payd in Christ yet seeing there can no vnrighteousnesse dwell vvith God how canst thou stand before Gods iudgement seat as righteous seeing thou haste no righteousnesse but such as is stayned vvith so many sinnes TI. I stand as iust and righteous before the throne of God not clothed with mine ovvne righteousnesse vvhich I haue vvrought in mine ovvne perperson but with the f 1 Cor 1 30. 2. Corin. 5. 27. righteousnesse of Iesus Christ vvhich righteousnesse beeing taken hold vpon by a g Abac. 2. â— rom 3. 28. ios 3. 18. gal 2. 16. 3 11. eph 2. 8. true and liuely fayth is made mine Thus am I iust in the sight of God not in respecte of mine ovvne vvorkes vvhich I haue vvrought but taking holde vpon Christes workes to be mine by fayth PA. Doth not this make men runne into all sinne and vvickednesse TI. No for this true fayth as soone as it is wrought The summe of our fayth One God in distinct persons in vs through the holy a Ioh. 3. 3. 5 eph 4. 20 21. 8. col 3. 9 10. rom 6. 6. 12. 12. ghost doth frame our harts anew and causeth vs to b Rom 7. 23. detest hate loth and abhorre sinne in all men but specially in our selues make vs to haue our whole c Rom 5. 11. delight and ioye in those thinges which be agreeable to Gods will and causeth vs also to d Rom. â— 11. 12. mat 7. 17. ioh 15. 5. expresse the same in our life and conuersation or elâ—e it is no true fayth but a e Iam. 2 17. deade fayth PA. Rehearse the â—umme of this fayth TI. I beleeue in God the father almighty c. PA. VVhy mâ—kest thou mention of God the Father God the Sonne and God the holy Ghost seeing there is but one God TI. As the scripture teacheth vs most plainely that there is but one God so likewise it teacheth vs that in this dinine essence three persons do subsist being in deede distinct in their seuerall properties the father f Maâ—h 3. 16. 28. 19. 1. ioh 5. 7. the sonne and the holy Ghoste which three persons are one God g Act. 17. 22. deut 4. 12. 1. cori 12. 11. eternall infinite most perfect in it selfe And when God shall giue vs such eies as shall be able to see the glorious maiestye of his Godhead then we shall haue also such heauenly wisedome as shall easily perceiue the distinction of the persons In the meane while vve vvill beleeue the truth of his eternaâ—l worde and hate and detest all contraty heresies PA. God grant vnto vs all this sobrietie But tell me now what beleeuest thou concerning God the Father TI. Firste I beleeue that God the Father through Christ into h Ioâ— 1. 12. rom 8. 1. 11. galac 3. 26. whose body I am grafted by fayth is not onely a i Rom. 8 25. 16 2 Corin. 6. 18. father of other faithfull but euen my father and therefore loueth k Rom. 5. 8. 9. â—sâ— 54. 6. 7. 8. me Secondly that he Christ God and man Christ our Lord and Sauiour is almighty that is that he hath all a Esa 45 5 6. 7. 12 46 10. 11. power in his hande guiding and ruling all things so that nothing can be done in b Amos. 3. 6. psa 139. 7. 8. 9. 10. heauen earth nor hell without his prouidence PA. VVhat beleeuest thou concerning God the Sonne TI. I beleue that Iesus Christ is one God c Rom. 9. 5. 1. â—â—h 10. 11. in sub stance vvith the Father and the holy Ghoste took d Rom. 1. 3. math 1. 20. flesh of the virgine and is become perfect man as I am in all things sinne onely excepted e Heb. 2. 14. 15 and in my nature hath wrought for me whatsoeuer is needeful for my saluation PA. VVhat meaneth the name Iesus TI. Iesus is as much to say a f Math. 1. 21. Sauiour because he hath saued his people from their sinnes PA. VVhy is he called Christ TI. Because he was ordayned of the Father and was annointed of the holy g Eph 4. 7. ioh 3. 34. luk 4. 18. Ghost the highest prophet and Doctor vvhich hath opened vnto vs the secrete counsell and all the vvill of his Father concerning our redemption and deliueraunce and the h Heb. 9. 26. 28. 7. 25. highest priest who with one sacrifice offering of his body and no mo hath appeased Gods vvrath bought vs againe and continually maketh intercession for vs to his Father and a king vvhich gouerneth vs by his worde and his spirite and defendeth and keepeth the saluation vvhich vve haue gotten by him PA. In vvhat respect sayest thou that hee is our Lord. TI. Not onely because we are his creatures but chiefly because he buying i 1 Cori. 6. 20. againe our bodies and souls from sinne not k 1. Pet. 1. 18. 19. Act. 20. 28. Apo. 5. 9. with gold nor siluer but with Christ is our Lord. Suffered vnder Ponce Pilate Crucified dead and buried his precious bloud and also deliuering them from the captiuity and tyranny of the diuell to set them in full spirituall liberty and to leade and gouerne them as a spirituall king and to make them partakers vvith him of his heauenly kingdom hath a Mala. 1. 6. claymed vs for his ovvne proper Seruaunts and peculier people vvhich he hath vvoon to him selfe and can by right belong to none other Lord or master PA. VVhat meanest thou when thou sayest He suffered vnder Ponce Pilate TI. Because the maner of death which men doe suffer by the sentence of the Iudge and vnder the title of Iustice is more b Deut. 21. 23. philip 2. 8. gal 2. 13. shamefull slaundrous and terrible then if a man shoulde dye naturally in his bed therefore Christe tooke on him our person to shevv him selfe before an c Psal 2. 2. act 4. 27. 28. earthly Iudge and to be condemned by the d Math. 27. 26. iohn 19. 1. 13. 19. mouth of Pilate he beeing then Iudge that thereby vve might be cleared before the iudgement seat of God PA. VVhat meanest thou vvhen thou sayest Christ vvas crucified dead and buried TI. I meane that he payde the whole and full satisfaction for our sinnes which he tooke vpon him he vvas bound to vnbinde vs condemned to e Esa 53 12. Rom. 1. 8. 1. Pet. 2. 24. deliuer vs he suffred great and infinite shame to deliuer vs from all confusion hee vvas nayled f Colos 2. 14. luk 23. 33. on the Crosse to fasten thereon our sinnes he dyed and sustained the cursse and malediction which was g Gal. 3. 13. 14. due to vs to appease the vvrath of God for euer by his onely oblation once made he was h Math. 27. 57. 58. mark 15. 43. luk 23. 52. ioh 19. 40. buried to approue and verifie his death and to
must haue made satisfaction vnto God abyding punishment for all VVhat it is to giue glory to God mankinde God gaue his ovvne Sonne who taking manhood vpon him hath in the same satisfied the righteousnes of God and therefore is the praâ—se of righteousnes vvorthily attributed to God for the birth of Christ our Lord. a Fortitude of God Gen. 3. 15. nehem 9 30. esai 28. 2. 49. 26. iere 50. 34. His puissance is commeÌ„ded in that hee hath through Christe ouercome the Serpent and his seede yea and rooted out his kingdome so farre foorth as petteyneth vnto all them that take holde by faith vppon this Iesus that is borne b Mercy of God Psal 145. 8. ionas 4. 2. esai 55. 7. His mercifulnes shineth in this that by his sonne and for his sonnes sake he taketh againe into fauour mankinde forlorne and oppressed by the tyranny of the diuâ—l and ouerwhelmed with exceeding great miseries calamities death hel and damnation This mercifulnes of God exceedeth all the workes of God which both the good Angels and elect men shall set out euerlastinglye yea and the very diuels shall acknowledge though agâ—inst their willes His truth is made manifest in this that bearing Gods trueth Psal 100. 4. 117. 2. 119. â—0 in minde his promises of olde time he performeth that which he had promised long agoe for at such time as our first parents fell into sin he promised them the c Gen. 3. 15. galat. 4. 4. seede of the woman which shoulde tread downe the heade of the serpent and this promise he fulfilleth now in giuâ—ng vs his son For these vertues therefore glory is to be giuen to God and God gloriâ—ied that especially by those that feele his benefits This glory is then rightly yeelded vnto him First assoone as we acknowledge this vvonderful benefit of God Secondly vvhen vve imbrace his Sonne by fayth Thirdly when vve prayse God vvith minde vvith voyce vvith confâ—ssion and vvith behauiour and fourthly vvhen vve allure as many â—s vve can to the A Generall Fayth The meaning of the word Symboll knovvledge of him PA. VVhat is the meaning of the vvorde Symboll TI. A Symboll by interpretation is a badge marke vvatchvvord a Ioh. 13. 35. tokeÌ„ or ensigne of acknovvledging vvhereby the Souldiours of one side are knovvn from the enemies It signifieth also the part that is gathered of euery man in any thing as when euery man giueth his shotte This confâ—ssion of sayth is called by this name for these tvvo causes First because it containeth as chosen and gathered together into a summe the chief points of the doctrine set forth by the Apostles vvhome Iesus Christ hath giuen and sent as vniuersall Doctours of the vvorld Secondly for that this doctrine is the true marke vvherby euery man that voucheth the same yeeldeth a certaine testimony that he is a member of the Christian Church as the men of vvarre declare by the ensigne vvhich they beare vvhat prince they belong vnto and serue PA. VVhat difference is there betvvene general and true faith TI. Generall Fayth Iam. 2. 19. The generall fayth is that vvhich crediteth the vvord of God that is vvhich beleeueth al those thinges to be true that are contained in the Scriptures concerning God his incomprehensiblenes povver righteousnes vvisdome mercy tovvards the faythfull and godly most earnest seuerity tovvard the vnbeleeuing and vngodly and likevvise al other True Fayth 1. Tim. 5. thinges taught in the Scriptures But the true faith goeth further as I shall shevv by by for thus farre not onely vngodly men but also the very diuels do b Iam. 2. 19. beleeue and therefore neither are they in deede Of true Fayth faythfull nor are so called But the true fayth as it nothing doubteth that al things taught in the vvord of God are most certainely true so doth it also imbrace the a Gen. 15. 6. rom 4. 3. 23. heb 11. 11. promises made concerning the mercy of God the father and the forgiuenesse of sinnes to the faithfull through Iesus Christ vvhich promises are properly called the Gospell vvhich fayth vvhosoeuer haue they doe not onely feare God as the most mighty Lorde of all and the most righteous iudge vvhich the most part of the vngodly and the diuels theÌ„selues doe but also they loue him as their most bountifâ—ll and mercifull father vvhom as they trauell in all things to please as becommeth obedient children vvith godly indeuours works which are called the fruites of faith so haue they b Eph. 3. 12. a good and sure hope of obteining pardon through Christe vvhen as men they svvarue from his vvill for they knovve that Christ vvhom they trust vppon appeasing the vvrath of his father their sinnes shall c Rom 4 8. psalm 32 1. neuer bee impured any more vnto them then if the same had neuer been committed and though them selues haue not satisfied the lavv and their du y tovvardes God and men yet beleeue they that Christ vvith his most full obseruing of the lavv hath abundauntly satisfied God for them and are persvvaded that by this his righteousnesse and obseruing of the lavv of God themselues are accounted in the number state of the d Rom 8 16. heb 10. 22. 23. 1 Ioh 4. 13. 19. righteous and that they are beloued of God euen as if theÌ„selues had fulfilled the lavv And this e Rom. 3 22 4. 9. gal 2. 16. eph 2. 8. is the iustification vvhich the holy Scriptures declare that vve obtaine by faith These thinges can not be in the diuels or in vvicked men for though they feare or rather vvith horror do dread Additions Fayth defined Adam and Christ opposed God as moste mightye and righteous for that they knovv he vvill take vengeance of their vngodlines yet can they neither haue any trust in his goodnesse and mercy tovvardes them nor any recourse to his grace nor enter into any endeuour to obey his will Therefore their faith although they doubt not of the truth of the vvorde of God is a Iam. 2. 26. called a deade fayth for that like a drye and deade stocke it neuer bringeth foorth any fruites of Godly life that is of loue to God and charity towardes men PA. VVhat is true fayth TI. There is but b Ephe. 4. 5. one fayth or confidence in God which fayth is the c Math. 13 11. 16 17. mark 9 23. 24. luke 17. 5. iohn 1. 13. 6. 44. 65. acts 16. 14. 22. 14. rom 12. 3. 1 cor 2. 5. eph 2. 8. 6. 23. philip â— 29. colloss 2. 12. 2. thes 1 3. 3. 2. hebr 12 2. 2. pet 1. 3. 1. iohn 5. 20. gift of God euen as our saluation likewise is This faith is not the onely bare notice or acknowledge of God and the historye of the Gospel but the assured consent and vndoubted beliefe of the heart to and in the
knovvledge of oure election in Christ For albeit that election firste is certayne in the c 2 Reg. 1â— 18. rom 11. 3. 2. tim 2. 19. knovvledge of God yet in our knowledge Fayth onely that vvee haue in Christe is the The elect cannot perish Notes vpon Gods election a Math. 13. 22 24. 24. luke 19. 9. iohn 6. 37. 32. 10. 28. 17 12. 18. 9. 2. thes 2. 13. 1. iohn 2. 19. apoc 13. 8. thing that giueth to vs our certificate comfort of this election vvherefore vvhosoeuer desireth to be assured that hee is one of the elect members of God let him not clime vp into heauen to knovve but let him descend to himself and theâ—e search hâ—â— sayth in Christ the sonne of God vvhich if he finde in him not fained by the working of Gods holy spirite accordingly thereuppon let him stay and so vvrap him selfe vvholly both body and soule vnder Gods generall promise cumber his head vvith no further speculations knovving this that whosoeuer beleueth in him shal not perish Ioh. 3. shal not bee confounded Rom. â— shall not see death Ioh. 8. shal not enter into iudgement Ioh. 5. shal haue euer lasting life Ioh. 3. 7. shal be saued shall haue remission of all his sins shal be iustified Rom. 3. Gal. 2. shal haue floudes flovving out of him of vvater of life Ioh. 7. shall neuer dye Ioh. 1â— shall be raised in the last day Ioh. 6. shall finde rest in his soul and shal be refreshed Math. 11. Novve then forasmuch as vvee see faith to be the grounde vvhereupon dependeth the vvhole condition of our iustifying let vs discusse in like manner vvhat is this faith vvherof the scripture so much speaketh for the more plaine vnderstanding of the simple for many kindes there be of faith as a man may beleeue euery thing that is true yet not euery trueth doth saue neyther dothe the b Math. 7. 22. luke 12. 47. rom 1. 32. 1. cor 13. 2. iam 2. 26. titus 1. 16. beleeuing of euery trueth iustify a man He that be leeueth that God created all things of nought beleeueth truely He that beleeueth that God is a iust God that hee is omnipotent that he is mercifull that hee is true of promise beleeueth vvell and holdeth the trueth Christ â—y â—â—yth receiued Notes vpon Gods election So hee that beleeueth that God hath his election from the beginning and that hee also is one of the same elect and predestinate hath a good beleefe thinketh well but yet this beleef alone except it be seasoned vvith another thing vvill not serue to saluation as it auayled not the olde Ievves vvhich so thought of themselues and yet think to this day to be Gods elect people Onely the faith vvhich auaileth to saluation is that vvhose obiect is the body passion of Iesus Christe crucified so that in the Act of iustifying these tvvo faith and Christ haue a mutuall relation and must alvvayes concurre together fayth as the Action vvhich apprehendeth Christ as the obiect vvhich is apprehended for neither a Iohn 17 21 rom 9 5â— col 2 7. 1 cor 10 16. rom 8 50. 1 corin 1 30. doth the passion of Christe saue vvithout fayth neither doth faith help except it be in Christ As vve see the body of man â—ustained by bread and drinke not except the same bee receiued and conuayed into the stomack yet neyther doth the receiuing of euery thing sustaine mans bodye except it be meate and drink which haue power to giue nourishmeÌ„t In like fort it is vvith fayth for neither doth the beleeuing of euery thing saue but onely faith in the bloude of Christ neither again doth the same bloud of Christ profite vs except by fayth it bee receiued And as the sunne being the cause of al light shineth not but to theÌ„ only which haue eies to see nor yet to them neyther vnlesse they will open their eyes to receiue the lighte so the passion of Christe is the efficiente cause of saluation but fayth is the condition wherby the said passion is to vs effectuall And that is the cause why we say with the scripture that faith b Genes 15 6 hahak 2 4 math 9 22 mark 5 36 â—uke 7 50 acts 10 43 15 9. rom 3 23 24 28 4. 5 5. 1. galat 2 16 3 11. 22 5. 6. ephe 2 8. only iustifieth vs not excluding thereby all other extern Christe and fayth must not be seperated Notes vpon Gods election causes that goe before as grace mercy election vocation the death of Christ c. al vvhich be externe causes vvorking our saluation through faith But vvhen vve say that faith only iustifieth vs the meaning thereof is this that of al internal actions motions or operations in man giuen to him of God there is no other that contenteth pleaseth God or standeth before his iudgement or can helpe any thing to the iustifying of man before him but onely this one action of faith in Iesus Christe the sonne of God for although the action of praying fasting almes patience charity repentaunce the feare and loue of God be high gifts in man not of man giuen of God to man yet be none of al these actions in man imputed of God to saluation but only this one action of faith in man vpon Christe Iesus the sonne of God not that the action it selfe of beleeuing as it is a quality in man dothe so deserue but because it taketh that dignitye of the obiect for faith as it is an action in man is not to be considered alone but must euer goe vvith his obiect and taketh his vertue thereof Like as the looking vp of the olde Israelites did not of it selfe procure anye health vnto them but the promise made in the obiect vvhich vvas the brasen a Numb 21 9 iohn 3 14. Serpent vvhereuppon they looked gaue them health by their looking vp Euen so after like sort are vve saued by our fayth spirituall looking vp to the body of Christ crucified vvhich faith to define is this b Iohn 3 15 16 18. ioh 8 24 14 1 act 8 37 16 31 20 21 1 iohn 3 23. To beleeue Iesus Christe to be the sonne of the liuing God sent into this vvorlde by his death to satisfie for our sinnes and so to receiue the same FINIS AT LONDON Printed by Robert VValde-graue dwelling without Temple-barre neere vnto Sommerset-house 1584.
¶ THE GROVND of Christianitie Composed in maner of a dialogue between PAVLE and TITVS Contayning all the principall poyntes of our Saluation in Christ 1. Peter 3. 15. ¶ Sanctifie the Lorde God in your hearts and be readie alwayes to giue an answere to euery one that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you AT LONDON Printed by Robert waldegraue and are to be sold at the signe of the Beare in Paules Church-yard by Thomas VVoodcocke ANNO DOM. 1584. ¶ To the right Honourable Lord Fraunces Earle of Bedford one of her maie sties most Honourable priuy Councell Knight of the Noble order of the Garter A. G. wisheth prosperity in this world with increase of peace mercy and grace and in the worlde to come life euerlasting ALbeit right Honourable the multitude of foolish Pamphlets friuolous toys which in these our dayes are put in print haue brought almost no lesse contempt of the faculty of printing then discouragement to those that woulds write more waightye matters yet I thought it in conscience good for me to bee no more therby discouraged from attempting any thing which may either tend to the glory of God or benefit of his Church then for a man to be squaimish to eate because he hath seene another surfet It could not come in my minde though it rowled too and fro towardes many vnto whome to dedicate this rude and simple worke of mine rather then vnto your honour whose iust most deserued commeÌ„dation aswell in matters of religion as also in all other politique affayres as I spare presently to vtter because to prayse any man to his face doth seeme rather fained flattery then pure loue so the trueth it selfe deuoid of partiality can not vniustly conceale nor iniuriously suppresse I coulde easily haue procured vnto my selfe many pulbacks lets and hindrances from attempting so aduenturous an enterprise had not the assured knowledge of your Honoures singuler humility in abasing your self to them of lower degree fully perswaded me to the contrary Neither the worthinesse of the writer who is as bold as blinde Baiyard nor the excellency of the worke as it proceedeth from so base a workman deserueth in any wise so excellent a patronage but in that it redoundeth to the repairation of the ruines of Christe his Church whereof as it hath pleased the Lorde in mercy to make you a maintainer so you will no doubt from Day to Day and time to time shew your selfe a notable fauourer yea euen of the smallest stones in the building which because they bee neither grauen with curious worke or pollished with exquisite art though some doe rashly condemne yet I know youre honour will not reiect but rather will consider that notwithstanding the chambers of Christs church are in some places a trimming vp with beautifull worke yet in some other places the groundsell being scarse layd strong oken Timber so it bee sounde may doe more good then fine firre if it bee weake The worke which I make bolde at this time to shrowd vnder your protection is briefe pithy framed in manner of a dialogue handling al the cheefe points of Chrstianity with many additions no lesse profitable then necessary for those that desire to be further instructed in many points where I thought it most requisite and conuenient All men yea euen the simplest haue neede nowe to get assuraunce of saluation to themselues not by workes without knowledge which bewrayeth intollerable Hipocrisye but first by true faith grounded vpon the rock of Gods word and then by workes proceeding from the same that they may bee able to giue an account of their fayth to stop the mouth of the aduersary in the day of triall The false Apostles are already craftily crept in which seeke to vndermine vnstable soules wresting and writhing the scriptures to their own damnation whose iudgement is iust for the Lorde hath sente them strong delusions that they should beleeue lies that all may bee damned which beleeue not the trueth but haue pleasure in vnrighteousnesse as they haue not regarded to know God so God hath deliuered them vp to a reprobate minde to doe those things which are not conuenient The cheefe respect and finall end of this my small labour according to my poore Talent is to helpe the simpler sort whom I know the more is the pity to be yet besotted with ignorance whome I seeke rather to enstruct because they bee not skilfull then to confound the aduersary who is very subtill Wherefore I present this small worke vnto your honour as a token of my vnfained good will and great zeal towards you beeing readye at all times and in all places to perfourm all other duties wherwith the Lord shall enable mee with no lesse feruent prayers to the Lerde for your health of bodye to his pleasure in this life then cuntinuall supplications for the placing of your soule and body in the heauens with our cheefe Lorde and Captain Iesus Christ among the angels and blessed saints in the life to come of which ioy the Lorde make your honour and all those that loue the câ—mming of Christ partakers for the same Christes same Amen Your honours most bounden Alexander Gee A Christian mans duety The reward of sinne The ground of Christianitie In maner of a Dialogue betweene PAVLE and TITVS PAVLE WHat is the chiefest duety of a Christian man in this life TITVS The chiefest duety of man and not of man onely but of all the creatures in the world in their nature is to set forth the a Gen. 1 26. eph 1 6. exod 9 16. psa 8 1. glory of God PA. How shall we performe this duety TI. To perfourme this duety it is necessary to know vnto what death we by our selues are subiect what great saluation God of his b Dent. 4 37 7 7 8 ios â—4 2 psa 44. 3. ioh 15 16. act 13 48 2â— 14. rom 5 6 9 11 1â— 11 7 35. 1. cor 4 7. eph 1 4 2 10. colo 1 12. 2 tim 1 9. free mercy hath giuen vnto vs through faith and what thankfulnes we owe vnto him for our deliuerance PA. Tell me these thinges in order first what is sinne and what doth it deserue TI. c 1. Ioh 3 4. Sinne is the breach of the law of God conteined in the ten commandements and the reward of this sinne is eternall death PA. Rehearse the ten commaundements TI. d Exod. 20. 1. God spake these wordes and sayde I am the Lord thy God which brought thee out of the lande of Aegypt c. Honour one onely God Images forbidâ—en PA. VVhat meaneth this commaundement thou shalt haue no other Gods but me TI. The meaning of it is that I should acknovvledge but a 1. Cor 8 4 6 ephe 4 5 6 1 tâ—m 2 5. one only God that I should b Deut. 6 13 math â— 10. honour feare him that I shoulde c Math 22. 37
â—2 11. esai 3 1â— c. wanton apparell lewde and idle pastimes b Eph 5 18. gluttony drunkennes c Deut 22 20 21. houses of opeÌ„ whor dome and whatsoeuer else maye allure to vncleannesse Fourthly on the other side he commandeth vs to keepe our bodies and soules d 1. Cor. 6 15 19 â—0 1. thes 4 3 4 5. chaste and pure as temples of the holy ghoâ—te or if the e 1. Cor. 7 2 9 heb 13. 4. gift of chastity be not giuen vs to vse the lawfull remedy appointed by God which is marriage PA. VVhat meaneth the eight commandement Thou shalt not steale TI. In this commandement the Lord forbiddeth all f Leuit. 1â— 11 deâ—â— 5 19. eph 4 28. stealing and robbing in outvvarde dâ—edes all g 1. Thessa 4 6 deceit all h Exo 22 21. lying and oppression all i Deut. 2â— 14 â—am 5 4. withholding of the labourers hiâ—e all k Deut. 10 19. vnâ—urteousnesse to the stranger widowe and fatherlesse all l Amos. 2 6. gifts to peruert iudgement all m Leui. 19 36. deut 25 13. pâ—ou â—0 10 mich 6 11. false measures coueâ—ousnesse and whatsoeuer vvrongfull dealing And on the other side hee chargeth vs that vve be content vvith that n Pro. 27 27 1 Tim 6 6. portion of goods which the Lorde giueth vs o Gen. 3. 19. phe 4. 28. 2. â—heâ— 3 10 to apply our selues in our vocation and calling to get our ovvne liuing and to liue of that which is oure owne PA. VVhat meaneth the ninth commandement Thou shalt bear no fals witnes against thy neibour TI. Herein the Lord God doth command vs First that we should neuer speak p pro 19. 5 9 21 28. falsly in witnes bearing Secondly that not only in witnes bearing but also in no other matter we shold q Eâ—h 4 25. pâ—a 25 1 2. neither lye flatter nor dissemble Thirdly that we should neuer â—â—l false tales r psal 15 3. pro 25 18. behind our neighbours backs nor â—ear them of others that we should neuer Å¿ Math. 7. 1 â—am 4 12 beleeue any euill spoken behind their backs vntil we fully know the certainty Fourthly in priuate offâ—ntes to speak Light desires restrained None can fulfill the Law nothing although it be true to the a 1 Peter 4 8 1 cor 13. 7 pro. 11 12 hurting of our brothers good name if by b Math. 18 15 16 17. priuate admonitions he may be vvon Fiftly on the contrary side vvee must carefully and boldly testify all trueth vvhatsoeuer vve knovv to the futtherance of iustice PA. VVhat meaneth the tenth commandement Thou shalt not couet thy neighbours house TI. Here in playne wordes God forbiddeth all inward c Rom. 7 7. desire vvhatsoeuer is vnlavvfull to bee done vvhich desire is not onely sinneful vvhen vve d Gen. 6 5 8 21. prou 20. 9. consent vnto it but the very motion is enemy to God and banished from his presence for it is vnpossible those bodies shoulde see God vvhich can nourish euill concupisences in them euen as it is impossible e 1 Cor. 15 50. that corruption should inherite incorruption or that flesh and bloud in this similitude of f Ephe 4. 22 collos 3 9. old Adam should inherit the kingdome of God So that by this commaundement most clearely vvee may see the image of that man that pleaseth God euen such a one in vvhome is nothing impure neither in wil nor nature PA. Canst thou fulfill all these commandementes vvithout breaking any one of them TI. These are the commaundementes of almightye God the perfect fulfilling vvhereof g Rom 3 23 24 8 3 4 11 32 1 iohn 1. 8. no fleâ—h can attaine vnto no although I doe all that I can yet I breake them daily both in thought word and deede PA. VVhat punishment doth God appointe for breaking any one of them TI. The punishment for the breaking of the least commaundement euen in h Math. 5 28 thought yea if it vvere but i Iam. 2 10. gal 3 10. once in all my life is the heauy wrath of God Reward of sinne God is mercifull and iust which hath no end a Deut 27 26. gal 3. 10. his euerlasting cursse which conteineth all the tormentes that can bee deuised both of soule and body and in the scripture is called by diuers names to expresse the pain b Math 10 28. 25. 41 mark 9 4. as hel fire the c Mark 9. 44. worme that neuer dieth vtter d Math 22. 13. math 25. 30. darknes e Apoc. 19 20. 20. 14. burning lake second f Apoc. 20. 6 21 8. death damnation and such like PA. Now I know what is sinne euen the breache of the Lawe of God and because of the excellencye of Gods maiesty which by sinne is offended I see the greatnesse of sinne and how it deserueth eternal death of which without exception by nature we are guilty But tell me nowe is there no punishmente in this life by which we may recompence our sinne TI. There is no sufficiente recompence in the vvorld no goodes nor multitude of riches no liberality to the g â—uk 17. 10. poore no whipping nor h Col. 2. 23 scourging nor hurte of thine ovvne bodye nothing that thou canst deuise so precious is the i Psal 49 8. redemption of the soule and the continuance for euer PA. Yea but God is mercifull vvill he therefore punish sinne so sharply thinkest thou TI. God is in deede a God of all k 2 Cor. 1 3. psal 145 8 psal 86. 15 psal 111. 4 116. 5 ioel 2 13. ionâ—s 4. 2. mercies father of all consolations vvhose louing kindnesse hath no end and in the great riches of his compassions he hath appointed to make knowne the glory of his maiesty vnto his childreÌ„ but God is also l Psa 7. 9 11. 7 8. rom 3. 4 iohn 3. 33 2 chro 12. 6 ioh 9. 19. esai 45. 2â— apoâ— 16. 5. iust iudgeth righteously and therefore of iustice and trueth hee must punish such as through infidelitye despise the ritches of his goodnes and disobey the vvord of his glorious power vvith that punishment vvhich he hath appointed for sinne PA. Seeing then this punishment must needes be suffered are we in our selues able to suffer and ouercome How we may be deliuered from Gods anger Saluation onely in Christ it TI. None is able to suffer and a psal 130 3 mal 19 25 26. apoc 6 16 17. ouercome this great punishment of sinne being onely man PA. Sith that sinne hath condemned vs to eternal death vvithout already in our selues tel mee novve hovv we may be deliuered from the anger of God and pains euerlasting TI. Mark and I vvill tell thee pray vnto God to giue thee vnderstanding and to be lovv in humility of spirite I vvill
a Cyp. of the Lordes supper Agust vpon Iohn treatise 25 Origen in Math cap. 15. hart by invvard drinking hee is receiued but by the Sacramentall signification he is holden of all men The Sactamentall sort of eating Christes body is iterated as often as the Lords supper is celebrated which is not iterated often times to this end that we shold iterate the eating and receiuing of the Lords body in very deede like as we doe with corporall meate vvhich doth perish after it is eaten but to thintent that in celebrating the remembrance of the Lords death according vnto his institution we may feede our fayth in him and offer a sacrafice of praise vnto our Redeemer For as the breade of life once truely eaten receiued vvasteth not after it is eaten and receiued so it doth not require to haue the iteration of eating and receiuing for it sticketh by them feeding them into euerlasting life vvhiche are once made partakers thereof Hereof I doe admonish men because of the ignorant that they doe not referre the iterating of this eating receiuing to the very heauenly meat it selfe but vnto the sacrament thereof The b Ioh 6 35. 51 54. 55. 1 corin 11 28 29. 1 cor 6. 15. 12. 27. ephes 4 15. 16. 5. 30. continual and vncessing sort of eating Christs body is not sacramentall but spiritual and that onelye haue povver and efficacy to feede vnto euerlasting life vvhereunto vvee must apply those thinges that be vvritten in the sixt Chapter of Iohn This is obtained by fayth onely by which we incorporate into Christe and being once incorporate doe liue in a continuall fruition thereof by the grace of the redemption purchased by his flesh and bloud c 1. Cor. 1. 30. ephe 1. 7. mat 2. 28. 1. tim 2. 6 luk 10. 45 heb 9. 12. 15. 1. pet 1. 18. 19 20. To eate and drinke the flesh and bloude of Christe in this sort is to be continually refreshed continuallye to enioye this Heauenly foode for as Of the Lords Supper Augustine sayth This grace is not consumed with bitings This manner of a Iohn 6. 40. 41. 47. 48. 51. 53. 54. 58. eating is to inioy the euerlasting life purchased by Christs death not onely in faith but in very deede The spirituall eating which I do acknowledge to be in the Lords supper doth derogate nothing of that which I haue said of the coutinuall and vnceassing fruition of the body and bloud of Christ for that spirituall eating is nothing else if it be well considered but a certain putting in b â—uk â—2 19. 1. cor 11. 24. 26 remembrance of this whereby and by the efficacie of calling to remembraunce the grace of Christ once receiued is reuiued againe in the hearts of the faythfull communicantes by the faythe in Christes worde which is set fotth in the supper And this kinde of chewing the cudd vvhich is vsed in the Sacrament of the Lords body and bloud by faith is not vnfitly called the spirituall eating forasmuch as by it the heauenly meate is called vp again into the mouth of the hart to be ruminated and doth so by the sweetenesse thereof most pleasantly refâ—esh our spirite and the meate is also by this order made more sauory and effectuall PA. Tell me what it is to be spiritually present TI. To be c Ioh. 6. 40. 6â— spiritually present is to bee in a spirituall sort that is in such sort as appertaineth to spirites VVherefore vvhen vve say that Christ is spiritually present in the supper we doe not mean of the inuisible presence of his body which the papists do appoint vnder the formes of bread but of that way that he is present by the working of his spirite feâ—ding and refreshing their minds which doe receiue vvith sincere and true fayth that vvhich he gaue at his last supper The trueth of the sacrament deliuered Of the Lords Supper by Christ is not in the a Ioh 6. 54. 55 56. 63. corporal presence of his body in the bread but in the trueth of the word and the efficacy of his inuisible grace Our whole saluation doth stand in this point that the b Math 20. 24. rom 4. 25. gal â— 20. eph 5. 2. 1 tim 2. 6. tit 2 14 heb 1. 3. â— 27 9 14 26 28 10 3 5 â— 7 10 12. 14. body of the only begotten sonne is giuen for vs to God the father vnto death to be c Math. 20 28. gal 3 13 4 5. 1 tim 2 6. tit 2 14. 1 pet 〈◊〉 19. apoc 5. 9 an offering of propitâ—ation or mercy and the ransome of our redemption And therfore vve beleeue that Châ—istes death is auailable to the redemption of the worlde to the forgiuenesse of our sinnes and for our reconcilement vvith God the father Moreouer vvee beleeue that our onelye succour and refuge is to flye to the mercy of our father by Iesus Christ and assuredly to perswade our myndes that he is the obteiner of forgiuenesse for our sinnes and that by d Math. 20 28 titus 2. 14. 1 peter 1. 19 â—poc â— 9. his bloud all our spottes of sinne be washed cleane that he hath pacified and set at one all things by the bloud of his crosse that hee by the same one onely sacrifice vvhich hee once offred vpon the crosse hath brought to effect and â—ulfilled all things and that â—or that cause he said when he gaue vp the ghost e Iohn 19 30. It is finished as though hee vvould signify that the price and ransome vvas novv full paid for the sinne of all mankind Lastly vve agree in this vnity in the Lord that that redemption once made in verity for the saluation of man continueth in full effect for euer and worketh vvithout ceassing vnto the end of the vvorld that the sacrifice f Heb. 5 6 7 26 9 11. 12. â—4 10 9. 10. once offered cannot be consumed that the Lordes death and passion is as effectuall the vertue of that bloud once shed as fresh at this day for the washing avvay of our sinns as it vvas euen the same day that it flovved out of the blessed side of our sauiour Of the Lordes Supper PA. VVhat couenances or similitudes be there in the Lordes supper TI. Ther must be three similitudes in this sacrament a similitude of nourishing of vnitie and of conuersion The similitude of a Ioh. 6. 35. 53 54 55. nourishing is this that as the bread and vvine do nourish our bodies and comfort our outvvarde man so the body and bloud of Christ be the meat and food of our soules and do comfort the invvard man Secondly the similitude of vnitie is this that as this loafe of vvhich vve eate vvas made of many cornes of vvheat by the liquor of water knoden into dovve and yet is but one loafe and as the vvine vvas made of the iuyce of diuers grapes yet is