house or the place of divine worship It seems to come of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or by contraction of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Lords or the Lords house the material temple is Gods house Joh. 2.16 Matth. 23.21 and so are the Saints too 1 Pet. 2.5 Eph. 2.22 But the word that properly signifies the congregation or assembly of the Saints and is so often in the New Testament translated Church is Ecclesia and this also is applied by S. Paul to the place of divine worship or meeting place 1 Cor. 11.18 22. The name of Church then is not so peculiar to the Saints but that it belongs also to the place of their publick meeting and therefore they are much to blame that make such a needless ado about the word in derision calling our Churches Steeplehouses c. But taking the word only for the assembly or company of the faithful we affirm First That there is and ever hath been a Church upon earth the Church continued from Adam in Abel Seth Enoch Noah and their families till Abraham In his posterity to Christ and then the walls of the Church were enlarged by pulling down the partition wall and calling in the Gentiles Matth. 28.19 Acts 2.47 Revel 2. 3. Churches were gathered and confirmed by the Apostles men set apart for the work of the Ministry Acts 11. 13. and those â—lso had authority given them to sepaâ—ate and ordain others also to the same work Tit. 1.5 and so to continue successively in all ages as it hath done to this day And now where the same Gospel is truly preached the same Sacraments duly administred Beleevers professing the same Faith and submitting to the same ordinances as at this day are in England Scotland c. there is a true Church of Christ as was in the Apostles times Secondly The true Catholick Church is the company of Gods Elect only whereof it is said that Christ gave himself for it Eph. 5.25 This is the Church of the first born who are written in heaven Heb. 12.22 The body of Christ Col. 1.18 The houshold of God Eph. 2.23 In which is no condemnation and out of which is no salvation and of this Church hypocrites or wicked men are not members for what fellowship hath Christ with Belial 2 Cor. 6.16 This Church is both invisible and invincible the gates of hell shall not prevail against it Mat. 16. Thirdly many are in the Church that are not of it outwardly called not inwardly from whence ariseth that distinction of the visible and invisible Church The invisible are the Elect only so called because their faith whereby and the body whereinto they are incorporate are both invisible The visible Church is the whole company of those that joyn in one outward league and profession The ground of this distinction is laid by our Saviour Mat. 20 16 and hereunto belongs that parable of the tares Mat. 13. whereby we are warned that although tares may grow i. wicked men or hypocrites may live in a visible Church yet not to condemn it or separate our selves as the manner of some is lest we forsake and condemn a company of Gods chosen but to esteem it for all that as a true Church for the better or more principal part i. the Elect that are in it even as S. Paul calls the Church of Corinth a Church of God though there were Hereticks Fornicators and incestuous persons among them Fourthly As the Church is the body of Christ so Christ is the head of the Church Col. 1.18 Eph. 5.23 And there can be none other because none else can give life sense and motion to that body and so the Pope cannot be head of the Church Not a temporal or secular head because the kingdom of Christ that is his Church is not of this world Not a spiritual head because he cannot give spiritual life and grace Nor a ministerial head because he cannot minister the Word and Sacraments to all Churches in the world neither doth it to his own pastoral charge and there can be no other reason why he should be called a ministerial head but for this ministry He cannot be the Lâ—eutenant General or Vicar of Christ for a Lieutenant supposeth the absence of him whose place he holdeth but Christ is always present with his Church himself and so there is no room for the Popes Vicarage Fifthly The Churches of Asia and Judea who are now faln and become no Churches are sufficient witnesses to this truth that no Church on earth is priviledged or freed from errour Not the Church of Rome specially being guided by such a head as the Pope is who being but a man may err that man of sin and cannot but err most of their Popes for many hundred of years have erred both in matter of Faith and manners their own Histories testifie that they have been Negromancers Conjuers Blasphemers Hereticks Athiests Adulterers Murderers incestuous persons c. They have done and do stiâ— deny Christ persecute his Church condemn his truth deride his Gospel tuâ— his holy ordinances into ridiculouâ— Mock-shews and therefore the Churcâ— of Rome can no longer juggle and hide her abominable errours under the pretended infallibility of such a miscreaâ—â— 2. Although Christ hath and ever had 〈◊〉 Church visible upon earth some companies of Beleevers making profession of the same common Faith yet it hatâ— and may come to pass that either through the infirmity of some that cannot discern it the malice of others that will not acknowledge it or througâ— persecution being driven into corners the Church may lie hidden as it did iâ— the days of Elias 1 King 19.10 thâ—â— it may not be visible to every eye 〈◊〉 the Papists ask then where was the truâ—â— Church before Luther and Calvin 〈◊〉 the Roman Church were not it We answer it was in the wilderness and yet in those darkest times of Popery it was not so over-shadowed but that the very flames of persecution did discover what and where it was plainly discerning the true sheep of Christ from those hellish wolves 3. The marks or notes of the true Church are the same whereby it was at first called and gathered sc the preaching of the Word and administration of the Sacraments those 15. substituted in their place by the Romanists are uncertain and may most of them agree with a Synagogue of Satan as well as a Church of Christ as Antiquity Multitude Miracles c. For that old Serpent had a Synagogue from the beginning and the primitive Church was a true Church though not ancient Christs Church is a little flock and Antichrist come shal with lying wonders c. Sixthly The Church is a spiritual Commonwealth and the communion of Saints is spiritual not temporal in levelling the mounds of private possessions and laying all things common Object It is said Act. 4.32 they had all things in common Sol. It is answered Act. 5.4 whiles it remained was it not thine own and after
Papists themselves could never yet agree about the place where the pains what or the time how long it shall last and that the infallible Doctour of the Porphyry Chair cannot resolve it nor will of his charity release them without money as they say he can for money we leave it as a heathenish and sottish invention and if there be no purgatory then pardons and prayers for the dead are of no use and howsoever the pardons of a sinful man or the man of sin cannot be of any value An Irish Gentleman and a Papist being upon a former agreement to pay a certain sum of money to a Priest for Masses said for delivering his fathers soul out of purgatory brought the money and laid it down But quoth he to the Priest be ye sure now that my fathers soul is clear out Yes I 'le warrant you quoth the Priest Nay then quoth the Gentleman by my troth I have even done a childs part if he be out let him take heed how he comes there again and so putting up his money gave the Priest the baffle Countermining one cheat with another If all Papists would serve their Priests so and Pope too it would prove the best Antidote against this Heresie For money is the fuel that feeds this fire if it be fire and not water as some learned Papists have doubted it is CHAP. XXII Of Images Truth THe worship of Images Reliques the Cross c. are not only vain unwarrantable and contrary to Gods Word but also heathenish and abominable Idolatry Errours The Papists not only erect and adore Images themselves but also accurse and condemn as Hereticks to the fire yea to hell fire all those that will not do the like 2. The Pseudo-Lutherans retain Images in their Churches esteeming them not onely as Ornaments but also as lay-mens books to edifie admonish and put them in mind of some heavenly things but yet allow them not to be worshipped doing herein like the Turks who in the sack of Constantinople seeing the Temple of Saint Sophia a goodly structure and the marble pillars enameled and filleted with the pictures of Saints were loth to deface such goodly pieces though Images are contrary to their Law and Religion but only put out their eyes Images were creeping in apace here in England and I saw once the assumption of our Lady wrought upon the Communion Table or Altar cloth as it was called in a Church held in Commendam by Bishop Goodman of Glocester which I note above all other because it is a fabulous legend that the Papists themselves scarce admit The old heathen Romans for a long time had no Images Antidote accounting it sacriledg to present heavenly things by earthly forms seeing we cannot possibly any way attain unto the knowledg of God but in mind and understanding Plut. in Vita Numae The Turks have none nor the Jews as contrary to Gods Law The ancient Christians would not suffer an Image so much as in the Church-porch so jealous they were of Idolatry stealing in The Papists think they quit themselves of Idolatry when they say they worship not the Image but the Saint or diety in the Image But the same excuse is made by Plutarch for the heathen Idolaters who were none of them so sottish to take the Images of wood and stone for Gods able to help them God forbad not only graven Images to be worshipt but also himself to be worshipt in the Image If we make an Image of the true God to worship then we fall either 1. into Idolatry by worshipping the Image or 2. Errour and Heresie by ascribing to God a bodily shape which he hath not Abulensis in Deut. cap. 4. The Images of Saints are not to be worshipt because the Saints themselves are not to be worshipt The worship of Angels is expresly forbidden Col. 2.18 and the Angels themselves forbid it Rev. 19.10 22.9 with this Reason because they are our brethren and fellow servants Much less the Sains whose greatest honor is to be but as the Angels Mat. And the liveliest picture of Christ is in the Scriptures there he is painted before our eyes Gal. 3.1 A man may look upon a Crucifix as long as he lives and never the wiser never the holier In the Bible you have a speaking picture of Christ in a distressed brother a living Crucifix in the holy Supper a more lively Image of his death passion then any painter can devise and shew us those holy Mysteries that a picture can never do Images though not worshipped yet are not useful but hurtful in the place of Gods Worship the picture of Christ is so far from putting us in mind of him that it draws our minds from him tying our imagination to a corporal object Few pray before an Image but they pray likewise unto it a secret belief stealing into their minds that when they look upon it they think it hears them August Enarrat in Psalm 113. And therefore another says it is Diabolicae deceptionis inventum one of the Divels Arch-cheats CHAP. XXIII Of the Church Truth THe Church is the body of Christ or the Church is the whole company of Gods Elect called and gathered by his holy Word and Spirit out of all mankinde from the beginning to the end of the world into one fellowship with Christ and communion one with another And although many are called and but few chosen many are joyned unto the Church that are not united unto Christ hold outward communion with the Saints that have no inward fellowship with the Son of God yet we are in charity to account all those for members of the true Church that are outwardly called and accordingly make profession of the true Faith until the Lord the searcher of all hearts who alone knoweth who are his do make the truth appear as he shall do at the great day of his appearing Errours Adversaries to this truth are 1. Those that say there is no true Church upon earth as the Seekers do 2. Those that would have the visible Church to be voyd of sin and sinners as the Anabaptists Familists Brownists and all Separatists 3. That will have the true Catholick Church to be a mixt company of good and bad together as the Papists do 4. The same Papists to the great contumely and reproach of Christ advance their Pope to be head of the Church 5. To uphold their Antichristian Synagogue among many other they maintain three special errours that are the very props and pillars of the same sc That the Church cannot err That the Church is alwayes visible That the Word and Sacraments are not proper marks of the true Church 6. The Anabaptists abuse the communion of Saints in the Church to bring in a community of goods in the civil state and make all things common The word Church Antidote Chyrch or Kirch we borrow of the Duch among whom it is commonly taken for Gotteshause Gods
it was sold was it not in thine own power The community spoken of was only of things dedicated to the Churches treasury for relief of poor brethren there remaining still something to a man that was proper to himself and a liberty to retain what part he pleased as is plain For otherwise if all things were common to what purpose are we exhorted to liberality What need Paul work with his own hands or how could he be burthensom to any one if all things were common Lastly Though the Church be but one as there is but one Faith c. yet it is distinguished into Catholick or Universal and Particular The Catholick so called because it comprehends the faithful of all times and places the particular named according to the place where that part is seated The Roman Church then is unduly called Catholick because it is a particular Heretical Church neither universal nor orthodox Those are mistaken and to blame that call the Papists Catholicks because they profess not the Catholick faith or faith of the Catholick Church neither is their Religion the old Religion but new and upstart being a fardel of late humane inventions not at all to be found in any sacred Record CHAP. XXIV Of the Sacraments THe Sacraments are holy and visible signes and seals ordained of God Truth the more fully to declare and assure unto us the promise of the Gospel The Sacraments of the New Testament are only two Baptism and the Lords Supper Adversaries are 1. Errours Those Hereticks both old and new that deny all Sacraments saying they are of no use in the Church 2. The Anabaptists think there is no other use or end of the Sacraments but only to serve as badges of our Christian Profession 3. The Papists say the Sacraments confer grace by vertue of the work done And 4. That there are seven Sacraments of the New Testament and hold them accursed that say there are fewer or that they are not all truly and properly Sacraments ordained by Christ Antidote Although the name of Sacrament be not to be found in the Scriptures yet we find Mystery there a word of the same signification and the things themselves were ordained by Christ in the Scriptures Math. 28.19 Go teach all nations baptizing them c. Luk. 22.19 20. He took bread c. and after supper took the cup c. saying Do this in remembrance of me And God hath ordained the Sacraments not to be bare signes but seals also and pledges to assure us of the promises made in his Word and so the Apostle Rom. 4.11 calls circumcision a seal of the righteousness of faith Not as if the Sacrament gives strength to the promise as weak of it self but as a seal confirms and assures it to us Secondly Although the Sacraments do not confer grace yet they are a means to convey it unto us for being sensible elements that may be seen felt and tasted every sence is a pipe or conduit as it were to draw and convey from the outward element the thing thereby signified to the inward understanding Yet this is done not by vertue of the work done or by uttering certain words but by the vertue of Gods ordinance and power of the holy Ghost working with the same If the Sacraments did contain grace essentially within them as Medicine in a box then indeed it might follow that by the outward work done grace should be conferred but we see the contrary That invisible sanctification hath been without the visible signs and again the visible signes have been given without true sanctification Aug. in Levit. qu. 84. as we see in the examples of Cornelius the Centurion and Simon Magus And therefore also though the Sacraments cannot be despised or neglected being Gods ordinances without great impiety and unthankfulness towards him who by them hath so tenderly provided for our weakness yet they are not so absolutely necessary to salvation that without them it is impossible to be saved for God is above his ordinances and can save us without them It is not the want but contempt of the Sacraments that is dangerous and damnable Bernard Lastly There are but two Sacraments only of the New Testament Baptism and the Lords Supper we read of no more ordained by Christ who only hath power to ordain Sacraments and this was done in regard of our weakness that we should not be over-burthened Some few signes for many were delivered unto us and the same in doing most easie in understanding most holy in observing most pure as are Baptism and the Lords Supper August lib. de Doct. Christ c. 9. And therefore those five other Sacraments reckoned by the Church of Rome are not Sacraments of the New Testament neither have any Warrant in Gods Word For 1. Penance and Matrimony cannot be Sacraments of the New Testament because they were in being and as necessary both before and under the Law as now they are 2. The use of Matrimony belongs to Heathens as well as Christians 3. The Papists contradict themselves for they accurse those that shall say the Sacraments are not necessary to salvation Concil Trident. Sess 7. Can. 4. and yet debar their Priests from Matrimony which they account one of those Sacraments and so highly extol single life in all as if there were no other way to heaven for any They say the Sacraments confer grace and yet deny Matrimony to their Priests and so deprive them of that grace that Matrimony might confer upon them and so keep them honest CHAP. XXV Of Baptism BAptism is the Sacrament of admission or entrance into the Church Truth wherein by the outward washing or sprinkling of the body with water the inward cleansing of the soul from sin thorough the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ and washing of the Holy Ghost is signed and sealed unto us The Baptism of Infants is in any wise to be retained in the Church as most agreeable with the institution of Christ Adversaries 1. Errours Some explode Baptism quite out of the Church as some Hereticks of old and now adays do 2. Others allow it to folk of riper years but deny it to children as the Pelagians did and Anabaptists do and both upon the same ground some of them say it is an horrible abomination 3. Some esteem of Baptism as a thing indifferent 4. The Papists say it is absolutely necessary to salvation that children dying without it are not saved 5. Lastly the same Papists also abuse and adulterate this holy ordinance adding to the element of water salt spittle oyl c. using tapers exorcisms and other silly ceremonies in number as they reckon 22. and also prophane the same in applying it to things without reason and life as bells banners swords and daggers and that to bloody ends c. Antidote That Baptism was ordained commanded by our blessed Savior is expresly mentioned Mat. 29.19 whereunto is annexed a promise of salvation Mark 16.16 And
Serpent through all his turnings and windings from the primitive times to this present to observe the subtile ways and methods he hath used to note by what steps and degrees he hath from time to time insinuated himself into the very bosom of the Church spreading this deadly poyson over all its Members and every point of Doctrine so that the true Religion at this day lays gasping and labouring for life is a work too great for so small a volum The first Instrument he found fit for this purpose was Simon Magus of whom we read Acts 8. how he bewitched the people of Samaria This Sorcerer is the Father of all Hereticks and his Heresie the cursed womb from whence sprang that numerous brood that now covers the face of the earth and hath raised the devil a mighty Kingdom At this day it is divided though not against it self in two main provinces the Mahumetan in the East in the West the Antichristian of the one the Turk is Viceroy of the other the Pope is Vicar Vnder these two Generalissimoes all those enemies of Christ are listed both the enemies of his Person and the enemies of his Office among whom though there be a seeming difference yet indeed there is a secret league like Sampsons Foxes their heads look contrary ways yet they are all Foxes and joyned together by the tails These are the Foxes that spoyl the Lords Vineyard and do more hurt by secret fraud then the wild Boar by open force Baalam a false Prophet did the Israelites more hurt then the Amorites with all their Armies And that Heretick Arrius did the Christian Church more hurt then the Savage Emperours did with all their Legions No marvell then we are so often warned in holy Scripture to beware of these Seducers and false teachers because they creep in unawares Jude 4. They bring in their Heresies privily and insinuate themselves with fained words 1 Pet. 2.1 3. They have a form of godliness 2 Tim. 3.5 And with their fair outsides get within us surprise and lead us captive And therefore we had need be very wary and never more need then now for Seducers wax worse and worse deceiving and being deceived 2 Tim. 4. They compass Sea and Land they fill Town and Country and not only creep into houses but up into high places so bold they are grown Now as Iannes and Iambres withstood Moses so do these resist the truth men of corrupt minds of no judgment concerning the Faith 2 Tim. 3.8 But that they proceed no further here are discovered their Errours that being seen they may be shun'd and avoided And though here be not discovered all which is almost impossible yet here are if I mistake not the principal whereunto the rest are but accessory The end of this small work is to furnish the weaker sort with general answers out of Gods own Word to the Arguments of the Adversaries and with plain Reasons if not sufficient to defeat the enemy yet enough I hope to defend themselves that they may be provided for them whensoever they be encountred by them lest being unprepared at unawares they be led away with the Errour of the wicked 2 Pet. 3.17 These are the first fruits of a larger harvest if it be accepted being but a handful taken out of a heap Imprimatur James Cranford March 28. 1648. AN ANTIDOTE Against HERESIE CHAP. I. Of the holy Scriptures THe holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the very Word of God Truth written by holy men as they were moved by the Holy Ghost and contain all things that are necessary to be known or beleeved to eternal salvation being sufficient of themselves to instruct the Church or people of God thereunto By holy Scripture we understand only those books that were anciently accounted and are now received by the Church of England for Canonical Adversaries and Errours Errours that oppose this truth are many but may all be reduced to these three heads 1. Are those that enlarge the Canon of holy Scripture adding many things to it that are not of it 2. Are those that diminish the same denying some parts and taking some books from it 3. There be those that refuse and reâ—ect the whole debasing and despising the Authority of the holy Scriptures and esteeming no better of them then of humane writings 1. Of this latter sort were anciently Simon Magus Montanus and such deceivers and they are followed at this day by the Anabaptists who call the written Word a dead letter and ground their new doctrines upon revelations dreams and visions whereunto they give such credit that at Sangal a Town of Switzerland one of them cut of his brothers head pretending a revelation or command from heaven so to do Sleidan Comment l. 6. By this art Mahomet brought his damnable religion in credit with the world for having the falling sickness he pretended it was a trance wherein he received revelations frâ—m heaven and by the same art Muncer Becold Cnipperdolling and other false Prophets of the Anabaptists in Germany seduced a world of poor miserable people to their own destruction The Papists say the Scriptures are of no more credit and authority then meer Fables without the Testimony and approbation of the Church and take them quite away from the reading of Lay-people as dangerous and hurtful and have burnt not only the books of Scripture but bodies of men too for having them in a known tongue such bitter enemies they are to the Word of God 2. There be others that deny not the whole but diminish only the Canon of holy Scripture refusing some parts and rejecting some books 1. The whole New-Testament as the Jews do Or 2. all the Old Testament as the new Libertines do who affirm it is abrogated the Socinians who say it is unnecessary and may well be spared 3. And there be others that enlarge the Canon of holy Scripture adding many things to it that are not of it so the Papists do not only traditions or unwritten verities as they call them but fabulous legends also and written lyes upon a pretence of want and defect in the Scriptures as not containing all truths necessary to salvation nor sufficient to instruct us thereunto without a supply of Apochryphal books traditions and divers humane inventions Antidote The Scriptures are the only touchstone to try and discern Truth from Error by and are called a Testament because they are testis mentis the witness of Gods most holy will against all adversaries then and their errours we affirm First that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the very Word of God of sufficient authority and credit without the Church or any humane testimony to establish any point of doctrine and decide any controversie of Religion For such as the authority of the author of any writing is such is the authority of the writing it self but God is the Author of holy Scripture therefore the Scriptures are of
the god of this world hath blinded Their eyes c. 2 Cor. 4.3 The end of the Scriptures is the instruction of the Church Rom. 15.4 Whatsoever things were written were written for our learning and one necessary mean to attain this end is the perspicuity and plainness of the Scripture for if it were dark or doubtful how should it instruct us In vain is it called a Light if it be dark in it self and to no purpose are we sent to learn it if it be so to us The Scriptures are an instrument to beget Faith Joh. 20.31 Rom. 10.17 And the first step or degree of faith is knowledg which the Scriptures could not beget if they were dark difficult or obscure Object But S. Peter says there are many things in S. Pauls Epistles hard to be understood which unlearned men wrest to their own destruction 2 Pet. 3.16 Sol. If any thing be hard in one place either it is such as the ignorance thereof will not hazard our salvation or else it is explained and made easie in another place And by unlearned men the Apostle understand not men wanting humane learning as the liberal arts and sciences c. but men unlearned in the Scriptures themselves such as most times the learned and wise men of the world are For it is known that men otherwise unlearned simple aâ—d ignorant coming in humility the fear of God and love of truth using prayer reading comparing of Scriptures c. have attained unto a sufficient measure of saving knowledg For the Scriptures discover themselves by their own proper light one place expounding and opening the meaning of another August de Doct. Christ .l 2. c. 2.9.24 all things are seen by the light but light by it self Lastly Those books that we commonly call Apocrypha are not of divine authority because they were not written by the Prophets or men divinely inspired as the other Scriptures were that are therefore called the Scriptures of the Prophets Rom. 12.26 Our Saviour divides all Canonical Scripture into Moses and the Prophets Luk. 16.29 But none of those books were written by Moses or any of the Prophets nor dictated by the Spirit of God but savour of a prophane and lying spirit as containing matter and stories both vain foolish and fabulous very often contradicting themselves and also the known Word of God as in the books of Tobit and the Maccabees the Stories of Bell and the Dragon are specially to be found The Jews received none of those books in their Canon neither by any of the primitive Christians or ancient Fathers were accounted for Canonical and what account the learned Papists themselves make of them may appear by Arias Montanus who in the front of his Bible hath these words There be added in this Edition the books written in Greek which the Catholick Church following the Canon of the Hebrew reckoneth amongst the Apocrypha CHAP. II. Of the Blessed Trinity Truth THere is but one living and true God everlasting and in the unity of this Godhead there be three persons of one substance power and eternity the Father the Son and the holy Ghost Errours This one point of Christian Religion is the very basis or foundation of all the rest and if this be shaken the rest must needs totter and fall to the ground and therefore the devil hath raised up such furious adversaries to oppugn it with strange and monstrous blasphemies as of old did Simon Magus Cerinthus Ebion Manes a Persian a man according to his name furious and mad and such like at this day the adversaries to this doctrine of the Trinity are all the enemies of Christ and his divinity as the unbeleeving Jews all Mahometans Turks Moors and such miscreants among Christians only such as have suckt their principles from the schools of those Infidels They stand marshalled all in two Regiments 1. The first is of those that deny all distinction of persons in the Godhead making the Father Son and Holy Ghost but several names only of one and the same person in regard of some distinct actions or offices This Heresie was commonly ascribed to Sabellius but Noetus a disciple of Montanus hatcht it and Simon Magus layd the egg long before at this day it is revived by one M. Erbury a late Chaplain of the Army who taught That there is but one person in the Godhead and when we read of the Father Son and Holy Ghost we must not take them for so many distinct persons but only as so many appearances of God unto men And truly if M. Erbury had been that Sorcerers own disciple he could not have devised a doctrine more like his as it is recorded by St. Augustin lib. de Haeres ad Quodvultdeum cap. 1. There be others that admit a distinction of these 3 persons but deny the equality of them That the Son and Holy Ghost are not God equal with the Father of one substance and eternity with the Father This was the Heresie of Arius whose chief undertaking was against the Son of God and his eternal generation and of Macedonius who denyed the Godhead of the holy Ghost They are both revived at this day among us that of Macedonius by one M. Biddle who not questioning the Godhead of the Son a point as he professeth wherein he is not yet so well resolved denies only the Godhead of the holy Ghost granting no more but that he is an excellent creature and chief of all the ministring spirits One M. Best not fearing that fearful judgment that befel Arius who burst asunder in the midst like Judas the traitor that his bowels gushed out hath notwithstanding revived his Heresie and in these times of general and desperate Apostacy hath found many favorors and followers Now the fountain of all these impure waters was Simon Magus an impious sorcerer and the conduit that conveyed them to our times almost was Mahomet an impudent impostour For about the year 630. or as others please 670. that vile and lewd Arabian began his cursed book called the Alcoran and therein amongst a multitude of other impure follies impious fables and lyes he raked also together coÌ„mended to his barbarous followers all those Heresies and Blasphemies against the Trinity Out of this filthy puddle Michael Servertus a Spaniard a man better read in Mahomets cursed Law then in the holy Gospel of Jesus Christ suckt his Heresie about the year 1530. for denying the eternal Son of God he was burnt at Geneva and out of his ashes arose that monster Socinus But to pass by particular persons the first Country that made defection from this truth was Transylvania a Country bordering upon the Turks from whom they received this point of their Religion for to gratifie or comply with those barbarous neighbours they abjured their Faith in the holy Trinity about the year 1593. denying the Son and holy Ghost the contagion of this pest is now spread into most places of Christendom The devil hath devised
Abraham is ignorant of us and Israel doth not acknowledg us Eccles 9.5 The dead know not any thing Job 5.1 Call now if there be any that will answer and to which of the Saints wilt thou turn If Paul were a Mediatour then the rest of his fellow Apostles were so too and if there be many Mediatours then S. Paul's saying 1 Tim. 2.5 doth not hold good that there is but one Mediatour c. August lib. 2. Cont. Epist Parmen cap. 8. Christ is Mediatour according to both natures according to his humane he suffered and dyed by the power of his divine he overcame death and rose again without his humane nature he could not suffer without his Divine to give price and value to his sufferings he had not satisfied therefore it is said God purchased his Church with his own blood Acts 20.28 Both natures did work in this Office of Mediatourship each of them doing his own proper work and yet both together producing but one common effect CHAP. IX The Death of Christ. Truth THe Office of Christ as Mediatour consists of three parts whereof his Priesthood is principal and of his Priesthood that oblation he made of himself upon the Cross whereby as the only Sacrifice for sin he pacified the wrath of God and redeeming our souls from eternal death purchased for us the favouâ— of God and life everlasting Errours Adversaries to this truth are 1. Arrians and Socinians who affirm Thâ— Christ by his death did not satisfie for our sins 2. Papists who say That Christ by his death indeed satisfied for our sins and for the eternal punishment due unto us for them but for the temporal punishment we must satisfie out selves either in this life or else hereafter in purgatory 3. Arminians affirm That Christ dyed for all men as well those that perish as those that are saved for Cain and Judas as well as Abell and Peter From whence 4. Another riseth That a man whom Christ dyed for may perish The death of Christ being the consummation and total sum as it were Antidote of all his sufferings from his cradle to his grave is therefore commonly taken for the whole satisfaction that he made unto God for our sins To the Adversaries we say First That Christ by his death did satisfie for our sins Isai 53.5 8 10. His soul was made an offering for sin c. Mat. 20.28 A ransom for many 1 Cor. 5.7 A Sacrifice for us Rom. 4.25 He was delivered to death for our sins And 5.10 We were reconciled by his death 1 Pet. 2.24 He bare our sins in his own body on the tree Object But Micah 7.18 God forgives iniquity because he delights in mercy If Christ satisfie for sin how is it mercy Sol. Christs merits and Gods mercy stand and agree together very wel Christ hath satisfied and yet we are freely forgiven because God exacts nothing of us but of Christ It is free to us we payed nothing and though Christ made satisfaction yet still our sins are freely forgiven us because Christ himself for whose sake our sins are forgiven us was freely given us Secondly Christ satisfied not only for eternal but temporal punishment aso For otherwise 1. It could not stand with Christs all-sufficient Sacrifice who trod the wine-press of his Fathers wrath alone and none helped him Isai 63.3 if we must satisfie for some part our selves 2. It cannot stand with Gods mercy who forgives us freely for Christs sake 3. It cannot stand with his Justice when the fault is forgiven in exact any punishment but they confess Christ hath satisfied for the fault fully therefore in Justice there can be no punishment left for us to undergo Thirdly Christ dyed not for all but only for the elect Mat 1.21 He shall save his people John 10.15 I lay down my life for the sheep And 17.9 I pray for them I pray not for the world c. Fourthly A man that Christ hath dyed for can never perish John 10.15 And I give them eternal life and they shall never perish c. 1 Pet. 1.5 They are kept the Power of God unto salvation and what is able to controll that power Object But Christ is a ransom for all 1 Tim. 2.6 Dyed for every man Heb. 2.9 For the whole world 1 John 2.2 Sol. By world is meant the world of Gods Elect so it is taken John 6.33 and John 17.9 for the reprobate only By all understand all sorts and degrees of men all Countries and Nations not the whole multitude of mankind but the amplitude of grace only August Tract 45. in Joan. He spared not his own Son but delivered him for us all Rom. 8.32 For all whom for the elect as it follows v. 33. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect â—ld Cont. Donat. God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself and the son of man came not to judg the world but to save it but the world is not reconciled unto God nor saved unless by world ye understand the Church which is both reconciled and saved Id. Epist. 48. Tom. 2. The whole world lyeth in wickedness i. the tares that grow all the world over And again Christ is a propitiation for the sins of the whole world i. for the wheat that likewise grows all world over CHAP. X. Resurrection of Christ Truth CHRIST did truly rise again from death and took his body flesh and bones and all things appertaining to the perfection of mans nature wherewith he ascended into Heaven and there fitteth at Gods right hand until he return again to judgment at the end of the world Errours David George the Father of the Family affirmed That Christs body was dissolved into ashes and so rose no more as of old Apelles said It was resolved into the four Elements whereof it was at first compounded 2. The Swenkfeldians affirm That it is quite layed aside 3. The Vbiquitaries That it is every where even as his Godhead is every where 4. There be at this day who affirm That it is in the Sun an old heresie of the Manichees and Seleucians who affirmed That Christ in his ascension left his body in the Sun taking their ground for it from Psal 19.5 He set his tabernacle in the Sun as they read It is no great matter to beleeve that Christ dyed this the Jews Heathen Antidote and all wicked men beleeve but the faith of Christians is the Resurrection of Christ August in Psal 120. This one point is the very lock and key of all Christian Religion For 1 Cor. 15.14 If Christ be not risen then is our preaching vain our faith is also vain we are still in our sins But Mark 16.6 He is not here he is risen 1 Cor. 15.4 He was seen of Cephas then of the twelve then of five hundred brethren at once Acts 2.31 Neither did his flesh see corruption Mark 16.19 He was received into Heaven and sate at
is spiritual heavenly and divine The matter of the thing present the Apostle shews plainly 1 Cor. 10.16 But for the manner of presence we have no such evident demonstration To conclude the truth is present with the signs the Holy Spirit with the Sacrament feeding our souls with the truth of Christs body and blood but the invisible working of that Divine Spirit herein is unsearchable the natural man cannot perceive it because it is spiritual Let us firmly beleeve then what we cannot conceive and rest assured in this truth that we receive in the Sacrament the very body and blood of Christ by Faith though we cannot conceive it by sense or reason CHAP. XXVII Of Reformation Truth THere is no particular Church on earth and never was so priviledged but that it may and many have faln into dangerous Errours both of life and doctrine as the examples of all both former and latter times have witnessed so that there is no Church consisting of men that may err but may need Reformation even as a material building doth need often reparation And for as much as many horrible abuses and superstitions were lately brought through the deceitfulness of some into the Church of England to the great dishonor of Almighty God the decay of piety and imminent ruine of the true Protestant Religion therefore this present Reformation was extreamly necessary and is no Innovation but a Restauration only of our Church to its ancient purity of doctrine discipline and divine worship as it was established by the noble Princes K. Edward 6. and Q. Elizabeth of famous memories Although this truth be as clear as the light Errours as shall immediately be made appear and that this present Reformation hath cast out many gross abuses that contrary to the determinations of our Church have been lately put upon us yet there are divers adversaries that either out of malice or ignorance or both do still with all their might oppose it And so I shall reduce them all under three heads The first is of those that do it of pure malice as all lewd and dissolute persons who hate all reformation whatsoever that shal hedg up their extravagant ways and give a check or stop to their loose courses among these we may reckon some Papists and other Sectaries The second is of those that do it of meer ignorance as divers civil Protestants that think no Religion so ancient as that they were bred in and strangely mistaking Church-men for the Church take up most of their religion upon their credit The third sort do it of malice and ignorance both as divers fiery spirits that think there is no way to reform the Church unless they pull it to pieces as if there were no way to cure the head-ache but to knock a mans brains out There be also divers hypocrites that can drive on a reformation for their own ends and advantages and yet are as great enemies to the truth of it as any of the former Antidote I shall endeavor to satisfie the honest Protestant that is engaged against the reformation for want of better information and would soon perhaps imbrace the truth if he were not courted with so many lyes by deceivers that abound in the world The common complaint and cry is for the Religion that was in Queen Elizabeths time again And that we have not now the same Religion The Answer in brief is that we have the same Religion still not a new And that the true Protestant Religion which was then profest is now not altered but settled being restored to its pristine purity and purged from many abuses wherewith it was but lately corrupted As First Many Popish and Arminian tenents were taught and publickly maintained that are contrary to the doctrine of our Church at first established as will appear by comparing them with the 39. Articles and the book of Homilies the nine Articles of Lambeth and other learned writings of our former Bishops Secondly Many Crucifixes Images or Idols were set up in our most eminent Churches and most eminent places of them and that partly by connivence partly by command of men at that time of most eminent place and note whereby Superstition was nourished and Idolatry committed But now these Images are contrary 1. To the Word of God expresly forbidding them 2. To the judgment of the ancient Christians Fathers and Councels with great zeal condemning them And 3. of our own Church of England as in the book of Homilies and 39. Articles may be seen Thirdly The Communion Table was altered both in name and place from a Table to an Altar from the body of the Church to the head or upper end of the Chancel contrary to express order sâ—t down in the book of Common Prayer before the communion where it is said that the Table shall stand in the body of the Church or in the Chancel and the Priest shall stand at the north side which he cannot do if he stand close up to the wall And if it might be placed according to the discretion of the ordinary yet he must have more discretion then ordinary that will make the end of a table the side as one endeavored to do but that his Geometry failed him Fourthly The Bowing used to the Communion Table was a matter of worse consequence then was commonly imagined It is the attendant on Transubstantiation and Consubstantiation It serves to nourish those Errours still in mens minds ushers in many other Popish superstitions and is the occasion of gross Idolatry Fifthly The rails wainscot and traverse courtains before the Table as if it were the Sanctum sanctorum of the Jews or a Chappel intended for private Mass or as if none were holy enough to approach neer it but the Priest also the Tapers Copes Vestments and many other things lately used though they seemed but small matters to some yet they were not the less dangerous for being little for like little thieves they crept in at our Church windows to open doors to the great ones and if these had continued by this time they would have brought in the whole Mass of Popish Idolatry and those that plead for them are but the devils pimps that seduce the people and under the name of things indifferent would lead them a whoring after Idolls Hereunto we may add that horrible abuse of Excommunication the highest censure of the Church that in the Courts Christian was made a messenger to fetch in fees and men were cast out of the Church for not comming into the Court to say no more Lastly They err as much on the other hand and are to be condemned that scornfully or basely abuse the Church and places set apart for the use of Gods Ordinances which is seldom done but in open or secret contempt of the ordinances themselves Let them among other examples remember that of Julian unckle to the Apostate who in contempt pissed against the Communion Table his bowels rotting out he voyded