Selected quad for the lemma: work_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
work_n declare_v faith_n justification_n 4,851 5 9.4048 5 false
View all documents for the selected quad

Text snippets containing the quad

ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A93702 Rome ruin'd by VVhite Hall, or, The papall crown demolisht: containing a confutation of the three degrees of popery, viz. papacy, prelacy, and presbitery; answerable to the triple crowne of the three-headed Cerberus the Pope, with his three fold hierarchies aforesaid. With a dispelling of all other dispersed clouds of errour, which doth interpose the clear sun-shine of the Gospel in our horrizon. Wherein the chiefe arguments each of them have, for the vindication of their erronious tenents are incerted, and refuted; with a description of such whem [sic] the true Church of Christ doth consist of: as also how, and by whom, they may be gathered, and governed, according to the will, and appointment of Jesus Christ, and his apostles, in the primative purity thereof. / By Iohn Spittlehouse, assistant to the Marshall Generall of the Army, under the command of his Excellency, the Lord Generall Fairfax. Imprimated by Theod. Jennings, and entred in the Stationers Hall. Spittlehouse, John. 1649 (1649) Wing S5013; Thomason E586_2; ESTC R203633 304,213 396

There are 4 snippets containing the selected quad. | View lemmatised text

worthinesse in them but for his owne mercies sake And Moses telleth the Israelites that God did not set his love upon them because they were more holy then other Nations for saith he you are a rebellious people but because the Lord loved you therefore he hath done this unto you Deut. 7. 8. 2. Inst Neither did Joseph obtaine that great favour with God to have the preheminence over his Brethren by any merit or worthinesse in himself but of Gods meere mercy grace and favour towards him for as yet Joseph had not shewed his faithfulnesse and chastity in Potiphers house the purpose of God then to exalt Joseph revealed to him in his dreame Gen. 37. 6. went before any merit on Josephs part so also Gods free and gracious election in setting us apart to everlasting salvation is without all respect or workes in us as the Apostle toucheth Rom. 9. 15. 3. Inst Yea the Book of Exodus sheweth us on the one side the ingratitude and disobedience of the people of Israel and on the other side the stedfast love of God towards them which offereth unto us an evident argument of Gods free election without any respect to workes the Apostle likewise to the same purpose alleadgeth that notable Text I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy Rom. 9. 15. 4. Inst Neither did the Lord look upon us Gentiles in makeing of us his people for any worthinesse in us but for his owne mercies sake he hath called us to the knowledge of his truth for otherwise what we are in our selves the Apostle sheweth out of the fourteenth Psalm where it is said that they are all gone astray c. there is none that doth good no not one So then it is most evident that Gods election changeth not but Good workes is no precedent cause but a consequent effect of election whatsoever he hath decreed concerning any mans Salvation shall stand for the gift and calling of God are without repentance Rom. 11. 29. And the Apostle sheweth us that the Lord hath chosen us that we should be holy not that because we were holy so that good works is no precedent cause of our election but a consequent effect thereof CHAP. X. Treateth of their tenent of justification by faith and workes SECT 1. THe Popish tenent concerning faith is that it justifieth A Popish assertion not as it apprehendeth and applyeth the righteousnesse of Christ but as it is a meritorious work by the worthinesse and dignity thereof and that it is a presumption for any man to be assured of his salvation Ans Now that this their assertion is contrary to Scripture will thus appeare as Gen. 15. 6. where it is said that Abraham beleeved in God and it was counted to him for righteousnesse the Apostle also concludeth the contrary where he saith That to Faith justifieth not as a work but as it apprehendeth the righteousnesse of Christ him that worketh not but beleeveth c. his faith is counted for righteousnesse Rom. 4. 5. where righteousnesse then is imputed and accounted there it is not obtained by workes faith then justifieth not as it is a work or meritorious but as an instrument it apprehendeth the justice of Christ which is imputed by faith SECT 2. Faith a speciall application of the promises of God Object A Justifying faith is not a speciall application of the promises of God in Christ but a generall beliefe only that whatsoever God saith is true as Abrahams giving of credit to Gods speeches that he should be the father of many nations Ans It is otherwaies evident for Abraham did not only beleeve Gods promises concerning his carnall seed but his faith reached also to the spirituall seed which was Christ as the Apostle applyeth it Gal. 3. 16. yea Abraham rejoyced to see Christs day Joh. 8. 16. as having a particular interest in him as his Saviour the fore-named place doth therefore strongly prove against that their assertion for whereas Abraham had formerly shewed many excellent workes as of Piety in building Altars in many places and calling upon the name of the Lord in charity in seeking reconciliation betwixt L●t and him Chap. 13. of mercy in redeeming of Lot being taken prisoner Chap. 14. contempt of riches in refusing to take the King of Sodoms goods yet none of all these workes are reckoned or imputed to him for righteousnesse but only his faith SECT 3. How Phineas zealous act was imputed to him for righteousnesse Obj. PHineas work in executing judgement upon the Adulterer and Adulteresse was imputed to him for righteousnesse faith then is not only imputed for righteousnes but works also Ans The Prophet in that Psalme speaketh not of that righteousnesse whereby Phinias was originally counted righteous or just before God for that was by faīth because without faith it is unpossible to please God Heb. 11. 6. but of that righteousnesse whereby Phinias faith was declared and testified and thereby his zealous act because of his faith was counted a righteous work The like is also where the Apostle Paul denyeth that Abraham Paul James reconciled was justified by workes Rom. 4. 2. and the Apostle James affirmeth that he was justified through workes Jam. 2. 21. The first speaking of justification properly before God the other of the same testified and declared by workes unto men and therefore Phinias fact is said to be imputed to him for righteousnesse from Generation to Generation that is in all ages he was known and reputed just before God and men And therefore the Apostle James saith Shew me thy faith by thy workes Jam. 2. 18. as if he should have said 'T is true before God it is thy faith only that justifieth thee in regard that he only knoweth thy heart but in that I cannot judge of thy inward affections it is requisite that I should discerne some actions from thee which may testifie to me that thou art godly and therefore our Saviour saith ye may know them by their fruits c. Albeit therefore the Apostle urgeth the shewing and approving of faith that Abraham was justified through faith in the offering up of his Son Isaac yet before God he was formerly justified by faith but by this his obedience his faith was both approved to God and made manifest unto men SECT 4. Foure sorts of faith Object WHat manner of faith is that which you terme justifying faith Ans For the better discerning hereof it is requisite to know the divers kindes of faith which are of foure sorts viz. 1. There is fides inissialis vel fundamentalis the faith of beginning The faith of beginning or fundamentall faith whereof the Apostle speaketh Heb. 11. 6. He that commeth to God must first know that God is c. and this kinde of faith towards God the Apostle referreth to the doctrine of beginning and essence of God in knowing him to be the only God 2. There is another faith called fides miraculorum the
of the Law and then the Apostles conclusion should be in vaine who faith I conclude that a man is justified by saith without the workes of the Law but if faith be excluded out of the workes of the Law then it is not commanded or contained in the Law for then it should be a work of the Law SECT 7. How the Popish writers would reconcile Paul and James NOw whereas Paul thus proving Abraham to be justified by faith without workes Rom. 4. 2. 5. and James that Abraham was justified through workes which at the first seeme to be contrary to each other the Popish writers goe about three waies to reconcile these places viz. 1. Say they The Apostle in that expression excludeth Abrahams Morall workes before faith and therefore by such workes they grant a man is not justified but by such as follow and proceed of faith Ans Before that God had imputed righteousnesse unto Abraham by faith he had done divers faithfull workes as the Apostle sheweth As that by faith when he was called obeyed God and by faith abode in the Land of promise Heb. 11. 8 9. therefore the Apostle speaking of Abrahams justification by faith after he had done these faithfull workes excludeth even such workes also from justification Againe he saith to him that worketh the wages is not counted by favour but by debt but the workes done before or without faith no wages is due because without faith it is impossible to please God therefore he meaneth not such workes 2. They say that Paul speaketh de fide charitate formala of a saith formed with charity and furnished with good works and such 〈◊〉 faith truly justifieth Ans True it is that Abrahams faith which Paul so much commendeth was a lively and working faith and yet it did not justifie him as it was active in bringing forth good workes but as it was passive in apprehending and laying on hold of the righteousnesse of God as the Apostle sheweth in that Abrahams manner of justifying and Davids was all one but David declareth that man blessed to whom God imputed righteousnesse without workes Rom. 4. 6. to which the Apostle addeth Abrahams full assurance that he that had promised was also able to performe and therefore it was imputed to him for righteousnesse Ver. 21 22. it was not then imputed for the working of his faith but for his bebeeving 3. They use a distinction of a first and second justification the first as when of a sinner a man is made just 2. When a just man becomes more just of the first say they Paul speaketh of the second James Ans The Scriptures knoweth no such distinction of a first and second justification that which they call the second justification is no other but sanctification which is an increasing and going forward in the fruits and further assurance of justification the Prophet saying Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered speaketh of that justification when of a sinner a man becommeth just before God which they call the first justification But to that blessednesse is promised and where happinesse and blessednesse is obtained no further justification is necessary wherefore the first and one justification sufficeth and so there needeth not a second Further this distinction admitted Paul should rather treat of the second justification because he alledgeth the example of Abraham who was called already and had done many righteous workes before the Scriptures maketh any mention of the imputation of any righteosnesse unto him by faith and James of the first who bringeth in the example of Rahab the Harlot who was called before she had done any worthy works so that the two Apostles must be and are truly reconciled as aforesaid And as to the assurance of our justification the same instance of Abrahams offering up his Son Isaac will verifie at which time the Papists themselves confesse that Abraham was certain of his salvation or that he was in the state of grace SECT 8. Beleevers may be assured of faith and salvation Obj. THe assurance which Abraham had then was a particular experimentall knowledge that in that worke he had pleased God Ans Abraham in this particular was not only assured of Gods favour but was undoubtedly perswaded of the promise in generall concerning the Messiah as the Apostle saith Neither did he doubt of the promises but was strengthened in the faith Rom. 4. 20. and this is that our Saviour saith that Abraham desired to see his day and saw it and rejoyced Joh. 8. 56. his assurance then which he had of Salvation in the Messiah procured unto him this great joy Obi. Abraham knew that he was in the state of grace by speciall revelation Ans This assurance that Abraham had was not by any particular or extraordinary revelation but by the proper and ordinary operation of faith as the Apostle saith He was strengthened in the faith Rom. 4. 20. Obj. This revelation was made to the Patriarkes in the Old Testament and the Apostles in the N●w who was as it were the founders of the people of God Ans Paul in matters of faith maketh no such diffence betwixt the Patriarkes and other beleevers where he saith Now it is not written for him only that it was imputed to him for righteousnesse but also for us c. Rom. 4. 23. and he also saith that a crown of righteousnesse was not only laid up for him but for them also that love his appearance 2 Tim. 4. 8. to whom then the same certainty of faith is decreed the like assurance is not denyed Obi. All beleevers are not sure of their Justification seeing Abraham had served God most faithfully before and yet never till then was assured of his Justification Ans It followeth not because Abraham was not 〈◊〉 assured of his Justification that therefore every beleever cannot be justified at all it doth only follow that there was a time that Abraham had not such an assurance for the dearest childe of God being naturally prone to sinne as the sparkes to fly upwards having committed some grievous offence doth after the act many times conceive in himself that he is the childe of perdition or otherwise he could not have been so forsaken of God Instance in David who had the testimony of the Spirit of God that he was a man after Gods owne heart and yet we see after his sinne of Murder and Adultery he conceiveth that God had forsaken him and therefore desireth the comfort of his helpe againe as though he had been utterly deprived of it and yet at other times both before and after he was fully assured of it as the Scriptures doe plentifully make appeare so likewise it is untrue that Abraham had not this assurance untill he had offered up Isaac for the Apostle sheweth that he had that assurance when faith was imputed to him for righteousnesse Rom. 4. 22 23. which was before he was circumcised Gen. 15. 6. SECT 9. The assurance
sort of Pastors that were Superiour to others being of the same calling whether mediate or immediate I might insert many other things but I conceive these few particulars will serve you billing at In the next place I observe your notable juggle in that you would clearly put upon them whom you call Schismaticks c as that they have abused or slandered you with a matter of truth and dealt with you as the Old persecutors dealt with the Christians by putting them into Bears-skins and then baite them with dogs or as the Papists dealt with John Hus when they painted a picture of a Red Devil upon his head and then exposed him to the laughter of the people Gentlemen this was never your owne practise witnesse the Mild and Modest books of your late Champion Edwards c. And truly them that deale so with you are too blame in being at such paines about you in regard your nature of it selfe is sufficient to discover what you are without such Badges or Characters And therefore you see I did not Muffle or disguise you in that Manner in the Frontispeece where I have also given my reason for it After which your Prologue you begin the Comedie by rehearsing what they tax you with which chiefly consisteth in these ensuing Particulars which are as followeth 1. As to be such as are Lordly and Domineering Men. But your Classicall Provinciall and Nationall Synod argue the contrary 2. Such as would Lord it over the people of God more than ever the Prelates did But the Act you procured to punish Schismes c. Argueth the contrary yea the truth is you have been and yet would be as Mild and Modest as Wolvs or Tygers 3. Such as instead of one Bishop would have set up many hundreds But your fore-mentioned Synods argue the contrary 4. Such as would erect A Tyrannicall and Cruell Government had you power to establish it I shall want Rome to excuse you in this particular 5. Such as would Fine and Imprison all that would not yeeld unto your Church and Government Tush the Afore-named Act doth cleare you in this particular 6. Such as would erect an Arbitrary Power and Challenge an unlimited Jurisdiction But the thousands of Parishes subject to your Triple Synod doth clearly free you of Any such purpose 7. Such as would rob the Congregationall Churches of their power and liberty But your Dis-affection to Tithes as also your Affection to Such Churches sheweth the contrary 8. Such as would not change domininum but dominum Doe you and the Prelats cleare this Scruple amongst your selves 9. Such as seek for unitie but not for puritie Your Nationall Church proveth it clearely not to be otherwise 10. Such as will not assent A Jus divinum but depend upon a Jus humanum But your severall Edicts and Injunctions shew the contrary 11. Such as depend more upon an Ordinance of Parliament than an Ordinance of God Tush the Afore-mentioned Ordinance cleareth you 12. Such as are the Only troublers of Israel and the Only hinderers of a Blessed Reformation Witnesse your late book Against the present Government to the Contrary 13. Such as are Pestilent fellowes and Movers of Sedition Are they such Mr. Lilly 14. Such as are Pulpit Incendiaries Witnesse your Billingsgate divinitie quoted by Mr. Lilly to the Contrary 15. Such as have separated their Consecrated lungs to blow up the fire of A second Warre I should have said A third should I not Mr. Lilly 16. Such as were bringers in of the numerous Army of the Scots to invade the Parliament and Army of England But did your Astrologie tell you so Mr. Lilly I must tell you they doe not love you for telling such Schoole-tales of them 17. Such as were the great Parliament-Assertors and are now the only Parliament-Opposers But the second particular in your late booke proveth the Contrary 18. Such as seeke their owne Ease and Intererests and not the things of Jesus Christ O fie how they wrong you 19. Such as are Notorious Hypocrites Baals Priests Limbs of Antichrist c. Mr. Lilly I pray say are they such doe they not deserve Bridewell do they Twentith such whose reasons of dislike and unsatisfiednesse with these times and alterations therein made is because they feare that their great Diana of tythes will be pulled down and that their gain will be lesse and their pains greater as also that they cannot so Lord it over the people as they have done Gentlemen you see I haue endeavoured to excuse you as well as I may I will assure you they have scored you up a very large reckning pay it how you can And I must further tell you that if these be the Beare skins they put upon you and the red Devils they pin on you I fear they will cleave as close to you as the skins to your backs therefore I advise you to beware how you offer to dis-case your selves of them least you teare the flesh off also which would be a greater mischef then the wearing of them with pat●ence I presume this last pull you made at them will be a warning to you for the future I shall tell you how you may bestow your time much better which will be in numerating up the Errors committed by the Compositer of my Book which I presume he committed to that very purpose as also in the Frontispiece against your second part to the same tune But it is to be feared that you have sung your Swan-like ditty in the late praise of your Government yea I perswade my selfe it will be the very last Inconium of your Heirerchy that ever will be chanted by the Provinciall quire in London or elsewhere in this Nation if not in Scotland will it not Mr. Lilly will they make an other betwixt this and the 132. day prefixed by you Thus I think I have served your turne and yet spared paper which rather then It shall lye all bare I will e●ver it with my judgement in relation to Astrology which Art or Science I deeme of much exellency yea as the Princes to the rest of the Sciences My reasons are these First in that it is said The Heavens declare the glory of God and the Firmament sheweth His handy Work Psa 19. From which words I thus argue That which God declareth or manifesteth ought to be observed by them to whom they are manifested unto But they are declared or manifested unto rationall creatures as men c. Ergo If it be demanded how they declare or shew such things I answer By their illumination and influences the one is made good to us by their glorius Splendour and the other by their powerfull influence or effects which are also made out unto us by the ebbing and flowing of the Waters or in mad people such as the Presbyterians whose finall exit Mr. Lilly saith will jump with the last quarter of the Moon Now as these observations requireth an observer so the observer requireth
For if so in that sence God and Nature are both one and God and Nature compared therefore is called Natura naturans that Nature which giveth nature to all things so that one defining of Nature calleth it God and divine reason incerted and put into the world and every part thereof but if by the word Nature they meane a certaine power influence or instinct which without sence or understanding in it selfe hath an opperation in things senslesse inclining and moving them to a certaine end It must needs follow that the same nature influence or power hath that motion force or opperation from some superiour essence which hath understanding and is of infinite power and wisedome who createth moveth guideth and concerneth it In which sence it is defined of some to be principium motus quies the beginning of motion and rest and so numbred amongst such causes as work for an end From all which it may be concluded that nature must needs Nature Gods instrument be directed by the providence of God for nothing that is voyd of understanding and sence can tend to a certaine end except it be directed by some that knoweth the end As an Arrow cannot tend to a certaine marke except it be shot by some that knoweth the marke in which sence nature can be nothing else but the instrument Nature Gods order of God Againe nature may be termed Gods order and so things extraordinary are called unnaturall For●une his unrevealed will and so we call things changeable that are besides reason and expectation What then is Nature but God! call him what thou wilt Nature Jupiter c. he hath as many names as officer it comes all to one passe That God it the fountaine of all the first giver and preserver from whom and of whom all things The universal world is nothing but God ●●prest depend and that he is all 〈◊〉 all and in every place so that the universall world is nothing else but God exprest and therefore every man that hath reason or is reasonable may know out of the same reason that he that made him is God as the Psalmist confesseth Psal 100. It is he that made us and not me ourselves for as a man seeing a great fabrick or building will conclude that it did not make it selfe so we seeing the great fabrick of Heaven and Earth must needs conclude that it had one that framed and produced it in that beauty we see it have As the Psalmist also acknowledgeth Psal 19. 1. 2. The heavens declare the glory of God and the firm●ment sheweth his handy worke One day telleth another and one night certifieth another c. SECT 2. Of the Appellations of God whereby he is made knowne unto the world THe name of a thing is that whereby it is made knowne unto others and severed and distinguished from other things In this latter respect God needeth no name because he is but one Of the Appellations of God neither can properly any name be given him because he is infinite and cannot be comprehended in a name Neither is a name given to God in respect of himselfe but to us that in some sort he might be made knowne unto us That there is a God Nature it selfe will teach us but what this God is we know not but as it pleaseth him to reveale unto us in his Word Now the name of God in Scripture is five wayes to be taken As 1. For God himselfe Joel 2. 32. Whosoever shall call upon the The names of God five waies taken name of God shall be saved 2. For the Word of God as in Joh. 17. 6. where our blessed Saviour saith I have manifested thy name c. 3. For the wisedome power mercy and other Attributes of God as in Mal. 1. 11. Great is my name that is my glory power and majesty 4. For the commandement of God Joh. 17. 8. I came in my Father● name 5. For that whereby God is called viz. Jebovah Exed 3. 15. where the Lord saith This is my name for ever Further touching the names which are given to God they The names of God of soure so●ts may be reduced to foure sorts viz. 1. The names whereby the divine Nature and Essence is expressed a● Eheje Jehovah which are only peculiar unto God 2. His name taken from his Attributes as his Wisedome Justice Mercy and such like which properties though in a most excellent manner they agree unto God yet are also communicated unto Creatures and so he is called Creator Lord Governour Preserver his opperations being three-fold as 1. In Creation 2. In Formation and 3. In Consummation 3. Some of his names include a Negation or absence of some imperfection incident to the Creatures and so he is called immortall immutable as also in regard of the vaine opinions and estimations of men as the Idols of the Gentiles were called gods 4. The name of God is given him by way of Similitude as Magistrates in respect of their Authority are called gods so also Prophets in regard of their divine knowledge Holy men for their sanctity and Angels for the excellency of their Creation and so are called gods Nun cupative by a kinde of Appellation as Moses is called Aarons God Exod. 4. 16. but the Lord is called God essentially The God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob Exod. 3. 4. Besides these there are other names which belong particularly unto God as in Exod. 3. 4. where the Lord saith to Moses Eheje or I am that I am hath sent thee Which word according to the Expositers of the Hebrewes signifieth The peculier name of God all the differences of time both past present and to come as it is expounded Rom. 1. 8. 2. Others terme it a name of Of his name these unchangeablenesse for the creatures which have their dependencie of themselves cannot say Ero I shall be 3. It sheweth the perfection of God that hath his being of himselfe and not of any other 4. The goodnesse of God that giveth to all things their being as i● Rom. 11. 36. where the Apostle saith Of him through him and for him are all things therefore in that things are said to be they have it given them by the goodnesse of God 5. It declareth the infinitenesse of God that God is all in all as in 1 Cor. 15. 28. so that this is unto God to be to be all things as wisedome goodnesse righteousnesse c. 6. This name maketh a difference betwixt the true God and the false gods of the Heathen that had no being at all 7. This name sheweth both the power of God that nothing can hinder his everlasting being and his goodnesse in promising his continuall presence and assistance to his Church and this name of God was not unheard of amongst the wiser sort of the Heathen for it is said that this sentence was written upon the doores of the Egyptians Temples Ego sum omne