 2. Thus it behooueth vs to quicken and confirme our selues in the worke of the Lord. 3. Thus it befitteth vs to striue for the maintenance of the faith Iud. 3. Vse 1. This therefore should stir vs vp to the diligent reading hearing and meditating on the word and to the reuerent vse of the sacraments and praier and teach vs to bewaile our former negligence herein this should make vs sory for occasions lost wherein by godly conference and instruction we might haue bettered others and beene betterd by them our selues and to lay hold hereafter on all occasions offerd of the like that so we may thereby be 1. To the praise of God 2. To the benefit of our brethren 3. To the singular comfort of our soules In things belonging to the worship of God 2. This should make vs to vow vnto the Lord his worship and keep it to purge our mindes by fasting and thereby also to raise vp our vnderstanding Aug. in ser to bring the flesh in subiection to the spirit to make our hart contrite and humble but aboue all to keep a fast in our soules from sinne and from our owne waies that thereby we may the the rather serue God in holinesse whom we worship as in soule so also in body with 1. Barâ— heads Virell 2. Bowed knees 3. Lifted vp hands and eies In all humility seeking his face in his temple 3. This should cause vs to take heede of adulterating Gods seruice with any our owne will worships or any heathenish or papisticke rites and ceremonies or of giuing the best approbation or allowance thereunto to but to keepe our selues within the listes and tarriers that God hath set downe vnto vs for his worship in the word this should make vs also to beware of all confederates and leagues with vnbeleeuers and society with heretickes least wee learne of their waies and fall into their terrours who 1. Are reprobate concerning the truth 2. Beget of themselues new and false opinions of worship 3. Follow also other mens idle fancies In matters coÌ„cerning the faith and true religion The forbidding part of the second commandement 2. We must not prophane the lawfull worship of God with supersticious rites The things prohibited in this precept are 1. Idolatry 2. Hypocrysie 3. Prophanenesse 1. Wee must worship God in spirit Io. 4. 2. We must worship God in trueth Io. 4 24. 3. The holy God requires holy worship Vse 1. Here then is a reproofe for the heathen falling downe before their stockes and stones and looking vp
iudge euill of others 2. That we should not easily report euill of others 3 That we should not easily receiue an euill report against others So tâ—â—der is he of mens fame and credit 3. The Appendix A caueat to beware of the breach of this commandement least transgressing it 1. We be made like vnto the diuell 2. Wee be punished in the same kinde 3. We be shut out from the presence of God For 1. He was a lier from the beginning and an accuser of the brethren Iohn 8.44 Apoc. 12.9.10 2. How should not other men speake cursedly of vs when our heart doth know that we haue slandered others Eccl. 3. He that telleth lies shall not tarrie in his fight Ps 101.7 Now then Vse 1. You may glory in the patterne whereto you haue conformed your selues you slanderers and backbiters other sinnes make men like vnto beasts as his lechery the lasciuious person to a goate or dog his wrath the foolish person to a shee beare robbed of her whelpes Prâ— his drunkennesse the intemperate person to a swine and so in other sinnes and other persons but your sinne with the branches and circumstances thereof makes you like to the diuell 1. Whose dialect of lying is in your tongues 2. Whose marke of impudency is in your foreheads 3. Whose image and superscription of falshood is in all your thoughts As all your words and gestures plainely shew 2. You may boast of the gaine that you haue purchast by your lying when you haue cast vp your accouÌ„ts you false lying tongues you haue traduced and defamed others and borne downe your brethren by false witnesse you haue loued to speake all words that might doe hurt Ps but when you looke to the reckoning you shall finde your selues no gainers vnlesse it be gaine as you haue spoken euill of others so to heare and beare your owne reproach oppressed with slanders accusations 1. In the same 2. In the like or 3. In worse things As it is iust with God to giue your deseruings Quintil. 3. You may reioice in that which you haue gotten you false excreable accursed speakers your flatteries and false witnes sings lyings and slanderings haue perhaps giuen you fauour with some men that you haue gratified therby or that are like vnto your selues but they haue quite cast you out of fauour with God who hath in his word 1. Condemned euery one that loueth or maketh lies Reu. 2. Threatned to destroy him that priuily slandereth his neighbour Ps 3. Promised to be a swift witnesse against all false witnesses As we may reade in diuerse passages therof The tenth Commandement Thou shalt not couet thy neighbors house thou shalt not couet thy neighbours wife nor his man-seruant nor his maid seruant nor his oxe nor his asse nor any thing that is thy neighbours 1. The affirming part of this precept We must bee wholy possest with the affection of loue The things commanded in this precept are 1. That our heart bee full fraught with charity 2. That wee detest all sinne and iniquity 3. That we delight in all righteousnes and equity For 1. Loue is the fulfilling of the law 2. He that committeth sin is of the diuel Ioh. 3.8 3. So the Lord will delight in vs and make vs partakers of his heauenly pleasures Now then Aug. de laude charit Vse 1. If as Saint Augustine speaketh he that hath charity in his manners hath that which is laid open that also which is hid in the booke of God If the end of this Commandement the Commandement be loue out of a pure heart 1. Tim. 1 5. a good conscience and faith vnfained let vs all striue to be rooted and grounded in loue to be fulfilled with this charity which will so guide the motions of our hearts 1. That we shall affect the things that wee ought Vrsin 2. That we shal affect them in such sort as we ought 3. That we shall affect them to that end that we ought The appetites of our nature being ordered aright 2. If sinne be deadly not onely in the birth and growth thereof but also in the conception If we beare the image superscription of the diuell not onely in our words and actions proceeding from our corruption but also in our very thoughts and motions of our hearts we must if we will hate sinne with a perfect hatred not onely abhorre and condemne the enormity of euill words and actions but also the irregularity of our thoughts as a transgression of this precept and contrary to originall iustice and righteousnes which is 1. The true light of knowledge in our spirit 2. A perfect desire inclination and power to good things in our soules 3. A ready disposition of all the parts of the body to obey Gods knowne will The whole frame of our nature being disposed aright 3 If to delight in good things be the way to attaine to Gods refreshing if God require our heart and to giue our heart to God be to set our delight on the things that are his liking righteousnes peace goodnes and the fruits thereof why doe wee not with Moses hauing respect vnto the recompence of the reward Heb. 11.16 Renounce all the pleasures of sinne euen that of the thought and so imbrace all righteousnes that it and nothing but it 1. Bee the song of our eares 2. Bee the hony of our mouths 3. Be the iubilie of our hearts The desire of our affections being seâ— and ordered aright 2. The Negatiue Wee may not concerne any thing in our minds tending to our Neighbours hurt The things forbidden in this precept are 1. Euill thoughts arising out of our owne corruption 2. Euill entertained from the diuels suggestion 3. The least pleasure or delight in any euill motion For 1. As God forbiddeth and hateth the bitter fruits of wickednes so doth he the first roote spring and blossomes thereof 3. If we giue place to the diuell Ephe. 4 27. he will fill our hearts Act 9.3 and incline them vnto wickednes 3. This delight will draw on the consent consent the action Vse 1. Here therefore are wee taught the perfection of this doctrine aboue all doctrines of men of this law aboue all humane lawes men teach that the passions are euill this doctrine saith that the propassions are also euill mens lawes require onely an outward discipline and order this that we set our thoughts in order they meete with sinfull and wicked actions when they are committed this cuts the throate of vices in the minde Ps 137.9 Fulgent de orat com cordis ad Probam Hieroni. epist ad Demetri and takes and dasheth the little ones of Babylon against the rocke in which the foote-steps of the serpent are not seene that wee should learne thereby an holy cruelty to kill sinne and wickednesse in the wombe which cruelty is the onely kinde of piety 1. Acceptable to God 2. Profitable to our selues 3. Offensiue to
the shame of the world and endure with all patience the 1. The scornes iniuries and violences of the sons of men 2. The crosses losses of this present life 3. The miseries and infirmities of our soules and bodies Because thou hast set such ioy before vs. 3. Therefore do we desire nothing in the earth of this worlds fading 1. Pleasures 2. Honours 3. Riches Because we are heires of thy kingdome our inheritance is in heauen Hallowed be thy name 1. While beleeuing wee doe after thy word and commandements 2. While we speake reuerently of thy great name and titles 3. While in our harts we religiously regard and thinke of thy power wisdome mercy iustice iudgements c. For so 1. Shall wee glorifie thy name by our workes 2. Shall we praise it in our words 3. Shall we hallow it in our thoughts To this end grant most holy God Vse 1. That keeping the faith and a good conscience we may here lead an vncorrupt and holy life in all 1. Righteousnesse 2. Sobernesse and 3. Godlinesse So shall not thy name be euil spoken off amongst those that are without through vs. 2. Keepe vs that we doe no way prophane a thing so holy by 1. Speakeing inconsiderately or contemptuously of thee 2. Wresting or making a scoffe of thy word 3. Swearing vainely or falsely by thee So shall we be innocent of the great offence 3. Kindle in our hearts a zeale of thy glory that we may 1. StaÌ„d for the maintenaÌ„ce of thy truth 2. Attribute nothing to our selues of the things that thou hast brought to passe on vs or others 3. Mourne for the sins of the people wherby thou art dishonoured So honouring thee thou wilt also honor vs. Thy kingdome come 1. In the preaching of thy Gospell 2. In the power of thy Spirit 3. In the appearing of thy glory For it 1. Will informe vs in thy truth 2. Will subdue vs to thy scepter 3. Will blesse vs with thy sight for which things gratious Lord. Vse 1. Thrust forth faithfull labourers into thy haruest which may giue attendance 1. To reading 2. To exhortation 3. To doctrine That we may be taught the knowledge of thy waies 2. Deliuer vs from the tiranny of our infestest enemies 1. The Diuell 2. The world and 3. The flesh That we may serue thee without feare 3. Make an end of these euill daies on earth and bring vs to thy palaces where dwels All 1. Pleasure 2. Tranquillity 3. Security That we may liue with thee in glory Thy will be done in earth 1. On vs in all that thou shalt thinke good 2. In vs in all that shall be good 3. By vs in all that our hand shall finde to doe For 1. All that comes from thee workes together for the best to thy children Rom. 8.28 2. This is thy will euen our sanctification 1. Thess 4. 3. Thus it behoueth vs to conforme all our actions to thy rule Wherefore O heauenly wisdome Vse 1. Make vs in all our purposes to submit our selues vnto thy 1. Seasons 2. Meanes and 3. Endes Well pleased with thy good pleasure 2 Giue vs thine holy spirit to sanctifie our 1. Bodies 2. Soules and 3. Spirits That in vs thou maiest take pleasure 3. Strengthen vs vnto all good workes that in thee we may 1. Beginne 2. Continue 3. Eâ—d Doing thy wil and pleasure As it is in heauen 1. By thine onely sonne Vrsin 2. By thy holy Angels 3. By thy blessed saints For 1. He doth all thy will 2. They obey the voice of thy word 3. They walke in thy sight Now then Vse 1. Prosper de vit contem l. 3. After thy sonnes patterne we striue vnto perfection 1. Preferring profitable things before those that are pleasant 2. Honest things before those that are profitable 3. Holy things before those that are honest That we may bee to thy praise 2. After the example of thine Angels wt doe thee seruice obeying thee 1. Willingly Perkins 2. Speedily 3. Faithfully That we may keepe thy sayings 3. After the manner of thy Saints we walke in the way that is Chrysostome 1. On high 2. Direct 3. Narrow That we may attaine vnto thy rest Giue vs this day our daily bread 1. For our present necessity 2. Further commodity 3. Future ability For so 1. Wee shall be kept in life 2. Wee shall haue all needfull comforts for our life 3. We may also be helpefull vnto others Vse 1. Then shall we learne most bountifull God still resorting vnto thee alone for maintenance not to doe amisse 1. Asking it of Saints 2. Seeking it from diuels 3. Getting it by euill meanes If thou vouchsase vnto vs foode and clothing 2. Then shall we praise thee for our plenty acknowledging thy prouidence ouer vs and confesse that 1. Wee cannot subsist except thou giue vs bread 2. Wee are vnable to get our bread 3. Wee are vnworthy of our bread If thy bounty be so great vnto vs. 3. Then shall wee also striue to doe good to others in their wants 1. Feeding the hungry 2. Cloathing the naked 3. Generallie helping the necessitous If thou cut out our commons so large vnto vs. And forgiue vs our trespasses 1. Sinning of ignorance 2. Falling of infirmity 3. Offending of see purpose For 1. We know not good from euill 2. Wee are vnapt to good and proue to euill 3. Our hearts are oft times hardened in euill Wherefore most kinde and merciful Lord Vse 1. Giue vs a sight and feeling of our sinfull wretchednes to perceiue and see 1. Our owne naturall corruption 2. What we haue done against thy law 3. What wee haue left vndone commanded in thy law That wee may know and acknowledge the debt of our sin 2. Grant vs true sorrow and contrition for our trespasses out of the sense and feeling of our 1. Inabilities and ill deserts for sinne 2. Thy iustice and heauie displeasure against sinne 3. Our owne harmes and dangers by sin That we may loath leaue our sinne 3. Remember not how wee haue broken out in disobedience notwithstanding our knowledge so many meanes and mercies to with-hold vs 1. To the great hurt of our selues 2. To the grieuous offence of our neighbors 3. To the high contempt of thee That thou maist blot out and doe away our sinne As we forgiue them that trespasse against vs 1. Not retâ—ining their iniuries 2. Not returning their iniuries 3. Doing then good moreouer for their iniuries Though 1. Enuiously they hurâ— vs. 2. Maliciously they haâ—e vs 3. Extreamely they doe mischiefe and indanger vs. 1. But put out of oâ—r mindes offences for thy loue 1. Quickly 2. Wholly 3. Freely Because thou hast forgiuen vs so great a deâ—t 2. But spare them passing by offences for thy sake out of our 1. Pitty 2. Courage 3. Wisdome Because their trespasses are nothing to our debt 3. But recompence them good things for thine honour notwithstanding their offences wronging vs