the world he said Sacrifice oblatiō thou wouldest not but a body hast thou framed vnto mee c Thē I said Loe I am present in the beginning of the booke it is writtē of me that I should do thy will O God And a little after Through which will we are sanctified through the oblation of the body of Iesus Christ once made Vpō this counsell of God also leaneth the reason of the Apostle in the 10. to the Romains whilest he saith the righteousnesse which is of faith so he saith Say not in thy heart who shall ascend into heauen For this is to fetche Christ out of heauen or who shall goe downe into the deepe this is to bring Christ from the deade But what saith he The word is neare thee in thy mouth and in thy heart This is that worde of faith which we preache to witte if thou shalt confesse the Lord Iesus with thy mouth and shalt beleeue in thy heart that God hath raised him vp from the deade thou shalt be safe For we beleeue with the heart to righteousnesse but we confesse with the mouth to saluation See the 1. Corinth 1. vers 30. Luk. 1. vers 10. to the Hebr. 2. vers 14.15 to the Romans 5. vers 12.15.16 17.18 Also 1 Cor. 15. vers 20.21.23 1. Thess 4. vers 14. and Chapiter 5. vers 3. I beleeue in God the father almightie maker of heauen and earth Testimonies out of the Prophets and Apostles of the nature of God and of the creation of all thinges EXodus 34. The Lord of Hoastes The Lord of Hoastes a mightie mercifull and gratious God long suffering and much in goodnes and saith who shewest mercie to thowsandes pardoning iniquitie and defection and sinnes before whom the innocent is not innocent who recompencest the iniquitie of the fathers vppon the children and vppon the childrens children and vppon the kinsfolkes Gene. 1. In the beginning God created heauen and earth Nowe the earth was desolate and voyde and darkenes was vppon the vtmost face of the depth and the spirite of God mooued it selfe vppon the face of the waters Io. 1. In the beginning was the worde and the word was with God and that word was God All thinges were made by it and without it was nothing made that was made And to the Colossians the first and Psal 104. Thou shalt sende foorth thy spirite and they shal be created and thou shalt renue the face of the earth The description of God GOD is a spirituall substance euerlasting good pure aswell of an incomprehensible glorie as of an infinite wisedome and power of an vnchangeable righteousnes vnspeakable mercie and most constant trueth to be short the onely soueraigne happines and the father is euerlasting the sonne the euerlasting image of the father and the holie ghost proceeding from both The nature of God is shortly and diligently expressed in the description which is in Moses Exod. 34. The Lord of of Hoastes the Lord of Hoasts a mightie mercifull and gentle God long suffering and of great mercie and true c. The profite of this description of God THe vse of this description is that the nature of God being knowne we should embrace by true faith as our onely and most soueraigne God and should feare to offende him to the end that through true faith and feare or amendment of life he might be glorified of vs. For first when we heare that God who hath promised by an euerlasting couenant that he wil be a God vnto vs is an vnderstanding wise euerlasting good righteous and mercifull God we conclude verie rightly vppon it of the verie forme of that free couenant that he is not onely such a one by nature but also that he will shew himselfe to be such a one to vs beleeuers and that by an euerlasting couenant though all creatures should seeme to persuade vs to the contrarie He that knoweth this nature of God of whom he is receiued into couenant he hath large matter of trusting in him and of framing his life by faith according to the will of God Both of these to wit howe the knowledge of God maketh to faith and repentance and so to the establishing of the kingdome of God in vs we will make plaine out of some of his attributes So great and so constant is the truth of God that one word of the diuine truth passeth the truth of all Angels and men because the truth of all creatures dependeth vpon the truth of God and hath the originall from that and consisteth in that alone so that the truth of god is the cause and foundation of all truth both in Angels and men When therefore we wauer or doubt of any matter why do we not consult whether there be not some word of the Lorde concerning that matter whereof we doubt which being found we may giue our mindes to rest knowing assuredly that the least title of the truth is more firme then the whole frame of heauen and earth Ieremi 31. Matt. 5. vers 18. therefore it is saide in the second booke of the Kinges Cap. 10. vers 10. Knowe you nowe that there shall not fall anie thing of the word of the Lord to the ground Also his infinite power ought to incourage vs to trust in him in him I say that mightie God who calleth those thinges which are not as if they were Ro. 4. Like as also that same Apostle further speaketh of the faith of Abraham He doubted not of the promise of God through vnbeleife but was made strong in faith giuing glorie to God Being fully assured that he which had promised he also was able to performe it And surely how greatly distrust displeaseth God as which defraudeth him of his glory and how greatly the holiest men that are ought to beware of it the Lord teacheth Num. 20. And the Lord of Hoastes said vnto Moyses and Aaron Forasmuch as ye haue not beleeued me that you might sanctifie me before the sonnes of Israel therefore you shall not lead this congregation into the lande which I haue giuen them And in the 32. of Deut. 50.51.52 Now he is not onely able to do that which he wil as in verie deede he willeth that thing which he hath promised in his word but also in that which he willeth not he abideth no resistance which is as it were the other part of the omnipotencie of God Isai 43. There is none that can take out of my hand And if I do any thing who shall let it The first is therfore that in euerie thing we haue the wil of God knowne out of his word which being once knowne let vs not doubt but that Gods truth is most cōstant altogether vnchangable Moreouer let our mindes moūt vp to the almightie nature of God who mightily performeth in deede whatsoeuer he wil neither abideth any resistance Ioh. 10. I giue euerlastnig life to my sheepe neither shall they perish for euer neither shal any mā take them
out of my hand My father who hath giuen thē vnto me is greater then all neither can any man snatch them out of the hand of my father I and the father are one Here thou hast both the most constant truth of the word of Christ and also his omnipotencie And so thou must trust that God offereth himselfe vnto vs in Christ a true and almightie God in an euerlasting couenant And further should not this selfesame nature of God wherein he is true and almightie pricke vs forward to amendement and to lead a life through faith according to his will For whilest we heare that his truth is one and vnchangeable let vs know for a suertie that he will not for euer approue sinnes which he hath witnessed to detect by his word Psal 5. Moreouer that it is more possible that heauen earth should be ouerthrown then that those punishmentes should not fall out which he hath threatened in his word vnlesse we turne from our sinnes Mat. 5. vers 18. For the nature of God must be changed if his truth were subiect to change And the same reason is of his omnipotencie For who would not wholy addict himselfe vnto him and altogether depend vpon his becke and frame all thinges to his will in whose hand is life and death who hath power to cast both body and soule into euerlasting fire As Christ saith Feare not those which kill the body but can do nothing against the soule I say vnto you whom you must feare euen him that hath power to cast both body and soule into hell fire The infinite wisdome of God auaileth much for the establishing of our trust in him as for example thus that faith may ouercome whatsoeuer is obiected of the flesh and of sinne against the word and workes of God and that it may at once breake all the broyles assaultes of distrustes giue it selfe to rest it must needes be that the minde ascend vp to that infinitenes of the wisdome vnderstanding of God that it safely rest in that as doing all thinges wisely and well and be fully persuaded that God is the gouernor of the world and not men and that he doth so gouerne all thinges that we neither can nor ought to wish them wiselier or better done then they are or may be done of God Paule teacheth vs to rest in that same infinite wisdome of God in the 11. to the Romanes O the depth sayth he of the riches aswell of the wisdome as of the knowledge of God how vnsearchable are his iudgementes and his waies past finding out Who hath knowne the minde of the Lord or who hath beene of counsel with him or who hath giuen vnto him first and he shal be recompensed againe for of him by him and in him are all thinges to him be glorie worldes without end Amen And Isai in the 40. chapter vers 13.14 and in the 104. Psal vers 24. O Lord of hoastes how are thy workes multiplied Thou hast done all thinges in wisdome And Psalm 147. vers 5. Our Lord is great and mightie in strength there is no number of his vnderstanding When therefore we heare our most wise yea our onely wise God who hath promised that he will shew himselfe such a wise God towardes vs who should not receiue his wordes with high reuerence and haue a contented minde in all and those most dayly workes of his prouidence as done most wisely an so rest in his wisdome The which diuine wisdome the Apostle wondring at doth therewithall praise it To the only wise God be glorie Romanes cap. 16. vers 37. Therfore also the wisdome of God doth incourage vs to cōfidence seeing he hath promised to shew himselfe such a one towardes vs. Also who knowing his wisdome doth not according to his word as the briefe rule of wisdom frame his his life Psal 119. Now after that we haue by faith layd holde vpon the omnipotencie and wisdome of God in all his workes hauing vtterly denied our owne wisdome of the fleshe Rom. 8. it followeth that he be acknowledged also to be good Now his goodnes is considered aswell in all effectes as in forgiuing of sinnes Concerning the first whatsoeuer is done of God it is good and thou must acknowledg it as verie good For how can any other thing but good proceede from him in whom there is nothing but good Therefore Dauid grauely and shortly saith Iehoua is good to all and his mercie is ouer all his workes Psal 145. Thou hast a singular vse and practise of this doctrine in the 107. Psalme Furthermore his goodnes mercy whereby amongest the rest of his workes he taketh away iniquitie wickednes ought so to reare vp our faith that if the flesh feare lest he should cast vs off for our iniquitie and wickednes faith ought fully to be resolued that this is the nature of God as Moses saith to take iniquitie and sinnes to witte from the beleeuers Now the nature of God is vnchangeable wherefore vndoubtedly he would take them from vs so that we beleeue This nature of God shineth in the face of Christ when he saith Be of good cheere my sonne Thy sinnes be forgiuen thee Who therefore would not trust in him who also hauing heard of this so great goodnes would go on willingly and wittingly to offend him As the Apostle saith in the 2. to the Rom. vers 4.5 Doest thou despise the riches of his goodnes long sufferance and gentlenes not knowing that his goodnes doth prouoke thee to repentance But thou after thy hardnes and harte that cannot repent heapest vnto thy selfe wrath against the day of wrath and of the iust declaration of the righteous iudgement of God Who also hauing heard of his mercie doth not feare to doe any man wrong or vniustly to oppresse his neighbour like as in verie deede by this his nature that he is merciful he turneth vs away from all hardnes of hearte and inhumanitie Exo. 22.26.27 If thou take the garment of thy neighbour for a pledge saith he before the sun go downe thou shalt restore it againe vnto him because it is his onely couering it is his garment to couer his skinne in which he should sleepe And when he shall crie vnto me to heare him I will heare him because I am mercifull Yea also the righteousnes of God doth so shine in the face of his Christ that also the most iust nature of God expressed in the lawe may comfort vs in Christ and confirme our hope which otherwise in our selues may worthily terrifie vs. For seing that God is most righteous and hath once called into iudgement the sinnes of all beleeuers and hath punished them in his sonne in the full rigour of his iustice the most righteous nature of God will not beare that the same debte once perfectly paide and clensed should be twise or againe repaide vnto him Againe forasmuch as God is so righteous that an innocent before him is not innocent
therfore more dangers vnder the tongue of a flatterer then vnder the hand of a persecutor For where as the hande reacheth but to the bodie the false praise and faigned loue of a flatterer turneth mens hearts from the synceritie of the truth And therefore we ought to take heede of these flattering Papists as of the enemies August ad Demetriadem Epist 142 not of our bodies but of our soules whose softest speches and glauering praises which they pounce out to the vttermost to steale in vpon vs to gain against the truth are so many swords darts to our soules Thei corrupt light mindes with their faigned praises in the mindes of those that are light of credite they giue gentle woūds Thei couer their poison with hony And this vice hath so encreased in this our age that it stands at the last stint cannot be encreased euery mā applieth this study giueth himselfe wholy to follow this schole that he may deceiue be deceiued we receaue that willingly of others which we offer as a gift to others the hope of receauing praise maketh vs to praise those to their faces of whom we would be praised We oftentimes refuse the praise of flatterers when they speake to our faces and yet we nourish their flatteries in our mindes and thinke we haue gained much with men when God knoweth our consciences tell vs that they are forged and faigned We do not thinke what we are our selues in deede but what we seeme to be to others And hence it is that the most men push at the opinion of the worlde they labour to be well thought of fetching the testimony of their credite rather from a lying fame than a sounde conscience But happie are they that perfectly ouercome this vice that neither flatter nor beleue those that flatter that depend not vpon the blasts of mens mouthes but studie to approue themselues to God whose iudgement is according to truth And I beseech the Lord that her Highnes with all her Coūsel Nobles may be indued with this wisdome from aboue because such as they are are in most dāger of these sweete poisoners that they may shun auoyde their pleasant hissings For albeit now they creepe because they can not goe yet the time was when they ran made deepe furrowes euen vpon our backs when her maiestie should haue found curtesie they executed crueltie when all should haue found truth and loyaltie they bent themselues and their whole powers to kill both soule and body But I see Sathan is like himselfe and his children beare his resemblance that which they can not compasse one way they wil attempt another And therefore I wonder not that they are sodainly turned for a time from that rough course which yet lurketh hiddē in their bones and which in times past was wont to be their way That traitor Storie said it openly in the Parleament house Ann. prim of her Highnes most gration◠raigne that now they flatter her whō they then persecuted put in daunger of life whom they so vncurteously entreated some with such sorow repented that they had not grubbed vp the stock passed ouer the brāches against whom they haue moued so many rebellions and entred into such traiterous and curssed practises some of their greatest Clarkes appearing in actuall rebellion and inuading her maiesties terretories and countries I wonder not I say that now they call her highnes Christes substitute their soueraigne princesse so extolling her vertues as though her highnes gouernement the establishing of Christian religion and the execution of her highnes lawes against such traiterous offenders were inforced and against her will and purpose Thus they kisse and kill togeather The Pope their god in earth hath excommunicated her highnes and Sanders as it were their own mouth to witnes their persuasion by vertue of that Bull which Mourton procured and Felton whom with Thomas Becket for treason they make a martyr set vp hath pronounced them all free from all dutie and allegeance and yet forsoth now they will needes be counted faithfull subiectes Allen in his seditious Apologie of his english Seminarie speaketh faire for obedience and yet malapertly presumeth to confute her highnes proclamatiōs made against such runagates Their going beyond sea is for nothing but religion yet from them out of their schooles hath spronge the ground of al seditious practises the stirring vp vnto sedition rebellion in diuerse places both at home and abroade the attemps of compassing her maiesties life which the lord long preserue to the maintenance of the gospel their cōfusion And because the man is so hot for that we assure all ranke papists to be right traitors he telleth vs that those priests Iesuits haue expresse cōmandement frō their superiors not to moue any sedition or to meddle with matters of state or tēporal gouernmēt Allen Apolog Cap. 6. Fol. 72. but only by their priesthood functions to do such duties as be requisite for christian mens soules which cōsisteth in preaching teaching catechising Howlets auctor saith in the 7. reason that none can be called Priestes but in respect of that sacrifice ministring the sacraments such like First therefore we answere that preaching teaching catechising and ministring the sacraments is no part of popish priestes office For they are in deede as also he will haue them called masse priestes in respect of their abhominable sacrifice And as they scarse knew any practise of these he nameth so for Catechising or teaching the principles of Christian religion they neuer knew what it ment For they could not so much as abide the Lords prayer or creede commonly called the Creede of the Apostles to be in our mother tongue As for ministring the Sacraments they had neither calling so to do neither yet kept any right forme in the administration or taught the vse of thē And if their commission from their spirituall superiors there be sufficient calling to enable them to entrude them selues here or to go into other countries like gadding Circumcellions to disturbe both Churches and common weales where they haue neither place allotted nor beinge assigned either by God or man how can they shew vs the seale of these commissioners commission from aboue But if they will draw all auctority from that stranger that man of sinne and perdition who as he taketh vpon him to giue a spirituall commission I should haue saide a spitefull In foro conscientiae to excommunicate and to absolue from all sinnes then they should first proue that he receiued his auctority from God and so they might haue some better allowance But what auctority can this straunge vsurper challendge ouer the Lords inheritance How can he absolue from sinnes who is the verie sonne of perdition And what auctority can these substitutes haue to free from schisme and heresie who are the greatest schismatiques and heretiques of the worlde renting themselues from the
temporall euen to the soule and conscience When both these meete together dwell in one kingdome and kisse ech other there is a blessed state and in regarde of Christian Princes though treason against the one can not be with any loyaltie to the other yet we exempt such ignorant and seduced Papists from the gilt of treason as being led by such Capitaine Romanists as Sanders and Allen are onely haue a dislike of the truth yet bear dutifull hearts to their Prince and Country hauing not in such ouert and actuall manner hatched forth that cursed and treacherous seede But I wish these with all my hearte in time to take heede lest whilest they nourish and foster this conceaued superstition in them they growe to the same wretched attempts that they see others haue done do daily to their great cost they pay as they are worthy the same price for it Let them in time therefore feare God and honor the Kinge obey God that they may obeye their Prince Poperie is the nurce mother of treason rebellion and confusion Poperie hath alwaies been a perker and prier in to princes greatest secretes and intentions for the maintenance of it owne kingdome True religion in deede teacheth all estates and taketh knowledge to reproue whatsoeuer is contrary to the light But poperie rusheth into all matters and causes and chalengeth and vsurpeth authoritie ouer all persons it taketh vpon it the alteration of kingdomes ouerturneth Princes crownes alienateth inheritances intermedleth vniustly in al things as I wil if god assist me shew further if I be further vrged I beseech your Honor pardon me that I haue passed the boundes of an epistle These creaking papists eueÌ„ compel me who are so shamelesse in the cleere light of the gospell still to prouoke vs But a day shall come that shal reueale al things in the meane time I nothing doubt of his mercifull goodnes if we go cheerefully forward and draw not his iudgements vpon vs by our slacknesse coldnesse towards the synceritie of his truth towards his poore Church towards her Maiestie and the whole body of this coÌ„mon weale And thankes be to God for that rich and vnspeakeable knowledge of his truth wherby he hath enabled vs to discerne and see their errors Of all benefites this is most precious and I beseech your honor in your place to seeke the aduancing of it Let them not be able to preuaile with you that bewray their owne shame whilest with boasting words they would seeme to mount vp to heauen and yet lie flat groueling vpon the earth hauing no sparke of heauenly wisedome or vnderstanding from the word of God Onely they haue a few waste words a little lauish latine wherewith they thinke to ouergoe and ouerthrow the setled truth of God We looked for high matter from our chalinging champion at the least seeing he coÌ„meth after al others we looked for som shew of weightie and grounded arguments but alacke our hope is frustrate for nothing appeareth but that a man may finde in these goldeÌ„ daies of knowledge 〈…〉 euen in those youthes and boyes that yet haue scarse a farre of saluted diuinitie His ten arguments are nothing els but so many paralogismes all taken froÌ„ others that wrote long before him onely he hath turned the wrong side of â—heir coates outwarde Because some men haue refused certaine bookes to be numbred in the Canon of the scriptures for which yet they are not destitute of some testimonies and yet some of those books haue not bin denied of vs therefore we flie the scriptures and Campion hath woon the fielde already because the sense and meaning of the scriptures haue been diuersly taken of some particular men in some controuersies therfore the meaning of the scriptures are on his side Thus he braineth himselfe with his owne hammer and cutteth his owne throte with his owne sworde As though all that professe papistrie keepe one sense and meaning in the interpretation of the scripture because they boast of the name of a Church the name of the Church is glorious we loke wan at it and must needes flie because they com against vs onely with the bare name We make a church of our owne fashioÌ„ a Platonicall Idea and an idle fancie In discribing a church we vtterly ouerthrow it c. All the heretiques that euer were are our predecessors because papists say so we must subscribe to their church or else to a church that is no where TheÌ„ forsooth al general Councels are theirs and we refuse all because some haue erred and many haue byn contrary one to another The CouÌ„cel of Trent shal liue wheÌ„ Kemnitius shal be buried if he take not heede with Arrius now we may trust them for Iohn Hus brake the conditions that the Emperour had set him and running away which the Emperour had forbidden vpon paine of his head was iustly not headed but burned and yet the Councel of Constance debated specially of this matter thought they were not bound to the Emperours promise Hierom of Prage spake freely in the Councell recanting departed freely but falling into his heresie again drunk of the same cup. We refuse all fathers he alloweth all and refuseth none tagge and ragge are welcome to him all their errours shal be defended for manifest truth Not so much as Dionisius Hyppolytus but must be ranked amongest the Doctors And if euer any searched the scriptures these did it and spent their whole liues in it And all histories make for them and our historiographers for 1500 yeares together are emptie of all matter sauing of that they write for them and to maintaine their cause And we can not deny but that Rome was an holy Church that their faith was famous that Paule preached there that a Church was gathered in that Babylon where Peter ruled Whether Clement succeeded Peter or Linuâ— I would faine haue determined and Clement succeeded c. therefore all are his for his religion We further maintaine nothing but Paradoxes and monstrous opinions of God of Christ of man of grace of righteousnesse of manners c. And we must needes speake and be vnderstood as this lustie challenger will haue vs to speake and be vnderstoode Our Sophistications are palpable and our barenes in testimonies are miserable he hath from heauen from the earth from Roses from Lilies the one purpuled with martyrdome the other whited with innocencie They haue those that were shepeheardes to all landes and all flockes of all faithfull all were theirs of all sortes and none ours And thus we are confuted But my Lord it hath ben an old said saw The greatest barkers are not the best biters nor the greatest boasters the best fighters I doubt not but he shal receaue a ful answere in time In meane time let him al the papists in the world if they can ouerthrow the truth of doctrine which we hold the articles of whose faith
religiō depēdeth not vpō any man or mans authority but vpō the vndoubted scriptures If they can shew better warrant for that they holde let vs heare their euidence but if their stoare be so beggerly that the richest of them and he that comes so appointed to challendge all in the name of al the rest writing which is with greater aduice than any sodain speaking can be be faine to limpe sinke in his entry what shal we thinke wil be done ere the battell be fought Surely if we came with carnall weapons it is like he would ouermatch vs hauing mans wisedome the world and the diuell on his side But thankes be to God we come appointed with spirituall weapons we come in the name of the Lord armed with the mightie word of God against all counterfait catholiques and heretiques And if God blesse her Maiesties gouernment so that the Gospell may proceede in a ful ministerie that the youth may be catechised seasoned with such sound instructions as this booke yeeldeth those that are ancient may be confirmed and the froward by an holy discipline ordered our youth our aged our common people of al sorts shal be able to vāquish put to flight all such emptie vaine boasters And this is the thing that I sought for in trāslating this excellent sound worke Which I hope your honor will accept according to that humble dutie and seruice wherewith I haue euermore helde my selfe specially bounde to your good Lordship as my singular patrone as a principall member in the church of God The Lorde Iesus establish your honors heart giue you a setled persuasion in that euerlasting trueth that euermore you may feele the cōfort assurance of that blessed kingdome which he so freely hath purchased for you Amen Your good Lordships faithfull seruant euer to commaund IOHN FIELDE To the most mighty and noble Prince and Lord Friderike Countie Palatine by the Rhene Duke of either Bauaria Elector of the sacred Romane Empire his most gratious Prince and Lorde Gasper Oleuian Treuir wisheth from his heart grace and peace from our Lorde Iesus Christ. THere are two special cause◠most noble Prince Elector and my verie good Lorde which haue moued me to the publishing of this little booke One that I might profite the studious youth by this easie plaine doctrine to wit to the end that by the taste thereof they may be stirred vp and prouoked to the ministerie of the worde of God For verily they chiefly serue the Church of Christ who allured by the sweetnes of the heauenly doctrine because they haue tasted how good the Lorde is and being stirred vp with a care of promoting his glory offer vp to the faithful people yea rather to Christ himselfe their diligence yea and in a sorte themselues also And truely it is a great matter euē frō the tender yeres to haue deeply tasted Christ in his heauēly doctrine for frō thence doth necessarily flow as Peter calleth it that same desire of the syncere milke of his worde 1. Pet. 2.2 and that same feruent desire of communicating of it vnto others Many good and learned men here know that this was the best and principal cause of the publishing hereof vnto whō I cōmunicated some yeares past those things which now I set forth and also declared the purpose of the publishing therof But hitherto I haue deferred the same because I feared least this simplicitie of teaching and writing not so filed and laboured should not satisfie many wherwith I endeuoured not so much to feede their eares as their mindes An other cause was that it might be a testimonie of doctrine against that same tempest which in many places is stirred vp against this Church Against this I would set this bulwarke of sande if peraduenture God who is mightie in the weake would vouchsafe to appease the same in the mindes of certaine more moderate than the rest also asswage it a litle in others For I haue thought of that same greate power of God whereby he hath set vnto the sea her boūds which whē it woulde seeme with his hugenes to ouerwhelme the whole earth by the commaundement of God all his force is broken against the softe sand I haue trusted therefore that through this simple and plaine declaration of the groundes of our religion which hitherto we haue vsed that the Lord would bring some good thinge to passe for the appeasing of certaine mens mindes vnto whom peraduenture our innocencie hithervnto hath beene lesse knowne Many keepe a great stirre as though horrible doctrine sounded in the congregation of this Church and such rumors are scattered abrode farre and wide Some may say that euen a sea of sclaunderous reproches is vomited out against vs wherewith we might be drowned But whie rage you ô good sirs for let it be free for me by your highnes leaue euen to compell them consider all the articles of our Christian faith will you finde in any one any such matter of raging Be not all thinges exacted to the rule of God his word and are they not directed to edification in true and sound godlines If you your selues doe not feele that same consolation in your consciences of this doctrine I will freely graunt that iustlie you rise vp against vs But take heed I beseech you that you rise not vp against your owne conscience against God himselfe who in the conscience hath erected his high seate For certeinly nothing hath bin done of vs in corners We haue manie yea innumerable witnesses of the exposition of this christan doctrine yea your highnes it selfe who shal reade the selfesame thinges here which publiquely you heaue now hard these fiften yeres past in which it hath pleased the Lord that I should deliuer here vnto his Church these principall grounds of the christian faith You haue now most noble prince Elector the causes of the publishing hereof which as I know to be true so I doubted not to lay them open to your highnes Now as touching that which may priuately concerne your highnes this shorte treatise lately drawne out of those catechising sermons of the former yeares shal be at the least wise some signification of a thankefull minde for a speciall benifite for that your highnes hath giuen enterteinment to that same heauenly doctrine the vndoubted word of the prophets and Apostles reueiled vnto men and also hath procured to many of the children of God being gathered together vnder the winges of your highnes with more than a fatherly clemencie the pure doctrine of saluation administred altogether with an heroical and principall spirite and altogether through the grace of God with a chearfull minde Now if againe in this your highnes age which the Lord vouchsafe to renue as the age of the Egle your highnes by the reading of the doctrine of God his prouidence of the power of Christ his resurrection of the euerlasting righteousnes now brought into light and of
that is he is such an exact examiner of sinnes that euen the most righteous in mens iudgement and such as are not guiltie of any thing in them selues 1. Cor. 4. vers 3. before him are not innocent but doth visite the sinnes of the fathers vpon the childrens children to the third and fourth generation yea and would rather that his righteousnes should be satisfied in his onely begotten sonne then that he would let sinnes escape vnpunished should not we earnestly repent thinking vpon the saying of Christ If this be done in the greene wood what shal be donne in the dry The righteous nature of God also doth so drawe vs backâ— from all wrong and violence to the loue of our neighboure as if we thinke that God hath the same nature that cannot suffer vnpunished that thy neighbour should be oppressed no more then thou couldest suffer that any should treade thy childe vnder his feete thou behoulding it Psal 103. The Lord of Hoastes shewing mercies and iudgements to all those that are oppressed See the graue testimonies that are writen concerning this matter 1. Cor. 6.7.8.9.11 and the first Thes 4.6.7.8 The euerlasting nature of God also doth confirme our faith For seing that such a one hath promised in couenant to be our God who is euerlasting we rightly gather thereof that not onely our soules shall liue in God but also that our bodies shal be raised vp to life that the euerlasting God may be indeede their God And surely vpon this foundation leaneth that reason of Christ whereby he prooueth against the Saduces out of the workes of the couenaunt the resurrection of the dead Matt. 22. vers 32. Neither that onely but also concerning this life of that euerlasting nature of God doth a faithful maÌ„ gather newe courage and strength Isai 40. vers 27.29.31 And psal 103. vers 5. Also that same euerlasting nature of God ought to stir vs vp to repentance 1. pet vers 22.23.24.25 So ought also the holines of God which is ioyned with his eternitie 1. Pet. 1. vers 14.15.16.17.18 also 1 Iohn 3. vers 3. I beleeue in God the father is his only begotten sonne and in the holy Ghost Certaine testimonies of the diuinitie of the sonne according to those things that are attributed vnto him in the description of God and order of the articles of faith IT followeth that we shewe that God hath so manifested himselfe in his worde that these three persons the father the sonne the holy Ghost be that one onely true God in whom we professe to beleeue in the Creede when we say We beleeue in God the father and in his onely begotten sonne and in the holy Ghost Nowe a person or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is a singular thing vnderstanding willing that cannot be imparted or communicated to another not vpholden of another nor part of an other That God the father who hath made heauen earth is so manifest that euen the vngodliest heretiques denying the diuinitie of the sonne and holy Ghost dare not yet deny the diuinitie of the father That the sonne is a thing by himselfe subsisting vnderstanding willing c. and by nature God although to the Citizens of the kingdome of Christ it is plaine and at hand throughout the holy scripture yet it is prâ—â—â—ble that their memorie euer and anone 〈◊〉 refreshed with some cleare and diuine testimonies Nowe we will alledge first some testimonies according to the order of those things which are attributed vnto God which we haue set downe in the description then afterwards according to the course and order of the articles of the faith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The word or the Sonne is a spiritual substance To the Rom. 1. vers 3. 4. Heb. 9. ver 14. 1. Pet. 3. vers 18.19 Io. 14. Ye beleeue in God beleeue also in mee he is eternall and incomprehensible aswell in glory as in wisedome Io 17. vers 5. Glorifie me thou father with thy owne selfe with the glory which I had with thee before the worlde was And Prouerbs 8. Also Apocalip 1. vers 8. Hebr. 7. vers 3. Good pure and vndefiled Io. 10. vers 11. Isay 40. verses 9.10.11 Isay 6. Holy holy holy the mightie Lord of hoastes all the earth is full of his glory These things doth Iohn the Euangelist interprete of Christ Cap. 12 vers 41. saying These things said Esaias when he sawe his glory and spake of him to witte of Christ And Io. 17. vers 19. He is also of infinite power for he createth preserueth all things together with the father and the holy Ghost Io. 1. In the beginning was that word that word was with God and that word was God Creator of heauen and earth Also All things were made by it and without it was made nothing that was made vers 3. And to the Coloss 1. By the beloued sonne through whom we haue redemption were all things created vers 16. which are in heauen and which are in earth thinges visible and inuisible whether they be Thrones or Dominions or Principalities or Powers 17. All things were created by him and for him And he is before all things and in him all things consist To the Heb. the first He hath spoken vnto vs by his sonne by whoÌ„ he hath made the worlds Prouerb 8. Iehoua possesseth me verses 22. c. from the beginning of his way I had the chiefty froÌ„ euerlasting froÌ„ the beginning before the earth was When there were no depths was I fashioned before there were fouÌ„taines running with water before the mountaines were and before the hills was I brought forth He had not yet made the earth the streates the height of the dust of the world when he prepared the heauens I was there c. And Io. 5. ver 17.18 My father worketh hitherto I work Therefore the Iewes sought the more to kil him not onely because he had broken that sabbaoth but said also that God was his father and made himselfe equall with God To the Philippians the 3. vers 21. He worketh miracles by his owne power to witte not as one calling vpon God but as one commanding by his owne auctority Thou hast examples Mat. 8. vers 26. Luk. 5. and 7. For he commandeth the winde and the sea and they obey him and he rebuketh the fearefulnes of his disciples Mark 4. vers 39.41 he giueth power also vnto others to worke miracles but by calling vpon his name Mark 8. Acts. 3. vers 6.16 and Cap. 4 vers 10. And he is of an immutable righteousnesse Ierem. 23. And this is the name whereby they shall call him Iehouah our righteousnesse Of an vnspeakeable mercie Titus the 3. vers 4. and the 6. and Chapter 2. vers 10. and 12. of a most constant truth Mat. 24. vers 35. The heauen and earth shall passe but my wordes shall not perish And the first of Iohn Full of grace truth Io. 14.
earnest of our inheritaunce whiles we are redeemed into libertie to the praise of his glorie Although therefore wee die yet we shall rise againe into an immortall life because both the right of life is adiudged vnto vs in the raising vp againe of the sonne and wee are ingraffed into this Christ raysed vp as branches vnto the vine both by the outwarde testimonie of the Gospell and also by the inwarde witnesse of the holy Ghost 1. Corinth 15. If Christ bee risen againe we also shall rise againe Hitherto also belongeth it that he calleth him the firste fruits of them that rise againe because the whole haruest of all the faithfull from the beginning of the worlde was sanctified vnto God by the raysing vp of that lumpe which the sonne of God had taken of vs to a blessed resurrection Hitherto also it belongeth that he is called the first begotten from amongest the dead Colossians 1. as else where it shall bee declared more largely Seeing therefore that in raysing vppe of the sonne the right of life is brought to light vnto vs and that same quickening spirite of Christ is giuen vnto vs hauing heard the Gospell that same spirit I say of faith through which not onely our soules but also our bodies are members of our head Christe therefore wee haue an vndoubted pledge in the resurrection of our heade Christe that our bodies are to bee repayred and restored to immortalitie He ascended into heauen Testimones out of the Prophetes and Apostles THE Apostle in the fourth Chapter to the Ephesians citeth a prophecie out of the 68. Psalme concerning the ascension of Christ but vnto euerie one of vs grace is giuen according to the measure of the gift of Christ Wherefore he saith when hee ascended vp on high he led captiuitie captiue and gaue giftes vnto men And the prophecie in the hundred and tenth Psalme of the sitting of the Messias at the right hand of God comprehendeth in it a prophecie of the ascension into the heauens as it were an entrie of that glorious exaltation at the right hande of God the which thing is confirmed by the testimonie of the holy Ghost himselfe by the mouth of Peter Actes 2.34 Since then that he by the right hande of God hath ben exalted and hath receaued of his father the promise of the holy Ghost he hath shedde foorth this amongest you which you see and heare For Dauid is not ascended into heauen but hee saith The Lorde saide to my LORDE sitte at my right hande vntill I make thine enimies thy footestoole So also Markâ— the Euangelist in the sixteenth Chapter ioyneth the entrie with the sitting it selfe at the right hand so after the Lord had spoken vnto them he was receiued into heauen and sitteth at the right hande of God And Christ Iohn 14. foresheweth his ascension into heauen let not your heart be troubled ye beleeue in God beleeue also in mee In my fathers house are many dwelling places otherwise I woulde haue tolde you I goe to prepare a place for you And seeing I goe to prepare a place for you I will come againe and receiue you vnto my self that where I am there you may be also The Euangelists describe a sure manifest fulfilling of these foresayinges concerning the ascension of Christ Marke in the place nowe aledged and Luke in his Euangelicall historie chapter 24. Loe I doe sende the promise of my father vppon you but tarie ye in the citie of Ierusalem vntill yee bee indued with power from on high Now he ledde them out into Bethaniah and lifting vp his handes he blessed them And it came to passe that whiles he blessed them being separate from them heâ— was carried vp into heauen and they worshipping him returned to Ierusalem with great ioye and were continually in the temple lauding and praysing God And in the first of the Actes And when he had spoken these thinges while they behelde hee was taken vp and a cloude tooke him out of their sight and while they looked stedfastly towardes heauen beholde two men stoode by them in white apparell who saide Yee men of Galilie why stande yee gasing into heauen This Iesus which is taken from you into heauen shall so come as yee haue seene him goe into heauen And Peter Actes 3 And nowe brethren I knowe that through ignorance ye did these thinges as also did your gouernours but those thinges which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophetes that Christe shoulde suffer he hath thus fufilled Amend your liues therefore and turne that your sinnes may be put away when the time of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord and when he shall send Iesus Christ which before was preached vnto you whom the heauen must containe vntill the time that all things bee restored which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy Prophets since the world began The meaning of these wordes He ascended into heauen THE meaning is I beleeue Christe who according to his diuine nature was alwayes in the heauens Iohn 1. and 3. after that he had fulfilled the office of ambassage and by the space of fourtie dayes had instructed his disciples concerning the trueth of his resurrection in that same true bodie of his that was taken out of the substance of Marie the virgine that it hanged vppon the crosse was deade and buried that being glorified rose againe that in the selfe same body I say together with a very humaine resonable soule he ascended into the heauens where the seat is of euerlasting felicitie The scripture in the first Chapter of the Actes doeth set out the matter most liuely before our eyes And in an other place he saith the same things that CHRIST departed from his disciples and was lifted vp into heauen Luke 24. that hee went from them Iohn 14. that hee left this worlde Iohn 16. that hee was taken awaye Actes 15. from vs Luke 24. into those same holy tabernacles not made with hands Hebrewes 9. into heauen it selfe Mark 16. that he is there continually and without any interruption Hebrewes 10. that heauen must holde him vntill the time of the restoring of all thinges Act. 2. Howe Christ being absent is yet present BVT if that Christ went from vs hath left this worlde howe is that promise of Christ fulfilled Beholde I am alwayes with you vnto the ende of the worlde Matthew 28. Surely it is so fulfilled euen like as that same other word of Christ was fulfilled Verilie I say vnto you that before Abraham was I am Iohn 8. For like as hee fulfilled that by the presence not of his fleshe but of his diuinitie and yet feared not to say I admit that he vnderstoode it onely of the presence of his diuinitie so also according to his maiestie according to his prouidence according to his vnspeakeable and inuisible grace that saying was fulfilled of him Beholde I am with you alwayes euen to the ende of the
whereof he spake before It is God who iustifieth Therfore the faithful they cannot doubt of that euerlasting reconciliation with God aswell because that same euerlasting office of reconciling is laide vpon Christ as also because Christ executeth the same with moste highe power and glorie preseruing it fully and perfectly euerie moment without any or the least interruption that may bee so that worthily enioying such a patrone we maie vndoutedly trust that none can come foorth which either dare accuse or condemne the faithfull that we may trust I say that the least accusation that may be can not be admitted before that same high priest in so great glorie making intercession for vs whether it be of Sathan of the conscience or of sinne so that that same glorious intercession of Christe doth truely perfourme vnto vs that God hath promised by Esaie the Prophet I haue taken away thine iniquities as a cloude and thy sinnes as a litle cloude turne vnto me because I haue redeemed thee Also Chapter 60. verse 1. The second fruite whereof we be partakers by this exaltation of Christe in the priesthoode THe second fruite is that we dare both with a full faith as I may say with a full mouth aske and looke for from God all good and healthful thinges forasmuch as we are members of that priest who with so great power and glorie maketh intercession for vs beeing surely persuaded that his glorious intercession will swallowe vp all our vnworthinesse and get vnto vs vnspeakeable grace and so that wee shall receaue for and through this Bishop all those good promises which we aske Hebru 10. verses 19.20 c. Seeing therefore brethren that we haue libertie to enter into the holie place by the bloud of Iesus by the new and liuing way which he hath prepared for vs through the vale that is his flesh and seeing wee haue an high priest gouernour ouer the house of God let vs draw neare with a true heart and with an vndoubted perswasion of faith our heartes beeing pure from an euil conscience and our bodies being washed with pure water let vs holde the confession of our hope not wauering for he is faithful who hath promised Also to the Philip. 4 verse 6. Be nothing carefull but in al thinges let your request be shewed vnto God in prayer supplication with giuing of thankes and the peace of God which passeth all vnderstanding shal preserue your hearts and minds in Christ Iesus We haue therefore this plentiful fruite that in all thinges which we haue to doe with God we haue such an ouerseer of the house of God and such an intercessour as in whose fauour the Father wil giue vs all thinges and therefore he is called Heb. 2. a faithfull Bishop in those thinges which he hath to doe with God and in the thirde to the Heb. verse 2.5.6 Heb. 4. verse 14. The thirde fruite THat we offer vp our selues and all good thinges whiche wee receiue for and by this high Bishop for sweete and acceptable sacrifices to GOD in all thinges giuing thankes vnto God by this Iesus Christe and which by and for the Sonne he accepteth to his glorie and bringeth to passe that they serue for it Apocalip 5. verse 8. The foure and twenty elders fell downe before the Lambe euery one hauing harps and golden vials full of sweete odours which are the praiers of Saintes And Rom. 12. I beseech you brethren by the mercies of God that ye giue vp your bodies a liuing sacrifice holy and acceptable vnto God c. 1. Pet. 2. verse 5. Yee also as liuing soules be ye builded vp into a spirituall house and holy priesthood to offer vp spirituall sacrifices vnto God by Iesus Christ Wherefore also it is conteined in the scripture Behold I put in Syon a chiefe corner stone elect and pretious he that beleeueth therein shall not be ashamed And Hebru 13. verses 15.16 also to the Philip. Cap. 1. verses 11. and 12. filled with the fruites of righteousnesse which are in you by Iesus Christ to the glorie and praise of God The fourth fruite FOrasmuch as the faithfull are members of Christe making intercession for them in high glorie he doth not onely through his intercession make their sufferinges holie but also glorious in the sight of God Psal 116. verse 15. Pretious in the sight of God is the death of his meeke ones Also in the Psal 56. verse 9. and Philip. 2. verse 17. Yea and though I be offered vp vpon the the sacrifice and seruice of your faith I am glad and reioyse with you all For the same cause also be yee glad and reioyce with me Therfore the suffrings of the Church are wonderfully sanctified and made glorious through this high Bishop making intercession in glorie To be short what soeuer things were plainely and magnificently instituted of God concerning the priesthoode of the olde Testament and the sacrifices and were done according to that spirituall patterne that was shewed to Moses in the mount we haue the full truth and perfect fruit to euerlasting consolation in the priesthod of Christ not only as he administred it in humilitie with so great power that by one oblation he made perfect for euer those that were sanctified but also in that he liueth alwayes to this end to make intercession for vs and so bringeth to passe that we alwayes enioye the fruite of his sacrifice and the trueth of all those thinges which were promised of God by the figures of the olde Testament Therefore when we read the Scriptures of the olde Testament we ought to lift vp our mindes hither I say to this priest perfourming that vnto vs euerie moment in high glorie that God had promised by the mouth of the prophetes and by those visible ceremonies For what so euer thinges are written they are written for our learning Rom. 15.4 For example sake Exod. 39. that the high priest did beare vpon his shoulders the names of the tribes and did beare those twelue pretious stones before his brest entring into the sanctuarie in remembrance of those twelue tribes of Israel that Christ executeth at this day with great glorie He hath vs the true Israel alwayes in his brest and fresh memorie before the sight of God as pretious stones To be short we shal knowe and perceaue the full fruite of the exaltation of Christ in his Priesthood in euerlasting life with wonderful admiration when in presence we shall beholde that same exaltation of our high priest in glorie euen as the high priest himselfe prayed Ioh. 17. Father those that thou hast giuē vnto me I wil that they be with me where I am that they may beholde that same glorie which thou hast giuen vnto me What the exaltation of Christ is in his kingdome which is the other part of the sitting of Christ at the right hand of God THE kingdome of God is the restoring of saluation through the worde and spirit in the elect descended from
tabernacles of Sem. Esaie 54. Reioyce O barren which doest not bring forth breake forth into praise and reioyce which diddest not bring foorth because moe are the Sonnes of the desolate then of the married wife saith the Lorde Enlarge the place of thy tentes and let them spread out the curtaines of thy habitations And a little after For he that made thee is thy husband whose name is the Lord of hostes and thy redeemer is the holie one of Israel who shal be called the God of the whole world Also to the Galathians 4. verse 27. and Esaie 60. ver 1.2 c. Arise be enlightened because thy light commeth and the glorie of the Lord is risen vpon thee For behold darknes shal couer the earth thicke darknes the people but the Lorde shall arise vpon thee and the nations shal walke to thy light and Kinges to the brightnesse of thy rising Ezech. 37. verses 22 24. and Chapt. 10. And there shal be one sheepeheard and one sheepfolde Iohn 11. verse 52. And not that Iesus should die for that nation onely but also that he shold gather together in one the chidren of GOD which were scattered Apoc. 59.10 Thou hast redeemed vs vnto God through thy bloud out of euerie tribe and tongue people and nation What this part conteineth THE fourth part conteineth the effect of all that went before For except we will that the Father haue sent his sonne in vaine and that his sonne also hath suffered and is risen againe in vaine that the holie Ghost was promised and sent in vaine we must needes beleeue that the effect of all these is that the Father in Christ by the power of the holie Ghost doth builde vp a newe people vnto himselfe whom before he had freely chosen with whom he doeth enter into a free couenant and to which he doth communicate him selfe and all his benefites Esaie 53. When he shal laie down his soule a sacrifice for transgression he shal see the seede that shal prolong his daies and the will of Iehouah shal prosper in his hand c. Eph. 2. ver 6. The meaning of these wordes I beleeue the Catholike or vniuersal Church THe meaning is that the sonne of God euen from the beginning Matt. 11. ver 12. gathereth and buildeth vp a people vnto himselfe from the whole bodie of mankinde elected before all worldes whom Christ raiseth vp beeing dead in sinnes and reconcileth vnto him selfe by the ministerie of his worde and renueth by faith to life euerlasting Iohn 5. vers 8. Ephes 2. ver 1.2.3 and Chap. 5. vers 26. which he adioyneth vnto himselfe as his spouse or wife that all the true members of this people may haue true fellowship with Christe and mutuall amongest them selues both in this and in the life euerlasting 1. Iohn 1. Amongest which people I trust my selfe to be enrolled and neuer to be blotted out from them Iohn 10. 17. Why the Church is called Holy BEcause none can be vnited vnto God vnlesse he be holie and pure euen as God is holie pure therefore I doe vndoubtedly beleeue that God doth iustifie and also purge those whom he hath chosen to this inseparable vnion to holinesse and innocencie of life that the glorie of God may shine in them Rom. 8. Ephes 5. Nowe the Church is holy two maner of waies by renouation and by imputation By renouation in it selfe that same holinesse is onely begun Rom. 7. Of this same first manner of holinesse it is saide 2. Cor. 7. Working your sanctification and 1. Thes 4. ver 7. But by imputation her holines is most perfect in Christ as he saith I sanctifie my selfe for them In this second manner of holinesse I beleeue that there is no sinne no death in the Church that is to say that no fault or punishment is imputed to the true members of the Church Because they that beleeue in Christ are not sinners are not guiltie of death but are simply holie and righteous Lords ouer sinne and death in Christ and liue for euer Ro. 5. ver 8.9 and Heb. 10. ver 14. Colo. 2. ver 10. Ro. 8.1 Thess 5.10 Why the Church is called Catholike THe Church is caled Catholike or vniuersal because that like as there is one head of the Church to wit Christ so the vniuersal members thereof scattered throughout the worlde doe growe vp into one bodie by the same spirite Ephes 4.1 Cor. 10. and 12. Communion of Saintes Testimonies out of the Prophetes and Apostles LEviticus 26. and 2. Cor. 6. verse 17. Ye are the Temple of the liuing God as God hath saide I will dwell amongest them and I will walke there and I will be their God and they shal be my people Wherefore Esay 52. Come out from among them and separate your selues saith the Lorde and I will receiue you I will be a father vnto you and ye shal be my sonnes and daughters saith the almighty Also Ioel 2. vers 32. 1. Tim. 3. verse 15.16 That thou maist know howe thou oughtest to behaue thy selfe in the house of God which is the Church of the liuing God the piller and ground of trueth 1. Cor 12. verses 13.14 For by one spirite we are all baptised into one bodie whether we be Iewes or Grecians whether we be bonde or free and haue beene all made to drinke into one spirite 1. Cor. 10.17 Because we that are many are one loafe and one bodie who are partakers of one and the same bread Also to the Heb. 3. verse 13 c. 1. Iohn 1. That which we haue seene and which we haue heard we declare vnto you that you also may haue fellowship with vs that our felowship also may be with the Father with his sonne Iesus Christ these things write we vnto you that your ioie may be full Acts. 2.47 And the Lorde added to the Church from day to day such as should be saued The meaning of these wordes THe communion of Saintes signifieth both that same outward fellowship wherby the people as members of the visible Church thorough the ministerie of the doctrine both of the Prophets and Apostles and also of the sacramentes are called into one bodie and also that same inwarde coniunction whereby those whome the Lorde hath alwayes chosen in this visible congregation that is to say the true beleeuers are knit and vnited together with the father with Iesus Christ his sonne and mutuallie one with another amongest themselues Concerning that same outward vnion we must knowe that the truth of the propheticall and Apostolical doctrine is an vndoubted token of the visible Church 1. Tim. 3. Besides all that professe that same trueth wheresoeuer they shal come in the world to any visible companie of the Church they haue right to communicate in hearing the worde in prayers and receiuing of the sacraments Esai 2.2.3 yea all the faithful haue commandement that wheresoeuer there is a visible assemblie of the Saints that they ioyne themselues
vers 9 That same worde is the onely begottē sonne of the father and the co-eternal image of the father His onely begotten sonne Io. 1. We haue seene his glory as the glory of the onely begottē of God To the Hebr. 1. who being the brightnes of his glory the light from the light and very ingraued forme of his person of his substance and bearing vp all things by the worde of his power Our Lord. c. And he is the Lorde of all creatures but chiefly of the faithfull or of the Church Io. 1. He was in the worlde and the world was made by him but the worlde knew him not he came amongest his owne and his owne receiued him not Before he came into the world he was a subsisting person and Dauids Lord from which Christ maintaineth his diuinitie in the 22. of Mathew saying What thinke you of Christ whose sonne is he they say vnto him Dauides he saith vnto them how then doth Dauid in spirit call him Lord saying The Lord said vnto my Lord sit at my right hand till I make thine enemies thy footestoole If therefore Dauid call him Lord how is he his sonne Also Luk. vers 1. verses 16.17.43 and vers 76.77 And thou childe Iohn Baptist shalt be called the Prophet of the most high For thou shalt goe before the face of the Lorde to prepare his waies thou shalt giue the knowledge of saluation to his people Malach. 4. vers 5. Io. 1. This is he that commeth after me that was before me c. Io. 20. vers 28. Thomas answereth him my Lord and my God Acts 16. vers 31. and Chap. 18. vers 10. Who was conceaued by the holy Ghost So Christ was conceaued by the holy Ghost that being before that substantiall worde and by himselfe subsisting he tooke our flesh Philip. 2. who being in the forme of God thought it no robbery to be equall with God but he made himselfe of no reputation taking vpon him the forme of a seruante Hebr. 2. He tooke not the natures of Angels vpon him but he tooke the seede of Abraham Io. 6. I am that bread of life which came down frō heauen Io. 16. I went out from the father came into the worlde c. and 1. Timot. 3. Great is the mysterie of godlines God is manifest in the flesh Borne of the virgine Mary The Prophetes foretolde that this man which is borne of the virgine should not be a man in such sort as should subsist of himselfe as Peter and Paule but the true God to witte the second person bearing and vpholding that humaine lumpe into the vnitie of the person knitte vnto him Isay 7. Beholde a virgine shal be with childe and shal bring forth a sonne thou shalt call his name Immanuell God with vs. And in the 9. A childe is borne vnto vs A sonne is giuen vnto vs and the principalitie was vpon his shoulders and thou shalt call his name wonderfull counseller the mightie God father of eternitie and prince of peace Ierem. 23. I will reare vp to Dauid a righteous braunch and he shall raigne king and shall prosper c. And this is his name whereby they shall call him Iehoua our righteousnesse Miche 5. And thou Bethlehem Euphrata although thou be amongest the thousands of Iehudah out of thee shall there come forth vnto me which shal be the gouernour of Israel and his generations shal be from olde and from the daies of euerlastingnes Coloss 2. vers 9. In him dwelleth all fulnes of the Godhead bodily He suffred vnder Pontius Pilate He confessed before Pontius Pilate vnder whom he suffered that his kingdome was euerlasting and that therefore he came into the worlde that he might giue testimony of the truth Io. 18. vers 36.37 and Acts 4. vers 25.26.27.30 When the same iudge iudged him there is fulfilled that prophecy in the 11. of Zachary Mat. 27. And they tooke thirty peeces of siluer the price of him that was valued whom they of the children of Israel valued And they gaue them for the potters fielde as the Lord appointed vnto mee That which the Lorde foretolde of the children of Israel prising him then when the couenant was to be taken away and the people to be forsaken which he signified by the breaking of the staffe which was called the staffe of meekenes or rather the staffe of ioye But in Christ God manifested in the flesh this full disanullance being at hande yea in all circumstances it was fulfilled by a wonderful prouidence Crucified Crucified Zach. 12. vers 10. They shal looke vnto him whō they haue pearced This Iehoua saith of himselfe and Iohn saith that this was fulfilled in Christ Cap. 19. vers 37. And the 1. Cor. 2. vers 8. If they had knowen they had not crucified the Lorde of glory Acts. 3 vers 15. Ye haue slaine the prince of life Dead Dead The Testament was to be confirmed by the death of the Testator Now the Testator was God Hebr. 9. vers 16.17 And Cap. 8. vers 8.9 Acts 20. God hath purchased the Church vnto himselfe hy his owne bloud Buried descended into hell Oze 13.14.15 Buried descended into hell God saith I will redeeme them from the power of hell I will redeeme them from death I will be thy death O death O hell I wil be thy destruction This was partly fulfilled by Christ and shall partly bee fulfilled hereafter as the Apostle teacheth 1. Cor. 15. vers 55.56.57 Therfore Christ is true God he rose also by his owne power He rose from death the third day Rom. 1. vers 4. Io. 2. vers 19. Destroy you this Temple and I will reare it vp againe in three daies And Cap. 10. vers 17. 18. I lay downe my life that I might take it againe No man taketh it from mee but I laye it downe of my selfe I haue power to lay it downe and power to take it againe That he is the true God that ascended into heauen The third day he rose againe from the dead the Apostle plainly teacheth in the fourth to the Ephesians verses 7.8 9. To euery one of vs is grace giuen according to the measure of the gifte of Christ wherefore he saith when he ascended vp on high He ascended into heauen he led captiuitie captiue Io. 3. vers 13. No man ascendeth vp to heauen that is to say by his owne power for others ascend being drawene but he that hath descended from heauen And Io 6. vers 36. and vers 62. Also in the 16. Cap. vers 28. He sitteth at the right hand of God the father almightie He sitteth at the right hand of God and is worshipped of Angels and men Hebr. 1. To which of the Angels hath he euer saide sitte at my right hande In the same place all the Angels of God shall worshippe him And 1 Pet. 3. vers 22. to the Ephesians 1. verses 20.22.23 to the Philippians