then the stronger apprehensions of those by whom he is instructed and therefore he hath desired and endeavoured so to express himself that he might not amaze but inform not puzzle but teach studying brevity and clearness which h Brevis esse laboro obscurus fio Hor. seldome meet in one subject especially where the matter is mysterious brevity as an advantage to memory and clearness as an help to the understanding both conducing much to an instructing and establishing in the Truth If any demand a reason of the Authors composing this Treatise this answer will be satisfactory if that demand be not too supercilious that the publick behoofe did put him upon it for among the many excellent Works compos'd by our Churches Heroes we have not one Systeme of Divinity in al parts consenting with her judgment and practice but what hath been of this kinde hath had a taste of the vessel some private opinions i 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys in Gen. Hom. 4. domestica judicia as Tertullian calls them or at best some forraign Resolves hath been intermix'd with our Churches more pure and perfect determinations Upon observation whereof the Author design'd his studies to do with Christian Theology as Florus with the Roman History k Flor. Epit. Rer. Rom. l. 1. In brevi tabella totam ejus imaginem amplecti draw its whole pourtraiture in a small Table comprise its large Body in a short Volume therein delivering the whole and entire judgment of our Church confirmed from testimony of sacred Scripture and illustrated by argument of divine Reason This whole Work bearing the Title of Sion's Prospect he hath divided into two Parts as its first and second View the First is now published the second reserved till its more fit oportunity for publication which in a correspondency of Method Scripture Reason Brevity and clearness doth treat of those several Heads which concern that peculiar part of Gods Providence over the Church of his Elect viZ. Concerning Election and Predestination concerning Christ in the Person and in the office of Mediator concerning the Church concerning the Covenant of Grace concerning the divers Administrations of this Covenant before the Law under the Law and under the Gospel c. That this former part published doth prevent that latter part design'd for publication the Author gives this most full and satisfactory Reason that he would gladly hereby prompt an able judgment and pen to undertake the task rather then do it himself lest through weakness and insufficiency in those grand Mysteries of the Gospel he should l Veritatem defendendo concutere fidem explicando obscurate shake the Truth in defending it and obscure the faith in explaining it Wherefore if what he hath already done may occasionally stir up some eminent person in an holy emulation of pious zeal to undertake so useful and honourable a Work He shall desist from his further Enterprise and rest very well satisfied yea very much joy'd with this Blessing from God that he hath given breath to anothers divine flame Otherwise if he finde the incouragement of acceptance and be confirmed in some hopes of publick benefit to the Church rather then this so much necessary and so much desired work be not done at all He will by the assistance of Gods Spirit finish and publish what is now under his hand tuneing the Instrument to the best of his skill thereby happily provoking some more dextrous hand and more accurate Artist to perfect the harmony If any man shall Critically question or enviously quarrel at the Authors present undertaking be thou Courteous Reader so far his Advocate as to plead in his behalf that it is not his ambition to be expos'd publick to the world but to be accepted of private Friends to whom especially he hath devoted the present service of the Press and if this particular service to some few Friends shall by a gratious dispensation of divine Goodness be extended as a general benefit to the whole Church it will be an additional blessing as much beyond his own hope as it is above anothers envy and well may the blessing be beyond his hope for the attainment who is himself so far short of the blessing by his unworthiness and therefore doth he the more earnestly beg the benefit of thy Prayers if not as a return of gratitude for his service yet as a boon of charity to his soul who is from his soul in all Christian and Ministerial offices Thine faithfully devoted ROBERT MOSSOM The SYLLABUS To the TREATISE CHAP. I. Concerning the Holy Scriptures Sect. 1 REason arguing from Scripture for the Scriptures Sect. 2 The Knowledge of God and his worship by Revelation This Revelation either with the Jews or with the Christians Sect. 3. The Church of the Jewes enquired into by Reason Sect. 4. Reason leads from the Church of the Jews to the Church of the Christians with the Church of Christ is found the word of God as the Revelation of his will Sect. 5. The word of God is the holy Scriptures in the books of the old Testament and the new What Editions are Authentick Translations in the vulgar tongue allowed Sect. 6. The Apocrypha why so called Why not canonical The Old Testament received from the Jews Sect. 7. The Authority of the Scripture is not from the Church Sect. 8. The Authority of the Church is from Christ by the Scriptures Sect. 9. The Tradition of the Church leadeth to the Scriptures The excellencie◠of the writings effect the mind The Spirit convinceth of the Truth Sect. 10. A moral perswasion from the Church and the letter a divine belief from the Spirit Sect. 11. Why the Scriptures are not discernable by their own light without the Spirit Sect. 12. What and from whence the Authority of the Scriptures Their sufficiency Their perfection Sec. 13. How the Rule of our faith Such to the end of the World Sec. 14. Particular Revelations not now to be expected Sec. 15. What received as the Truth by the Church What left to the prudence of Governors and to what end Sec. 16. In what the Scriptures are plain and in what hard to be understood How to be Interpreted What the Analogy of Faith Sec. 17. The duty of Christians in the use of the Scriptures Their fulness of heavenly Doctrine How a perfect form of Institution CHAP. II. Concerning God in the Unity of Essence Sec. 1. WHy the nature of God is not to be comprehended by the understanding of Man How the incomprehensible God is apprehended by faith Sec. 2. How God is described in Scripture the Names of God Sec. 3. The description of God according to his names Sec. 4. Further described by his Attributes The first and principal Sec. 5. Why incommunicable to the creatures Sec. 6. The Attributes communicable to the creatures How communicable Sec. 7. Gods essential attributes his one entire Essence how distinguished why diversly express'd in different names Sec. 8. Why there
beauty to the blind Why the Scriptures are not discernable by their own ligh◠without the Spirit nor the plainest Scripture in its Divine Truth to the c 1 Cor. 2.14 unbelieving and Faith being the d Ephes 2.8 Gift of God none can believe but to whom it is e Luk. 8.10 given Yea were the Scriptures like the Sun discernable by their own light all should acknowledge them Divine who read them written or hear them preach'd but the contrary practice confirms the contrary opinion that seeing all do not receive them it is by a f 1 Cor. 2.15 peculiar Gift of the Spirit that any do believe them that they are the word of God § 12. What and from whence the Authority of the Scriptures And believing these books of Holy Scriptures to be as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the word of God we acknowledge them to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of soveraign and sacred Authority for the proving deciding and determining all a Deut. 17.9 10 11. Isai 8.20 Acts 17.2.11 1 Cor. 15.3 4. Gal. 1.8 controversies in Doctrines of Faith containing in them b 2 Tim. 3.16 17. Acts 20 27. all Truths necessary to Salvation Their sufficiency Their perfection and as not being subject to c Mark 12.24 error in themselves nor to receive d Joh. 10 35. 2 Pet. 1.19 Deut. 12.32 Prov. 30 5 6. Rev. 22.18 Addition or Diminution or Change by the e Gal. 3.15 2.8 Authority of Men or revelation of Angels § 13. How the Rule of our faith We say the Holy Scriptures are the a 1 Thes 5.21 1 Joh. 4.1 6. 2 John 9. Rom. 16.17 Canon and Rule of our Faith and as a Rule hath its just measure inherent in it selfe not depending upon the hand of the Artificer so the Scriptures have their infallible truth inherent in themselves not depending upon the judgement of the Church And as when we speak of a Rule we mean not the materiall wood but the formall measure so when we speak of the Scriptures being the Rule of our Faith we mean not the materiall Book but the formall Truth even the will of God revealed And we expect not any more nor any other Revelation as a Rule of faith or life Such to the end of the world but this to b Heb. 1.1 2 Mat 28.20 1 Cor. 11.26 2 Thes 2.8 continue to the end of the world § 14. Prophesies and particular Revelations Particular Revelations not now to be expected they were to the Church as the light of the Moon and of the Stars to the world of much use and benefit in the night even in the darknesse of ignorance and dim light of Types and Figures whereas the glory of the Gospel like that of the Sun it gives us a Noon-light of divine Truth so that now to expect particular Revelations in matters of faith were to light a candle in the Sun or to look for a Star at Noon Doubtless this is the high way to a 2 Thes 2.10 11 12. 1 Tim. 4.1 2 Thes 2.1 Heresie and gives advantage to Satan b 2 Cor. 11.13 14. transformed into an Angel of light the more easily to deceive and the more dangerously to seduce What received as the Truth by the Church § 15. Whatsover is preach'd or taught express'd in the letter or agreeable to the Analogy of the Holy Scriptures we receive as a Mal. 2.6 John 17.17 Acts 18.28 2 Tim. 2.15 Truth But what is opposite to or dissenting from them we reject as b Acts 17.11 Mark 12.24 error And what things are indifferent in their own nature as being neither directly express'd in the word nor necessarily deduc'd from it nor any way opposite to the word or inconsistent with it those things we acknowledge left to the Prudence of Governours What left to the Prudence of Governors and to what end for the preservation of c 1 Cor. 11.16 chap. 14.26 33 40. Heb. 13.17 Philip. 2.14 Order and Unity in the Church which things indifferent in their nature by the command of lawful Authority do become necessary in their use In what the Scriptures are plain and in what hard to be understood § 16. And seeing the Holy Scriptures though in most texts they are a Deut. 30.11 14. Psal 19.7 8. 2 Tim. 3.15 1 Cor. 3.1 2. Psal 119.105 2 Cor. 4.3 4. clear yet in many they are b 1 Cor. 2.6 7. 2 Pet. 3.16 obscure Though in Truths absolutely necessary to salvation they are easie yet in mysteries excellently profitable for edification they are difficult to be understood Therefore for the true Interpretation of Scripture How to be Interpreted we admit the judgement of the Church as a trusty Guide and the opinion of the Learned as a rational Argument but we approve the Scripture it self as an c 2 Pet. 1.20 infallible Rule clearing those texts which are dark and doubtful What the Analogy of Faith by those places which are more plain and evident being careful to keep close to the d Rom. 12.6 Phil. 3.16 Analogy of Faith which doth consist in those Principles of Christianity which are clearly set forth in Scripture and generally received of the Church A Sum whereof we have in those short Confessions of Faith call'd the Apostles Creed Athanasius Creed and the Nicene Creed together with the Decalogue the Lords Prayer and the Doctrine of the Sacraments § 17. The duty of Christians in the use of the Scriptures And that every true Christian may be throughly furnished with Knowledge unto works of Holiness and Righteousness it is his duty diligently to a Joh. 5 39. 2 Pet. 1.19 Luke 16.29 search the Scriptures and to b Deu. 5 32 33 John 13.17 Jam. 1.22 25. conform his judgment and conversation according to their rule and direction Their fulness of heavenly Doctrine They being the Heavenly Store-house from whence the Church of Christ is furnish'd with all spiritual c Luke 4.4 Heb. 5 12 13 14 1 Pet. 2.2 Provision of sound Doctrine whether it be in matters of Faith or Manners d 2 Tim. 3.16 Profitable they are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for Doctrine and Instruction in what concerns God and Christ Creation and Redemption Sin and Grace Death and Life Misery and Blessedness 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for Argument and Conviction in discovering and refuting Error in discerning and confirming Truth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for Correction and Reformation How a perfect form of Institution in what concerns Minde and Manners the inward and the outward Man in thoughts in words and in works and of these Three doth consist the Apostles perfect 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 form of institution in Righteousness CHAP. II. Concerning God in the Unity of Essence § 1. AS the Sun is in it self most visible Why the Nature of God is not to be comprehended by
SION'S PROSPECT IN ITS FIRST VIEW Presented In a Summary of Divine TRVTHS consenting with the FAITH profess'd by the Church of ENGLAND Confirmed from SCRIPTVRE and REASON Illustrated by Instance and Allusion COMPOS'D and PUBLISH'D TO BE An Help for the prevention of APOSTACY Conviction of HERESY Confutation of ERROR and Establishing in the TRUTH By A Minister of CHRIST and Son of the CHURCH R. M. quondam è Coll S. P. C. Henceforth be no more children 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 tossed to and fro and whirled about by every winde of Doctrine EPHES. 4.14 London Printed by T N for Humphrey Moseley and are to be sold at the sign of the Princes-Arms in St. Pauls Church-yard 1653. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE HENRY Marquess of Dorchester Earl of Kingston c. My LORD YOur Patronage like your Self is Honorable the true merit and high repute of whose piety and learning is voice enough to speak my Summary of Truths Orthodox It is not then without design that I am solicitous to present Sion's Prospect to your Lordships sight it being my confidence and aim that this View of Divine Truths having had its review by so clear a judgment for its approbation I may not hereafter fear what eye it shall be exposed to for its censure Besides My Lord in this general maze of the Churches troubles affrighted Truth seeking safety I directed her to take Sanctuary in the Temple of Honor and to offer her devotions at your Lordships shrine Let then a propitious goodness deign acceptance and give protection to the humble Suppliant not to be violated by the profane hands of ignorance and of error If any question the confidence of this my Address to your Lordship it is enough that I point them to the * Apud Antiquos Quercus Jovi Laurus Apollini Sacrae virum nobilem tà m de Ecclesia quà m de schola literaria optimè meritum emblematicw̄s loquuntur Oak and the Lawrel standing at your Gate with this Inscripsion of honourable Fame Here dwels the Clergy's Patron But besides this My Lord mine once near relation to your late deceased * Ds. T. G. Eques felicis memoriae Uncle as it gave me my first admission into Your Lordships presence so will it countenance my present presumption of Your Lordships Patronage and it will be no error if I think at once to engratiate my Service to Your Self by his Memory and ennoble my Work unto others by Your Name This in publick as to a formal Dedication I retire into privacy for the more real devoting my self in the sincerest fervour of my heartiest Prayers My LORD Your Honours most truly faithful and humble Servant ROBERT MOSSOM Richmond in Surrey pridiè Non. Maii 1651. The Author's Preface to the READER Courteous Reader THE grand Apostacy of these latter dayes may sufficiently experience thee to know how dangerous it is to want a Pilote in the storm a seasonable service then it must be and should be an acceptable work in any measure of proportion to supply that defect Here thou art brought into the Ark of the Church and the amidst the many contrary windes of false doctrines thou art taught much of the profession of a true Faith to which as divine Reason doth contribute its clearest of evidence so doth sacred Scripture confer its firmness of proof And in the many Scripture proofs fear not any thing of what is now Epidemical a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Greg. Naz. orat 36. Scripture sacriledg either surreptitiously stealing away the true meaning or profanely corrupting the proper phrase of Gods word upon the strictest examination it shall not be found that the Oracle doth here b Demosth de Oraculo Delphico 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Scriptures I mean speak that sense which faction or fancy hath c Non imponendus sensus sacris literis sed expectandus Hilar. de Trin. imposed but what the Spirit of God and of Truth hath revealed With those mysteries which are of the Catholick Faith as necessary to salvation here are interwoven many Truths which are of Theological Science as useful to spiritual edification yet those questions which some mens curiosity hath vainly started and other mens nicety hath as scrupulously resolv'd I have purposely wav'd as being especially in these times wherein men are more Criticks then Christians in Religion the occasions of contention which further unto d Dum alter alalteri anathema esse coepit propè jun nemo Christi est Hilar. cont Const uncharitableness rather then matters of instruction which edifie unto holiness If Thou dost question or Any will oppose this Summary of divine Truths being wholly consenting with the judgment of the Church of England Know that as it hath been perus'd and approv'd by some of the reverend Fathers so will it be asserted and justified by others of the dutiful Sons of the English Church to be in all parts agreeable to that Faith which hath been and yet is with all constancy by Her acknowledg'd and profess'd which argreement will evidently enough appear to him who shall diligently consult the Book of Articles the Books of Homilies the Forms of publick Administrations and Divine Service In all which the Church doth speak more fully though dispersedly what is here delivered more concise and methodically so that this Summary especially in matters of Faith is perfectly consenting with the Church as teaching the same Truths for matter though not for method for substance though not for circumstance the Analogy one though the Expressions diverse If Truth then might gain e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Greg. Naz. orat 20. esteem from Persons and Faith receive credit from the repute of its Professors This Summary presented might have a fair gloss from that reverent respect this Nations owes and other Nations give unto the Fathers of our Church for learning and piety for f Martyres multi multi Martyres designati sufferings and constancy so eminently renown'd And whoso are true Sons of this Church will acknowledg the Doctrines here delivered to be the milk suck'd from their mothers brest pure and wholesom made such from the well digested food of Gods word And however the factions of men have made a rent in the unity and their actions too cast a stain upon the purity of our Church yet let other Nations know they ought to have more care to preserve and secure themselves then they have reason to disdan or g 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Greg. Naz. orat 13. upbraid us for certain it is the envious man is sowing the like tares in their field and they cannot tell how soon our Iudgment may be the portion of their Cup. In this Treatise if any phrase seem improper according to the language of the learned Schools it is a sufficient Apology that the Author made it his aim as he thought it his duty to write according to the weaker capacities of those he was to nistruct rather
And here whilst we view the Jewish Sanctuary Sacrifices and Prophecies by the light of Reason we see them plainly a Joh. 5.39 46 Lu. 10.23 24. 1 Cor. 15 3 4. look and lead unto Christ For their Sanctuary and Sacrifices being b Heb 9.1.10 Earthly and Carnal must needs in the pure worship of that God who is a c John 4.24 Heb. 12.9 Isa 1 10 12. c. Heb. 1.5 6 7. spirit and the Father of spirits be the d Hâ—b 8.4.5 ch 9 9 23 24. Types and shadows of things Heavenly and Spiritual so that as their Prophecies having their appointed time either they are fulfilled or they have expired so their Sanctuary and Sacrifices being Types and shadowes either they were vain or they have vanished and this in Christ the e Col. 2.17 John 1.17 Substance of those shadows and the f John 1.45 Luke 24.27 Mat 1.22 23. chap. 26.56 ch 27.35 Luke 22 37. Joh. 19.36 37. Subject of these Prophecies Reason leads from the Church of the Jews to the Church of the Christians § 4. For let the Jews search the several places and Ages of the World they cannot finde a fulfilling of a Gen. 49.10 Hag. 2.7.9 Gen. 3.15 Deut. 18 15. Isa 2.2 7.14 9.6 7. Dan. 2.44 45. Special Prophecies nor can they give us an Antitype and substance for their Sanctuary and Sacrifices but in the Person and in the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the promised Messiah So that for the true and more full Knowledge of God with the right and more pure form of his Worship we are directed by the Dictate of Reason to the Church of Christ With the Church of Christ is found the Word of God as the Revâ—lâ—tion of his Will b 1 Tim. 3.15 which as the Pillar of Truth doth hold forth to us the Holy Scriptures as the c Rom. 3.2 Luke 1.70 2. Cor. 2.17 chap. 4.2 1 Thes 2.13 word of God delivered by the d 2 Tim. 3.16 2 Pet. 1.21 1 Cor. 2.13 Inspiration of the Holy Spirit § 5. These Holy Scriptures are the writings of the a Eph. 2.20 2 Pet. 3.2 Prophets and Apostles in the books of the Old b 2 Cor. 3.14 Testament and the New The Word of God the Holy Scriptures in the Books of the Old Testament and the New The Original and Authentick edition of the former according to the writings of Moses and the Prophets is the Hebrew and of the latter according to the writings of the Apostles and Evangelists is the Greek What Editions are Authentick That the Mother language of the Jews this the most common language of the Gentiles who in a contradistinct notion to the Jews are therefore called c 1 Cor. 23.24 Rom. 2.9 10. Gal. 3.28 Greeks and as the first edition of the Holy Scriptures were Translations in the Vulgar tongue allowed so the after translations ought to be in the Vulgar tongue that they may be d John 5.39 Col. 3.16 Acts 8.28 1 Thes 5.27 Rev. 1 3. read of all § 6. The Apocrypha signifying secret or hid The Aprocrypha why so called either in respect of their Authors being not certainly known or their Authority not being publickly received seeing we finde them not in the Hebrew we acknowledge not as Canonical to prove doctrines of faith Why not Canonical though profitable for instruction in moral duties We receive those books onely to be of the Old Testament The Old Testament received from the Jews which were kept a Luke 24.44 Sacred by the Jews by an especial Providence and b Rom 32. chap 9.4 Divine appointment made faithful Registers and Bibliothists to the Christian Church § 7. And seeing the Church hath its a Eph. 2.20 foundation fixt upon the Scriptures The Authority of the Scriptures is not from the Church the Scriptures cannot have their Authority derived from the Church so that as not b Joh. 5.33 34. Christs Ministry so nor doth Christ's Word receive its Weight or Worth its Excellency or Authority from the Testimony of Man That the Lord Jesus Christ was c Rom. 4 25. deliver'd for our offences and raised again for our justification we beleeve what because the Church doth so teach us No but because the d Rom. 10.17 Scriptures do so teach the Church § 8. The Holy Scriptures being those a 2 Cor. 5.18 19 20. Credential letters The Authority of the Church is from Christ by the Scriptuâ—es which Christ the King of glory hath given to his Church must necessarily have their Authority from their Author which is Christ and what Authority the Church hath from Christ is convey'd and confirmed by the b 1 Tim. 3.15 Scriptures so that the Authority of the Scriptures is far above the Authority of the Church And though the Tradition of the Church doth declare the Authority of the Sciptures yet doth it not give Authority to them as the c John 1.7.29 34. Testimony of John Baptist doth declare Christ to be the Messiah yet doth not make him to be the Messiah by so declaring him The Tradition of the Church leadeth to the Scriptures § 9. Yea in our believing the Scriptures to be the word of God though true it is the Church leadeth us unto the Scriptures as the a John 4.39 woman did the Samaritans unto Christ by a Traditional report of their Divine excellency yet having read them diligently and faithfully b Joh. 7.17 18 observed the deep Mysteries The excellency of the writings affect the mind the sure Prophesies the glorious Miracles the purity of the Precepts the harmony of the Parts the efficacy of the Doctrines the sincerity of the Writers the plainnesse of the Style with the Majesty of the Word having observed these it is through the convincing power of the c John 14.17 spirit of Truth The Spirit convinceth of the Truth that we say to the Clurch as the d John 4.42 5 39. Samaritans did to the woman Now we believe no more because of thy saying of thy Tradition for we our selves have read and know that these Scriptures are indeed the word of God and in them we have eternal life A morall perswasion from the Church and the letter a divine belief from the Spirit § 10. That the Scriptures then are the Word of God we believe in a a 1 John 5.9 John 16.13 1 Cor. 2.10 12. 1 Joh. 2.20.27 moral perswasion from the outward Tradition of the Church and the incomparable excellency of the matter but in a Divine Faith from the b inward Testimony of the Spirit § 11. Indeed though the Scriptures are a light a Psal 119.105 2 Pet. 1.19 yea the b 2 Cor. 3.18 clear light of the Sun of Righteousnesse yet it is only to those who have their eyes opened The brightest day appears not in it's glorious
the understanding of Man so is God in himself most intelligible and therefore that the Sun dazeleth the eye and God the understanding it is from the abundance of glory in both in respect of our weakness to see and insufficiency to apprehend so that our defect of Knowledge in the nature of God is not so properly from the excellency of the object as from the deficiency of the faculty our †John 1.18 understanding being too narrow to comprehend the incomprehensible Essence of the God-head as whatsoever is finite must needs be too short either to reach How the incomprehensible God is apprehended by faith or to fathom that which is infinite Wherefore God dwelling in that a 1 Tim. 1.1 6.16 light of glorious Excellency and inaccessible glory which no eye of humane Reason can approach or enter we not being able to b Psal 136.6 145.3 Exod. 33.20.23 1 Cor. 13.12 comprehend him in a full knowledge have some apprehensions of him by a divine faith as he hath c Deut. 29.29 John 1.18 revealed himself to us in his word § 2. By which a Eph. 1.13 Word of Truth we beleeve God to be a b john 4 24. Spirit of c Psa 148.13 incomprehensible glory who is in Scripture describ'd unto us How God is described in Scripture by his Names and by his Attributes describ'd not defin'd for there is no Name nor Attribute which can give us an adequate signification of God in his Essence The Names of God His Names especially Jehovah and Shaddai His name d Exod. 6.3 Isa 42.8 Jehovah declares him to be e Exod. 3.14.15 a God absolute in his Essence and his name Shaddai f Gen. 17.1 a God al-sufficient in his fulness § 3. So that from the Names of God wee beleeve him to be an absolute and an infinite Spirit having his being in himselfe who as Adonai a Deut. 4.39 Col. 1.16 Nehem. 9 6. sole Lord of heaven and earth The description of God according to his names Further described by his Attributes The first and principall giveth and preserveth being to all his creatures whatsoever is extra deum without b Acts 17.24.25.28 Phil. 2.13 1 Cor. 8.6 God depending upon God in essence and subsistence in faculty and operation in habite and in act § 4. But God is further describ'd unto us by his Attributes of which the first and principall are these that he is most a 1 Joh. 1.5 simple without any the least composition b Exod. 3.14 absolute and c Psal 145. infinite having all fulnesse d Psal 36.9 Heb 10 31. of life e Dan 4.34 Job 22 2.3 Psal 16.2 Rom. 11.35 perfection and f 1 Tim. 1.11 6.15 blessednes in himselfe And God being simple in his essence he is also g Mal 3.6 Jam. 1.17 immutable in his nature being absolute he is also h Exod. 6.3 4 all sufficient and being infinite he is also i 1 Kin. 8.27 incomprehensible k Jer. 23.2.4 omnipresent and l Psal 90.2 eternal § 5. Why incommunicable to the creatures All which Attributes are so proper unto God that they are a Isa 4.28 incommunicable to the creatures their contrary being found in al the creatures as depending upon him who is absolute subject to change by him who is immutable comprehended by him who is incomprehensible receiving their measure from him who is infinite their place from him who is omnipresent and their beginning from him who is eternal § 6. The Attributes communicable to the creatures But the knowledge of God whereby he is a Heb. 4 13. omniscient the power of God whereby he is b Psal 91.1 omnipotent the c Exod. 34.6 Isa 6.3 Goodness and Truth Mercy and Justice c. in all which he is infinite How communicable are Attributes communicable to the creatures not in Essence but by Analogy according to that impress of Divinity which God hath stamp'd uppon Angels and Men either by d Acts 17 28. Nature or by e 1 Pet. 1.4 Grace or by f 1 Cor. 15.42 43 44. Glory § 7. God's essential attributes his one intire Essence All the essential Attributes of the Godhead are not so many several qualities or accidents in God But the a Eph. 4 6. 1 John 1.5 and 4.5 one very entire Essence of God His omniscience omnipotence How distinguished and other his Sacred Attributes not being distinguished one from another really in Gods nature but onely formally in our conceptions for though as they are conceived by us they seem diverse and different Attributes yet b 1 Cor. 15.28 1 John 1.5 in God they are but one most single and pure Act Which single Act in God is diversly exprest to us in different Names because of our weakness who cannot in any measure conceive of it Why diversly express'd in different names but in different notions And thus though the Act be one in God as the Agent and the Attributes one with God in his Nature yet are they said to be diverse according to the diversity of the Objects and Effects which are without God in his Essence § 8. Thus there is but one God and impossible it is there should be many gods for seeing it is absolutely necessary Why there can be but one God that he who is God have all perfection of being in himself to make many gods were to make them all imperfect and so they can be no gods To allow of Polutheism then is to admit of Atheism he cannot worship any God who acknowledgeth many gods seeing there can be but One most perfect as but One first Mover one first efficient How One single pure and perfect And this One God is a Deut. 6.4 Isa 45.5 1 Cor. 8.4 Jam. 2.19 one single pure and perfect Being b 2 Cor. 3.17 1 Tim. 6.16 single without parts c 1 Sam. 15.29 Hos 11.9 pure without passions d Mat. 5.48 1 John 1.5 perfect without infirmities § 9. So that when in sacred Scripture God is said to have e Psal 34.15 eyes and f Heb 10.31 hands to be g Psal 7.11 angry and h Eph. 4 36. grieved to i Psal 44.22 sleep and i Psal 44.22 awake or the like These we so understand as spoken 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 after the manner of men Why said to have eyes and hands to be angry and grieved c. according to our capacity of conceiving that we might in some measure truly apprehend that in a divine analogy to be done of God which we see and know to be done of men who indeed have eyes and have hands are angry and are grieved He admits no bodily likeness do sleep and do awake The incorporeal k Isa 40.18 46.5 Rom. 1.23 Deut. 4.15 16. Col.
Why God did neither positively will nor properly nill mans fall so nor did he properly nill mans fall for if God had wil'd that man should fall man falling must have derogated from his goodness and holinesse and if God had will'd that man should not fall man falling must have derogated from his Wisdom and Power but God neither willing nor nilling but permitting and disposing mans fall doth manifest the glory of all his Attributes in the advancement of his mercy and justice his mercy in that a Eph. 1.8 9 10. grace he vouchsafeth by Christ to his Church and his justice by b Psal 9.16 Rom. 9.22 23. those judgments he executeth upon sin in the world § 17. Why God ordered man to be tempted left him and permitted him to be overcome God ordered man to be tempted for his triall left him in that temptation to himselfe for his conviction and permitted him to be overcome for his punishment In the triall he proves mans obedience in the conviction he discovers mans weaknesse and in the punishment he doth correct his a Jer. 17.5 vain confidence his vain confidence in trusting to his own strength Adam lost the assistance of God by not seeking it in prayer and not seeking by prayer the assistance of God who as he gave Adam a power in his Nature whereby he might have obeyed if he had willed would also have given him a further power in his triall whereby he had wil'd that he might have obeyed What strength Adam had by creation and What he might have had by prayer b 1 Chron. 28.9 Psal 9.10 if he had sought it of God And thus having obtained so much grace by creation as to have a power whereby if had wil'd he might not have sinned he had certainly obtained more grace by prayer so as to have had a power whereby he neither might have sinned nor have will'd it being approved in his triall and confirmed in his conquest and so established in grace and made perfect in happiness Why God cannot be said to be the cause of mans fall § 18. God cannot properly be the cause of what he doth not positively will Seeing then he did not positively will mans sin he cannot properly be the cause of mans fall His determining to permit and decreeing to order mans sin and mans fall doth declare his wisdom and power without the least impairing of his holiness and justice it doth speak him in his providence an all wise Disposer Why he permits sin not an unjust Author of sin for that his a ◠Psal 145.9 1 John 1.5 infinite goodness is such as would not permit evill in the world were not his infinite power such as out of that b Rom. 6.20 2 Cor. 4.6 evill to bring a world of good CHAP. XII Concerning the Author Cause Nature and Adjuncts of Sin Why God cannot be the Author and cause of sin Its first Originall in the Devill § 1. THe a Psal 99.97 145.1 Isa 26.7 Jer. 12.1 Rev. 15 3. Just and Holy God who doth b Psal 97.10 Heb. 1.9 Rev. 2.6 hate c Exod. 20 3 c. Levit. 11.44 forbid and d Exod. 34.7 Jer. 9.8 9. Amos 3.2 John 5.14 punnish Sin cannot possibly be the e 1 John 1.5 2.16 Jam. 1.13.18 cause and Author of Sin which indeed had its first f John 8.48 1 Iohn 3.8 birth and being from the Divell and unto which Adam g Eccles 7.29 voluntarily betrayed himself in the exercise and abuse of his free-will How by him in Adam by h Gen. 3.6 Matth. 4.3 consenting to the Divels suggestions which had in themselves no power to force though permission from God to perswade How the fountain and cause of sinne is in our selves fallen in Adam § 2. And thus by Adam sin a Rom. 5.12 entred into the world upon whose fall we find the Originall fountain and efficsent or more properly deficient cause of sinne to be in our selves for having lost that harmony and broken that subordination of the appetite to the will of sense to reason of the body to the soul and of all to God man is become even in his best and highest faculties b Jer. 10.14 Rom. 1.21 7.14 sensuall and carnall so that sense overcoming reason and the appetite overswaying the will the will doth over-rule all to a leading the whole man c Rom. 7.14.23 captive into sin And thus the true cause of mans sinne is in mans self for that How actuall sin is brought forth d Jam. 1.14.15 Lust conceiving in the e Matth. 5 28. will 's confenting actuall sin is brought forth § 3. It is not then any coaction or constraint of necessity in Fate any force or fore-sight of Providence in God or any compulsion or power of Temptation in Satan but the perversnesse and consent of a Psa 32.5 51.3 Acts 5.3 Ephes 2.3 will in man which is the proper cause of his sin What those Scriptures intimate in their truth which wicked men wrest to make God the Author of sin in their blasphemy Wherefore all those places of sacred Scriptures which wicked men do wrest against truth and blasphemous mouthes retort upon God to the making him the Author of sin doe all declare and chiefly intimate that wonderfull wisdom and infinite goodnesse of the Almighty who as a powerfull Disposer not a bare Spectator doth order the evill actions of the wicked to his glory yet not any way partaking of the evill b Jer. 51.20 John 19.11 though powerfully assisting in the action § 4. God restrains from sin doth not prompt to sin God it is who a Gen. 31.29 Num. 22.22 2 Tim. 3.8.9 1 Pet. 5.8 restrains the wicked from sin so farre is he from prompting them for ward unto wickednesse but as the Lion let loose from his chain of his own cruell nature doth devour and spoile The wicked rush into sin when not restrained How the same actions are holy in respect of God yet sinfull in respect of the wicked so the b 1 Sam. 16.14 1 King 22.23 Ezek. 14.9 2 Thes 2.11 12 wicked let loose by Divine Providence for the execution of Gods wrath c Rev. 20.7 8. of their own corrupt dispositions they rush into mischief and sin d Gen 50.20 Isa 47.6 7. Acts 2.23 3.14 15. yea the same Actions are good and holy in respect of God as ordered to a good end even the advancing his Justice and Mercy which yet are sinfull and abominable in respect of man as contrived to an evill end even the satiating their malice and fury And thus when e 2 Sam. 12.11 Isai 47.6 7. Acts 2.23 3.14 15. wicked men are raised up to be a scourge for the punishment of others it is from Gods most just and holy will but the malice covetousness cruelty and other