christian souldier to reioice in the mercy of God to be feruent in prayer to geue thanks to God in all things the heathens which haue no part in the kingdome of Christ are thankful for their life and liberty wealth glorye and worldly prosperity But Christians ought to be thankfull in persecution in thraldome in aduersity in shame in misery and death it selfe Who would think that a Lyon which by nature is fierce and cruell shoulde yeeld forth hony Iud. 14.8 yet Sampson found honye in the bodye of a Lyon Ionas was swallowed vp of a whale yet not hurt Ro. 8.28 We knowe saith the Apostle that al things worke together for the best vnto them that loue God The Apost reioiced in their persecution that they were counted worthy to suffer rebuke for Christs sake And P speaking of this perfection in the godly saith we reioice vnder the hope of the glory of God Ro. 5.2.3 Neither that onely but also we reioyce in tribulation c who hath not heard of the pacience of Iob his cattel were driuen away his houses consumed with fire Iob. 1.21 his children slaine his body striken with a scurffe his wife loathed him and his freinds forsooke him And yet in all these miseries he fretted not but pacientlye susteining his aduersity The Lorde said he hath geuen the Lord hath taken it blessed be the name of the lord And again Iob. 13. i5 though he slay me yet wil I trust in him What are wee then that are neither thankfull for riches nor for health nor for our pleasures nor in the aboundance of all thinges which abuse the good giftes of God to dishonor him who hath geuen them vnto vs. The earth is the Lords and all that therein is the worlde and they that dwell therein He openeth his hande and filleth all thinges liuing with his blessing Psa 89.11 Ps 145.16 Ia. 1.17 Col. 2.3 Let vs looke vp into the heauens There is GOD the Father of lights from whom euery good and perfect gift commeth There is our redeemer Iesus Christ in whome are hid all the treasures of wisedome and knowledge When we see how mercifully and aboundantlye the Lorde hath dealt with vs in thinges concerning this life Let vs consider with our selues howe many good men and faithfull seruaunts of GOD lacke the same and haue not receaued these blessings in such measure as wee In all these thinges GOD speaketh vnto vs and sheweth that hee is the giuer and that we haue them at his handes and therefore that we vse them well and not be vnthankfull 244 We must not hide our talent in the grounde WHen we shall attaine vnto the light of the trueth through the might of Gods spirit in any acceptable measure we must not holde fast this treasure as it were lockt vp in a chest But we must communicat the graces of God vnto others doe the best we can to draw on the miserable ignorant people to the seruice of god and to cary about with vs the doctrin to publish it to all men when as it is cōmitted vnto vs as a treasure to bestow the gift which we haue receaued vpon our neighbours according to that measure of faith which GOD hath geuen vs. 1. Pe. 4. i0 Psal 119.171.172 Wee must not neglect those whom we might winne but we must gather as much company to the Lord as we can For we shal not need to feare that our blessing shal be diminished as the case stādeth in an earthly inheritaunce Ro. 14.29 the which when it is deuided into many partes euery one hath but a little For as for the heauenly inheritaunce we are very well assured that we lose nothing neither diminish any part of our right when we draw many of our neighbors yea an infinite multitude they al do encrease our glory and ioy When God calleth vs vnto him he goeth not to worke by portions as things either encrease or decrease in this worlde but we shall haue so much that as I said before our saluation shall bee so much the more encreased and our glory augmented when we haue gathered a multitude to our God 245 How Sathan hath bewitched the Papists THe Diuell hath bene no lesse enuious and hath no lesse preuailed in these latter daies then hee hath done in times past For now also hath he made many men to set forth the imaginations of their owne heartes and hath bewitched many to followe their damnable waies whereby the way of truth is blasphemed and for their owne traditions he hath made the word of the Lorde Iesus to be of none effect this work hath he wroght as we may see among the Papistes For whereas Christ hath taught vs to worshippe in spirit and trueth to drinke the wine in the sacrament of his body and bloude Io. 4.23 Ma. 26.27 1. Cor. 14.19 1. Cor. 10 27. Heb. 13.3 to praye in a knowne tongue to eate of any meats without scruple of conscience to vse holy matrimony in all estates as a remedy against sinne yet as though Christ were no prophet vnto vs they haue abrogated these his lawes and made other contrary of their owne This our eies haue seene and our eares haue heard and whether they wil or no they must needes confesse it Yet notwithstanding they flatter themselues in a maruelous madnesse and doing all thing contrary to the Lord Iesu they say still they cannot erre but they shall one day see and know that Christ is the onely Prophet of the newe testament and blessed be the Lorde who hath made vs this day to beleeue it and while yet the day of health and acceptable time is to hearken onelye vnto him and refuse all the vaine inuentions of men 246 The doctrine of the Papistes repugnant to the scriptures WE are taught by the Scriptures that Christ is ascended into heauen and sitteth on the right hand of GOD the father and from thence and no place els Col 3.1 he shall come to iudge the quick and the dead yet contrary to this article of our faith and contrary to the nature of Christs humanity if we beeleeue not that Christ euen in his fleshe is still in earth with vs yea and that in a thousand places at once the church of Rome wil pronounce vs detestable heretickes The scripture teacheth that we haue redemptiō and iustification by faith in Christs bloud onely without the helpe of our owne vertues and good workes For S. Paule saith Ro. 3.18 Therefore wee gather that a man is iustified by faithe without the deeds of the Law And to the Ep. Ye are iustified by grace Eph 2.8.9 and that not of your selues it is the gifte of God not of woorkes leaste any man should bost And yet if we beleue not that our workes do help vs to our iustification and remission of sins the papists wil condemne vs as heretiks The Scriptures sayth Thou shalt make thee no
and passiō destroyed death also in the same victorye was disarmed and maymed 1. Cor. 15.56 For sinne is the sting of death when death had lost his sting was conquered in Christs resurrectiō frō death Sathan also lost his strēgth power which only rested vppon them which through sin were in daunger to death Ro. 6 1◠for the rewarde of sinne is death Finally because hel onely deuoureth those which through sinne and death are slaues vnto sathā it followeth that when the other three were by him so mightily vanquished hell also with all the daunger thereof was subdued and we deliuered from all their tirannie 16 The end of our redemption OVr Lorde Iesus Christe hath payed the price of our redemption and hath deliuered vs frō the captiuity of sinne sathan deathe and hell that we might walke before him in holinesse and righteousnesse al the dayes of our life Luc. 1.75 Ro. 6 3. Moreouer wee are baptised into the death of Christ and as we are pertakers of his death so should we be pertakers of his resurrection to the end that as Christe is risen from death so also wee shoulde rise from the death of sinne vnto the life of righteousnesse 1. Pet. 3.7 Rom. 8.17 Furthermore by the benefite of Christs passion we are made heires of God with him children of light And therefore wee should walk according to our calling haue no fellowship with the workes of darknesse neither passe our tyme in vaine delights but put on the lord Iesus Christe and not satisfie the lustes and desires of the fleshe Wee are also by profession citizens of heauen Eph. 2.19 and of the housholde of God our conuersation therefore shoulde bee in heauen with a manifeste declaration of the contempt of this miserable worlde and the transitory vanities in the same 17 Christ is the true shephearde OVr Lord Iesus Christ hath promised that if we hold him for our shepheard hee will not suffer the Diuel to haue any aduauntage of vs but he wil dispence the vertue and power of God his father whiche shall ouercome all hys enemies Io. 10.11 Eze. 34.23 Esa 40.11 and therefore we shal bee well defended if wee haue Iesus Christ to bee our captaine and guide For the which cause we must learne of him to bee Sheepe and to walke in his obedience and to cōmit our selues to his protection and that we may do so wee muste consider the frailtie that is in vs For when wee once know that we should quickly be ouercome of Sathan if we were not vpholden and maintained by a greater vertue it wil be as a spurre vnto vs to moue vs to haue our whole recourse vnto GOD and to call vppon him with alhumblenes carefulnes 18 Wee cannot merit Gods fauour IF wee stande in talke of acquiting our selues before God it is certaine that wee can finde nothing in our selues worthye suche a reconciliation or that maye come any thing neare it And therefore it standeth vs vppon to search our neede and want in Christ Iesus how by the price of his blood we are reconciled to God his father Io. 15.5 2 Cor. 3.5 and that wee haue free accesse giuen vnto vs so that we may boldelie and confidently call vppon him 19 Iesus Christ muste sanctifie our prayers SO often as the faithfull doe settle themselues to pray vnto GOD they muste knowe that all their prayers must be sanctified and consecrated by the blood of our Lord Iesus Christ For if in prayer wee doe not ground our selues vppon the grace of the onelye Mediatour that was giuen vs we must needes be in doubte and perplexitie all our prayers are polluted and vncleane There is no meane to sanctifie them and to make them stande good and stedfast before God vnlesse they bee watered by the bloud of Christ Iam. 1.6 Mat. 11 24 as the scripture also sheweth that if we pray not in Faith and certainty we shall neuer profitte any thing at all When we come vnto God we must be out of doubt that we pray as it were by his mouth and his wil must be a rule that can neuer deceaue vs He. 11.6 so that we may not swarue from it the least iott that may be neither to the right hand nor to the left For God will not be prayed vnto but after his owne will and not according to the fantastes of men 20 Christ the onelie mediator and why so called OVr Sauiour Christ is not onlie called a Mediatour in respect hereof that hee reconciled vs to God by his deathe at once But because hee appeareth now before the Maiestie of God to th' end that wee might be heard by his meanes 1. Tim. 2.5 For these are two thinges whiche cannot be sundred as namely the death and passion of the sonne of God and that he now maketh intercession for vs. Moreouer Iesus Christ is called the onely Mediatour not onelie because he now maketh intercession for vs but also because he suffered death for vs and therefore we cannot giue this office vnto the saincts but wee muste make them our redemers and so cast Christ cleane away the whiche is an horrible blasphemie 21 The Gospell a necessary witnesse of our saluation IT were to smal purpose that Iesus Christ had redemed vs from euerlasting death and had shed his blood to reconcile vs to God vnlesse wee were certified of this benefitte by meanes of the Gospell for it is faith that bringeth vs into possession of this saluation And although we finde it not but in the person of our Lorde Iesus we must needs come thither yet if we haue not this keye of faithe Iesus Christe shall bee as it were straunge vnto vs and all that he suffered will nothing at all profit vs as indeed it doth not thē belong vnto vs 22 Wee are called by the Gospell WHensoeuer the Gospel is preached wee haue to knowe and consider that it is to make vs pertakers of Iesus Christ that being ingrafted in him Heb. 2.11 wee mighte haue parte and portion in all his riches whatsoeuer he hath may be ours For seeing it hath pleased him once to become our brother we neede not doubt but in taking vppon him our poore wretched estate he hath made such an exchaunge with vs that we might be riche in him By the preaching of the Gospell God calleth vs vnto himself and it wil be neither in vaine nor lost labour if we come accordinglie 23 The perfection of Wisedome GOD hath giuen vs the perfection of wisedome in the holy scriptures and therefore no man shoulde geue himselfe to fables and foolish questions which are not profitable to edification but cleaue faste and content himselfe with the worde of God and with the trueth of doctrine conteyned in the same For the which cause wee are commaunded to try all thinges 1. Th. 5.21 and keepe that which is good For the Diuel cannot so culour his
sometimes sorrye 1. Sam. 13 11. and that hee repenteth himselfe it is not as though GOD had anye such passions and affections of man But the holy Ghost applieth himself to our weaknesse because wee cannot comprehend God in his incomprehensible Maiesty 87 God hath his elect in all countries VVHereas it is saide that God will haue all men to be saued the meaning is not that God wil saue euery particuler man 1. Tim. 2.4 Ttt 2.11 but it is to be vnderstood of all countreyes and of all nations so that whereas in times past he chose but one certaine people to himselfe now he hath his elect in all places his mercy is shewed to all the world The promises which were giuen to the Iewes onely are now stretched vnto the Gentils which were separated from God Eph. 2.12 and cut of and banished from all hope of saluation 88 The foundation of God abideth sure WHen we see such turnings that they which seemed to be forwardes in religion do giue back and withdraw themselues from the kingdome of heauen 2. Tim. 2.19 yet for all that wee must not thinke that the Church is deminished And although the number of them whō we thought to be faithfull is by this meanes smaller yet let vs be assured that how soeuer the world go there is a sure foundation God will alwaye keepe his church and there shall alwayes bee some to call vpon him and to worshippe him Ps 72.5 and this may be sufficient for vs for asmuch as our saluation is so surely setled vpon the grace of our God in that it hath pleased him to choose vs before the world was made and so to account vs among the number of his children Ep. 1.4 89 We haue no power in our selues to serue God EXperience teacheth vs verye euidently that wee haue such imbecillitie and weakenes in our selues Ps 46.1.2 that we are not able to continue in the seruice of God vnlesse wee haue a greater strength then is to be founde in our mortal nature For such is our frailty that we are ready to fall at euery step and moreouer the deuil ceaseth not to assault vs daily which importeth that we could not bee able to resist him vnlesse wee had an higher vertue But God who seeth our imperfection doth not at any time bring vs out to combats but therwithall he giueth vs sufficient strength to withstand them 1. Cor. 10.13 and also our Lord Iesus Christ hath receiued al vertue power to fortify those that are his that they be not forsaken and yet notwithstanding we must prepare our selues to an inuincible courage if so bee that we will go on with our vocation and calling Mat. 28.18 but they especially that must lead the way to other I meane the ministers of the worde of God they haue neede of this heauenly helpe for Sathan wil more fiercely more dāgerously bende his assault towardes them then towards any other 90 God wil trie and proue our hartes WE muste not thinke to serue God at our ease and rest for he wil trie and proue what hartes we haue to employ our selues to his wil. And this is the cause why he letteth loose the bridle to the wicked granteth peace and rest to the naughtye persons Ps 44.21 and on the other side suffereth his children to bee molested by them and this is the matter that wee are so often exercised and tryed but we haue the remedy at hande for the scripture sheweth vs that the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ shal be cōmon vnto vs if so be 2. Tim. 2.1 we embrace it and cast it not away through our negligence 91 The word of God abideth for euer IF we will proue our faith and obedience towards god the truth of his word must thē raigne ouer vs 1. Pet. 1.23 we must frame our liues thereafter wee must know that it is an abiding and immortall truth not flitting nor changeable it is not a temporal doctrine to serue for a season but the mynde of God was that it should be of force in these dayes and vnto the ende of the world and that the world shoulde sooner perish and heauen and earth decaye then the authoritie of the law or of the prophets shoulde bee diminished Mat. 5.18 Luk. 16.17 2. Tim. 3.15 and therefore we must suffer our selues to bee gouerned by the holye scripture referring our selues thether without seeking wisedome in any other place 92 It is not sufficient onely to read the scripture THe scriptures are giuen vnto vs from aboue not to the ende wee might haue them onely in bookes and so laye them vp as our treasure as many men do neither yet are they giuen that we might simply and sleightly read them Mat. 7.21 Ro. 2.13 Ia. 1 22. as though it were sufficient to read either that by a superstitions opinion the reading of them might be in stead of worship and diuine seruice as the papistes doe and as the Iewes continuallye do on the Sabboth dayes but they are geuen to this ende that they might be read with diligence and with a minde desirous to finde out those things which belong to true knowledge and true godlines 93 The Scripture is profitable THere is nothing in the scriptures which may not serue to our learning and institution of our life there is no vaine or vnprofitable thing contained in the oracles of god and therfore we must profit in the reading of the scripture vnto pietie and holines of life 2. Tim. 3.16.17 What soeuer is set down therin we must labour to learne it for it were a reproch against the spirite of truth Io. 16.13 if wee shoulde thinke hee hath taught any thing which were not materiall for vs to know secondly whatsoeuer is taught in the scriptures let vs know that it tendeth to the encrease of godlines For hereunto specially do they serue Ro. 15.4 as namelye to erect the mindes of men being prepared vnto patience and strengthened by consolations vnto the hope of eternall life and to keepe them in the meditation thereof 94 The scripture is diuinely inspired THe scripture calleth no man but as is well agreeing either to his nature his affections or his maners It flattereth no man although it giue very honorable names and titles to the faithfull neither blameth it anye body but vpon iust cause For the scripture is diuinely inspired and endited by the holy Ghost which is a teacher of all trueth and a hater of lyes With feare and reuerence therfore with care and diligence wee shoulde reade the holy scriptures and heare the preaching of the Gospell for therin doth God open his mouth to giue vs wisedome Io. 4.24 And we must not imagine any carnall thing of God seeing hee is a spirite we must not resort to the preaching of his worde and to the publicke prayers slacklye or for customes sake or to auoyde the danger
of the lawe as do the hypocrites the superstitious and Idolaters but to th' end we may receaue and learne wisedome of God through his grace and goodnesse whereby we knowing him maye walke in his feare 95 The scripture must be read with reuerence THe readers of the scriptures must be searchers and not corrupters wresters dreamers or superstitious murmurers For the Scriptures do not require anye searching but that which is godlye humble and desirous to knowe and embrace one trueth onelye otherwyse a man maye fynde some whiche reade the Scriptures but not to searche out Gods trueth but rather to hinder the same Euen soe Herode inquired out the trueth out of the scriptures concerninge the place where Christ should be borne Mat. 2.4 not to the end he might worship him but rather to destroy him Also the Pharesies said not to Nicodemus beholde what is writeÌ„ in the scripture coÌ„cerning christ but they said search looke for out of Gallilye riseth no Prophet So in like manner wicked and vngodlye Io. 7.52 men do search the scriptures to corrupt the same to their owne destruction 96 Faith in Christ IT is very necessarie for christians to know first wherof faith in christ doth come what wee must beleeue concerning Christ and in what faith in Christ is to be continued and confirmed Ro. 10.17 Faith the Apostle saith commeth by hearing and hearing by the word of God Secondly if so be faith commeth by hearing of the worde of the Lord and if it be our parte to abide in the same and that wee ought not to beleeue anye other thing then the verye same which is set before vs by the worde whereby wee conceaue faith and beleeuing in the which wee abide very foolish are they which at this day say they knowe not what to beleue and what not for if so be they were abiding in the word of the Lord they shoulde knowe what to beleeue but because they haue already applyed their eares and minde to humaine doctrine it commeth to passe that they being ignorant of Gods trueth are carried about with euery winde of doctrine the which is forbidden by the holy ghost Eph. 4.14 Thirdly this also is manifest in what christian fayth ought to bee maintained and confirmed Io. 8.31 when our sauiour Christ saith that they which continue in his worde are his true disciples So that we must abide in that from which wee haue conceaued our faith We are begotten by the worde of truth thorough faith Iam. 1.18 by the same we are strengthned and confirmed 97 Christ hath freed vs from the lawe OVr Lorde Iesus Christ was sent to redeeme them that were vnder the lawe that wee might receaue the adoption of sonnes Hee was moreouer our peace when hee shedde his bloud to wype out all our sinnes Gal. 4.5 to deliuer vs from all our debtes when he became a curse for vs and was become subiect to all reproch to couer all the faultes which we had committed And whereas God was our enemie as also we on our partes were enemies to him in Christ may wee beholde our agreement Eph. 2.14.15.16 and so likewise the attonement which was made and accomplished 98 There is no chaunge in God WHereas it pleased God to hide the witnesse of his Gospel for a season from the Gentilles and afterwarde to haue it preached throughout all the worlde and chuse such a fitte time for it as hee had determined in his secrete Counâ—â—â— we must not saye that he is chaungeable therefore Iam. 1.17 but wee must learne to worshippe and reuerence him in his prouidence with all humblenesse confessing that nothing proceedeth from him but most iustly and most wisely 1. Tim. 1.17 and that whatsoeuer hee hath once determined and whatsoeuer he doth cannot be controlled 99 The will of God must be our rule WE must not giue our selues too much to our lustes as by nature we are prouoked thereunto but alwayes wayte vpon God to see what his good will and pleasure is and with patience and quietnesse wayte for the same and although manie thinges fall not out as wee would haue them but wee thinke to our foolish reason that God shoulde haue doone other wise yet must we bridle our selues and shewe that obedience vnto God that his counsell may be a sufficient rule for vs 1. Ti. 2.7 remembring also that God hath his due time and it is not for vs to appoint him a time when hee shall doe what he hath to doe this authoritie and office of commaunding is not in our handes Act. 1.7 neither is it in vs to knowe the times and seasons which the father hath put in his power 100 Howe the way is opened for vs to pray AS often as the goodnesse of God is witnessed vnto vs and be promiseth vs his grace although we be wretched sinners As oft also as wee heare that our sinnes were forgiuen vs by the death and passion of our Lorde Iesus Christ and that then payement was made for all our debtes Col. 2.14 and the obligation that was against vs dispatched and rent in peeces and God made at one with vs. We haue the way opened vnto vs to pray vnto God as also the Lorde sayeth I will saye vnto them which were not my people Hos 2.23 thou art my people and they shall say thou art my God therefore so soone as our Lorde GOD maketh vs to taste his goodnesse and promiseth vs that euen as he sent once his onely sonne vnto vs so nowe he will accept vs in his name wee neede not doubt to come vnto him for it is asmuch as if he commaunded vs to praye and the one hangeth vppon the other 101 The drift of the Scripture THe whole course of the scripture teacheth vs especially and aboue all thinges that wee shoulde not doubt but assure our selues and vndoubtedly beleeue that God is mercifull louing and patient Iam. 1.6 that he is neither dissembler nor deceauer but that he is faithfull and true and keepeth his promise yea and hath performed that he promised in deliuering his onely begotten sonne to death for our sinnes Luk. 1.69 that euerye one that beleeueth in him might not perishe but haue euerlasting life Io. 3.16 Here we cannot doubt but GOD is pleased with vs that hee loueth vs in deede that the hatred and wrath is taken away Ro. 4.25 seeing hee suffered his sonne to die for vs wretched sinners 102 We are assured of the fauour of God GReat cause haue wee to yeelde most heartye thankes vnto our good God forasmuch as it hath pleased him to deliuer vs from this monstrous doctrine of doubting wherein we were noussed in the time of ignorance so that wee can nowe assure our selues that the holy ghost cryeth bringeth foorth in our harts groninges that cannot bee expressed Ro. 8.26 We are commanded in the gospell to beholde not our owne
causes to his wisdome knowne bringeth out such effectes as be sometimes rather hurtful then beneficiall vnto men Therefore when we see infections sicknesses or such like wee must looke further then into the course of nature and vnderstand that there is a GOD and an ouerruler of nature that doth these thinges This is not true only in those things that appertaine to nature but in those also that are done by the will of man or as we saye prophanelie by fortune or chaunce where as in deede to speake truelye there is neither fortune nor chaunce Ma. 10.26 That which we call fortune is nothing but the hand of God working by causes and for causes which we know not Chaunce and fortune are Gods deuised by man and made by our ignorance of the true almightie and euerlasting GOD. 42 God by his prouidence preserueth all THose things which GOD made by his worde he gouerneth and preserueth with his euerlasting prouidence as testifieth our Sauiour Christ and his Apostles in diuers places of the holy Scriptures For in the hee is said to reste the 7. day from all his workes it is no otherwise to bee vnderstood then that hee ceased from the creation of the heauen the earth Gen. 2.2 which we see not that he left of to gouerne the same and to preserue it For he beareth vp all thinges as the Ap. saith by his mighty word Heb. 1.3 The which thing ought to bring no small consolation to the mindes of the godly for so they learne to rest and stay themselus on Gods prouidence without the which not so much as one hair of their head Luk. 21.18 can perish For hee which feeleth by Faith that al thinges depend vpon God he beleueth also that he falleth into the handes of God when he forsaketh all thinges and entreth into death 143 The right considering of Gods prouidence WHen God vseth worldly meanes and serueth his turne by men as by instruments hee doeth it not to lessen or to diminishe his owne authoritie but contrariwise to shewe that he hath the guiding of them and that if he do but command or hisse as he saith by his Prophet Esa 5.26 7.18 men muste neede go forward to execut his will yea and the very Deuils of hel are cōpelled vnto it And although they be vnwilling that it is vtterly against their intent yet notwithstanding God driueth them by violent power to execute the things that he hath ordeyned in his prouidence And so wee see now after what sorte we must consider Gods prouidence namely that he hath a care of the whole world Io. 5.17 Ps 104.29 and watcheth ouer all his creatures not onely to forsee what may happen as some fantasticall personns imagine that God beholdeth the thinges as it were a far of which are heere beneath and then prouideth for them afterward but also which is more that nothing may be done which he hath not determined so as his will is the rule of all things And therefore it behoueth vs to minde well the prouidence of God to the entent that when any aduersity commeth vppon vs we may alwayes haue respect vnto the first cause 144 Nothing commeth but by Gods Prouidence GOD hath not created the world to leaue thinges in such sort that Fortune as men term it might gouerne all but hee intendeth to the maintayning of his creatures as hee doth Therefore when wee call GOD the maker of heauen and earth Ps 33.6 Wee must not restraine it to one instant but wee muste beare in minde that like as GOD hath framed the world so all power is still in him and hee disposeth thinges heere beneath so as he hath a care of vs Ma. 10.30 and the haires of our head are numbred yea and hee guideth our footesteppes so as nothing commeth to passe which is not foreappointed by his prouidence Besides him there is none sette ouer the Worlde nor none sette ouer the earthe Iob. 34.13 whiche beetokeneth that his creating of the worlde and his gouerning of it are thinges that goe ioyntlye together If we imagine that GOD gouerneth not all things but that some thinges happen by chaunce or fortune 1. Tim. 1.17 wee doe great iniurie vnto God to whom alone all praise and honor is due It is moreouer a cursed blasphemie if wee should thinke that the deuil coulde do any thing without the licence of god for it is asmuch as if we should make the deuil a parti-creator of the world Let vs learne therefore that there is an inseparable band betwene these two thinges namely that God createth all thinges and that he gouerneth all thinges 145 The prouidence of God is not onely generall OVr Sauiour Christ extendeth the carefull prouidence of God to Sparrowes and to the haires of our head to the ende no mā shoulde thinke or imagine that it is onely a generall prouidence as many do in these dayes which as they dare not deny that the world is gouerned by the wisedome and power of God so they thinke it an absurde thing to teach that God is occupied about all particular creatures especially then of the meanest sort And therefore they expound these wordes of Christ and other such like sentences of scripture to be spoken by Hiperbole that is a manner of figuratiue speech passing all truth thereby to signifye meane truth But I would learne of such men what it is that sauing the nature of his godhead may in this respect bee spoken of him more then trueth Ge. 17.1 1. Sam. 2.3 seeing he is almightie of infinite knowledge and is present in all places So much as they shall exempt from Gods disposition in hys creatures so much shal they with dishonor of God pull from his almighty power and infinite wisedome We may not thinke it is any disgracing◠of the maiestie of God to drawe the same his prouidence to the preseruation direction euen of his meanest creatures for he worketh not as men do with labour and griefe or torment of minde his very will is inough is do or alter all things as hee seemeth best And this is the greatest proofe of his exceeding maiestie that he seeth all things that he disposeth and worketh al thinges that he directeth all his creatures to that ende for which in the beginning he made them and yet is the Lord alway righteous and his iudgements true 146 The faithful are surely setled in gods prouidence THe godly when the heate of persecution riseth to th' end that they may not forsake their Lord and captaine First they perswade thēselues as truth is indeed that affliction cōmeth not to them by chaunce or fortune or by the malice of mē but by the certaine knowledge prouidence of that god which is by Christ their heauenly merciful father who neither cā do it for any euil vnto thē nor suffer thē to be further tempted then by his grace they shall bee able to
inwardlye required of him which receaueth it What shall bee further sayd of the prophane wicked abusing of Christes sacrament to the baptizing of belles the curing of sicknesses and the driuing awaye of spirites and deuils by the water therof This is most certaine that in vsing this one outward sacramēt of Christ by water they practised fiue or sixe of their owne ordinaunce without anye warrant of Gods word at all as their salte spittle breathing annoynting of the breast annoynting of the shoulders and crowne of the head blasphemously attributing vnto euery of them the like effectes that in truth do belong to the mightie and most gratious working of the holye Ghost through the merites of Christ our sauiour and not to the deuises and fantasies of man 224 Why we are baptised and eate the supper WHen the scripture speaketh vnto vs of Baptisme and of the supper of our Lord Iesus Christ it sheweth vs that it is not in vayne that we are baptised with water For because God hath appointed that signe and will haue vs to vse it hee will surely make it auayleable it shal be a good witnes to vs that we shall bee washed and clensed from our spottes and filthines by the bloud of his sonne and shall be renewed by the vertue of his holy spirite and that by that meanes also the naughtines of our flesh and nature shall be killed in vs. For he is the author of it his promise is ioyned thereunto Mar. 16.16 and it is he onely that can binde himselfe vnto vs And so standeth the case also in the Lordes supper For seeing that the minde of our Lord Iesus Christ is Luk. 22.19 that we should keepe it in remēbrance of him and to be certified and assured that he is our meat and drinke wee must not come to the table barely to eate bread and drinke wine but to shew forth the death 1. Cor. 11.26 and to be pertakers of the life of our Lorde Iesus Christ to be fostered and fed with his very substaunce and to feele that wee are made pertakers of his life Thus doth the Lord worke by the vertue of his holy spirite in these signes which hee hath appointed to th' end they should be effectuall and pithy instrumentes 225 Of the Lordes supper THe supper of the Lord is a testimonie vnto vs that god wil nourish and refresh vs with foode euen as a good maister of an house studieth to sustaine and feede such as be of his housholde It is a reuerend and blessed memoriall of the death of Christ in celebrating whereof wee shew our selues thankefull for his great vnestimable benefites towards vs according to these wordes do this in remembrance of me It is also as it were a cognizance or badge of our religion Luk. 22.19 1. Cor. 11.25 whereby we bee seperated and distinct from Turkes Iewes and al other infidels and by the vse thereof confesse before God and the world that we are of the number of them that looke to be saued by the death of Christ And therefore saith S. Paule Ye cannot drinke of the cup of the Lord of the cup of deuils Our Lord ordeined his Sacrament to put vs in assurance that by the disstribution of his body and bloud our soules are nourished in the hope of life euerlasting His body is represēted vnto vs by the bread his bloud by the wine to signifie that what property the bread hath towards our bodies that is to feede and sustaine thē in this transitorie life the selfe same propertie also his body hath touching our soules that is to nourish them spiritually And in like manner as the wine doth strengthen comfort and reioyce the hart of man euen so his bloud is our full ioy comfort and spirituall strength 226 How the true body of Christ must be receiued OVr Lord Iesus Christ whē he gaue in his supper the bread the cup vnto his disciples cōmanding them to eate and to drinke he said This is my body this is my bloud c. For it is an vsuall thing to giue vnto the sacramentall signes the names of those thinges which they do signify As in this sacrament the bread and wine are the signes of the body bloud of Christ and therefore Christ nameth them his body bloud Matth. 26.26.27.28 The like also is to be said of baptisme circūcisiō the passeouer other sacrifices And they are thus called to the ende we should not depend vpon the signes that is on the bread or on the wine but being by these visible signes put in minde of thinges inuisible wee might lifte vp our minde vnto heauen to the thinges signified that is to the body of Christ which was geuen for vs and to his bloud which was shed for vs. Now the bodye and bloud of Christ wee receaue spirituallye by faith so as outwardly with our bodily mouth we eate and drink the bread and the wine and inwardly with the mouth of our soule that is to say by faith we receaue the body and bloud of Christ For like as with our mouth we receaue meates to sustaine our body soe likewise by faith in Christ is his body and bloud which he offered vpon the crosse made meat vnto vs to eternall life For the body of Christ which was geuen for vs and his bloud that was shed for our sinnes is our life or life is thereby purchased to vs and these do wee receaue by faith so as thereby Christ doth liue in vs and we in him In the supper of our Lord Iesus Christ therefore wee do not eate bread and drinke wine onely but his bodie and bloud also but yet as it was sayde before spiritually by faith so as the presence of Christ in this supper is spirituall as the eating thereof is also spirituall 227 Howe the body and bloud of Christ is truely receaued THe body and bloud of Christe is not carnall meate and drinke for our bodies but spirituall meate and drinke for our soules and for that cause the Apostle sayeth that the olde Fathers did eate of the same spirituall meate 1. Cor. 10.3.4 drinke of the same spirituall drinke And yet it must needes be confessed that this spirituall meate is profitable not to the soule only but to the body also For Christ dyed for preseruation both of soule and bodie But this benefite of nourishment is not first receaued of the body and through it passeth into the soule for that were monstrous but beeing first receaued of the soule it profiteth the body Mat. 15.11 For as Christ sayth That which entereth into the bodily mouth defileth not the man but that which commeth out of the mouth from the corrupt heart and minde So contrariwise not that good thing that entereth by the body doth profit the soule but that which entereth first by the soule and is receaued by it profiteth also the bodie For the body and bloud of Christe being indeede
therefore vseth the wordes indifferently as beeing of one meaning Therefore by Christes owne wordes to beleeue in Christ is to eate Christ 230 Of the presence of Christ in the supper CHrist our Lord is indued with a true and natural humane body the truth substance wherof is not taken away by the glorificatiō thereof after the resurrection as the holy scriptures and the articles of our faith do plainly declare Ph. 2.7 Heb. 2.17 for they teach vs in expresse words that there is a diuine and humane nature of Christ to be acknowledged and confessed in one and the same person so that there bee no confusion made of the diuine humane natures of Christ neither of them taken away of vs For although Christ were then in heauen when hee liued vpon the earth and was in this life Io. 5.17 and now also when he is gone vp into heauen Ma. 28.29 Io. 14.18 is neuerthelesse present with the faithfull vntill the end of the world yet the scriptures teach vs that thereby it is not to be concluded that the humane nature was then corporally in heauen when it was fastned vpon the crosse no more then it is now present vpon the earth when it is in heauen also that the vnity of person remayned vndeuided because that the property of the natures remaining cānot seuere or part the same In the meane season it is known to al the faithfull that Christ together and vnseparable true God and man suffered in that part in that which he was subiect vnto suffering that is in his flesh and bloud and that he suffered nothing in that parte in which he could not suffer as namely in spirit or deity Notwithstanding because of the abiding properties of 2. natures yet no man saith that Christ is deuided into 2. persons althought therefore Christ verye GOD and man remain in one and the same person It therefore followeth not that the body of Christ aswell as the diuinity is in this earth and in al places for the humane nature reteyneth his property in Christ therefore he is not corporally in or with the bread yet neuertheles we haue not a supper without Christ For the same Christ which is corporally at the right hand of God and according to his humane nature is not present in this earth Act. 1.11 Mat. 26.11 the very same Christ wholly as the true son of righteousnesse is present in the supper by his spirit power life working I meane in the congregation of the faithful in their harts which celebrate receaue the supper with true faith 231 Christ feedeth vs with his substance OVr Lord Iesus Christ did not onely become mortall man like vnto vs in all things sinne only except to be a brother in deed to al thē that ioyne themselues to him in faith but also he norisheth vs with his substaunce he is our head Heb. 4.15 Io 8.55 Eph. 2.22 4.15 and we must draw our life from him through the vertue of the holy ghost He hath geuen vs a witnesse heereof in his holy supper which we haue as a most certaine pledge and therefore as often as we come to this table wee ought to be confirmed in this that our lorde Iesus Christ is made one with vs and that we can neuer be separated from him That if he be rich we shal not need to feare pouerty if he be strong we shal not need to feare weakenes if he bee the righteousnes of God we shal not need to feare our sins if he be the wisdome of God 1. Cor. 1.30 24. 2.7 we may boldly come vnto him to be made new creatures Moreouer our Lord Iesus Christ doth witnesse that he receiueth vs to him and will haue vs fed with his owne substance and therefore let vs bewarre that we come not to this table vnlesse wee haue this remembraunce whereof the Apostle speaketh the second to Tim. 2. For first of al this is required that we be instructed in the worde And yet it is not enough for vs to be instructed but it must be forcible in vs and wee must consider that if we come to it daily it is a study to exercise our selus with all the daies of our life let vs take diligent heed that we present not our selus to receaue the supper of our lord Iesus Christ vnlesse we haue this before our eyes Ma. 11.19 17.30.31 c. that is vnles we behold the sonne of God which made himself vtterly of no reputation for vs suffered most shamefull reproch and that he went down euen to the lowest and bottomlesse pit of damnation and frō thence was exalted into glory that in the end we might be receaued with him 232 Against the reall presence in the Sacrament OVr Lorde Iesus Christ in his last supper gaue bread vnto his disciples and bread he himself did eate and not his owne body For the eating of Christs body hath a promise of remission of sinnes Christ eating the sacrament had no remission of sins therefore Christ did not eate his owne body Furthermore we are taught in the scripture that Christ is risen ascended into heauen Ma. 26.28 Ma. 28.6 Luk. 24.6 and sitteth on the right hand of the father all the which is spoken of his natural body therefore it is not on earth included in the sacrament I came out from the father saith Christ came into the worlde againe I leaue the world and go to the father the which comming and going he ment of his naturall body Io. 16 28 therefore it is not now in the world One selfe same nature receaueth not in it selfe any thing that is contrary to it selfe but the bodye of Christ is an humane nature distinct from the deity and is a proper nature of it selfe therefore it cannot receaue any thing that is contrary to that nature and varieth from it self But bodily to be present bodily to be absēt to be on earth and to be in heauen Act. 3.21 all at one present time be things contrary to the property of an human nature therefore it cannot be said of the humane body of Christ that the selfe same body is both in heauen and also in earth at one instant either visiblye or inuisibly 233 The wicked do not eate the body of Christ THe Doctors and teachers of the Romish church among other their blasphemous errors and peruerse doctrines do striue for and perswade men to that carnall eating in the sacrament with which as they themselues confesse damnation may be ioyned For they directly against Christs owne words do affirm that the very wicked men and horrible sinners as Iudas and such like doe eate in the sacrament the very reall and naturall body of Christ as fullye as Peter or any other sainct of God or other faithfull Christian hath done or doth The which doctrine of theirs as it is reprochful to the body bloud of
Christ so is it also plainly against that which Christ himselfe teacheth in the 6. Ver. 56. of Iohn For there hee sayeth thus He that eateth my fleshe drinketh my bloud abideth in me and I in him As the liuing father sent me and I liue by the father so he that eateth me shall liue by me But the wiked and naughty persons abid not in Christ nor liue by him therefore sinful wicked faithlesse persons do not eate Christ nor drink his bloud Ver. 54 In the same ch Christ saith further who soeuer eateth my fleshe and drinketh my bloud hath eternal life c But the wicked haue not eternal life by christ nor shal be raised to life but to eternal damnation therefore it is a false and a wicked doctrine that Iudas and such other naughty persons do eate the very true reall and naturall body of Christ for if they did Io. 6.48 c. then should they be pertakers of those benefitts which Christ truth it selfe promiseth to thē that eate him 234 The agreement of the Popishe doctrine with the Apostles THe Doctrine of the Apostles is that Christ is not onely God eternal with the father but that he is man also Phil. 2.7 Heb. 2.17 Act. 1.11 taking fleshe of the blessed virgine in al things like vnto vs sin only excepted and that in his humanity he is now ascended into heauen sitteth perpetually at the right hande of the Father But the doctrine of the Church of Rome telleth vs that the humanitye of Christ and his very naturall body and blood are really and carnally not in heauen alone but in ten thousand places also vpon the earth at one instant the which property is peculier to God alone For nothing but God can be in mo places but one at once as the whole scriptures do declare The doctrine of the Apostles is Ro. 3.25 1. Io. 2.1 Col. 1.20 that Christ is by GOD appointed to be our onely Mediator reconciler aduocate and intercessor to make attonement between GOD and vs so often as our sinnes shall seuere vs from him and that to that ende he sitteth now at the right hande of GOD that he may appeare before him for vs. But the popish doctrine putting Christe out of office doeth teache that we haue an infinite number of mediators and intercessors to procure vs fauour and to make reconciliation betwene God and vs Act i0 43 Ier. 31.34 Rom. 3.25 Col. 1.14 we are taught by the Apostles that christ is our only redeemer and sauiour and by the price of his blood hath purchased for vs full and perfect remission of sin But the Romish doctrine is that we haue remission of sin not onelye by Christ but by the merits prayers of saintes by masses pardōs by purgatory such like matching the vaine deuises of men for the remission of our sins with the bloud of the sonne of God the most excellent price of our redēption The Apostles teach vs that Christ is our onely high priest He. 10.14 For euen according to the order of Melchizadech that with once offering of himselfe hath made perfect for euer all them that be sanctified But the Papistes would make vs beleeue that Christ hath a state of priesthood succeeding him which must dailie and continually offer the very naturall body and bloud of Christ to God the Father for the remission of the sins of the quicke and of the dead Io. 3.2 Io. 14.26 Io. 16.13 The doctrine of the Apostles is that christ is the onely Maister and teacher of his church and in his holy word hath deliuered vnto it all truth but the church of Rome perswadeth men to beleeue that Christ hath not deliuered vnto vs all truth but that there be many articles of necessitie to be beleeued which are not contained in the scripturs We are further taught by the Apostles 1. Cor. 113 Eph. 5.23 that Christ is the onely head of his church and the ruler and gouernour of the same but the Papistes woulde perswade vs that the Pope and his Successors are the heads of the church of Christ So likewise the Apostles teach vs that Christ is the onely foundation and grounde of his Churche whereupon it resteth and is stayed 1. Cor. 3.11 and the Papistes teach vs that Saint Peter and his successors bee the foundation of the Church and that hell gates shall not preuayle against that Church that is builded vppon that foundation 235 We are vtterly blinde by our nature CErtaine it is that all our senses are so weake that wee shall neuer be able to comprehende one worde of that which God speaketh vnto vs except he inlighten vs by his holy spirite For the naturall man perceaueth not the things which are of God they are too high and profounde for vs. 1. Cor. 2.14 But whereof commeth this default and blindnes but from our owne corruption and wickednesse For it is most certaine and true that the veritie truth of God in it selfe and in his owne nature is easie ynough it is not darke and obscure but plaine to be vnderstood And therefore if we will behaue our selues in such sorte as that GOD may make vs to profitte in his word Ps 34.18 1. Pet. 5.5 we must then be humble and obedient and little in our owne eyes For it is not for naught that he promiseth to teach and instruct such as are humble Let vs not then trust to our owne wit Let vs not come to the hearing of his word with such an hautinesse and presumption in vs Io. 15.5 2. Cor. 3.5 as to thinke wee are of sufficient capacitie to iudge of that which shall bee sayde but rather let vs desire of God that he will open our eyes that he will reach out his hande to leade vs and let vs confesse that wee are not of such dexteritie of wit to profitte vnder him in his schoole except he bestowe it vpon vs. When this humilitie shal be in vs wee neede not doubt but the worde of God shall be easie vnto vs and that we shall know vnderstande whatsoeuer is therin deliuered vnto vs necessarie for our saluation 236 The word of God is of great vertue THe word of God is mighty in operation that is to say it hath in it force and vertue Heb. 4.12 able to subdue all enimies and bring vs in obedience vnto Christ This vertue of the word S. Paule notably setteth out to the Corinthians magnifiyng his Apostleship by this meanes 2. Cor. 10. our weapons saith he are strong by the power of God to cast downe holdes wherewith we ouerthrow imaginations and euerie high thing that is exālted againste the knowledge of God and bring into captiuitie euery thought to the obedience of Christe and haue ready vengeance against all disobedience howsoeuer a man magnifie him selfe or exalt him selfe in which arrogancie of spirite hee seemeth as it were buried in sinne and his heart
hardened against the grace of God yet let him heare this worde of God and let it often fall into his eares Ier. 3.29 for it is as the Prophet saith a hammer which breaketh the stone in peeces and is able in the power of God to mollifie his heart or if the sinner be suncken downe so deepe that he will not rise it will crush him downe deeper that he may perish in sinne and so God saith to his Prophet Ieremie I will put my words into thy mouth and it shall be as fire Ier. 5.14 and this people shall be as wood and it shall deuour them And this is it S. Paule expresly witnesseth to be the onely meanes to glorifie God to preach the truth of his word vnto all for so saith hee we are alwaies a sweet smelling sauour of Christ vnto God as well in those that perishe as in those that be saued 2. Cor. 2.16 to the one a sauour of life vnto life to the other of death vnto death 237 The cause why the worde of God is despised BEcause the word of God is simple and teacheth vs not high and excellent thinges in the opinion of the world for this cause it is despised and men make no accompt to follow the way which it teacheth thinking it a great dishonour to be conformable to the same and that they should be scarce woorthy to liue Likewise men persecute at all times those that followe it as wicked and esteeme them vnworthy of life But those which despising the worde seeke out thinges which are in price with the worlde and follow them are reputed honest men and are placed alwayes in the most honorable place amonge worldlinges Which is the cause that they thinke themselues to be in good estate and of such force as they shall neuer perish Wherein they deceaue themselues Deu. 4.6 Leu. 18.5 Mat. 22.32 Mar. 12.27 for seeing the worde of God is our wisedome and vnderstanding and that he which doeth the thinges appointed by the same shal liue it foloweth that without this wisedome there is nothing but death 238 It is not for vs to knowe the times and seasons which the father hath put in his owne power BY the woorde of God wee are taught and instructed that the day of the Lorde shall come vpon vs as a theefe in the night When the light of the trueth is taken away when the heart of the good man of the house is at rest and his eyes are darkened that they cannot see and all his sences drowned in worldlye pleasures When wee care for nothing that is godly when we saye peace and rest then will the sonne of man come to iudgement then shall destruction sodainely fall vppon vs. Act. 1.7 1. Thes 5.2 Therefore let vs be readie for in the houre that wee thinke not will the Sonne of man come Of that daye and houre knoweth no man sayeth our Sauiour Christ no not the Angelles which are in heauen Mar. 13.32 neither the sonne himselfe but the Father What may wee thinke then of them that write Bookes and Almanackes and say and teach expresly that such a yeare and at such a time Christe shall come and with these speeches fraye and mocke the worlde Let men know that they are but mortall and that by nature they are vtterly blinde God hath giuen vs knowledge in measure we can not know asmuch as we would Let vs know that which is fitte for vs and speake that that is lawfull to be spoken Let vs thinke vpon the commandements of God to followe them and not search into his workes Luke 21.25 Esa 13.10 Eze. 32.7 Ioel. 2.31 3.15 to be curious in them for he that is curious in searching the maiestie of God otherwise then he hath reuealed in his word shall be oppressed and confounded by his glory Thus much we may well know that the Lorde will come that all fleshe shall appeare before him that the worlde the heauen and the earth the Sunne and the Moone shall haue an end Math. 24.29 42. that the day of the Lord shall come sodenly as a theife in the night This warning God hath giuen vs that we should not be taken vnawares but that we repent and stand in readinesse continually watching and praying euery minute of an houre that we may be caught vp into the cloudes to meete our Redeemer 239 Of the second comming of Christ THe Sonne of God shall come downe with maiesty from heauen the Trumpet of God shal sonnde and be hearde from the one end of the heauen to the other Then shall he be the iudge ouer al flesh Then shall hee shewe himselfe to be king of kinges Lord of Lordes Then shall he not come in humilitie meekenesse and mercye but with dread terror of iudgement and iustice Not with 12. poore Apostles but with so many thousande Angelles to attende vpon him Not in the preaching of the gospel and calling sinners to repentance but in the sound of a trumpet wherwith all the corners of the earth shall be amazed Then shall hee not saye Come vnto me all ye that labour and are heauie loaden Mat. 11.28 Mat. 15.24 and I will refresh you I am sent to the lost sheepe of the house of Israell He shall not say Father forgiue them for they know not what they doe but he will saye you haue beene ashamed of mee and my worde before men therefore now wil I be ashamed of you before my heauenly Father Then shall they that despised the woorde of God knowe what they despised and the blasphemers shall reape the fruite of their blasphemy Then the carelesse Shepheard and idle Minister which hath not to his power fedde the Lordes sheepe but neglected them and left them at al aduentures which folowing the lustes of his owne heart hath betrayed his flocke and giuen them to be a pray vnto the wolfe shall receaue a iust recompence for his treason Then the aduterer oppressour and vsurer shall haue their life layde open before them They shall see him whome they pearced thorough Reu. 1.7 They shall see his sworde readie drawne to slaye all his enemyes and shall fall downe for feare of him that sitteth vpon the throne But the hearts of the righteous shall reioyce They shall lift vp their heades see him in whom they haue trusted Then shall they say This is the day which the Lorde hath made Ps 118.24 let vs reioyce be glad in it Let vs reioyce vnto the Lorde let vs come before his face with praise let vs sing loud vnto him with Psalmes Such shal be the state and countenance honor maiestie of our God when he shal come down from heauen for our deliuerance 240 Christ is the Apostle and high Priest of our profession IF we be Christians we must learn to professe no other teacher nor no other Sauiour but Iesus Christ onely 1. Cor. 1.30 We must beleeue and