CERTAINE FRVITFVLL INstructions and necessary doctrines meete to edify in the feare of God Faithfully gathered together by Iohn Frewen Minister of the word of God Whereunto is added a Table wherein the reader may easily find out the principall matters conteined in this booke 1. Pet. 4.10 Let euery man as he hath receaued the gift minister the same one to an other as good disposers of the manifold grace of God 1. Io. 4.1 c. Dearelie beloued beleeue not euery spirit but trye the spirits whether they are of God for many false Prophets are gone into the world AT LONDON Printed by Iohn Winder for Thomas Chard 1587. To the right worshipfull and his approued good freindes M. Tho. Couentry and M. Leonard Iefferis of Hill and Earles Crome within the county of Worcester and to the vertuous Gentlewomen their wiues I.F. wisheth earnest zeale to the glorious Gospel of Iesus Christ perseuerance and practise thereof vnto the end and in the end health in this life and in the life to come euerlasting ioy felicity through the same our only sauiour the sonne of God OVR Lord Iesus Christ right worshipfull and right deare in the Lord hauing no small experience of the malice and subtle practises of the enemy of our saluation I meane the diuell and knowing that he would leaue nothing vnattempted whereby his disciples might be seduced from the truth of his doctrine he carefully in his gospell geueth them this forwarning Mat. 7 1â— that they should take heed and bewarre of false Prophets which shoulde come to deceaue them and as rauening wolues to deuoure their soules The which warning was neuer more necessary then in these our daies For as there is nothing more pretious in this world then the blessed and heauenly doctrine of the word of GOD and as there are no persons more worthy to be accompâ—ed of then such to whom the Lorde doth geue the spirite of wisdome to open and impart this treasure vnto vs So on the other side there is nothing more daungerous and infectious to the children of God then corrupt false doctrine and no persons more to be hated and speedily auoyded then wicked and lying teachers whom Sathan thrusteth into the Church to blemishe that pretious pearle and means of our saluation Heare not saith God by Ieremy the woordes of the Prophets Ier. 23.16 that prophecy vnto you teach you vanity They speake the vision of their owne heart and not out of the mouth of the Lorde Verse 26. And againe howe long doe the Prophets delight to prophecy lyes euen prophecying the deceit of their owne heart Sathan himselfe the father and founder of al lying and false teaching vsed the same course in Paradice For when God had said vnto Adam Gen. 2.17 3.4 In what hower soeuer thou shalt eate of the fruite of this tree thou shalt dy the death the olde crafty serpent seeking to seduce man from God said nay you shall not die the death but you shal be like vnto God By which glose false interpretation of gods word he pulled them cleane from the obedience of Gods holy will and commaundement to their own vtter ouerthrow heauy iudgement By such like falsehood hee tempted Christ himselfe to make him conceaue ouer great confidence of the prouidence of God towardes him Mat. 4.6 Ps 91.11.12 It is written saith he that he will giue his Aungelles charge ouer thee and with their handes they shall lift thee vp least at any tyme thou shouldst dash thy foot against a stone By like craft of lying and by false sence peruerting the word of God he from time to time instructeth his Messengers and false Proph. to abuse deceaue the simple people of god that be not wel taught by his holy spirit how to withstand them The which false proph to the end they may be discouered and taken heed of it greatly behoueth all Christians that looke to be saued by the death of Christ to bewar whoÌ„ they beleue to haue recours to the rule touchstone of the holy scriptures which is the perfect directory wherby all truth of doctrin is examined wherby we may try and proue the spirits whether they bee of 1. Io. 4.1 2. Pe. 1.20 god For why the whole scripture as saint Paule saith is giuen by inspiration of God is profitable to teach to coÌ„uince to correct and to instruct in righteousnes that the man of God may be absolute being made perfect to al good works Search the scriptures saith our sauiour Christ for in them ye thinke to haue eternal life and they are these that testify of me Io. 5.39 Thy worde is a lantern vnto my feete sayeth the Prophet Ps 119 i05 Pro. 30.5 and a light vnto my paths Euery word of God is pure saith SalomoÌ„ he is a sheeld to those that trust in him We find not any thing in this world how pretious soeuer it bee that is worthy to haue the word of God compared vnto it for it surmounteth infinitely and beyond reason all things which are and may bee imagined to be excellent and pretious also there is nothing in this world how pretious soeuer it be but doth participat with earth and needeth to be purged cleÌ„sed froÌ„ his drosse superfluities before it caÌ„ be pure but the word of God is clean of it selfe neither hath nor caÌ„ haue any dros for it procedeth not froÌ„ a furnace but froÌ„ the mouth of God which neither caÌ„nor will bring forth any woorke but it shal be so perfect as it ought to bee and wherein nothing may bee amended Hee that is of God saith our sauiour heareth Gods word And again Io. 8.47 Io. 10.27 My sheepe heare my voice I know them they will follow me a stranger they will not follow Now if the aduersaries of the gospel I meane the Papistes would willingly as becommeth Christians submit themselues to this tryer of all truth of faith holinesse which is the worde of God If they would as Christes sheepe heare the voyce of their shephearde Then should they know that nothing is to be added or taken away from the word of God Deu. 4.2 31 Io. 20.51 Then would they say with S. Iohn so much is written that if we beleue we haue saluation by the name of Christ Then woulde they say with S. Paule that the scriptures can make vs wise to saluation 2. Tim. 3. Ambrose And then would they with Ambrose condeÌ„ne all newe doctrine which Christ hath not taught because Christ is life to all beleeuers But because they haue eares hear not eyes see not hearts and yet cannot vnderstand the truth nor find the way of saluation therefore they keepe the scripture in an vnknowen tongue from the coÌ„mon people make it little lesse theÌ„ heresy to haue it in their tongue therefore they so greatly disgrace discredite the Scriptures as vnsufficient
good workes or our owne perfection Ro. 3 22. but God the promiser and Christe the Mediator Contrariwise the Pope commandeth vs to looke Eph. 2.8.9 not onely vnto GOD the promiser nor vnto Christ our high priest but vnto our workes merits Here on the one side doubting and desperation must needes follow but on the other side assurāce of gods fauour and ioy of the spirite if wee cleaue vnto God who cannot lye For as he promised so hath hee deliuered his sonne to deth the through his bloud he might redeeme vs from our sinnes and from eternall death Tit. 1.2 In this case we cannot doubt vnlesse we will vtterly denye God 103 The libertie of a true Christian A True Christian is the childe of grace and remission of sinnes because he is vnder no lawe but is aboue the lawe sinne death and hell And euen as Christ is free from the graue and Peter from the prison Mat. 28.6 so is a Christian free from the lawe And such a respect there is betweene the iustified conscience and the lawe as is between Christ raysed vp from the graue and the graue it selfe and as is betweene Peter deliuered from the pryson Act. 12.9 and the pryson it selfe And like as Christe by his death and resurrection is dead to the graue so that it hath nowe no power ouer him nor is able any longer to holde him but the stone beeing rolled awaye the seales broaken and the keepers astonished hee ryseth agayne and goeth awaye without anye lette and as Peter by his deliueraunce is freed from the pryson and goeth whyther hee will euen so the conscience by grace is deliuered from the lawe Heb. 13.9 and so is euerye one that is borne of the spirite 104 The first point of a true Christian THE kingdome of Christ is not earthly but a spirituall kingdome by the power of the holy ghost raigning and florishing in the hearts of men and setting it selfe against the workes of the Diuell and of the worlde and therefore looketh for no other thing in the worlde Io. 18.36 but miserie and trouble Wherefore the first point of a true Christian is so farre as mans frailty can suffer 1. Io. 2.15 to renounce the worlde and the affections and pleasures thereof and with the comfort of Gods mercie in Christ Iesu to arme himselfe with patience against all the mischiefes that the Deuil or the world can raise against him A true professor of Christ his gospell maketh this account before hand and looketh for no other and because he knoweth that life of a Christiā is a warfare vpon the earth he vnderstandeth also that Christs souldiers which wil professe to fight vnder his banner may not in this life looke for wealth Io. 15.18 prosperitye and quietnesse especially whē he seeth the Diuell the world and the flesh ready prepared to ouerthrow him and to bring him to confusion Whosoeuer therefore dallieth with the worlde sheweth himselfe more then half a traytor against Christe much more they that for the worlde revolte from Christ 105 A note to knowe a true Christian THere is a most certaine note whereby the true children of God are knowne and discerned from the children of the worlde if by the spirit of God they be regenerate vnto innocency and holinesse Ro 8.9 For as GOD by his spirit consecrateth vs for temples to himself so by the same spirite he dwelleth in vs Io. 14.17 1. Cor. 3.16.17 and so the sonnes of God are counted spirituall not in respect of a full and absolute perfection but only for the newnesse of life begunne in them and because they haue the spirite of God abiding in them howesoeuer they feele some reliques of the flesh remaining Ro. 8.10 The kingdome of the spirite is the abolishing of the flesh and in whō the spirit of Christ raigneth not they doe not appertaine vnto Christ They are not Christians that serue the flesh for by plucking him away from his spirit they make him like to a deade image or carcasse 106 A true Christian is partly vnder the Lawe and partlye vnder grace A True christian is deuided into two times In that hee is fleshe he is vnder the Law in that he is spirite he is vnder grace Concupiscence Gal. 5.19 couetousnes ambition pride and such like vices do alwaies cleaue to the flesh Also ignorance contempt of God impaciency murmuring and grudging against God because he hindereth and breaketh of our counsells our deuises and enterprises and beecause hee spedilye punisheth not suche as are wicked rebellious and contemptuous persons c. Such manner of sinnes are rooted in the fleshe of the faithfull wherefore if wee beholde nothing but the flesh wee shall abide alwaies vnder the time of the Lawe but these dayes must be shortned or no flesh shall bee saued The Lawe must haue his time appointed wherein it muste haue his ende the time thereof is not perpetual but hath his end Ma. 24.22 Ro. 12.4 Ro. 6.9 which end is Christ but the time of grace is eternall For Christ being dead dieth no more He is eternall therefore the time of grace is also eternall 107 The spirit of Christ dwelleth in Christians VVEE must always remember that free remission of sins cannot be seperated from the spirit of regeneration for that were asmuch as for to rent Christ in peeces Which thing if it be true as indeede it is most true then are the aduersaries of the gospel void of the true sence of the holy Ghoste 2. Cor. 5.5 when they charge vs with arrogancy in that we dare acknowledge the spirit of Christ dwelling in vs. For either wee must denie Christ or confesse that we are Christians by his spirit It is pitifull to consider their horrible falling from the word of God forasmuch as they doe not only boaste themselues to be Christians without the spirit of God but also scorne and scoff at the faith of others bring surely grounded vpon the rocke but such is the philosophy of the Papistes the spirit is indifferently sometimes called the spirit of God the father sometime of Christ not onely because all the fulnesse thereof is shedd vppon Christ Col. 2.9 as he is our mediatour and head that from thence might redoūd to euery one of vs his portion but also because the same spirite is common to the father and the sonne who haue one essence and the same eternall Deity 108 Christians must be constant BY constancy and perseuerance in faith how many cruell persecutions soeuer are exercised against vs what greeuous offences soeuer are obiected against vs by them that fal although the deceitfull error of false Prophets doe resist our faith 1. Pet. 1.9 yet notwithstanding at the length wee shall receaue the saluation of our soules which is the ende of our Faith Christ therefore acquireth this fortitude of those that are his Ma. 24.13 that they persist and abide
from him finally his power wherby he executeth the decrees and ordinances of his counsell By this reason wee say that the sonne coÌ„meth onely of the Father but that the holy ghost is of the Father of the sonne together Although theÌ„ that we can not consider the wisedome of God but as it proceedeth froÌ„ the father as it is engendred of him yet we must take heede that in this generatioÌ„ we inuent nothing temporall carnall or humaine but rather lette vs worship the same beholding it by faith let vs take heede froÌ„ searching further theÌ„ scriptures do teach vs thereof otherwise we should deserue to be blinded and punished for our ouer great curiositie 152 The vnitie of essence is not taken away by the distinction of persons AS the Sunne that shineth hath three distinct thinges of which euerie one differeth from another the globe the light and heate and although euerie one of these keepe seueraly their properties yet is it but one sun is not deuided into 3. suns So in the Deity the vnitie of essence is not takeÌ„ away by the distinction of persons yet for all that is there no confounding of persons nor chaunginge of one into another The doctrine of the Trinitie is euerie where certainly taught in the Prophetes but more plainely in the writinges of the Euangelistes and Apostles For the Angell Gabryell speaketh vnto Marie the mother of the Lorde in these wordes Luk. 1.35 The holy Ghost shall come vpon thee and the power of the most highest shall ouershadowe thee wherfore the holy thing also which shal be borne shal be called the sonne of god We haue here truly the Father which is the highest the sonne of God which is borne of the Virgin and the holy Ghost which ouershadoweth the virgin Mat. 3.16 At what time also Christ our Lord was baptized in the riuer Iordan of Iohn the Baptist Iohn sawe the holy Ghost comming downe like a Doue and lighting vppon him and there was also a voyce hearde from heauen 2. Pet. 1.17 saying This is my dearely beloued sonne in whome I am well pleased Io. 5. 14. Furthermore Christe our Lorde hath often and sundrie wayes taught that there is a holy Trinitie and lastly he commaundeth all thâ—se that trust in him to be baptized in the name of the Father and of the sonne and of the holy Ghost Wherefore seeing that in the holy scriptures Mat. 28.18 Mar. 16.16 in the Trinitie the vnitie of the Deitie is plainely clearely taught it is mete that we doe simply rest therein not curiously search nor lust after anye further knowledge in this life then which God hath reuealed 153 Gods grace is the only staye and repayrer of all thinges WHen we haue well considered howe brittle our life is wee must also marke howe wee be repayred againe by the grace of god and specially howe we be susteyned vpheld by the same according also as these two pointes are matched togeather in the 104. Psalme Ps 104.29.30 For it is sayd there that assoone as God withdraweth his spirite working al goeth to decay but the Prophet addeth also that if God spread forth his power all is renewed in this worlde and al thinges take their liuelinesse of him And thus wee see what wee haue to marke as namely that when we knowe our selues to be weake and so subiect vnto death as that we must run thither whether we will or no we must also vnderstaÌ„d that in this so great frailtie God holdeth vs by the hand so as we be maintayned by his power and strengthened by his grace But the chief point is that we should haue an eye to the benefite and good grace which God hath giuen vs aboue the order of nature in restoring vs by his worde as sayeth the Prophet Esaye Esay 40.6.7.8 All flesh is as grasse and all the glorie of man is as the flower of grasse the grasse withereth and the flower falleth away whereas the worde of the Lorde endureth for euer 1. Pet. 1.24.25 yea not onely to continue in heauen but also to the ende that by it we may haue euerlasting life and be redeemed out of the vniuersall corruption of this earthly life that God may dwel in vs and make vs pertakers of his euerlastingnesse 154 God is the creator of all things THe Lorde by his eternall woorde hath made and created al things conteyned within the compasse of heauen earth as Moses at larg describeth Ge. 1. By the word of the Lord saith the Prophet were the heauens made Ps 33.6 al the hoste of theÌ„ by the breath of his mouth The Lord herein hath shewed his wisedome power goodnes for by his infinite most excelleÌ„t works which make al men to wonder at them we may in a manner iudge how wonderful the wisedome power goodnes of this workemaster is The Lord hath not only created al things but by his euerlasting spirite preserueth gouerneth theÌ„ Who is like vnto the Lorde our God Ps 113.5.6 that hath his dwelling on high who abaseth himselfe to behold things in heaueÌ„ in earth He hath established theÌ„ for euer hee hath made an ordinance which shall not passe Ps 148.6 All thinges that the circuit of this world conteineth whether they be visible or inuisible all thinges I say were created of God for the vse of man as the Prophet Dauid likewise witnesseth Ps 8. and 23. Ps 8. 23 and also the Apostle Paule It is therefore meete that men be thankeful vnto God and keepe in perfect memory the creation neuer call it into doubt forasmuch as the Sabboth was therefore ordeined of God that the memorie of this benefite might be kept Ex. 20.11 against al aduersaries that denie and despise the creation 155 Of the fall of man GOd at the first created man after his owne similitude likenesse that is to saye righteous vertuous holy iust and good but by his owne fault he fell from the grace which hee receaued and so separated himself from God Eccl. 7.31 Gen. 1.26 insomuch that his nature became full of corruption being blinde in spirite and depriued of all perfectnesse As by one man sinne entred into the worlde death by sin Ro. 5.12 and so death went ouer all forasmuch as all meÌ„ haue sinned Man was created of God and made of two partes the soule and the bodie of which the body was made of the earth but the soule which is spirit and life was inspired by God Gen. 2.7 and thus was man made a liuing creature who afterward although hauing receiued a iust lawe from God and enioying innumerable benefites at his hande yet notwithstanding he was vnthankfull and disobedient vnto his creator beecause that hearing the woordes of the wicked spirit he gaue more credit vnto them then vnto the words of God and was brought vnto this poynt that
vnaduisedly eating of the fruit which was forbidden him he made himselfe which was before threatned vnto him of God subiect vnto sinne Ge. 2.17 deathe and damnation 156 The firste meanes that man had to be deliuered THE first meanes that man had to be deliuered from this bondage of sinne deathe and other calamities whereunto by transgression he was subiect was the law which although it was not of power sufficient to acquite him yet being thereby brought to the knowledge of his misery he might learne to dispaire of his owne strength and fly vnto the refuge and anker hold of Faith Before faith came we were kept vnder the Lawe and shut vp vnto the faith which shuld afterward be reueiled Gal 3.23 Wherfore the Law was our Scholemaister to bring vs vnto Christ that we mighte be made righteous by faith 157 The second meanes THe Lawe being not able to acquite vs from this corruption the celestiall father because her loued the worlde hath restored vs to righteousnesse by his sonne Io. 3.16 namelie by condemning sinne in the fleshe of Christ by cancelling the handwriting of ordinances that was against vs Col. 2.14 hath done away the giltinesse wherewith we were held bound before the Lorde and so are wee absolued that God might repute vs iuste For that Ro. 8.3 that was impossible vnto the Lawe inasmuch as it was weake because of the fleshe God sending his owne sonne in the similitude of sinfull flesh and for sinne condemned sinne in the flesh He hath made him to bee sinne for vs 2. Cor 5.21 which knewe no sinne that wee should be made the righteousnesse of God in him Greater loue then this hath no man When any man bestoweth his life for his freindes Io. 15.13 This loue is sealed vnto vs. Matthew the 26.28 158 Of Christ his person and office his preisthoode and kingdome OVr Lord Iesus Christ before the foundation of the woorlde was laide was ordeyned and appointed to bee the Sauiour of the woorlde In the beginning was the worde and the word was with God and that word was God In substāce and nature touching his diuinity he is coequall with GOD. Io. 1.1 Ioh. 17.5 He. 2.17 4.12 1. Tim. 2. Act. 4.12 And now glorifie mee thou Father with thine ownself with the glory which I had with thee before the world was made There are two natures in Christ a Dyuine and humane the propertye whereof do safely remaine knitte and ioyned in one person He is our onelie Mediatour and Aduocate neither is there saluation in any other For amongest men there is giuen no other name vnder heauen whereby wee shal be saued He is our euerlasting preist who by his one oblation of himselfe hath satisfied for the sinnes of all those that by a liuely faith take hold vppon him But now our high Preist hath obtained a more excellent office inasmuch as he is the mediator of a better testament Heb 8.6 9.11 1. Pet. 1.19 Io. 18.36 He is a king but his kingdome is not of this worlde for if the kingdome of Christ were earthly it would be vnstable and transitory but nowe sith it is heauenly it is certaine that the same shall continue for euer The encrease of his gouernment and peace shall haue no end Esay 9.7 He shall sit vppon the throne of Dauid and vppon his kingdome to order it and to establishe it with iustice and with iudgement from hencefoorthe euen for euer Dan. 7.14 Mich. 4. His dominion is an euerlasting dominion which shall neuer bee taken away and his kingdome shall neuer be destroyed 159 Howe we ought to knowe and confesse Christ WE may not think that a fleight knowledge and confession of Christ the sonne of God and Sauiour of the world is sufficient Ia. 2.19 For the Deuills as Saint Iames saith do beeleeue knowe and tremble yea and the Turkes and infidels do after a manner acknowledge Christ But wee muste knowe and confesse Christe as Peter did saying Thou art Christe the sonne of the liuing God Ma. 16.16 We must deeply pearce or enter into the whole course of the scripture and earnestlye consider by what titles Christ is called and what hee is indeede both in person and office To confesse that Iesus is Christ the sonne of GOD is asmuch as to say that wee knowe confesse and beleeue that Iesus born of the blessed virgine is the blessed seede and the true Messias promised by GOD by the mouth of all his Prophets and the eternall and onely begotten sonne of GOD that is according to his person very God and very man and by his office the true Christ annointed of the holy Ghoste King of Kings and Lorde of Lordes the high preist principall shephearde of our soules the Maister guider and teacher of his flocke our onely Sauiour redeemer mediator and intercessor the head gouernour ruler and defender of his Church And wee may not thinke that the eternall prouidence and wisedome of God woul◠prepare so pretious highe and vnestimable a meanes as to sende downe his sonne to take the forme of a seruaunt vppon him in this vale of misery to woorke onelye some parte of our saluation and so but in parte to execute the office of a sauiour Wherfore wee muste assuredly knowe and confesse that Christ is al that is before spoken wholly and onely without any parte attributed to other For as Peter saieth in the Actes of the Apostles Act. 4.12 there is no other name geuen vnder heauen whereby wee shall bee saued but onely the name of Christ Iesus 160 Christ is the liuelye image of the Father FOrasmuch as men make themselues known by countenance and by worde euen so God sendeth forth his voice vnto vs by the voice of the prophets and hath in the Sacramentes as it were taken vpon him a visible forme that we may know him according to our capacity for as God by his nature is inuisible for God is a spirite so is he neither seene with corporall eyes nor yet heard by these corporall and corruptible eares Neuerthelesse he giueth vnto his seruauntes certaine signes of his presence Io. 4.24 and speaketh vnto men in such manner of speech as may be vnderstood For so he appeared to the Prophets Wherefore that which wee read in Deuteronomy concerning the voice of GOD which the Israelits hear◠is no otherwise to be vnderstood Deu. 4.10 then that they heard the voice of an Angel and not the proper voice of God But when Christ was made manifest in the flesh we had after a sort in him a visible image of the inuisible father Hee himselfe saying Io. 14.9 He which seeth mee seeth my father also He therefore which doth not acknowledge God in his liuely and expresse image doth sufficiently thereby declare that he worshippeth no God at al 2. Cor. 3.14 but a God of his owne imagination Therfore the Apostle saieth that the
Cor. 4.1 Nowe if the minister be a light to the people he must of necessitie go and shine before them in knowledge and doctrine If hee be the salte hee must needes season If he be a Pastor or Shephearde he must needes feede If he be an husbandman hee must needes haue a care of the Lordes husbandrie If he be a Guide he must needes knowe the way himselfe and open and declare it to other If hee be a Stewarde he must prouide for the housholde If he be a messenger he must be able and willing to doe his message for it standes for the Lordes glorie and credite to haue such Pastors and such husbandmen such stewardes and messengers as haue wisdome and knowledge They that be wise sayeth Daniell shall shyne as the brightnesse of the firmament Dan. 12.3 and they that turne many vnto righteousnesse shall shine as the stars for euer and euer Mat 24.25 The wise and faithfull steward that giueth meate to the houshold in due season when his maister commeth he shal be blessed and made partaker of exceeding ioye and glorie Take heede sayeth the Apostle to thy selfe and to learning continue therein 1. Tim. 4.16 for in so doing thou shalt both saue thy selfe and those that heare thee God so blessed the preaching of his seruant Ionas that thorough it Ionas 3 4 the Niniuites beleeued god humbled themselues and forsooke their former wicked wayes At one preaching of Peter there were wonn to the Lorde about three thousande soules Act. 2.41 Thus doth the Lord blesse his owne meanes and order the minister by pure and faithfull preaching dischargeth his owne soule obteyneth peace in conscience and so is blessed in this life but shall bee farre more blessed in the life to come when hee hath finished his race hee shal receaue an incorruptible crowne of glorie Act. 26.18 The people also by this meanes are many wayes blessed they receaued knowledge faith Ro. 10.17 and saluation their eyes are opened they are turned frō darknesse to light and from the power of Satan vnto God All these great and notable blessings doe ensue the preaching of the word and therefore required most necessarily in euerie minister 200 A right image of a godly Pastor IT is the dutie of all Pastors and ministers to beare a Fatherly and motherly affection not towardes rauening wolues but towardes the poore sheepe miserably seduced and going astray patiently bearing their faultes and infirmities instructing and restoring them with the spirite of meekenesse Gal. 6.1 2 Tim. 2.25 For they can not bee brought into the right way againe by any other meanes and by ouer-sharpe reproouing and rebuking they are prouoked to anger or else to desperation but not to repentaunce Such is the nature and fruite of true and sounde doctrine that when it is well taught and well vnderstoode it ioyneth mens hearts together with a singular concorde but when men reiect godly and sincere doctrine and embrace errors this vnitie and concorde is soone broken 201 The dutie of the ministers THe Pastors and ministers of the Churche must learne that they ought not to exempt themselues from charge and care nor flye labour and trauayle but they ought as pillers to susteyne and beare the Church of God as vppon their shoulders and not bee like vnto the Pope which doeth oppresse it and doth deuoure the same as a rauening wolfe with his like as it is written Matthew 23. vers 4. Heb. 5.4 Secondly that they ought not to thrust in themselues Thirdely that they cannot by their industrie and labour attayne vnto this honour but GOD must make them apt and fitte for the same the which hee doeth when hee openeth himselfe vnto them by his woorde and calleth them to this office endueth them with the wisedome of his spirit A man can receiue nothing Io. 3.27 2. Co. 3.7 except it be giuen him from aboue And we are not sufficient of our selues to thinke anye thing as of our selues Our Lord also doth well shew it whē he sayth vnto his Desciples Mat. 9.37 that the haruest is great but the labourers are fewe He declareth the same also when hee opened the vnderstanding of his Desciples for to vnderstande the Scriptures Lu. 24.25 And although the ministers of the word be as it were pillers of the Church yet haue they nothing whereupon to glorie For what hast thou that thou hast not receaued 1. Co. 4.7 And what is Paule and Apollo but seruantes by whom ye have beleeued But they haue cause to hūble themselues seeing they could not prepare nor place themselues where they are should be voide of power and might without vpholding anye thing except the foundation did beare and vpholde them and that they did not beare and holde vppe the whole building and house 202 What euerie minister ought to preach THe ministers are not bounde to deliuer the counsels of men the traditions of the Fathers the statutes of earthly princes or the authoritie of mortall men but as they are the seruauntes of Iesus Christ Prince of all Princes so are they bounde onely to preach his Gospell The true Prophets neuer spake of themselues vnto the people Ier. 1 Eze. 3. but as they receaued warning from the Lord They had no authority to speake their owne wordes nor the words of anye mortall man Ma. 28. i0 The Apostles might not teach their owne doctrine but onelie that which they had receaued frō their Maister who enioyneth them to teach all things whatsoeuer he had commāded them Mar. 16 i5 1. Cor. 11.23 1. Cor. 15 3. Go saith he and preach the gospell The Apostle writing vnto the Corinth affirmeth that he receiued of the Lord that which he deliuered vnto them Whereby we may see al these teachers confuted which stand vppon the authority of men which ad or diminish any thing from the scriptures which ioyne their owne fantasies and the traditions of men with the holy pure and perfect word of God The Lawe of God saith the Prophet is a perfect law conuerting soules Ps 197 2. Tim. 3.17 The Scripture saith Saint Paule is able to make the man of GOD absolute and perfect to all good workes He that hath a dreame saith GOD by Ieremy let him tell a dreame Ier. 23.28 but he that hath my worde let him speake my worde faithfully And what is the chaffe to the wheate saith the Lord Is not my worde lyke a fier and like an hammer that breaketh the stone Our Sauiour in the Gospell speaketh against such teachers Ma. 12 3 saying In vaine they worship me teaching the doctrine and precepts of men Woe therefore wil bee to such sonnes of vanity which preach not Christe but themselues and which doe deface and weaken the authority of the holy scriptures 203 The office of Ministers and howe men ought to behaue themselues towards them THE Office of Ministers is to watch ouer
measure of knowledge as other haue There is difference in giftes among vs at this day as there was among the apostles yet they all sufficiently preached They which haue any measure of those giftes which the Lord requireth in his ministers 1. The. 5.19 they must not quench the spirit but vse the meanes to encrease their measure if they be painefull carefull watchfull and faithfull in their ministerie with a holye and pure affection the Lord will blesse them Mat. 25.29 To him that hath shall be giuen we cannot at the first come to perfection Apollos a learned doctor seruent in the spirit Act. 8.26 and mightie in the scriptures yet was he ignorant in some thinges and receiued instruction from Aquila and Priscilla Some haue more then others some haue ten talents some fiue and some but one yet let vs alwaies remember and let it neuer slip out of our minds that the slothful and vnprofitable seruant Mat. 25.15 30. shall be cast into vtter darknes there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth 208 Of the Gospell and how it must be preached VNder the voyce of the Gospell is comprehended the whole historie of Iesus Christ in the flesh and also the fruit and vse of the same historie The story of Christ is briefly comprehended vnder his passion and resurrection the vse and ende wherof is that we should haue repentance and remission of sinnes in his name And this doth Christ himselfe witnes when as he said to his Apostles after his resurrection Luk. 24.46 thus it is writen and thus it behoued Christ to suffer and to rise againe the third day and that repentaunce and remission of sinnes shoulde bee preached in his name among all nations To this agreeth the Apostle Peter when as he saith with other the Apostles to the Counsell and chiefe Priestes The God of our Fathers hath raysed vp Iesus whom ye slue and hanged on a tree Act. 5.30.31 him hath GOD lifte vp with his right hande to bee a Prince and a Sauiour to giue repentaunce vnto Israell and remission of sinnes By this we may see how the Gospel must be preached the people must be taught what Christ hath done for them The whole storye of his Incarnation conception birth sufferinges resurrection and ascention must be oftentimes and effectually preached vnto them as they are set downe by the Euangelistes and Apostles but yet this is not inough to shewe what Christe hath done and to rehearse the storie of his incarnatiō but also the minister must be careful to preach the ende the vse and fruite of the same which is that the people may repent be turned vnfaynedly vnto God and so by faith made pertakers of remission of sinnes through Iesus Christ 209 What repentaunce is REpentance is a true turning vnto God a chaunging of the outward and inwarde man a dying to sinne a liuing to righteousnesse and amendment of the whole life Hee which is returned vnto God ought first necessarily to know and vnderstand how he fell from him and to know what God is how we fall from him and how we ought to turne to him againe Mat 9.12 So that he which must repent ought to know his own noughtines and wickednes and also by what meanes the same may be amended which is broken and spoyled but these thinges can in no wise be done of any wretched sinner vnlesse they be drawne hereunto and therein instructed by the spyrit and word of God Mar. 1.15 which they must also stedfastly beleue Io. 6.44 For these thinges are so necessarilye required that vnlesse God by grace through his spirit open and draw the heart of the sinner and by his worde shew vs the perfect way gouerne and keepe vs in the same giue vs true faith whereby to quicken and iustifie vs vnlesse I say he giue vs these all repentance how hard or greeuous so euer it seeme is no true repentance Example hereof maye bee taken of Iudas who repenting for his sinnes confessed the same to the Priestes in the temple saying I haue sinned in betraying the innocent bloud Mat. 27.3.5 yea and he in this prate made satisfaction in that he threw the vnrighteous price of bloud into the temple But this repentance did nothing at all profite him although he had in it contrition confession and satisfaction and because he lacked true faith he dispayred and hanged himselfe On the other side Luk. 22.61.62 the Lord looking backe vpon Peter and the Cocke crowing he remembred his wordes and beleeuing them departed from the wicked companie wept for his sinnes and amended his faultes and this his repentaunce was true and perfect The prophet Ieremy also confirmeth this doctrine ver 18.19 when he prayeth vnto the Lord in his 31. chap. whereby it is euident that true repentaunce and the sorrowing for our sinnes must proceede from God stirring vp the same in vs by faith so as it must not be a repentance or sorrowe according to the world but after the will of God 210 Repentance is necessarie to make pure the conscience and it is not a worke of man THe filth and infection which defileth and corrupteth the person is of the heart and the principal care we ought to haue of our selues is that we be pure and cleane in our heartes and consciences which thing we cannot attaine vnto but by faith and repentaunce And wee must beware that wee resemble not the Scribes and Pharesies to whom our sauiour Christ obiecteth their hypocrisie Furthermore when calling vs to repentaunce God promiseth vs his holye spirite we must vnderstand that repentaunce is not a worke of man but of God who regenerateth vs and reneweth vs by his holy spirit as appeareth by the witnes of Ezechiell Eze. 36.26 a newe hart saith the Lord I wil geue you a new spirite will I put within you c. and so consequentlye it is not of our freewill that wee repent but of the onely mercy of God which will not the death of a sinner The which also Ieremy confesseth saying Ez. 33 11. Ier. 10.23 O Lorde I knowe that the waye of man is not in himselfe and therefore he prayeth on this wise conuert thou me and I shal be conuerted We may learne also in an other place that the wordes of God are hidden from vs Pro. 1.23 if the holy Ghost be not giuen vs to instruct and sanctifie vs. Wherefore we must pray with Dauid Create in mee O Lord a cleane heart and renewe a right spirite within me Ps 51.12 Finally seeing that in bidding vs repent God promiseth vs the knowledge of his word we may perceaue whoe are the true repentantes and whoe are not and lykewyse that they which make not account to repent doe not vnderstand the worde of God although they make neuer so faire a shew to the contrarie 211 Repentance is the gifte of God MEn cannot haue repentance of their own
the gilt and filthinesse from our soules As bread and wine by naturall effecte nourisheth our bodies and strengthneth and comforteth our spirites so doth the heauenly foode of Chriestes bodie and bloud Io 6.48 c. broken and shed for vs vpon the crosse nourish our soules and quicken our spirites to eternall life with GOD. In the olde time the Sacramentes and Ceremonies were profitable for the bodily nourishment as the water gushing out of the rocke Manna and the Pascall lambe but in our Sacramentes Exo. 17.6 God smally or nothinge considereth our bodies but most principally and wholly the releefe Ex. 16.15 c. 12.14 ease and comfort of our soules Therefore as in the olde Testament so nowe much more in the Sacramentes is to bee considered some spirituall and internall thing to the vnderstanding whereof the likenesse of the outwarde signes doe leade vs as in Baptisme our regeneration and new birth and the washing away of our sinnes by the death and passion of Christ In the Lordes supper the heauenly foode of our soules with the bodie that was broken his bloud that was shed vpon the crosse Wherefore good christians in receuing the sacramēt must not haue so much regard to the signe as to the spiritual thing it self for which the outwarde token was ordeined For the efficacie of the Sacraments doth not consist in the visible signe but wholy in the working of the spirite of God Io. 6.63 according as it is Gods pleasure to woorke by meanes by him ordeyned without any derogation thereby to his glorious power 216 The beginning of Sacramentes is from God THE Author and ordeyner of Sacramentes is none other but God himselfe neither Patriarch nor Prophete nor Father nor the whole Church hath autoritie to ordeine any Sacrament The Sacramentes are belonging to the worshippe of God they are signes tokens and witnesses of Gods will And who can make vs certaine of Gods will but God himselfe As also the Apostle teacheth in the first to the Corinth 1. Cor. 2.11 And who can appoint gods worship but God himself According as he saith by his Prophet In vaine they worship mee teaching the traditions of men Esay 29.13 The sacraments were not so ordeyned by God that afterwarde he would haue no more care or regard of them but he alwaies worketh and bringeth to passe al things in the faithfull which keepe his ordinaunce the which he hath promised in his worde Wherefore as the faithfull heare the word of God 1. Tim. 2.4 not as the word of anye mortall man but as proceeding from the mouth of the most highest so also when they receaue the sacraments at the handes of the Ministers they acknowledge that this is the ordinance of GOD 1. Th. 2. i3 Esa 1.20 and that he worketh in the beleeuers and therefore they receaue and vse the sacraments as at the verie hand of God vnto whom they directe the eies of their faith 217. Why Sacramentes were ordeined THe first cause why it was christs pleasure to ordeine sacraments in his Churche is partlye our owne infirmity and weakenesse 1. Cor. 2.14 being dull and slowe in the vnderstanding of heauenly thinges partly the great goodnesse and loue of God that would vouchsafe to attemper himselfe to our simple capacity and to seeke meanes by outward things to ease and helpe the same Secondly that the sacrament might be to vs a blessed exercise whereby we call to our remembrance the benefite of our redemption in Christ and yeelde vnto him moste harty praise and thanks for the same Luk. 22.19 1. Cor. 11.26 according as Christ teacheth vs in the institution of his last supper And as Saint Paule also sayeth in the first to the Corinthians Thirdly that we by the vse and practise thereof might bee traded to the obedience of Gods holy will and commaundements though the things seeme to our selues neuer so simple and meane also that thereby we might openly before God and the world protest and acknowledge that we are his people and of the number of them that looke to be saued preserued and defended by the benefit of Christ only So that the open vse of the sacrament is a parte of that confession wherunto the Apostle Paule Ro. 10.9 Romanes 10. attributeth saluation An other cause end of the Sacramentes is Io. 13.35 that they might be as handes and links of loue vnity and concorde among our selues For the which cause Saint Paule when he exhorted the Ephes to vnitye and loue Eph. 4.5 among other things hee addeth we haue one faith one baptisme And again in an other place wee are one body saith he as many as be pertakers of one life 1. Cor. 10.17 Finally that by the sacraments as by blessed meanes the holy Ghoste working with them hee might impart vnto vs and bestow vpō vs his vnestimable graces and benefits together with al the fruits of our redēption in Christ For as his word is so are his sacraments instruments and means by the working of his holy spirite to bring vnto vs the whole benefit of our saluation 218 The right applying of Christs sufferings and sacraments to our benefit WHeras it is said that the sonne of God was crucified we must not only think that the same was done for the redemption of the worlde but also euery one must on his own behalf ioyne himselfe to Christ and conclude it is for him that he hath suffred So whē we be baptised as it is not for any one man alone so is not the water sprincled vppon al men in common but euery man is baptised seuerally in his owne behalf to the end that euery one of vs may apply it particulerly vnto himself 1. Cor. 6 15. Ep. 5.30 to say that we be al members of our Lord Iesus Christ Also when we receaue the holy supper euery man taketh his owne portion to shewe vs that our Lord Iesus Christ is communicated vnto vs yea euen to euery one of vs. For when we once know the the thing which was done for the redemption of the whole worlde pertaineth to euery one of vs seuerallye it behoueth euery one of vs to say also on his behalfe that the sonne of God hath loued him so dearlie that hee hath geuen himselfe to death for him And that therefore we be of all creatures the most miserable if we accept not such a benefite when it is offered vnto vs. For it is a common doctrine in the holy scriptures that GOD so loued the world that he spared not his onely sonne but gaue him to death for vs Io. 3.16 and also that our Lorde Iesus Christ at such time as we wer his deadly enemies did confirme a maruelous loue towards vs in that he offered himself in sacrifice to make attonement betwen God and vs and to do away al our sins as they might no more come to accompt This is the warrant of our saluation
Christ so is it also plainly against that which Christ himselfe teacheth in the 6. Ver. 56. of Iohn For there hee sayeth thus He that eateth my fleshe drinketh my bloud abideth in me and I in him As the liuing father sent me and I liue by the father so he that eateth me shall liue by me But the wiked and naughty persons abid not in Christ nor liue by him therefore sinful wicked faithlesse persons do not eate Christ nor drink his bloud Ver. 54 In the same ch Christ saith further who soeuer eateth my fleshe and drinketh my bloud hath eternal life c But the wicked haue not eternal life by christ nor shal be raised to life but to eternal damnation therefore it is a false and a wicked doctrine that Iudas and such other naughty persons do eate the very true reall and naturall body of Christ for if they did Io. 6.48 c. then should they be pertakers of those benefitts which Christ truth it selfe promiseth to thē that eate him 234 The agreement of the Popishe doctrine with the Apostles THe Doctrine of the Apostles is that Christ is not onely God eternal with the father but that he is man also Phil. 2.7 Heb. 2.17 Act. 1.11 taking fleshe of the blessed virgine in al things like vnto vs sin only excepted and that in his humanity he is now ascended into heauen sitteth perpetually at the right hande of the Father But the doctrine of the Church of Rome telleth vs that the humanitye of Christ and his very naturall body and blood are really and carnally not in heauen alone but in ten thousand places also vpon the earth at one instant the which property is peculier to God alone For nothing but God can be in mo places but one at once as the whole scriptures do declare The doctrine of the Apostles is Ro. 3.25 1. Io. 2.1 Col. 1.20 that Christ is by GOD appointed to be our onely Mediator reconciler aduocate and intercessor to make attonement between GOD and vs so often as our sinnes shall seuere vs from him and that to that ende he sitteth now at the right hande of GOD that he may appeare before him for vs. But the popish doctrine putting Christe out of office doeth teache that we haue an infinite number of mediators and intercessors to procure vs fauour and to make reconciliation betwene God and vs Act i0 43 Ier. 31.34 Rom. 3.25 Col. 1.14 we are taught by the Apostles that christ is our only redeemer and sauiour and by the price of his blood hath purchased for vs full and perfect remission of sin But the Romish doctrine is that we haue remission of sin not onelye by Christ but by the merits prayers of saintes by masses pardōs by purgatory such like matching the vaine deuises of men for the remission of our sins with the bloud of the sonne of God the most excellent price of our redēption The Apostles teach vs that Christ is our onely high priest He. 10.14 For euen according to the order of Melchizadech that with once offering of himselfe hath made perfect for euer all them that be sanctified But the Papistes would make vs beleeue that Christ hath a state of priesthood succeeding him which must dailie and continually offer the very naturall body and bloud of Christ to God the Father for the remission of the sins of the quicke and of the dead Io. 3.2 Io. 14.26 Io. 16.13 The doctrine of the Apostles is that christ is the onely Maister and teacher of his church and in his holy word hath deliuered vnto it all truth but the church of Rome perswadeth men to beleeue that Christ hath not deliuered vnto vs all truth but that there be many articles of necessitie to be beleeued which are not contained in the scripturs We are further taught by the Apostles 1. Cor. 113 Eph. 5.23 that Christ is the onely head of his church and the ruler and gouernour of the same but the Papistes woulde perswade vs that the Pope and his Successors are the heads of the church of Christ So likewise the Apostles teach vs that Christ is the onely foundation and grounde of his Churche whereupon it resteth and is stayed 1. Cor. 3.11 and the Papistes teach vs that Saint Peter and his successors bee the foundation of the Church and that hell gates shall not preuayle against that Church that is builded vppon that foundation 235 We are vtterly blinde by our nature CErtaine it is that all our senses are so weake that wee shall neuer be able to comprehende one worde of that which God speaketh vnto vs except he inlighten vs by his holy spirite For the naturall man perceaueth not the things which are of God they are too high and profounde for vs. 1. Cor. 2.14 But whereof commeth this default and blindnes but from our owne corruption and wickednesse For it is most certaine and true that the veritie truth of God in it selfe and in his owne nature is easie ynough it is not darke and obscure but plaine to be vnderstood And therefore if we will behaue our selues in such sorte as that GOD may make vs to profitte in his word Ps 34.18 1. Pet. 5.5 we must then be humble and obedient and little in our owne eyes For it is not for naught that he promiseth to teach and instruct such as are humble Let vs not then trust to our owne wit Let vs not come to the hearing of his word with such an hautinesse and presumption in vs Io. 15.5 2. Cor. 3.5 as to thinke wee are of sufficient capacitie to iudge of that which shall bee sayde but rather let vs desire of God that he will open our eyes that he will reach out his hande to leade vs and let vs confesse that wee are not of such dexteritie of wit to profitte vnder him in his schoole except he bestowe it vpon vs. When this humilitie shal be in vs wee neede not doubt but the worde of God shall be easie vnto vs and that we shall know vnderstande whatsoeuer is therin deliuered vnto vs necessarie for our saluation 236 The word of God is of great vertue THe word of God is mighty in operation that is to say it hath in it force and vertue Heb. 4.12 able to subdue all enimies and bring vs in obedience vnto Christ This vertue of the word S. Paule notably setteth out to the Corinthians magnifiyng his Apostleship by this meanes 2. Cor. 10. our weapons saith he are strong by the power of God to cast downe holdes wherewith we ouerthrow imaginations and euerie high thing that is exālted againste the knowledge of God and bring into captiuitie euery thought to the obedience of Christe and haue ready vengeance against all disobedience howsoeuer a man magnifie him selfe or exalt him selfe in which arrogancie of spirite hee seemeth as it were buried in sinne and his heart
christian souldier to reioice in the mercy of God to be feruent in prayer to geue thanks to God in all things the heathens which haue no part in the kingdome of Christ are thankful for their life and liberty wealth glorye and worldly prosperity But Christians ought to be thankfull in persecution in thraldome in aduersity in shame in misery and death it selfe Who would think that a Lyon which by nature is fierce and cruell shoulde yeeld forth hony Iud. 14.8 yet Sampson found honye in the bodye of a Lyon Ionas was swallowed vp of a whale yet not hurt Ro. 8.28 We knowe saith the Apostle that al things worke together for the best vnto them that loue God The Apost reioiced in their persecution that they were counted worthy to suffer rebuke for Christs sake And P speaking of this perfection in the godly saith we reioice vnder the hope of the glory of God Ro. 5.2.3 Neither that onely but also we reioyce in tribulation c who hath not heard of the pacience of Iob his cattel were driuen away his houses consumed with fire Iob. 1.21 his children slaine his body striken with a scurffe his wife loathed him and his freinds forsooke him And yet in all these miseries he fretted not but pacientlye susteining his aduersity The Lorde said he hath geuen the Lord hath taken it blessed be the name of the lord And again Iob. 13. i5 though he slay me yet wil I trust in him What are wee then that are neither thankfull for riches nor for health nor for our pleasures nor in the aboundance of all thinges which abuse the good giftes of God to dishonor him who hath geuen them vnto vs. The earth is the Lords and all that therein is the worlde and they that dwell therein He openeth his hande and filleth all thinges liuing with his blessing Psa 89.11 Ps 145.16 Ia. 1.17 Col. 2.3 Let vs looke vp into the heauens There is GOD the Father of lights from whom euery good and perfect gift commeth There is our redeemer Iesus Christ in whome are hid all the treasures of wisedome and knowledge When we see how mercifully and aboundantlye the Lorde hath dealt with vs in thinges concerning this life Let vs consider with our selues howe many good men and faithfull seruaunts of GOD lacke the same and haue not receaued these blessings in such measure as wee In all these thinges GOD speaketh vnto vs and sheweth that hee is the giuer and that we haue them at his handes and therefore that we vse them well and not be vnthankfull 244 We must not hide our talent in the grounde WHen we shall attaine vnto the light of the trueth through the might of Gods spirit in any acceptable measure we must not holde fast this treasure as it were lockt vp in a chest But we must communicat the graces of God vnto others doe the best we can to draw on the miserable ignorant people to the seruice of god and to cary about with vs the doctrin to publish it to all men when as it is cōmitted vnto vs as a treasure to bestow the gift which we haue receaued vpon our neighbours according to that measure of faith which GOD hath geuen vs. 1. Pe. 4. i0 Psal 119.171.172 Wee must not neglect those whom we might winne but we must gather as much company to the Lord as we can For we shal not need to feare that our blessing shal be diminished as the case stādeth in an earthly inheritaunce Ro. 14.29 the which when it is deuided into many partes euery one hath but a little For as for the heauenly inheritaunce we are very well assured that we lose nothing neither diminish any part of our right when we draw many of our neighbors yea an infinite multitude they al do encrease our glory and ioy When God calleth vs vnto him he goeth not to worke by portions as things either encrease or decrease in this worlde but we shall haue so much that as I said before our saluation shall bee so much the more encreased and our glory augmented when we haue gathered a multitude to our God 245 How Sathan hath bewitched the Papists THe Diuell hath bene no lesse enuious and hath no lesse preuailed in these latter daies then hee hath done in times past For now also hath he made many men to set forth the imaginations of their owne heartes and hath bewitched many to followe their damnable waies whereby the way of truth is blasphemed and for their owne traditions he hath made the word of the Lorde Iesus to be of none effect this work hath he wroght as we may see among the Papistes For whereas Christ hath taught vs to worshippe in spirit and trueth to drinke the wine in the sacrament of his body and bloude Io. 4.23 Ma. 26.27 1. Cor. 14.19 1. Cor. 10 27. Heb. 13.3 to praye in a knowne tongue to eate of any meats without scruple of conscience to vse holy matrimony in all estates as a remedy against sinne yet as though Christ were no prophet vnto vs they haue abrogated these his lawes and made other contrary of their owne This our eies haue seene and our eares haue heard and whether they wil or no they must needes confesse it Yet notwithstanding they flatter themselues in a maruelous madnesse and doing all thing contrary to the Lord Iesu they say still they cannot erre but they shall one day see and know that Christ is the onely Prophet of the newe testament and blessed be the Lorde who hath made vs this day to beleeue it and while yet the day of health and acceptable time is to hearken onelye vnto him and refuse all the vaine inuentions of men 246 The doctrine of the Papistes repugnant to the scriptures WE are taught by the Scriptures that Christ is ascended into heauen and sitteth on the right hand of GOD the father and from thence and no place els Col 3.1 he shall come to iudge the quick and the dead yet contrary to this article of our faith and contrary to the nature of Christs humanity if we beeleeue not that Christ euen in his fleshe is still in earth with vs yea and that in a thousand places at once the church of Rome wil pronounce vs detestable heretickes The scripture teacheth that we haue redemptiō and iustification by faith in Christs bloud onely without the helpe of our owne vertues and good workes For S. Paule saith Ro. 3.18 Therefore wee gather that a man is iustified by faithe without the deeds of the Law And to the Ep. Ye are iustified by grace Eph 2.8.9 and that not of your selues it is the gifte of God not of woorkes leaste any man should bost And yet if we beleue not that our workes do help vs to our iustification and remission of sins the papists wil condemne vs as heretiks The Scriptures sayth Thou shalt make thee no