of the faithfull are yet I say the Lord would haue it performed in an honourable manner as a seemly preparation to the glorious resurrection of his body which was shortly to followe Yea so to followe as it might be most euident that it was the very true body of our Sauiour that died and rose againe and not the body of any other For the which cause it was that God so exactly disposed in his most wise prouidence he tendering the weakenes of our faith and also by this meanes as by other following prouiding against all cauills of the wicked that might be to the obscuring of the resurrection that Ioseph should lay the body of our Sauiour in a new tombe as S. Matthew writeth wherein no man was euer buried before as both Luke and Iohn doe expresly record NOw if as an appendix to this part of the holy Storie concerning the buriall wee shall consider in a word that which the Euangelists Matthew Marke and Luke doe obserue concerning the women disciples mentioned before wee will proceede to that which followeth touching the time wherein the body of our Sauiour continued in the graue Question What therefore is that which the Euangelists set downe concerning these women Answer Saint Matthew writeth thus Chap. 27.61 Math. 27. 61 And there was Marie Magdalen and the other Marie sitting ouer against the Sepulcher The words of S. Marke are these Chap. 15.47 47 And Marie Magdalen and Marie Ioses mother Marke 15. beheld where hee should be laid S. Luke is more large in this point and writeth thus Chap. 23. ver 55 56. 55 And the women also saith he that followed after Luke 23. who came with him from Gaâ—ile they beheld the Sepulcher and how his body was laid 56 And they returned and prepared odours and ointments but rested the Sabbath day according to the Commandement ExplicatioÌ„ Touching this memorable appendix by comparing the holy Euangelists together we may easily perceiue that not onely the two Maries as the most forward and obseruant disciples but also diuers other women attended vpon the buriall to see where the body should be bestowed and that as S. Luke sheweth euen with this minde that they knowing where it was intombed they also the women disciples might afterward shew some fruite of their reuerence and loue toward the body of their Maister as the men disciples Ioseph and Nicodemus had done Yea they are so held in their affection and longing after our Sauiour though now dead and buried that they cannot easily finde in their hearts to depart from the sight of the tombe The grouÌ„d historie of the continuance of his bodie in the graue wherein his body was laid Neuerthelesse when time it selfe earnestly pressed them the night being euen at hand and therewithall the Sabbath approaching they depart laying vp this in the purpose of their heart that they would returne againe to imbalme the body of Christ And to that purpose they laide their purses together and prepared odours and oinâ—ments either the same euening or the euening of the next day the Sabbath being ended as S. Marke seemeth to affirme For the next day they were so early in the morning that they could haue no time to doe it Now where it is asked whether the women did well in this their purpose or no we will put ouer the answer heereof to the speach of the holy Angell which he vseth to them when they come to put â—hat in practise which now they intended Neither will wee then more or lesse reproue it in â—hem then the Angell doth For he is the best moderator that we can finde in that case In the meane season we may be bold to affirme that thâ—ir reuerend and dutifull affection of inward loue and honouâ— toward our Sauiour is exceeding commendable and worthy to be imitated of all good and faitâ—full Christians Yea and they are likewise to be greatly commended as very dâ—scâ—eeâ— and godlie women in that they preferre the expressâ— commandement of God for the sanctifying of his Sabbath before their owne affection touching that purpose of theirs in a matter of no present necessitie Wherein also they may worthilie be excellent paternes to all good Christians from whence wee may learne what a holy regard we ought to haue of the daies and times specially appointed to the diuine worship and seruice of the Lord our God And on the contrary their practise is a iust conuicting and condemning oâ— all loose and negligent worshippers of God but most of all of such as doe wickedly prophane and peruert the right vse of the Lords Sabbathes that is the daies now appointed to Christians for the worship of God and our Sauiour Christ euen the day of the resurrection of our Lord Iâ—sus Christ in the weekely recourse thereof in stead of all the daies of the Iewes legall Sabbathes Finally tâ—eir excellent vertue and truly religious minde herein may well be illustrated by vs from â—he comparison of the wicked dealing of their vngodly rulers euen on the samâ— Sabbath day as it followeth in the holy Storie Matâ—hew 27.62 c. as â—y the grace of God we shall see further by and by For we referre the comforts of faith as also the duties concerning â—he buâ—iall of our Sauiour to their proper places assigned to them in our present course ANd we come now as the Storie it selfe guideth vs to consider of the time wherein the body of our Sauiour continued in the graue Question What say you therefore to this How long lay it thus buried Answer The body of our Sauiour Christ lay buried in the graue a part though but a small part of the day of the Iewes preparation which was the sixt day of the weeke from whence it continued the whole day both the night and the day of their Sabbath which was the seuenth day It continued also well neare the whole night of the first day of the weeke euen till a liâ—tle before the breaking forth of the morning Explication and proofe So indeede the Eâ—angelists giue plainely to vnderstand if wee diligently compare Luke 23.5 That day was the prepaâ—ation and the Sabbath drew on with Iohn chap. 20.1 The first day of the weeke came Mary Magdalen while it was yet darke And with Mattheâ— chap. 28.5 where by the speach of the Angell comforting the women while yet the keepers were astonished and feared as if they had beene stâ—iken dead it appeareth that our Sauiour was risen but a while before they came So that the time that our Sauiour Christ continued in his winding sheete his body ouerwhelmed with odours the graue close shut vp was at the least 36. houres and so a most full proofe of his very true death when as we know halfe that time will shew that the coarse laid forth by the walls in open aire is past recouerie And thus was the tipe of Ionas the Prophet fulfilled in our Sauiour in that hee resembled himselfe
attributed vnto him doe declare Iesus Christ the onely Sonne of GOD our Lord. And then they doe teach vs more particularly and by piecemeale as wee may say First after what manner this second Person of the holy Trinitie God the Sonne tooke mans nature and therein did manifest himselfe namely in that we professe that we doe beleeue that in respect of his humane nature he was conceiued by the holy Ghost and borne of the Virgin Mary Secondly they doe teach vs in what order hee did in the same his humane nature execute his Office here vpon earth specially his high Priesthood which is one chiefe and principall part thereof in that as it followeth in the Articles of our faith we professe further that we beleeue in him as hauing suffered vnder Pontius Pilate and as being crucified dead buried and descended into Hell Thirdly they teach vs concerning the same second Person the Sonne of God our Lord Iesus Christ how he hath by his exaltation declared himselfe to haue obtained of the Father all whatsoeuer he had humbled himselfe and suffered for before euen our perfect redemption iustification and saluation in that it followeth Hee rose againe the third day and ascended vp into heauen Fourthly they doe teach vs what our Lord Iesus Christ the Sonne of God doth for vs still to the perpetuall confirming and vpholding of all that he hath once obtained in that we professe yet further that we beleeue He sitteth at the right hand of God the Father almightie to wit as a continuall Mediator and Intercessour by vertue of his former sufferinges and obedience on our behalfe Finally the Articles of our faith doe teach vs what the same our Lord Iesus Christ the Sonne of God wil doe at the last for the perfecting of all things to the end that we and all the elect of God may haue the full fruition of all the benefites of our redemption for euer in so much as he is in this respect ordained of God to be the Iudge of the world and therefore shall come againe frâ—m heauen to giue a finall sentence vpon all people at the end of the world according to the wordes of our Beleife From thence shall he come to iudge both the quicke and the dead So then wee cannot but easily perceiue that there are many things of the greatest waight and importance that which we are to inquire and consider off in this part of our beliefe And first and foremost wee haue this singular great mysterie yea euen a double mysterie laid before vs in that the Articles of our faith doe giue vs to vnderstand that we are 〈◊〉 beleeue not onely in the Sonne of God the second Peâ—son of the most holy and glorious Trinitie considered simply in his Godhead by relation to the Father in a distinction of the second Person from the first but also as he hath now by reason of his incarnation a distinction of nature in the same his diuine Person in that he is both God and man Great is this Mysterie of godlines as the Apostle Paul doth worthily call it that God is manifested in the flesh iustified in the spirit c. And it is most worthily with all diligence and in most holy and humble reuerence to be inquired into of all Christians NOw therefore let vs henceforth very diligently and with all holy reuerence as we haue promised inquire of these most weightie points of our Christian faith according to our former course from the ground and warrant of the holy Scriptures of God Beliefe in God the Sonne both God and man in one diuine Person of a Mediator betwixt God and man Quest And first of all what ground haue you The Ground and warrant of it that we are to beleeue in the second Person of the most holy Trinitie not onely as he is God simply considered in his Deitie but also as he is both God and man in the vnion of either nature in one and the same most holy and diuine Person Ans In the beginning of the 14. chap. of the Euangelist Iohn we haue an assured grouÌ„d from the testimonie of the same most holy and diuine Person himselfe who is the very truth and cannot but giue a most faithfull and true testimonie in all things whereof hee speaketh Reâ—earse the wordes of the text Which are they Question He saide to his Disciples Let not your heart bee troubled yee beleeue in God beleeue also in me Answere Explica ioÌ„ proofe This place doth plainely confirme it vnto vs indeede For who was he that spake thus to his Disciples but he that was in the very true nature of man daily and familiarly conuersant among men euen one in all thinges like to those vnto whom he spake as touching his humane nature sinne onely excepted And these wordes of our Sauiour they were a part of his last Sermon to hiâ— Disciples Wherein he doth before haâ—d most louingly and sweetly comfort his Disciples against the trouble and offence of his reprochfull death and of his bodily departure from them the which our Sauiour knowe right well would shake his Disciples saith Hee is therefore very earnest in exhorting and incouraging of them to bee constant both in faith toward him and also in loue among themselues c as wee shall haue occasion in the particulars to declare more fully hereafter In the meane season let vs well obserue to our present purpose that these words of our Saui to his Disciples did not onely teach them but they are also of singulaâ— vse to teach vs and all Christians euen to the ende of the world how we are to beleeue in the Sonne of God our Lord and Sauiour That is to say euen a we doe beleeue in God the Father himself For so doth the speâ—ch of ou Sâ—uiour giue plainely to vnderstand in that â—e saith Yee beleeue in God beleeue also in me Or as some read the sentence interrogatiuely Doe yee beâ—eeue in God Beleeue also in me As though â—ee should say Howsoeuer you shall see indeede that I am in respect of my humanitie mortall and must shortly dye yet be ye not discouraged waite a while and yee shall see my diuine power more eff ctuaâ—ly manifested and confirmed tâ—ereby vnto you In the meane while alsâ— sâ—e hat ye doe not forget that I am very God equall to the Father in Godhead as I haue taught ye heretofore as well as I haue euery way shewed my selfe to bee very man like to your selues in the common frailtie of mâ—ns nature And therefore see that yee cease not to put your trust in me as in your Sauiour and redeemer Such is the plaine testimonie of our Sauiour CHRIST concerning his Godhead And as wee reade also 1 Iohn 3.23 It is the commandement of the Father saith our Sauiour that we doe beleeue in the Sonne And therefore it must needes followe that he is God For we must beleeue in no creature concerning saluation seeing there
be he that doth the worke of the Lord negligentlie c. Wee haue also notable examples such as is that of Ioab mentioned a little before 2. Sam 10.12 It is a right noble speach of a wise valiant captain of the Lords hoste Read also Ps 118.7 The Lord is with me saith the Princelie Prophet among them that helpe me therfore shall I see my desire vpon mine enemies See he doth not neglect or lightly esteeme of the helps which God gaue him Nay God himself doth not despise the help of his poore seruaÌ„ts as Iudges 5.23 c Where the spirit of God commendeth those that came forth to help the Lord but accurseth the rest Read also Act. 27 31. c. v 43.44 Verily God hath so wisely disposed of all things that though he ruleth all things as it is most meet he should or els they would be rawlie ordered yet he hath left enough for euery seruant of his to busie themselues about that to very good and blessed purposes in the seruice of his holie prouidence Thus the diuine and Fatherlie prouidence of God doth not frustrate the outward either ciuill or houshold indeuours of his children touching the affaires of this life Question But doth it not take away all deliberation and freedome of our thoughts and affections touching heauenlie things Answere No neither Neuerthelesse this we must alwaies remember acknowledge that all our freedome to minde or effect any thing that is good and godlie and perteyning to the kingdome of heauen it standeth in this that God himselfe doth first make vs free and then also that he confirmeth our libertie freedome by his holie Spirit and all through the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ working in vs that which is pleasing in his owne sight So indeed we read Heb ExplicatioÌ„ proofe 13.21 And in many other places familiarly knowne to those that are acquainted with the holy Scriptures As on the contrarie it is as plentifullie testified that without the grace of God making vs free we and all other are of our selues willingly at liberty onely to serue sin the diuell that also through our owne defalt Yea so are we in the voluntary bonds of sin and Satan that howsoeuer ther may be some appearance of goodnes in some actions before wee be renewed and set free by the holy Ghost yet all is but in hypocrisie or in some outward respect for vaine-glorie or worldlie profit c. So that it is but libertie in shewe and meere bondage in truth THese things thus obserued let vs nowe conclude this Article of our faith in the Fatherlie prouidence of God Question What is the danger of not beleeuing in God as in our most gratious wise and prouident Father the ruler and gouernour of all things as well as in him beeing the Almightie Creator Answere Without faith in Gods Fatherlie prouidence no man can be eyther trulie patient in aduersitie or trulie thankefull to God in prosperitie no not in haruest time for the outward fruites of the earth or in any other haruest or greatest plentie that may be of any of Gods blessings God can haue no glorie yeelded vnto him of such in any of his works nor be acknowledged any where with any reuerend regard of his diuine presence No such can hope for any good thing from him Nay it cannot bee but all such as beleeue not in the Fatherlie prouidence of God must needes without repentance proue verie Atheists and to be as the Apostle saith without God in the world nothing regarding his commandementes but walking after their owne lusts vsing the worst meanes and courses that may be howsoeuer they may possiblie make anie shifte for themselues Explication and proofe So great is the danger indeede for not onely are they Atheists who vtterlie denie God wherof there are but few to speak of that doe so farre harden their hearts but such also as denie him to be such a one as he hath reuealed himself to w t the Father Sonne and holie Ghost and also the Sonne to be God manifested in the flesh c. And consequently such are likewise Atheists in parte whosoeuer denie him to rule and gouerne any of his creatures specially mankind and among them chiefly his holie Church reiecting in his behalfe the Testimonie and declaration of his owne most sacred and holie word Herein therfore we are to condemne not onely those diuers sorts of Philosophers who either denied or doubted of the diuine prouidence altogether in that some of them called into question whether there be a God or no such as Protagoras and Melius are reported to haue bene likewise Democritus and Epicurus who leaue all to chance and fortune Or els doe as it were pinion and straighten the prouidence of God as they that make it nothing else but a bare prescience and fore-knowledge of all things as they are to come to passe and they that doe binde the Prouidence of God to a necessitie of naturall causes by a perpetuall and in-euitable connexion and progression of them as the Stoikes Seneca lib de Prouidentia Cicero 2. de Diuinatione Plinâ—natur hist lib 2. cap. â— vt sup Hieron in cap. 1. Abac. vt sup Damasc lib 2. orthodox fi â—a 19. Quest 8. and they that do excepte those things from Gods Fatherlie prouidence which are commonlie taken to be in mans owne free power and will and that according to a certaine souereigntie of his owne reason and disposition as Cicero and Plinie c. Wee are not onely I say to condemne their opinions but also all the erroneous doctrine of such as professing themselues Christians doe anie way abridge the holie and vniuersall prouidence and gouernement of God as if it did not extende it selfe to small and vile creatures or to mans ordinarie and common affaires But chieflie wee are to condemne the blaspemie of all Atheists and Epicures which in these dayes of the cleare light of the Gospell doe most sacrilegiouslie and impudentlie denie both God and all Diuine prouidence either for punishment of vice or reward of vertue c. For if wee should consent to so great wickednes and impietie howe can any think but that it must needes be to the euerlasting destruction both of our bodies and soules from the presence and fauour of God And no doubt also the cause why God doth so oftentimes forget as it were and withholde his Fatherlie goodnes and bountie and send scarcitie or sickenesse or warre c in stead of health and wealth peace and plentie c it is for that his good and fatherly prouidence is not so thankfully acknowledged in the ordinarie course of his mercies as it ought to be Certainly if we would glorifie God as we ought to doe for his gracious gouerning of his creatures to our benefit and comfort by the sending of the good word of his prouidence according to that Psal 147.15 c. We should not haue had such
conclude either from the affection or from the speeches either from the Centurion himselfe or of any of his company that either he or they were truly conuerted to God and that they did truly beleeue in Christ as being perfectly righteous and the naturall Sonne of God and that with sanctified hearts they did giue glory vnto Gâ—d therein For not euery one thâ—t feareth and in feare is mooued from the reuerend workes of thâ— maiestie of God to see some glimse of the truth and so to giue glory to God anâ— for the time sodainely to speake good words doth truly turne to God For then â—haraoh should haue repented and euery hypocrite and conuicted sinner should truly belâ—eue and â—epent Onely this is certaine that God minded by this meanes tâ— giue great honour glory to hiâ— Sonne to this day in â—hat he drew this â—estimony euen from the enemies of our Sauiour yea euen from this heather Captaine and his souldiers and that by vertue of such euidence as they could not but see and acknowledge to be very â—aâ—e and singularly seruing to this very purpose And therefore we may iustly admonish ouâ— selues that we doe not rest our selues in such sodaine motions and as it were passions of the minde though the motions in themselues be good but to trie our own selues diligently whether the knowledge faiâ—h feare and loue of God and other the holy gifts and graces of the holy Ghost be groundedly and vpon good deliberation setled and confirmed to abide with vs yea euen in timâ—s of tentation or not It is to little purpose to be well minded at a start while the earth shakeâ—h vnder vs or the heauens doe terribly thunder and lighten vpon vs or while some grieuous disease and sicknes is vpon vs. All the triall lieth in the good vse which we make of such things in the whole course of our life afterward Neuertheles we may not deny but that it may be that these sodaine motions were vnto some of these thus stricken with feare the beginnings of true faith and conuersion to God yea euen like to that conuersion of that Centurion and his souldiers whereof we read in the 10. chap. of the Acts. THus much of the first sort let vs come to the second sort which were the multitude generally considered likewise Question What saith the holy story of these Answer In the â—3 chapter of Saint Luke verse 8. thus we reade And all the people that came together to that sight beholding the things which were done smote their breast and returned Explication This second sort were partly such of the people as were moued by the instigatioÌ„ of the chief priests elders to choose Barabbas to be he that should be reprieued and contrariwise to crie out Crucifigatur against our Sauiour as wee haue seene before Matth. 27. verse 20. And they were partly such as were moued afterward vpon other occasions to goe see the execution whether by reason of the strange superscription which Pilate had set vp ouer the head of our Sauiour according to that we reade Iohn 19.20 Or otherwise of a vaine and curious mind to feed their eies with such a spectacle as was seldom to be seene All these are saide to be strangely affected at the strangenes of the things that fell out farre aboue yea cleane contrary to their expectation euen to the conuiction of their consciences that a hainous sinne was committed by their Rulers in the vniust crucifying of this most righteous person and that they themselues had grieuously sinned in shewing any liking allowance of the execution but specially such as had suffered themselues to be misled so far by their Rulers that they should eagerly cry out Crucifie crucifie him And the rather because the matter was by Pilate called into so fauourable a question whether seditious murthering Barabbas should be deliuered or Hee The very earnest remorse of their hearts is expressed by the Euangelist from this euident signe and effect of it that they smote their breasts like as we read of the Publicane that hee smote his breast in detestation of his wickednes Luke 18.13 As if he accounted himselfe vnworthy to carry any breath of life in his wretched and sinfull bodie Neuertheles we cannot say that they did so truly repent them vpon this sodaine remorse as this Publicane is described to haue done For there is great difference as was said before betwixt a sodaine motion vpon the outward view of strange things incurring the senses and a deliberate and setled resolution of the heart And yet nothing letteth that this sodaine compunction vpon the beholding of so great accidents should not make way to the beginning of true repentance such as wee reade of Acts 2.37 c. 41. if not euen presently to lay the foundation of it in their hearts as touching so many as should not suffer the affection to vanish away as sodainly as it fell vpon them but would cherish it vntill by the word it might be further quickened as it were For as Master Caluine well obserueth the triall of true profiting standeth in the continuance of of the feare of God after the astonishment is well and quietly passed ouer otherwise it little profiteth Discamus inquit hoc exemple parum aut nihil esse si quis ex praesenti Dei potentia horrorem concipiat donec sedata consternatione in corde tranquillo resideat Dei timor Let vs learne saith he by this example that it is to little or no purpose for a man to be tremblingly affected at the present power of God vnles the feare of God doe continue after the astonishment is ouer and that the heart is quietly come to the selfe againe This is an excellent and very profitable rule And therefore I pray let vs all marke it well There be a great many when they haue sworne an oath they will say God forgiue me I haue done amisse But by and by they will sweare againe Alas to what purpose is this but euen to our greater condemnation before God Thus much of the second sort WEe come now to the third that is to the best sort of the beholders which were the Disciples of our Sauiour Of which there were two sorts some men and some women Question What doth the holy story record of them Answere The Euangelist Luke writeth ioyntly thus of them chap. 23. ver 49. And all his acquaintance stood a farre off and the women that followed him from Galile beholding these things Matthew and Marke doe onely mention the women Disciples and not the men and of them also some particularly and by name as we read Math. 27.55 56. in these words And many women were there beholding him a farre off the which had followed Iesus from Galile ministring vnto him Among whom was Marie Magdalene and Mary the mother of Iames and Ioses and the mother of Zebedeus sonnes Expli The report of the Euangelist Marke The grouÌ„d historie of his
proceedings so as wee neede not feare the censures of any that proceede not Apostolically and according to the minde and will of our Sauiour himselfe made knowne vnto vs in hâ—â— Gospell And hence it is that the churches of Christ at this day doe securely despise all Popish excommunication and curses though they bee with booke bell and candle as they say Thus then we see what the meaning of our Sauiour is in that he saith to his disciples in regard of their Apostolicall function ministery in his name by vertue of his diuine commission whosoeuers sinnes ye remit they are remitted and whosoeuers sinnes ye retaine they are retained And accordingly no doubt they did through the grace of our Sauiour most discreetly and faithfully fulfill their office and ministerie and the effects heere promised and assured did out of question follow the same as the holy story of the Acts of the Apostles written by the Euang Luke and their owne holie epistles doe make it very euident and plaine both from their more publike and generall preaching and also from their more priuate and particular proceeding Question But that from the holy Apostles wee may come to our selues and all the Churches of our Sauiour Christ succeeding them euer since the fulfilling of their course are we to thinke that all this power and authority and the powerfull effects of the ministerie of the Gospel died with them Answere No. Wee may in no wise thinke so For as the ground and foundation of the ordinarie ministerie it selfe was laide in their extraordinarie ordination and calling so likewise was the ground and foundation of the ministeriall power and authoritie thereof in the name of Christ laid in that extraordinâ—rie power and authoritie which was committed to them Differunt pastores ab apostolis non quod ad substantiam ministerij attinet positam in doctrina et sacramentis sed quod ad modum vocationis et authoritateÌ„ Piscator in Math. 28.10.20 That is Pastors differ not from Apostles as touching the substance of Ministerie which consisteth in doctrine and Sacraments but in respect of the manner of their calling and in the measure of their power authority It is vndoubtedly true For so not onely doth the promise of our Sauiour declare in that hee saith Hee will bee with his Apostles to the end of the world which of necessitie must be vnderstoode of his presence with them to make good and vphold that ordinarie ministerie which they should by his appointment ordaine and plant in all Churches but it appeareth also by that which our Sauiour had saide before that he would so suâ—ely build his Church that the gates of hell should not vanquish it Math. 16. And by that which we reade chap. 18.15.16.17.18.19.20 Where hee establisheth a perpetuall power to the Church for the staying of offences and trespasses or as neede should require for the censuring and correcting of them with spirituall corrections euen to the cutting off of obstinate persons from the communion and fellowship of Saints It is true in deede that the apostolike office had diuers things proper to it as wee haue seene before namely that they were sent immediatly from Christ that they were appointed to be the first founders and the very chiefe or maister builders of the Churches of our Sauiour Christ and that also ouer all the world To the which end they were furthermore endued with an extraordinarie measure of spirituall gifts and graces and likewise with a power of working miracles more then ordinarie Finally they were ordained by the sacramentall breathing of our Sauiour Christ vpon them to the end they might be euery way authorized aboue all exception In all which respects none can be said to succeede them Neuerthelesse that the ordinarie Ministers of the word and sacraments euen to the end of the world should not haue the like authoritie in their limited places succeeding in the like office appointed by one the same Ie Ch to the same end of gathering together the Saints for the worke of the ministrie and for the edification of the body of Christ till wee all meet together in the vnity of faith knowledge of the Son of God vnto a perfect man vnto the measure of the age of the fulnes of Chr. c. Eph. 4.11.12 c. it is without all reason what differences our limitations so euer there be betweene the one and the other in some circumstances either in number or in measure of gifts or in particularity of place or residencie or in any other thing It is of necessity that the ordinary and perpetuall ministery of the word and sacraments should haue an effectuall power and authority giuen vnto it euen such a power as is deriued from the grand commission of the Apostles and is in substance all one with theirs insomuch as they must so feede and gouerne the flocks and congregations committed vnto their care and charges as they may vphold and maintaine the same doctrine and sacraments of our Lord Iesus Christ deliuered at the first to the Apostles among them and seeing they must so order the persons and liues of the same their flocks and congregations as much as in them lyeth that they giue no publike offence nor bring any euill report and slander vpon the Gospel of our Sauiour Christ It is not as many thinke that the Minister of the word hath nothing else to doe but generally to deliuer his doctrine and then to leaue his people to themselues to doe as they thinke good without reproofe of their disobedience to that doctrine which hee in the name and authority of God hath taught vnto them For the word is giuen by diuine inspiration as well to improue errours of iudgement and to correct disorders of life as to teach the truth and to instruct in righteousnesse 2. Tim. chap. 3. verse 16. It is not a formall and outward worshippe onely which the Lord requireth but a worshippe to be performed in spirit and truth ioyned with the power of godlinesse of life And this will not be obtained without a powerfull ministery to the subduing of the diuell and the strange rebellion of our nature To this purpose though we cannot stand neither doth it belong vnto vs to determine all things belonging to this so great and weighty a matter yet thus much we may and ought to teach and affirme that of Ministers of the word and of people committed to their seuerall charges of what degree and condition soeuer they bee whether King or Kesar as they say noble or of meane degree neyther the one that is the Ministers of the Gospel through any ambition and pride doe eyther arrogate too much vnto themselues or of a seruile and base minde prostitute that authority which our Sauiour hath giuen them to the contempt and reproach of any whosoeuer nor that the other that is any of the congregation eyther of profanenesse doe esteeme too lightly of the ministerie of those whom
is so manifold and great it is our duty Answer first of all to esteeme most highly and pretiously of the grace and vertue of it Secondly to labour earnestly that we may be partakers of the same grace or vertue and power Thirdly from the same power to indeuour to walke in all holy obedience to God in euery Christian duty Explicatiō That wee are thus both most highly and pretiously to esteeme of the vertue and power of the resurrection of our Sauiour and likewise most earnestly to seeke to apprehend it by faith the example of the Apostle Paul Phil 3. may be a sufficient proofe and inducement vnto vs both so to thinke and also to be earnest imitators and followers of him And in deede vnlesse wee doe with him carrie the same iudgement how can we drawe with him in the like yoake of affection Now touching a particular indeuour to walke in euery good dutie of obedience to God as a fruite of this power of the resurrection of our Sauiour Christ apprehended by faith it is good for vs to consider that the holy Apostles doe euery where hold forth the same as a reason of singular force to stirre vp the hearts of all Christians to minde repentance from all dead workes and to prouoke to the contrarie duties of godlines And namely for one instance 1. Corinth 15. the last verse of the chapter where so soone as the Apostle had professed thanks to God for this vnspeakeable comfort which the resurrection of our Sauiour affordeth he annexeth this exhortation forthwith Therefore my beloued bretheren be ye stedfast vnmoueable and aboundant alwayes in the worke of the Lord for as much as ye know that your labour is not in vaine in the Lord. And Acts 2.38 after that the Apostle Peter hath layed open and confirmed the article of the resurrection he doth immediatly exhort and incourage vnto repentance And chap. 3.15.19 And the Apostle Paul againe chap. 13.30 c. 40.41 And Rom. 6 9.10.11.12 c. And 2. Cor. 5 15. And Coloss 3.1 c. 5. For sanctification as was noted before is very neerely linked vnto iustification Heereunto therefore we ought as the Scriptures doe speake to rise early in the morning with all cheerefulnes of heart and spirit euen as our Sauiour Christ did preuenting as it were the morning watch that he might manifest and make knowne that good hand which hee had in his so speedy a victorie ouer the dominion of the graue and of death and hell And this also ought to giue vs singular incouragement not onely to fight manfully against sinne and all the confederates thereof the flesh the world and the diuell but also with good hope of prosperous successe to seeke after mighty increases in godlines Neither let it be a small comfort and incouragement vnto vs to bethinke our selues that according to the ordinance of our Sauiour himselfe we doe together with the exercises of our Christian religion euery Lords day celebrate as it is meete the memoriall of the blessed resurrection of our Sauiour and of the restauration of the world by him partly alreadie begun and to be fully perfitted in time to come And in trust of this mercy of our God also let vs not cease to pray continually in this barren and dead time of godlines wherein wee liue for a new spring and resurrection in mens mindes to the zeale of the Gospell as a fruite of this resurrection of our Sauiour Christ Finally let all our life long in the premeditation of our resurrection at the last day by the vertue of his resurrection to euerlasting life and of that perpetuall feast of the Lambe which wee are inuited vnto be nothing else The danger of not beleeuing this article but a carefull addressing and preparing of our selues both soules and bodies against that great day that then wee may be partakers of a ioyfull resurrection and so liue for euer with him Amen These thinges in deede are to be further enforced vpon our consciences from the Articles following which doe set forth the further exaltation of our Sauiour but because as was said in the comforts the resurrection is the first and most familiar inducement heereunto therefore the exhortation vnto these duties might not be pretermitted here ANd now that we may fully finish the doctrine of this article What danger is there in not beleeuing the very naturall and bodily resurrection of our Sauiour Christ and not in yeelding that fruit of obedience Question which it most worthily challenged at our hands Answer If any doe not beleeue this Article of the resurrection of our Lord Iesus Christs true and naturall body his death shall profit them nothing but they shall die in their sinnes And further also as touching those that be not through the vertue of our Sauiours resurrection partakers of the first resurrection of their soules from the death of sinne they shall neuer be partakers of the resurrection of their bodies to euerlasting life by him at his second comming Explication For the proofe of this reade first of all 1. Cor. 15.12.13.14.15.16.17.18 Where the holy Apostle maketh the resurrection of our Sauiour Christ the ground and foundation of ours yea so the ground that they are as one would say coincident and of the nature of relatiues in a certaine sort For insomuch as our Sauiour Christ who is the head of his Church is bodily raysed vp it cannot be but the members of this mysticall body must be made conformable that is they must be likewise raised vp and vnited vnto him or else he should be as a head without a body And likewise insomuch as our Sauiour Christ is raysed vp to be a King and a Prince ouer his Church for euer his subiects also must be raised vp or else hee could not haue subiects of the same nature and kind with himselfe to rule add gouerne A King who is a man must be a King of men and not of beasts yea of men and not of spirits or ghosts c. It is so in this world it shall be so in the world to come as touching the Kingdome of our Sauiour Christ For as hee shall retaine the whole nature of man for euer and euer so hee shall rule ouer men consisting of soules and bodies euen as ouer his naturall brethren Answerable after a sort to that which the people saide to Dauid 2. Sam. 15.1 Beholde wee are thy bones and thy flesh And as our Sauiour himselfe sheweth plainely concerning himselfe in his message sent by Marie Magdalen Iohn 20.17 though hee be in another state and condition then wee are in nowe and is so to continue euen world without any end And therefore the holy Apostle after that he hath noted diuers grosse and hereticall absurdities accompanying the deniall of the resurrection of Christ 1. Cor. 15. hee addeth verse 17.18 If Christ be not raysed your faith is in vaine ye are yet in your sinnes And so they who are
this further fruite and excellent benefite of the ascension of our Sauiour that thenceforth of his most royall bountie hee hath giuen most plentifull gifts vnto his Church both gifts of callings and offices and also gifts of manifold graces for the execution of the same to the replenishing of his whole Church from time to time For vnto euery one of vs saith the Apostle is giuen grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ Wherefore he saith that is the Psalmist whom the Apostle alledgeth saith when he ascended vp on high he led captiuitie captiue and gaue gifts vnto men c. that hee might fill all things And the Apostle to make the matter plaine hee addeth yet further Hee therefore gaue some to be Apostles and some Prophets and some Euangelists and some Pastours and Teachers For the gathering together of the Saints for the worke of the ministerie and for the edification of the body of Christ Till wee all meete together in the vnitie of faith and knowledge of the Sonne of God vnto a perfect man and vnto the measure of the age of the fulnesse of Christ c. Yea the holy Scriptures of the newe Testament a most faithfull record of the Gospell Preached by the Apostles and deliuered vnto vs in holy writings it is verily a fruite of the Ascension of our Sauiour and that also a very great one to vs and to all the ages succeeding the Apostles times euen to the ende of the world For otherwise how should the ages following specially those something more remoued haue enioyed so pure and plentifull a fruite of their Preaching had it not beene for this holy record of their Doctrine in writing Surely the defection from the truth foretold so speedily by them and euen beginning in their dayes hasted on so fast according to the common prouerbe An ill weede groweth a pace that the truth without recouerie by any ordinarie meanes would surely haue beene vtterly peruerted by the bastard traditions and doctrines of men in a short time Thus then though our Sauiour Christ be naturally absent in body euer since his ascension into heauen yet he is and alwaies hath bin spiritually present with his true Church and chosen people by his diuine presence walking as it were in the midst of the seuen golden Candlestickes taking care for them all Reuel 1 13. and chap 2 1. c. According to his most holy and gracious promise Mat 28.20 Loe I am with yee alwaies vntill the end of the worlde Amen But because the accomplishment of all this neither was neither could bee at once and immediately vpon the ascension of our Sauiour therefore the accomplishment of this fruite must be referred to the Article of the perpetuall sitting of our Sauiour at the right hand of God though the beginning and as it were the first fruites of the consideration of these fruites doe belong also to the Ascension seeing hereby all that followeth tooke that glorious effect which insued vpon it Question But is there no other fruite of our Sauiours ascension yet behind Answer Yes We haue a fift yea and also a sixt fruite beside all the former in that like as by the resurrection of our Sauiour our mindes are first raised vp to newnesse of life and our bodies also haue thereby a pledge as it were that they shall rise againe at the last day so by the vertue of his ascension apprehended by a true and liuely faith our mindes are yet further lifted vp and confirmed in the studie and practise of all heauenly and spirituall duties in certaine hope that our soules shall be taken vp into heauen immediately after this life And not onely so but by the ascension of our Sauiour we are further assured that at his comming againe to iudgement at the end of the world our bodies their soules ioyned to them againe shall be taken vp by the cloudes like as he himselfe was taken vp that so we may for euer liue and raigne with him and all the thousand thousands of his Saints and holy Angels in the heauens Touching the fift fruite that is the further lifting and drawing vp of our mindes Explicatiō proofe to the loue and care of heauenly studies and duties of godlines by the faith of the ascension of our Sauiour let vs consider what hee himselfe faith speaking of his lifting vp vpon the crosse by his death Iohn 12 32. saying If I were lifted vp from the earth I will drawe all men vnto me Now therefore seeing his lifting vp vpon the Crosse which was indeed with extreame reproch was mightie to begin so great a worke how shall not his lifting vp to the heauenly glorie duly of vs looked vp vnto be much more mightie to perfect that which is already so well begun For so it is written Acts 5 30.31 The God of our Fathers hath raised vp Iesus whom yee slewe and hanged on a tree Him hath God lifted vp with his right hand to be a Prince and a Sauiour to giue repentance to Israel and remission of sinnes And now last of all in the sixt place that not onely our soules shall bee receiued into the heauenly places God hath prepared a kingdome for his people from the beginning of the world to wit in his eternall counsell Mat 25 34. Our Sauiour Christ is gone vp into heauen to prepare places in his kingdome as one that actually executeth the counsell of his Father c. so soone as they depart this life but also our bodies at the last day as a fruite of the ascension of our Sauiour Christ we haue his owne promise Iohn 12 26. If any man serue me let him followe me for where I am there shall also my seruants be and if any man serue me him will my Father honour And chap 14 2.3 In my Fathers house are many dwelling places if it were not so I would haue told yee I goe to prepare a place for yee And though I goe to prepare a place for ye I will come againe and receiue ye to my selfe that where I am there may ye be also And chap 17. verses 22.24 And 1. Thes 4 13 c touching our bodies thus writeth the faithfull Apostle of our Lord Iesus Christ yet more expressely The Lord himselfe shall descend from heauen c. Then shall we which liue be caught vp with them also in the cloudes to meete the Lord in the aire and so shall be euer with the Lord. Wherefore saith hee comfort your selues one another with these words Thus then wee see that the ascension of our Sauiour Christ into heauen is an Article of our faith many wayes verie beneficiall and comfortable vnto vs yea so was it to the Apostles euen from the instant time thereof For they as it is written Forth-with returned from the mount of Oliues The Duties whence our Sauiour ascended to Ierusalem with great ioy reioycing no doubt in assurance that our Sauiour was not onely verily