same is both Man and Father but he is Man absolutely or in himself or according to his own Nature and Father in respect of another viz. his Son So it is one thing to be God another thing to be the Father's Son or the Holy Ghost and yet one and the same is both God and Father God in respect of himself or his own Nature Father in respect of the Son Now though this be alike in God and Man that both do communicate to another not his Person but his Essence yet is there an exceeding dissimilitude in the maner whereby the Divine Essence being infinite and the Humane being created and finite is communicated to another For in Men in the Father and the Son the Essence is as distinct as the Persons themselves the Father and the Son being not onely two persons but also two men distinct in Essences so that the Father is not that man which is the Son but in God the Persons are so distinct that yet the Essence remaineth common one and the same and therefore there are not three Gods but the Son is the same God in number which is the Father and the Holy Ghost Again in Persons Created he that begetteth doth not communicate his whole Essence to him that is begotten for then he should cease to be a man but onely a part but in uncreated Persons he that begetteth or inspireth communicateth his whole Essence to him that is begotten or proceedeth yet so that he who communicateth doth retain the same Essence and that whole And the Reason of both Differences is Because the Essence of Man is finite and divisible but the Essence of God infinite and indivisible and therefore the Deity may being the same and whole or intire be together both communicated and retained whereby the Persons are not any thing separated from the Essence but each of them are the very self-same whole Essence of the Divinity wherefore God or the Divine Essence is the Father is the Son is the Holy Ghost Thus the three Persons in the Trinity are all one one in Nature and Essence one in Will and Consent one in Vertue and Power what the one doth the other doth also the difference is onely in the maner of working This Mystery of the Trinity and Unity was taught from the beginning of the world howbeit the fuller revelation of it was reserved to the times of the Gospel when the light of this Truth outshined the Sun at noon Matth. 28.19 1 John 5.7 The Doctrine of the Trinity of Persons in the Unity of the Godhead must be held retained for these Reasons viz. 1. Because by it we may distinguish the True God from all false gods and idols 2. Because among all other points of Religion this is one of the chiefest being the very foundation thereof For it is not sufficient for us to know God as we can conceive of him in our own imaginations but we must know him as he hath revealed himself in his Word and it is not sufficient to Salvation to believe in God confusedly but we must believe in one God distinct in three Persons 3. This Doctrine directs us in the worshipping of God aright For Unity in Trinity and Trinity in Unity is to be worshipped one God must be worshipped in the Father in the Son and in the Holy Ghost And if we worship God the Father without the Son and the Holy Ghost or the Son without the Father the Holy Ghost or the Holy Ghost without the Father and the Son we worship nothing but an Idol Again if we worship the three Persons not as one God but as three Gods then likewise we make three Idols The difference of Essence Person is to be observed and held for these Reasons 1. Lest the Unity of the true God be distracted 2. Lest the Distinction of Persons be taken away 3. Lest another thing be understood by the name of Person then the truth of Gods Word declareth That in one Divine Essence are subsisting three Persons the Father Son and Holy Ghost each of which is one and the same true God or that one true God is three Persons truly distinct and those three Persons are one onely true God is proved thus viz. 1. By Testimonies of Scripture partly out of the Old Testament as Gen. 1.2 Isa 61.1 partly out of the New Mat. 28.19 Joh. 14.26 15.26 2 Cor. 13.13 1 Joh. 5.3 Tit. 5.3 Eph. 2.18 Gal. 4.6 2. By those places of Scripture which give unto those three the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost the Name of Jehovah and true God for those places wherein those things which are spoken of Jehovah in the old Testament are in the new referred expresly most plainly to the Son the Holy Ghost 3. By those places which attribute the same whole Divine Essence to the three Persons and shew that the Son is the proper Son of the Father most truly begotten of him and that the Holy Ghost is the Spirit of the Father and the Son the Son therefore and the Holy Ghost have the same and that whole Essence of the Deity which the Father hath the Son hath it communicated of the Father by being from everlasting born of him and the Holy Ghost of the Father and the Son by proceeding from them 4. By the places which give unto the three the same Attributes or Properties and perfections of the Divine Nature as Eternity Immensity Omnipotency c. 5. By those places which attribute to the three the same effects or works proper unto the Deity as Creation Preservation Government of the World also Miracles and the Salvation of the Church 6. By those places which yield to the three equal honor and worship and such as agreeth to the true God alone The three in the Trinity are called Persons Because they have proper things to distinguish them in regard either 1. Of themselves as 1. Father to beget and to be of himself Joh. 5.26 1.14 1 Joh. 5.1 2. Son to be begotten and to be the second Person Joh. 1.14 18. 3. Holy Ghost to proceed both from the Father and the Son Mat. 3.16 2. Of the Creatures as 1. The Father worketh through the Son by the Holy Ghost Eph. 2.10 Rom. 11.36 2. The Son worketh from the Father by the Holy Ghost 1 Cor. 8.6 Joh. 1.3 3. The Holy Ghost worketh from the Father and the Son Gen. 1.2 Joh 33.4 The things wherein they communicate with themselvs are these viz. 1. One is in another and possesseth another as the Father is in the Son and the Son in the Father and the Holy Ghost in them both Joh. 10.30 38. 14.10 11. 2. They have glory one of another Joh. 17.4 5 22 24 26. 3. They delight one in another as the Son is a delight to the Father and the Father to the Son and the Holy Ghost to them both Mat. 3.17 Joh. 5.20 The order of working in the Three Persons of the Trinity
giveth unto him the Spirit of revelation Eph. 1.17 4. In regard of the maner of searching them for if men cursorily carelesly reade the Scripture no marvel if they understand little or nothing thereof The Reasons why the Scripture is in some respects difficult 1. To declare unto man his natural blindeness and to suppress all self-conceit for by the Mystery of the Word the wisdom of man is found to be foolishness 2. To keep holy things from dogs and so to make a difference betwixt the childe of the kingdom and the wicked 3. To maintain the divine Ordinance of Preaching and Expounding the Scriptures 4. To raise up in us an appetite after the Word and an high esteem of it and to keep us from loathing it By the perspicuity of it we are kept from starving and by the difficulty of it from loathing it 5. To stir us up diligently to study and search the Scriptures and carefully to use the means whereby we may finde out the hidden treasure in it 6. To make us to call upon him who is the Author of the Scripture to give us the Spirit of Revelation and not to reade or hear the Word without faithful and earnest prayer For our help in the finding out of the true sense of the Scripture there are divers profitable means As 1. Understanding of the Original Tongues because divers Errors and Heresies have been drawn from Translations and every language hath some kindes of speech proper to it self 2. Skill in the Arts whereby proper and figurative speeches and phrases may be discerned and distinguished and the true construction of words with the just consequents of arguments may be discern'd 3. Knowledge of the Analogy of Faith that is of the fundamental points of our Christian Religion that no sense be made contrary to any of them 4. Observation of the scope of that place which is interpreted and of the circumstances going before and following after 5. Comparing one place with another as the obscure places with the perspicuous Thus the meaning of many Types and Prophesies in the Old Testament may be understood by the application of them in the New 6. Prayer for thereby the Spirit of Revelation is obtained Eph. 1.17 7. Faith and obedience in to Gods word so far as it is made known The four graces needful to use the Scriptures aright 1. Knowledge whereby in all things that we do we may be able to judge what is the good will of God what is pleasing and acceptable to him Rom. 12.2 Eph. 5.17 This knowledge is attained by diligent reading of the word by meditation on what we reade by a reverend conferring thereof and by a careful humble attention to the preaching thereof 2. Wisdom which teacheth us rightly to apply the word and that both in the true sense and meaning of that particular place which we alledge and also according to the present matter for which it is alledged otherwise we pervert the Scripture to our own destruction 2 Pet. 3.16 3. Faith whereto the power of the Scriptures is restrained for the Word is the power of God to every one that believeth Rom. 1.16 without this all knowledge all wisdom is in vain 4. Obedience for in Religion a man knoweth no more then he practiseth Happy onely which so know as to do what they know John 13.17 by neither carelesly neglecting that which is commanded nor by preposterously doing that which is forbidden The Scripture contains matter concerning all sorts of persons things which may be reduced to these 5 Heads 1. Touching Religion and the right worship of God they teach how to serve him and what to believe of God or Man 1. Touching God that he is one in Essence and three in persons 2. Touching our selves 1. That by Creation we were made good holy and righteous 2. That by our Fall we are become wretched by reason of sin and not able of our selves to think one good thought or to stir one foot forward toward the Kingdom of heaven 3. That by Regeneration we are born again and made the Sons of God by Adoption and by faith we lay hold on Christ our Wisdom our Sanctification our Righteousness our Redemption 3. Touching the Church That it is the company of the Faithful that have been from the beginning By them also are we led to know the two Sacraments and what to believe of the general Judgement that shall be of the godly and ungodly 2. Touching Kingdoms and Commonwealths and touching the Duties of Magistrates and Subjects they inform us how the one ought to rule and the other to obey and neither the one nor the other do their duties for conscience till the Word inform them 3. Touching Families and Houshold-affairs in which are Husband and Wife Parents and Children Masters and Servants no duty required of them is omitted but all contained herein 4. Touching the private life of every particular person how to behave our selves in the whole course of our life 5. Touching the common life of all men we learn in them how to lead our lives in every estate whether we be rich or poor whether we be high or low we can be in no estate but we shall finde sufficient store of heavenly precepts and examples to teach us the way wherein we should walk The way to profit by the Scriptures 1. We must have recourse by prayer to God the Author of the Scriptures he onely is able to unlock them and so to bring us into the secret chamber of his presence 2. We must keep such order in the reading of them as may stand with our Calling and state of life and take all opportunity to do it redeeming this day what we omitted the last 3. We must understand to what ends uses they were written as 1. To teach that we may learn the Truth 2. To improve that we may be kept from error 3. To correct that we may be driven from vice 4. To instruct that we may be setled in the way of well-doing 5. To comfort that in trouble we may be confirmed in patience and hope of an happy issue 4. We are to remember that the Scriptures contain matter concerning all sorts of persons and things 5. We must have the Doctrine of the Scriptures plentifully dwelling in us not in the mouth but seated in the heart that we may be able to rise up being fallen to stand in the truth to continue unto the end The several kindes of neglecters of the Scriptures and consequently self-enemies to their own souls 1. Such as care not to reade it or hear it at all of all Books they least respect the Bible 2. Such as seldom reade it having fair bound Bibles onely to keep them company at Church 3. Such as reade much but do onely reade never search the Scripture to finde out the true sense and meaning thereof 4. Such as reade and seek out the true sense also but onely to understand the truth of the
History or to maintain discourse not to be edified in faith or to have their sins mortified 5. Such who in searching out the true sense of Scripture trust to their own skill wit and understanding and neglect the preaching or Ministery of the Word 6. Such who do all they can to be expert in Gods Word but with a trayterous minde to fight against the truth thereof as Hereticks and such like Three points to be observed in interpreting of the Scripture 1. That the phrase be considered and the proper sense of the words found out 2. That the order and coherence of the members or parts of the Doctrine which is contained in the Text of Scripture be declared 3. That the Doctrine be applyed to the use of the Church which it hath in confirming true opinions or refuting errors in knowing of God our selves in exhorting in comforting in directing our life The way how to decide doubtful places of Scripture 1. To respect the Analogy of Faith that is to receive no Exposition which is against the ground of Doctrine that is against any Article of Faith or Commandment of the Decalogue or against any plain Testimony of Scripture 2. To examine the Antecedent and Consequent matter of that place which is in question 3. To resort to such places of Scripture as teach the same more clearly 4. To confer like places together where though the same words be not spoken of the same thing yet the like words and form of speaking are used of the like things 5. When the Controversie is thus judged we may lawfully also descend to the consent of the Church 6. An ardent and daily invocating of God that we may be guided and taught by his holy Spirit The two proper effects of the Scriptures are 1. To teach Doctrine 2 Tim. 3.16 By 1. Laying out of Truth 2. Confuting of Errors 2. To exhort out of it 1 Tim. 6.2 By 1. Stirring up to God 2. Turning back from evil The chief Graces which are obtained by the Scriptures 1. Vocation we are called by the Spirit inwardly and by the Word outwardly 2 Thess 2.14 2. Justification which is an action of God imputing the righteousness of Christ to us which is apprehended by Faith which cometh by hearing the word Rom. 10. 3. Sanctification for we are sanctified by the word of God Joh. 15.3 4. Knowledge which is by the word 1 Joh. 4.6 5. Faith which comes by hearing the word preached Rom. 10.17 6. Repentance Peter preached the word and converted three thousand Acts 2.38 41. 7. Hope for by patience and comfort of the Scriptures we have hope Rom. 15.4 8. Love for it cometh of God by his Word and Spirit 1 Joh. 4.7 The consideration of the Scriptures Author being God presents us with a fourfold use 1. That they want not nor stand in need of the confirmation and approbation of the Church or of men 2. That God himself who is the inspirer of them is the best interpreter of them and the sole and soveraign Judge thereof 2 Pet. 1.20 1 Cor. 2.10 11. 3. That the Minister must preach unto the people not the invention of his own brain not the conceits of his own wit not the excellency of words not the inticing speech of mans wisdom but in the plain evidence of the Spirit and of power 1 Cor. 11.23 1 Pet. 4.11 4. That it belongeth as a special duty to the people of God to receive reade study reverence obey and keep the Doctrines delivered in them forasmuch as they proceed from such an Author Heb. 2.2 3. All our words actions must be directed by this precious Word of God in the holy Scriptures which is also of a fourfold use much resembling the former 1. To teach us the perfection and All-sufficiency of the word of God not needing the rags of Popish Traditions to be patched unto it 2. To direct and inform the Ministers what to teach the people the people what to believe wherein to rest whereupon to build their Faith and to settle their Conscience 3. To reprove those that desperately rush on in the course of their life not caring what they do never consulting with God or resolving as from God or his Will 4. To admonish us to be careful how we reade the Scriptures to take profit by reading them that so we may have direction in all our ways and learn how to please God and to abstain from all things that do displease him The manifold use of the Scriptures appears by the admirable benefit of well using it there being no Error in judgement but may be refuted no Corruption in life but may be redressed not any true sound Doctrine but may be proved and maintained not any Vertue or Duty but may be warranted and the practical performance thereof directed hereby 2 Tim. 3.16 yea it is a light to the blinde a guide to the wanderer a comfort to the distressed a counsellor to the doubtful Ps 119. and a teacher to the unlearned Prov. 1.4 Lastly our Savior Christ the Prophets and Apostles all by the Spirit of God have here revealed unto us more then all the wise men of the world did ever know whence we have just reason to magnifie the Books of Scripture far above all humane writings the choycest whereof compared with this holy Writ are but waste Paper for these sacred Books fully set out unto us the nature and estate of true felicity when the profoundest Tract of humane works could never yet reach to the shadow thereof Let us therefore in reading hearing expounding conversing practising in every action that concerns this sacred Word always account of it as the Word of the Ever-living God and with the joynt powers and faculties both of soul and body maintain it against all devilish Atheists that in word or life deny it seducing Hereticks that corrupt it and all enemies that oppose it or rebelliously rise against the Scepter of it Lo here the sacred Oracle of God The just man's Anchor and the sinners Rod The lame man's Crutch the blinde man's Eye the Tree Of Life or Type of Immortality A Well of living Waters Drink of this And thou shalt thirst no more but after Bliss The depth whereof the Natural man ne're saw Pray then thou mayst have wherewithal to draw Heav'ns Library Gods Spirit th' Author Take heed Tempted Man with what Spirit thou dost read §. 3. The Law and Gospel THe Law of God is a Doctrine delivered of God at the Creation written in Adams heart published by the Ministery either of Angels or of men and afterward repeated and renewed of him by Moses and the Prophets teaching what we ought to do and what not to do binding reasonable Creatures always promising to perfect performers of obedience eternal life condemning eternally them who perform not this obedience except Remission be granted for the Mediators sake Before the Fall this Law was possible to all men as to Angels and if now it be
aright The duties following upon our faith in the Holy Ghost 1. To keep our bodies holy and pure as the Temples of the Holy Ghost and not to defile them by uncleanness 2. To believe without doubting whatsoever is contained in the holy Scripture because that all were given by inspiration of the Holy Ghost and were set forth by holy men not of any private motion but as they were moved by the Holy Ghost 2 Tim. 3.16 2 Pet. 1.21 3. To use all our gifts to the honor of God for it is the holy Spirit of God from whom we receive them all 4. To submit our selves in all things to the government of Gods Spirit and not follow the sway of our own Natures for he is our guide and will lead us into the way of all Truth Eternal Breath O let thy blessed ayr Imbreathe us with new life or else repair The ruines of our Souls Blow and refresh Our dim-burning Zeal but blow out the Flesh New-mould us fit for Mercy and make good The Charter Christ hath seal'd us with his Blood Vnscale our Vnderstandings make us see The Crown of Hope ' yond hope Faith's Mystery Inflame our Souls with holy fire and then Our Souls thy fire shall flame thee back agen §. 9. The Holy Catholique Church Concerning the holy and Catholique Church of Christ we believe That the Son of God doth from the beginning of the world Joh. 10.11 Gen. 26.4 to the end thereof Rom. 8.29 gather defend and preserve unto himself by his Spirit Isa 59.21 and Word Acts 2.46 out of whole Mankinde Mat. 16.18 Joh. 10.28 a company chosen to everlasting life 1 Joh. 3.21 and agreeing in true faith And that we are lively Members of that Company 1 Joh. 2.19 and so shall remain for ever 1 Cor. 18.9 To believe in which holy Catholique Church is to believe the Doctrine thereof wherein she followeth Christ the Prophets and Apostles the onely sure ground and pillar of Truth and that in this visible Company and Society are some true Repentants and truly converted and my self to be a lively Member of the invisible and visible Church So that to believe and confess the Doctrine of Salvation taught and delivered by the Prophets and Apostles is an infallible and inseperable note of a true Church of God for Gods Church is nothing else but a company of Gods people called by the Doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles unto the state of Salvation so that out of the Church there is no Salvation ordinarily In which regard Noahs Ark was a true Type of the Church none being saved from drowning that were out of it And none but such who are of Christs body shall partake of the benefits of his Office for himself saith He prays not for the world Joh. 17.9 In which respect also out of the Church no Salvation for the body being the true Catholique Invisible Church he that is not a member of this body is out of the Church and so hath not Christ to be his Head and Savior Yea the Church is also Christs Spouse the many espousal Titles which in Scripture are given to Christ and the Church in mutual relation of one to another evidently declareth as much He is stiled a Bridegroom she a Bride Joh. 3.29 He Well-beloved she Love Cant. 1.13 15. He an Husband she a Wise 2 Cor. 11.2 He an Head she the Body both one flesh Eph. 5.23 31. Thus the Church being the Communion of Saints sanctified in Christ Jesus confessing him the Son of the living God in every place knit in one Church as the Body and every Member unto Christ as unto one Head it is most evident that no man can be saved out of the Church for whomsoever God hath chosen and elected to the end which is eternal life them he hath chosen to the means which is the inward and outward calling But here note That Infants born in the Church are in charity to be reputed of the Church till at their mature Age their life notoriously express the contrary The Church is called Catholique or Vniversal because it is not now tyed to any certain place or people as it was under the Law before the coming of Christ Now the Doctrine of the true Church consisteth in the Sentences and Decrees which we are bound by the Commandment of God to believe and obey and no Doctrine is to be proposed to the Church that is repugnant to the holy Scripture or not contained therein And the Church hath Authority to judge and determine in Controversies of Faith according to Scripture to interpret and expound the Word of God with respect to the Analogy of faith Rom. 12.6 And though she be the Witness and Keeper of Gods written Word yet may not inforce any thing to be believed as necessary to Salvation that is either contrary or beside the Word of God The visible Church is a company among men imbracing and professing the true and uncorrupt Doctrine of the Law and the Gospel and using the Sacraments aright according to Christs Institution and professing Obedience unto the Doctrine in which company are many ungenerate or hypocrites consenting notwithstanding to the Doctrine The invisible Church is a company of those which are Elected to eternal life in whom a new life is begun here by the Holy Ghost and is perfected in the world to come They which are in this invisible Church never perish neither are any hypocrites therein And it is called Invisible not that the men are invisible but because their Faith is so that we cannot certainly discern the godly from the hypocrites And although this Universal invisible Church is that Militant Church which remaineth as yet in the field and is fighting on Earth yet it is and lieth hid in the visible Church so that in this respect there is as it were no more difference between them then between a whole and a part Now those visible Churches which refuse to be governed by Christs Word but are by Humane Traditions playing the Adulteresses by committing Idolatry are not of this Catholique Church which is subject to Christ neither are Infidels that defie Christ Hereticks that deny him Ignorant persons that know not his Will Prophane persons that despise Worldlings that lightly esteem him nor any that persecute or scorn him in his Members Thus many have a Name of being of the Church who indeed are not And as for the Church of Rome they are departed from the Truth they have denyed the Faith they have defiled themselves with Idols they will not have Christs Righteousness imputed to them they set up their own Works and seek Justification by them they will not receive Christ to be their onely King and Priest they will merit Salvation for themselves and therefore they are not a true but a false Church The word Church signifieth an Assembly called together which calling is twofold viz. 1. Outward which is common to all that make profession of the Gospel in this respect
it is said Many are called but few are chosen Mat. 20.16 2. Inward which is proper to the Elect none but they and all they in their time shall both outwardly be called by the Word to a profession of Christ and also inwardly and effectually to believe in Christ and obey the Gospel These make that Church whereof Christ is properly the Head and they the Body and that in these respects 1. They are under Christ as a Body under a Head 2. They receive Spiritual life and grace from Christ as a body natural receiveth sense and vigor from the head 3. Christ governeth them as a Head the Body 4. They are subject to Christ as a Body to the Head This Metaphor of a Body implieth two things viz. 1. A mystical Union with Christ by vertue whereof they who are of Christs Body 1. Receive Grace and life from him Ephes 4.15 16. 2. Are guided and governed according to his Will 3. Seek to honor him in all things they do 4. Are offended and grieved when he is dishonored by others 2. A Spiritual communion with the Saints being fellow-Members by reason whereof 1. They love the Brethern 1 Joh. 4.11 2. They are ready to succor such as are in distress 3. They will edifie one another Eph. 4.16 4. They retain a mutual sympathy rejoycing and mourning one with another 1 Cor. 12.26 Again Christ is Head of the Church in two respects 1. In regard of his Dignity and Dominion over the Church Col. 1.18 The causes whereof are 1. The good pleasure of God his Father 2. The Dignity of his person being God-Man 3. The Merit of his Sacrifice whereby he hath redeemed and purchased his Church unto himself 4. The Omnipotency of his power whereby he is able to protect 5. The All-sufficiency of Spirit whereby he is able to give to every member all needful grace 2. In regard of the near union betwixt him and the Church All things requisite to joyn husband and wife together do fitly concur betwixt Christ and the Church 1. They are persons fit to be joyned Though Christ be God yet for this end he became man Joh. 17.19 And though the Church were impure yet for this end is she cleansed and sanctified 2. They have their Parents consent for God is the common Father of both Joh. 20.17 And God hath given Christ to the Church Rom. 8.32 and the Church to Christ Joh. 6.39 3. They have given their mutual consent each to other Cant. 2.16 4. He beareth an husband-like affection to her and she is willing to yield a wife-like subjection to him Eph. 5.23 24. 5. He hath given her many favors and gifts as pledges of his love Eph. 4.8 And she in testimony of her faithfulness was under the Law circumcised and is under the Gospel baptized 6. He hath prepared a place of habitation for them both together Joh. 14.3 and she earnestly desireth to be with him Rev. 22.17 20. 7. He will assuredly perform all the offices of a kinde husband as to love her bear with her provide for her and the like Let the Spouse endeavor therefore by all good means to maintain the honor of her place despising the world preserving her chastity and yielding all love reverence and obedience to this blessed Bridegroom who bought her with his Blood to endow her with immortality The Priviledges of Christs Spouse the Church the Saints his faithful ones viz. 1. Christ is made a yoke-follow with his Church he puts his hand under all her burthens to make them the more easie yea the great burthen of Gods wrath hath he wholly taken on himself 2. Christ is 1. As her Champion to answer all challenges sent unto her 2. As her Advocate to plead and answer all complaints made against her 3. As her Surety to discharge all her debts even all in all for her and to her 3. All his honors goods and priviledges are hers she hath a right to them and a part in them she is a co-heir with him Rom. 8.17 The marks to know the true Church by viz. 1. The profession of the true uncorrupt and rightly understood Doctrine of the Law and Gospel 2. Her Badges and Signs which are the two Sacraments truly administred 3. Obedience towards God and his Doctrine both in Life and Maners The Titles which Paul gives the Church viz. 1. The House of God who dwelleth therein defending and guiding it by his holy Spirit 2. The Pillar of Truth because by the Ministery thereof God preserveth and keepeth Truth in the world 3. The Mother of all the faithful because God therein hath begotten us with the incorruptible seed of the Word and hath put us over unto it to be guided and brought up in faith For what Reasons the Church is called Holy 1. Because as Paul saith It is sanctified after that he hath cleansed it by the washing of water through the word that is made clean from all sin by the precious Blood of Christ daily presented to us both in the Word and Sacraments 2. For that the Members of it being Regenerated by the Holy Ghost and sanctified do apply themselves diligently to holiness of life 3. Because all true Christians are Spiritual Priests by an holy Unction 4. Because the holy Trinity dwelleth in it Christ will send the Comforter 5. Because it is sanctified by Invocation The Church is 1. One onely because as it doth acknowledge one onely High Priest Jesus Christ so one onely Religion in Faith Hope and Love which Unity one Spirit conserveth by the Word and Sacraments 2. Holy purged by the blood of Christ 1 Joh. 1. 3. Catholique in respect 1. Of Place not tyed to Rome but spread through the whole world 2. Of Men not tyed to the children of Abraham after the flesh 3. Of Time for it hath and shall be for ever Christ is with it to the end of the world 4. Inconquerable Lifted up even as Mount Sion impregnable so as the gates of hell shall not prevail against it Though the Church be onely one which is the Spouse and Mystical Body of Christ yet in regard of man it is considered in a double respect viz. 1. Visible which is that company of the faithful gathered together in the Name of Christ to be instructed and confirmed in his Faith by the sincere preaching of the Word as also the true use of the Sacraments which is called the Militant Church because it warreth with the Devil the World and the Flesh 2 Invisible being all the Elect which may be divided into three parts 1. They which are already received into heaven called thence the Triumphant 2. They which do yet live on the earth called Invisible because their faith and conscience to Godward is not perfectly known unto men 3. They that are yet unborn The Reasons for which the true Church ought to be discerned from all other Churches viz. 1. Because of the Commandment of God 1 Joh. 5.39 2. For the glory of God who as he will not be coupled with Idols so will he have his Truth severed
THE HOLY ARBOR CONTAINING A Body of Divinity Or the Sum and Substance OF Christian Religion Collected from many Orthodox Laborers in the LORDS VINEYARD For the Benefit and Delight of such as Thirst after RIGHTEOUSNESS First Methodically and Plainly Treated of Then Annalized and Applied at large By John Godolphin J.C.D. VVherein also are fully Resolved the Questions of whatsoever Points of Moment have been or are now Controverted in DIVINITY Together with a large and full Alphabetical Table of such Matters as are therein contained or occasionally handled Either by way of Exposition Controversie or Reconciliation LONDON Printed by John Field for Edmund Paxton neer Doctors Commons And William Royhould at the Sign of the Vnicorn in S. Pauls Church-yard neer the West-end 1651. The Curtain drawn OR The Front-Door of this HOLY ARBOR Unlock'd and laid wide open A Laughing Horizon a smiling Skie The rightside-Prospect of the Lefthand-eye First lights thee Reader to discover more Then Janus could had he four eyes before Though Lynceus wore a pair of eyes behinde Without this Spectacle he 'd be but blinde Here Wisdom's Monarch in his Marble chair By his acuteness can divide a hair Of the profoundest Notions and contain The world within the nutshel of his Brain Whose tow'ring Eagle-eye can never want The strength or cunning of the Elephant On this hand stands a Gospel-Prophet such As doth not care for Circumcising much Thy Praedial Fruits The world I hear him say But one Nights lodging by not in the way To heaven is The other side holds out A studious Artist musing he no doubt Is sounding What the depth of Humane things And findes them all but well-tun'd Fiddle-strings These hold forth Knowledge to the life then be Perswaded to become One of the Three Let fall thine eye one glance and thou shalt see The Church her Motto or Epitomy The staming Bush not burnt the Church indeed Is heart-whole though her Members ever bleed Truth 's Emblem in her HOLY ARBOR stands The Light of Sun and Scripture in her hands Tramp'ling on all the Harnesse of War ' Yond Archimedes reach a Virgin-star She lives lives chaste and from pollution free Maugre Romes Murder and Adultery The world her Pedestral in flames because It will no Loyalist be unto her Laws Idolater Iew Turk Insidel turn Any thing rather then a Martyr burn Hence flames the World indeed whose Fate that read Shall finde her in her ashes buried ' Cause from her Non-age to her riper youth Thence to her dotage she despis'd the Truth When Shilo's Scepter now breaks forth the Skies High time the Saints all pray Let God arise Thence downward cast thy fight exactly there Observe and then tell me if ever were More true Devotion in a Womans breast Then to the life is there by her express'd See how she prostrates all her self o' th ground As if she meant the Earth should down resound To sad Souls below what a Savior they Lost by their worship to a god of clay Her breast kisses the dust her heart the Skies Faith is compounded most of wings and eyes A Lowring Horizon a dismal Skie The leftside-Prospect of the Righthand-eye Hell-black night all over enough to fright An Eagle blinde or blinde men to their sight Ravens Batts Owls Shrich-owls what not that can Paint the Darkness of an unknowing man A Man-monster whose hollow head may pass For like but not so wise as Balaams Ass Claws that can wound corrode and scratch the best Yet hath not wit to feather his own nest That when his Claws are blunt rather then fail He can make use of the Scorpions tayl Scarce a Creature who when his tongue is loose Doth staulk and hiss and gaggle like a Goose That knows no more then Tom then he no more Whose brain leaks all out at his nose before Swear by his vast estate who onely can That sure he was intended for a Man He 's now become so to both Sexes knit An Epidemical Hermophrodite Old Superstitions blear-eyed Mother Schism's Error 's Heresie's Foster-brother A Demi-Signpost guilt or an empty Cask A Woodcocks brain that 's troubled with the Lask A man would think him something that were made For money to draw Custom to the Trade Of Ginns and Roadnets Scan this and great chance If all together spel not Ignorance Convey thine eye a little lower see The ghastly Draught of Hell's Epitomy Disgorging Error Heaven doth engage A branded sword lest it infect this Page Her twilights both are vayl'd she cannot see She 's so besmeard with foul Hypocrisie A pair of Spectacles in this hand goes For eyes which better would become her nose In that a Mole though Blinde can undermine Deep-laid Foundation then look well to thine She 's snar'd she that so much Liberty taught T'others is now her self in Engines caught May the snare prove strong may 't ne e be broken Till her mouth be stopt or her eyes be open Lastly Observe a Superstitious Ape Cas'd in a Fryars Frock without a Cape Which when his Zeal grows cold serves as a Charm To re-inflame 't and keep his Worship warm If this new Father were but at the Court Of Rome doubtless 't would make most exe'lent sport Are there not many such why not an Ape Like him as well as he i' th others shape Reader this Holy Arbor's door th' hast seen Wide op'n Be serious now and enter in The Holy Arbour Contayning the whole Body of Divinity or A Cluster of Spirituall Grapes gathered from the Vines of certaine Moderne Orthodox Laborers in the Lords Viniard Pressd For the Spirituall delight and benefit of all such as thirst after Righteousness By Jo Godolphin I. C.D Exumat Deus Ema nuoll Ad te Domine Ad te mi Jesu â— dissipentur inimici Printed by John Feild for Edmund Paxton neere Doctors Commons and William TO THE TRULY HONORABLE THE POOR in SPIRIT Right Humble THe mighty Nazarites Riddle Out of the Eater came Meat and out of the Strong came Sweetness Judg. 14.14 was the second Course served in at his Marriage-Feast which by way of Allusion may not unaptly be applied to you Came not the Spirit of God upon you at the Conquest of that devouring Lyon in the fierce Assaults of his ingenious Temptations At your return from which Spiritual Combat began you not to feed on the Peace of Good Consciences when the Word of the Lord became as Honey in your mouthes Is not this a Riddle to the Vncircumcised of the World In Congratulation of which no common Victory is this Address no less properly then humbly prostrated to you onely as the most faithful Guardians of this Holy Arbor whose unfenced Ambulage when spiced at your approach by the fragrancy of your Innocency craves the Subterfuge of your Prayers As for those extravagant Weeds which grow so far beside the Alley of your Conversation they are left to the Euroclydons of the Air But for the Errata's onely of the
viz. 1. The Father Createth but immediately by the Son and the Holy Ghost the Son from the Father and the Holy Ghost from the Father and the Son 2. The Father and the Holy Ghost Redeem us but mediately by the Son but the Son immediately from the Father by the Holy Ghost 3. The Father and the Son Sanctifie us but mediately by the Holy Ghost but the Holy Ghost immediately from the Father and the Son In this deep Mystery of our Religion we must be guided wholly by Faith and endeavor to believe this Trinity in Unity and Unity in Trinity though we are not able to reason the truth thereof by Natural demonstrations Behold the sacred Riddle of Divinity One Godhead in a holy Trinity Of Persons or three Persons all in one Most undivided Deity alone Distinct in Persons not in Essence no The Godhead's not divided think not so For it 's not subject to division Nor admits of any Composition But distinction without seperation As is most evident by Mans Creation Gen. 1.26 §. 2. Gods Word THe Word of God is the Wisdom of God James 3.17 concerning the truth which is according to godliness being given by inspiration of God 2 Tim. 3.16 the original being from heaven not earth Joh. 3.27 and the Author thereof being God not man 1 Cor. 2.10 by which Word God alone doth onely binde the Conscience by causing it in every action to excuse for well-doing and accuse for sin Now this Word of God is the holy Scripture in which name are to be understood all and onely those Canonical Books of the Old and New Testament of whose Authority was never any doubt in the Church which we receive as Canonical not so much because that the Church doth so receive and allow them as for that the holy Spirit in our hearts doth testifie that they are from God Touching which this is a Truth must be held of us That no part of the Canonical Scripture inspired of God such as was committed as the Lords Treasure to the Church for the perpetual instruction thereof in Faith and Obedience is lost and perished nor can be lost or perish so that no one Oracle or Sentence of God can fall away Indeed these sacred Books may be despitefully abused by men many ways but they can never be finally lost and wholly extinguished for the works of God remain for ever and ever And as for any sandy Supposition contrary to this Truth let the vain Supposer answer What Error more can be convinced what Comfort more can be received what Vice more can be corrected what Truth more can be published what Grace more can be commended to the Church out of those Books which he so fondly supposeth to be lost Beware therefore of doubting of Gods Providence herein shaking thereby the Faith of the Church Whosoever thus goes about to strike at the foundation thereof the least dust that falls from the Building will crush the presumptuous Underminer into bottomless destruction The Scripture is a Doctrine inspired by God to make us wise unto salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 16. Rom. 1.16 and containeth all things necessary to be known and believed for the salvation of man Joh. 20.31 2 Tim. 3.16 17. the whole being as it were compendiously comprised in the Decalogue the sum of the Law and in the Creed the sum of the Gospel As for all the fundamental Points of Christian Religion necessary to salvation they notwithstanding the darkness of some Mysteries herein contained are clearly and plainly set down so as the humble and obedient heart may distinctly without wavering and gainsaying conceive and believe them Thus not unfitly is the Scripture compared in regard of the perspicuity thereof to a Foord over which a Lamb may wade and in regard of the difficulty thereof to a Sea wherein an Elephant may swim Now though all things necessary to be known are herein contained yet are not all literally expressed as the Baptism of Infants and Original Sin which notwithstanding are distinctly and demonstratively inferred thence and so are all things that belong to Faith and Obedience whatsoever we are to believe or to practice So that the letter of the Scripture may be alledged and yet the word of God missed as by all Hereticks and a man may swerve from the letter yet alledge the true word of God therefore it is nothing less then necessary that we be diligently familiar and well acquainted with this word of God Josephus tells us The Jews knew the Scriptures as well as their own names many of us may tell the Jews We scarce know the names of the Scriptures Most inexcuseable Ignorance sad and lamentable for we are bound to know the Scriptures themselves that by them we may come to knowledge by knowledge to faith by faith to obedience and by obedience to salvation Touching the Apocryphal Books to which the Imps of Rome as to their own Traditions give power equal to the Canonical Scriptures they were not penned by the Prophets the Lords Secretaries as the Scriptures were nor ever committed of trust to the Israelites They contain certain things disagreeing from the true Scriptures of God and no proof that they were penned by the Spirit of God therefore there is no warrant for the equalling them in Credit or Authority with the Scriptures Besides one main property of the Books of the Old Testament is That every one of them was written either by Moses or some other of the Prophets in the Hebrew tongue the native language of the Jews but the Apocryphal Books were penned by some other in the Greek tongue which was not the language of the old Prophets so that they are no part of the Law or of the Prophets And yet as the presumptuous Papists make the Apocryphal Books of equal Authority with the Canonical so others have more blasphemously long since obtruded for Canonical the fatherless brood of other Books unto these as The third and fourth of Esdras An Appendix of Job A Preface to the Lamentation The third and fourth of the Maccabees a Book called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Book of Enoch The Gospel of Thomas and of Matthias The Acts of Peter and in the year 1120 a certain new Gospel called Evangelium Aeternum was found out being full of Blasphemies All which and the like are damnable presumptions plainly forbidden by the Lord Deut. 4.2 and most fearfully threatned Rev. 22.18 19. So then to withstand the Devils suggestion against the Divine Authority of the true sacred Seriptures it is very necessary to have our judgements well informed therein to pray for the Spirit of Revelation or Inspiration which may inwardly testifie to our Spirits That God is the Author of the Scriptures which Principle we must hold undeniable and give no place to doubting about these uncontradictable Truths The Scripture is said to be the Word of God in regard of 1. The Author who is God himself 2 Tim. 3.16 2. The Matter which is Gods
Will Eph. 1.9 3. The End which is Gods Glory Eph. 3.10 4. The Efficacy which is Gods Power Rom. 1.16 Touching the Scriptures we are principally to consider these 4 things 1. Who is the Author of them that is as hath been shewed God himself Gal. 1.11 12. 2. Who are the instrumental Causes they are as hath been likewise shewed the Prophets and Apostles 2 Pet. 1.21 3. To whom they belong even to all sorts and degrees of men and women Psal 111.2 119.9 4. What is the property thereof viz. All-sufficiency without any patching of mens Decrees or Inventions to teach the true knowledge of God 2 Pet. 1.16 1 Cor. 1.17 〈◊〉 the Scripture is the Word of God and 〈◊〉 Doctrine of infallible Truth and certainty may be firmly proved from these unanswerable Arguments drawn from Scripturâ—it self 1. From the Causes thereof wherein consider 1. That the first and principal is the Author thereof even God himself to him do the Scriptures refer themselves and also shew how God is their Author Now nothing is falsly ascribed to God but God in time will bring the same to nought and therefore if the Scripture had not been Gods Word it would long ago have vanished 2. The cause Conservant for the Devil by wicked men and Hereticks hath labored to take away Gods Word from mens hearts and hands but yet it is still preserved in the Church which argues that it is kept by a greater power then is in all men and all Angels that is by the power of God 3. The causes Instrumental they were holy men of God Prophets and Apostles who for vertue und piety exceeded other Writers far beyond all comparison and if they had been meer Polititians their writings would have shewed it for the Penmen of holy Scripture have herein faithfully registred their own faults which no politick person would have done 2. From the Matter therof which stands 1. In doctrine which is The Law set forth in most excellent purity nothing being therein against it or common Equity The Law is perfect Reason the Gospel above Reason yet not contrary to Reason The Gospel wherein is set down Doctrine altogether above mans Reason touching Christs Incarnation and mans Redemption by his death and although these things be above Nature yet we finde them true wholesom and good in experience of conscience which also proveth that they are the Word of God Men may devise strange things above Nature but they can never be wholesom to the conscience 2. In stile the phrase is plain and familiar and yet in any one speech there is more majesty then in all the writings of men 3. From the End thereof for it sets up Gods Worship and mans Salvation and yet gives nothing to Men or Angels but all to the glory of God but for the writings of men they do either directly or by insinuation ascribe something to the writers thereof 4. From the Effects thereof For 1. Though it is against our corrupt Nature crossing and condemning the same yet it winneth men to the love thereof and to obedience thereto which could not be unless it were the Truth of God for we abhor and detest the words of men that be against our Nature 2. It serves notably to comfort a man in all distresses whatsoever even in the pangs of death when no word of any man can do him the least good but onely his word that is the Lord of our soul and the God of our life 5. From the two properties of Scripture 1. Antiquity Among humane writings we have none of certainty in things they record that go so high as the Creation but the Scripture sets down things done from the beginning 2. Mutual Consent for though the Books of Scripture were written by divers men in sundry Ages and Times yet all agree within themselves there is no contradiction in Scripture but the writings of men have not this consent no not in the same Author whom commonly we shall finde contradicting himself 6. From the signs and true miracles thereof as the parting of the Sea the staying of the Sun and Moon and many others yea the Incarnation of the Son of God the Miracle of miracles 7. From the Contraries Contrary to the word of God is the will of the Devil and mans corrupt Nature the Devil hates Scripture and mans corrupt Nature repines thereat when it is checked and controlled thereby Now that which is contrary to these two must needs be holy and true and that is the word of God 8. From Testimonies whereof there be 2 kindes 1. Of holy Martyrs who in all ages have sealed the truth thereof preferring the word of God before their own lives whence it is truly said Sanguis Martyrum semen Ecclesiae And though Hereticks have dyed for falshood yet there is great difference in their ends the true Martyrs have unspeakable joy in the Spirit in their torments but Hereticks have no such joy but a natural sensless blockishness whereby they undergo these torments 2. Of Gods Spirit which is the principal testimony for when men begin to learn and obey the word of God then the Spirit of God settles their Conscience in the perswasion of the truth of Scripture which is infallibility it self The Testimony of the Holy Ghost touching Gods Word is obtained and discerned from the Testimony of man by doing these two things 1. By resigning our selves to become truly obedient to the Doctrine taught John 7.17 2. By praying unto God for his Spirit to certifie our Consciences that the Doctrine revealed is the very Doctrine of God Mat. 7.7 8. Luke 11.13 Jam. 1.7 The Majesty of the Scriptures consisteth chiefly in these three excellencies 1. In the Majesty of the Spirit of God which shineth in them 2. In the Consent of all the parts among themselves 3. In the Fulfilling all the Prophesies delivered long before yet accomplished precisely each of them in their proper place The Authority of the Scripture doth not as the Papists affirm depend on the Church for these Reasons 1. The reproach of God by making the Testimony of mans voyce greater then the voyce of God 2. Our Comfort for Faith is grounded on approved witness therefore not on man 3. The truth of God is plainly exposed to the mocks and scoffs of the wicked if we affirm that our Religion is from God onely because our selves say so 4. Because the Authority of the Church depends on the Scripture 5. The Scripture it self is in many places against this opinion John 5. 1 Cor. 2. 1 John 5. The Popish twofold Scripture 1. Inward Scripture or a consent of Doctrine written by the Holy Ghost in the hearts of all Catholicks and this say they is right Scripture Unparalleld Blasphemy 2. Outward Scripture which is written in Paper or Parchment which hath no certain sense as they falsly affirm but as the present Church determines thereof but this is a devilish Doctrine abolishing the true Word of God
the order of Justice on the person guilty of sin And this is proper unto the Reprobate because it is inflicted on them to this end That Gods Justice may be satisfied for the Law bindeth all men either to Obedience or to Punishment Now the wicked despairing of the Mercy of God murmure at his Justice and are even mad with impatience when his inflicting Scourge is on them but the godly kiss his Rod and in patience possess their Souls resting on the Promises of God This is that which sets them at liberty in the dungeon makes them run the paths of Gods Commandments even when Irons manacle them makes them go chearfully to the Faggot and embrace the Flame makes them smile at the frowns of their Persecutors and in an holy patience makes them as it were anticipate Death by dying to all impatience that when it comes indeed they may be said rather to be changed then dye And indeed this one Consideration How that those that persecute the Saints here would undoubtedly persecute Christ himself were he now upon Earth is sufficient of it self to support the Spirits of any that now are or may be under Persecution beside the consideration that God will as undoubtedly deliver his to his glory and their advantage as he permits Persecution to befal them We have need of Patience for these two Reasons 1. Because there are so many Mockers and Scoffers at our Profession Luke 21.17 2. Because the Object of our Hope is of things invisible Rom. 8.25 The Signs or Properties of Patience 1. A heart resolved to abide whatsoever is laid upon us whether it be for sin or for tryal 2. When we suffering and suffering much do yet never cease to love the Lord who striketh us 3. Humility and humbling our selves under his blows and strokes laid upon us 4. Chearfulness and Joy in Suffering when we are so far from murmuring under it that we rejoyce in it Patience must have her perfect work James 1.4 which work is said to be perfect in these three respects viz. 1. In respect of the Condition it must be true hearty and sound not feigned and counterfeit Luke 21.19 2. In respect of the Extent it must reach to all maner of Crosses heavy and light inward and outward at home and abroad whether they come from the Devil or any of his wicked Instruments or from God himself and his own hand of what kinde quality quantity soever they be 2 Cor. 6.4 3. In respect of the Continuance it must endure unto the end not onely unto the end of that Affliction which lieth upon us but also to the end of our life so as we must both patiently bear the present and also prepare our selves for future Crosses Mat. 10.22 Necessary it is that Patience have this perfect work in us and that for these Reasons viz. 1. The Crosses whereunto we are subject are not troubles in shew and appearance onely but such as pierce both Body and Soul Therefore counterfeit Patience will stand us in no stead 2. The Number of Tryals whereunto we may be brought is uncertain one calamity upon another as Waves may fall upon us therefore the extent of our Patience need be very great 3. It is Uncertain how long we shall be subject to Tryals because the continuance of our life is uncertain therefore there is a Necessity in it that our Patience continue unto the end for while we are in this world the field of the Lords Battel the Enemy will assault us The good which God aymeth at and effecteth by those Troubles he inflicteth on his children which should incite us to Patience 1. The Preventing of some great Mischief and Evil 2 Cor. 12.7 2. The Purging out of some festering poysonsom sin 2 Chron. 33.12 3. The Upholding and keeping us safe and stedfast in the right way Heb. 12.10 11. 4. The Proof and Tryal of such Gifts and Graces as he hath bestowed on us 1 Pet. 4.12 The Saints must possess their Souls in Patience from the consideration of those Ends which God hath in afflicting them As 1. His own Glory Joh. 9.3 2 Cor. 12.9 2. The Edification of others Eph. 3.1 3. Their own good 1. By preventing 2 Cor. 12.7 or curing some dangerous disease Psal 119.67 2. To manifest the Grace of God bestowed on them Job 1.12 3. To draw them nearer to God Hos 5.15 4. To make them long the more for heaven 2 Cor. 5.2 5. To lead them by this Correction as it were by the hand to Repentance 6. To try and exercise their Faith Invocation of Gods Name Patience c. 7. To breed in them a loathing of worldly and a love of heavenly things 8. To shake off their over-much carefulness for outward things 9. To suppress and amend the viciousness ingrafted in their Nature 10. To save them from being condemned with the world So likewise doth God suffer his Church to be under the Cross and afflicted for these special Reasons 1. The more to manifest his Pity Power Providence and Truth in keeping promise 2. That the Members thereof by their Afflictions may be acquainted with their own wants and infirmities which they would not much regard were they freed from the Cross 3. That by Affliction they may be kept from many grievous sins into which they might otherwise fall 4. That others seeing the Correction of the Church for sin may learn thereby to hate and avoid sin 5. To wean them the better from the world Much prosperity makes us resemble the fool spoken of Luke 12.19 6. To make Heaven the more longed for while we are on earth and the more acceptable when we come to possess it like Victory after a tedious and dangerous Combat 7. That the Church may glorifie God in a constant and couragious maintenance of the Truth unto death for even in persecution is Gods Truth preserved against the Reason of mans Wisdom The Reasons of the worlds Hatred to Gods Church may be these 1. The Church of God in the Ministery of the Gospel seeks the ruine of the Devils Kingdom who is the Prince of the World the Devil therefore rageth and inflames the hearts of his Instruments with malice against Gods Church that they may quite destroy it if it were possible 2. Gods Church is a peculiar people severed from the world in their Profession Doctrine and Conversation and therefore the world hates them Joh. 15.16 and this the world will do to the end thereof The Cross is the Affliction of the godly but not properly a punishment and is of four sorts viz. 1. The Chastisements for the remnants of sin in them and oftentimes for peculiar sins committed by them that they may see their uncleanness and repent 2. The Proofs and Tryals of their Faith Hope Invocation Fear of God and Patience 3. Martyrdoms which are Testifications concerning their Doctrine delivered others 4. The Cross is their Ransome even the obedience of Christ alone The causes of the Affliction of
5. It is against the Rule of Charity To do unto others as we would be done unto And this Rule is the best Remedy against it 6. It is the Badge and Cognizance of the Devil 7. It renders us unfit for the performance of holy Duties 8. It lays us open to the envy and hatred of other men 9. Because it impairs the constitution of our natural strength for although it ever levels the dart of mischief against others yet it still wounds it self even the very heart Remedies to keep us from envying the good of others viz. 1. Let us labor for Christian Charity and deck our selves with lowliness of minde that we may banish Pride and Self-love Phil. 2.3 Charity and Humility tempered well together makes an excellent Preservative against this fretting Malady 2. Be well contented with Gods Administration of Temporal Blessings Spiritual and Temporal that we do not any way charge him with folly who is Wisdom it self or with partiality who respecteth no mans person 3. To cast our eyes upon the troubles as well as the comforts our Brethren enjoy that the consideration of the one may with-hold us from grudging at the sight of the other 4. To mark that the Gifts of others are for our benefit as the good of one member of the body serveth for the use of another then we are enemies to our selves to repine at that which others have 5. To pray to God for the obtaining of his Graces where we see them wanting and for the encrease of them where they are obtained and for the continuance of them where they are encreased 6. To love the Graces of God wheresoever we see them yea even in our enemies Godly men may lawfully go to war without the guilt of Murther or breach of this Commandment and that for these Reasons viz. 1. God commands it Deut. 7.2 therefore does allow it as just and lawful for he doth not will things because they are just but they are just because he willeth them 2. As God gave Commandment expresly so the people going forth to Battel were to call upon him for a Blessing and to sanctifie the work by Prayer and in so doing have been heard 1 Chron. 5.19 therefore War and true Religion may well stand together 3. God himself takes order to have a muster taken of all such as are able to bear Arms Numb 1.2 3. Therefore the Anabaptists are not infallible As the godly may lawfully go to War so they must be careful to observe such conditions as make it lawful and allowable As 1. It must be Proclaimed by the chief Magistrate and such as have Authority otherwise it is private Revenge not publike Justice 2. Conditions of Peace are to be offered and such as yield thereto are to be received to mercy Deut. 20.10 11 12 13 14. 3. Keep all lawful Promises even to the Enemy being a sign of an upright heart Joh. 6.22 4. The Ends of our Wars must be Holy and Religious not Tyranny not Vain-glory but to maintain the honor and glory of God to defend the Church and Commonwealth from violence and invasion and to Establish Truth Peace and Concord in our Borders 5. We must not suffer lewd and wicked persons incorrigible and unreformable to remain in the Host of God who may endanger the whole Host and bring the curse of God upon them Deut. 23.9 10. Joh. 7.11 12. 22.20 6. It behoveth us to put our Trust in God alone to depend upon him to pray unto him and to look for safety and help from him Jer. 17.5 7. No man should go to War but with grief of minde and sorrow of heart for though the War be lawful yet when the Enemies are slain in Battel it is a defiling of mens hands and a defacing of Gods Image Gen. 9.6 1 Chron. 22.8 8. The Army is to be ordered in such Military Discipline as that it break not out to endamage or destroy those whom they ought above all to protect and defend He breaks this Commandment 1. That thinks but a thought in his heart tending to the hurt of his Neighbors life 2. That bears malice to another 1 Joh. 3.15 or is given to hastiness Mat. 5.22 3. That useth inward fretting and grudging Jam. 3.14 or is froward of nature hard to please Rom. 1.30 4. That is full of rancor or bitterness Eph. 4.31 or derides and scorns others Gen. 21.9 Gal. 4.29 5. That useth bitterwords and railings Prov. 12.18 or contending by words or deeds Gal. 5.20 6. That is a fighter Jam. 4.1 and hurts or maims his Neighbors body Exod. 21.24 7. That will not forgive an offence Mat. 5.23 or that seeks private Revenge 8. That doth fare well himself but gives not Alms to relieve the Poor Luke 16.19 9. That useth cruelty in punishing Malefactors Deut. 22.26 10. That denies the Servants or Laborers Wages Jam. 5.4 or that holds back the Pledge Ezek. 18.7 11. That sells by divers weights and measures or that removes the Land-mark Prov. 22.28 12. That moves contention and debate Rom. 1.29 or that by his looseness of life occasions others to sin 13. That being a Minister Teacheth erroneously or slackly Jer. 48.10 or that Teacheth not at all 1 Tim. 3.2 or that hinders mens Salvation any way Mat. 23.13 14. That gives his goods upon Usury which is simply to binde a man to return both the Principal and the Encrease onely for the Loan Ezek 18.18 Thou seest how many ways a man may be Guilty hereof and how in each degree How Thoughts of Hatred may prevail so far T' ensnare the Heart to be a Murtheree How stern and austere Looks which strangely fly Like Arrows shot speak Murther in the Eye And how the Tongue that sharp-edg'd member may The harmless Innocent untimely slay How that Injustice and Revenge both give A mortal Wound Then let thy Brother live The Seventh Commandment Thou shalt not commit Adultery IN this Commandment God forbiddeth all Vices repugnant to Chastity and such as are of near affinity unto them likewise their causes occasions effects antecedents consequents And on the contrary he commandeth all things tending to the preservation of Chastity We are here commanded to behave our selves rightly in the principal outward comfort that belongs to our Neighbor which is his Wife Thus under one kinde of Uncleanness all kindes of it are forbidden for being commanded to live in temperance chastity and soberness we are to keep our Bodies holy and pure as Temples of the Holy Ghost So that the Sin here forbidden is not onely the act of Adultery but whatsoever is any way against chastity or soberness either in deed word or thought directly or indirectly as a means of sinning Mat. 5.28 where to commit Adultery signifieth as much as to do any thing what way soever whereby the chastity of our selves or our Neighbors may be stained Chastity is the purity of Soul and Body as much as belongeth to generation the Minde is chaste when it
truth of heart be added and where truth of heart is there will be Truth of speech and action for sincerity in the heart will keep the Tongue from lying and the carriage of a man from dissimulation and deceit This Truth of Judgement is directly opposed to Error 2. Of Heart which is the singleness and sincerity thereof whereby a man seeketh to approve himself to God the Searcher of all hearts and to be accepted of him This is opposed to Hypocrisie whether open or secret 3. Of Speech which is an Agreement of the words of a mans mouth both with his minde and also with the matter which he uttereth Eph. 4.25 This is opposed to lying when a man speaketh against his Minde and Conscience and to Falshood when a man speaketh contrary to the thing it self 4. Of Action which is a plain faithful and honest dealing in all things whether we have to do with God or Man when men neither make shew of doing that which indeed they do not or of doing it otherwise then they do This was it Christ commended honest Nathaniel for Joh. 1.47 and is opposed to Dissimulation and Deceit Motives to stir up in us a desire of Truth viz. 1. The Excellency of it it maketh us like God himself for he is the Lord God of Truth Psal 31.5 his Son is Truth Joh. 14.6 17. his Holy Ghost the Spirit of Truth Jam. 1.18 his Word the Word of Truth Psal 19.9 and his Promises Commandments Judgements Ways and Works all Truth Psal 119. 2. The Necessity thereof for without it no Grace can be of any use therefore the Scripture commendeth Faith unfeigned 2 Tim. 1.5 Love without Dissimulation Rom. 12.9 and Wisdom without Hypocrisie Jam. 3.17 3. The Benefit of Truth for the least measure of Grace seasoned with it is acceptable to God and in that respect very profitable to us There is no greater Ornament or Beauty to Religion then Soundness and Evidence of Truth This is the very Glory and Crown thereof as for Antiquity Universality Unity Uniformity Succession Consent Multitude Pomp Revenues and the like being separated from Truth are but vain glosses or so many Pearls in a blinde eye to make it so much the more deformed This is it made the Martyrs so valiant David a man after Gods own heart Nathaniel so gracious in Christs eyes Job so couragious patient and constant and Paul so unconquerable Truth is a comeliness in every thing God is the God of Truth no Lye can stand Vnpunish'd by his All-Revenging hand Who calls God Witness to what is not true Stile him we may The Crucifying Jew And does what in him lies to make thereby The God of Truth the Author of a Lye We say the Lye deserves the Stab Are men So tender of their Credit much more then Jealous is God of his who will not take The Lye of Creatures for his Honors sake The Tenth Commandment Thou shalt not Covet thy Neighbors House thou shalt not Covet thy Neighbors Wife nor his Servant nor his Maid nor his Ox nor his Ass nor any thing that thy Neighbor hath TO Covet is to think inwardly and also to desire any thing whereby our Neighbor may be hindred albeit there ensue no assent of the Will to commit that evil And by Coveting here is to be understood That not onely evil actually committed is sin but harboring in the heart although it never cometh into act So that this Commandment is as it were added for the explaining of the former because the more ignorant people seeing no punishments inflicted for evil affections would not otherwise have thought them to be sins And it might be added to convince every man of Sin for we all bear in us Lust the tinder of Vice And this coveting what is anothers doth always argue a minde either lustful or not contented which is against all true Piety By the words House Wife Maid Ox c. the Commandment is illustrated as by an Argument drawn from the distribution of the Objects of Concupiscence Whence it is apparent That onely evil concupiscence is condemned in this place Gol. 3.5 for there is a good concupiscence or desire as of Meat and Drink and that of the Spirit Gal. 5.17 So then here are rehearsed the Objects of all Lusts for the most part whereby we are stirred up to the transgressing of any Commandment of the latter Table In the other Commandments not onely wicked deeds but also counsels and deliberate consent of the Will is forbidden but in this is required somewhat more namely that we be not tickled with any kinde of Lust although our Will consent not yea also though it be against it For here are forbidden all first motions of the Minde unto sin springing from Original Sin though no consent be yielded unto them and we are here commanded to keep our very hearts and mindes free from evil motions and thoughts against any of the Commandments of God and to be well contented with our own Thus the motions unto sin forbidden in this Commandment spring from Original Sin or the flesh in us other evil motions we are subject unto that are suggested by the Devil which are not our sins unless by consenting we make them so And the Duty here commanded is our thorough Sanctification not onely in deed but even in heart and thought also as in 1 Thess 5.23 the parts whereof are Mortification the putting off the Old Man which is corrupt through deceiveable lusts Eph. 4.24 and Vivification the putting on of the New Man which after God is created in Righteousness and true Holiness Joh. 3.5 otherwise called Regeneration or a New-birth The Sum of this Commandment forbiddeth all sins before consent and resolution all sins without us as Adams sin and all sins within us as the effect of the former The Scope and end of this Commandment is a Rightness and Inward Obedience of all our affections towards God and our Neighbor This Commandment is added to be a Declaration of the former and that Universal because this is spoken of the whole in general and is added to be as a Rule or Level according to which we must take and measure the inward Obedience of all the other Commandments Hereby not onely corrupt inclinations are sins but the thinking of evil is sin Unto this Commandment is Original sin or Concupiscence repugnant which is an inordinate appetite and a corrupt inclination and proneness in the Minde Will and Heart contrary to God and desiring those things that God forbiddeth in his Law which ensued upon the Fall of our first Parents Every Breach of this Commandment may be termed Covetousness Now covetous men the more they devour the more they covet like the Grave or the Barren Womb Prov. 30.14 15. like Dropsie men or Pharaohs lean Kine Thus Ahab that had a Kingdom at command covets a petty Vineyard which costs poor Naboth his Life and Living but withal covetous Ahab purchased more then he coveted the
excellency of Gods Gifts 7. If our Works should merit Christ should not be a perfect Savior nor Heaven purchased for us by his Blood onely which now to affirm is To Crucifie him worse then the Jews did Good Works cannot justifie us for these Reasons viz. 1. Because our best works yea the works of the Saints are not perfectly good and pure and that for these Reasons viz. 1. We do many things we should not and omit many things we should do 2. We mingle evil with the good we should do or we do good but we do it ill The thing done may be good but not the maner of doing it 3. The Saints which do good works do many things which are sins in themselves and so deserve to be outed of Gods favor Deut. 27.26 4. Because there is not that degree of Goodness in these good works that proceed from the Saints which ought to be or as God requireth 2. Though they were perfect yet are they due and debt so that we cannot satisfie by them 3. They are Temporary and bear not proportion with Eternal Blessings 4. They are Effects of Justification therefore no Cause thereof 5. They are excluded that we might not have whereof to glory 6. If they were part of our Justification our Consciences should be destitute of stable and certain Comfort 7. Christ should have dyed in vain and have risen in vain not to our Justification if we could have been justified by Works That justifying Faith which is required in every good work hath a double use in the causing thereof 1. It gives the beginning to a good work renewing the Minde Will and Affections of the worker whence the work proceedeth as pure water from a cleansed Fountain 2. It covereth the wants that be in good works for the best work done by man in this life is imperfect but hereby both the person of the worker is accepted and the imperfection of his work covered in the sight of God All these are excluded from being good works viz. 1. Which are sins in themselves and repugnant to Gods Law and his VVill revealed in his most sacred VVord 2. VVhich are not repugnant to the Law neither in themselves good or evil but which may yet by an accident be made good or evil 3. VVhich are good in themselves and commanded by God but yet are made sins by an accident in that they are unlawfully done or not as they ought to be How the works of the Regenerate and Unregenerate differ viz. 1. The works of the Unregenerate proceed not from Faith as those of the Regenerate do 2. The works of the Unregenerate are not joyned with an inward Obedience and therefore are done dissemblingly and are meer Hypocrisie but it is far otherwise with the Regenerate 3. As the works of the Unregenerate proceed not from the right cause so are they not referred to the chief end which is Gods Glory but in both these the works of the Regenerate are rightly and truly qualified Though the works of the most Regenerate yea his best works are good onely in part not perfectly because he is not wholly Spirit and no Flesh yet God approves of them And therefore we must again consider Good VVorks two ways viz. 1. In themselves as they are compared with the Law and the rigor thereof and so they are sins because they answer not to that perfection which the Law requireth for there be two degrees of Sin viz. 1. Rebellions which are Actions flatly against the Law 2. Defects when a man doth those things the Law commandeth but faileth in the maner of doing and so mans best works are sins 2. As they are done by a person Regenerate and reconciled to God in Christ and so God accepts of them for in Christ the wants of them are covered The Benefit of putting and keeping on the Holy Spiritual Brest-plate of Righteousness which is Good VVorks viz. 1. It keepeth us from being mortally wounded for so long as we retain a true purpose and faithful endeavor answerable thereto we shall never give our selves over to commit sin and iniquity 2. It bringeth great Assurance of our Effectual Calling and Spiritual Union with Christ yea even of our Election and Salvation Eph. 1.4 1 Joh. 2.29 3. It procureth us a good name in Gods Church while we live 2 Cor. 8.18 and a blessed Memory after we are dead Prov. 10.7 4. It confirmeth the Truth of Religion and so it may be a means to win such as are without 1 Pet. 3.1 to strengthen those that stand 1 Thess 1.6 7. and to stir up all to an holy emulation 2 Cor. 9.2 5. It doth highly honor God and occasion others to glorifie him Mat. 5.16 That we may be moved to the doing of Good Works and to live righteously observe here the blessed fruit and issue thereof as it is declared in Scripture viz. 1. Generally that the Lord loveth Righteousness Psal 11.7 that verily there is a Reward for the Righteous Psal 58.11 that Blessings are on the head of the Righteous c. Prov. 10.6 2. Particularly for the Righteous person himself viz. 1. In this Life the eyes of the Lord are upon the Righteous Psal 34.15 God will grant their desire Prov. 10.24 he delivereth them out of all trouble Psal 34.19 they shall never be forsaken Psal 37.25 they shall flourish like a Palm-tree Psal 92.12 c. 2. At their Death when they have hope Prov. 14.32 and are taken from the evil to come Isa 57.1 3. After Death their Memorial shall be blessed Prov. 10.7 in everlasting remembrance Psal 112.6 4. At the Resurrection they shall go into Life Eternal Mat. 25.46 They shall shine as the Sun in the Kingdom of their Father Matth. 11.43 5. For their Posterity The Generation of the Righteous shall be blessed Psal 112.2 Their seed shall not beg their bread c. Psa 37.25 XIII REpentance is a constant turning from all sin unto God or an inward sorrowing and continually mourning for sin joyned with Faith and Humiliation and both inward and outward amendment It is an aversion or turning from all a mans sins and a reversion or turning again unto God with all our Hearts Or Repentance is an unfained sorrow for and hatred of sin with an earnest Love of Righteousness by the which we are continually stirred up to abhor our Vices and are moved to do good Works not for fear of punishment or hope of reward but for that love we bear towards God that with a joyful heart we are moved to his Obedience and with grief go astray from his Commandments A Godly sorrow whereby a man is grieved for his sins because they are sins is the beginning of Repentance and indeed for substance it is Repentance it self So a desire to repent and believe in a touched Heart and Conscience is Faith and Repentance it self though not in Nature yet in Gods acceptation for in them that have Grace God accepteth the will for the