liue in ignorance and blindnesse If such weake Governours had charge of instruction Masters must not thinke that they are exempted by the translation of the Ministery to others We indeed haue the charge of the Soules of diverse families but euery Master hath still the charge of his owne Gen. 18.19 2 Tim. 3.15 There is nationall domesticall and personall mourning enioyned Zach. 2.10.13.14 So teaching c. Q. How was the Church in a People A. As it did consist of many families and had the bounds thereof exceedingly inlarged from the dayes of Moses Vntill his time God had but a familie or two to worship him At the great Deluge but eight persons saued in the Arke Gen. 7. The world was growne so foule with sinne that God saw it was time to wash it with an vniversall flood and saw it meete to let it soke long vnder the waters so close did wickednesse cleaue to the authors of evill Q. What is here to be considered A. The writing of the rule of Religion which was done by such extraordinary Governours as God had fitted and inspired by his holy Spirit thereunto for the edification of his Church For even then God had both extraordinary and ordinary teachers now wee haue the rule completely delivered in writing and therefore need not any extraordinary Governours in the Church 2 Tim. 3.16 2 Pet. 1.20.21 And this is that that makes vs receiue a more sure word of Prophecie c. 2 Pet. 1.19 Q. How was it written A. According to the necessitie of the Church diversely and at sundry times Heb. 1.1 God increased the dyet of his Church as he saw it was fit to beare it Q. What are the Bookes called A. For the matter contained The word of God for the manner of Record The Scriptures by an excellencie of phrase as the most worthy writings that ever saw the light and being compiled into one volume are called Bibles or many little Bookes vnited in one body so that both worke and writing carry away the names of all other Scriptures and Bookes as most admirable for vse Ioh. 1.8 2 Tim. 3.15.16.17 Oh the shame of Christians that these workes should be counted as a strange thing vnto them Hos 8.12 whiles other bookes as baites for fooles shall be followed and applauded Q. How are these to be considered A. As they are either in the originall tongues or in the Translations in the purest fountaines or the derived streames and conduits In the Originalls not onely the matter which is the Divinitie Dogmaticall Historicall c. but also the meanes of inferring which is the Logicke the manner of expressing and enforcing which is the Grammar and Rhetorique are all immediately inspired 2 Tim. 3.16 All scripture is inspired from God 2. Pet. 1.21 The holy mon of God spake as they were moued by the holy Ghost In the translations the subiect matter or substance of Theologie is equally inspired though mediately The Logicall coherence also and consequence of argument retaineth the same necessitie of illation because it dependeth not vpon diversitie of Languages but communitie of notions But as for the proprietie of Grammar and vigor of Rhetorique there must needs be some abatement and embatement First and principally because the skill and diligence herein vsed by Translators is not divine or inspired but meerely humane at the best and in tryall prooueth to be lyable to much latitude sometime more sometime lesse Secondly for that many emphaticall words and rigorous figures both of Grammar and Rhetorique proper to the originall Tongues such as are especially deriuatiues agnominations proverbes c. cannot to the life be expressed in other Languages Thirdly and lastly because in vulgar Languages there is such mutabilitie and change of fashions almost as much as in apparell that after a few yeares we scarce vnderstand what our fore-fathers meant in some passages of the Scripture in our mother-tongue much lesse in the Latine which in the Vulgar is so pestered with Barbarismes in stile beside defects in notion that not onely S. Hierome would write invectiues if he should see such a brat layd at his dore but Priscian himselfe would call for the ferula It was therefore a very pious and laudable intention in our learned and judicious Soueraigne to appoint all our English Translations of the Scripture to be receiued and the best of them corrected by neerest reduction to the originals and to the proprieties of our Language Q. How in the originall Tongues A. As they are in the tongue wherein the Spirit did indite them and they are of themselues to be receiued without all exception as being Canonicall and hauing their authority primarily from the spirit and by themselues secundarily from the Church 1 Tim. 3.15 and 2 Ephist 3. chap. ver 16. The Church is the pillar on which the truth must hang to be shewed to others or the ground on which it resteth it selfe finding little stay else-where Next to the testimony of the Spirit and word it selfe wee are to admit the Churches testimony Q. Doth the Scripture containe the whole body of Religion A. It doth most fully and plainely and therefore there is no need of vnwritten verities or Popish Traditions It is the rule of all faith and controversies of faith It is the standard or the Kings beame by which wee are to try all doctrine that is tendred to vs. Wee are not to goe by the common beame of custome and opinion but by these ballances of Gods sanctuary not suffering a drams waight to be iniected that may incline these golden scoales as we please Isa 8.20 When the law was written Moses recalls both himselfe and the people to it for tryall when he had written his fiue bookes the Prophets that followed were content to haue their sayings brought to Moses law for tryall Christ himselfe never refused any tryall by the law and Prophets yea ever and anone is hee appealing vnto them for proofe of his owne doctrine and so all the A postles did tread in their masters steps onely the man of sinne will not indure any such tribunall he will iudge all and be iudged by none Q. But they seeme not to be so plaine and perspicuous A. Yes in themselues they are evident enough concerning things necessary to salvation and if at any time they seeme hard it is by reason of the weakenesse of our vnderstandings Pro. 14.6 Psal 25.14 2 Pet. 3.16 We must therefore in the obscure passages pray to God and conferre one place with another and consider duely the cirumstances of the places and wee shall find the true meaning if not God will pardon our ignorance and require no more of vs then himselfe giueth wee vsing his meanes aright Iam. 1.5 Q. What sense is to be giuen of Scriptures and whence must it be taken A. The Scriptures haue euer one literall sense and meaning and that which must be fetched from themselues 2 Pet. 1.20 It is of no private interpretation or as man
both of them before the holy Ghost Order requires that the begetter subsist before the begotten and the Spirants before the Spirit Ioh. 15.26 I will send from the father the Comferter even the spirit of truth As there is an order in subsisting so in working And here the well of life lies open before the godly though their eyes often like Agars are not open to see it whiles miserable worldlings haue neither water nor eyes And because to Christians there can be no comfort in their secret felicities seeing to be happy and not to know it is little aboue miferable let me here fell them some of that spirituall eye-salue which the Spirit commends to the Laodiceans that they may clearely see how well they are in the true apprehension of this order I know it to be vsuall with all men liuing that they doe not much more want that which they haue not then that which they doe not know they haue Assuredly there is nothing but a few scales of ignorance and infidelitie betwixt vs and our happinesse It lies in a narrow compasse but soundly trussed together for it is from the Father in the Sonne by the Spirit to Faith 2. Cor. 13.14 Loue from the Father as the beginner of our happinesse Grace from the Sonne as the dispenser of it And a blessed happy communion from the holy Ghost as the accomplisher or finisher of it Loue Grace and Communion are enough to passe the beleeuer from death to life The father cannot manifest his loue without the grace of his sonne neither can the spirit therein communicate with vs but as he is sent from both after both to manifest the loue of the one in beginning and the grace of the other in dispensing all things needfull for our saluation Thinke not much that this glasse of the word espies that in vs and for vs what our selues see not too much neerenesse oft-times hindereth sight and if for the spots of our owne faces wee trust others eyes and glasses why not this truth for our perfections wee are in heauen and know it not What greater happines then this to be made partakers of the purest Loue richest Grace and choicest Communion Eph. 1.13.15 Our election is begunne by the will counsell and decree of the Father dispensed by the complete and full redemption of the Sonne finished by the powerfull and effectuall application of the Spirit It is not without due consideration why in the beginning of the Apostolicall Epistles Grace and peace are wished from the Father and the Sonne without mention of the Spirit I may and will reine the question shorter then they doe that confound the persons in their workes The Spirit is sent from the Father and the Sonne to witnesse that grace and peace that wee haue from and with them both He that is from them both by inspiration is to them both with vs as lidger in execution When good things are wished from some persons it is requisite that there be some to carry newes of their will and pleasure therein The Church of God hath the glorious Gospell of life and saluation and therein is contained all grace and peace with God but how shall euery soule be certified that he is interessed in those good things except the Father and the Sonne send the Spirit as a witnesse and seale thereof vnto him in particular Therefore Paul in all his Epistles wishing grace and peace from Father and Sonne not mentioning the Spirit obserues the true order of personall subsisting and personall working And therefore peace purchased by grace whereby the Father is reconciled in his Sonne is wished to the Churches the fruition whereof followeth by the worke of the blessed Spirit in all that are ordained to be partakers thereof Q. What kind of properties are these A. Individuall and incommunicable and being giuen to the Father Sonne and holy Ghost make three distinct persons and therefore the Church of God hath done well so to name them though the word be not in all the Scripture for it is a Latine word and therefore cannot be found in the Originalls which are Greeke and Hebrew Thus far haue we freely dipped in this streame and not bin drowned pulled many fragrant roses and not pricked our fingers there is one thing more that may sting vs if godly discretion serue not to sever the good from the ill yet the former lessons well remembred are sufficient to them that are capable of observation and not carelesse of reposition to keepe them from danger but seeing remarkable consideration put into vs by others are as some loofe pearles which for want of filing vpon a string shake out of our pockets it shall be necessary both for the getting and keeping of the treasure of our vnderstanding to expresse it Q. Are then these properties qualities in the divine essence A. They are relatiue affections no inherent qualities for they doe no wayes change or alter the essence but leaue it still simply one I know naturall reason would here send forth distemper into our whole judgement The streame must needs runne like the fountaine and speeds well if at last by many changes of soile it can leaue an ill qualitie behind it so our judgement shall be well purged if by all these passages we can so farre master reason that the fardle of foolish fancies may here be vnloden and God may purely be apprehended as he is in himselfe But what can be expected from this age fitter to looke after Butter-flies or Birds nests or perhaps some gay coat of a Courtier then this sound and solide knowledge of Iehovah-Elohim Or if any trauell this way it is indeed like our yong travellers whose wealth is found to be in their tongues wherein they exceed and excell their parents parrats at home both for that they can speake more and know that they speake so our Aethiopian Christians white onely in the teeth euery where else cole blacke can speake well of God and godlinesse and that is all But God is not so learned for as among the three parts of the body there is one called Impetuous or impulsiue as the spirits which sets all on worke or as Physitians call the Arteries in the body Venas audaces or micantes from their continuall beating and working which running along with the other veines beate knock at euery gate and entrance for the members to take in provision saying as it were to euery part and portion here is meate and nourishment for you so true religion hauing put into vs the royall and celestiall Spirit of Faith calls vpon all powers and parts not to know and speake good things but to liue and practise them Papists teach that a man may and must both make and eate his God to his break-fast this hard meate wee leaue for their stronger mawes yet even here may wee begin with the spoone and offer nothing to our weaker stomackes but discourse of easie digestion Know God and liue by
set over seuerall Diocesses euery of which had a Bishop ouer it and these vnder the Emperour might call councels If the errour or schisme fell out within the Diocesse then might the Diocessan call a councell and if the error could be there ended and healed it went no further if not then the Province was assembled by the Arch-bishop If yet the error had so spred it selfe that the Province was too weak to conclude the greater number being infected then did the Patriarch call diverse Provinces and if there it could not be ended then came it to an vniversall Councell c. And by these meanes was the Church wonderfully eased of hard long travels This was holy and good But this excellent order was disturbed by the Patriarke in the West whose invasions and tyranny long haue and still doe tend to the destruction both of the Church and State Wee are free from this Westerne Patriarke not onely by reason of his intolerable tyranny but also because the dissolution of the Empire is the dissolution of the Patriarkes And euery Christian Prince is absolute in himselfe to call by his owne Arch-bishops or Bishops councels as he pleaseth And it is rebellion to the Prince not to come when he summons the guiltie to appeare A gaine if this authoritie were dissolued then would the power reside in the order of the spirituall Governours as they were left by the Apostles And so councels could not be called vniversall nationall provinciall Diocessan for as tyrants prohibite the publicke exercises of Religion so the publicke congregating of Councels And here let me sling this stone into the brasen foreheads of our adversaries which in their shamelesse challenges dare tell the world wee are an Antichristian Church What one iot of authoritie doe we borrow from the Pope Is not all jurisdiction and power in the Prince and for exercise in the Bishops Q. What further distinction is there of the Church A. Besides the visibilitie or invisibilitie Puritie or impuritie of Congregations and Churches It is distinguished by the times thereof as it was yet in a familie or people The Church was an Embryo in the hatching till Abrahams time In swathing bands till Moses In child-hood till Christ a man in Christ and shall be a man full growne in glory It did long sticke betweene the knees and want power to come into the light but at length by succession of times comes to perfection of parts and degrees As man is an epitome of the world so is euery Christian an abridgement of the Church best at his last Like the feast of Cana where the best wine was reserved to the end Wee must ever be growing from strength to strength for it is a fearefull condition to goe backward how can he be rich that growes euery day poorer Can he ever reach the goale that goes euery day a step backe from it Alas then how shall he ever reach the goale of glory that runnes euery day a step backward in grace He that is worse euery day can never be at his best True grace is contrary to nature for it will bee strongest at last Sure I am in regard of time that the Catholicke Church increaseth in number and grace yet visible Congregations are soyled with age and grow worse by the tracts of time Families a nation now the world growes decrepit in respect of their liuely beginnings Primitiue times were not pestered with those diseases that are now growne vpon the Church and vnder which it groaneth Like Ezekias Sunne wee are gone backe many degrees in the diall of perfection and yet the Catholicke Church like the Sunne till noone will ever be rising Fie on those Apostates whose beginnings like Neroes first fiue yeares are full of hope and peace and then decline into villany Hypocrites like the first moneth of a new servant out-goe all but like Horse-coursers Iades soone giue in and tyre Whose age is like vnto the foure ages of the world first gold at last iron Pictures of zeale like Nebuchadnezzars image from a precious head they fall to base feete These be the true hot-spurs that will soone runne themselues out of breath But we may well say such were never right bred for Gods Church gaines perfection with time Therefore all such as proue falling Starres never were ought but Meteors True Saints never loose light or motion Spirituall motion may be violent in respect of nature and perpetuall in respect of grace Psal 110.3 Isa 60.8 Zech. 14.20 Q. How long was the Church in families A. Vntill the time of Moses so long God had the first borne for his Priests and euery head of the familie was not onely Master but Minister c. Num. 3.12 Dainty mothers send their daughters a frosting betimes in a cold morning who seeking beautie indanger health but our heauenly Father kept his Church within doores till he saw it was safe to suffer it to goe abroad Q. Who were the Governours A. The extraordinary were the Patriarches Which were Prophets for the rule of Religion was alwayes to bee the same in the Church though God did diversely administer it Wee denie not but that the word of God may be devided into Tradition and Scriptures but our difference is about the kind of the distinction and distribution whether the word be so devided into his essentiall parts or into two distinct manners of deliverance Wee say the word is essentially the same whether it be spoken or written and that writing speaking are but two accidents of the same substance Furthermore wee say that the word delivered by tradition was as well inspired as when afterward it pleased God to reveale his will by Scriptures Tradition was fitter for a family then a Bible because dead letters had beene of no validitie to a weake Church Wee feed the childe with the spoone and dare not trust him with the knife Spoone-meat was fit for families though afterwards God would haue all his people vse the knife and learne to cut their owne meate and therefore he gaue the nation of the Iewes some Scriptures to feed on And here appeares the wrong Papists offer to the Churches of the Gospell who restraine them from Bibles as if they were still in the infancie c. To conclude God never taught by tradition but the deliverers were extraordinarily inspired otherwise the rest were no further to be trusted or beleeued then they had receiued their doctrines from the Patriarkes and extraordinary Prophets And if the Pope could make vs beleeue he had these inspirations wee should no more doubt of his Oracles then we doe of the Scriptures themselues The ordinary Governours were the heads and eldest sonnes of the families c. Gen. 4.26 and 18.19 Q. What were the Governed A. The residue of the familie And here wee may learne what was the most auncient kind of teaching to wit Catechizing or familie teaching and it is a shame to the master when he suffers his familie to
will haue it but it must be expounded as it was spoken And the same mouth must be both the maker and interpreter that is the holy Ghost No man knowes Grammar but by Grammar neither can wee see the Sunne without the Sunne so no man can expound Scripture but by Scripture There is the same Art both in the composition and resolution as there is the same way in going backward and forward Scriptures rightly vnderstood in our actions are as the heart in the body for conveying life to all the parts or as a dram of Muske perfuming the whole box of oyntment This is that godlinesse which breedeth an heedfulnesse in all our wayes and actions 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quae parit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Q. How are they to be considered as translated A. Howbeit the Scriptures as they be translated be not so authenticall and canonicall as the originalls yet ought they to be read publickely and privately of all and to bee receiued as the word of God Onely this must be the care of the learned that as much as lies in them they labour that the apographicall translations or transscriptions answere the autographicall and primary originals And if there be any mis-taking they must ever be reformed by the fountaines themselues The Hebrewes and Greekes drinke both of the well-head pure translations of the Streames the Latines in their authenticall Ierome of the very puddles Well may I say of Trent fathers as that Chian servant of his Master which sold his wine and dranke the lees whiles they had good they sought for that which was nought c. Q. But how shall the ignorant in the originals doe in this case A. They must referre themselues to their faithfull and learned Pastours whom God shall stirre vp for the faithfull teaching of his people And the Spirit of God which dwelleth in those that are his will inable them to discerne even in translations betweene truth and falshood so that if any errour should be if they attend the meanes ordained of God they shall not want information Luk. 1.4 if they confider how things are written from point to point they shall come to a certaintie of Scripture Psal 102.18 Q. Had the Church beside these extraordinary teachers no other A. Yes there were also ordinary teachers that euery congregation might be supplied with able men to instruct them and these were to depend vpon the extraordinary and so farre to be heard as they agreed with their words or writings Exod. 4.15.16 Moses receiues from God and Aaron from Moses c. In all points of Religion we must depend vpon God in prayers if he powre not vpon vs we cannot powre out vnto him Zach. 12.10 Q. How was the Church in a people A. First in the peculiar people of Israel secondly among all people The Church did grow from a domesticall societie to a nationall and from a nation to all nations I haue seene great Ryvers which at their first rising out of some hilles side might be covered with a Bushell which after many miles fill a very broad channell and drawing neere to the Sea doe even make a little Sea in their own bankes so the Church had but a small beginning which is now growne Catholicke over all the world Grace is compared to the wind Ioh. 3.8 which at the first rising is as a little vapour from the cranies of the earth and passing forward about the earth the further it goeth the more blustering and violent it waxeth So ought the Church and euery member of it to be daily increasing and thriuing in grace It was the Devils devise to bring that slaunder vpon carely holinesse A yong Saint an old Devill I beleeue that sometimes yong Devils may turne old Saints never the contrary for true Saints in youth will proue Angels in age Let vs therefore striue to be ever good and thinke with our selues surely if wee be not best at last wee may iustly feare wee were never good at all Psal 1.3 Ezek. 47.3.4.5 Q. What was this people of Israel A. A peculiar people whom the Lord chose to himselfe of whom Christ was to come according to the flesh and because he was yet to come they had both the Mossias promised them and by many types and ceremonies shadowed out vnto them Deut. 7.6.7.8 Rom. 3.1.2 and 9.4.5 O if God in these things set his loue vpon them how loues hee vs to whom the very graces themselues haue appeared Tit. 2.11 Q. What were the Congregations called A. Synagogues Although God would haue all his people sacrifice in one place yet would he haue praying and preaching in euery Towne Citie and mother townes had many Synagogues Abel is called a mother Citie 2 Sam. 20.19 And so the Church of the Gentiles had many mother churches out of which did spring many daughters Religion propagating from the greater Cities to the lesser townes and villages Act. 13.15 And here might wee trace the Separatists to Iordan by their babes and bottles in running away from their mother Q. Who were the extraordinary Governours A. Prophets of whom some did write the bookes of the old Testament in the Hebrew tongue which are in number thirtie nine all which by our Sauiour Christ are devided into the law and the Prophets Math. 11.13 22.40 or may be devided into Priestly Princely and Propheticall bokes in regard of Christ which is the subiect of them all or according to the most vsuall distribution first the bookes of the law written by Moses and they are fiue Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers and Deuteronomie Secondly the foure first Prophets as Ioshua Iudges and Ruth two bookes of Samuel and two bookes of the Kings and the foure latter Prophets to wit the three great Prophets Isa Ier Ezek and the twelue lesser which for brevitie they comprehend all in one booke Hos Ioel Amos Obed Ion Mic Nah Hab Zeph Hag Zech Mal Thirdly the nine others they call Cetubhim or writings by an excellencie and they are Iob Psalmes Prov Eccl Can Dan Chron 2. Ezra 2. Hester Our Sauiour Christ Luk. 24.44 makes a tripartite division of the old Testament into Law Prophets and Psalmes and makes himselfe the subiect of them all The law was Morall Ceremoniall and Iudiciall And all were types of Christ The Morall which is for instruction did prefigure Christ as our Prophet the Ceremoniall which was for expiation did shadow him as our Priest the Iudiciall which was for Government as King The Prophets that foretold Christ were some of them Kings Governours some Priests and some purely Prophets The Psalmes are mixed of all three full of prayers prophecies and scepters c. There is a latter distribution obserued by Interpreters and that is quadripartite as into bookes Legall Historicall Poeticall and Propheticall The Legall are the fiue bookes of Moses Historicall the twelue following to Iob. Poeticall the six following from the beginning of Iob to Esay Propheticall the three great Prophets
faith and wee shall haue him for our ever-lasting food CHAPTER X. Of their Distinction Question HOw are these Subsistences or persons to be distinguished Answere They are Father Sonne and holy Ghost or because Relatiues are but two into the relation of Father and Sonne to the spirit which is breathing or sending or of the Father to the Sonne which is begetting Spirantes spiritus Gignens genitus how easie were it to loose our selues in this Discourse How hard not to be over-whelmed with matter of wonder and to finde either beginning or end Loe with these words of relation we are happily waded out of those deepes whereof our conceits can finde no bottomes and now may wee more safely with Peter gird our coat about vs and cast our selues a little into this sea onely we must remember that as those which had wont to swim onely with bladders sinke when they come first to trust to their owne armes so wee may soone plunge our selues if we suffer our owne thoughts to carry vs along in this mystery If any wonder whether this discourse can tend let him consider that of Tertullian Ratio divina in medulla est non in superficie Divinitie is more in the marrow and roote then the rind and surface of things It cannot be doubted but as God is the best being so he is the best life and that the best life is reasonable God therefore is the best vnderstanding Suffer your selues with Abrahams Ramme to be perplexed a while in these bryers that you may be prepared to present your selues for liuing sacrifices holy and acceptable to this dreadfull Trinitie Singula verba plena sunt sensibus as Hierome sayd of the Booke of Iob. As being by nature so vnderstanding by counsell is able to conceiue and beget the image of it selfe and from the one to the other to send a mutuall loue liking onely in the creatures both these are imperfect for nature doth generate to preserue it selfe and vnderstanding conceiues to perfect it selfe No vnderstanding by nature conceiues it selfe and no being by counsell begets it selfe It is therefore the perfection of vnderstanding naturally to conceiue it selfe God doth both speake and worke in Parables as a Father sayth well but here needs nothing be fayned to fasten this truth vpon vs. It shall bee evinced by plaine demonstration The best being and best vnderstanding must needs conceiue the best image of it selfe now in conceiuing it begets it and being begotten by nature is no lesse then the begetter Man by nature begets no lesse then himselfe by counsell hee can conceiue that which is lesse or greater then himselfe so the father by nature can beget no lesse then himselfe though by counsell he conceiued and brought forth a whole world nothing comparable to himselfe in greatnesse or goodnesse Well then in one simple essence there is necessarily a begetter and a begotten and so we haue the subsistences of Father and Sonne He is out of the danger of folly whom a speedie advertisement leaveth wise It is but an holy prevention to be devout vnbidden and to serue God vpon our owne conceits Let vs then see how the second mystery will follow The father in begetting his owne image cannot but loue it naturally and the sonne in being begotten cannot but as naturally loue the begetter And hence proceeds mutuall loue and because it is naturall is no lesse in being then the begetter and begotten from whom it proceeds for the begetter and begotten loue themselues naturally and therefore the Spirit is God and a third subsistence in the divine nature If the persons were eyther greater or lesse one then another then would this absurditie insue vpon it that neither the father could directly conceiue himselfe or father sonne equally loue themselues consequently never inioy their owne happinesse which consists in the full fruition of themselues Heb. 1.3 Christ is said to be the expresse image of the fathers subsistence Some translate it substance or essence which will all come to one passe if substance be taken subiectiuely not causely for the divine essence hath eminently all the excellencies of creatures and therefore vnderstanding which is able to conceiue and in conceiuing to beget which begetting is a relatiue propertie and hence the Subsistence of the Father whereof the Sonne is the expresse image It were as we haue formerly said improper locution to call him the image of the essence for that begets not yet in that is the begetter c. Rom. 15.30 Gal. 5.22 Where loue is giuen to the Spirit not onely as hee worketh it in vs but as he is the mutuall loue both of Father and Sonne and so is sent from both of them to testifie of their loue to vs Rom. 5.5 O that these things in their true worth could affect vs but alas as in a Taverne where many Tables are seene replenished with guests halfe soaked and sowsed in wine all the house resoundeth with laughters cries whoopings and strange noise wherein the sweetest musicke in the world is both neglected and mocked so our age inchanted with rude and ridiculous pastimes gibeth at this holy and heauenly contemplation of the sacred and blessed Trinitie How many doth God suffer to liue and breath which make the Taverne their Temple Indian-smoake their incense Sacke their sacrifice and blasphemous oathes their daily prayers for the loue of this dreadfull Trinitie and the deare loue of your owne soules remember S. Pauls advise Rom. 6.22 Being made free from sinne haue your fruit in holinesse and the end thereof shall be ever-lasting life But I must make my course more speedie and hasten in the long way I haue to goe Hitherto we haue had many Reaches to fetch in our way and beene constrained to winde in by bourds but wee are gotten off the Maine onely the shore is still buttrest with rockes on euery hand the Currents swift the Shallowes many that wee cannot make so fresh a way as wee would Haue but the patience a while and we shall bring thee within the view of the end of our toylesome voyage The ship that hath beene long at Sea discouered many strange Continents and ryvers strugled through many hiddeous tempests escaped many rockes and quick-sands and at length made a rich returne cannot but forget her irkesome Travell and thinke shee is well apaid when shee commeth within the kenne of her owne Countrey and sees the Land lye faire before her So hee that coasts along these severall bankes and bounds of godlinesse and in the Ship of the Church is brought into the mouth of the haven of heaven cannot but with ioy remember all the troubles and afflictions he hath indured in this world In a word vnderstand this but as a letter of advertisement from the Coast whereby thou mayest with the greater ease reape the profit of them that haue travelled before thee Q. What is the relatiue propertie of the Father and the Sonne A. To breath or send forth
with the twelue lesser and Daniel The Apocrypha is shut out of the distribution both by the Iewes and our Saviour and therefore is not of equall authoritie with the bookes we haue mentioned God made the Iewes faithfull registers of the old Testament and they were so curious least a letter should be lost that they kept them by count and therefore would never haue beene so negligent in the Apocrypha writing if ever they had beene committed of God vnto them by their extraordinary governours As in notorious Burglaries a hat gloue or fword is often left behind for discovery so in these though more honest some errors haue escaped to discover the Authors Q. Who were their ordinary Governours A. The supreame was the high Priest the inferior were the Priests Levites and Rulers of their Synogogues Lev. 8. Num. 3. Act. 13.15 Order hath ever beene for the custodie of divine things and confusion for their ruine Q. What is the Church among all people A. The Catholicke Church gathered out of all people where we haue the Messias exhibited in the flesh in whom the law and the Prophets are yea and Amen Moses branded some creatures with vncleannesse he that hath redeemed his children from morall impuritie redeemes his creatures from legall what should S. Peters great sheet let downe by foure corners teach vs but that all creatures through the foure corners of the world are cleane and holy And that God is no respecter of persons but in euery nation he that feareth him and worketh righteousnesse is accepted with him Act. 10.34.35 Gal. 4.27 Q. How are the Congregations thereof called A. They are called Churches the name of the whole being put for the part and Christ doth it to distinguish his Churches of the Gospell from the prophane and wicked Synagogues of the Iewes Math. 18.17 He sayes not tell it the Synagogue but the Church c. They therefore levell amisse that lay the line of their government by this deceitfull square Q. Who were the extraordinary Governours of this Church A. Iohn Baptist the forerunner of Christ Christ himselfe his Apostles seventie Disciples Evangelists and Prophets whereof some did write the bookes of the new Testament in the Greeke tongue which are either Historicall as the Gospells of Mathew Marke Luke and Iohn or diverse excellent Epistles as of Paul to the Romanes Corinthians 2. Galathians Ephesians Philippians Colossians Thessalonians 2. Timothy 2. Titus Philomon Hebrewes Epistle of Iames of Peter 2. Iohn 3. Iude or lastly the Propheticall booke of the Revelation Q. Who were the ordinary Governours A. The Doctors and Pastours Eph. 4.11 which may be distributed into Bishops Elders and Deacons As for the first if time and place be accidents of a calling and the very essence lie in relation betwixt the caller and the called Timothy and Titus were ordinary teachers for to an extraordinary Governour an extraordinary caller is required It cannot be denied but that both Timothy and Titus did a long time wait vpon the Apostles and were sent from place to place though setled at the last If going from place to place make an Euangelist then they were both of them Evangelists but I beleeue all the Pastours and Doctours of the Church were at the Apostles command and sent too and fro as there was need 2 Tim. 3.10.12.20 c. wee heare of Crescens Titus Tychicus Trophimus c. sent diverse wayes by the Apostle Paul c. And therefore it is not enough from the place to say such a one was an Evangelist except it be further prooued that he had an extraordinary calling That Timothy is bidden to doe the worke of an Euangelist it is a dubious terme for an Evangelist is either put for a writer of the Gospels and so some Apostles are Evangelists or for an officer and so such as were extraordinarily called to plant Churches Act. 8. but had no power to ordaine them Pastours are called Evangelists Act. 21.8 And of this sort might be many of the seventie Disciples or lastly for Preachers for the Gospell with which the name is coniugated is the obiect of all three The first write it for the edification of the Church the second preach it and worke miracles to confirme it for the plantation of the Church and the third preach it too for the further watering of that seed which others haue sowne before them and in this sense is Timothy bidden to doe the worke of an Evangelist as the next words expound it make thy ministery fully knowne And it is out of doubt that Timothy was called of God by man which to me is an ordinary calling And that Timothy and Titus as Bishops properly so called had a superintendencie and coerciue power of jurisdiction over Elders Ministers or Preachers it is evident to me out of these places 1 Tim. 1.3.5.19 2 Tim. 2.14 Tit. 1.5.11.13 The Elders are from the originall called Presbyteri which turned into English is called Priests the most current and passable title had not Masse-mongers made it infamous in the eares of such people as are not acute enough to devide betweene a fit title and a corrupting abuse Thus much for the name As for the office of Elders taken for Ecclesiasticall Governours I find none described but by seeding of the flocke which makes mee conclude they were all Pastours As for that place 1 Tim. 5.17 all the question is about the comparison whether gifts or offices be compared together The originall hath it thus Elders ruling well are worthy of double honour especially labouring in the word and doctrine now it is a rule in the Greeke tongue that participles are to be turned into reasons of the things they explaine as ruling because they rule and labouring because they labour c. The sense then may be thus rendred without all rending of the comparison Elders are to be reompenced with honour and maintenance first because they rule secondly because they preach First they goe before their flocke in holy practise of discipline vpon themselues and others secondly they continually presse them by precepts in painfull preaching Now that the people may especially see wherein they are to be honoured it is in this that they are labourious dispensers and disposers of heauenly doctrine Therefore with the Scriptures I say that the ordinary teachers and Governours of the Christian Churches were Pastours and Doctors and that copulatiuely and not segregatiuely as in Apostles Prophets and Evangelists Q. What is the Church triumphant A. The number of all those that are applied vnto Christ by sight After faith and sight followes freedome and fruition This Church consists of holy Spirits both Angels and men the soules of the Saints departed are receiued vp into glory and after the resurrection the militant Church both in body and soule shall be of the Triumphant in the full fruition of all blisse and happinesse Gal. 4.26 Heb. 12.22.23.24 Iob. 14.2.3 Heb. 11.10.16.26 c. As those therefore that haue tasted of some
delicate dish finde other plaine dishes but vnpleasant so it fareth with all those which haue once tasted of heauenly things they cannot but contemne the best worldly pleasures As therefore some daintie guest knowing there is some pleasant fare to come will reserue his appetite for it so must not we suffer our selues to be cloyed with the course dyet of the world but keepe our desires for the ioyes to come And if worldlings find so much pleasure on earth as to thinke it worth the account of their heauen because they see such a Sunne to enlighten it such an heauen to wall it about such sweet fruits and flowers to adorne it such varietie of creatures for the commodious vse of it and yet onely provided for mortalitie and chiefely possessed by the makers enemies what then must heaven needs be that is provided for God himselfe and his best friends If the out side be so glorious what shall be within How can it be lesse in worth seeing God is aboue his creatures and Gods friends better then his enemies I will therefore not onely be content but desirous to be dissolved CHAPTER XXVI Of the Spirits application by Faith Question HItherto of the subiect of Application what are the parts Answere Preparation and the infusion of faith Such is the nature of man that before he can receiue a true iustifying faith hee must as it were be broken in peeces by the law Ier. 23.9 The word of God is both the hammer to breake our hard hearts and a fire to heat melt mollifie and dissolue them into the teares of godly sorrow A rocke may tremble and an iron vessell by violent stroakes may be broken in peeces and yet still retaine their hardnesse onely the sweet and pleasant fire of grace must soften them againe It is the bloud of the Lambe that must melt the Adamant and the Sunne-shine of Gods loue in Christ that must thaw the ice of our hearts Rom. 8.15 we are to be led from the feare of slaues through the feare of penitents to the feare of sonnes and indeed one of these makes way for another and though perfect loue thrust out feare yet must feare bring in that perfect loue as a Needle or Bristle drawes in the thred after it or as the potion brings health The compunction of feare saith Gregory fits the minde for the compunction of loue Psal 2.11 We are bidden to reioyce in God with trembling If Samuel had not made the people to quake at Gods thunder and raine hee should never haue brought them so to haue ioyed in the following Sunne-shine 1 Sam. 12.18.19 c. Hostile feare through the power of God may be initiall to the filiall And whereas that casts both the eyes vpon the punishment God can make it cast the one eye off the iudgement and fixe the other on the partie offended so Samuel teacheth Israel 1 Sam. 20.20 with 24. Feare not the thunder but feare him that sent it If ever wee will stoope the iudgements of God will bring vs on our knees Q. What is the preparation A. A fitting vs for our being in Christ for wee being branches of the wild Oliue must be made ready for our being in the true Oliue before wee can be grafted into it Rom. 11.17.24 Ioh. 15.5.6.7 The convexe or out-bowed side of a vessell will hold nothing it must be the hollow and depressed part that is capable of any liquor The broken contrite spirit makes way for Gods grace Psal 51.17 Sweetly Bernard God poures not the oyle of his mercy saue into a broken vessell for indeed whole vessels are full vessels and so this precious oyle would runne over and be spilt on the ground Oh if wee were so humbled with the varieties of Gods iudgements as wee ought how savory would his counsels be How precious and welcome would his feare be to our trembling hearts Whereas now our stubborne senselesnesse frustrates all the threatnings and executions of God Q. When is this done A. In the acceptable time and day of saluation in the which the Lord pleaseth to bring into act his purpose of salvation in gathering his owne out of the world and that sooner or later as it pleaseth him Wee may not mend the pace of God or spurre on his decree yet must we be diligent in the meanes vntill God blesse them for this end Every man hath power to goe to Church heare the word and be present at all outward seruices and the neglect of this hinders many in respect of better successe though not of Gods decree Wee therefore are guiltie of our owne time ill husbanded though God will not worke before his owne day Luk. 19.42 Rom. 13.11 2 Cor. 6.2 Q. What are the parts of this preparation A. First the cutting of vs as it were from the wild Oliue tree Secondly a paring and fitting of vs to be put into the true Oliue tree Rom. 11.24 The Gentiles were cut out of the Oliue tree which is wild by nature and contrary to nature grafted into a good Oliue tree c. Wee that grow wild in wickednesse want grace to seeke Christ and being contrary to his vertues are vnapt to ioyne with him without a great preparation Tell the prophane person in the midst of all his iollitie and revels of devotion pietie or iudgements and he will turne you off with the Athenian question What doth this babler say Tell the woman of Samaria Ioh. 4. of the water of life and shee will mocke at it till Christ sit as iudge in her conscience and pinch her with that close imputation of adultery there is no sowing Ier. 4. till the hard and clottie fallow ground be subdued by the Plough the vnhumbled sinner is as vnfit for Gods instruction as an vnbroken Colt for the saddle Our Gallants cannot be stayed from their Gallop till God touch their Soules with some terrour cast their bodies on their beds of sicknes turne their fooles feathers into kerchiefes then when they see their faces grow pale their eyes sunke in their heads their hands shaking their breath short their flesh consumed you shall haue them easie to be talkt withall now or else never will they learne with old Eli to say speake Lord for thy servants heare Thus wee see it is good striking when the iron is hot there is no fishing so good as in these troubled waters Now it is good striking whom God hath stricken for conscience is a nice and sullen thing and if it be not taken at fit times and moodes there will be no medling with it Q. What meane you by this cutting of vs from the wild Oliue A. Two things first a violent pulling of vs out of the corruption of nature or a cutting as it were by the knife of the law of an vnregenerate man from his security wherin he sleepeth he not so much as dreaming of any such thing Psal 119.70 Their heart is as fat as grease but I delight in thy law Shewing
hope of better in reversion and shall we sticke at any worldly pelfe for the gaining of heaven Fie on such children as with Esau would sell this birth-right for a messe of this worlds pottage Lord make mee one of thy heires and I will be content to waite thy leisure for my pleasure in inioying Q. Hitherto of our being in Christ what is our coalition or growing vp with him A. It is our daily putting off of the old man with his corruptions and the putting on of the new man with his daily renewing in righteousnesse and true holinesse Ephes 4.22.23.24 2 Cor. 5.17 Gal. 2.20 and 5.24 They that are in Christ cannot but be new creatures and such as are daily crucifiers of sinne Q. What are the parts or rather degrees of this our coalition A. Regeneration and glorification Being adopted of the Father it is fit wee should come forth as his children therefore it pleaseth the Father of his owne will to beget vs with the word of truth Iam. 1.18 1 Pet. 1.23 First there is a divine conception of the adopted Sonnes of God and secondly a bringing forth of that worke Christ was conceiued in the wombe of the Virgin by the worke of the Spirit so must his brethren be conceiued in the wombe of the Church by the same Spirit Psal 110.3 Christ told Nicodemus that he was to be re-borne or else hee should never see glory Ioh. 3.3 Regeneration is as the conception Glorification as the nativitie or happy birth day The passion dayes of the Martyrs were called of old Natalitiasalutis the birth dayes of their salvation and that as well for festivitie as the nativitie it selfe Thus from an obscure conception we come to a glorious birth 1 Ioh. 3.2 Q. What is Regeneration A. It is as it were a new conception of vs in the wombe of the Church by the spirit of God and that of the incorruptible seed of the Word whereby our corrupt nature is begotten againe or restored to the image of God 1 Pet. 1.3 2 Pet. 1.4 Tit. 3.5 Gal. 4.6 2 Cor. 3.17 Colos 5.9.10 Eph. 4.23 Which is of the whole man and in this life is perfect in the parts though imperfect in the degrees as a child is a perfect man before he come to his full age And this may be called our sanctification whereby of vnholy wee are renewed by the holy Spirit to the image of our heauenly Father And here we are to consider two degrees of our sanctification the first is the inchoation or beginning of it the second is the processe or passing forward to greater perfection hence Rom. 8.30 our glorification followes our iustification sanctification being no other thing then a degree thereof still proceeding profiting and perfiting in true holinesse which is the greatest reward of godlinesse for as to doe ill and continue therein is the greatest misery so to doe well and persevere therein is the greatest felicitie Glory is the reward of vertue and God cannot crowne his servants better then with an increase of grace Now this progresse is orderly and begins in the Soule even in the very marrow and spirit thereof and so proceeds to the outward man and the actions thereof Ier. 4.14 Eph. 4.23.25.26.27.28 First conversion then conversation And here alas how many set the Cart before the Horse and beginne to change their liues before their lusts their hands before their hearts to purge the channell when the fountaine is corrupt and apply remedies to the head when the paine is caused from the impuritie of the stomacke What is this but to loppe off the boughes and never lay the Axe to the roote of the tree to prune the Vine that it may sprout the more Miserable experience shewes how such disordered beginnings come to miserable endings Many seeme to abstaine from sinnes which they never abhorre and leaue some evils which they loath not and so like swine wallow in them againe or like dogs follow their former vomit she wing plainly they did never inwardly distast those sinnes which for a time outwardly they neglected Againe as wee are to obserue order so wee are to labour for a thorow change 1 Thess 5.23 Holinesse as a dram of Muske perfumes the whole boxe of oyntment or is placed in the Soule as the heart in the body for the conveying of life to all the parts Some turne from one sinne to another others like Aethiopians are white onely in the teeth that is in verball profession else-where cole blacke in conversation they speake well and that 's all Others thinke it is well if they turne their mindes from error though they never change their wills from evill as a reformed Papist but an vnreformed Protestant as wanton in truth as ever he was wilde in error others againe thinke they haue done God good service if they giue halfe the turne as prostrating their bodies to Idoles when God shall haue their hearts or on the contrary when God hath their bodies they suffer the Devill to haue their Soules When mens bodies are in Sacello their hearts as Augustine complaineth are at home in saccellis suis Many by their looke and language out-face the congregation whiles their hearts are running and roving after covetousnesse If wee will beleeue eyther Phylosophy or experience wee shall finde our hearts where they loue not where they liue Lastly others resolue to giue all to God yet haue a leering eye and a squint respect vnto some of their sinnes with Lots wife casting a longing looke after their old Sodome Know the rule of the Schoole to be most certaine that as vertues so vices are coupled together and though in conversion to temporall good they looke diverse wayes yet in regard of aversion from eternall good they beare all one face Yet this must be added for the comfort of the weake that vnperfect sanctification if it be vnpartiall is accepted of God Onely let vs as the aire from darke to light in the dawning of the day proceed by degrees to our noone in grace or as the water from cold to luke-warme and then to heat so let vs haue our soules benummed with sinne warmed with grace and then further heated with true zeale and ferveneie Q. What are the affections or properties of Regeneration A. They are either from the death of Christ our mortification of sinne or his resurrection our vivification in righteousnesse and from hence our spirituall warre betweene corruption dying in vs and righteousnesse rising and growing in vs. Mortification is a daily dying to sinne by applying Christs death to our selues 2 King 13.21 The dead body no sooner touched the bones of Elisha but it was revived againe so wee no sooner touch Christ but he crucifies sinne in vs and reviues vs in the spirit Rom. 6.2.11 and. 7.4 Colos 3.3 Rom. 6.6 Vivification is a dally rising to newnesse of life by the vertue of Christs resurrection Ioh. 5.11 Eph. 2.4.5 The spirituall battell is waged betweene the part corrupted and
of many that in things indifferent will haue a speciall Text to allow and warrant euery particular It is enough for the Church or Magistrate to command in these vpon the generall warrant of the word they that oppose must bring the particular inhibition from heauen or else they neither obey God nor man If they take from the Magistrate power in things indifferent they leaue him none at all for in all the rest he is as well bound as any other man And here some questions may be moued first whether of things indifferent any image may be made of Religion It is plaine of God we are to make none for he is onely to be taught by his owne voyce and not by any image Deut. 4.12 To teach his nature and maiestie by images is to turne his truth into a lie Rom. 1.25 But of religion it selfe there may be images and similitudes for man hath two senses that are aboue all the rest apt to teach or receiue instruction for the minde the eye and the eare And almightie God hath provided that we might learne by both hence his word for the care in speaking and the eye in reading hence in the old law his service was full of visible sacrifices and many other images of holy things And now the worship being more abstracted from sense wee haue Sacraments which are images and similitudes of holy things But all the question is what man may doe in these things for the precept is thou shalt not make c. I answere Images of Religion are either in the substance of it or the circumstances In the first man hath no power for the whole essence of Divinitie must haue God for he sole Author In the second man hath power for time lace and person and some outward rites and ceremonies of morall and historicall signification for such ceremonies and circumstances as are of no signification are most idle and absurd in Gods worship The history of the Bible in pictures of Kings Priests and Prophets of Altars Beasts Cherubins Arke Mercie-seat Temple c. are not vnlawfull yet wee are to vnderstand that these things serue onely for our intellectuall part and that God is not to bee worshipped in or at any of these things or the like The Iewes were commanded to worship God in the images of things to come and the thing being come wee are not to worship in them but learne from them They may bee to vs of historicall vse but not of morall for they are ceased as appendices or additions to the morall law and therefore are left vs for instruction not for adoration Yet still it remaines whether the Church haue any power to set vp religious images of morall signification and such as ought to carry with them not onely our vnderstandings but our wills and affections vnto the performance of some morall dutie I answere if morall be taken for the rule the Church may prescribe no such duties they rest then onely vpon the morall law of God but if morall be taken for manners then it cannot be denied but the Church hath power to order the outward man in good behauiour and morally to teach him by humane rites and ceremonies yea even such as should outwardly helpe the inward man for morall decency and order ought to tend to edification Now that the Church hath power in this generall sense to make some religious images I shew by this example Iosh 22. The Altar of testimony was not civill but religious as may appeare by ver 24.25.26.27.28.29.34 It was not to distinguish their borders but to testifie that they were Gods people and had all one God and that this Altar should put them and their posteritie in mind to sacrifice vpon Gods Altar wheresoever it should be set c. Yet this Altar of morall signification was subordinate to Gods Altar and an help to the people to bring them to worship God as he had commanded And so must the Church doe nothing in things indifferent hut as they helpe forward the substance and truth of Gods worship And in this sense the Crosse in Baptisme a transient signe of Christ crucified made in remembrance of the Crosse whereon he was crucified cannot be denied but to be an image of Religion and of morall signification which if it should come in to thrust out Gods image I meane water wee had as iust cause to be offended with it as the Children of Israel at the two Tribes and an halfe for the new Altar but when they expounded it to bein token not in taking away of Gods Altar they were not onely pacified but praysed God for his goodnesse therein So the Crosse in Baptisme though it come neere a signe in Baptisme and may at the first blush make vs feare with Israel the revenge of the iniquâ—â—ie of Peor yet seeing how our Church hath expounded it that it comes not in to confront the water of Baptisme or to coniure it with Papists or to be any part of the Sacrament for hee that may appoynt a Sacramentall signe must be able to giue the Sacramentall grace and so the Church should blaspheme making her selfe a God who onely can giue that grace that in the Sacrament is sealed It is therefore by the doctrine of our Church no signe sealing grace but as that Altar Iosh 22.27 was a witnesse betwixt party and party so this betwixt the Childe and the Congregation for the Minister baptizing in the name of the Trinitie sayes I baptize but in that action the phrase is altered and hee sayes in the name of the Congregation wee receiue shewing that as God by Baptisme admits the Childe into fellowship with himselfe so they the Infant into the same communion of the Crosse of Christ with themselues that is they gladly testifie that they are not ashamed of any ignominies or reproches for their Saviours sake And I would to God that so Christian an exposition could stay our brethren for going vp against vs in Battell A second Question may be whether Christ as man may be pictured I answere that subiect that is to be adored is not to be painted for it can no wayes be set forth as civill and so wee cannot haue an image of Christ as he is to be adored for civill or historicall vse Wee are flatly forbidden the very making of an image of God and whole Christ being to be adored as God we are not onely forbidden to worship his image but also to make it If any by the subtiltie of their wits can abstract Christs man hood from his Godhead or worship from either of them both I shall not oppose the keeping of an image of Christ as of the greatest Benefactor that ever came into the world but my braine is too dull to devide in this case and therefore from the precept Than shalt not make that is of the proper subiect of Religion such as was expressed in the first Commandement any image If it were of Religion it selfe the
a savour of rest from vs wee a savour of peace and life from him That which was said of Maries Spicknard wherewith she anointed Christ that the whole House was filled with the savour of the oyntment Ioh. 12.3 The same may be said of these pleasant perfumes of our religious prayers that they are fragrant to God and men and the reason is because Christ by a liuely faith lyes as a bundle of Myrrh betweene the breasts of euery Christian and that he himselfe in regard of the graces of Gods spirit is as an Orchard Can. 4.13 of Pomegranates with pleasant fruits as Cypres Spicknard Saffron c. and all the chiefe Spices of the Marchant And in this sense the voyce of the Church is most sweet in prayer Can. 2.14 On the contrary if our hearts be like Ezechiels bloudy pots Ezek. 24.6 that boile with the scum and rust of lust revenge ambition wanton pampering of the flesh in painted faces prodigall garishnesse monstrous disguisednesse c. bringing in all excesse in our respects to our selues and content with all defects in our respects to God wee may well say death is in such a pot and that the sacrifice thereof is more noysome to God then any caryon Never did the fiue Cities of the plaines send vp such poysonous vapours to God as the prayers of a corrupt and polluted person and God being not able to abide these ill sents sends downe vpon such a counter-poyson of fire and brimstone Oh then let not this pot of the heart that should boile these sweet sacrifices of prayer either be dry for want of the liquor of grace or grow rusty for want of daily vse but let them be full of liquor and meat so the flesh-pots of these sacrifices erunt sicut aromata shall be as perfumes in the bowles of incense Zech. 14.20 I know some are very short in prayer for want of matter and affection but this will make vs short and pithy for the abundance of matter and affection Prayer consists not more in fragore quam fervore more in contention of voyce then in intention of heart Q. How is vocall prayer distinguished A. It is either in prose or meeter sung or said And hereupon it followes that the Liturgie of the Church may be not onely in set forme of prayers but also in dimension of words for meeter is the measure of words and syllables Let therefore the doting dizie headed Brownists either confesse Psalmes hymnes and spirituall songs to be no parts of divine worship or else that prayer may be in a set forme but they can on the sudden both sing and say yet in their dotage they haue taken paines to bring Davids Psalmes into an English meeter and vse them when they meet notwithstanding they reiect their owne practise and will not pray in any set forme of words as if singing as well as saying were not praying Colos 3.16 Ephes 5.19 But our case is never the worse for that the Lords prayer beares part with vs in this baffling of theirs Q. How must all these be done A. Seriously in the spirit Rom. 8.26 Colos 3.16 It must be done with grace in our hearts to the Lord. Q. How is vocall prayer deliuered either in prose or meeter distinguished A. It is either publicke or private In the Church Familie or Chamber Act. 10.2.9 and 14.23 Zech. 12.11.12.13.14 Q. What is publicke Prayer A. That which is performed to God in the publicke place of his worship and in the publicke meeting of the Congregation where the Pastour is to goe before in a liuely voyce and the people to follow after in minde and heart and in the conclusion to say Amen to testifie their consent and desire to be heard Deut. 27.14 to the end Q. What is private Prayer A. It is euery where and in all places and at all times where either more are gathered together and then one is to goe before and the rest follow in consent as before or else one by himselfe alone which may pray only in mind or also with his voyce and this againe may be more solemne and accustomed or a short ejaculation c. 1 Tim. 2.8 Math. 18.19 Ion. 2.1 Exod. 14.15 Zach. 12.13 Q. To whom are wee to pray A. To the Father Sonne and holy Spirit and to them alone Psal 50.15 Rom. 10.14 Wee are onely to call vpon them in whom wee are to beleeue and that is onely in God I beleeue in God not in any creature for that is blaspheme Neither is there in all the prayers of the Bible any other mentioned to whom wee are to sue but God alone If any shall demand whether he may direct his prayer to one person of three the answere is he may doe it safely and with comfort What need we feare while we haue our Sauiour for our patterne Oh my Father if it be possible let this cup passe And Paul euery where both in thankes and requests bowes the knees to the Father c. yet must this be done with due care of worshipping all in one Exclude the other while we fixe our heares vpon one our prayers will be sinne retaine all and mention one wee offend not None of them doth ought for vs without all It is a true rule of Divines all their externall workes are common to sollicite one therefore and not all were iniurious Q. Hitherto of Prayers generall affections What are the kinds A. Prayer is either simple or compound Sometimes we are all suites vnto God another time all thankes and somtimes againe wee ioyne all together 1 Tim. 2.1 Q. Whas is simple Prayer A. Where Prayer is of one nature onely Eph. 1.3 Blessed be God ver 2. Grace be to you c. Q. How manifold A. It is either Petition or thankesgiuing Either wee request some thing at Gods hands or blesse him for the receipt of it Q. What is Petition A. When by prayer we craue any thing of God according to his will Math. 26.39 Iam. 1.6 1 Ioh. 2.1 Q. What may fall out heresometimes A. Making of vowes which is a solemne promise made to God with mature deliberation of things lawfull and possible c. Psal 76.11 Q. How many sorts of Petitions are there A. Two either a crauing of some things to be done for vs or an entreating that some thing may be avoyded by vs or remoued from vs. Eph. 6.18 Heb. 5.7 Q. What is the crauing of something to be done for vs A. Our petitions to God to bestow good blessings vpon vs where we are to labour to haue a true sense of the want of these blessings Psal 119.17.18 Q. Wherein consists it A. Either in good things that concerne God or our selues the first wee must desire infinitely as the end of our thoughts the other with moderation as meanes to helpe vs to that good No man desires meate or medicine infinitely but for health wee never thinke wee haue enough of it so God and his goodnesse must be sought