worshipped prayed vnto A. It is euident in that Christ did so teach the Apostles did both so preach and practise Againe a good Christian is stiled or sayd to be A worshipper of God or one that calleth on the name of the Lord. And such are called the true worshippers Q. Prooue that Christ did so teach A. That our Sauiour Christ did so teach and maintayne may appeare euidently both by his combate with Satan Mat. 4.10 where he proueth by the Scriptures that religious worship and seruice is to bee done vnto God onely And Matth. 6.9 teaching his Disciples and in them vs to pray hee sayth After this maner therefore pray ye Our father which art in heauen c. Q. Prooue the Apostles did both so teach and practise A. That the Apostles did so teach see Phil. 4.6 Be nothing caâ—efull but in all things let your requâ—sts bee shewed vnto God in prayer and supplication with giuiâ—g of thankes And that they did so practise and that all the â—aithfull did the like accordinâ— to their doctrine and example is manifest by all the formes of prayer recorded in the New Testament and specially by that of the Apostle Eph. 3.14 I bow my kâ—eâ—s vnto the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ c. Q. Proue that a good Christian is stiled a worshipper of God A. It is euident in that speech of the blinde man cured by Christ Io. 9.31 Ye know sayth hee that God heareth not sinners but if any man be a worshipper of God and doth his will him heareth he Where wee see hee calleth a good Christian or godly man a worshipper of God And 2. Tim. 2.19 In stead of saying let euery Christian S. Paul sayth Let euery one that calleth on the name of Christ depart from iniquity Q Proue that such as worship God onely are the true worshippers A. That such as worship call vpon God onely are the true worshippers may be gathered by the words of Christ to the woman of Samaria Io. 4.22.23 Ye worship sayth hee ye know not what we know what wee worship c. But the houre commeth and now is when the true worshippers shall worship the father in spirit and in trueth for the father seeketh such to worship him Q. How proue you that to worship or pray vnto any other is to giue Gods glory to a creature A. Because the prayse of hearing all prayer of all creatures belongeth to God see Psal. 65.1.2 Prayse wayteth for thee O God in Sion and vnto thee shall the vow be performed O thou that hearest prayer vnto thee shall all flesh come And Isa. 42.8 I am the Lord that is my name and my glory will I not giue to another neyther my prayse to grauen Images I Of man in his first creation Q. Rehearse the letter I A. IN the beginning God made Man consisting of soule and body the body of the dust in it selfe mortall yet possibly immortall if man had not sinned the soule of spirituall substance immortall in its selfe in both a most excellent creature aboue all others except the Angels For hee was created in the image or likenesse of God and had dominion and rule ouer all other creatures in the world Q. What is to bee vnderstood by the word Man A. By the word Man is meant both sexes man and woman as we may see Gen. 1.27 5.2 where God being sayd to make man it is added immediatly male and female created he them and blessed them and called their name Adam or Man in the day when they were created Q. Why did God at the beginning make one man and one woman A. God made one man and one woman not only for propagation as it is Gen. 1.28 Be fruitfull and multiply and replenith the earth but also that by making onely one man and one woman hee might establish holy mariage and lawfull procreation of children Which our Sauiour proueth Matth. 19.4.5 Haue you not read sayth he that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female And thence concludeth that two shall be one flesh The like is in Mal. 2.15 And did not hee make one yet had hee abundance of spirit and wherefore one because he sought a godly seed Q. Proue that man doth consist of soule and body A. That man doth consist of these two parts soule and body is euident in the story of the creation Gen. 2.7 as also by many instances else where in the word of God as for example Matth. 10.28 Feare not them which kill the body but are not able to kill the soule but rather feare him which is able to destroy both soule and body in hell 1 Cor. 6.20 Glorifie God in your body and in your spirit which are Gods And 1. Thes. 5.23 I pray God your whole spirit and soule and body bee preserued blamelesse vnto the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ. Q. Proue that God made the body of the dust A. It is written Gen. 2.7 That the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and 3.9 Dust thou art and vnto dust thou shalt returne This made Abraham confesse with great humility Gen. 18.27 I am but dust and ashes And it is alleaged by Dauid as an argument of Gods pity Psal. 103.13.14 Like as a father pitieth his children to the Lord pitieth them that feare him For hee knoweth our frame hee remembreth that we are dust Q. What is the difference betweene the creation of man and woman A. The difference is this First the man was made before the woman to note his authority her subiection as Saint Paul reasoneth 1 Tim. 2.13 For saith he Adam was first formed then Eue. As also to shew the neere affinity betweene man and man seeing as it is Acts 17.26 God hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on the face of the earth Q. What is the second difference A. Secondly man was made of the dust primarily the woman secondarily in that she was taken out of him who was made of the dust for she was made of the rib of Adam Gen. 2 22. Not of the head nor of the foot to shew that God would neither haue her a ruler nor a seruant to her husband but a companion as shee is called Mal. 2.14 Againe it was a type of the Church the life and saluation whereof issued by water and blood out of the side of Christ as the woman receyued her being out of the side of the man Q. Proue that the body of man was made possibly immortall A. The body of man was in its selfe mortall yet by the appointment of God were it not for sinne had beene possibly immortall For God gaue vnto man possibility not to sinne and so consequently not to die as may be gathered by his generall threatning Genes 2.17 The day thou eatest thereof that is of
THE CHRISTIANS A. B. C. Or A Christian ALPHABET contayning grounds of knowledge vnto Saluation First propounded in Alphabeticall forme each proposition being seconded with some solid reason Secondly repeated by way of Question and Answer with the proofe of euery particular point of doctrine Acquainting the Reader with the most select texts of Scripture whereupon our Christian faith is grounded By I. P. B. of D. Heb. 5.12 When for the time ye ought to be teachers ye haue need that one teach you againe which be the first principles of the Oracles of God ¶ London Printed by THO. HARPER for Fulke Clifton and are to be sold at his shop on Fishstreet-hill 1629. TO THE RIGHT Worshipfull the Maior and the â—urats his Brethren and to the Communaltie of the Town and Port Limme of Feuersham in Kent I.P. wisheth the foundation of sauing knowledge in this life and the perfection thereof in the life to come Right Worshipfull Beloued IT is a knowne truth that in all Acts there are certaine principles or grounds vpon which they rest as vpon a sure foundation And in that regard all Students in any kind of literature doe in the first place settle themselues vpon that rest conceiuing it and that rightly to be the most compendious way to attain knowledge and the best art of memory to retaine it This being an vndeniable truth in the light of humane reason is much more preualent in Diuine learning See we not that the best Instructor doth intimate so much by his own briefe methode of teaching for doth he not conclude all Morall duties in one short Decalogue that is as Moses speakes in Tenne words Haue wee not a perfect patterne of Religious deuotion giuen vnto vs of our Lord comprizing all the requisites of true prayer in a briefe forme consisting but of sixe or seauen petitions What else import all those titles in sacred Scripture The forme of knowledge The pattern of wholesome words The first principles of the Oracles or word of God The principles of the doctrine of Christ or the word of the beginning of Christ tâ—rmed by the Apostle The laying of the foundation doth he not there reduce all to sixe heads viz. Repentance Faith Baptisme Imposition of hands Resurrection of the dead and eternall iudgement Is there not a common Rule of Christian Religion which we call the Apostles Creed according to which whosoeuer shape not their profession we â—ffoord them not so much as the name of Christianitie And though they professe it in word yet if they hold not the truth in the antique sense of it doe wee not iustly taxe them of vnsoundnes Looke into the coure and practise of the Christian Church in all ages and wâ— shall finde that they did not giue to babes in Christ strong meat by and by but did first feede them with the milke of Catechisticall instruction Hence it is that we reade of the Catecumeni in the Primitiue Church that they were held so long in the schoole of instruction as it were in the threshold of Christianitie lest they should enter the Sanctuary and arriue at the summitie or top of Christian prosession vnseasoned or being not well grounded might easily fall away from the truth in those dangerous times of triall It is greatly to be desired that this course might be constantly continued both in the teacher and in the hearers that the one may the better lead the way and as the Psalmist speakes guide them with his owne eye of knowledge And that the other may the better follow their good guides with stayed iudgement receiuing the truth not as the word of man but as it is in deed the word of God Let it be obserued what aduantage the common Aduersarie hath gotten by their pettie Pamphlet in this kinde who though they keepe their blindfold followers in so palpable darkenesse that they neither suffer them to looke into the light of Gods word nor so much as to vnderstand their Liturgies Massâ—s Prayers or other seruices in their publique assemblies yet they politikely hold them in by this strong band insinuating vnto them that resting vpon the implicite faith of what their Church beleeues it is sufficient for their saluation that for faith they can repeat their Credo for deuotion that they can turne their Beads say the Pater-noster the Aue Maria c. for morality if they know â—he seauen deadly sinnes the eight beatitudes the Comandements of the Church the workes of mercy ghâ—stly and bodily together with the Decalâ—gue prouided alwayes that they bawke the second Commandement lest thereby their abhominable Idolatry should be detected Againe note we to our griefe if wee haue any feeling of the state of our Church what disparagement this vnskilful or at least incautious building must needs be vnto vs when our teachers doe not with S. Paul as a wise Master-builder lay the foundation which did they respectiuely obserue both in their priuate course of study and publique imployments neither should they themselues so easily diuert from the infallible rule of Diuine truth in holy writ and from the sound doctrine and tenet of their deare mother The Church of England nor prostitute the soules committed to their charge to the daily seducement of Romish Impostors and insinuations of subtile Schismaticks Great is the praise of our Christian Church of England herein not only in that it doth propound Orthodox principles whereunto it requires the vnanimous consent of all her Clergy but doth withall enioyne that there be a constant course of acquainting the people therewith by way of Catechisme And well did his most excellent Maiestie King Iames of blessed memory second this good worke by his Royall charge giuen in speciall letters directed to the Ministery of England for the respectiue handling of the grounds of Religion euery Sunday in the after-noone Neither hath our Princely and pious King Charles beene herein wanting as we may see by his Royall and religious care in causing the articles of Religion to be reprinted besides other expressions both of his owne constancy in the truth and desire that the discreet and painefull ministery teaching piety towards God and loyalty to their Soueraigne should bend their force against the common enemy Amongst others I haue for my part endeauoured in all sincerity of heart according to the measure of grace giuen vnto me to set forward the building of Gods liuing Temple And my labour herein blessed be the name of him that giueth the successe hath nor bin in vaine I haue bâ—ene a seruant and labourer in the Lords vineyard by the space of 30. yeares Whereof I haue arriued at the 24th yeare amongst you In all which time my speciall care hath beene to ground you in the maine principles of Christian Religion Among other methods which I haue vsed to allure you with variety this Alphabeticall forme hath been one I haue found it very aeceptable vnto you and much desired that it might
is written Isa. 51.15 I am the Lord thy God that diuided the sea whose waues roared And Psal. 107.23.24 They that goe downe to the sea in ships see the workes of the Lord and his wonders in the deepe 25. For he commandeth and raiseth the stormy wind which lifteth vp the waueâ— thereof And againe ver 29. Hee maketh the storme a calme so that the waues thereof are still Q. Shew some instances of Gods prouidence in ordering things vpon the earth A. First all things both good and euill are ordered by Gods prouidence see Isa. 45.7 I forme the light and create darknesse I make peace and create euill I the Lord doe all these things Iob. 5.18 Hee maketh the wound and bindeth it vp hee smiteth and his hands make whole And 1 Sam. 2.6 The Lord killeth and maketh aliue he bringeth down to the graue and raiseth vp Q. Giue a second instance of Gods prouidence in things vpon the earth A. Secondly it is said Dan. 2.21 That he changeth the times and seasons hee remoueth Kings and setteth vp Kings And Psal. 75.7 God is the Iudge he putteth downe one and setteth vp another Q. Giue a third instance of this prouidence A. Thirdly it is said Pro. 16.1 The preparations of the heart in man and the answere of the tongue is from the Lord. And ver 9. A mans heart deuiseth his way but the Lord directeth his steps And Prou. 21.1 The Kings heart is in the hand of the Lord as the riuers of waters he turneth it whithersoeuer he will Q. Giue a fourth instance of this prouidence A. Fourthly the prouidence of God doth so order all things that there is nothing so casuall to vs but it is infallibly certaine in the decree of God See Pro. 16.33 The lot is cast into the lap but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Q. Proue that all things are preserued by the prouidence of God A. It is written Psal. 36.6 O Lord thou preseruest man and beast And Psal. 145.15 The eyes of all waite vpon thee and thou giuest them their meat in due season Psal. 119.91 It is said of all Gods creatures That they continue euen to this day by thine ordinances for all are thy seruants Q. Proue that Satan cannot doe what he list A. It is euident Iob. 1.11 and 2.5 Because Satan could not touch Iob either in his substance or his children or his person without Gods permission And Mat. 8.31 The deuils could not enter into the heard of swine without the leaue of Christ. Q. Proue that wicked men cannot doe what they list A. It is manifest in that Christ said to Pilate Ioh. 19.11 Thou couldest haue no power at all against me except it were giuen thee from aboue And Act. 4.27 It is said That Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and the people of Israel were gathered together to doe whatsoeuer the hand and counsell of God determined before to bee done Q. Proue that without Gods prouidence euery creature would perish in a moment A. It is euident Act. 17.25.28 in that it is said That he giueth to all life breath and all things and that in him wee liue and moue and haue our being And Deu. 8.3 Man liueth not by bread onely but by euery word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God H Of one God onely to bee worshipped with religious worship Q. Rehearse the letter H A. HE euen this God alone is to be worshipped and called vpon and that onely in the name of Christ with vnderstanding and as him selfe hath commanded For thus euer did the true Church of God and to worship and pray vnto any other is to giue Gods glory to a creature Q. Proue that God onely is to be worshiped A. It is written Matth. 4.10 Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him onely shalt thou serue And Reu. 22.8.9 S. Iohn saith I fell downe to worship before the feete of the Angell but he said vnto mee See thou doe it not for I am they fellow seruant and of thy brethren the Prophets and of them which keepe the words of this booke Worship God Q. Proue that God only is to be called vpon A. God himselfe saith Ps. 50.15 Call vpon me in the day of trouble I will deliuer thee and thou shalt glorifie me And Luk. 11.2 Our Sauiour teaching the most perfect forme of prayer saith When ye pray say Our Father which art in Heauen c. Q. Proue that we are to call vpon God only in the name of Christ A. Christ himselfe saith Ioh. 1â— 22 Verily verily I say vnto you whatsoeuer yee shall aske the Father in my name he will giue it you And 1 Tim. 2.5 There is one God and one mediator betweene God and man the man Christ Jesus Therefore he is called Heb. 12.24 The mediator of the new Testament Q. Proue that we must worship and pray to God with vnderstanding A. So saith the Apostle in the name of euery good Christian 1 Cor. 14.15 I will pray with the spirit and will pray with vnderstanding also I will sing with the spirit and will siâ—g with vnderstanding also And our Sauiour sheweth the reason why we ought so to doe Ioh. 4.24 because God is a spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit aud in truth Q. Proue that we must worship and call vpon God onely as himselfe hath commanded A. It is written Deu. 12.32 What thing soeuer I command you obserue to do it thou shalt not adde thereto nor diminish from it And Isa. 29.13 God complaineth that their feare towards him is taught by the precept of men And Christ saith Matth. 15.9 In vaine they worship me teaching for doctrines the commandements of men Q. Proue that the true Church did euer thus worship and pray vnto God onely A. It will manifestly appeare if wee take a view of all ages from the beginning of the world both before the Law vnder the Law and after the Law vnder the Gospel in the time of Christ and his Apostles Q. Prooue that before the Law God onely was worshipped and called vpon A. The sacred history of Gods word from the first man Adam vnto Moses doeth manifestly prooue it And it is expresly said Gen. 4.26 at the restitution and reformation of Religion formerly corrupted by the posterity of Cain That then men began to call vpon the name of the Lord. Q. Prooue that vnder the Law God onely was worshiped and called vpon A. The trueth of this may euidently appeare in that by the Law all religious seruice and sacrifice was offered vnto God onely And it is sayd Psal. 22.4.5 Our father 's trusted in thee they trusted and thou diddest deliuer them they called vpon thee and were deliuered they trusted in thee and were not confounded Q. Proue that after the Law in the time of the Gospell God only was
power And 2 Thes. 2.12 That all they might be damned who beleeued not the truth but had pleasure in vnrighteousnesse N Of man his deliuerance by Christonely Q. Rehearse the letter N A. NO meanes can free vs from that damnable estate but onely Iesus Christ the eternall sonne of God For hee being both God and man hath perfectly saued vs in that hee tooke our nature vpon him being conceiued by the holy Ghost borne of the Virgin Mary liued in perfect obedience to God suffered the cursed death of the Crosse rose againe the third day ascended into heauen sitteth at the right hand of God and all for vs. Q. Proue that we are saued only by Iâ—sus Christ A. So we read Acts 4.12 Neither is there saluation iâ— any other for among men there is giuen none other name vnder heauen whereby we must be saued And Maâ—th 1.21 the Angell saith Thou shalt call his name Iesus for he shall saue his people from their sinnes Q. Proue that Iesus Christ is the eternall sonâ—e of Gâ—d A. It is written Ioh. 3.16 Gâ—d so loued the world that he gaue his only bâ—gotten sonâ—e that whoâ—â—euer beleeueth on hâ—m â—â—ould not perish but haue eâ—erlasting life Aâ—â— 1 Ioh. 5.20 We know that the Sonne of God is come c. that is the true God and eternall life And Rom. 1.4 That he was declared mightily to be the Sonne of God Q. Proue that Iesus Christ is both God and man A. That he is God is manifest Isa. 9.6 where hee is called The mighty God And Rom. 9.5 God ouer all blessed for euer And it is said Ioh 1.1 In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God That he is also mvn is proued 1 Tim. 2.5 where hee is called The man Christ Iesus And 3.16 God manifested in the flesh And Ioh. 1.14 The word was made flesh and dwelt among vs and wee saw the glory thereof as the glory of the only begotten sonne of the father full of grace and truth Q. Proue that Christ hath perfectly saued vs A. So it is expresly written Heb. 7.25 That he is able perfectly to saue them that come vnto God by him And Heb. 10.14 That by one offering he hath perfected for euer them that are sanctified And thereupon is inferred verse 18. That where remission of sinnes is there is no more sacrifice for sinne Q. Proue that Iesus Christ therefore tooke our nature vpon him A. That he did assume or take vnto his Godhead the nature of man is euident Heb. 2.16.17 For verily saith the Apostle he tooke not on him the nature of Angels but he tooke on him the seed of Abraham Wherefore in all things it behooued him to bee made like vnto his brethren that hee might bee a mercifull and faithfull high Priest in things pertaining to God to make reconciliation for the sinnes of the people Q. Was it of necessity that Christ should become man A. It was by Gods decree necessary that Christ should take vnto his deity the nature of man that without it mans redemption could not be procured for these reasons 1. Hee must bee man that hee might be fit to suffer death for vs in regard that his Godhead being immutable could not suffer and being immortall could not die 2. It was requisite that the same nature that had offended should satisfie the iustice of God 3. Hee must also be God that hee might be able to ouercome See all this in that one text Heb. 2.14 Q. Proue that Iesus Christ was conceiued by the holy Ghost A. It is the voice of the Angell to Mary Luke 1.35 The holy Ghost shall come vpon thee and the power of the Highest shall ouershadow thee therefore also that holy thing which shall be borne of thee shall bee called the sonne of God And to Ioseph hee sayd Matth. 1.20 Feare not to take vnto thee Mary thy wise for that which is conceiued in her is of the holy Ghost Q. Proue that he was borne of the virgin Mary A. It was so prophesied Isa. 7.14 Behold a virgin shall conceiue and beare a sâ—nne and shall call his name Emmanuel It was effected Math 1. â—8 Now the birth of Iesus Christ was on this wise When as his mother Mary was espoused to Ioseph before they came together she was found with child of the holy Ghost And it was proclaimed by the Angell Ioh. 2.11 Vnto you is borne this day in the city of Dauid a Sauiour which is Christ the Lord. Q. Proue that Christ liued in perfect obedience to God A. It is written Phil. 2.8 That he humbled himselfe and became obedient vnto the death euen vnto the death of the crosse Heb. 7.26 For such an high Priest became vs who is holy harmelesse vndefiled separate from sinners and made higher then the heauens For saith the Apostle Rom. 5.19 as by one mans disobedience many were made sinners so by the obedience of one shall many bee made righteous Therefore Christ saith Ioh. 17.19 For their sakes sanctifie I my selfe that they also might bee sanctified through the truth Q. Proue that Christ did suffer for vs A. It is written Isa. 53.5 Hee was wounded for our transgressions hee was bruised for our iniquities the chastisement of our peace was vpon him and with his stripes wee are healed Q. Proue that hee suffered death for vs A. It is written 1 Pet. 3.18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sinnes the iust for the vniust that he might bring vs to God being put to death in the flesh but quickened by the spirit Q. Proue that hee suffered the cursed death of the crosse A. So it is in the story of his passion Matth. 27.38 And it is said 1 Pet. 2.24 That hee his owne selfe bare our sins in his owne body on the tree that we being dead to sinnes should liue vnto righteousnesse And Gal. 3.13 Christ hath redeemed vs from the curse of the Law being made a curse for vs for it is written Cursed is euery one that hangeth on tree Q. Proue that hee did rise againe the third day for vs A. It is written Rom. 4.25 Who was deliuered for our offences and was raised againe for our iustification And 1 Cor. 15.3.4 That Christ died for our sinnes and that he was buried and that hee rose againe the third day according to the Scriptures Q. Proue that hee ascended into heauen for vs A. It was so prophesied Psal. 68.18 Thou hast ascended on high thou hast led captiuity captiue thou hast receiued gifts for men And it was performed Luke 24.51 And it came to passe while hee blessed them hee was parted from them and carried vp into heauen Q. Proue that Christ sitteth at the right hand of God for vs A. It is written Col. 3.1 If ye then bee risen with Christ seeke those things which are aboue where Christ sitteth at
experience of it Psal. 32.5 I said I will confesse my transgressions vnto the Lord and thou forgauest the iniquity of my sinne As for confession to man it is onely respectiue or conditionall as namely in case of wrong done by one man to another see Iam. 5.16 confesse your faults one to another and pray one for another or in regard of some publike hurt or scandall to the whole Church as in the example of Achan Iosh. 7.19.20 and the like Q. Proue that true repentance is required A. True Râ—pentance which is not onely a contrition or sorrow for sinne and a confession of it but also a conuersion of the whole man with the whole heart vnto God from all his sinnes is specially necessary for the obtaining of pardon this is intended in Math. 3.2 Repent for the kingdome of heauen is at hand and Luk. 13.3 Except ye amend your liues ye shall all likewise perish and Act. 11.18 It is said that they glorified God saying then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance vnto life Q. Proue that our iustification consisteth in the pardon of sinnes A. It is so written Rom. 4 6.7 Euen as Dauid declareth the blessednesse of the man vnto whom God imputeth righteousnesse without workes saying Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiuen and whose sinnes are couered Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputeth not sinne Q. Proue that we can merit nothing with God A. The Apostle proueth it by the example of the father of the faithfull Rom. 4.2 If Abraham were iustified by workes hee hath wherein to reioyce but not with God for what saith the Scripture Abraham beleeued God and it was counted to him for righteousnesse Psal. 130.3 If thou Lord shouldest marke iniquities O Lord who shall stand and Psal. 143.2 Enter not into iudgement with thy seruant for in thy sight shall no man liuing be iustified Q. Proue that our best workes are imperfect A. It is the confession of the Prophet Isa. 64.6 But we are all as an vncleane thing and all our righteousnesse are as filthy rags and Luk. 17.10 When ye haue done all those things which are commanded you say wee are vnprofitable seruants Q. Prouâ— that the promise is made onely to them that beleeue A. It is written Gal. 3.22 that the Scripture hath concluded all vnder sinne that the promise by faith of Iesus Christ might bee giuen to them that beleeue and Act. 2.39 for the promise is vnto you and to your children and to all that are a farre off euen as many as the Lord our God shall call Q. Proue that they were elected of God before the world was A. That the ground of our iustification and saluation by Christ through faith doth stand in Gods free election and therefore cannot be attained by any merit of our owne is manifest Act. 13.48 where it is said that as many as were ordained to eternall life beleeued And Ephes. 1.3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Iesus Christ who hath blessed vs with all spirituall blessings in heauenly things in Christ according as he hath chosen vs in him before the foundation of the world P Of the preaching of the word the ordinary meanes of faith Q. Rehearse the letter P A PReaching of the word of God is the ordinary meanes to worke repentance and faith For God that giueth all grace and so repentance and faith worketh outwardly by the word as by an instrument and inwardly by his spirit Q. Proue that Preaching of the Word is the ordinary meanes to worke repentance A. It is euident in that repentance was the subiect matter of Christs Preaching Matth. 4.17 Iesus began to Preach and to say Repent for the kingdome of heauen is at hand and in that S. Paul saith Act. 17.30 speaking of the preaching of the Gospell that God now commandeth all men euery where to repent and Act. 20.20 I kept backe nothing that was profitable but haue shewed you and taught you publikely and from house to house both to the Iewes and also to the Gentiles the repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Iesus Christ Q. Proue that Preaching of the Word is the meanes of saith A. So we reade Rom. 10.14 How then shall they call on him in whom they haue not beleeued and how shall they beleeue in him of whom they haue not heard and how shall they heare without a Preacher and verse 17. so then faith commeth by hearing and hearing by the word of God Q. Proue that God giueth all grace A. It is written Iam. 1.17 Euery good gift and euery perfect gift is from aboue and commeth downe from the father of lights And 2 Pet. 1.3 according as his diuine power hath giuen vnto vs all things that pertaine to life godlinesse through the knowledge of him that hath called vs to glory and vertue Q. Proue that God giueth repentance A. We may learne so much by S. Paul his exhortation to Timothy 2 Tim. 2.25 where he aduiseth him to instruct with meekenesse those that oppose themselues prouing if God at any time will giue them repentance that they may know the truth And it is said Act. 5.31 that God hath lift vp Iesus Christ with his right hand to be a Prince and a Sauiour to giue repentance to Israel and forgiuenesse of sinnes Q. Proue that God giueth faith A. It is expresly affirmed Eph. 2.8 For by grace are ye saued through faith and that not of your selues it is the gift of God And Phil. 1.29 For vnto you it is giuen for Christ that not onely you should beleeue in him but also suffer for his sake Q. Proue that God worketh by the Word as by an instrument A. That the word of God is the outward meanes which God doth vse as an organe or instrument is manifest Iam. 1.18 Of his owne will begat he vs with the word of truth that wee should bee as the first fruits of his creatures And 1 Pet. 1.23 Being borne anew not of mortall seed but of immortall by the word of God and verse 25. This is the word which is preached among you Q. Proue that God worketh inwardly by his spirit A. It is euident by these arguments First it was so prophecied and foretold Ioel 2.28 And it shall come to passe afterward that I will powre out my spirit vpon all flâ—sh and Zach. 12.10 I will powre vpon the house of Dauid and vpon the inhabitants of Ierusalem the spirit of grace and of supplication and they shall look vpon me whom they haue pierced Q. What is the second argument to proue that God worketh inwardly by his spirit A. Secondly The prophesie was accomplished and effected accordingly as the Apostle Peter noteth Acts 2.16 This saith hee is that which was spoken by the Prophet Ioel. And at his Sermon Acts 10.44 It is said That while Peter yet spake these words the