and the sea and the fountaine of waters c. Fifthly wee should bee sober in not enquiring into things not reuealed and looke to the maine businesse as for the precise time or place of the iudgement or from whence the fier shall come that shall burne all or what kind kind of throne it shal be or what the signe of the Sonne of man shall be or such like we beleeue that they shall be but ought not to enquire when where or how they shall be Sixthly chiefly this doctrine of the last iudgement should compell in all of vs a care so to liue that we may be sure to haue comfort in that day and that we shall be sure to finde 1. If wee beleeue in Iesus Christ Ioh. 5.24 Verily verily I say vnto you hee that heareth my word and beleeueth in him that sent me hath euerlasting life and shall not come into condemnation but hath passed from death vnto life 2. If we be sure to iudge our selues here God will not condemne vs with the world 1. Cor. 11.31 For if wee would iudge our selues we should not be iudged c. 3. If continually we consult with the word of God to see that our deeds bee wrought in God Ioh. 3.19.20.21 Hee that doth truth commeth to the light that his deeds might be made manifest that they are wrought according to God 4. If we watch and pray alwaies they that pray much on earth shall stand before Christ with comfort at that day Luke 21.36 Watch therefore and pray continually that ye may be counted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to passe and that ye may stand before the Sonne of man 5. If wee be mercifull and louing and bountifull to the godly in their distresses Matth. 25. 31 c. 6. If wee be sheepe sheepe I say 1. For tractablenesse so as we know heare and be ruled by the voice of Christ. 2. For sociablenesse a sheepe will not bee alone nor sort with swine 3. For profitablenesse that we be not idle nor vnfruitfull Mat. 25. Ioh. 10. 7. If wee can get the seale of the spirit as our earnest of our finall redemption at that day the witnesse of the spirit in this life will make all sure against that day Ephes. 1.14 The spirit of promise is the earnest of our inheritance vntill the redemption of the possession purchased vnto the praise of his glory Rom. 8.15 For ye haue not receiued the spirit of bondage to feare againe but ye haue receiued the spirit of adoption whereby we cry Abba Father 8. If wee hold fast what wee haue and loose not what wee haue wrought Reuel 3.11 Behold I come shortly hold that which thou hast that no man take thy crowne 2. Ioh. 8. Looke to your selues that wee loose not the things which wee haue done but that we may receiue a full reward 9. If wee often receiue the Sacrament of the Lords Supper with due preparation for therin 1. Christ doth familiarly conuerse with vs and is giuen to our nourishment to eternall life 2. The outward elements are vnfained pledges of the remission of all our sinnes 3. We therein remember the death of Christ for vs and how hee was iudged for our sakes and thereby haue our hearts setled against the feare of any seuerity from him 4. In the right preparation for the Sacrament we prepare for the last iudgement too one worke serues to both purposes 5. The Sacraments are Gods broad seales to assure vs that we shall speed wel at that day Thus of the vses for instruction Secondly this doctrine of the last iudgement hath singular terrour in it to all impenitent sinners which may be considered either more generally or more particularly First in generall it is terrible for them to heare and know that God hath set them a day and hath giuen them finall warning to repent or else vndoubtedly he will iudge them with all seuerity Act. 17.31 Because he hath appointed a day in the which he will iudge the world in righteousnesse by that man whom hee hath appointed whereof he hath giuen an assurance vnto all men in that he hath raised him from the dead Iude 15. To giue iudgement against all men and to rebuke all the vngodlily among them of all their wicked deeds which they haue vngodly committed and of all their cruell speaking which wicked sinners haue spoken against him Rom. 2.5 But thou after thine hardnesse and heart that cannot repent heapest vnto thy selfe wrath against the day of wrath and of the declaration of the iust iudgement of God Who will reward euery man according to his workes c. Secondly in particular this terrour is the more grieuous if they consider either the distinct miseries shall then fall vpon thē or the seuerall sins God hath reserued to triall and punishment at that day What hart cā stand before the serious thoughts of the particulars 1. They shall heare the thunder of Christs fearefull voice summoning them 2. They shall be chased in by the Angels before Christ from al the foure winds of heauen 3. They shall be set at Christs lefthand as a signe of miserable disgrace Matth. 25.33 4. A fier shall deuoure before Christ and it shall be tempestuous round about him Psal. 50.3 Our God shall come and shall not keepe silence a fier shall deuoure before him and a mightie tempest shall be moued round about him c. 2. Thes. 1.8 In flaming fier rendring vengeance vnto them that do not know God and which obey not vnto the Gospell of our Lord Iesus Christ. 5. They shall be euerlastingly shamed and before al the world Dan. 12.2 And many of them that sleepe in the dust of the earth shall awake some to euerlasting life and some to shame and perpetuall contempt when all their sinnes shall bee discouered and set in order before them Psalm 50.21 These things hast thou done and I held my tongue therefore thou thoughtst that I was like thee but I will reprooue thee and set them in order before thee c. 6. They shall be sentenced to eternall condemnation containing in it 1. Separation from God Christ and all the godly Go ye cursed c. Matth. 25.41 c. 2. Paine and anguish vnutterable Rom. 2.9 Tribulation and anguish shall bee vpon the soule of euery man that doth euil of the Iew first and also of the Grecian 3. Fellowship with the Diuell and his Angels Matth. 25. 41. as a little before Ob. Some one might say We hope it is not certaine that there shall be such a day Sol. It is most certaine It is appointed as certaine as that men shal die Heb. 9.27 And as it is appointed vnto men that they shall once die and after that commeth the iudgement Acts 17.31 Because he hath appointed a day in the which he will iudge the world in righteousnesse c. Besides the terrible plagues which haue been and are in the world shewes that God is
THE PATERNE OF WHOLSOâ—â— WORDS Or a collection of such Truths as are of necessity to be belieued â—nto saluation separated oâ—t of â—he body of all Theologie Made euident by infallible anâ— plaine proofes of Scripture And withall The seuerall vses such Principles should be put to are abundantly shevved A Proiect much desired and of singular vse for all sorts of Christians By N. Bifeild Preacher of Gods Word at Isleworth in Middlesex 2. TIM 1.13 Keepe the true paterne of wholesome words whicâ— thou hast heard of me in faith and loueâ— which is Christ Iesus AT LONDON Imprinted by F. K. for Samuel Maâ—â— dwelling in Pauls Church yard at the signe of the Swan 1618. To the most Noble Ladie the Ladie DOROTHIE Countesse of Northumberland And to the highly honoured Ladies her Daughters The Ladie DOROTHIE SYDNEY and the Ladie LVCIE HAY N. BYFEILD Wisheth the abundance of true grace and peace Right Honourable I Haue long since vndertaken as in the course of my Ministerie you haue often heard to extract out of al Theologie conteined in the Scriptures the Principles that is such doctrines which are fundamentall and absolutely necessarie to be knowne of as many as are to be saued This Proiect ought to bee well accepted of all sorts of Christians that wish their owne good partly in respect of the necessitie of the doctrines here collected vnder their seueral heads and partly in respect of the apparant euidence of the proofes of Scripture which are such as make infallible demonstration to the conscience by the expresse light coÌ„teined in them and partly because the Vses which may be made of the seuerall Principles are euery where abundantly shewed And in as much as the Lord hath been pleased to giue some testimonie to my indeuors herein in the publike preaching I am not out of hope but that the printing of those Principles may be profitable to many godly and plaine-hearted Christians that desire in the plainest manner to vnderstand the meaning of their heauenly Fathers will I humbly dedicate this worke vnto your Honours and pray your acceptation and the patronage of it and to giue me leaue in the view of the world to signifie this way both my obseruance of the many noble and excellent vertues which are eminent in each of your Honours as also my vnfained thankefulnesse for the many fauours I haue receiued and for the countenance and incouragement of my Ministery accounting it a singular mercy of God that any labours of mine should find acceptation with persons of so high place and quality or any way be successeful to the prospering of any part of the worke of Gods grace in your hearts Now the God of all consolation fill your Noble breasts with all riches of the true grace that is in Iesus Christ that you may abound in the knowledge of the mysteries of his Kingdome in all iudgement and loue of the truth which is according to godlines and in all those gifts which may be found vnto honor and praise and glory in the reuelation of Iesus Christ. Your Honours in all seruice N. Bifeild Isleworth March 27. 1618. CERTAINE OF THE chiefest things contained throughout the whole Booke Chap. 1. THree things intended in this worke distinctly Page 1.2 Three waies to know a principle p. 6.6 An excellent course for catechising shewed p. 7. Chap. 2. The method of all the principles p. 8.9 Chap. 3. The principles that concerne the Scriptures p. 10.11 c. That the Scriptures are the very word of God proued by sixe testimonies externall as also by the internall testimonie of the spirit p. 11.12.13 That they are perfect p. 13. Six duties vrged from thence p. 14. 15. c. the Papists reproued in foure things p. 19.20 and the carnall Protestant in 4. things p. 21.22 and many godly men in 4. things also p. 22. Chap. 4. Foure principles concerning God p. 24. That there is a God proued by three testimonies internall and by foure testimonies from the world and two testimonies in the Church p. 25.26.27 Ten glories in the nature of God p. 28.29 c. Eight duties arising from the consideration of Gods nature p. 32.33.34 Sixe rules to be obserued in the study of the nature of God p. 35.36 Plaine proofes of the Trinity p. 39. with vses p. 41. that there is but one God proued with vses p. 42.43.44 Chap. 5. Fiue principles concerning the Creation p. 45.46 Sixe duties taught by the Creation p. 48.49 Chap. 6. Seuen principles concerning Gods prouidence p. 52.53 to 58. Eleuen things admirable in Gods prouidence p. 58.59.60 Foure sorts of men reproued p. 62. Eight vses for instruction p. 63.64.65.66.67 Foure waies to shew our patience in aduersity p. 64.65 Comforts from the meditation of Gods prouidence p. 69.70 Chap. 7. Two principles concerning mans estate of innocency p. 71.72 Man made after the image of God many waies p. 72. c. Man was the image of God in respect of his substance and so both of his being and of the manner of his being p. 72.73 Man made the image of God in respect of his gifts 3. waies p. 74. Foure sorts of free-wills p. 75. The speciall fauour of God to man in his creation both in respect of the time when and the place where and the manner how hee made him both in respect of soule and body p. 76.77 The doctrine of mans first happines teacheth diuers duties 1. To God p. 78. 2. To our selues p. 79. 3. To other men p. 80. Confutation of Papists about pictures p. 81. Chap. 8. Three principles concerning the fall of man p. 82. Seuen things to shew the greatnesse of Adams sinne p. 84. How it is that godly men beget vngodly children p. 86. Foure generall instructions p. 87.88 Three occasions of apostasie p. 87.88 Fiue degrees of the diuels tentation p. 90. Foure sorts of men in particular warned by the fall p. 91.92 Chap. 9. Foure principles concerning sinne p. 93.94 Fourteene foule blemishes in euery mans nature p. 95.96.97.98.99 Nine vses for information p. 103.104.105 Seuen things charged vpon ciuill honest men p. 106.107 Many vses for instruction with consolations also p. 108.109.110 Chap 10. Seuenteene sorts of punishments inflicted on man for sinne p. 114. to 128. The punishment of the damned in hell amplified by the degrees of it and the place and the continuance of it p. 124.125.126.127 Many vses from p. 128. to 136. Chap. 11. Fiue principles concerning election p. 137.138 Foure instructions p. 139. to 146. Signes of election of two sorts p. 146. to 152. Eight priuiledges of Gods elect p. 152. to 156. Chap. 12. That Christ is God proued 6. waies p. 157.158.159 Why it was needfull hee should bee God p. 159. The vses for humiliation and for instruction in many things and for consolation p. 160. to 164. Chap. 13. 4 Principles coÌ„cerning the humane nature of Christ. p. 164. to 167. Why Christ was incarnate p. 167. Why the second person in Trinitie was
the Churches as the common treasure of all the Saints and those both for the honour and vse of them they described by diuers titles They were called the principles of the praises of God Heb. 5.12 The principles of the doctrine of Christ Heb. 6.1 The doctrines of foundation in the same place The patterne of wholesome words 2. Tim. 1.13 The forme of the knowledge of the truth Rom. 2.20 The forme of doctrine into which they were deliuered Rom. 6. All which titles shew the singular vse of them Now if any aske mee how I will know a Principle I answere by these markes First it is such a truth to bee beleeued as is contained in the expresse words of Scripture so as I take a Principle to bee a Doctrine plainely expressed in the Word and so differ from Doctrines that are deduced from the Scriptures onely by consequence or are there but in darke and obscure words Secondly Principles are first truths that is such as haue been from the beginning and haue been beleeued in all ages of the Church Thirdly they are such truthes as being stubbornely and wilfully denied the whole building falles downe and men hold not the foundation Besides any man may be guided herein that will make vse of the iudgement of the Churches in their Creedes and Confessions and Catechismes though it be true that if men narrowly obserue the most Catechismes they either haue not all Principles in or else they haue more then Principles such truths as are strong meate and so prooue hard sayings to the weake Neither am I so transported with any ouerweaning of my selfe in this proiect but that with all readines I shall subiect my endeuors herein to the correction of the godly learned if my labor may prouoke others more sufficient to perfect this worke with such exactnes as is further requisite I shall reioyce in it and thinke I haue attained a happy end I doubt not but that this labour may be of great vse for yonger Diuines to point out a way how they may Catechise with more profit by making the vses of euery Principle as they teach the grounds to the people yea it is one part of the Sabbaths daies best imployment in Sermons to treate in this or the like manner and so to let the people bee truly informed concerning the Characteristicall truthes in their Religion with vse of them in their conuersation Lastly it will be some content vnto ingenious mindes to see the Principles cast into some method for the helpe of memorie and quickening of delight and the more easie learning of them CHAP. II. The Method of the Principles THe Principles concerne either the fountaine and originall of Doctrine and knowledge which is the scripture or word of God or the subiect of knowledge which is God himselfe In God wee consider 1. His Nature 2. His Workes The workes of God as the principles take notice of them are 1. Creation 2. Prouidence The prouidence of God must be considered either in generall or as it concernes man onely The prouidence of God as it concernes man hath Principles that looke vpon him in his fourfold estate In the estate of Innocency In the estate of Corruption or misery In the estate of Grace where the principles consider 1 The meanes of grace viz. Election in God and Redemption in Christ. 2 The subiect of Grace viz. the Church 3 The degrees or sorts of Grace viz. Iustification and Sanctification In the estate of Glory where 1 Of the resurrection of the dead 2 Of the last iudgement 3 Of the glory of Heauen CHAP. III. Of the Scriptures 2. Tim. 3.16 For the whole Scripture is giuen by inspiration of God c. THe originall or fountaine of knowledge is the Scripture that is the bookes of the old and new Testament and those bookes were first called Scripture in the new Testament There are two principles concerning the Scripture That they are the very word of God or they flow from God by diuine inspiration That they are perfect without defect or errour euery way sufficient of themselues alone to guide vs in all things needfull to saluation without adding ought to them or diminishing ought from them For the first that they are by diuine inspiration is infallibly euident from the testimony of the Scriptures themselues such as these 2. Tim. 3.16 before recited 2. Pet. 1.20.21 So that ye first know this that no prophecie of the Scriptures is of any priuate interpretation For the prophecie came not in old time by the will of man but holy men of God spake as they were moued by the holy Ghost And for our more abundant satisfaction there are other testimonies that prooue the Scriptures to bee the very word of God and these both external and internall The externall testimonies are such as these The diuine reuelations with which they were graced from heauen For God was visibly present with Moses the writer of the Law and God testified his presence also by the cloud and smoke about the Arke in the Tabernacle and Temple Fier from heauen deuoured the sacrifices and God gaue answere by the Vrim and Thummim The fulfilling of the prophesies vttered in the Scriptures in seuerall ages The testimony of the Church in all ages acknowledging the bookes of Scripture as the pure word of God The finall confession of the Martyrs who at their death did iustifie so much and willingly died in the defence of the truths contained in the Scriptures The conuersion of the soules of men by the power of the Scriptures and the comfort the godly finde in them in all afflictions The miraculous calling of the men as we may see in Moses and the Apostles that wrote the Scriptures c. The internall testimony is the witnesse of Gods spirit who in the hearts of the godly doth auouch so much and this is a testimony proper to the houshold of God Thus of the first principle The second Principle is that the scriptures are perfect which these places shew 2. Tim. 3.17 That the man of God may bee absolute being made perfect vnto all good workes Psalm 19.7 The Law of the Lord is perfect conuerting the soule the testimony of the Lord is sure and giueth wisdome vnto the simple Gal. 1.8 But though that we or an Angell from heauen preach vnto you otherwise then that which we haue preached vnto you let him bee accursed Duet 12.32 Therefore whatsoeuer I command you take heed you doe it thou shalt put nothing thereto nor take ought there-from Prou. 8.7.8 For my mouth shall speake the truth and my lips abhorre wickednesse All the words of my mouth are righteous there is no leaudnes nor frowardnesse in them The consideration of which principles may serue vs for diuers vses both for instruction and reproofe for triall and for consolation First wee should here be perswaded To study the Scriptures with all diligence and to striue to get
they were created as appeares Genes 3.7 c. and thus they did loose God Paradise Gods Image And that they lost it speedily appeares in that the diuell is called a murtherer from the beginning and the fall is presently related after the story of his innocency in the creation That this losse befell them only for their owne grieuous sinne Gen. 3. Rom. 5.12 Wherefore as by one man sinne entred into the world and death by sinne and so death went ouer all men for as much as all men haue sinned Eccles. 7.29 as before That by their sinne we are all defiled and depriued of the glory of God Rom. 5.12 as before 18.19 Likewise then as by the offence of one the fault came on all men to condemnation so by the righteousnesse of one the benefit abounded toward all men to the iustification of life For as by one mans disobedience many were made sinners so by the obedience of one shall many also bee made righteous The vses follow The vses of these wofull principles may be first for information and so we should study to satisfie and settle our hearts more at large concerning two things The one is the grieuousnes of the first offence The other is the Iustice of God in deriuing the losse to vs. For the first there bee many things may assure vs that the sin of our first parents was a most grieuous sinne for it admitteth fearefull aggrauations as 1. That they durst venture all their happines about so small an aduantage to them If we think it was a smal offence to eat an apple think with all it was a desperat wickednes to venture eternal life for the possession of an apple 2. This was Gods first commandement that he gaue them and to neglect God so soone in a thing wherin they might so easily haue obeyed must needs appeare to be desperat wickednes 3. This sinne was committed when they had no inward concupiscence to tempt them nor that pronenesse of nature that is in man now to sinne 4. They offended when God had abundantly prouided for them they wanted nothing that was good for them 5. They herein violated the whole Law because they broke the agreemēts which were made betweene God and them according to that of Iames 2.10 For whosoeuer shall keepe the whole Law and yet faileth in one point he is guilty of all 6. Because it was a sacramentall fruit to cast bread to dogs is no great offence but to cast consecrated bread to dogs is a grieuous sinne 7. This sinne was accompanied with diuers monstrous sinnes first horrible doubting of Gods truth secondly compacting with Gods vtter enemy and so making Apostacy from God to the Diuell thirdly consent to the blasphemies of the diuell when he spake enuiously and scoffingly at God fourthly affectation of diuinity fifthly a wretchlesse disregard of what should become of his posteritie through his ventrous course with many other sinnes For the second God was iust in deriuing this losse to their posteritie for Adam was the common roote of all mankind and we were in his loines as Leui was in Abrahams when hee paied tithes and are not traitors punished in their children the Act of a burgesse in the Parliament is the Act of the country But yet at least godly men should not beget vngodly children They beget children as men not as godly men I meane they deriue such a nature as they haue which is corrupt after calling though they bee iustified perfectly yet they are sanctified but in part The father that was circumcised did beget a child that was vncircumcised and take the cleanest corne in the world and sow it and it brings forth chaffe in the eare with the corne Thus much for information The doctrine of the fall may serue also for instruction and so both in generall particular In generall it should teach vs foure things First to take heed of the fountaines of all Apostacie There were three things occasioned mightily the fall of our first parents The first was a rebellious desire to bee what God would not haue vs to be The second vnthankfulnesse all the pleasures of Paradise will not please them if they bee crossed in some one thing though neuer so little The liberty they tooke to adde or detract frō Gods word they added the word touch and they detracted when they said lest ye die and these three sinnes are and euer will be causes of Apostacie if they bee not preuented Secondly let vs here bee warned while wee liue to keepe out of the company of such as fall away from the truth as the diuell did for all Apostates are like the diuell they will not be quiet till they make others fall away with them Thirdly we should hence for euer be warned to looke to our selues and make conscience euen of lesser sinnes we see heere what the eating of an apple did which the most men would faine thinke was but a small matter and the rather because monstrous sinnes may be committed about a smal offence in it selfe Thinke of the man that gathered stickes on the Sabbath day and of the case of Ananias and Sapphira We must get on our armour and make all the prouision wee can against the Diuell Wee see here how he thirsts after the ruine of man and if hee preuailed so ouer Adam how much more easily may he preuaile ouer vs and if hee could deceiue by the meanes of a serpent there how much more now when he speaketh to vs by men like our selues yea then we saw a proofe of it For how quickly was Adam enticed when the diuell spake to him in the mouth of Eue his wife And we may here obserue the Diuels method in tempting and the degrees of tentation For there was 1. First the suggestion it self 2. The obscuring of the thoughts about the eminency of God and the excellency of the image receiued of him 3. An impression of forgetfulnesse in the memory not distinctly remembring what was before done or commanded of God 4. The tickling of ambition affecting to be more then they were 5. Trust giuen to the flatteries and baites of the diuell and a contracted familiarity with him with inclination of the will and affection to the prohibited fruit Thus much in generall In particular foure sorts must be warned 1. First women should heere bee much humbled and for euer be mistrustfull of their Counsels and carriage for Satan knowes how to make vse of them still 2. Secondly men must take heed of the whisperings and enticing aduice of women 3. Thirdly the weake must carefully looke to themselues that Satan imploy not them as instruments of tentations and they should learne not to bee so violent in things they are not fully grounded in 4. The strong must take heed lest they fall If Adam fell in Paradise they are in more danger now in the world neither may they trust in their owne gifts but learne to place all their
is the mystery of godlinesse which is God is manifested in the flesh iustified in the spirit c. 1. Ioh. 5.20 But we know that the Sonne of God is come and hath giuen vs a mind to know him which is true and we are in him that is true that is in his son Iesus Christ this same is very God and eternall life 2. By the diuine proprieties giuē vnto him as Eternity Ioh. 1.1 Ioh. 17.5 Omnipotency Ioh. 3.31 Phil. 4.13 Sauiour King of Kings and the like 3. By diuine workes done by him as Creation Coloss. 1.16 Forgiuenesse of sinnes Matth. 9.6 Working of miracles Ioh. 10.25 4. By the diuine honour due vnto him as Adoration Psalm 72.11 Heb. 1.8 and beleeuing in him 5. By the conquest the Gospel hath made in the world 1. Tim. 3.16 and that not by any carnall power Zach. 4.6 6. By the patient suffering of his Saints Reuel 12.11 But they ouercame him by the blood of the Lambe and by the word of their testimony and they loued not their liues vnto the death c. But why was it needfull hee should be God For two causes chiefly 1. The one was the greatnes of our euill which no creature could take off vs viz. 1. the grieuousnesse of our sinnes 2. The immense intolerable waight of Gods anger 3. The Empire of death 4. The tyranny of the diuell 2. The other was the greatnes of our good which none but God could restore viz. 1. An obedience to iustifie many 2. The image of God 1. Cor. 1.30 Colos. 3.10 If our Sauiour be the sonne of God yea God himselfe that holds it no robbery to be equall with God Then it may first serue for humiliation and so 1. To the world In which this glorious light hath risen and yet their darknesse comprehended it not Ioh. 1.5.10 To the very godly because they are not so affected as may become this maruellous glory of the Sonne of God it should much abase vs that we haue not thoughts and affections to take that notice wee should of this Sonne of righteousnesse so gloriously in the Gospell shining amongst vs we doe not receiue him conceiue of him as this doctrine teacheth vs how often hath he come amongst his owne and his owne receiued him not Ioh. 1.11 For instruction and so it should worke in vs 1. Illumination to see the greatnesse of the mistery of godlines that tels vs of God manifested in the flesh 1. Tim. 3.16 Our eyes should in this point receiue sight and clearing This doctrine should shine in our hearts as the Sunne in the firmament wee should neuer rest informing our selues heerein and praying for discerning till after much neglect and vnbeleefe past we could say with Thomas My Lord and my God Matth. 16.16 Ioh. 20.28 This is the rocke vpon which the Church is built 2. The estimation of his sufferings for vs this blood of the new Testament was the blood of God Act. 20.28 3. The celebratiō of his praises is God ouer all then let him be blessed for euermore Rom. 9.5 Of whom are the fathers and of whom concerning the flesh Christ came who is God ouer all blessed for euer Amen 4. The adoration of his person when God brings forth his onely begotten Sonne let all the Angels of heauen worship him Heb. 1.4 5. Faith this should make vs beleeue in him and relie vpon the sufficiency of the redemption in him yea we should neuer rest till we know him and that we are in him For this is eternall life Ioh. 1.7 The same came for a witnesse to beare witnesse of the light that all men through him might beleeue 1. Ioh. 5.20 But we know that the Sonne of God is come and hath giuen vs a mind to know him which is true and wee are in him that is true that is in the Sonne Iesus Christ the same is very God and eternall life The consideration of the diuinity of Christ should wonderfully comfort vs so it is vsed in diuers Scriptures For if he be God thē he is ful of grace to supply our wants Ioh. 1.14.16 He is infinite in righteousnes to iustifie vs Ierem. 23.6 The gouernment being on his sholders he will euer bee knowne to bee wonderfull as a Counsellor to direct vs as a mighty God to defend vs as an euerlasting father to loue vs and pity vs and spare vs and beare with our infirmities as a Prince of peace to preserue vs in our reconciliation with God and to fill vs with peace that passeth all vnderstanding and that we may not doubt of perseuerance the Prophet assures vs that of the encrease of his gouernment and peace there shall be no end for he will order vs and establish vs henceforth and for euer CHAP. XIII Of Christs humanity HItherto of the diuine nature of Christ There are foure principles concerning the humane nature of Christ the one concernes the matter the other three concerne the manner 1. The first that the Sonne of God was incarnate did assume the true nature of man and was a very man amongst vs Ioh. 1.1 In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and that word was God 14. And the word was made flesh and dwelt among vs and we saw the glory thereof as the glory of the only begotten Sonne of the Father full of grace and truth Hebr. 2.14 For as much then as the children were partakers of flesh and blood he also himselfe likewise tooke part with them 16. For hee in no sort tooke the Angels but hee tooke the seed of Abraham 2. That hee was not conceiued as other men but by the holy Ghost Luk. 1.35 And the Angell answered and said vnto her the holy Ghost shall come vpon thee and the power of the most high shall ouershadow thee therefore also that holy thing which shall bee borne of thee shall be called the Son of God Mat. 1.20 Feare not to take Mary for thy wife for that which is conceiued in her is of the holy Ghost 3. That hee was borne of a Virgin Esa. 7.14 Therefore the Lord himselfe will giue you a signe behold the Virgin shall conceiue and beare a Sonne and she shall call his name Emmanuel Matth. 1.18 Now the birth of Iesus Christ was thus when as his mother Mary was betrothed to Ioseph before they came together she was found with child of the holy Ghost Genes 3.15 I will also put enmity betweene thee and the woman and betweene thy seed and her seed hee shall breake thine head and thou shalt bruise his heele 4. That his humane nature did subsist in the diuine nature and so both made but one person Colos. 2.9 For in him dwelleth all the fulnesse of the God-head bodily Luk. 1.35 And the Angel answered and said vnto her The holy Ghost shall come vpon thee and the power of the most high shal ouershadow thee therefore also that holy thing which shall be borne of thee
humiliation to all stubborne-hearted wicked men that deny this holy one partly by their vnbeleefe when they regard not his words whom they can conuince of no sinne Ioh. 8.46 Which of you can rebuke me of sinne and if I say the truth why doe you not beleeue me And partly by wicked life keeping out all conformity with Christ as also by chusing rather to liue in wicked company then to cleaue to Christ Is not this to denie the holy one and to chuse a murtherer to bee giuen them Act. 3.14 What communion betweene Christ and Belial betweene his righteousnesse and such vnrighteousnesse Thus much of his obedience to the law CHAP. XX. Of the expiation of sinne THe principles that concerne the expiation of sin follow This expiation was made by the passion of Christ concerning which wee must belieue these things of necessity 1. That the Passion of Christ was by the decree euerlasting fore-appointmeÌ„t of God Act. 2.23 Him I say haue ye taken by the hands of the wicked being deliuered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God c. 2. That the sufferings of Christ were for our sinnes and for our sakes so as he bare all our iniquities 1. Pet. 2.24 Who his owne self bare our sinnes in his body on the tree that wee being deliuered from sinne should liue in righteousnesse by whose stripes ye were healed c. Isaiah 53.5 But he was wounded for our transgressions he was broken for our iniquities the chastisement of our peace was vpon him and with his stripes we are healed 8. For the transgression of my people was he plagued c. 12. Therefore will I giue him a portion with the great and hee shall diuide the spoile with the strong because hee hath poured out his soule vnto death and hee was â—ounted with the transgressors and hee bare the sinne of many and prayed for the trespassers Rom. 4.25 Who was deliuered to death for our sinnes and is risen againe for our iustification 1. Cor. 5.7 For Christ our Passouer is sacrificed for vs. 3. That by his passion he did pacifie God and make expiation for all our sinnes Mat. 17.5 This is my beloued Sonne in whom I am well pleased beare him Ephes. 5.2 And walke in loue euen as Christ hath loued vs and hath giuen himselfe for vs to bee an offering and a sacrifice of a sweet smelling sauour vnto God 1. Ioh. 2.1 My babes these things write I vnto you that ye sinne not and if any man sinne we haue an aduocate with the Father Iesus Christ the iust and he is the reconciliation for our sinnes 4. That in his owne person he fulfilled and finished all sufferings needefull for our saluation he did it once for all 1. Pet. 3.18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins the iust for the vniust that he might bring vs to God Heb. 9.28 So Christ was once offered to take away the sins of many and vnto them that looke for him shal be appeare the second time without sinne vnto saluation Heb. 10.11.12 And euery Priest appeareth daily ministring and oft times offereth one manner of offering which can neuer take away sinnes But this man after he had offered one sacrifice for sinnes sitteth for euer at the right hand of God 5. That the passion of Christ is a sufficient price for the sinnes of the whole world Ioh. 1.29 Behold the Lambe of God which taketh away the sinnes of the world 6. That Christ suffered extreame things for vs euen the most grieuous things could bee imagined as 1. A maruellous priuation of his owne glory abasing himselfe that was in the form of God to liue amongst men without shewing that fulnesse of Maiesty and glory which was in his nature Ioh. 17.5 And now glorifie me thou Father with thine owne selfe with the glory which I had with thee before the world was 2. Most base entertainement in the world such as extreame pouerty in his birth and life Luk. 2.12 And this shall bee a signe to you yee shall finde the child swadled and laid in a cratch Matth. 8.20 But Iesus said vnto him the foxes haue holes and the birds of the heauens haue nests but the Sonne of man hath not whereon to rest his head Exile and flying before his enemies Matth. 2.14 So hee arose and tooke the babe and his mother by night and departed into Egypt Mark. â— 6.7 And the Pharisies departed and straight way gathered a Councell with the Herodians against him that they might destroy him But Iesus auoided with his disciples to the sea c. Ioh. 11.54 Iesus therefore walked no more openly amongst the Iewes but went thence c. Ioh. 8.59 Then tooke they vp stones to cast at him but Iesus hid himselfe and went out of the Temple Slanders and extreame indignities called a Samaritan a glutton a seducer a traitor despised mocked buffeted railed on beaten betrayed and sold by his owne seruant and that for a base price forsaken of his owne disciples denied and renounced by oath falsly accused whipped spit vpon taken and bound as a malefactor c. as the story of the Euangelists shew c. 3. Imputation of the sins of all the elect vnto him so as the guilt of them was laid vpon him and hee sustained their person This is a wonderfull abasement hee was made sinne for vs that knew no sinne in himselfe 2. Cor. 5.21 4. Fearfull agonies in his very soule arising 1. First from seuerall conflicts and tentations Hebr. 2.18 Heb. 4.15 But especially set vpon with all their furie inuisibly when he was on the Crosse Colos. 2.15 And hath spoyled the principalities and powers and hath made a shew of them openly hath triumphed ouer them in the same Crosse. 2. Secondly from the pouring out of the vials of Gods wrath for sinne which befell him chiefly in the garden when hee swet blood for very anguish on the Crosse when hee cried My God my God why hast thou forsaken me 5. A most miserable manner of death to die as a condemned man and condemned too both by Iewes and Gentiles to die such a cursed death as the death of the Crosse which was both by God and man designed out as the most ignominious kind of death and to bee put to death in the middest of such malefactors being reckoned amongst sinners Esa. 53.12 Therefore will I giue him a portion with the great and hee shall diuide the spoyle with the strong because hee hath poured out his soule vnto death and hee was counted with the transgressors and hee bare the sinne of many and prayed for the trespassers And to suffer the nailing of his body yea and the effusion of his most precious blood These are exquisite things The consideration whereof may serue both for 1. instruction 2. for information 3. and for consolation For instruction and so it may teach vs diuers duties which we should performe 1. To Christ himselfe 2. To our neighbours 3. To
Ephes. 5.14 Secondly of the daily baits and methods of sinne be not insnared with the pleasures of sinne which are but for a season but circumcise betimes the soreskins of your hearts Ier. 4.4 Thirdly of procrastination and delaying of time in the businesse of reformation For thy life is vncertaine Matth. 25.13 and euery day addes to the heap of sinne and of wrath Rom. 2.5 Sinne not against thy purposes of amendment lest thou grow more hardened Fourthly of hypocrisie and fained holinesse Esa. 58.2 Iam. 4.8 Fifthly of the perswasion of the merit of your owne works Rom. 10.3 For they being ignorant of the righteousnesse of God and going about to stablish their owne righteousnesse haue not submitted themselues to the righteousnesse of God c. Sixthly of temporary righteousnes Hosh. 6.4 Ephraim what shall I doe vnto thee O Iuda how shall I intreat thee for your goodnes is as a morning cloud and as a morning dew it goeth away Or being weary of well doing Gal. 6.9 Let vs not therefore be weary of well doing for in due season we shall reape if we faint not c. Seuenthly of the precepts of men Mat. 15.9 In vaine they worship me teaching for doctrine mens precepts Ezech. 20.18 But I said vnto their children in the wildernes walk ye not in the ordinances of your fathers neither obserue their manners nor defile your selues with their idols Eighthly of looking after the example and fashion of the world Rom. 12.2 Frame not your selues like vnto this world Ninthly neglect of prayer for the particular furtherance of reformation and grace Lam. 5.21 shall he not giue vs his holy Spirit if we aske him as our Sauiour sheweth in the parable Tenthly let the best of vs take heed of a strange deceit and that is to rest in faire words and attentiue hearing How is it that men that heare many precious counsels comforts reproofes goe away without any reformation and thinke they doe well if they commend the Sermon c. Oh how common is this disease to be awake to heare of the disease or medicine and fall a sleepe before it be applied like those hearers in the Gospell of whom it is said They heard they maruelled and they went their waies Thus much of what we should auoide that the worke of sanctification be not hindred On the other side there be diuers things to be obserued by vs as First wee must looke to the matter to bee done which hath two considerations in it 1. That in generall whatsoeuer things are true honest iust pure louely and of good report that haue vertue and praise in them that we should thinke on those things and study how to glorifie God and enrich our selues by well doing them Phil. 4.8 Eph. 58. c. 2. That we striue to keep our selues free from or speedily mortifie such euils as vsually staine the profession of religion after calling Besides the mortification of grosse euils which the first repentance puts away wee must watch carefully against other sinnes such as are lying rotten communication deceit anger wrath and all bitternesse and cursed speaking Col. 3.8 Ephesians 4.25 Secondly wee must looke to the end of all our actions the end I say both of intention and continuance For 1. Wee must propound the glory of God as the maine ende of all our actions 1. Cor. 10.31 Whether therefore ye eate or drinke or whatsoeuer yee doe doe all to the glory of God Philip. 1.11 2. Wee must so begin reformation and good workes as we be sure also to endeuour with all constancy to hold out to the end Luke 1.75 All the daies of our life in holinesse and righteousnes before him Psalm 106.3 Blessed are they that keepe iudgement and do righteousnesse at all times Thirdly we must looke to the manner of our reformation that it be done with all sinceritie and so we doe 1. If wee turne from all sorts of our transgressions Ezech. 18. 30.31 Therefore I will iudge you O House of Israel euery one according to his waies returne therefore and cause other to turne away from all your transgressions so iniquitie shall not be your destruction Cast away from you all your transgressions whereby ye haue transgressed and make you a new heart and a new spirit for why will ye die O House of Israel 2. If wee labour for a sanctification that is throughout in all parts in soule in body and in spirit that is in our outward man and in our affections and in our iudgements and thoughts Fourthly we must bee exceeding mindfull of the meanes of sanctification and so we must especially thinke of 1. The Word to subiect our selues to the power of it for if we heare our soules shall liue we are sanctified by the truth and God wil haue his Law magnified and the Word is able to build vs vp still further till we come to heauen Isai. 55.4 Iohn 17.19 Isaiah 42.21 Acts 20.32 2. The Sabbath for that is the signe of our sanctification It is a signe to assure that God will not faile vs in his blessings and it is a signe that we are indeed a holy people if we be carefull to keepe the Sabbath It is the market day for our soules and by the right keeping of the Sabbath we shall be the better able to serue God all the weeke after Exod. 31.13 14. Keepe ye my Sabbaths for it is a signe betweene me and you in your generation that ye may know that I the Lord doe sanctifie you Ye shall therefore keepe the Sabbath for it is holy vnto you he that defileth it shall die the death therefore whosoeuer worketh therein the same person shall be euen cut off from among his people Isaiah 56.2 Blessed is the man that doth this and the sonne of man which laieth hold on it he that keepeth the Sabbath and polluteth it not and keepeth his hand from doing any euill c. Thus of the vses for instruction Thirdly these principles may terrifie all men that are vnsanctified that haue not true grace that liue in their sinnes Woe vnto worlds of men because of sinne for thereby they may gather that there is no cure done to their natures that they are not at all iustified before God that they haue no part with Christ and that all they doe is still impure Mat. 7.18 Tit. 1.15 Yea and that the wages of their sinnes will be death and that in the state they are in they cannot bee saued Rom. 6.23 Iohn 3.5 and in the meane time what know they how soone the whirle-wind of the Lord may fall vpon the wicked Ier. 23.19 Behold the tempest of the Lord goeth forth in his wrath and a violent whirle-wind shall fall downe vpon the head of the wicked And for all the things they haue done in the flesh they must come to iudgement and the rather because they haue not taken warning Acts 17.31 Because hee hath appointed a day in the which he will iudge the world in