Jer. 31.35 36. 33 20. Job 38.33 to all generations The immediate Creation what and of whom § 4. Of the Works of Creation some by an immediate creation were made out of a Heb. 11.3 nothing to be of a perfect and compleat existence immortal and incorruptible by the Will of God made subject to no essential change or utter dissolution such the Angels and the highest Heaven b Gen. 1.1 2.1 John 38.7 Mat 24.36 created together on the first day of the Creation The mediate Creation what and of whom Others of the c Gen. 1.6.9.11.14 20.24 creatures upon the whole visible part of the World were form'd by a mediate creation of matter pre-existent and so by nature d Psal 102 25 26. 2 Pet. 3.11 corruptible subject to an essential change and utter dissolution of their being The e Isa 34.4 Luke 21 33 2. Pet. 3.10 12. Rev. 6.13.14 Heavens themselves which are visible being liable to that final dissolution of the last day § 5. Man 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Man's partaking of both the little world as the compendium of the whole Creation partakes of both those kindes as consisting of body and soul he pertakes of a mediate creation with the corruptible creatures in his body a Gen. 2.7 1 Cor. 15.44 Gen. 18 27. form'd of the dust also he pertakes of an immediate creation with the creatures incorruptible in his soul b Gen. 2.7 Zech. 12.1 Heb. 12 9. breathed of God and therefore in his body he is by nature c Isa 2.22 1 Cor. 15.53 corruptible and in his d Mat. 10 28. Eccles 3.21 12.7 soul immortal § 6. Man is aptly called the lesser world How and why call'd the lesser world having in him something of affinity with and participation of the several parts of the greater world He hath an affinity with the Angels in his soul as being spiritual invisible intelligent and immortal and affinity with the heavenly bodies in the excellency of his constitution and harmony of his parts and affinity with the four Elements in the substance of his body and material part of his composition the superiour Elements being predominant in their vertue the inferiour more abounding in their matter whereby man is said to be a Gen. 2.7 formed of the dust of the earth § 7. The invisible and highest Heaven What the first Heaven is that Saint Paul calls the a 2 Cor. 12.2 third Heaven the first b Gen. 1.1 7 8 9 20. 7.11 Psal 148.4 Heaven being that space of the Elementary Region from the surface of the Earth to the concave of the Moon The second Heaven c Gen 1 14.15 16 17 18. What the second Heaven that expansion of the Aetherial Region from the lowest Orbe that of the Moon What the third Heaven to the highest of the invisible Heavens the Firmanent The third Heaven that is d 1 King 8.27 the Heaven of Heavens e Ephes 4.10 far above all the visible heavens whither f Mark 16.19 Eph. 1 20.21 Acts 1.11 Eph. 4.10 Christ ascended and where God hath g Psal 103.19 set his Throne and made his h Isa 5 7. 66.1 John 14.1 Habitation with the Blessed i Mat. 18.10 1 Cor. 13.12 where he manifests himself in his glorious presence to the k Psal 16.11 perfect joy and felicity of l Heb. 12.22 Dan. 7.10 Angels and Saints What the influences § 8. In the visible parts of the world the a Job 38.31 32 Ephes 6.12 heavenly bodies have their influences upon the earthly b Judg. 5.20 powerfully to encline not c Job 38.33 forcibly to necessitate them in their constitutions and operations They are also appointed certainly d Gen. 1.14 Jer. 33.20 25. to distinguish the Seasons And what the predictions of the heavenly bodies not e Isa 47.11 12. infallibly to fore-tell events so that from their powerful disposing there may be made some conjectural predictions but seeing they cannot necessitate there can be f Deut. 18.10 Isa 47.13 Jer 10.2 Acts 1.7 Prov. 27.1 Jam. 4 14. made no infallible Prognostications The creation of man and the forming of woman § 9. Man the last part of the Creation and chief of the visible creatures consisting of a Gen. 2.7 body and soul was made b Gen. 1.26 9 6. in the Image and after the likeness of God And out of man thus created c 1 Cor. 11.7 the image and glory of God God d Gen. 1.27 2.12 1 Cor. 11.8 formed woman the glory of the man to be e Gen. 2.18 1 Cor. 11.9 an help meet for him by which two hath been f Gen. 1.28 49.25 Psal 113 9. propagated through his blessing the g Acts 17.26 off-spring of mankinde to a replenishing the whole earth Thus God having h Gen. 2 2. John 5.17 finished his work of Creation in six daies he resteth the seventh day How God rested the seventh day where Rest hath not any proper respect unto God as the Creator in his working but unto the works of the Creation in their producing as ceasing to create any new Species or kindes of creatures but not to preserve what was created or to produce and preserve new individuals according to the several Species of the Creation And what strange kindes have since been produc'd different from those several Species had their first i Eccl. 1.9 10. principle of being in the active powers of the first ceatures and so were casually in the works of the six daies creation § 10. The glory of God's Wisdom is excellent in the Order of his Creation God's wisdom in the Order of his Creation He first a Gen 1.11 12 forms the grass herbs and trees before he b Gen. 1.14 15 c. makes the Stars lest any should think they had their first production from whence they have their after c Gen 1 14. Job 38 31 32. growth and generation And in the inferiour part of the visible world God first creates those things which have d Gen. 19 10. onely being next those things which besides being have e Gen. 1.12 life and life vegetative after these those things which have f Gen. 1.20 21 24 25. being life and sense and lastly g Gen. 1.26 and 2.7 man who hath being life sense and reason Thus God first makes ready the habitation and then h Gen. 1.28 c. and 2 8. brings in the inhabitant he first provides food and then forms the feeder he first prepares what is useful for man and then creates man to use them to his Makers glory § 11. Every thing created perfect in it's kinde God creates every thing a Gen. 1.4 31. perfect in it's kinde and it implies a contradiction to say that God might have created the
SION'S PROSPECT IN ITS FIRST VIEW Presented In a Summary of Divine TRVTHS consenting with the FAITH profess'd by the Church of ENGLAND Confirmed from SCRIPTVRE and REASON Illustrated by Instance and Allusion COMPOS'D and PUBLISH'D TO BE An Help for the prevention of APOSTACY Conviction of HERESY Confutation of ERROR and Establishing in the TRUTH By A Minister of CHRIST and Son of the CHURCH R. M. quondam è Coll S. P. C. Henceforth be no more children 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 tossed to and fro and whirled about by every winde of Doctrine EPHES. 4.14 London Printed by T N for Humphrey Moseley and are to be sold at the sign of the Princes-Arms in St. Pauls Church-yard 1653. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE HENRY Marquess of Dorchester Earl of Kingston c. My LORD YOur Patronage like your Self is Honorable the true merit and high repute of whose piety and learning is voice enough to speak my Summary of Truths Orthodox It is not then without design that I am solicitous to present Sion's Prospect to your Lordships sight it being my confidence and aim that this View of Divine Truths having had its review by so clear a judgment for its approbation I may not hereafter fear what eye it shall be exposed to for its censure Besides My Lord in this general maze of the Churches troubles affrighted Truth seeking safety I directed her to take Sanctuary in the Temple of Honor and to offer her devotions at your Lordships shrine Let then a propitious goodness deign acceptance and give protection to the humble Suppliant not to be violated by the profane hands of ignorance and of error If any question the confidence of this my Address to your Lordship it is enough that I point them to the * Apud Antiquos Quercus Jovi Laurus Apollini Sacrae virum nobilem tà m de Ecclesia quà m de schola literaria optimè meritum emblematicw̄s loquuntur Oak and the Lawrel standing at your Gate with this Inscripsion of honourable Fame Here dwels the Clergy's Patron But besides this My Lord mine once near relation to your late deceased * Ds. T. G. Eques felicis memoriae Uncle as it gave me my first admission into Your Lordships presence so will it countenance my present presumption of Your Lordships Patronage and it will be no error if I think at once to engratiate my Service to Your Self by his Memory and ennoble my Work unto others by Your Name This in publick as to a formal Dedication I retire into privacy for the more real devoting my self in the sincerest fervour of my heartiest Prayers My LORD Your Honours most truly faithful and humble Servant ROBERT MOSSOM Richmond in Surrey pridiè Non. Maii 1651. The Author's Preface to the READER Courteous Reader THE grand Apostacy of these latter dayes may sufficiently experience thee to know how dangerous it is to want a Pilote in the storm a seasonable service then it must be and should be an acceptable work in any measure of proportion to supply that defect Here thou art brought into the Ark of the Church and the amidst the many contrary windes of false doctrines thou art taught much of the profession of a true Faith to which as divine Reason doth contribute its clearest of evidence so doth sacred Scripture confer its firmness of proof And in the many Scripture proofs fear not any thing of what is now Epidemical a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Greg. Naz. orat 36. Scripture sacriledg either surreptitiously stealing away the true meaning or profanely corrupting the proper phrase of Gods word upon the strictest examination it shall not be found that the Oracle doth here b Demosth de Oraculo Delphico 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Scriptures I mean speak that sense which faction or fancy hath c Non imponendus sensus sacris literis sed expectandus Hilar. de Trin. imposed but what the Spirit of God and of Truth hath revealed With those mysteries which are of the Catholick Faith as necessary to salvation here are interwoven many Truths which are of Theological Science as useful to spiritual edification yet those questions which some mens curiosity hath vainly started and other mens nicety hath as scrupulously resolv'd I have purposely wav'd as being especially in these times wherein men are more Criticks then Christians in Religion the occasions of contention which further unto d Dum alter alalteri anathema esse coepit propè jun nemo Christi est Hilar. cont Const uncharitableness rather then matters of instruction which edifie unto holiness If Thou dost question or Any will oppose this Summary of divine Truths being wholly consenting with the judgment of the Church of England Know that as it hath been perus'd and approv'd by some of the reverend Fathers so will it be asserted and justified by others of the dutiful Sons of the English Church to be in all parts agreeable to that Faith which hath been and yet is with all constancy by Her acknowledg'd and profess'd which argreement will evidently enough appear to him who shall diligently consult the Book of Articles the Books of Homilies the Forms of publick Administrations and Divine Service In all which the Church doth speak more fully though dispersedly what is here delivered more concise and methodically so that this Summary especially in matters of Faith is perfectly consenting with the Church as teaching the same Truths for matter though not for method for substance though not for circumstance the Analogy one though the Expressions diverse If Truth then might gain e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Greg. Naz. orat 20. esteem from Persons and Faith receive credit from the repute of its Professors This Summary presented might have a fair gloss from that reverent respect this Nations owes and other Nations give unto the Fathers of our Church for learning and piety for f Martyres multi multi Martyres designati sufferings and constancy so eminently renown'd And whoso are true Sons of this Church will acknowledg the Doctrines here delivered to be the milk suck'd from their mothers brest pure and wholesom made such from the well digested food of Gods word And however the factions of men have made a rent in the unity and their actions too cast a stain upon the purity of our Church yet let other Nations know they ought to have more care to preserve and secure themselves then they have reason to disdan or g 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Greg. Naz. orat 13. upbraid us for certain it is the envious man is sowing the like tares in their field and they cannot tell how soon our Iudgment may be the portion of their Cup. In this Treatise if any phrase seem improper according to the language of the learned Schools it is a sufficient Apology that the Author made it his aim as he thought it his duty to write according to the weaker capacities of those he was to nistruct rather
then the stronger apprehensions of those by whom he is instructed and therefore he hath desired and endeavoured so to express himself that he might not amaze but inform not puzzle but teach studying brevity and clearness which h Brevis esse laboro obscurus fio Hor. seldome meet in one subject especially where the matter is mysterious brevity as an advantage to memory and clearness as an help to the understanding both conducing much to an instructing and establishing in the Truth If any demand a reason of the Authors composing this Treatise this answer will be satisfactory if that demand be not too supercilious that the publick behoofe did put him upon it for among the many excellent Works compos'd by our Churches Heroes we have not one Systeme of Divinity in al parts consenting with her judgment and practice but what hath been of this kinde hath had a taste of the vessel some private opinions i 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrys in Gen. Hom. 4. domestica judicia as Tertullian calls them or at best some forraign Resolves hath been intermix'd with our Churches more pure and perfect determinations Upon observation whereof the Author design'd his studies to do with Christian Theology as Florus with the Roman History k Flor. Epit. Rer. Rom. l. 1. In brevi tabella totam ejus imaginem amplecti draw its whole pourtraiture in a small Table comprise its large Body in a short Volume therein delivering the whole and entire judgment of our Church confirmed from testimony of sacred Scripture and illustrated by argument of divine Reason This whole Work bearing the Title of Sion's Prospect he hath divided into two Parts as its first and second View the First is now published the second reserved till its more fit oportunity for publication which in a correspondency of Method Scripture Reason Brevity and clearness doth treat of those several Heads which concern that peculiar part of Gods Providence over the Church of his Elect viZ. Concerning Election and Predestination concerning Christ in the Person and in the office of Mediator concerning the Church concerning the Covenant of Grace concerning the divers Administrations of this Covenant before the Law under the Law and under the Gospel c. That this former part published doth prevent that latter part design'd for publication the Author gives this most full and satisfactory Reason that he would gladly hereby prompt an able judgment and pen to undertake the task rather then do it himself lest through weakness and insufficiency in those grand Mysteries of the Gospel he should l Veritatem defendendo concutere fidem explicando obscurate shake the Truth in defending it and obscure the faith in explaining it Wherefore if what he hath already done may occasionally stir up some eminent person in an holy emulation of pious zeal to undertake so useful and honourable a Work He shall desist from his further Enterprise and rest very well satisfied yea very much joy'd with this Blessing from God that he hath given breath to anothers divine flame Otherwise if he finde the incouragement of acceptance and be confirmed in some hopes of publick benefit to the Church rather then this so much necessary and so much desired work be not done at all He will by the assistance of Gods Spirit finish and publish what is now under his hand tuneing the Instrument to the best of his skill thereby happily provoking some more dextrous hand and more accurate Artist to perfect the harmony If any man shall Critically question or enviously quarrel at the Authors present undertaking be thou Courteous Reader so far his Advocate as to plead in his behalf that it is not his ambition to be expos'd publick to the world but to be accepted of private Friends to whom especially he hath devoted the present service of the Press and if this particular service to some few Friends shall by a gratious dispensation of divine Goodness be extended as a general benefit to the whole Church it will be an additional blessing as much beyond his own hope as it is above anothers envy and well may the blessing be beyond his hope for the attainment who is himself so far short of the blessing by his unworthiness and therefore doth he the more earnestly beg the benefit of thy Prayers if not as a return of gratitude for his service yet as a boon of charity to his soul who is from his soul in all Christian and Ministerial offices Thine faithfully devoted ROBERT MOSSOM The SYLLABUS To the TREATISE CHAP. I. Concerning the Holy Scriptures Sect. 1 REason arguing from Scripture for the Scriptures Sect. 2 The Knowledge of God and his worship by Revelation This Revelation either with the Jews or with the Christians Sect. 3. The Church of the Jewes enquired into by Reason Sect. 4. Reason leads from the Church of the Jews to the Church of the Christians with the Church of Christ is found the word of God as the Revelation of his will Sect. 5. The word of God is the holy Scriptures in the books of the old Testament and the new What Editions are Authentick Translations in the vulgar tongue allowed Sect. 6. The Apocrypha why so called Why not canonical The Old Testament received from the Jews Sect. 7. The Authority of the Scripture is not from the Church Sect. 8. The Authority of the Church is from Christ by the Scriptures Sect. 9. The Tradition of the Church leadeth to the Scriptures The excellencie◠of the writings effect the mind The Spirit convinceth of the Truth Sect. 10. A moral perswasion from the Church and the letter a divine belief from the Spirit Sect. 11. Why the Scriptures are not discernable by their own light without the Spirit Sect. 12. What and from whence the Authority of the Scriptures Their sufficiency Their perfection Sec. 13. How the Rule of our faith Such to the end of the World Sec. 14. Particular Revelations not now to be expected Sec. 15. What received as the Truth by the Church What left to the prudence of Governors and to what end Sec. 16. In what the Scriptures are plain and in what hard to be understood How to be Interpreted What the Analogy of Faith Sec. 17. The duty of Christians in the use of the Scriptures Their fulness of heavenly Doctrine How a perfect form of Institution CHAP. II. Concerning God in the Unity of Essence Sec. 1. WHy the nature of God is not to be comprehended by the understanding of Man How the incomprehensible God is apprehended by faith Sec. 2. How God is described in Scripture the Names of God Sec. 3. The description of God according to his names Sec. 4. Further described by his Attributes The first and principal Sec. 5. Why incommunicable to the creatures Sec. 6. The Attributes communicable to the creatures How communicable Sec. 7. Gods essential attributes his one entire Essence how distinguished why diversly express'd in different names Sec. 8. Why there
can be but one God How One single pure and perfect Sec. 9. Why said to have eyes and hands to be angry and grieved c. He admits no bodily likeness CHAP. III. Concerning God in the Trinity of Persons Sec. 1. WHat the Knowledge of God from a natural light What from a light supernatural Who are the three Persons and what a Person is Sec. 2. A finite understanding not possibly able to comprehend this infinite Mystery Not to be illustrated by any Instances Sec. 3. The highest pitch of Reasons apprehension Sec. 4. Reason directing to Faith What and how a Trinity of Persons in the Vnity of the Godhead Sec. 5. The Son of God and the Holy Ghost firmly proved Sec. 6. How the Persons are distinguished Sec. 7. How Trinity and Person are found in Scripture What a subsistence is Sec. 8. How the Father is the first Person How each Person is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sec. 9. How the essence and attributes of the Godhead are communicated Sec. 10. The properties of the Persons incommunicable CHAP. IV. Concerning Gods Knowledg Sec. 1. HOw God knoweth all things Sec. 2. Gods foreknowledg how and what it is Not the cause of things and why Sec. 3. How all things depend upon Gods Will preordaining not his Knowledg foreseeing Yet Gods fore-knowledg depends not upon the creatures future existence Before and after past and to come relate not to God Sec. 4. But is in the creature This aptly illustrated Sec. 5. God knowing things to come and past doth it in one and the same act of Knowledg This act eternal So no change in God Sec. 6. No contingency in respect of Gods fore-knowledg Yet in the secondary causes Sec. 7. All future events are fore-known of God His fore-knowledg infallible Sec. 8. How applied unto the Elect in Scripture CHAP V. Concerning Gods Will. Sec. 1. GOds Will one and absolutely free Distinguish'd into his will secret and revealed of sign and of good pleasure Sec. 2. What his secret will What his revealed will Sec. 3. The Will of Gods good pleasure hath its reason not its cause Sec. 4. Gods glory the final cause of what he wils but not of his will How the impulsive cause of Gods will to be understood in Theology Sec. 5 6. The execution of Gods will admits several causes the volition not any what the volition and what the execution is Sec. 7. God wils not sin and why Sec. 8. The purpose of Gods will doth not abolish but establish the liberty of mans will what the necessity of being from the immutability of Gods will Sec. 9. How Gods secret will becomes revealed by his word and by his works How Gods word is called his will Sec. 10. How they agree in a sweet harmony So to be interpreted as that ille harmony be preserved Sec. 11. How Gods revealed will argues with that of his good pleasure when he wils all men to be holy Sec. 12. Where also he commands Abraham to sacrifice his Son Isaac Sec. 13. How the promises and threatnings in Gods revealed will which are conditional de agree with Gods secret will which is absolute Sec. 14. What the true meaning of the conditions declared CHAP. VI. Concerning Gods Decrees Power and Manner of Working Sec. 1. GOd the primary Cause and supreme Agent in his Vnderstanding Will and Power What his Decree what his Work Sec. 2. What his absolute power How limited by his will Sec. 3. Why and how said to be omnipotent Sec. 4. There is no overcoming Gods power no resisting his will what he acts in time he hath decreed from eternity Sec. 5. How the creatures are in God before they are in themselves What the Counsel of God in his decrees Sec. 6. How the whole Trinity is one entire cause What their diverse manner of working Sec. 7. How some one action is appropriate to some one person Sec. 8. The firm relation between Gods decrees and his works God hath not decreed sin though he hath decreed to permit sin What the effectual decree accompanying the permissive Sec. 9. The purpose of Gods decree imposeth no forcible necessity but bringeth an infallible certainty to all Agents and Events CHAP. VII Concerning the Works of Creation Sec. 1. GOd the Creator of all things as an absolute and free Agent Sec. 2. Creation the Work of the whole Trinity as one entire cause Why of God as a free and all-sufficient cause Sec. 3. Observ'd in the Work of Creation 1 The command of Gods Power 2 The approbation of his Goodness 3 The ordination of his wisdom 4 The declaration of his Authority Sec. 4. The immediate Creation what and of whom The mediate Creation what and of whom Sec. 5. Mans partaking of both Sec. 6. How and why called the lesser world Sec. 7. What the first Heaven what the second Heaven What the third Heaven Sec. 8. What the influences And what the predictions of the heavenly bodies Sec. 9. The creation of man and the forming of woman How God rested the seventh day Sec. 10. Gods wisdom in the Order of his creation Sec. 11. Every thing created perfect in its kinde Sec. 12. In his works God manifests his glory 1 The glory of his Power 2 Of his Goodness 3 Of his Wisdom 4 Of his Eternity Sec. 13. The light of nature directs to the worship of God as the Creator The seventh day the Sabbath How long to continue Sec. 14. How the Creation is an object of our faith CHAP. VIII Concerning the Providence of God Sec. 1. ALL things subordinate to Gods will In order either to his Meâ—cy or his Justice The wisdom and power of his Providence Infallably in its administrations Sec. 2. The Infallibility of Gods Providence doth not take away the use of means but confiâ—ms it Sec. 3. To deny Gods Providence is atheism to despise the use of means is profaneness to establish both is truth and righteousness to what end is the use of means Sec. 4. The course of nature declares the Providence of God this aptly illustrated Sec. 5. Gods Providence is no naked view but an actual administration What Gods Providence is in its general concourse How absolutely necessary for the creatures preservation Sec. 6. This aptly illustrated Sec. 7. The extent of Gods Providence Why it makes use of means Sec. 8. The seeming disorder in the world doth advance the glory of Gods Providence and assure the general Judgment of the last day Sec. 9. Gods Providence doth order sinful actions without any the least share in the sin This illustrated Sec. 10. That Gods Providence extends to what is sinful is not by a meer permission but by a powerful and wise ordination Wicked Instruments are proper Agents and how Sec. 11. How the Executioners of Gods Justice and in that Execution how guilty of sin The wonder of Gods Providence in respect of wicked mindes Sec. 12. Gods Providence imposeth no compelling force but establisheth the nature of all causes contingent
of sin into that against God against our Neighbours and against our Selves How all sin is against God how said to be against our Neighbours and our Selves The three-fold order which God hath established amongst men The threefold inordinacy in breach of this order making three kindes of sin Sec. 14. What the distinction of sin into that of infirmity of ignorance and of malice From whence this distinction is taken What is the inordinacy of the sensitive appetite what the inordinacy of the understanding what the inordinacy of the will When a sin of infirmity is when a sin of ignorance when a sin of malice Sec. 15. How the sensitive appetite doth beget an inordinacy in the will Which are the sins of infirmity Sec. 16. Why sins of sudden and inordinate passion are said to be sins of infirmity Sec. 17. What passions do excuse wholly from sin and what do not How reason ought to moderate passion Sec. 18. What is the office of the understanding When guilty of that ignorance which is sin and when guilty of those sins which are of ignorance Sec. 19. What ignorance doth not and what ignorance doth make the sin What things a man is capable of knowing but not bound to know what things a man is neither bound to know nor capable of knowing in all these ignorance rather a nescience is not sinful Sec 20. What ignorance doth excuse from sin somewhat excuse not wholly acquit illustrated by instance Sec. 21. When sin cannot be excused by any ignorance what an affected ignorance is and how it aggravates the sin Sec. 22. What ignorance is indirectly voluntary how it self sin yet the sins issuing from it lessened in their guilt and why Sec. 23. How the sin of malice is rightly discern'd How men are said to sin wilfully and against conscience Sec. 24 That the will doth not necessarily follow the right judgment of the understanding cleerly prooved Especially from the work of regeneration in which the will is renewed as well as the understanding enlightned Sec. 25. How we may distinguish sins of infirmity from sins of malice Sec. 26. What the distinction of sin into that of mortal and venial is no sin venial in its nature and why All sin is directly against not any meerly besides the law which incurring the guilt of eternal death cannot be expiated by temporal punishment Sec. 27. In what all sins are mortal yet not all equal How some sins mortal and some venial from whence we are to take the just weight of sins guilt what the guilt of the least sin without Christ Sec. 28. Though all sin be mortal yet most especially the sin against the Holy Ghost What the sin against the Holy Ghost is not Sec. 29. What it is As in the Pharisees As in Julian Why not now to be discovered by us Sec. 30. Why called the sin against the Holy Ghost why this sin shall not be forgiven Sec. 31. Sins against Conscience lead the way to this sin against the Holy Ghost How an erroneous conscience entangles in sin but bindes not to what is sinful Sec. 32. An erroneous conscience may somewhat excuse but cannot wholly acquit and why What is the entanglement of an erroneous conscience CHAP. XV. Concerning the State of man fallen Sec. 1. THe original of all mans misery is in original sin and how Sec. 2. Adams disobedience imputed makes lyable to the punishment inflicted which punishment is death Sec. 3. In what this death doth formally consist In what it doth materially consist Sec. 4. This death is spiritual corporal and eternal What this sp ritual death is Sec. 5. What are the relicks of mans primitive estate in the estate of man fallen In respect of his understanding In respect of his will In respect of his conscience and in respect of his affections Sec. 6. The soul in mans fall is whole in its natural essence but spoil'd of its spiritual habits Thereby disabled for any spiritual good Sec. 7. What freedom the will hath lost by the fall and what it retains after the fall What liberty of will remains in the vilest Reprobate or Devil Sec. 8. How God doth turn and incline the wils of men without any forcibly compelling Why the exhortations c. of Gods word are not in vain in respect of the wicked Sec. 9. By multiplying his sin man aggravates his punishment and how in spirituals Sec. 10. What the corporal death and how begun Sec. 11. How and when finished Sec. 12. What the eternal death In its punishment of loss and of sense Sec. 13. What the punishment of loss is Sec 14. What the punishment of sense is Sec. 15. How the punishment of the damned is infinite as well as eternal Sec. 16. That wrath which comes by original sin is aggravated by mans actual transgression the full measure is at the day of judgment and how Sec. 17. The estate of man fallen summarily describ'd No salvation by the law or first covenant of works So that without Redemption by a Mediator Adam and his posterity must inevitably perish in their sin SION'S PROSPECT In it's FIRST VIEW CHAP. I. Concerning the Holy SCRIPTURES SEeing Grace doth not destroy but exalt Nature therefore as the Naturall inclination of the Will becomes subservient unto Charity so doth the Naturall Reason of the Understanding become subservient unto Faith Hence it is Reason arguguing from Scripture for the Scriptures that the holy Scriptures doe not only establish our Faith but also instruct our a 1 Pet. 3 15. Isa 1 18. Eze. 18.25 29. Reason even furnishing us with arguments rationally to prove their Truth to be sacred their Authoritie divine The manner and method of arguing is this Among all the Principles of Naturall Divinity there is none more firm more evident more universall then this That b 1 Ki. 18.21 Act. 17.23 Rom. 1 23 25. God is to be worshipped § 2. The true Knowledge of which God The knowledge of God and his worship by Revelation and right form of whose Worship cannot be had but by some a John 1.18 Deut. 29.29 Revelation whereby he doth manifest himselfe and declare his will as the b 2 Cor. 3.18 2 Cor. 4.6 Glasse of his Divinity and the c Mat. 7.21 Isa 1 10 12. Col 2.23 Mat. 5.9 Rule of his Worship This Revelation either with the Jews or with the Christians Now such a Revelation upon Reason's strictest enquiry is no where to be found but either in the Jewish or the Christian Church The former tells us they have committed to them the d Rom 3.2 chap 9.4 Oracles of God the latter the e Mar. 16.15 1 Cor. 1.17 Gospel of Christ and this Gospel as a f 2 Cor 3 9. Mat. 5.17 Rom. 10 4. 2 Cor. 3 14. Heb 9 10. chap. 10.1 cleerer light in the full complement of those Oracles The Church of the Jewes enquired into by Reason § 3.
working in all actions which relate unto the creatures and therefore the works of Creation and of Providence are b Heb. 11 3. Psal 33.6 Job 26.13 Psa 104.29 30. sometimes attributed to the Father sometimes to the Son and sometimes to the Holy Ghost All three Persons being one single and entire Cause c 1 Cor 12 6. Psal 33.6 Ephes 2.22 working all in all yet in this Trinity there is a diverse manner of working What their diverse manner of working according to the distinct manner of subsisting The d John 1.3 1 Cor 8 6. Rom. 8.11 Father he works from himself by the Son and the Holy Ghost The e H b. 9.14 Son he worketh from the Father by the Spirit The f Luke 1.35 John 15.26 Holy Ghost he Works from the Father and the Son by Himself How some one action is appropriate to some one person § 7. And thus when any one action is more peculiarly appropriated to any one Person of the Trinity it is from some more immediate relation unto that Person as when the a Heb. 1 2. Ephes 3.9 Creation with the b Ephes 1.3 1 Pet. 1.3 Original of all Beings is more peculiarly appropriated to the Father c Rev. 2 9. Heb. 1.8 Redemption with the d John 3.35 5.22 dispensation of all Government more peculiarly appropriated to the Son e Rom. 15 16. Sanctification with the f 1 Cor 12.8 9 4.5 communication of all gifts and graces more peculiarly appropriated to the Holy Ghost The firm relation between God's decrees and his works § 8. And such is the near relation betwixt God's will and his Works his Decrees and their effects that whatsoever he a Isa 44 7. Heb. 6.17 Psal 135.6 willeth is done and whatsoever is done he willeth whatsoever he doth effect he hath decreed and whatsoever he hath b Psal 133.11 Isa 14.24 27. decreed he doth effect so that this is certain God hath not decreed sin God hath not decreed sin though he hath decreed to permit sin because he doth c 2 Chro. 19.7 Psal 5.5 not effect sin And though God be said to have c Acts 2.23 4.28 decreed the permission of sin yet is not that decree any way effectual to produce or cause sin What the effectual decree accompanying the permissive for the cause of any thing d Rō 9.20.21 permitted cannot be from the permission where there is no Law natural or positive to oblige the pevention Again sure we are sin could not be committed by man if it were not permitted by God And God would not permit sin in time if he had not determined to permit it from eternity which permissive part of God's decree is accompanied with that which is effectual effectual for the e Gen. 50 2◠Acts 2.23 36. ordering to good what is permitted to be evil And thus God he would not permit sin were it not for good yet is not sin therefore from God for then were he not himself good § 9. As the good pleasure of God's will a Rō 11.34 35. receiveth not from the creatures any moving causality The purpose of God's decree imposeth no forcible necessity so nor doth the purpose of his decree impose upon the creatures any enforcing necessity All future events whatsoever they have indeed an b Mat. 2.28 John 19.36 infallible certainty but no forcible necessity from the determinate Counsel of God's will But bringeth an infallable certainty to all Agents and Events which infallible certainty extendeth not onely to all Agents and events c Psal 104. Job 3.8 natural or necessary but also d Prov. 16.1 21.1 free and e Exod. 21.13 Prov. 16.33 contingent whether it be in the f Exod. 14.4 5. Act 4.27 28. greatest effects or in the g Mat. 10.29.30 smallest matters CHAP. VII Concerning the Works of Creation § 1. GOD God the Creator of all things as an absolute and free Agent as a most free Agent without any a Job 22.2 necessity compelling or b Isa 40.13 external cause moving him to c Prov. 16.4 Psal 19.1 8.1 manifest his Glory or communicate his d Psal 104 24 Goodness of his e Rev. 4.11 own good pleasure and by his own most powerful will he made the World f Gen. 1.1 2.4 Col 1.16 in the beginning creating and in g Gen. 1.5 31. Exod. 20 11. six dayes forming all things in their natures h Gen. 1 31. 1 Tim. 4 4. very good § 2. Creation the Work of the whole Trinity as one entire cause The Creation was the a Psal 146.5 6. Jer. 10.11 proper work of God alone not from any one Person but from b Gen. 1.1 Psal 33.6 all the whole Trinity as being a work of infinite power wisdom and love as a work of infinite power so more especially from the Father as a work of infinite wisdom so from the Son as a work of infinite love so from the Holy Gost and yet from all the three Persons as it is from c Mal. 2.10 1 Cor. 8.6 one entire cause one single essence God's who creates the world as a d Ephes 1.11 Rev. 4.11 free Agent Why of God as a free and all-sufficient cause and as e Gen. 17.1 Acts 17.25 all-sufficient in himself for if the World were made of God by a necessity of his nature and not according to the liberty of his will or if the World made did add any thing to the fulness and perfection of the Maker it must needs have been as himself is from eternity and should not cease to be in the end of time which f Gen. 1 5. time was created with the World and did then g Gen. 1.1 John 1.1 begin when the Creation had it's beginning Observ'd in the Work of Creation § 3. In the work of Creation we observe the command of God's Power the approbation of his Goodness the ordination of his Wisdom and the declaration of his Authority 1. The Command of God's Power By a Gen. 1.2 6 c. Psal 33 9. Psal 148.5 the command of his Power he executes his will to the producing all things in their natural being 2. The Approbation of his Goodness b Gen. 1.4 10 31 by the approbation of his Goodness he confirms what is produc'd in those endowments of nature which he had given them c Gen. 1.7.16 the ordination of his Wisdom 3. The Ordination of his Wisdom he ordereth and disposeth what is so produc'd and confirm'd to their proper ends for which he appointed them 4. The Declaration of his Authority and d Gen. 14.15 Psal 148.6 in the declaration of his Authority he enacteth a Law establishing the creatures so produc'd confirm'd and ordered in their being and working e Gen. 1.22.28