betweene the Scripture generally considered in respect of the manner of reuealing and between the number and order of the Bookes it being one thing to beleeue that the will of God is nowe fully and wholly committed to writing another that this is the distinct order precise number of Bookes 7. Also it is one thing to beleeue that God is the author of this or that booke another to beleeue that it was written by this or that Scribe or Amanuensis so that a difference is to be made between the cheife Author of a booke and the Instrument thereof 1. Cor. 12. 3. Mat. 10. 20. 8. The substance of doctrine necessarie to saluation contained in Scripture is to be beleeued with an expresse historicall and sauing faith but the number and order of bookes is to bee beleeued with faith historicall 8. By the Church we vnderstand not the Pope whome the Papists call the Church virtuall nor his Bishops Cardinalls met in a generall Council whom they call the Church representatiue but the whole companie of beleeuers who haue professed the true faith whether those who receiued the bookes of holy Scripture from the Prophets and Apostles or those who liued after Vnder the name of the Church we comprehend not the Prophets and Apostles as they were immediately chosen and called to be the penmen of holy Scripture for they wrote not as men in the Church but aboue the Church The Church of the Iewes professed the doctrine and receiued the Bookes of the old Testament and testified of them that they were diuine To whose testimony these things giue force 1. To them were committed the Oracles of God Rom. 3. 2. 2. In great miserie they haue constantly confessed the same when as by the onely denying thereof they might haue been partakers both of libertie and rule 3. Notwithstanding the high Priests and others persecuted the Prophets whiles they liued yet they receiued their writings as propheticall and diuine 4. Since obstinacie is come to Israel notwithstanding their great hatred to the Christian religion the holy Scripture of the old Testament is kept pure and vncorrupt amongst them euen in those places which doe euidently confirme the truth of Christian religion Esa 53. 3 4 5 c. The Christian Church hath embraced the doctrine of God and receiued the books both of the Old and New-Testament To whose testimonie two things giue weight 1. their great constancie 2. their admirable and sweet consent for in other matters we may obserue differences in opinions in this a singular and wonderfull agreement This testimonie of Christians is considered three waies 1. Of the vniuersall Church which from the beginning thereof vntill these times professing the Christian religion to bee diuine doth also professe that these bookes are of God 2. Of the seuerall primatiue Churches which first receiued the bookes of the old Testament and the Epistles written from the Apostles to them their Pastors or to some they knew and after deliuered theÌ„ vnder the same title to their successors and other Churches 3. Of the Pastors and Doctors who being furnished with skill both in the tongues and matters diuine vpon due triall and examination haue pronounced their iudgement and approoued them to the people committed to their charge This testimonie is of great weight and importance profitable to prepare the heart and to mooue it to beleeue of all humane testimonies wherby the author of any booke that hath is or shall be extant can be prooued the greatest both in respect of the multitude wisedome honestie faithfulnesse of the witnesses the likenes constancie and continuance of the Testimonie it selfe But this testimonie is onely humane not the onely not the cheife whereby the truth and diuinitie of the Scripture is confirmed neither can it be the ground of diuine faith and assurance 9. The Saints of God of all sorts and conditions noble base rich poore learned vnlearned old young married vnmarried c haue suffered the most grieuous torments vsuall vnusuall speedy slowe euen what hell could inuent or mans malice find out for the defence of this truth All these things a number numberles endured and that with great constancie and ioy euen with a cheerefull heart and merrie countenance so that none can thinke they suffered out of weaknesse pride vaine-glorie or discontent This the patient suffering of the Martyrs is not a testimonie meerely humane but partly diuine for that courage and cheerefulnes which they shewed in the midst of all torments was not from nature but from aboue 10. Many and great wonders such as Sathan himselfe cannot imitate such as exceed the power of any yea of all the creatures in the world such as the most malitious eneâ—ies of Gods truth could not denie to be diuine hath the Lord openly wrougâ—t by the hands of Moses the Prophets and Apostles for the confirmation of this truth Numb 11. 9. and 20. 10. Exod. 19. 16. 1. King 17. 24. Mark 16. 20. Hâ—b 2. 4 Ioh. 5. 36. and 9. 30. 33. Act. 5. 12. These miracles were sufficient to confirme the diuinity of this truth and writing to them who were eie-witnesses thereof Heb. 2. 3. Ioh. 20. 20. Iudg. 2. 7. 10. The vndoubted and cleare narration of them is to vs an inuincible argument thereof 11. That which is most auncient is most true and diuine the purest religion is before all others there must needs be a law before transgression and a commandement giuen vnto man before there could bee place for the Deuill to tempt him But the religion taught in Scripture is of greatest antiquitie the doctrin of the creation and fall is their handled in all other stories whatsoeuer is omitted Q. How else A. By 12 the k Gen. 17. 1. Psal 50. 1. Esa 44. 24. Exod. 20. 1. 2. 1. Cor. 11. 23. Ioh. 3. 36. 1. Cor. 1. 23. Ioel. 1. 1. 2. style l Psal 19. 8. Rom. 15. 4. Rom. 7. 7. Zeph. 2. 11. Zach. 13. 2. Act. 5. 39. Act. 9. 5. 20 21. Phil. 1. 12. 13. Rom. 15. 19. 2. Cor. 4. 8. 9. 10. 13 efficacie sweete m Genes 3. 15. and 49. 10. Esa 9. 6. Dan. 9. 24. Matth. 1. 18. Act. 10. 43. 14 consent admirable n Psa 119. 129. 138. 172. Deut. 4. 5 6. 15 doctrine excellent o Ioh. 20. 31. 16 ende and the witnes p 2. Tim. 3. 16. 2. Pet. 1. 19. 17 of the Scripture it selfe Expos 12. By the style of Scripture we vnderstand not the externall superficies of words but the whole order character frame and comprehension which fitly agreeth to the dignitie of the speaker nature of the argument and is tempered according to the capacity and condition of them for whose sakes it was written Indeed euery Prophet and Apostle almost had a peculiar style Esay is eloquent sweet and more adorned Salomon accurate Ieremie vehement and more rough Amos simple but all are diuine These things declare the maiestie of the style 1. The titles
powers thereof is not of and from it selfe therefore it must proceede from another cause which is power wisedome and vnderstanding it selfe and that is God 2. In the vnderstanding there are certaine principles whereby it diserneth truth and falsehood good and euill this gift man hath not of himselfe therefore it springs froâ— a supreame and most wise vnderstanding the principall cause being euer more excellent then the effect 3. The mind is not satisfied with the knowledge nor the will with the possession of all things in this world but still they seeke and earnestly thirst after some higher good there is therefore a Soueraigne truth and cheife good which being perfectly knowne and enioyed will giue contentment 4. By the power and faculties of the Soule man is capable of happines or of the cheife good but in vaine should he be made capable thereof if there were not a cheife good to be possessed and enioyed 5. By the assaults and suggestions of Satan we feele there is a Deuill may we not then certainly conclude that there is a God 2. Satan labours by all meanes to extinguish the light of the Gospel to lead men on in ignorance error and prophanenesse and to turne them out of the path of holines Now why should Satan warre thus against God his word and Saints why should he seeke Gods dishonour and mans destruction if there were not a God a lawe and an euerlasting life Q. How else A. By the 6 consent of nations 7 defence m Psal 9. 16 and 58. 10. 11. of the Church 8 support and n Ier. 33. 9. comfort of the godly but principally by the o Es 42. 8. Scripture Expos 6. All nations in euery age time and place of the world haue acknowledged that there was a God 2. The Gentiles could not endure him who denied a diuine power 3. They adored stockes stones bruite beasts and the basest creatures rather then they would haue no dietie at all 4. They were zealous and forward in the worship of their Idols which shewes that though they acknowledged not the true God yet they knewe there is a God to whom diuine worship is due 5. Such as haue studied to become Atheists could neuer blot this truth out of their consciences but the maiestie of God hath affrighted and his terrors made them afraid 7. The deuill with great malice and fury and vngodly men with all their might authority malice and policy haue laboured to find out and extirpate all those that call vpon the name of the Lord Iesus but they haue been miracuously hid preserued and defended by the Lord. 2. God hath wonderfully frustrated all the deuises of the wicked enemies of his Church by the meanes they practised to roote it out it was encreased 3. God fought from heauen against the persecutors of his children and executed vpon them the fiercenes of his displeasure dreadfull iudgements did ouertake many of them and such horror fell vpon some that they were forced to leaue their places of honour and rule and betake themselues to a solitarie and priuate life 4. The Lord hath armed his children with inuincible courage and fortitude to endure disgrace contempt pouerty death and the most exquisite torments that hell could inuent he hath supported them vnder the burthen of an accusing conscience and inwardly refâ—â—shed them as it were suddenly with sweete peace and consolation and by the power strength and comfort of the holy Ghost hath enabled them to sing Psalmes in prison and in the midst of the fire which courage strength and comfort of theirs doth plainely demonstrate that there is a God specially if you compare it with that feare faintnes and vnquietnesse vexation and deadnes which is in other men when they suffer any thing Q. What is God A. He is p Ioh. 4. 24. a 9 Spirit hauing q Luk. 24. 39. his being of 10 himselfe Expos 9. God is a spirituall invisible and immateriall substance 1. Tim. 1. 17. Luk. 24. 39. 10. God is without beginning Psal 90. 2. and 93. 2. Esa 43. 1â— and 44. 6. and without cause Apoc. 1. 8. Esa 41. 4. and 43. 10. and 48. 12. and so hee is without composition infinite Psa 147. 5. 145. 3. Exod. 3. 14. eternall Prou. 8. 22 23. Rom. 16. 26. incomprehensible Exod. 33. 22. 23. 1. Tim. 6. 16. 1. Kin. 8. 27. Esa 66. 1. and vnchangeable Iam. 1. 17. Mal. 3. 6. Q. How many Gods be there A. Onely r Deut. 6. 4. 1. Cor. 8. 4. 6. one 11 God and 12 three Å¿ Matth. 28. 19. 1. Ioh. 5. 7. Persons the Father Sonne and Holy Ghost Expos 11. There can be but one Omnipotent Dan. 4. 35. infinite eternall most perfect first cause and directer of all things all things are referred to one first Rom. 11. 35. Apocal. 1. 8. and 4. 11. 12. A person generally taken is one intire substance not common to many â—ndued with life and vnderstanding wil and power A person in the Godhead is the Godhead restrained or distinguished by his personall propertie Ioh. 14. 16. and 15. 1. The whole diuine nature being indiuisible 1. Cor. 8. 6. is common to all three persons Farher Sonne and Holy Ghost Act. 4. 24. 2. Cor. 1. 3. Ioh. 1. 1. Rom. 9. 5. Heb. 1. 8. Numb 12. 6. 7. with Act. 1. 16. 1. Pet. 1. 11. Heb. 1. 1. Act. 4. 25. with 2. Pet. 1. 21. and therfore whatsoeuer doth absolutely agree to the diuine nature or is spoken of the diuine nature by relation vnto the creatures that doth agree likewise to euery person in Trinitie Ioh. 1. 1. Prou. 8. 22. Apoc. 1. 8. Matth. 18. 20. Ioh. 3. 13. Iob 26. 13. and 33. 4. Ioh. 14. 26. Luk. 1. 35. Euerie person in Trinitie is equall in glory and eternitie Ioh. 10. 30. Ioh. 17. 5. Phil. 2. 6. Eph. 1. 17. with Ioh. 12. 41. and there is a most neere communion and vnion between them by which each one is in the rest and with the rest Ioh. 14. 10. 11. Io. 1. 1. and cuery one doth possesse loue and glorifie each other Prou. 8. 22. 30. v. Ioh. 17. 5. working the same things Ioh. 5. 19. But the Godhead considered with the personall property of begetting is the Father c. Q. What is the propertie of the Father A. To bee of himselfe and t 1. Ioh. 1. 18. and 3. 18. to 13 beget his Sonne Expos 13. The diuine nature doth neither beget nor is begotten but the Father doth beget his Sonne by an eternall and necessarie communication of his essence wholly and indiuisibly to his Son which yet he wholly retaineth in himselfe Ioh. 1. 1. Pro. 8. 22 23. Q. What is the propertie of the Sonne A. To be u Ioh. 3. 18. begotten of the Father Q. What is the propertie of the Holy Ghost A. To proceed from the w Ioh. 15. 26. Father and x Rom. 8. 9. Gal. 4. 6. the Sonne Q. The nature of
A SHORT TREATISE Containing all the principall grounds of Christian Religion By way of Questions and Answers very profitable for all men but especially for housholders The second Impression LONDON Printed for WILLIAM WELBY 1617. TO THE CHRIstian Reader WEE offer here vnto thy view good Christian Reader the principles of Religion with a short exposition vpon the same for the explanation of what may seeme difficult the confirmation of the truth professed against poperie and the inforcing of sundrie duties of weighty and great importance The method we haue followed is plaine and naturall the matter wholsome but not adorned with flowers of eloquence We begin with the maine end that al men ought to aime at because there can be no motion but for some end as there can bee no effect but from some efficient Thence we proceed to the meanes whereby the ende may bee attained for it is in vaine to propoūd an end vnto our selues if either the way bee impossible or imperfect if either it cannot bee knowne or do not leade to the fruition thereof In the meanes we consider whence direction is to be taken and what is to be learned and there we shew what and who God is how wee must conceiue of him why hee ought to be worshipped what couenant he made with Adam in the time of innocencie and how Adam by transgression fell and plunged himselfe and his posterity into woe and miserie vnspeakable intolerable and eternall In the next place we lay down the meanes that God hath ordained for mans recouerie And there is handled what Christ is what hee hath done for vs how we are made partakers of his benefits how faith is wrought and increased in vs and what obedience wee owe to God in Christ who is the obiect of Christian religion And because the godly in this course of Christianitie are compassed about with infirmities subiect to many falles and assaulted with many tentations which might discourage and turne them out of the way Therfore we haue added what course a Christian should take to grow in grace how he may be preserued from falling how he should recouer after his fall and of what priuiledges the godly are or may be partakers in this life And in the last place the blessednesse of the Saints after this life is ended is touched in few words whereby the sufficiencie of the meanes is manifested For as it is a way prescribed of God so it leadeth vs vnto God the first chiefe and al-sufficient Good Our desire herein is to teach the simple Christian how he may grow from grace to grace and from faith to faith and to further such godly householders as desire to instruct and traine vp their children and seruants in the information and feare of the Lord but want leisure or abilitie to furnish themselues out of larger and more learned Treatises For their sakes wee haue aduentured to compile this poore treatise and to make it common that they might haue some helpe at hand whereby they might be confirmed in the truth against the vaine cauils of the Papists and the better inabled to informe them that be committed to their charge If any such shal vouchsafe to make vse of this booke wee would desire him to marke and obserue these few things First that the letters a and b and c c. set ouer the Answere doe direct what part of the answere the Testimonies of Scripture alleaged do serue to confirme And the figures 1. 2. 3. c. doe intimate what words or which parts of the answere are explaned in the exposition Secondly in teaching the Questions and Answers take the paines to search into the proofes which are alleaged for confirmation of the matter and if the same thing word for word bee not found in the verses of Scripture cited then be pleased further to enquire what reasons or arguments may bee drawne from the place to proue what is intended This wee commend because it is a course behouefull for the obtaining of well grounded knowledge the getting of stedfast and assured faith and comfort and growing to bee familiarly acquainted with the word Thirdly in reading the exposition of euery answere take notice what is deliuered by way of explication or confirmation and what reasons how many are brought to proue any point Thereby a man shall be inabled to referre that which hee heareth in the publike assemblie or readeth in other learned bookes to some head apply it to right purpose treasure it vp safely in memorie for vse in the time of neede and haue in readinesse to answere the gainsaiers Lastly because in such a multitude of quotations it cannot bee but some will be mistaken if in the places quoted thou finde not that which makes to the purpose looke into the Errata and see whether it bee not there amended and before thou begin to reade take notice of and amend especially these more grosse ouersights in the printing Page 102 line 21 for resisting reade resting Page 109 line 24 for voide reade good Page 147 line 3 for is sealed reade is not sealed Page 174 line 11 insert We may not vow Pag. 177 lin 5 for can more reade can no more Thus heartily desiring and hoping good Reader that thou wilt make vse of these directions giuen profitably to guide thee through this small worke we commit thee to God and the word of his grace who is able to direct and safelie leade thee vnto eternal happinesse crauing that if thou receiue benefit from God vpon the perusall of this simple treatise thou be carefull to poure out thy soule vnto God for vs that he would enrich vs with his grace more and more for the glory of God the good of his Church and the comfort of our owne soules The Printer to the Reader GEntle Reader beare with some false pointings though they bee many occasioned by the multitude of quotations and some ouer-sight And vouchsafe to correct with thy penne these Errata following hoping that the next impression they will be amended in the body of the Treatise Errata in the quotations Pag. 5. lin 8. for Luc. 13. 38. reade Luc. 13. 28. In the same page lin 18. for Esa 8. 2. reade Esa 8. 20. Also lin 26. for Luc. 2. 30. r. Luc. 1. 2. 3. p. 21. lin 24. for Rom. 35. 19. r. Rom. 15. 19. p. 35. l. 27. for Ier. 7. 3. r. Ier. 7. 31. p. 36. l. 21. reade 1. Cor. 13. 12. for 1. Cor. 33. 12. p. 37. l. 3. for Iob. 28. 32. reade Iob. 28. 23. p. 38. l. 8. for Psal 119. 28. r. Psal 119. 24. p. 42. l. 16. for Act. 7. r. Act. 17. p. 50. l. 6. and 7. for Luc. 24. 29. r. Exod. 3. 14. p. 53. lin 20. for Mar. 14. 16. r. Mar. 14. 6. p. 58. lin 3. for Eph. 1. 2. r. Eph. 1. 6. p. 60. l. 5. for Joh. r. Job p. 63. l. 8. for Mat. 24. 39. r. Mat. 24. 36. p. 64. l. 3. for Col.
that the author of holy Scripture doth iustly challenge vnto himselfe which import independance of nature Exod. 3. 14. supereminencie of power and soueraigntie Psal 50. 1. 2. excellencie both of properties workes Gen. 17. 1. Esa 42. 5. and 40 12 26. 2. The manner vsed in teaching commaunding promising and threatning Things aboue reason hidden mysteries such as exceed all humane capacitie are vnfolded without all argumentation or furniture of perswasion 1. Cor. 2. 7. and wee are required to vnderstand and beleeue them relying vpon the truth and credit of the reuealer In giuing the law no proeme is vsed but Thus saith the Lord no conclusion but The Lord hath spoken Exod. 20. 1. 2. Commandements of which no reason can be rendered are enioyned Gen. 2. 17. and that which a naturall man would account foolishnes is peremptorily and with great securitie required Ioh. 3. 36. 1. Cor. 1. 23. 24. no argument beeing brought to perswade or confirme the equitie of those commaunds but onely the will of the Commander Promises aboue likelihood are made to assure of performance no reason is alledged but I the Lord haue spoken Esa 51. 22. and 52. 3. 4. and to incourage against difficulties and dangers present diuine assistāce is promised both as necessarie and sufficient Ex. 4. 12. Ios 1. 9. Ier. 1. 8. Esa 43. 5. In the manner of threatning also the like notes of the diuinitie of the style may bee obserued 3. That without respect of persons he doth prescribe lawes to all men priuate persons and publike Magistrates whole Kingdomes and seuerall estates commaunding what is distastfull to their nature and forbidding what they approue promising not terrene honour but life euerlasting if they bee obedient threatning not with racke or gybbet but eternall death if they disobey Ioel. 1. 1 2. Io. 3. 16. 1. Sam. 12. 25. 4. That the Ministers of the Lord of Hosts do require attention faith and obedience to whatsoeuer they speake in the name of the Lord whether it were prophesie commaundement or rebuke whether they called to repentance and reformation of things amisse or exhorted to obedience 1. Cor. 11. 23. Mic. 1. 1. 2. The lowe and humble manner of speech vsed in holy Scripture cannot iustly offend any man for it was penned to the vse and behoofe both of the learned and vnlearned Rom. 1. 14. though the phrase bee plaine the matter is high and excellent profound and vnutterable Hos 8. 12. Act. 2. 11. Easinesse and plainnesse doth best beseeme the truth a pearle needs not painting nor truth to be vnderpropped with forraine aids it is of it selfe sufficient to vphold and sustaine it selfe it becomes not the Maiestie of a Prince to play the Orator and though the Scripture bee simple in word it is great in power no writings of Man though neuer so well set forth with wit words order or depth of learning can so inlighten the mind mooue the will peirce the heart or stirre vp the affections as doth the word of God Neither do the Scriptures want eloquence if the matter bee well weighed no writing doth or can equalize them in pithinesse of prophesying or feruentnesse of praying The song of Moses and the beginning of Esay in varietie and force of eloquence do farre exceed all autors Greek Latin if comparison be made betwixt those places whatsoeuer is most excellētly indited by man either in Greeke or Latin you may easily discerne the one was written by a diuine the other by an humane spirit 13. The efficacy of this doctrine doth powerfully demonstrate the diuinitie thereof for it conuertes the soule illightens the eies Psa 19. 7 8. discouers sinne Rom. 7. 7. conuinces the gainsaier 2. Tim 3. 16. killeth and terrifieth 2. Cor. 3. 6. reioyceth the heart Psal 19. 8. Psal 119. 103. quickneth Psal 119. 50. 93. and comforteth Rom. 15. 4. manifesteth the thoughts 1. Cor. 14. 25. ouerthrowes false religions casteth downe strong holds and the whole kingdom of Satan stoppeth the mouth of Oracles destroies Idols 2. Cor. 10. 4. Zeph. 2. 11. Zach. 13. 2. and remaines inuincible notwithstanding all opposition Act. 5. 38. 39. These things commend the efficacy of this word 1. The nature thereof is opposite to the wisedome and will of a naturall man 1. Cor. 1. 21. and 2. 14. Rom. 8. 6. and yet it hath preuailed 2. It hath preuailed not onely with the grosse and sottish Gentiles who serued other Gods Gal. 4. 8. but euen with the most feirce and bitter enemies thereof Act. 9. 5. 6. 20. 21. 3. The enemies who did oppose this truth were many mighty and subtile as principally the Deuill out of his hatred against Gods glory and mans saluation Eph. 6. 12. Apo. 2. 10. and the Romane Emperours as his instruments the rest of the world furthering and the Iewes stirring them vp all which out of their loue to falsehood and Idolatrie and their malice against the Christian religion did with incredible fury and vigilancie labour the vtrer abolition of this truth Act. 4. 27. and 9. 2. Matth. 10. 18. 22 Io. 16. 2. Act. 13. 50. and 14. 2. 5. 19. 1. Thes 2. 15. 16. 4. The persons whom the Lord did chuse to be publishers of this heauenly doctrine were in number fewe in outward appearance simple rude base and weake and sometimes also negligent Matth. 4. 18. 19. 20. Luk. 6. 13. 2. Cor. 4. 7. 8. Matth. 13. 25. 5. These simple and weake men subdued the world by preaching the Crosse of Christ and prescribing long suffering and patience 1. Cor. 2. 4. 1. Thes .. 3. 4. Act. 9. 16. 2. Tim. 3. 12. The number of all sorts ages condititions sexes nations who gaue credit to this doctrine confirmed the same with the losse of their liues was innumerable Apo. 6. 9. 10. 7. In short time a great part of the habitable world was conuerted brought to the obedience of faith so that Paul filled all places frō Ierusalem to Illyricum with the sound of the Gospel Col. 1. 6. Rom. 35. 19. 8. The more the truth was persecuted the more it did preuaile Act. 8. 3. 4. Phil. 1. 14. 9. Though the Iewes were wasted with many and great slaughters yet the Scriptures did still remaine safe and intire in their custody when the Hebrew language did lie almost vnknowne and had perished altogether had not the Lord prouided for religion then by the Iewes the deadly enemies of Christ was the doctrine of Christian faith preserued 10. To these we may adde the dreadfull iudgements of God which fell vpon the persecutors of the Christian faith amongst whom some were forced at their last gaspe to acknowledge the diuinity of this word All which things doe strongly confirme the propagation defence and conseruauation of this truth and doctrine to be admirable and of God 14. The sweette and admirable consent which is found in all and euery part of Scripture cannot be ascribed to any but the Spirit of God each part so