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A66823 The abridgment of Christian divinitie so exactly and methodically compiled that it leads us as it were by the hand to the reading of the Holy Scriptures, ordering of common-places, understanding of controversies, clearing of some cases of conscience / by John Wollebius ; faithfully translated into English ... by Alexander Ross.; Christianae theologiae compendium. English. 1660 Wolleb, Johannes, 1586-1629. 1660 (1660) Wing W3256; ESTC R29273 215,518 472

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to the earth sometimes to the visible heaven and to this purpose is that which Peter saith of righteousnesse which shall dwell there For it is certain that after this world justice shall dwell no where but in heaven To the first reason they answer that there is no consequence from the Flood to the last Judgment because the Flood brought not with it the end of the world so likewise in the other reason they deny the sequel from man to the world because the world will be no wayes available to man when he is advanced to life eternall for it was made onely for him whilest he was a traveler here Now although in controversies of this nature which overthrow not the articles of Faith it be lawful to suspend o●r assent yet without prejudice to other mens judgments the understanding reader may subscribe to the latter opinion for it is one thing to be restored and changed unto a better estate and another thing to wax old like a garment to vanish like smoak to be dissolved to melt to be burned to passe away to be no more as the fo●mer testimonies affirm So much of the end of the World Life eternal is the highest degree of blessedness in which we shall be made partakers of Christs glory enjoying the sight of God and Heavenly joyes for ever and ever The RULES I. The general efficient cause of life eternal in the whole Trinity but particularly Christ our Lord who by his merit obtained life for us and by his efficacy applies it to us and bestows it upon us Hence he is called the everlasting Father Isa. 9.6 and metonymicaly Life it self Ioh. 14.6 II. Good works are not the meritorious cause of life eternal although life is promised to them as a free reward A reward is promised to good works not as a due debt but as a free gift not that by them we can merit life but that we may be provoked to do them III. That eternal happinesse consisteth in our freedom from all evill in the variety magnitude and eternity of joyes Rev. 21.4 And God will wipe all tears from their eyes and there shall be no more death nor sorrow nor crying nor shall there be any more pain for the first things are past IV. The variety of joys is considered in the glorification of man in the delights of Heavenly mansions in the blessed society of the Saints but chiefly in the union with God V. There shall be a glorification both of body and of soul. VI. In the body shall be 1 Clarity 2. Impassibility 3. Subtilty 4. Agility VII The soul shall be far more perfect than it was in the state of innocency for in it shall be understanding without error light without darkness wisdom without ignorance reoson without obscurity memory without oblivion the will also shall be without perversenesse joy without sorrow pleasure without pain In the state of innocency there was in Man a possibility not to sin in the state of glory there shall be no possibility to sin VIII The beauty of ●eavenly mansions was shaddowed by the type of Solomons Temple and Jerusalem ●sal 84 1 c Rev 21. and 22. IX The communion of Saints which be with joy is expressed by the similitude of a feast Matth 22 2 c. X. Neither shall we have communion only with the ●ngels but we shall be also like the Angels Ma●th 22.30 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Luk. 20.36 XI There shall be such a communion with God that we shal see him without end love him without tediousnesse and praise him without wearisomnesse XII So great shall be that joy that neither our tongues can expresse it nor our mindes conceive it For in this life neither had the eye seen nor ear heard nor minde conceived that which can equall that glory 1. Cor. 2 9. XIII Neither shall any bounds be set to this hapinesse nor shall we ever fall from it but it shall continue for ever Psal. 16.11 Thou shall sh●w me the path of life for in thy presence is fulnesse of joy and at thy right hand are pleasures for evermore XIV There shall be degrees of eternal happinesse This is gathered from Daniel cap. 22. v. 3 They that be wise shall shine as the brightnesse of the firmament and they that turn many to righteousness as the Stars for ever and ever Neither is this opinion overthrown by that place of Matth. 13. v. 43. whereas the just in general are said to shine as the Sun for though the glory of the Elect being considered in themselves is likened to the brightnesse of Sun and Stars yet in Daniel c. 12. this is promised to Doctors above other men neither can any other reason be given why there mention is made chiefly of them that instruct others that place 1 Co. 15.39 40 41 is alleadged but to little purpose for proof of this for the simile concerning the diversity of brightnesse in the Stars d●th not prove the degrees of future glory but the ●ifference only that is b●twixt a mort●l an● a glorified body as it appea●s by what followes In the mean while we a●low not that manner of different glory which the Papists teach to wit diversity of merits For as the gift of Faith and Sanct●fication ac●ording to Gods meer grace is unequally distributed to the Saints so he will according to his gracious pleasure impa●t glory but so that no man shal have cause to complain of any want of glory in himself or why he should envie it in another The SECOND BOOK Concerning the WORSHIP of GOD. CHAP. I. Of the Nature of good Works IN the former Book we have spoken of the Knowledge of God now we are to speak of his Worship The true worship of God consisteth in true holiness and righteousness or in the study of good works which good works are performed by the grace of the Holy Spirit out of true Faith according as the Law requires to the glory of God the certainty of our salvation and edification of our neighbour The RULE I. Good works are called Vertues But we take this word vertue in a larger sense than it is taken by Philosophers for here we call vertues holy affections holy thoughts and actions II The same Synecdochically are called by the name of Charity For so Christ saith that the whole Law consisteth in the precept of love towards God and our neighbour whereas love towards God belongs to the first Commandement but love to our neighbour to the second Table III The principal efficient cause of good works is the Holy Ghost in respect of beginning continuation and perfection For it belongs to the same power to begin in us a good work and to perfect it Phil. 1.6 as also to give both to will and to be able or to do cap. 2.31 IV Their instrumental cause is Faith the root of good works Rom. 14 ●3 what is not done of faith is sin V. The matter of good works are the affections and
fall VII But the means of execution are so ordered that albeit God worketh most freely and according to his good pleasure yet neither have the Elect any just cause to brag nor the Reprobate to complain for to those undeserved grace was bestowed and on these deserved punishment is inflicted VIII These are different questions 1. By what right God reprobates man which is his Creature 2. Why did he not choose all but some and reprobate others 3. Why did he choose this man to wit Peter and reprobate that man to wit Judas To the first we answer from the material cause in that Adam as he was to fall was liable to reprobation To the second we answer from the end because God was willing to manifest the Glory of his mercy and justice But to the third from the cause impulsive because so it pleased him To use the Apostles simile If it be demanded why the Potter out of the same lump maks Vessels of such different conditions it is answered from the end because there be different uses of these Vessels in the house If again it be demanded why out of one piece of the lump a Vessel of honour is made and out of the other a Vessel to dishonour it is answered from the cause impulsive b●cause it so pleased the Potter IX Christ is to be considered either as God or as God and man the Mediator In the former respect he is with the Father and Holy Ghost the efficient cause of our election but in the latter respect he is the means of execution thereof We are then said to be elected in Christ Eph. 1.4 5. because by him we were to be saved The decree of saving us is called Predestination to the end but the decree of bestowing Christ upon us as our Head is named Predestination to the Means X. Although these words of Predestination Prescience Predetermination are sometime taken for the same yet for understandings sake they may be thus distinguished Predestination signifieth the very purpose of God to save us Prescience that free bounty by which he acknowledgeth us for his own but Predetermination imports Predestination as it hath reference to Christ and the other means of salvation Rom. 8.28 29. But we know that to those who love God all things work together for their good to those I say who are called of his purpose for whom he fore-knew those he predestinated that they might be confo●mable to the image of his Sonne c. XI They are altogether foolish who acknowledge Election and deny Reprobation Because the Scripture teacheth that there is Reprobation aswel a● Election Esa. 41.9 I have chosen thee and not cast thee away Mal. 1.2 Iacob have I loved and I have hated Esau. Rom. 9.18 He wil have mercy on whom he will whom he will he hardeneth Rom. 11.7 The election hath obtained it and the rest have been hardened 1 Thess. 5.9 God hath not appointed us to wrath but to salvation 2 Tim 2.20 Vessels to honour and to dishonour Jude v. 4. For there are certain men crept in which were before of old ordained to condemnation· XII As Christ is the cause n●t of Election but of Salvation so infidelity is the cause not of Reprobation but of Damnation Damnation differs from Reprobation as the means of Execution from the Decree XIII Damnation is not the end of Reprobation but the manifestation of the glory of Gods justice Therefore to say that man was created that he might be damned is to say amiss for damnation is not the end but the means of execution of which m●n by his voluntary disobed●ence hath made himselfe guilty XIV For und●rstandings sake two ●cts are made of Reprobation to wit The denial of undeserved grace which is called Preterition and the ordaining to d●serve punishment which is called predamnation XV. In the trial of our election we must proceed analytically or by the way of resolution from the means of Execution to the decree beginning from our Sanctification Thus syllogistically whosoever feels in himself the gift of sanctification by which we die to sin and live to righteousnesse he is justifi'd called or endowed with true faith is elected But by the grace of God I feel this therefore I am justified called and elected XVI But this is a diabolical argument If I am elected there is no need of good works if I be a Reprobate good works are needlesse For first it is not the part of a Christian to say Either I am elected or reprobated but rather to make trial of his faith as the means of election 2 Cor. 13.5.6 Prove your selves whether you are in the faith examine your selves know you not your own selves how that Iesus Christ is in you except you be reprobates But I trust that you shall know that we are not reprobates 2. This syllogism disjoyns things subordinate and conjoyns things in consistent For good works are subordinate and not to be separated from election for they are the means of its execution and of our assurance thereof But to be a reprobate and to do good works are things inconsistent CHAP. V. Of the Creation HItherto of God's internal works His external are these which are without the essence of God and these are two to wit the Creation the Government or Gods actual providence Creation is that by which God produced the world the things therein partly out of nothing and partly out of matter unapt naturally for that production for the manifestation of the glory of his power wisdom and goodness The History of the Creation is ●xtant in Genesis c. 1. 2 The RULES I. Creation is not onley a production of something out of nothing but also out of matter altogether unapt for such production naturally II. The work and honour of Creation belongs to God alone and not to Angels or any other creature III. Creation is a transition from the Possibility to the Act not of the Creator but of the Creature IV. That possibility is not private but negative Because the matter of creation is naturally unapt to that which is created out of it For example there was no aptitude or disposition in dust to mans body which was so artificially and miraculously produced thence V. There was no accession of perfection in God by creating the World neither did he create it that he might be bettered or perfected by it but that his goodnesse might be communicated to the creature VI· Creation is either of the Species with all the Individuals so the Angels Stars Elements were created together Or of the Species with some Individuals only having an innate power of propagation VII A more particular knowledge of the Creatures we leave to Natural Philosophers it shall suffice in this place to handle them according to each Days production VIII The first day of the Creation is famous for three works 1. For the production of Angels with highest Heaven called the Heavens of the
and his posterity As out of a venemous root nothing can proceed that 's wholsome so all that are come of Adam naturally are born guilty of that primitive sin X. That primitive sin therefore is not only personal but natural also because by it whole Nature is destroyed of which also Adams prosterity is held guilty to wit all that are naturally sprung from Adam Christ then is excepted from this guilt for he was born of Adam but not by Adam not by naturall generation but by the vertue of the Holy Ghost XI As therefore the Person infected Nature so afterward Nature infected the Persons XII We religiously believe that our first Parents were received into favour by God CHAP. X. Of Original Sinne and Free-will THat Sin which is derived from the first or primitive Sin is either original or actual original Sin is that native corruption derived into the whole man and to the whole race of man naturally descending from Adam whereby man having utterly lost his freedom to good becomes prone to evil The RULES I. This sin in Scripture is named by way of excellency Sin and the Body of sin Sinful-sin Inhabiting-sin The law of our members The Old-man Flesh II. It is called also Concupiscence Rom 7.7 I had not known lust or concupiscence unlesse the Law had said thou shalt not covet or lust or Jam. 1 14 15. III. Therefore the Papists doe erroniously exempt it from being a sin reckoning it among the works of God By the name of Concupiscence is understood either that natural faculty of desire which was in man even before his fall or that corruption which naturally adheres to it as it is in it in the first act and as it inclines man onely to evill IV. The proximate cause of Original sin is the guilt of the first sin in respect of which it is a most just punishment from God to wit a part of that death which God threatened to man V. Although the soul is immediately infused by God into man yet being united to the body it is made guilty presently of the first sin imparted to the whole man and therefore is infected with Original contagion VI. Neither for this cause doth Original sin cease to be sin in that it is not wittingly nor willingly committed for it is sufficient that the irregularity of our nature is present though spontaneousnesse be absent VII From this Original sin except Christ alone no man is free not the blessed Virgin Mary Neither is it only in Infants but it is in the Embryo scarce as yet conceived and before the birth and it appears still more and more as the rapacity of Wolves shews it self in their whelps Psal. 51.7 Behold I was borne in iniquity and in sin hath my mother conceived me 2 Cor. 5.21 For he hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin VIII Original sin doth consist not onely in an impotency and inaptitude to goodnesse but also in pronenesse to evill neither is it onely the amission of Original good but also the immission of the contrary evill IX By Original sin our natural gifts are corrupted but supernatural are utterly lost X. The Vnderstanding remained but darkened the Will remained but depraved the inferiour Appetite remained but altogether vitiated XI Hence it is that in natural and civil actions an irregenerate man can do no good without special grace XII Without this special grace no excellent thing could be performed by the Gentiles XIII Whatsoever good then that was which they did it was mixed with much vanity so that their chief vertues were in Gods sight but glorious enormities XIV For those are not good works which are good in themse●ves but which are done well A work is said to be good either univocally or equivocally univocally so such a work is simply good in respect of all circumstances equivocally a work is good in it self but withall vitious either in respect of the subject or object or means or the end for if we look upon the actions of the Gentiles we shall finde that they aimed more at their own than at Gods glory in them XV. Although the affections of the wicked are kept in by God as with a Bit yet they are not healed XVI But supernatural gifts were utterly lost to wit the claritie of the intellect the rectitude of the will and the conformity of the appetite with reason XVII Hence there is no principle of knowledge or performance of spirituall things in us either in act or in possibility XVIII They seek then the house in the ashes who ascribe to an unregenerate man free-will or other faculties by which he may do well or prepare himself to his own conversion or to the acceptation of Gods grace For this is the errour of Pelagians and Semi-pelagians XIX Mans will remained free from coaction but not to good and evill XX. Yea it is free to evill onely and therefore deserves rather to be called servile than free As for the understanding the natural man comprehends not the things that are of Gods Spirit 1 Cor. 2.14 If you look upon the will the imagination of mans heart is onely evill Gen. 8.21 Finally the Scripture cries out that the whole man having lost his spiritual life lieth dead in sin Ephes. 2.1 Col. 2.13 XXI Although this sin is pardoned in the sanctified Parents notwithstanding by generation it is tansmitted to posterity The reason is because the corruption dwelling in us is not altogether taken away by pardon although the guilt be done away and as faith is the gift not of generation but of regeneration so man not as he is regenerate but as man begets man even as seeds being winnowed from the ears chaff and husks do spring up again with the same CHAP. XI Of actual Sin SO much of Original sin Actual sin is whereby Gods Law is broken by thoughts desires words or deeds The RULES I. According to the diversity of circumstances there are diverse sins II. From the efficient cause sin is either of publique or of private persons as they are in more or less dignity III. From the matter which are things thought desired said or done IV. From the form it is either of commission or omission V. From the end it is either of incogitancy or of affectation and against conscience and that rather of malice than of infirmity or contrarily rather of infirmity than malice VI. From the subject it is of the soul chiefly or of the body or of both VII From the object it is either committed against God or our neighbour VIII Sin committed against God is either with a kind of unwillingness or with a full desire this later sin the Scripture cals the sin against the holy Ghost and to death Matth 12.32 1 John 5.16 IX The sin against the Holy Ghost or to death is when one is convicted in his conscience by the testimony of the Holy Spirit resisteth notwithstanding the same
Psal. 47.6 Ezek. 48.35 Like testimonies are in the New-Testament Mat. 26.26 27 28. While they were eating Iesus took bread and when he had blessed brake it and gave it to his Disciples saying Take eat this is my body lik●wise taking the cup and having given thanks he gave to them saying D●●nk ye all of this for this is the blood of the New Testament c. See the like places in Marke Luke and 1 Cor. 11. so 1 Cor. 10.4 And the Rock was Christ. Eph. 5.26 That he might sanctifie his Church having purged her with the washing of water Col. 2. v. 12 ●eing buried with him in baptisme Heb. 9.13 For if the blood of buls and of goats and the ashes of an he●fer sprinkling the unclean sanctifieth to the purifying of the fl●sh Yea the very same is seen in other speeches besides sacramental as Gen. 4● 27 The seven cows are seven years that is types and figures of seven years R●velations 17 9. The seven heads are even hills and verse 12. The ●on horns are ten Kings XIX This kinde of speaking is called a Sacramental Metonymie of the thing signified for the signe Now it is not material whether the trope be in the attribute or in the copula or coupling of the words for though the trope may be in the attribute yet the cause or ground of the trope is in the copula The material cause of a simple enunciation consisteth in the subject and attribute but the copula being affirmed or denied makes up the formal part by which it becomes true or false Proper or figurative for as often as things of different natures are affirmed or joyned by the copula that speech is false or tropical the seal therefore of the trope is in the predicate but the cause thereof is in the copula Whereas then the copula is in this enuntiation This is my body conjoints things of different natures to wit bread and ●hrists body necessari●y the speech must be false but to say so were blasphemy or else tropical Therefore the interpretation of such speeches is plain bread is the body of Christ that is a Sacrament of his body Circumcision is Gods covenāt that is a sign or sacrament thereof seven kine are seven years that is figures of seven years so we are said to be cleansed with water sacramentally because baptisme or washing is the sacrament of cleansing so sacramentally the sacrifices of the Old Testament are said to expiate because they were tipes of expiation by Christ XX. The end of Sacraments is the sealing of the Covenant of Grace XXI The effects of the Sacrament are not justification or sanctification as if it were by the work wrought but the confirmation and sealing of both benefits This is plain by the example of Abraham who before he was circumcised was justified Rom. 4.11 Therefore the Pontificians falsely affirm that the Sacraments confer remission of sins and such like benefits by their own inward vertue out of the work wrought These Places then of Scripture in which such things are spoken of the Sacraments are to be expounded by a Sacramental Metonymie as is said XXII Sacraments are common to all that are in the covenant in respect of the signes but proper to the Elect in respect of the thing signified XXIII Sacraments are necessary to salvation not simply and absolutely as if they were the prime causes thereof but hypothetically as they are ordinary means of salvation to be used as Christ hath commanded Hence saith Bernard Not the want but the contempt damneth XXIV The Word and Sacraments agree in substance for what the testament promiseth the seal confirmeth but they differ 1. In that the word is received by the ear the Sacraments perceived by the eye so that the Sacrament is a visible word 2. Because the word of the Gospel is general but by the Sacrament the promises of the Gospel are applied to every believer 3. Because by the Word faith is ordinarily begot and confirmed by the Sacrament Sacraments are of the Old Testament or of the New Of the Old Testament there were two principal and ordinary to wit Circumcision and the Passeover Of these we have handled in the doctrine of the Ceremonial Law Of the New Testament there are two Baptisme and the Lords Supper The RULES I. The Sacraments of the Old and New Testament agree in the thing s●gnified in respect of substance to wit Christ with his benefits which is the kernel of all the Sacraments Heb. 13.8 Iesus Christ yesterday and to day is the same and for ever Rev. 13.8 The Lamb slain from the beginning of the world to wit sacramentally in the sacrifices and Passeover II. Baptisme doth answer Circumcision analogically so doth the Lords Supper the Passeover For as Circumcision was the Sacrament of initiation or of ingrafting into the Covenant of regeneration or spiritual circumcision so is Baptisme And as the Passeover was the Sacrament of spiritual food even so is the Lords Supper Hence the Holy Supper succeeded the celebration of the last Passeover III. The difference between the Sacraments of the Old and New Testament consisteth 1. In external signes 2. In the manner of signifying for there was signified that christ was to be exhibited here exhibited 3. In number For besides Circumcision and the Passeover they had also other Sacraments We have none besides Baptisme and the Lords Supper 4. In amplitude for the New-Covenant doth not extend it self to one and the same people 5. In continuance for those continued only till Christs first coming but these remain to the end of the World 6. In clearnesse IV. The difference then which the Pontificians feign is false ● That the Sacraments of the Old Testament were types of the Sacraments of the New Testament 2. that the Sacraments of the Old Testament did only shadow out justifying grace but that ours have really in themselves the Body of spiritual good things As for the first d●ff●rence it is one thing to be a type of Christ another thing to be types of the Sacraments in the New Testament That Circumcision and the Passeover were types of Christ is said but that they were types of our Sacraments I deny ●or it were most absurd to think that they were instituted onely to represent ours The other d●fference also is false for both in those Sacraments and in these Christ with his benefits are the matt●r and marrow But the diff●rence betweene the Sacrament of the O●d and New Testament is rather this that they were shadows of ●pi●itual good things whereof Christ was the body Col. 2.17 V. Neither will it follow that therefore the Sacraments of the New Testament are not better than these of Old because they do not conferre justifying grace for the work wrought for their prerogatives remain as they are expressed in the third Rule chiefly the second and sixth Here it is wont to be objected that if we acknowledg not this their fict●tious difference the Sacraments
Reas. I. For to be justified by grace and by merit are repugnant Rom. 3.24 They are justified freely by his grace and v. 28. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the works of the Law chap. 11.6 If by grace then not of works otherwise grace were not grace 2. So to be justified by Christ and his merits and by works Gal. 2.21 If righteou●ness is of the Law then Christ died in vain 3. By faith and by works Rom 3.28 We conclude then that we are justified by faith without works 4 To be justified by imputed justice and by works Rom. 4.4 5 To him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace but of debt But to him that worketh not but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly his faith is coūted for righteousnesse II. If by justification all matter of bragging is excluded that God only may be glorified then we are not justified by works Rom. 3.19 That every mouth may be stopped and all the world may become guilty before God ver 23. They have all sinned and come short of the glory of God and v. 27. Where is boasting then It is excluded By what law of works nay but by the law of faith The Pontificians here say that in these places are meant only ceremonial works But he who will observe that Catologue of works rehearsed cap. 1 2.3 to the Romans shall finde that not only ceremonial but moral works also are meant III. If we be justified by works then they are either such as go before or follow after regeneration Bu● with neither of these ar● we justified For be●fore regeneration 〈◊〉 works are meerly evi● and after imperfect● good XIX The effects of justification are Peace with God an accesse to him with boldnesse a rejoycing in tribulation and freedom from sin not onely in respect of guilt as the Papists say but in respect of punishment too Otherwise Christ had suffered for us in vain Isa. 53.4 c. Neither do divine chastisements come upon the Elect that they might by them satisfie God but that they might be proved and bettered XX. Imputed righteousnesse is perfect and equal in all believers The imperfection of our faith is no hinderance for as the same Jewel is touched by the firm and infirm hand so is the same Justice of Christ obtained by the strong and weak believer XXI The same is never to be lost For the gifts of Vo●ation are without repen●a●●● Rom. 11. ●9 XXII It is also one Therefore when the Saints who are justified pray for forgiveness of sins they do not so much respect or consider the act of justification as the fruit certainty and confirmation thereof XXIII Iustification before God is by faith Iustification before men is by works Of this see Iam 2.24 you see then that man is justified by works and not by faith alone Which saying is not contrary to that of Rom. 3.28 we conclude then that man is justified by faith without works For there is meant that justification which is before men but here that which is before God there is understood historical fa●th which worketh not by charity but here that faith which is true and lively Others say that man is justified by work● not as by the cause but as by the declarers and manifesters of justification CHAP. XXXI Of Sanctification SAnctification followes Justification as the light followes the sun This is that free action of God which sets at liberty the faithful ingrafted into Christ and justified by the Spirit more and more from their native corruption and renews them to his image that they may be fitted by good works to glorifie God The RULES I To sanctifie in this place is not to separate from profane use or to dedicate to holy uses but habitually to make holy In the former signification we are bid to sanctifie the Sabbath II. It is called regeneration renovation conversion penance repentance and glorification Yet these words are ambiguous for the word regeneration renovatino and conversion is either equivalent to vocation and the gift of faith or it signifieth newnesse of life when in the very act man dieth to sin and liveth to righteousness in the first sens it goeth before justification and is the cause thereof in the latter follows it and is the effect thereof it is also named penitence and resipiscence from the effect which words do as much d●ffer as the Hebrew terms Nicham and Schubh or the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for that is of the minde this of the heart that wicked men may also have this onely the godly albeit this difference doth not still hold It is called glorification by way of inchoation or beginning as it is a forerunner of future glorification III. The efficient cause of this is in general the whole Trinity particularly and in respect of the terminus the Holy Ghost for this end sent by Christ. Hence he is called the Spirit of Sanctification Rom. 1.4 IV. The internal impulsive cause is Gods free bounty Tit. 3.4.5 But after the kindnesse and love of God our Saviour appeared toward man not by works of righteousness which we had done but according to his mercy he hath saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost V. The external impulsive cause is Christ with his merit and efficacie Ephes. 5.25 Christ loved his Church and gave himself for it that he might sanctifie it VI. The external instrumental cause is the doctrine of the Law and Gospel but the internal is Faith the root of good works VII To these we may adde extraordinary means whereby God casteth down the proud and raiseth the humble such are afflictions miracles terrours c. VIII In the first regeneration or vocation m●n is meerly passive but in sanctification when he is endowed with saving faith he is the chief agent of his own actions yet not without the special grace and motion of the Holy Ghost IX The matter of sanctification is the whole man with his intellect will and affections 1 Thes. 5.23 Now the very God of peace sanctifie you throughout and I pray God your whole spirit soule and body be preserved blamelesse until the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ. X. The form is expressed in two acts in the aversion from evil and conversion to good that is called the mortification of the old man this the vivification of the new man that a crucifying and burying this a resurrection XI The end of this is Gods Glory our salvation and certainty thereof for there is no signe of election more evident 2. Tim 2.21 If a man therefore purge himself from these he shall be a vessel unto honour sanctified 1. Joh. 3 3. And who hath this hope in him purifieth himself even as he is pure XII Sanctification in this life is not perfect hence the works of the Saints are imperfect for they feel a combate in
actions of a regenerate man VI. The form of them is their agreement with the precept of the Decalogue For sin is a transgression of the Law 1 Joh. 3.4 that must needs be sin which deviates from the Law VII Therefore those are not good works which are conformable te the commandments of men and not of God Isa. 29.13 Matth. 15 9. In vain do they worship me teaching for doctrines the commandments of men VIII Neither are those good works which the Papists call works of Supererogation by which they say more is performed than by the Law is required IX This opinion is grounded upon their conceit of Councels or things not commanded but left to our liberty the omission of which is not punishable but the performance is greater than legal obedience and therefore meritorious They say such Councels may be seen Mat. 19. v. 11. where they teach that the counsel of single life is not contained within the command and. ver 21. where they say that to the young man a-counsel was given not a cōmand that he should sell his goods and give them to the poor and then follow Christ and 1 Cor 7. where they say that the single life is counselled But this opinion of Councels and works of supererogation is false 1. Because so the Law is made imperfect whilst the performing of councels is preferred to the fulfilling of the Law 2 Because if no man is able to fulfill the Law much less able is any man to fulfil that which is heavier than the Law 3. Because to beg daily for pardon of our sins and to brag of such works are things inconsistent The places above alledged are to be understood of commands and not of Councels which do not oblige men these commands indeed are particular and given only to certain men according to the exigence of their condition and gifts yet they are subordinate to general precepts Matth. 29.11 Single life is not only counselled but commanded two conditions being required 1. If the kingdom of Heaven doth so require it 2. If any be assured that he hath the gift of continency so ver 2.1 It is not a counsel but a command that is given to the young man that his hypocrisie might be unmasked who bragg'd that he was able to fulfil all the Law And 1 Cor. 7. Celibate is injoyned to them that have the gift of continency not simply but because it was expedient for the difficulty of those times Now I pray what is more consonant to Gods Law than to renounce all earthly things for the glory of God therefore in these places nothing is counselled but what by the Law is commanded X. The end of good works is threefold to wit the glorifying of God and the testifying of our gratitude towards him the certainty of salvation and our Neighbors edification We are taught Matth. 5.16 that we must study to do good works both for Gods cause and our Neighbours Let your light ●o shine before men that they may see your good works and glorifie your Father which is in Heaven They are to be performed for our own sakes because we can have no assurance of salvation election vocation and justification but by good works as the effects of Faith ●ustification and Sanctification whence Iohn saith He that doth well is of God 1 Ep. 3. v. 10. XI The subject of good works is man regenerated This was proved in the former Book cap. 10. out of our natural corrupt on whence appears the vanity of the School-nens Doctrine concerning merit of congruity condignity they ascribe that to the works of an unregene●at man before the first grace but this to his works done after the first grace is received I hat they call the merit of congruity because it is fit or congruous that reward begiven to him that worketh virtuously this they call merit of condignity because there is a proportion between the merit and the reward of which opinion Bellarmine and Stapleton were ashamed XII The adjuncts of good works are their imperfection and their necessity neverthelesse XIII The good works of the Saints are imperfect while they are travellers here but they shall be perfect in the state of glory hereafter This Doctrin is not thwarted by those places i● which the Saints are said To walk perfectly and not to turn towards the right hand or to the left hand For in those places is understood not so much perfection it self as the desire of it and the perfection of parts rather than of degrees or their sincerity integrity are meant whereby the faithfull though the Scripture elswhere speaks of their sins study to serve God in the simplicity of their heart without hypocrisie XIV Yet this imperfection is covered with Christs perfection hence our half perfect works and which are joyned with infirmities are reputed for perfect in this respect the Church is said to be without spot or wrinckle XV. Good workes are necessary by the necessity of precept and of the means but not by the necessity of the cause or merit By the necessity of precept they are necessary because the study of good works through al the Scriptures is most severely injoyned to us They are necessary in regard of the means because they are sure marks of Vocation Election and true Faith because they are the way and means to attain heavenly blisse As if a man should make a journey from York to London to obtain an inheritance the way or journey is the medium or means but not the meriting cause or the inheritance even so it is in this matter Works would be truly meritorious if they had these three conditions as exprest in the following distich Da tua 1 sed quae non 2 debes propo●tio 3 adsit Non aliter meritum di●eris esse tuum 1. If they were our own 2. If they were not due 3. If they were proportionable to l●fe eternal But in our good works these conditions are wanting 1. Though good works be done by us yet they are not of us 2 Cor. 3.5 2 We are bound to do them so that is we should do all yet we must confesse We are unprofitable servants Luk. 17.10 3. They have no proportion if they be compared to life eternal CHAP. II. Of Vertues and Works pertaining to the whole worship of God and to the Decalogue VErtue or good works are either general or particular Those belong to the whol worship of God so to the whole Law these to either of the Tables or to each Command The vertues of the first Command are either of the Understanding or of the Will The vertues of the Understanding are Wisdome and Prudence Wisdome is that vertue by which we know Gods will and our own infirmity that we may do what is conformable to Gods will and may seriously beseech God for strength to perform this will Rom. 12.2 That you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God Psal.
optatam dispersa Ecclesia pacem Et repetant miseri pascua laeta greges JOAN JAC. GRASSERUS Eccl. Minister Another THus dost thou feast thy Friends divide and cut Theoligie like an Iliac in a Nut. Where Truths so orthodox in each short Page May serve the solid'st Judgments of this age Heaven lengthen out thy days and may those powers Be still propitious to thy well-spent houres Which may thy Flock to their old Fields invite And the disperst Church-Members reunite THE Order of the Chapters of the first Book Concerning the knowledge of GOD. Chapt. I. Of the Essence of GOD. Page 14 Chapt. II. Concerning the Persons of the Deity Page 21 Chapt. III. Concerning the works of God and the Decrees of God in general Page 30 Chapt. IV. Of Predestination Page 38 Chapt. V. Of the Creation Page 46 Chapt. VI. Of Gods actual Providence Page 56 Chapt. VII Of the Government of Angels Page 61 Chapt. VIII Of the Government of Man in the state of Innocency Page 67 Chapt. IX Of the fall of our first Parents the beginning of Mans misery Page 71 Chapt. X. Of Original Sinne and Free-will Page 77 Chapt. XI Of Actual Sinne. Page 83 Chapt. XII Of the miseries which follow Sinne. Page 86 Chapt. XIII Of the Moral Law Page 89 Chapt. XIV Of the Ceremonial and Iudicial Law Page 97 Chapt. XV. Of the Gospel and how it agrees with and differs from the Law Page 108 Chapt. XVI Of the Person of Christ God and Man Page 112 Chapt. XVII Of the Office of Christ the Mediator Page 130 Chapt. XVIII Of the Humiliation of Christ. Page 135 Chapt. XIX Of Christ's exaltation Page 157 Chapt. XX. Of the Common vocation to the state of Grace Page 166 Chapt. XXI Of the Covenant of Grace Page 169 Chapt. XXII Of the Seals or Sacraments of the Covenant of Grace in general Page 175 Chapt. XXIII Of Baptisme Page 190 Chapt. XXIV Of the Lords Supper Page 197 Chapt. XXV Of the nature of the visible Church Page 203 Chapt. XVI Of the outward administration of the Church Page 214 Chapt. XXVII Of the False Church Page 231 Chapt. XXVIII Of Vocation in special Page 243 Chapt. XXIX Of saving Faith Page 251 Chapt. XXX Of Iustification Page 256 Chapt. XXXI Of Sanctification Page 269 Chapt. XXXII Of the Perseverance of the Saints Page 274 Chapt. XXXIII Of Christian Liberty Page 279 Chapt. XXXIV Of the coming of Christ and Resurrection of the flesh which go before the last Iudgment Page 282 Chapt. XXXV Of the Last Iudgment Page 295 Chapt. XXXVI Of the end of the World and Life eternal the consequents of the Iudgment Page 301 The Order of the Chapters of the second Book Concerning the Worship of God Chapt. I. Of the Nature of Good Works Page 311 Chapt. II. Of Vertues and Works apperteining to the whole Worship of God and to the Decalogue Page 317 Chapt. III. Of Vertues or works belonging to the first Commandment Page 322 Chapt. IV. Of Vertues and Works belonging in general to the II III. and IV. Commandments Page 329 Chapt. V. Of Vertues and Works belonging in special to the second Commandment Page 334 Chapt. VI. Of Vertues and works belonging to the third Commandment Page 355 Chapt. VII Of Vertues or Works appertaining to the fourth Commandment Page 366 Chapt. VIII Of Vertues or Works belonging in general to the Commandments of the second Table Page 371 Chapt. IX Of Vertues and Works belonging to the fifth Commandment Page 381 Chapt. X. Of Vertues and Works belonging to the sixth Commandment Page 388 Chapt. XI Of Vertues and Works belonging to the seventh Commandment Page 393 Chapt. XII Of Vertues or Works belonging to the eighth Commandment Page 406 Chapt. XIII Of Vertues and Works belonging to the ninth Commandment Page 415 Chapt. XIV Of Vertues and Works belonging to the tenth Commandment Page 423 THE PRAECOGNITA OF Christian Divinity CHristian Divinity is the doctrine of the Knowledge and Worship of GOD to his glory and our salvation The RULES or CANONS are these I. This word Theologie or Divinity is diversely taken but in this place is understood that knowledge of God which a Christian may attain unto in this life out of Gods word The word Theologie being taken abusively is sometime used for the Gentiles Divinity which was threefold Poetical or fabulous Philosophical or natural Sacerdotal or political the scope and end whereof was to contain the rude multitude within the compass of obedience by some religious exercise be what it will But Theologie properly so called is either Original or derived Original is that knowledge whereby God knows himself which really differs not from Gods essence Derived is a certain image or representation of that Orig●nal primarily in Christ our mediator secondarily in Christs members Now whereas a part of Christs members is triumphant in heaven another part militant here on earth that Theologie of the triumphant part is cal'd the Theologie of the blessed Saints that of the militant is stiled the Theology of Travellers II. Theology in this place is considered not as a habit residing in the intellect but as a Systeme or collection of precepts therefore it is defined by the word Doctrine For Theology as it is comprehended within certain precepts is different from the habit of Theology as the efficient cause from the effect Now the question is if we consider Divinity as a habit of the Intellect what genus shall we assigne for it out of all the intellective habits surely there is none which if it be taken solely and apart is not of a narrower compass than the thing defined For tha● hab●t which apprehend the Principles called Intelligentia and tha● habit which demonstrates the Conclusion out of the Principles called Scientia and tha● habit which ariseth out of the two former call'● Sapientia are habit meerly contemplative but for Prudentia t is an active habit directing the mind in its actions Art is an effective or operative habit with right reason Divinity then consists partly in contemplation partly in action Therefore Divinity may bear the name both of Sapience and Prudence Sapience so far forth as it apprehends the Principles by means of the Inteligence being divinely illuminated and from thence demonstrates the conclusions by means of Science Of prudence so far forth as it directs the mind of man in it its actions III. There is a twofold principle of Divinity the one by which it is and that is GOD the other by which it is known and that is the Word of God IV. Gods word at first was unwritten before Moses his time but after Moses it was written when God in his most wise counsel would have it to be sealed and confirmed by Prophets and Apostles That the Papists may obtrude upon us their unwritten traditions instead of Gods written oracle they would bear us in hand that the Word was written only upon hap-hazard or contingent occasions But so many mandates to write delivered
divine matters also and such as transcend all reason 4. After a divine manner and in a wonderfull harmony of circumstances in the same things rehearsed by different Writers 5. To the Glory of God alone and our salvation 6. With admirable efficacy both in moving the hearts and corroborating them against most exquisite tortures 7. In the miraculous preservation of it against Diabolicall and Tyrannical fury That Scripture I say which thus delivereth these things is doubtless divine both in its Original and in its Authority But such is the holy Scripture Therefore it is Divine both in its Originall and in its Authority That I may then contract the matter in brief the Testimony of the Church is first in respect of time but that of the Holy Ghosts is first in regard of Nature and efficacy VVe believe the Church but not for the Church but we believe the holy Ghost for himself The Churches Testimony doth monstrate but not demonstrate it shews the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that the thing is but the holy Ghost Testimony shews the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or the cause The ●wasive power is in the Church but the perswasive in the spirit onely The Churches Testimony begets an opinion but the Testimony of Scripture begets Science and ● firm Faith X. The Canonical Books of Scripture are partly of the Old partly of the New Testament To the Old belong the five Books of Moses Josuah Judges Ruth these Books are single the Books of Samuel of the Kings of the Chronicles are double The Books of Ezra Nehemiah Esther Job Psalms Proverbs Ecclesiastes Canticles the four greater Prophets and the twelve lesser are single Now of the New Testament are The four Evangelists The Acts of the Apostles The Epistles of Paul to the Romanes one To the Corinthians two to the Galathians EEphesians Philippians and Colossians single To the Thessalonians and Timothy double to Titus Philemon and Hebrews single The Epistles of Peter two of John three of James and Jude single and the Revelation XI But for the books of Tobiah Judith Wisdom Ecclesiasticus Esdra 3 4. of Machabees 1 ● 3. of Baruch 1 The Prayer of Manasses The Epistle of Ieremiah The Additions to Daniel and Esther Although they may be read with profit yet they come short of that authority which is in the Canonical Books for proving Articles of Faith and therefore they are called Apocrypha that is hid or obscure The reasons be these 1. Because they were not written by the Prophets but they have been written for the most part since Malachi the last of the Prophets 2. Because they are not written in the Stile or Phrase of the Prophets or in the Hebrew Tongue 3 Because they are never alledged in the New Testament 4. Because in reading of them we finde many passages contrary and inconsistent with Canonical Scripture besides many fabulous and repugnant to Faith and P●ety XII The Holy Scripture is sufficient to Salvation 2 Tim. 3 16 17. The whole Scripture is by Divine inspiration and is profitable for Doctrine for Reproof for Correction for Instruction in Righteousness that the man of God may be perfect and throughly furn●shed to every good work XIII Therefore as the constitutions of the Church conducing to the right usage of outward Rites are in their one place to be regarded so no tradition is to be admitted as necessary to salvation except the Scripture The Romanists do not onely fight for popish Traditions but also equal them nay prefer them to the holy Scriptures but we are content to rest in that command of God which forbids to adde to or take away from his word Deut. 4.2 and 5.32 and 12.32 Rev. 22.18 XIV The search of holy Scripture is injoyned to all Christians Joh. 5.39 Search the Scriptures Colos. 3.16 Let the word of God dwell plentifully among you Neither is that obscurity of holy scripture which the Pontificians pretend any obstacle to this our assertion for though it be obscure in some places yet in other places it explains it self and delivereth the prime articles of Religion with great perspicuity XV Therefore the translation of the Bible ●nto vulgar Tongues is necessary XVI Yet no translation is authentical but that which agreeth with the Original fountains of the Hebrew and Greek XVII Although the Interpretation of Scripture is committed to the Church yet the onely supream Iudge of this interpretation is the Holy Ghost speaking in it Esay 59.29 My Spirit which is in thee and my words which I have put in thy mouth shall not depart from thee 2 Pet. 1.20 21. So that you first know this that no prophesie in the Scripture is of any private motion for the prophesie came not of o●d time by the will of man but holy m●n of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost Therefore sacrilegiously do the Pontificians arrogate to the Church of Rome or to the P●pe alone this right of supreme judge XVIII The sense and meaning of each Scripture is but one yet in the Prophesies of the Old Testament it is composed of a history and mystery For example Hos. 11. ver 1. In these words When Israel was a child then I loved him and called my son out of Egypt I be sense is compounded for literally historically they are to be understood of the delivery of the Israelites out of Egypt but ●ypically and mystically of Christs calling out of Egypt Matth. 2. ●5 XIX The means to finde out the true sense of Scripture are Frequent prayers the knowledg of tongues the looking into the Fountains the cons●deration of the scope argument● the distinc●ion of proper t●rms from figurative the logical analysis or nothing of the Causes the circumstances the passages going before and coming after the comparing of obscure places with cleerer of like with like and of disagreeing places with each other lastly the analogie of faith XX. As God is the proper and prime object so is he also the principal and suprem end of Divinity XXI Whereas then the cheif end and the cheif good are one and the same thing it is manifest that Christian Divinity only doth rightly teach us concerning the chief good XXII The subordinate end of Divinity in our salvation which consisteth in the union and fruition of God The parts of Divinity are two The first is of the knowledge of God the second of the worship of God The first containeth faith or the things to be believed the second works or the things to be performed THE FIRST BOOK OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD. CHAP. I. Of the Essence of GOD. GOD is a Spirit existent eternally in himself One in Essence Three in Persons Father Sonne and Holy Ghost God is known in himself and in his works In himself he is known absolutely in his essence relatively in the Persons Gods essence is known by his Names and by his Properties The names of God are either taken from his essence as Iehova Iah
with natures work IV. Mans soul is immortal not simply as though God could not annhilate it but by Gods ordination and that it cannot be destroyed by second causes V. The faculties of the soul are real●y different from the soul as qualities or proper accidents from their subject The reason of this is taken from the event because the essence of the soul remains entire when the faculties are shaken and weakned VI. The souls faculties are either meerly organical as the vegitive and sensitive facultie or are such onely in part and for a time as the understanding and will the former appears not when the body is corrupted but these without the help of the body can exercise themselves and appear when the body is destroyed VII Liberty from coaction is an essential property of the will Otherways the will were no will CHAP. VI. of Gods actual Providence GOd's actual Providence is that by which not only he preserveth his creatures but also according to his great wisdom goodness power justice and mercy he governs all things The RULES I To deny this Providence is to deny God himself II. Actual Providence differs from eternal as the execution from the Decrees III. As in God's eternal ●rovidence the will of his good pleasure so in this his revealed will is chiefly seen IV. Providence doth not only consist in knowledge but also in the Government of all things both great and small V. Gods providence takes not away but establisheth the second causes VI. What things are contingent in respect of the second causes are necessary in respect of Gods providence but this necessity is of immutability not of coaction VII Gods providence is far different from the Stoicks fatall necessity For the Stoical fate ties God to the connexion of seconda●y causes but the Christian fate makes a subordination of the second cause to Gods most free will of which he makes use voluntarily not of necessity out of indulgence rather then indigence VIII By Gods Providence both good and evil are governed IX Good things are ruled by an efficacious action or effectual working to which belong the preventing concomitant and subsequent assistance of Divine power X. Evil things are ruled by an actual permission and so they are permitted directed and determined XI Gods Providence remaineth ordered and undefiled even in those actions that are disordered and sinfull For in evil actions two things are observable the action it self and the irregularity thereof The action it self as all naturall motions is performed by Gods effectuall operation but the irregularity or vitiosity comes to passe by Gods actual permission For sin is ordered 1. By permitting it 2. By determining and containing it within its bounds 3. By directing it to a good issue Now God cannot be said to be author of sin by any of these wayes Not by producing the matter of it or the natural action for as there is one cause of the horses motion another of his halting even so it is one thing to be the cause of the action and another thing to be the cause of the adhering vitiosity Not by permitting the evil action because God is not forced by any law to hinder sin Not by determining it for as he who quenches a f●●e that it may not spread further is not the cause of the fire so he that setteth bounds to sin is not the cause of sin Not by directing it to a good end for as it is a main skill to prepare wholsom Medicines out of venomous creatures so it is the glory of God to create light out of darkness good out of evil Hence it is apparent how frivolous their device is who that they might vindicate God from any contagion of sin they flie to a bare and idle permi●sion of sin XII Though the Scripture ascribes many times the same action and the same work to God to the devil and to wicked men yet sin cannot be in any wise imputed to God In this case we must not have rec●u●se to a bare permission but we must give an estimate of these actions according to their scope and end for in one and the same action God hath one purpose Satan another and wicked men another Iob's affliction is imputed to God God gave saith Job and God hath taken the same is ascribed to Satan to the Sabaeans also and Chaldeans but according to the end we must judge of each of them ●t was Satans purpose to make Iob despair It was the Chaldeans intent and Sabeans to enrich themselves by plundring that holy man but God determined to try and make manifest the faith of his servant So in the crucifying of Christ it was Pilates purpose to continue in the favour of Caesar and of the Jews the Jews drift was to satisfie their desire with hatred and revenge but Gods end was to redeem mankind Hence they are said to do nothing but what the hand and counsel of God had determined Act 4.28 XIII The hardening of the wicked is ascribed to God as a most just Iudgment so as God can neither be blamed as faulty nor can the wicked be axcused The wicked are in this inexcusable because God onely hardeneth those who harden themselves neither doth he harden the soft hearted but in his just Judgment he increaseth the hardnesse of them who were hardened before Now they hardened themselves by abusing those graces which should have softned them I. Gods long suffering Rom. 2.4 5. Or d●spi●est thou the riches of his bounty patience and long suffering not knowing that the bountifulnesse of God leadeth thee to repentance But thou after thy hardnesse and heart that cannot repent heapest unto thy self wrath II. Gods Word 2. Cor. 2 15. For we are unto God the sweet savour of Christ in them that are saved and in them which perish to the one we are the savour of death unto death to the other the savour of life unto life III. Gods correction rod by which as an Anvil they are made harder Ier. 5.3 Thou hast stricken them but they have not sorrowed thou hast consumed them but they have refused to receive correction they have made their faces harder then a stone and have refused to return For this reason then are they most justly hardned by God who harden themselves who so often said of Pharaoh I will hold I will make obstinate I will harden his heart For not only do●h he harden by permission but also 1. By letting loose the bridle with which he held in their exorbitant lusts Rom. 1.24 He dilivered them up to their own lust and v. 28. God gave them up to a reprobate mind II. By delivering them to Satan as to a Hangman 1 King 22.21.22 And there came forth a Spirit who stood before the Lord and said I will perswade him to wit Achab and the Lord said to him where with And he said I will go forth and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets
are made guilty of eternal death Levit. 18.5 Who doth these things shall live by them Deut. 27.26 Cursed is he that confirmeth not all the words of this Law to do them V. Therefore it requires of us a double satisfaction if we would have it fulfilled For it obligeth us to punishment and to obedience The Commination of the Law requires that the Promise requires this Therefore these are falsly pronounced disjunctively to wit That we are obliged either to punishment or to obedience the Law obligeth us to both for there is no way to attain life eternal but in fulfilling the Law of which Christ saith do this and thou shalt live Luke 10.28 Therfore albeit we were free from the guilt and punishment of transgression yet we cannot attain life eternal without fulfilling the Law VI. Whereas we can neither way satisfy it bids us seek for both in Christ. VII And for this end the Law is renewed after the fall and as it were restored from death to life For it was given to the first man that he might attain to eternal happiness by his own obedience if he pleased but it is proposed to man since his fall that by perceiving his own inability to performe it he may performe it in Christ. Rom. 10.4 Christ is the end of the Law unto righteousness to every one that believeth VIII Therefore the promulgation of the Law to the Israelites on Mount Sinai was a singular benefit IX The Law was mended by Christ not as though it had been imperfect nor as though Christ had been another Moses to establish a new one but he onely vindicated it from the Pharisees corrupt glosses The Pharises did expound the Law accoring to the letter onely and did urge onely outward obedience as it appears by the refutation of them Mat. 5. Therefore the Samosatenians and their fellows who accuse the Law of imperfection are deceived for though it be imperfect in respect of us because by our fault it is made insufficient to save us yet in it self it is perfect besides it is the perfect Idea of that Justice which is in the Kingdom of Heaven X. Therefore falsely do the Pontificians-affirm that the perfection of the Law consisteth rather in councels than in precepts The Law is either Moral Ceremonial or Judicial the Moral is that which God comprehended in the ten Commandments The Rules for right understanding and explaining the Decalogue are these following The RULES I. The interpretation of every precept is to be sought out of its next end II. Whereas the precepts are most brief they are also Synecdochical for out of negatives we must understand affirmatives and contrarily so things forbid out of things commanded and on the contrary out of the species the genus and contrarily out of the outward worship we understand the inward and on the contrary out of things done and spoken desires counsels and actions and finally out of relatives we are to understand correlatives III. One and the same thing may be reduced to divers precepts in divers respects IV. A general Law yields to a particular V. There is a greater force or emphasis in negatives than in affirmatives For negatives are of a far larger extent whereas affirmatives include circumstances affirmatives oblige alway but not incessantly whereas negatives oblige both always and incessantly For example we are alwayes bound to do our neighbour good but not incessantly for there 's not continually occasions to do him good on the contrary it is never lawfull to hurt our neighbour VI. Hence there are more negative than affirmative precepts VII Every sin bears the name of that sin which by name is prohibited The reason is that we may take the more notice of the filthiness of sin so Christ calls a wanton look upon a woman adultery and Iohn calls hatred murther Matth. 5.28 1 Iohn 3.15 VIII Earthly promises are symbols of heavenly things Therefore the Servetans and Anabaptists do falsly dream that these promises are onely earthly the earthly promises include heavenly for so it pleased God to apply himselfe to that ignorant people and as yet under the Paedagogie of the Law The parts of the Decalogue are two the Preface and the Precepts The preface is twofold the one of Moses the other of God The Preface of Moses is this Then God spake all these words Gods preface is this I am the Lord thy God which brought thee out of Egypt In which words he shews his selfe-power and full authority in commanding drawing reasons 1. From his divine essence the symbols whereof are the names Iehovah Elohim 2 From the Covenant of Grace the sign whereof is that Phrase Thy God 3. From the benefit of Redemption the type whereof was the delivery of the Israelites out of Egypt Of the Commandments there are two Tables the first is concerning our duty towards God the other of our duty towards our Neighbour The sum of the first Table is Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart with all thy soul and with all thy strength Which words require both sincerity and perfection in our love sincerity because there is mentioned the heart the soul and all our strength perfection because we are b●d love God with all our heart all our soul all ou● strength To this Table there belong four Commandments the first sheweth who is to be worshipped for the true God the second after what manner he must be worshipped the third how we are to honour his name all our life the fourth at what times the publick worship of God is to be maintained The sum of the second Table is Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self this command is like the former because as that is the sum of the four first preceps so this is the sum of the six last concerning our love towards our neighbour to this then belongs the fifth command of preserving the dignity of our neighbour the sixth of his life the seventh of preserving our neighbors chastity the eigh●h of his estate the ni●ht of his fame the tenth of restraining vitious affections towards our neighbour Let this concerning the Moral Law suffice to evince the necessity of Redemption for what good works belong to e-every Precept shall be taught in the second Book CHAP. XIV Of the Ceremonial and Iudicial Law THe Ceremonial and Judicial Lawes serve as hand-maids to the Moral that to the first and this chiefly to the second Table The Ceremonial Law is that in which God commanded certain Ceremonies and outward Rites as Types of Christ hereafter to be exhibited The RULES I. The Ceremonial Law is a School-master to lead us to Christ Gal 3.24 II. The Ceremonial Law gives place to the Moral 1. Because it is in a manner the hand-maid of the Moral Law 2. Because it was not to continue for ever 3. Because charity is to be preferred before Ceremonies Hence is that of Hos. 6.6 I will have mercy and not sacrifice III The Ceremonial
different men but also in one and the same man so that sometimes it is weaker sometimes stronger but so that it can never be utterly lost Isa. 42.3 He shall not break the b●used reed nor quench the smoaking flax Phil. 1.6 I am perswaded that he who hath begun a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Iesus Christ. Heb. 12 2. looking unto Iesus Christ the Author and finisher of our Faith CHAP. XXX of Iustification THe mediate effects of Vocation proceeding from faith are Justification Sanctification Assurance of salvation and Christian liberty Justification is Gods free action whereby the Elect through the most full satisfaction of Christ are absolved from their sins and are declared rightous and inheritors of life eternal The RULES I. Iustice in Scripture is either of the Cause or of the person Iustice of the cause is when a man otherwise sinfull is said in this or that particular to be innocent and just Iustice of the person is either begun or it is perfected This is called Legal as it is required by the Law and Evangelical as it is shewed in Christ by the Gospel Begun justice is that which the Holy Ghost begins in the faithful in this life and perfects it in the other The perfect righteousnesse of Christ then is the gift of Iustification but that which is begun is the gift of Sanctification II. To justifie in this place is not to punish nor to infuse inherent righteousnesse as the Pontificians will have it but in the sense it is taken in the Courts of justice it is to absolve from sin and to pronounce one just Prov. 17.15 To justifie the wicked and to condemn the just both are abomination to the Lord. Isa. 5.23 which justifie the wicked and take away the righteousnesse of the righteous Matth. 11.19 wisdome is justified by her children Lu. 7.29 when these things were heard all the people and the Publicans justified God Luk. 10.29 He willing to justifie himself III. The efficient cause of Iustification actively understood is the whole Trinity 2 Cor. 5.19 God was in Christ reconciling the world to himselfe 1. Cor. 6.11 But you are washed but you are sanctified but you are justified in name of the Lord Iesus and by the Spirit of our God IV. The internal moving cause ●is meer grace or Gods free favour That this is a free favour and not an infused grace will appear by these testimonies Rom. 3.24 For they are justified freely by his grace Ephes. 2.8 you are saved by grace through faith and that not of your selves it is the gift of God Tit. 3.4.5 But after the goodnesse and love of God our Saviour appeared towards man not by the works which we had done but by his mercy he hath saved us V. The external moving cause is Christ God and man Christ as the Son of God is the efficient cause of justification in common with the Father and Holy Ghost but as he is God-man and our Mediator he is the outward moving cause because by his merit he hath procured this gift for us VI. The instrumental cause of this is the word of the Gospel For it is the power of God to every believer Rom. 1.16 VII If we take Iustification passively in reference to man who is justified it hath no other cause but faith the instrumental VIII This phrase We are justified by faith is metonymical and equivalent to this We are justified by Christs merits apprehended by faith IX Faith only is said to justifie in respect of works which are effects following upon faith but not the causes of Iustification for they do not precede him that is to be justified but follow him that is justified Although this particle alone in so many letters and syllables is not found in Scripture yet it is express●d by like phrases Such are Without works freely by grace Rom. 3.24 27 28. But by faith Eph. 2.8 Gal. 2.16 Though then faith be not alone but is joyn'd with works yet it justifieth alone As the Sun is not in Heaven alone yet he alone makes day X. Faith doth not justifie as if it were a work or by its own dignity but as it is an instrument apprehending Christ. The Papists grant that we are justified by faith but then they take faith here as a work Now faith in Scripture hath nothing ascribed to it but as it aprehends as a Gold-ring bears a high price for the Jewel in it And hence it appears how finely those places of Scripture do agree in which we are said to be justified now by grace then by Christs merits then by faith for we are justified through Gods grace for Christs merits apprehended by faith XI The matter of justification taken actively is Christs whole satisfaction whereby he suffered the punishment due to our sins and yielded perfect obedience to the Law We have shewed above cap. 18. that Christs satisfaction is placed both in his suffering and in his actual obedience XII The matter of this taken passively is man miserable in himself but elected by God called and indowed with faith Though then vocation naturally is before faith and faith before justification yet in time there is no difference For as soon as man is effectually called he is endowed with faith and justified by faith XIII The form of it actively understood is in the imputation of Christs whole satisfaction whereby it is made all ours as if we had performed it our selves That justice which is imputed to the believer is in Christ by inhesion in us by imputation Our adversaries deny that in Scripture there is any mention of this imputation But what can be cleerer than these ensuing places Rom. 4.6 As David calleth that man blessed unto whom God imputeh righteousnesse without works Phil. 3.8.9 I account all things dung that I may gain Christ and may be found in him not having my own righteousnesse which is of the Law but that which is by the faith of Christ that is the righteousnes which is of God by faith This is chiefly seen in that antithesis whereby our sins are imputed to Christ and his justice imputed to us 2 Cor. 5 21. He made that he should be sinne for us who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness of God in him The Papists also think it as absurd that we should be justified by the justice of another as if one would be called learned for the learning that is in another But these examples are not like for one man is not so united to another as the faithfull are to Christ their head Againe they will not have Christs justice imputed to them and yet they stick not to say that the merits of dead men and the Justice of Monks are imputed to them XIV Yet for understandings sake the form of justification is expressed by two acts by remission of sinns and imputation of justice by judging our sins to be none and our righteousnesse to be perfect XV.
And although these two benefits be the same in subject and time yet they are indeed distinct For they differ 1. In definition for it is one thing not to account us unrighteous and another thing to esteem us righteous Which that we may the better understand we must know how these terms are different Not just and just Unjust and just Not just and Unjust Not Unjust and just Not just and just are contradictories Unjust and just are partly privatives partly contraries Not just and unjust also Not unjust and just are diversa VVe must also know that Unjust and just are not immediate contraries for the medium is innocent who is neither unjust nor just Now whereas the remission of sins is a removing or putting away of our sins but the imputat●on of justice is the adjudging of it to be ours by that we are accounted for not unjust or innocent by this for just Now who knowes not that it is more to be just than to be innocent onely and not onely to have done no evill but also to have done good But although these two now in man differ not in subject but in some respect only yet heretofore they diffe●ed in subject also For Adam in Paradise was innocent but not just for he was at length to attain justice by his perfect obedience 2. They differ in their proximate and proper causes for Christs death and passion are the cause of remission of sins which are expiated by them Heb 9.22 without blood there is no remission 1 John 1.7 The blood of Iesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin But the cause of the imputation of Justice is Christs perfect obedience Rom. 5.19 For as by the disobedience of one man many are made sinners so by the obedience of one many are made righteous We have shewed above cap 18. That this obedience is that actuall by which he fulfilleth the whole Law for us 3. They differ in their proper effects for by remission of sins we are freed from damnation Rom. 5. ● Much more then no● being justified by his blood we shall be saved from wrath through him But by imputation of righteousnesse we attain over and above life ●ternal Rom. 5.17 Much more they which receive abundance ●f grace and of the gift of righteousnesse shall reign c. so Gal. 4.5 both effects are put Made under the Law that he might redeem them that are under the Law that is under the cu●se of the Law and that we might recieve adoption It is then a greater benefit to redeem a Slave and being redeemed to adopt him than barely to redeem it is a greater favour to give and forgive than onely to forgive therefore that justificat●on is lame by which only Christ passion is imputed and which onely consisteth in remissions of sins Here divers things are objected 1. The Scripture in many places makes mention of Christs passion or Remission of sins onely But this is no wonder for in many places it speaks Synecdochically it● sufficient that it explaines 〈◊〉 selfe in the above cited place● 2. The Apostle promiscuously useth these phrases as equivalent to forgive sins and to impute righteousnesse Rom. 4.5 6. But we answer that it is one thing for propositions to be equivalent and another thing for one proposition to follow upon or to conclude another as Paul out of this phrase of David Psal. 32.2 Blessed are they whose sins are forgiven them c. collects this that David doth describe him to be blessed to whom righteousnesse is imputed wi●hout wo●ks The reason of the consequence is because if the remission of sins be free then so is also the imputation of justice Although then that is not formally spoken by David which Paul affirmeth v. 5. yet it is spoken by way of consequence yea it is an argumentation as Chrysostome saith from the lesser to the greater for if he be blessed whose sins are forgiven then much more blessed is he to whom besides righteousnesse is imputee 3. To whom sins are forgiven to him also righteousnesse is imputed and whosoever is freed from damnation he is inheritor of life eternal therefore these benefits are not different Answ. Those things are not the same which are in the same subject together For so it would follow that Vocation Justification and Sanctification are not different benefits because every man that is called is also justified and sanctified 4. In the pardon of sins there are the sin of omission pardoned and therefore by that man is made perfectly just They adde the reason of the consequence because he performs all things who omits nothing Ans The consequence is fals because there is one cause why we are said to have omitted nothing another why we are said to have done al things We are said to have omitted nothing because Christ hath suffered for our sins also of omission But we are said to have performed all things because he hath for us performed all things Besides to have omitted nothing and to have done all thinges differ in respect of punishment and reward for although the fault the punishment are remited to him who omits what he shold do yet for this there is no reward due to him 5. It is absurd that the same debt should be paid twice If therefore satisfaction is made for sin by Christs suffering satisfaction also is not to be demanded by active obedience Answ. Here is ignoratio Elenchi for there is not a double payment of the same debt but two parts of one payment Neither is Christs active obedience required to make satisfaction for sin but to satisfie for our interest in the Kingdome of Heaven 6. If it be the same thing to be liberal and not to be prodigal nor covetous then it is the same thing to be just and not unjust Answ. The assumption is false be●ause these are not immediate opposites for there are men who are neither covetous nor prodigal nor liberal 7. If it be the same thing to be clothed and to have nakedness covered then it is the same thing to have our sins remitted and justice imputed be●ause by the garment of 〈◊〉 righteousnesse 〈◊〉 sins are also 〈◊〉 Ans. This is an 〈◊〉 simile for the sin●●r must not onely be clothed but he must be first unclothed to wit from the rags of sin Therefore as Ioshuah the High-Priest had his filthy garments taken from him first then new garments were put upon him and a crown on his head Zach. 3.4 5. So we also first must be divested of this dirty garment of sin then we are clothed with the glorious garment of Christs righteousnesse XVI The form of Iustification taken passively is whereby believers lay hold on ●hrist with all his merits by the hand of ●aith and apply him to themselves XVII The end of that benefit is Gods ●lory and our salvation XVIII Out of this commemoration 〈◊〉 causes we firmly gather That man is 〈◊〉 justified before God by his good works 〈◊〉 merits
them betweene the flesh and spirit so long as they live Rom. 7.19 23 24 Gal. 5.17 XIII Sanctification differs from justification I. In their genus for the justice of that is in the predicament of Quality but the justice of this in the categroy of Relation II In their form For 1. In Iustification Faith as a hand layeth hold upon Christs justice in Sanctification it is considered as the beginning and root of good works 2. In Iustification sin is taken a way onely in respect of the guilt and punishment in Sanctification it is by degrees abolished in respect of its existence 3. In Iustification Christs righteousness is imputed to us in Sanctification a new and inherent justice is infused into us III. In degrees for Iustification is one individual perfect act equally contingent to all but Sanctification is a successive act by degrees tending to perfection and according to the variety of the gifts of the Spirit shining in some more in some less CHAP. XXXII Of the perseverance of the Saints SO much of Justification and Sanctification Now follows the perseverance of the Saints and Christian Liberty The perseverance of the Saints is the gift of God whereby the Elect being justified and sanctified are so confirmed by the grace of Christ through the Holy Ghost that they can never utterly fall from it The RULES I. By the word of perseverance we do not here understand that whereby the Elect cannot fall into most grievous sins whereby their Faith cannot be weakned whereby they cannot for a time lose the effectual presence of Gods Spirit but that whereby they cannot totally and final●y fall off from Faith and the grace of God II. The efficient cause of this is God the Father Son and Holy Ghost Joh. 10.27 28 29. My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me and I give to them life eternal neither shall they perish for ever nor shall any man take them out of my hand my Fa●her who hath given them to me is greater than all nor can any man take them out of my Fathers hand I and my Father a●e one Eph. 1.13 14 In whom also after that you believed you were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise which is the earnest of our inheritance untill the redemption of the pu●chased poss●ssion unto the praise of his glory III. The matt●r which hath the nature of the subject is man truly elected cal●ed justified and sanctified IV. The forme consisteth partly in the will to pers●vere partly in the act it self the wi●● is never defec●ive in the godly but the act is sometime ne●re intense sometime more remise V. Though then Faith may be lost in respect of the second act yet in respect of the habit or first act by which it apprehends Christ it is never lost VI. The end of this gift is the assurance of our salvation and a true and firm comfort VII Out of all this we conclude that the Elect who are called justified and sanctified are assured of their salvation Besides the Scripture-testimonies cited above 1. The certainty of our Election confirms this for the elect cannot perish or become reprobate Mat. 24.24 There will arise false Prophets and fa●se Christs and will shew great signs and wonders so that they shall seduce if it be possible the very elect 2. Tim. 2.19 Yet the foundation of God standeth fi●m having this seal the Lord knoweth who are his 2 The certainty of Vocation Rom. 11.29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance 3 The certainty of Faith Isa. 42.3 he will not break the bruised reed nor quench the smoaking flax 4. The certainty of Justification by which there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Iesus Rom. 8.1.5 The certainty of Sanctification Phil. 1.6 Being perswaded that he who hath begun a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Iesus Christ. The testimonies which Bellarmine alledgeth to the contrary are either such as speak not of the faithful but of hypocrites as Mat. 24.12 13. Mark 4.15 Luke 8.13 Iohn 15.2 Heb 6. v 4 5 6. and 10.26 2 Pet. 2.21 22. Or else of a falling off not from the Faith by which we believe but which be believe that is from wholesome doctrine which hypocrites also embrace for a time as 1 Tim. 1.19 and 4.1 and 1 Tim. 6.19 Or they are to be understood of those that are truly faithful but conditionally as Ezek. 18.26 When a righteous man turneth away c. and 1 Cor. 9.27 Gal. 5.4 The examples of evill Angels and of our first Parents are nothing to this purpose for they received onely possibility if they would be willing but not will and possibility too but there is another reason of the regenerate who by the grace of the Spirit both will and can persevere Likewise the exmples of Saul Simon Magus and Iudas are impertinent for they were Reprobates David and Solomon fell indeed grievously but they lost not totally their Faith as the repentance of both witness Psal. 51. and the Books of Ecclesiastes As for Peter's fall we will say with Austine Profession failed in his mouth but not faith in his heart There be two Arguments of our Adversaries chiefly to be considered 1. It is temerity say they to boast of the certainty of Faith whereas our salvation should be wrought out with fear and trembling Phil. 2.12 Answ. The Elect are no wayes to be accused of temerity because they ascribe not to their own strenth the certainty of salvation by which they may a thousand times fall off without Gods grace but they are kept by the power of God 1 Pet. 1.5 Therefore fear and trembling are not opposed to firm confidence in God but to carnal presumption 2. They say that all admonitions will be in vain and so a way w●ll be made ●o carnal security Ans. This will not follow For th●s Doctrine is so farre from occasioning security that it rather drawes us from it 1. Because it is one thing 〈◊〉 stand and another thing to seem to stand 1 Cor. 10.12 2. Because no man can promise to himself the certainty of salvation except he try his Faith by his Sanctification 3. Because although the Saints do not utterly fal off from grace yet they may fall into most g●ievous sins in offending God and their neighbour and may bring upon themselves divers calamities CHAP. XXXIII Of Christian Liberty CHristian Liberty is a spiritual manumission or freedome whereby the faithfull are delivered from that slavery to which they were bound before their conversion that they may freely and cheerfully obey God The RULES I. The efficient cause of this liberty in general is the whole Trinity but in particular Christ our Lord. Joh. 8.31 32. If you abide in my word you shall be my D●sciples and ye sh●ll know the truth and the truth shall make you free v. 36. Therefore if the Sonne make you f●ee ye shall be free indeed II.
143.10 Teach me to do thy will because thou art my God lead me by thy good Spirit through the right path To this is opposite foolishnesse or ignorance of Gods wayes or an opinion of wisdome Ier. 5.4 These are foolish for they know not the wayes of the Lord nor the judgments of their God Prov. 3.7 Be not wise in thy own conceit Eccl. 7.16 Be not too wise Prudence is a vertue whereby we foresee how things are to be done in respect of time place and manner and what will be the event of each businesse which is undertaken The RULES I. Prudence is the director or guide of our counsels and actions II. It is prudence to distrust the World and not rashly to believe every man Ier. 9.4 Let every one take heed of his friend Matth. 10.10 be wise as Serpents and inocent in Doves III It is prudence to counterfeit and to dissemble Yet here we must know how for what end we may counterfeit dissemble the end is either the edification of the Church of the godly or the trial of things needful or the avoiding of dangers or the desire of eschewing vain-glory or boasting Then it will be lawful to do this when it can be done without prejudice to Gods glory to the truth to charity to justice to our calling and duty and without fraud IV. It is prudence in the evils of sin to choose none in the evils of punishment to choose the lesser So David of the three punishments proposed to him he chose the Pestilence rather than War and Famine 2 Sam 24.12 Cyprian being willed by the Governour to advise with himself whether he would obey or die He answered that in a matter of such holinesse no advise was to be used When the French King Charls 9. had proposed three things to the Prince of Conde the Masse Death and perpetual Imprisonment his answer was that by Gods assistance he would never choose the first as for the other two he left them to the Kings own pleasure To Prudence is opposite Imprudence Craft and a conceit of Prudence Matth. 25.3 But those that were foolish took their Lamps but did not take oil with them Luk. 16.8 And the Lord commended the unjust Steward that he had done wise●y where craft is called prudence abusively Rom. 12.16 Be not wise in your own conceits So much of the Vertues of the mind The vertues of the will in general are Integrity Readiness and Constancie Integrity is whereby we performe obedience to God although imperfect yet with a serious purpose and without hypocrisie as in the sight of God Deut. 18.13 Thou shall be perfect or sincere with the Lord thy God 2 Cor. 1.12 For this is our boasting even the testimony of our conscience To this is opposite the contempt of Conscience or a dissembling and hypocritical Conscience 1 Tim. 1.19 20. Retaining faith a good conscience which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwrack of whom are Hymeneus and Alexander Joh. 18.28 The Priests went not into the Iudgment-hall lest they should be defiled but that they might eat c. Readinesse or promptitude called also chearfullnesse and alacrity is a vertue whereby we obey God freely joyfully Psal. 40.9 I delight to do thy will O my God Psal. 110.3 thy people shall be willing 2 Cor. 9. ver 7. God loves a cheerful giver To this is oppsite Precipitancie and Coaction Matth. 8.19 And a certain Scribe came and said unto him Master I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest 2 Cor. 9 ver 7. Every man as he is purposed in his heart so let him give not grudgingly or of necessity Constancie is a vertue whereby man is prepared to persevere to the end in the knowledge profession and worship of God Matth. 24.13 But he that continueth to the end shall be saved see the examples of Prophets Apostles and Martyrs c. To this is opposite Inconstancie or pertinacy in an error or evil purpose Luk. 9.62 No man that putteth his hand to the plough and looking back is meet for the Kingdome of God Act. 7.51 Stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart c. CHAP. III. Of Vertues or Works belonging to the First Commandment SO much of the general Vertues or Works the special belong to the immediate or mediate worship of God Gods immediate worship is that which is performed to him immediatly and is taught in the first Table This is either internal onely or else external and internal both The internal worship only is that which resides in the heart and is injoyned in the first Precept The sum whereof is that we worship and know him alone for the true God For the precept is negative Thou shall have no other Gods but me from this is gathered an affirmative Know and worship me alone for God Therefore to this precept belongs the knowledge of God and a religious affection towards him The knowledg of God is whereby we acknowledg him to be the onely true God as he reveals himself to us in Scripture Deut. 6.4 Heare ● Israel the Lord our God is one God Isa. 46.9 Have not I told you from that time and have declared it c. Is there a God besides me Yea there is no God I know not any Contrary to this is Atheisme and multiplicity of gods or Polytheisme Psal. 14.1 The fool hath said in his heart there is no God Gal. 4.8 Even then when you knew not God you served them which by nature were not gods Religious affection towards God consisteth in Faith Hope Charity Confidence in God Fear Repentance Patience and Thankfulness of minde For to acknowledge any for God is to believe to place trust and confidence in him to love and fear him above all things to submit patiently to his wil and to acknowledge all good things for his gift Faith is whereby we lay hold on God as our God and Father and firmly believe his Word Promises and Threaatnings We considered Faith before as the instrument of Justification and Sanctification but here as a vertue and internal work of God in reference to his worship To Faith is opopsite 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Infidelity and doubting of the goodnesse and power of God as also the presumption of Faith Psal. 78.22 The Israelites believed not nor ●r●sted in his salvation Num. 20.12 Because ye did not believe me that ye might sanctifie me c Jam. 2.14 what availeth it my brethren if any man say he hath faith and have not works Can his faith save him Confidence is a vertue whereby we ●est in God and in his promises and totally depend on him in all things both corporal and spiritual We have already spoken of confidence as it is the form of Faith applieth to the heart the Promises concerning Christ Here it is considered as the effect of Faith Of this Salomon saith Trust in the Lord with all thy heart Prov. 3.5 Contrary to this is distrust in God and trust or
affection of the mind to maintain inlarge the glory of Gods Name with just sorrow indignation against those things that are contrary to his glory Examples of this are in Lot 2. Pet. 2.8 in Moses Exod. 32.19 in Phi●eas Numb 25.7 8. in David Psal. 69. and ●19 53 in Elijah 1 Kin. ●19 10 in Ieremiah Jer. 23.9 10.11 in Iohn Baptist Matt. 14.4 in Christ Ioh 2.14 c. in Paul Act. 14.14 and 17.16 17. To this is opposite Stupidity not caring for the glory of God erring zeal which is without knowledge inconsiderate zeal counterfeit zeal The Sanctifying of Gods Name in effect or actually is either by words or by deeds Sanctifying by words is a holy using of Gods Name and a constant confession thereof The holy using of his Name is whereby we never speak of him but in cases of necessi●y and that with great reverence and admiration praising the glory shining in it Deut. 28.58 Thou sha●t fear tha● most glorious and terrible Name of the Lord thy God To this is contrary superstitious silence or concealing of Gods Name the taking of it in vaine jests made of Scripture phrases and blasphemie or disgrace cast immediately upon the Name of God An example of horrible blasphemie is in the Assyrian King I●a 10. and in Rabshaketh his Captain Esa. 37. The holy using of Gods Name is in three kinds to wit in Consecration Swearing and casting of Lots Consecration is when things for our use are sanctified by the Word of God and by Prayer To sanctifie in this place is to separate for a good and lawful use thus Temples Ministers the works of our vocation meat and drink are consecrated 1 Tim. 4.4 5. For whatsoever God hath made is good neither is any thing to be rejected if it be received with thanks●giving for it is sanctified by the word of God and by Prayers To this consecration is opposite besides the intermission of it superstitious consecration when in certain forms of words there is believed to be a singular force efficacy so likewise Magick inchantments and consecrations This consecration is intermitted by them who eat drink without Prayer and Thanksgiving among Papists there are many examples of superstitious ●ōsecrations of water salt wax c. Magick consecrations and inchantments are not excus●ble because the words are good For Gods Word is abused when it is not used in a good way By Swearing Gods Name is sanctified both in a simple Oath and in adjuration A simple Oath is the taking of God to witnesse in weighty matters as the Testifier of truth and the Revenger of lying The RULES I. An Oath in it self is good and holy First because it is commanded by God Deut 6.13 and 10 20 Esa. 65.16 Ier. 12.16 Secondly because God and his Angels have sworn Gen. 2● Psal. 9● H●b 3 and 6 Rev. 10. c To this purpose is that of Tertullian O happy are they for whose cause God swearet● and O miserable are we that will not believe God when he swears II. The person swearing must be such a one as may lawful●y swear and not Children 2. Mad-men 3. Such as are convicted of perjury III The matter of an Oath should be things weighty of good moment and lawful IV The forme of it is explicated or unfolded by contestation and imprecation abridged and contracted or consisting of either part V. The end is the confirmation of truth the decision of strife the illustration of Gods glory and the salvation of man Heb 6.16 VI. The object of an Oath by which we must swear in god only For so it is commanded Deut. 6.13 Fear the Lord thy God and serve him and swear by his name Because 1. God is the only searcher of hearts who sees all things who is alone Omnipotent and who revengeth Perjury 2. Because an Oath is joyned with invocation which only belongs to God as it is said above V●I Where the Saints in their oaths mention the creatures metonymically either God himselfe is understood or his vengeance which man wisheth to himself So Gen. 31.53 Jacob swore by the fear of his Fa●her that is by God whom his Father Isacc feared So Paul 2 Cor. 1.23 I call God for a record upon my soul that is that ●e will pun●sh me if I knowingly deceive V●II In respect of adjuncts an Oath is divided into that which is publique and solemn and injoyned by the Magistrate or private and voluntary yet not rashly offered Also into an assertory a promissary Oath IX Oaths must be kept though they be extorted from us and be hurtfull to us Psalm 15.4 That sweareth to his ●urt changeth not But here it is demanded if an oath made to a thief to free our selves from him ought to be kept Answ. Either the Oath is only to redeem our selves or else it is to conceal the whole matter we are bound in the former to keep our promise but not in the latter seeing we are first and more strictly bound to the Magistrate whose office it is to suppresse thieves and robbing therefore whosoever out of fear of death binds himself to a thief in this respect he may declare the matter to the Magistrate and by reason of the tie and obligation to him he may be absovled by publique authority X. Near to swearing is a weighty asseveration Such Asseverations are Gen. 42.15 c. By the life of Pharaoh that is as truly as Pharaoah lives and as I wish he may live So 1 Sam. 1.26 As my soul liveth my Lord I am that Woman To this purpose is that usual asseveration of Christs Verily Verily To swearing in the defect is opposite the denial of it or a refusal to take an Oath it being lawfully profered The Anabaptists offend the former way pretending Christs saying Matth. 5.34 Swear not at all and that of Iames Jam. 5.12 But they observe not that in both these places idolatrous and rash Oaths are forbidden not such as be lawful The latter way they off●nd who when they may by an Oath promote Gods glory or the safety of their neighbour yet they refuse to do it In the excesse are opposed to swearing 1. Perjury 2. A rash Oath 3. An unjust Oath 4. An idolatrous Oath Perjury is when a thing is falsly asseverated or a promise is made without purpose of performance or when the purpose of performance is not performed This sin must be avoid●d 1. Because of the grievousness thereof for a perjured man offends against God whom he calls u●on to be witnesse to ●his lye and so profaneth his most holy name he offends against his neighbour whom he circumvents with his perjury and grievously scandalizeth he offends against himself having wished so many evils to fall upon him 2. Because of the grievousnesse of the punishment for perjuries are never unrevenged examples are in the Kings of Sodom c. Gen. 14.4 in H●shea King of Israel 2 Kings 17 4. in Zediciah
2 King 25.3 c. i● Rudolphus Duke of Bavaria in Ladislaus King of Hu●garia and many others it was also detestable among the gentiles as Tibullus sheweth Ah miser etsi quis primò perjuria celet Sera tamen tacitis poena venit pedibus Though wretch thou hide thy Perjury Yet slow-pac'd Plagues come silently The Jesuitical and Sophistical interpretations of Perjuries are equivalent to perjuries themselves neither shall they escape the sin and pun●shment of Perjury A rash Oath is that which is taken when there is no necessity to swear Saul is an example of a rash and continual swea●er 1 Sam. 14. v. 40. and 45. An unjust Oath is when we swear of things neither lawful nor honest Such was David's oath when he threatned destruction to Nabal's house by revoking of which he hath taught us that unlawful oaths are rather to be broken than kept 1 Sam 25. such are the Monkish oath of fidelity obedience ● in Pop●ry An idolatrous Oath is when men swear by false gods or the creatures Such are these oaths that are made by Heaven Earth c. which a●e forbid Matt. 5 3● and oaths also made by the Saints for without idolatry we can neither give to them the honor of invocation nor of an oath neither do the Papists metonymically by the Saints understand God but they swear by the Saints themselves So much of swearing Adjuration is an obtestation in the name of God being made either by command or intreaty that according to conscience and as it were in stead of an Oath the truth might be spoken Example Ios. 7.19 Then said Ioshua to Achan my Son give glory to the Lord God of Israel and confesse to God The RULES We must yeild to an adjuration in such things as are neither contrary to Gods glory nor the love of our Neighbour We have an example in Christ who professed himself to be the S●n of God upon the adj●●●tion of the H●gh Priest though a wicked man Matth 26.64 If then a Tyrant should adjure us to reveal our brethren or their meetings we should refuse it To this are contrary rash adjurations magick adjuration of Devils wicked imprecations whereby God and the creatures are adjured to mans ruine The adjuration of Devils which they call exorcisme is magical and no wayes answering the Apostles casting out of Devils which they did not by adjuration but by commanding them in the name of Christ. Sortiledge or casting of lots is a tryal or finding out that which God hath appointed to each man in divisions and this is done by external signes to compose strife Lots are either divine or humane Examples of those are in Levit. 16. Ios. 7. 1 Sam. 10. Nehem. 11. Ioh. 1. Act 1 and these are not to be imitated because we have no command But these lots called also divisorie may be used but so that we assure our selves that they are guided by Gods hand Prov. 16.33 To this are opposed superstitious elections and consultations and deceiptful lots Hitherto of the taking of Gods Name the profession of it is when freely and openly in the sight of men we confess the truth as it is known by Gods Word to his glory when we are required Matth. 10.32 Who soever confesseth me before men him will I confess before my Father who is in Heaven Rom. 10. v. 10. With the heart we believe unto righteousness and with the mouth we confesse unto salvation 1 Pet. 3.15 Be ye alwayes ready to answer to every one that shall ask a reason of the hope that is in you To this is contrary 1. A dissembling of the truth 2. The open denial of it 3. An unseasonable confession thereof An example of dissembling is in the Jews that would not professe Christ for fear of being excommunicate Ioh. 12 v. 42 43 Peter is an example of an imperfect denyal proceeding of infirmities Matth. 26.69 c. Concerning unseasonable confession Christ warns us Matt. 7.6 Give not that which is holy unto Dogs neither cast ye your Pearls before Swine le●t they tread them with their feet and turn upon you and tear you Thus we have shewed how Gods name is sanctified in words it is sanctified in fact when our life and actions answer our holy profession Mat. 5.16 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorifie your Father which is in Heaven To this is opposite the omission of that action which agrees with our profession and impiety An example of the former is in Moses and Aaron who are said not to have sanctified God in the sight of the children of Israel when he gave them the water of strife out of the rock Num. 20.12 An example of the later is in the Jews of which Paul speaketh Rom. 2.24 For the Name of God through you is blasphemed among the Gentiles CHAP. VII Of Vertues or Works apperteining to the Fourth Commandment HItherto of the parts of Gods worship Now follows the time peculiarly appointed for Divine worship This is handled in the fourth Commandment the summe whereof is That we sanctifie the Sabbath There are two parts of this precept the Precept it self and the Confirmation thereof The Precept is that we sanctifie the Sabbath which is illustrated 1. By an Admonitory particle Remember c. By which it appears that the Israelites before this had been warned to sanctifie it but that it had been ●lighted and neglected by reason of Pharaoh's oppression 2. By declaring the Precept in opposing by an anti hesis the works which were to be done the six dayes to those that should not be done the seventh day 3. By a distribution of the subjects for they are either men or beasts The men are either Natives or Strangers and both are either superiours or inferiours Six dayes saith he sh●lt thou labour do all thy work but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lo●d thy God in it thou shalt do no manner of work thou nor thy son c. The Confirmation is grounded on Gods example For in six dayes the Lord made Heaven and Earth the Sea and all that the●●in is and rested the seventh day Wherefore c. The Sanctification of the Sabbath is whereby man rests from his external works and labour that he with his family and cattel may be refreshed and that day spent in Gods service The RULES I. The Precept of sanctifying the Sabbath was not first given on Sinai but in Paradise shewing that the manner of divine worship was prescribed to Adam even in the state of innocency II. To sanctifie the Sabbath is not to make that day holy but to separate it from prophanenesse and to dedicate it to divine worship III. The impulsive causes of this Sanctification are 1. Gods command 2 The equity of the command 3. The promises made to them that obey This fourth Command is urged also in Lev. 19.3 and 23.3 Ier. 17.22 and elswhere The equity is seen in two things 1. In
not hate thy brother in thy heart but thou shalt plainly rebuke thy neighbour and suffer him not to sin To this is opposite preposterous fear too great love of censuring others So much of vertues as they have reference to our neighbour the vertues that have relation to our selves are self-praise an unblameable life self-praise is when we speak moderately of our selves and rehearse our own praises onely when necessity urgeth us to defend and maintain our own estimation Rom. 12.3 For I say by the grace given to me to every man that is among you not to think of himselfe more highly then he ought to think but to think soberly c. To this impudency is opposite when one is not ashamed to boast glory in his wickednesse so is confident and foolish bragging and an Hypocritical lessening of our own worth and abilities under shew of which either we hunt after vain praise or refuse to be bountifull and to shew mercy An unblameable life is whereby we desire not only to keep a good conscience towards God but also a good report among our neighbours Pro. 22.1 A good name is rather to be chosen then great riches and loving favour rather then silver and gold Eccl. 7.1 A good name is better then precious ointment To this Impiety is opposite or the contempt of fame and a good conscience and the hypocritical affections of fame or popular breath and want of patience in bearing slanders CHAP. XIV Of Vertues and Works belonging to the tenth Commandment HItherto of our duty to our neighbor or of the parts of Gods mediate worship Now of the highest degree thereof in this tenth precept The summe of it is that our mind be free from evil desires thoughts and affections towards our selves or neighbours Thou shall not covet is a negative precept in which inordinate appetites thoughts and affections are forbid The rest conduce to the declaration taken from the object which is set down either particularly by naming the house wife servant maid oxe and asse of our neighbour or in gross in this clause Nor any thing that belongs unto thy neighbour The RULES I. As the confounding of the two first Commands is unlawful so the dividing of the tenth into two precepts concerning our neighbors house his wife is naught frivolous The reasons 1 The general closure Nor any thing that belongs to thy neighbour shews it is but one command 2. The substance of the precept is in these words Thou shalt not covet as Paul cit●s them Rom. 7.7 3. They are contained in one verse and sentence whereas the rest tho short are set down in distinct verses 4. Deut. 5. the coveting of our ne●ghbours wife is first handled if then these were two precepts Moses of the tenth had made the ninth 5. They who maintain the contrary opinion explain these things conjunctly and by examples declare them David Chytraeus de R●gulis Vitae and Hondorfius in Promptua●io II. The tenth Command belongs to the second Table For in the fi●st Command of the first Table is handled our inward affe●●ion towards God III. Orginal Iustice is the object not of this Command but of the whole Decal●gue 〈◊〉 original justice is a conformity with the 〈◊〉 law as orignal sin is that deformity which is repugnant to the whole law IV The proper object of this precept are mens appetites thoughts and affections towards themselves and neighbour V The end of it is to shew that Gods mediate worship is to be performed not in outward actions onely but in inward affections also VI. As then the first precept is the line or rule of the first Table so is this of the second Table For as the first precept directs the hea●t but the rest the actions also so the fifth sixth seventh e●ghth ninth Precepts order our actions but the tenth ou● very heart Hence it is clear that this Precept is not superfluous The vertue belonging to this precept are the ordering of concupiscence our wrestling against evil desires The ordering of concupiscence is whereby our appetites and affections are so ruled that by them we neither offend against our selves nor against our neighbour 1 Thess. 5.23 Now the God of peace sanctifie you throughout c To this is opposite inordinate concupiscence which in Scripture by way of excellency is called Concupiscence Rom. 7.7 For I had not known concupiscence if the Law had not said Thou shalt not lust The parts of this ordering are two The one is imployed about the appetits the other about the affections This word concupiscence among Divines is taken in a large sence both for the appetites and affections of which the former are ascribed to man as he is a sensitive creature but the latter as he is a man But by Philosophers it is taken more strictly so that they reduce the inferior appetites to the concupiscible faculty but the affections to the irascible Ordered appetites are whereby man desires meat drink rest sleep and such like moderately and to the end appointed by God 1 Tim. 5.23 Drink no longer water but use a little wine for thy stomacks sake and often infirmities To this is opposite Inordinat appetite whereby more is desired than nature or Gods ordination do require or for another end than that to which God hath ordained natural things lawful Rom. 13.13 Not in su●feting and drunkene●● not in chambering and wantonnesse The cheif affections are Love Hatred Joy Sadnesse Hope Fear and Anger Ordered Love is whereby we sincerely love our neighbour and desire the thinges that be good fair and of good report Rom. 12.9 Let love be without dissimulation Abbor that which is evil cleave to that which is good Phil. 4.8 whatsoever things are true whatsoever thimgs are honest whatsoever things are just whatsoever things are pure c. if there be any vertue and if there be any praise think on these things To this is opposite the too much love of our nighbour self-love impure love and the love of this world Ordered hatred is whereby we only hate those who hate God in other men and in ourselves we hate not the person but by all means we hate and avoid the sinb. To this is opposite the unjust hatred of our neighbour and the hatred of good men Ordered joy is whereby man rejoyceth moderately for his own prosperity and heartily for his neighbour felicity To this is opposite carnal immoderat joy also re●oycing at our neighbours misfortunes or calamities Ordered sadness or sorrow is whereby we moderately bemoan our own afflictions heartily condole our neighbours calamities To this Immoderate sadness is opposite sadness also for our neighbors prosperity and too much sadness when wicked men are punished Ordered hope is whereby we expect better things for our selves by the ●aw of charity also for our neighbours Of
his adoration 123 126. his knowledg how manifold 123 c his perfections what 126 his generation twofold 128. his nativity 127 c. fruit thereof 130 his exinanition 135 c Christs office in his humiliation ib. 156 and in his exaltation 163. his office of mediatorship 130 c in what nature he was mediator 131 c. how manifold 133 c. our mediator ib. his works of Mediatiō 117. his active and passive obedience 136 c. the necessity of both ib and 151 c his active how shadowed 154. his passive how the cause of life eternal 153 his passion 138 c. each part thereof satisfactory ib. how atributed to Christ and how manifold 145 if he despaired on the cross 140 his death what ib. c. if he died for all 149 his sepulture or burial 142. his 3. days detention in the grave ib. his descent to hell ib. c. his intercession 155. his exaltation 157 his resurrection 159 c. what body he had after his resurection 157 c. his ascension with its fruits 160 c. whether yet on earth 161 how present in the Supper 178 c 200 his return or 2d coming its signs 282. Christs kingdom how to be delivered up to the Father 164 c. Christs justice vide J. Works vide W. Church what 203 c. her form and head 205 how one catholique holy 207 c. her marks or notes 209. if she can erre ibid. her administration 197 c and 214. c her offi●● concerning controve●sies of Religion 221. c. false Church what and what sorts 231 c. Church goods 217 c Clemencie 391 Complaints in affl●ctions 329 Concupiscence origina● 77 425. actual ib. to be resisted ibid c. Confession of the truth 357 364 c. Confiden●e for the fo●m of faith 253 c. for the eff●ct of faith and good works 32● idolatrous confidence ib. Conscience 320 Consecration true and superstitiou● 357 c. Constancie 321 Contempt of superiors 383 Contentation vide self-sufficiency Covenants of works and the seals thereof 67 c. Covenant of grace 169 c how the new and old d●ffer 172. the seals of both 18● c Covetousn●sse 414 Councels ●ow to be convened 228. c. councels Papistical 313 c. Courtesie 421 Craft 320 Creation● 46. c. Cruelty 375 and 391 Curiosity 418 DAmnation if the end of rep●obation 45 the pains and state of the damned 87● c. Death of man fourfold 86 c. Decalogue its parts rules of interpreting it 92 c. Deceit when lawful 393 Gods decree what 33. its causes objects if one or many 37 Denial of the truth 365 Desperation 325 Dest●uction of the world 301 Diffidence or distrust in God 324 c. Diligence 387 Disobedience to superiors 384 Dissembling when lawful 319. when unlawful 365 The Praecognita of Divinity 1 If malicious desert●on may cause divorce 405 Double● mindednesse 489 Doubting of Gods goodness and power 324 c. Drunkennesse 395 ELection for calling to an office 166. for spiritual calling 243 c. for Gods decree what it is 38. its causes and marks ib. the Elect if they may become reprobate 2●● Envy 376 c Of two Evils what is to be chosen 319. FAith for a part of Gods worship 32● for constancy in words and deeds 419. of miracles historicall temporary 251. c. Saving faith what ibid and whence 252 c its quality and degrees 253 c. how it justifieth 259 implicite faith what 254 presumption of faith 324 Fall of Adam 73 Fasting what 339 c. and how to be kept 340 c. Fear of God 326. servile and filial fear ibid. Feasts 106 c. Flattery 418 c. Folly 318 Fortitude 491 c. Freewill 69 c. 77 82 Friendship true and counte●feit 378. c. Frugality v. Parsimony GEntlenesse 420 our Glorification 307 God his names essence and properties 14 15 16 c. Gospel what and how it differs from the Law 108. c. Gratitude towards God 327 c. towards our superiors 384 c. Gravity 419 c. HAppinesse vide Beatitude Hardning vide Induration Hatred of God 326 Hatred of our neighbour 374 Hell where 88 an Heretick who 233. Honesty 397 Hope 325 Humanity 375 Hypocrisie 320 422 IDlenesse 415 Idolatry what how manifod 344 and 346 An Idol what how it differs from an image or picture 344 c. Images of Christ and of the Saints idols 347 also the painting of the Trinity 348 vid. Worship Image of God what 50 c of what gifts it consisteth 69 c. what of it remains since the fall 79. c. Impatience 329 Impatience of correction 384 Imprecations 363 c Imprudence 320 Inconstancy 321 Indulgence too much 391 Induration how ascrib●d to God 59 c. 327 Industry 414 c. Infants baptisme and faith 194 c. Infidelity 324 Ingratitude towards God 3●8 toward our superiors 385 Inhumanity 375 Injur●es how lawfully repelled 388 c. Insensibility 394 Integrity 320 Intemperance 394 Intercessors of the Papists 155 Christs intercessiō v. C. Irreverence to Superiors 383 Last judgment with its circumstances and signes 295 Justice how used in Scripture 267 Christs Justice 150. who manifod ib. c. Justice towards our neighbour what and how manifold 380 409 Justice cōmutative how to be exercised 330 386 409 of Superiours to Inferiours 386. Vindicative Justice 39● To justifie in Script what 256. The causes-and parts of Justification 257 c. The Keyes and power thereof what 223 c. how it differs from the power of the Magistrate 226. Knowledg of God 323 LAbour before the fall 71 Law what 90. why renewed since the fall 91 c. if it be Corrected by Christ 92 how it differs from the Gospel 109 c. ceremonial 97. political 107 c. Levites office 100 Liberality 413 Liberty essential to the will 55 Christian Liberty 279 Liberty of speech 421 Life eternal 305 c. First light 49 Limbus Patrum and of infants 89 Lots 364 Love ordered and disordered 426 c. Evil lusts 425 c. Luxury in food 395 Lying if any be lawful 416 c. MAgistrate how to be obeyed 22● Magistrates nursing fathers to the Church ibid Magnificence 413 Malevolence 376 c. Mans creation 50. his fourfold estate 67. Man what 52 how immortal before his fal 71. what he is before his calling 245 Mary Mother of God remained a Virgin 129 Marriage what 397 c. how and between whom it is to be contracted 398 399 c how to be dissolved 405. Masse vid. Sacrifice Mercy 377 The conditions of Merit 317 Merit of congruity and con●ignity 315. Mildnesse 390. Ministers of the Church 214 and their calling 218 c. their duty to conceal secrets 226. Our Misery how manifold 71 c Moderation 39● Modesty 397. Multiplicity of Gods vide P. Murther 326 c. Self-Murther ib. Nazarites 100.
OAths what 358 how manifold ib c. of whom and how to be performed why to be kept 359 c. being offered their refusal 391. Obstinacie in evil 321. Opinion of wisdome 318. PArsimony 414. Patience 328. Pawns vide Pledges Pe●fidiousnesse 420. Perjury 361 c. Perseverance of the Saints 274 Perseverance in sin 327 Persons of the Deity what 21 their trinity and unity 28 29 c. how Person and Subsistence differ 21 c. person of Christ how considered 1●3 Pledges to be taken or restored 412 c. Polytheisme or multiplicity of gods 3●3 Pratling 420. Self-praise 422. Prayer what 336. its parts ib. its impulsive causes ib the Lords prayer a perfect form ib c. for whom against whom we must pray 338. c. Externall gesture in prayer 339. Predestination what 38 39 c. whether absolute ib. the means of its execution 41. Priest of the old Law 99. The High-Priests ornaments ib c. Popish Priests 148. Presci●nce and Predetermination how different 43. Profusenesse 414. Promptitude in Gods service 321. Propitiatory 103 Providence of God eternal 33. actual 56 c. How it differs from Fate 57. How it useth sin 58 Prudence 318 c. REdemptions necessi●y by the Law Verity by the Gospel 90 Redeemer who 1●9 Why God and Man 115 116 c. Regeneration diversly taken 270 Rejoycing in evill 377 True Religion what 329. c. Its Antiquity 331. If to be defended by Armes 333. The word Religion diversly taken 330. Reformation of Religion 333. If the Reformers were lawfully called 219 c Reliques vide Idols Worship Repentance 327 Good Report 423 Reprobation and its causes 43 c. Resurrection of the dead 291. c. Desire of Revenge 391 Reverence to Superiours 382 Rusticity 421 SAbbath its Sanctification 367. It s Profanation 371. Sacraments before the fall 68 Sacraments of the New Testament clerer than of the Old 185. c. F●ve Popish Sacraments 187. Sacramental phrases 180 c. Sacraments how differing from the word 183 c. Sacraments of the Old and New Testament their difference 185 c. Union of the sign and thing in Sacraments 178. Signes in the Sacraments of four sorts 179 c. Sacrifices of the old Testament what and how many 103 c. The Masse contrary to Christs Sacrifice 148 231 c. Assurance of Salvation 274 276 c. Sanctification what 269 The causes of Sanctification 270. Sanctification of Gods name 355 Scripture or Word of God unwritten and written 3 c. Scriptures Divinity 5. It 's Authority ib. It 's Perfection 10. Translation 11. Meaning and sence 12 Scurrility 421 Carnal Security 326 Sedulity vide Diligence Self-sufficiency 413 Silence 420 Simplicity fained 419 Sinne what whence how manifold 72 c First Sin 74. Sin orig●nal 77 〈◊〉 actual 23 S●n against the Holy Ghost 84 Sincerity 417 Sloth 387 Sobriety 395 Soul of man its original 52. its immortality and faculties 55 Stars their creation and use 49 c. Spiritual Stupidity 356 Superstition 354 The Lords Supper 197 its difference from Baptism 201. The Cup to be given to the people 198. Tropes in the words of the holy Supper 182 200. THe Tabernacle Its parts 101 c. Temperance 394 Testament old and new vide Covenant Theft what and how man●fold 407 c Holy Times 105. c. Tree of Knowledge what 68 Truth 416 Tyranny 386 c. VIgilancie 396 c VVatchings superstitious ib. Unmercifulness 377 Voracity 395 A Vow what and how manifold 341 c. Usury lawful unlawful 411 c. WAr how lawful 392. c. VVatching vid. Vigilancie Wisdome 317 c False witnesse 416 c Word of God vide Scripture VVorks of God how manifold 3● Good works what 312 if they justifie 265 c if performed by the irregenerate 79 and 315 how necessary to salvation 316. Christs works of mediation 117 126 130 c. works of supererogation 313 c. The World its end 301 The true worship of God 334 Ready Worship 321 Worship of ●dols 349 c. Adoration of the Host 351 Worshiping of Reliques 352. vide Idolatry VVill-worship 343 ZEal for the glory of God 256. The Anatomy of the Body of Divinity Divided into XIV TABLES TAB I. DIVINITY speaks of God as he is to be 1. Known Book I. 1. In himself in regard of 1. His Essence Chap. 1. p. 14. by his 1 Names p. 15. 2. Properties p. 16. 1. Incommunicable p. 17. Such are his 1. Simplicity 2. Infinity 2. Communicable in analogicall effects p. 18. As his 1. Life 2 Will. 3 Power 2. The Persons Chap. 2 p. 21. their 1. Number 1. Father 2. Son 3. Holy Ghost p. 22 23 proved 1. In General p. 23. 24. 2. Particularly proving the deity of the 1. Son p. 25 26. 2. Holy Ghost p. 26 27. 2. Difference p. 28. in respect of their 1. order 2. properties 3. manner of operation 3. Agreement p. 29. in the same 1 Essence 2. Equality Vnion or Cohabitation 2. In his works cap. 3. p. 30. which are 1. Essentiall Both referred to objects 2. Personall Both referred to objects 1. Inward 2. Outward p. 32. which are 1. Immanent Whereto belongs Gods Decrees p. 32 considered 1. Absolutely p. 33. 2. In reference to the Creatures 2. Transient of bo●h See Tab II. 2. Worshipped Book 2. See the IX and following Table TAB II. The outward works of God are 1. Immanent his decree cap. 4. p. 38. 1. Of all things called his eternal providence 2 Of reasonable creatures 1 Angels 2 Men called Predestination p. 38. consisting of 1. Election p 39. 2. R●probation ibid. 2. Transient 1 The Creation in six dayes c. 5. p. 46. Chief● 1. Angels p. 51. 2. Men. p. 52. 2. Actual Providence c. 6. p. 56. 1. General by which all things are preserved and governed 1. Good by effecting them p. 57. 2. Evil p. 58. by 1. Permitting 2. Directing 3. Determining them 2. Special which doth chiefly appear in The government of 1. Angels c. 7. p. 61 1. Good p. 62. 2. Evil. p. 63. 2. Men. See Tab. III. TAB III. Gods special Providence in governing man is considerable in respect of a fourfold estate of 1. Innocencie c. 8. p. 67. where 1. The Covenant of Works p. 68. confirmed by a double Sacrament the tree of 1. Life 2. Knowledge of good and evil 2. Mans happie condition in respect of his 1. Soul p. 69. 2. Bodie p. 71 3. Dominion over the inferior Creatures ibid. 2. Miserie which is in respect of 1. Offence or sin c. 9.10.11 Either 1. The disobedience of our fi●st Parents c 9. p 73 2. Derived from the fi●st which is 1. Original c. 10. p. 77. Whereof Free-will p. 82. 2. Actual c. 11. p 83. Where of the d●verse kinds of Actual Sin ibid. 2. Pun●shment or those other miseries which follow sin c 12. p. 86. which is either 1. Temporal 2. Eternal And both either 1. Corporal 2. Spiritual
ibid. 3. Grace See Tab. IV. V. VI. VII 4. Glorie See Tab. VIII TAB IV. Gods special providence in governing man in the state of grace is either in respect of 1. Redemption whereof is known the 1. Necessity by the Law Cap. 13. p. 89. 1. Moral or the 10. Commandments p. 92. 93 The First Table p. 95. The Second Table p. 96. 2. Ceremonial Cap. 14. p. 97. 3. Iudicial or Politike Chap. 14. p. 107. 2. Verity or truth by the Gospel Where concerning Christ's 1. Person cap. 16. p. 112. Who is 1. From a●l eternity the Son of God 2. In time incarnate made Man Here of his Incarnation and the parts of it 1. His Conception p. 117. The 1. Forming ibid. 2. Assumption p. 119. 3. Personall Vnion p. 120. 2. His Birth p. 127. 2. Office of Mediato●ship cap. 17 p. 130 1 Prophet●cal 2. Sacerdo●al 3 Regal 134 3. State of 1 Humiliation c. 18. p. 135 referred to his office 1. Prophetical p. 136. 2. Sacer●otal in respect of his 1. Satisfact●on ibid. 2. Inter●●ssion p 155. 3 R●gal p. 156. 2 Exa●tation cap 19. p. 157. Whereof ●here be three degrees His 1. R●surr●ct●on p. 159. 2 Ascension p 160. 3. S●t●●ng at the right hand of God 162 2. Vocation to the state of Grace See Tab. V. TAB V. Vocation to the state of Grace which is 1. Common to elect and Reprobate c. 20. p. 166. as to the outward Communion 1. Of the Covenant of grace where is to be considered 1. The offering of it c. 21 p. 169 2. The confi●ming or Sealing of it by the Sacraments considered 1. In general c. 22. p. 175. 2. In particular As some are of the 1. Old Testament p. 184. To wit 1. Circumcision 2. Passeover 2. New whereof their Agreement and difference p. 184 185. The Sacraments of the New Testament are two 1. Baptisme c. 23. p. 190. 2. The Lords Supper c. 24. p. 197. 2. Of the Church See Tab. 6. 2. Proper to the Elect. See Tab. 7. TAB VI. The Communion or Society of the Church which is considered 1. In it self in respect of the 1. Nature of it c 25 p. 203. according to the 1. Pa●ts p. 204. 1. Triumphant ibid. 2. Militant ibid. 1. Visible ibid. 2. Invisible ibid. 2. Notes p. 209. which are the pure 1. Preaching of the Word ibid. 2. Administration of the Sacraments 2. Administration of it c. 26. p. 214. which is 1. O●dinarie ibid. And this either 1. Publike 1. Eclesiastical 2. Politike p. 226. 2. Private p. 227 2. Extraordinarie p. 228. 2. In o●position to the false Church and her ●nemies c. 27. p. 231. which are 1. Open 1. Heathens 2. Iews 3 Mahumetans ibid. 2. Secret 1. False Christians p. 232. 2. Antichristians whereof some 1. Common as Heretikes p. 232. 2. One so called by way of eminencie p. 233 234. TAB VII Vocation proper to the Elect. Where is considered 1. The Nature of it c. 28. p. 243. 2. The Effects which are 1. Immediate Saving Faith c. 29. p. 251 2. Mediate as issuing from Faith which are 1. Iustification c. 30 p. 256. By which 1. Sins are pardoned 2. Righteousness is imputed p. 261. 2. Sanctification c. 31. p. 269. 3. Perseverance in the grace of God c 32 p 274. 4. Christian Liberty c. 33. p. 279. TAB VIII Gods special providence considerable in respect of the State of glory which shall begin a● the day of Iudgment The parts whereof are three 1. I●s Antecedents c. 34 p. 282. which 〈◊〉 1. Christs comming ibid. 2. The Resurrection of the dead p. 291 2. The Iudgment it self c. 35. p. 295. whereof 1. The Anteceding circumstances ibid. 2. The Sentence 1 To the Reprobate full of horror in their condemnation p 29● 2. To the Elect full of comfort in their absolution ibid. 3 ●he Execution of ●hat Sentence in resp●ct 1 Of the wicked their carrying away to H●ll p 300. 2. Of the Godly their translation to Heaven ibid. 3. The consequ●nts which are two c. 36 p 301 1. The end o● consummation of the World ib. 2. Life eternal p. 305.306 TAB IX Divinity speaks of God as he is to be worshipped which worship consists in true holinesse or righteousness or in the practise of Holy Vertues or good works Book 2. whose 1. Nature c. 1. p. 311. 2. Distinction Some whereof are 1. General c. 2. p. 317. which are either 1. Of the Vnderstanding 1. Wisdome ibid. 2. Prudence p. 318. 2. Of the Will 1. Integritie p. 320. 2. Readinesse p. 321. 3. Constancy ibid. 2. Special belonging to the Worship of God 1. Immediate according to the 1. Table and that 1. Internal only according to the 1. Commandment c. 3 p 322 In which is enjoyned 1. The knowledge of God p. 323. 2 Religious affection towards him ib. consisting in 1. Faith ibid. 2. Confidence p. 324. 3. Hope p. 325. 4. Charity ibid. 5. Fear p. 326. 6. Repentance p. 327. 7. Gratitude ibid. 8. Patience p. 328. 2. External joyned with the internal See Tab. X. 2. Mediate See Tab. XI TBA X. External joyned with the Internal called Religion considered 1. In general according to the general nature of it Chap. 4. p 329. 2. In particular according to the 1. Parts which are 1. The form prescribed or implied in the 2d Command c 5. p. 334. Considered again 1. In its self according to 1. The parts 1. The right use of the 1. Word pag. 335. 2. Sacraments pag. 335. 2. Prayer p. 336. 2. The helps 1. Fasting pag. 339 2. Vowes pag 341 2. In its opposites which are 1. Will-worship p 343. 2 Idolatry p. 444. 3. Adoration of Saints angels 352 4. Superstitious worsh●p 5. Hy●ocri●ical ibid. 2. The hallowing of Gods Name in the 3d. Com. c. 6 p. 355. which is done either 1. In affection or zeal for Gods glory 356 2. In effect or actually either 1. By words 1. Vsing Gods Name 1. In consecration p. 357. 2 By Oathes p. 358. 3. B● Lots p. 364. 2. Co●f●ssing it b●fore men p. 364. 2. By Deeds in holiness of life p. 365. 2. Time the Sabbath commanded in the 4. Commandement c 7 p 366 to be sanctified 1. In forsaking our own works p. 367. 2. In doing what God enjoynes ibid. TAB XI The mediate wo●sh●p of God consists in the Vertues and works of the second Table containing Vertues some 1. General c. 8. p. 37● such are 1. Charitie p. 372. towards 1 Our selves p. 372. 2 Our Neighbour p. 372. considered 1. Absolutly p. 375. wherof are three kinds 1. Humanitie p. 375. 2. Benevolence p. 375. 3. Mercie p. 377. 2. Respectively for reciprocally p. 371. whereof there o●e two sorts 1. Brotherly Love p. 378. 2. Friendship p. 378. 2. Iustice p 380. which is either 1. Distributive p. 380. 2. Commutative p. 380. 2. Special pertaining to its 1. Parts concerning the dutie of 1. Superiors towards their Inferiors and contrarily set down in the V. Commandment c. 9. p. 381. requiring 1. From inferiours p. 382. 1. Reverence p. 382. 2. Obedience or subjection p 3●3 3. Gratitude or thankfulness p. 384 2. From Superiours p. 384 385. 1 Ben●volence p 3●3 2 Iustice p. 386. 3 Sedu●itie p. 387. 2. Each one towards another employed about the good things of m●n which are either 1. Inward See Tab. XII 2. Outward See Tab. XIII 2. Highest degree See Tab. XIV TAB XII Inward such are 1. Life for preserving of which in our selves and neighbours by the sixth commandment cap. 10. p. 388. are required vertues having relation to 1. Our selves which are 1. Innocency p 390. 2. Mildnesse p. 390. 3. Clemency 391. 4. Moderation or gentlenesse p. 391. 2. Others which are 1. Vindicative Iustice p. 391. 2. Fortitude p. 392. Both appearing in 1. Peace p. 398. 2. War p. 398. 2. Modesty for the prese●ving of which by the VII Commandment c. 11. p. 393 are required those means which are enjoyned 1. To all namely Temperance p. 394. consisting in those vertues which have relation to 1. Our selves 1. Sobriety p. 395. to which comes neer Vigilancie p 3●6 2. Chastity or Sanctimony p. 396. 2. Others as 1. Shamefastness p. 397. 2. Honesty p. 397. 2 To some as Wedlock or marriage p. 397 398 TAB XIII Outward Which are our own and neighbours 1. Goods chap. 12 pag. 406 Hence by the 8. Commandment are those vertues which relate 1. To our Neighbour 1. Iustice Commutative p. 407. whose 1. Opposite Theft p. 407. 2. Kinds p. 409. In 1. Buying and selling p. 409. 2. Using p. 410. where is spoken of usury p. 411. 3. Keeping p. 412. 2. Beneficence p. 413. in reference unto 1. Things 1. Lesse Liberality p. 41● 2. Greater Magnificence p. 41● 2. Persons p. 41● 1. Poor Almes p. 41● 2. Strangers Hospitality p. 41● 2. To our selves 1. Contentation p. 413. 2. Parsimony p. 414. 3. Industry or Laboriousness p. 414. 2. Good name Fame c. 13. p. 415 to which by the 9. commandment belong those vertues which relate 1. To our Neighbour which are 1. Truth p. 416. 2. Sincerity p. 417. To both which are subservient 1. Fidelity p. 419 2. Gravity p. 419 3. Silence p 420 4. Gentleness p 420 5. Courtesie p. 421 6. Freedom of Speech p. 421. 2. To our selves 1. Modest self-praise p. 422. 2. An unblamable Life p. 42● TAB XIV The Highest degree of Gods mediate worship c. 14 page 413 consisteth in 1 Ordering of Concupiscence p. 425. either our natural 1. Appetites Of Meat Drink c. p. 426. 2. Aff●ctions of 1. Love 426 2. Hatred p. ●27 3 Ioy p. 427. 4 Sorrow p 428 5 〈◊〉 p. 428. 6 Fear p. 4●9 7 Ang●r p 429. 2. Comba●e with evil desires or wrestling against Temptations p. 429 430. FINIS