to the Prophets and Apostles do cry down this error Exod. 17.14 and 34.27 Deut. 31.19 Isa. 8.1 and 30.8 Ier 30.2 Hab. 2.2 Re. 1.11.19 14.13 19.9 21.9 The testimonies of the Apostles proclaiming that nothing was said or written by mans advice or counsel cry out against this error John 20.31 But these things are written that ye might believe c. Rom 15.4 But what things are written are written for our learning that through patience and comfort of the Scriptures we might have hope 1 Cor. 10.11 These things are written to admonâ—sh us 1 Tim. 3.16 All Scripture is given by divine inspiration And 2 Pet. 1.20 21. So that ye fiâ—st know this that no Prophesie in the Scripture is of any private motion for Prophesie came not of old time by the will of man but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the holy Ghost Lastly these precepts cry out against them by which we are directed to the wâ—itten word in matters of salvation Isa 8.20 To the law and to the testimâ—ny John 5 39. Search the Scriptures V. We acknowledge therefore no other principle of Divinity than the written word of God VI. It is an unquestionable Principle amongst Christians that the Holy Scripture is both of a divine original and authority VII It is then a question ill beseeming a Christian to demand whether the Scripture or holy Bible be Gods word or not For as in the Schools there is no desputing with him who denies Principles so we account him unworthy to be heard who will deny this principle of Christian Religion VIII Among Christians it is lawful to ask By what testimony do we know that the Scriptures are by divine inspiration So we ask not for this end to seduce others or to cavel but onely to be instructed IX Now this testimony is twofold the one principal the other ministerial The principal testimony is that of the Holy Spirit outwardly in the Scripture it self inwardly in the minds and hearts of the faithful being illuminate by him speaking and perswading the divinity of the Scriptures But the ministerial testimony is the testimony of the Church Outwardly in the Scriptures themselves the holy Ghost when he speaks of the divine original and authority of the VVord useth these phrases The word of the Lord Thus saith the Lord. Iesus said All Scripture is by divine inspiration 2 Tim 3.16 Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost But inwardly in the hearts of the faithful he perswades the divinity of Scriptures so far forth as he openeth the eyes illuminates the mind of him that reads the Scripture with prayer and humility that he makes him see the wonders of God and causeth him to acknowledge the voice of Gods Spirit sounding in the Word The Romanists urge the Churches authority alone which they have in such high esteem that they will have the whole authority of Scriptures to have its dependence from the Church and for this only cause they will have it to be Gods Word because the Church is the witnesse of it But this is not to make the Church a witnesse of the Scriptuâ—es divinity but to make her self capable of divinity But we will prove by these ensuing arguments that the testimony of Gods Spirit alone is it which firmly assures us of the scriptures divinity 1. His testimony concerning the Scriptures is most firm by whose inspiration the Scripture was written For every one knows his own hand best and is best aâ—quainted with his own stiâ—e But the Scripture was written by the inspiration of the holy Ghost 2 Tim. 3.16 2 Pet. 1.20 21. Ergo c. 2. He that together with the Scripture is promised in a most neer conjunction to the faithful his testimony of the Scripture is most firm But the Holy Ghost is promised to the faithful in a most neer conjunction with the Scripture Esa. 59.21 My spirit which is in thee my words which I have put in thy mouth shall not depart from thy mouth 3. Without whose illumination the wonders of the Scripture are not seen his testimony alone of the Scripture is most firm But without the illumination of the Holy Ghost no man sees the wonder of the Scripture Psal. 119.18 Open my eyes that I may see the wonders of thy Law Ergo c. 4. VVhose office it is to lead us into all truth he it is that witnesseth this truth to wit that the Scripture is Gods word But it is the office of the Holy Ghost to lead us into all truth John 16 13. Ergo c. Now as for the Churches testimony although it is to be received as from Gods Minister yet it is false that the Scriptures authority depends on it For what can be more absurd than to make the words of the Master to receive their authority from the Servant or the Fathers letters to receive credit from the footâ—post or the Princes mandates from the Printer or that the Rule should have its dependence from the thing ruled VVe know that the oracles of God are committed to the Church Rom. 3.2 and that she is the pillar ground of truth 1 Tim. 3.15 But as it is foolish to tell us that the candle receives its lights from the candle-stick that supports it so it is ridiculous to ascribe the Scriptures authority to the Church The Churches testimony may be prevalent with those who as yet know not the Scriptures and have not received that sincere milk of the word nor by it are grown up 1 Pet. 2 2. But in those who have tasted the sweetnesse of divine oracles the testimony of Scriptures and of the Holy Ghost is most firm and effectual For as he who tasteth hony himself hath a more sure knowledge of its sweetnesse than he that believeth another speaking witnessing of it even so he knoweth more assuredly the Scriptures to be Gods Word who hath tasted its sweetnesse than he who gives credite to the Church witnessing this sweetnesse The Samaritans at first believed the woman when she spake of Christ but after they heard Christ himself they say to the woman Now we believe not because of thy saying for we have heard him our selves and know that this is indeed the Christ the Saviour of the world Joh. 4.42 Even so he that having begged the assistance of Gods Spirit reads the Scriptures again again at length saith Now I believe no longer for the Churches testimony that the Scriptures are divine but because I have read them my self and in reading have stamped this Syllogism in my minde 1. That Scripture which everywhere brings in God himself speaking 2. Which is written by those men who being furnished with the gifts of prophesying and miracle from God extraordinarily do with such faithfulnes record all things that in rehearsing of sins and infirmities they neither spare themselves nor friends 3. Who record not only truths and things agreeing with right reason but
Presbytery 2. A keeping off from the Lords Supper 3. The greater excommunication by which the sinner is cast out of the Church yet not without hope of pardon and return if he repent 4. Anathema or in the Syriac word Maranatha when he is cast out without hope In loosing the same degrees being observed the sinner is by the Church received again into favour So by the Apostles advice the excommunicated Corinthian is received again into grace 2 Cor. 2.7 8. The RULES I. Christ is the author and founder of this power Out of the testimonies above cited II. This power of the Keyes is in the whole Presbytery not in the Bishop or Pastor alone The Pope falsly arrogates this power to himself For to say nothing of that right which he claims from Peter it is certain that the Keyes were not delivered to Peter alone Mat. 16.18 but the same right was imparted also to all the rest Mat. 18.18 Verily I say unto you whatsoever you binde on earth c. and Joh. 20.23 Whose sins ye shall remit c. III. The object of this binding is the sinner who either was not amended by private admonition or whose scandal was greater than could be done away by private exhortation IV. The forme consisteth in the decent observation of degrees For when the first and second will prevail we should not make use of the third and very seldome of the fourth V. Popish Indulgences which are the fictitious treasure they brag of gathered by the Pope out of the merits of Christ of the blessed Virgin and of the Saints who suffered more as they teach than their sins deserved are farre from the power of the Keyes Let the treasure of Christs blood suffice us which cleanseth us from all sin 1 Joh. 1.7 VI. Loosing consists not in those satisfactions which they enjoyn sâ—nners By satisfaction here we understand not that which is given to the Church by a serious testimony of repentance and that publiquely when it is required but that which satisfieth for sin Besides their opinion is grounded on a false supposition that the punishment is reserved after the fault is remitted Of this we will speak in the Doctrine of Justâ—fication hereafter VII The end of this power is the preservation of the Churches honour and that wicked men might be brought to repentance VIII The power of the Church and of the Magistrate differ in these 1 The object of this is any man but of that the members of the Church onely without exception of the greatest personages 2. The object of this are the body and outward goods but of that the soul. 3 This punisheth even penitents that receiveth penitents into favour IX Ministers and Presbyters should not divulge any secret offence revealed to them by him whose conscience is oppressed except the safety and peace of the Publique require it least others be debarred of the Churches comfort Thus of the Church-government the Political followes and is that whereby the Church also is governed by the Magistrate The RULES I. Magistrates are the Churches nursing fathers as they are keepers of the two Tables of the Law as they preserve Churchese and Schooles and defend the Truth II. The Clergy is not exempted from the Magistrates subjection Rom. 13.1 Let every soul be subject to the higher powers The examples of Christ paying toll-money Mat. 17.27 of Paul appealing to Cesar Acts 25 11. witness this III The Infidel-Magistrate must be obeyed in things that may be done with a saf-conscience IV. We must pray for Magistrates that be Infidels 1 Tim. 2.1 c. So much of the Publique Admininistration The Private is whereby each member of the Church is coupled with one another in the bond of love to the edifying of the whole mystical body See Rom. 12.6 c. 1 Cor. 12 12 c. Ephes. 2.20 c. and 4.1 c. Hitherto of the Ordinary Church-Government The Extraordinary is when necessity requiring a Councel is gathered A Councel is a Meeting enjoyned by the Civil Magistrate or the common consent of the Church in which men endowed with the gifts of the Spirit and lâ—wfully chosen for this purpose undertake the Churches cause and out of Gods word define it And this is either Oecumenical and universal or else particular Particular is National or Provincial The RULES I. A Councel must be called by the Magistrate if he be Faithfull If he be an Infidel either it is to be procured by Petition or if he be an open Enemy to the Councel it must be held by the Churches common consent necessity so requiring it II. The Persons which should be present at the Councel are the Civil and Ecclesiastical Presidents so many Scribes and fit men chosen for this purpose Neither are private men to be altogether excluded who may be present at the handling of Doctrinal points but not in matters of Scandal which charity ought to cover III. The matter which is to be handled in the Councel or Synod is Church businesse which is of weight and worthy of serious consideration IV. The forme of the Councel consisteth in a religious and orderly disquisition of the truth V. It will be religious if after fervent prayers to God all things be tried by Scripture as by an infallible Line and Rule VI. It will be orderly if every man be mindful of his duty VII It is the part of the civil President to gather the Councel to protect it being gathered to prohibit all violence and disorder by his authority to publish the decrees lawfully made and to curb the refractory VI. The ecclesiastike President is to propose the Question to moderate the Disputation by the advise of his Assistance to ask their opinion and by Notaries to record the Decrees IX The rest of the Delegates are to propose their Opinion calmly and roundly or to assent to him that spake before if his opinion was right X The presidencie that the Pope claims over councels is far from this form who neither consulteth with Scripture noâ— asketh the opinion of his Assistants but obtrudes his Dictates to be confirmed by the Councel XI The forme of the Councel of Jerusalem was far otherwise in which every man might lawfully utter his opinion Paul and Barnabas had as much freedome to speak as Peter and after their opinions had been canvassed too and fro James at length concludes Acts 15. v. 6.19 XII The end of Councels is peace and truth in the Church XIII As far as Councels agree with Scripture so great is their authority neither are they more exempted from erring than the Church her self What credit we are to give to Popish Councels may be seen both by the opposition of Councels to one another as likewise by their impious Decrees The Councels of Constance and â—asil subjected the Pope to the Synod but that of Trent on the contrary extols the Pope above all Councels The second Councel of Nice impâ—ously thrusts out the second
opinion is not much different who feign that Christ entred Hell that he might triumph there as a Conquerour Both opinions are repugnant to the story of the Gospel For whereas Christ otherwayes in respect of his Deity is every where his soul being recommended into the hands of his Father by himself whilst he hung on the Cross his body being laid up in the grave it must needs be false that Christ did locally go down to Hell Besides whereas God doth professe that he is their God after death Exod. 3.6 there can be nothing more absurd than that the souls of the Fathers should be detained in that limbus or prison Peter witnesseth 1 Ep. 3.19 that Christ preached to the Spirits of old that were disobedient but this is to be understood of that preaching which was before the flood by Noah being furnished or instructed for this purpose by the Spirit of Christ. Neither is there any ground for that fiction of Christs triumph in Hell both because he triumphed not before his resurrection as also because Heaven was the fit place of his triumph not hell Again whereas the word Scheol sometimes signifieth the grave and sometime Hell the place of the damned hence it is that the phrase of Christs deâ—cent into hell hath divers meanings in Scripture for either it is the same thing that is to be buried Ps. 16.10 Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell Or it is the same that is to fall into extreme tortures anguish 1 Sam. 2.6 The Lord bringeth down to hell and bringeth out Psal. 18.4 The sorrows of hell compassed me about Oâ— else it signifieth the state of them who are oppressed and swallowed by death Ps. 49.14 Like sheep they lie in hell death gnaweth upon them Isa. 14.11 c. The first exposition hath no place in the fourth Article of the Creed for it is unlikely that in so brief an Epitome of Faith there should be any tautology or that a plain speech should be declared by a darker In the second the inconvenience of a disordered narration seems to resist to wit that Christs extreame sadnesse and anguish of minde are rehearsed to be after his death But Calvin makes the matter plain shewing that the order of things and not of time is observed so that there are two members of that Article the former is of the tortures of the body the latter of the internall tormâ—nâ—s of the minde They who maintain the third exposition do chiefly urge the order of passages both because the detention of Christ in the grave is the last degree of humiliation as also because by this means the degrees of his joyful exaltation to answer the sufferings of Christ to wit his Resurrection answers his Death the Sepulture his Ascension to heaven his descending to hel the sitting at his Fathers right-hand Now as this opinion is not disliked so the former is not rashly to be rejected nor should we dispute contentiously in this matter seeing this claus of Christs descent to hel was not alwayes added to the fourth Article as the Nicenâ— Creed and divers others do witness So that this may remain firm that neither his spiritual agonies in his soul nor his three dayes detention in the grave ought to be separated from his sufferings XVIII· For the form or manner of his passion He suffered 1. Truly 2. Holily and innocently 3. Voluntarily These three things are to be well observed For if he had not truly suffered he had not satisfied if he had not suffered holily and innocently we could not have a perfect High Priest Heb 7.26 If lastly he had not voluntarily submitted himself his sacrifice had been compulsory not free hence he saith Heb. 10.7 Behold here I am to do thy will ô God XIX The generall end of Christs passion is the glory of God and chiefly the manifestation of his wrath against sin as also of his justice and mercy besides the declaration of the Divine and Humane nature But the proper and speciall end is Satisfaction for our sins XX. In the end and use of every particular Passion a regard is to be had of that Analogie in which the Expiation is compared with the sin and the passion with the punishment which we should have suffered For example He sustained most gâ—ievous tortures in his soul and body both that the sins of soul and body mâ—ght be expâ—ated as also that we might be deliveâ—ed from those spiritual and corporal pain which eternally we should have suffered His death upon the crosse was execâ—able partly that he might expiate the sins by which we deserv'd to be accursed partly that he might free us from that curse and damnatâ—on He was buried to â—estifiâ— that our sins were buried with him and that he might sanctifie our graves in which as is in prisons we were to be detained untill the horrible day of judgment by turning them into sleeping places His three dayes detention in the grave teacheth that we had deserved that for our sins death had eternaly reigned over us if his ignominious detention had not also satisfied for this punishment XXI They do annihilate the end and fruit of Christs passion who say that he suffered only for this that he might be an example to us 'T is true that Christ by suffering hath left us an example but the mean fruit of his passion is the satisfaction for our sins The Socinians acknowledge Christ a Saviour onely in these things 1. In that he preach'd celestial Truth 2. that he confirmed it 3. That he was our example in his passion and Resurrection 4. In that at length he bestows life eternal on us But when we alleadge testimonies out of Scripture concerning Christs death for us they elude them by saying that he died for us that is for our good but not for us that is in our place or stead But this most pestilent Heresie is refuted by these subsequent Arguments 1. Because he so died for us that he gave his life as the price of redâ—mption for man Mat. 20 28 who gave himself a ransom for all 1. Tim 2.6 that he is said to redeem us with his pretious blood 1 Pet. 1.18 19. You are saith he redeemed Now who knows not that it is one thing to be an example of salvation and freedom and another thing to pay a ransom for any for he that satisfieth not for his slave or in his stead how doth he pay a ransome for him 2 Because he died so for us that he was made sin for us 2 Cor. 5.21 That he took our sins upon him and he bore the punishment due to our sins Isa. 53.4 Is then the taking of anothers sin upon him and the suffering of the punishment due to another onely the shâ—wing of an example and not to satisfie and to be punished in his stead 3. If the sacrâ—fices of the Old Testament were offered by the priests for the people or in their stead then Chrâ—sts sacrifice also was