Iesus Christ is that A sauiour which God promised frō the beginning of the world and is also B my sauiour And I beleeue that God will be mercifull vnto me and c forgiue me my sinnes for his sake Christ Iesus hath reconciled all the faithfull vnto God by the sacrifice of his death And is the ransome for our redemption for it pleased almighty God to haue his iustice so satisfied Christ hath D wrought and done for me all that is needfull for my saluation if I beleeue in him and trust in his death and merites Whatsoeuer Christ hath wrought for mans saluation perteineth also vnto vnto me and I shall be pertaker thereof We must not E any where else seeke saluation but onely in Christ That as by the offence of our father Adam who was the first man in this world condemnation came on all men and therfore he and his posteritie from whence we are all descended accursed So theris no meanes to bring vs from this curse and eternall damnation but only by Iesus Christ our Lord for by him God promised saluation from the beginning of the world Wherby the holy fathers before Christs 1. Cor. 10 1 to 5. Iohn 8 56. comming in the flesh were saued by beleeuing that the sauiour Christ shoulde come to redeeme them and obteine of God forgiuenes of their sins wee are saued by beleeuing Christ is come and hath wrought all that is needefull for our saluation So by F our true faith Christ his righteousnes Faith is made ours by beleuing that the once offering of his body and bloud is a full satisfaction for our sins to God the father And that by his obedience and fulfilling of the law of God we shal be made righteous iust before God For as by the disobedience of our first father Adam wee are all made sinners So Se more at large for faith after in the 10. article and at the end of the Creede by the obedience of Christ Iesus all the faithful are made righteous Al those are made righteous by Christ which do beleeue and trust in his death merits do repent and amend their wicked liues a Christ promised from the beginning is that sauiour promised Gen 3. 15. 22. 18. Gal 3. 16. Ge. 26. 4. 28. 14. Deut 18. 18. 19. Esay 7. 14. 15. 16. 9. 6. 7. 11. 42. 53. Ier. 23. 3 to 9. 33. 14. to 19. Mic 3. 5. 2 5 Zach 9. 9. to 16. 11. 12. 13. 16. 12 10. Mala 3. 1. 2. Math 1. 21. 1. Pet 1. 19. 20. Iohn 1. b Christ is my sauiour Math 1. 21. Iohn 1. 1. 2. 3. 4. 19. 1. Cor 1. 30. Eph 1. 5. 7. 2. 16. Col 1. Act. 5. 31. Rom 5. 10. 8. 2. Tim 1. 9. 10. 1. 10. 2 2 Ioh 20. 31. 3. 36. c God wil for giue me my sinnes for Christ his sake Esay 53. Ioh 20. 31. Acts 4. 12. 5. 31. 13. 38. 39. Rom 3. 24. 25. 26. 4. 25 5. 1. Cor 1. 30. 2. Cor. 5. 18. 19. 21. Gal. 3. 13. 14. 4. 4. 5. 6. 7. Eph 2. Col 1. 13 c. 1. Thes 5. 9. 10. 1. Tim 2. 5. 6. 2. Tim. 1. 9. 10. Tit 2. 11 c. 3. 4. to 8. Hebr. 9. 10. 1. Pet. 1. 18. 19. 2. 24. Reuel 5. 10. Phil 3. 20. 21. 1. Ioh 2. 2. 1. 2. Rom 8. 1. 26. 27. d Christ hat done all that is needfull fo◠my saluation Ioh. 19. 30. Luke 22. 37. Ioh 20. 31. 14. 11. to 16. 1. Ioh. 3. 22. 23. 24. E Acts 4. 12 5. 31. 13 38 39. Col. There is no saluation but onely by Christ 1. 14. 1. Thes 5 9 10. Hebr 9. Gal 3. 4. Ioh. 3 18. 2. Thes 1 8 9 Ioh 14 6. f By faith christ his righteousnes is ours Hebr 3 14 7. 9 10. Gal 3. 14 16. 1 Cor 1 30. Rom 5 19 21. Acts 3 17. 2 Tim 2 19. Christ Iesus is the onely sonne of God because his manhoode was begotten of the His only son holy Virgin Saint Mary by the holy spirite of God by that onely power without any acte of man Albeit we are the children of God by grace and adoption by Christ and that God created vs yet hee begatte none in that order with his holy spirite but only Christ Iesus our Sauiour A Christ is the naturall and onely sonne of God Therefore he is the onely naturall sonne of God A Io 1. Mat 1 3 17. Lu 2. 1. Rom 1 3 4. Christ Iesus is our Lord. For God is wel Our Lord. pleased in him A hath giuen ouer to him all power in heauen and earth that he shold giue eternal life to al those y◠beleue in him The B fulnes of the godhead and almighty power dwelleth and a abideth in Christ bodily as my soule dwelleth in my body And he hath redeemed vs doth rule and gouerne the whole world C And by his almighty power and working of the holy Ghost hee maketh all the faithfull to be his members and to be one with God as God is in him and he in God And so the faithfull haue Christ dwelling in thē and are his members and owe to him honour and reuerence as they honour the father therefore he is our Lord. a God hath giuen all power to Christ Math 28 18 Ioh 17 Ioh 1 Ma 17 5 3 17 Ioh 3 35 13 3 17 2. b The fulnes of the almighty power and godhead is in Christ and he is our lord and ruleth althings Io 1 Co 1 15 Io 3 13 35 Ma 28 18 Io 13 3 1 Ro 15 24 25 Ac 10 36 Ro 14 9 c The faithful haue Christ dwelling in them and are his members and he is their heade Ioh 17 21 22 23 1 Cor 12 27 6 15 17 19. Eph 5 23 30 1 22 Rom 12 5 8 9 10. WHich was conceiued by the holye ghost borne of the Virgin Mary This Iesus my sauiour in whom I beleeue Which was conceiued by the holy ghost was conceiued in the wombe of the holy Virgin Saint Mary A by the onelie power of the holy ghost And was borne and formed of her substance Although the holy Virgin was betrothed to Ioseph to take him for her husband and therfore acknowledged hym as her husband Neuerthelesse Iosephe knew not her body at any time before this Iesus our sauiour was borne Christ Iesus conceiued of the holy Virgin without sin by the power and vertue of the holy ghost This Iesus our sauiour B is the seede of the woman and of Abraham In whom all the nations of the earth shal be blessed And hee was borne very man of the holy Virgin formed and framed of her substaunce Beeing borne first a younge babe and after grewe vnto mans state as we doe and
shal we bee Iohn 14. 2. 17. 24. Phil 3. 21. Heb. 4 ◠14. 9. 24. 1. Cor 15. 57. Titus 9. 2. 14. 2. Cor. 5 1. Ephes 2 18 19 Hebr. 10. 19 20 1 Thes 4. 14. c. e Christ is our aduocate and intercessor to God his father for vs. Rom. 8. 34. Hebr. 7 25. and 9 12 15 24. Iohn 17. 1. Iohn 2 1 2. f Christ giueth to vs his holy spirit to comfort defend keepe vs. Iohn 14. 14 to 27. and 16 17 3 Acts 17. 28. Iohn 17. and 7 39. Acts 2. 2 4 17. 18. Rom. 5. 5. 1. Cor. 12. Ephes 1. 13 14 and 4 30 Heb 3 14. and 10 14 to 19 Rom 8. 9. 11. 16. ANd sitteth at the right hande of God the father Almightie A Christ Iesus ascended into heauen and there sitteth at the right hande of God And sitteth ◠his father That is hath all power giuen him in heauen and earth ouer all things Hee is our Lorde and ruleth all things This is the meaning of the right hand That is hath equall power to rule God is a Spirite and hath no handes as wee haue But Christ our Sauiour hath the shape of man in whom the fulnes of the God head dwelleth bodily And al power is giuen him in heauen and earth ouer all things a Christ hath all power and is Lord ouer all Mat. 28. 18. 17. 5. Iohn 3. 35. and 5 22 23. 13. 3. Col. 1. 15. 18. 19. 2. 9. 3 1 2 Fphes 1 20. c. 1 Pet 3. 22. Phil. 2 9 10. Marke 16 19. Actes 7. 55. and 10 36. Rom. 8. 34. and 14 19 Hebr. 1 13 6. and 8 1 and 10 12 and 12 2. Psal 110. 1. and 2. 9. 1. Cor. 1 24. Iohn 4. 24. FRom thence shall hee come to iudge the quicke and the dead A Christ Iesus in the end of the world From thence c shall come visibly and corporally in the same bodie that hee departed hence with great glorie and multitude of Angels to iudge the quicke and the dead Christ by his Power shall raise to life againe all the bodies of all mankinde to doe and execute the last iudgement on them at the general resurrection for he is ordeined of God to bee the Iudge of the quicke and the dead Then shal the faithful which beleued in him be gathered into the heauen receiue euerlasting ioy glory And thē the reprobate and vnbeleeuers shall depart◠into hel with the deuill there to remaine in euerlasting paine and torments B This is a singuler comforte to all the faithfull to knowe assuredly that none shall be their iudge but hee that is theyr sauiour a Christ Iesus onely shal be our iudge and receiue the elect to glory and the reprobate shal to hell and bee in euerlasting tormentes Act 1. 11. Math 16. 27. 24. 31. 25. 31. c. 19. 28. Iohn 5. 22. 23. 27. 12. 48. Luke 21. 25. 26. 27. Act 10. 42. 17 31. Rom. 2. 16. 14. 10 2. Pet. 3. 10. to 14. 2. Cor. 5. 10. Hebr. 9. 28. Phil 3. 20. 2. Tim. 4. 1. 8. T it 9 2. 13. 1. Cor. 15. 51. 2. Thes 1. 6. to 11. 1. Thes 4. 16. 17. Apo. 20. 12. Math. 8. 12 22. 13. Iude. 14. 15. b It is a singuler comfort that Christ shal be our iudge Hebr. 9. 28. Rom 8. 1. Col. 3. 4. Ioh 3. 36. 2. Tim. 4. 8. Iohn 12. 48. I Beleeue in the holy ghost a I beleeue in the holy ghost I beleeue and am fully perswaded that the holy I beleeue in the holy ghost spirite of God which proceedeth from Christ dwelleth in me and all the elect people of God and sanctifieth and preserueth vs to euerlasting life and defendeth vs here from the power of the deuill and our wicked enemies So by the gouernement and defence of the holy ghost nothing shall happen to mee but as my sauiour Christ Iesus appointeth and suffereth For our playner vnderstanding of the power of the holy ghost behold the sun in the firmament beeing one thinge in substaunce how all thinges in the world haue of the light and heate therof Wonderfull much more and more then any tongue can expresse dooth the power and vertue of the holy spirite of God spread ouer the whole world to gouerne and rule the same Whatsoeuer benefits wee receiue from Christ the same is giuen vnto euery of vs by the working of the holy ghost The wicked haue some giftes of the holy ghost as Iudas and others haue had the gifts of knowledge But they had not the gifte of sanctification regeneration faith and conuersion The holye ghost filleth heauen and earth and is in euery place and yet worketh saluation but to the faithfull only So the gifts of the holy Ghost to saluation are proper onely to the faythfull and elect B So I beleeue in God the Father God the Sonne God the holy Ghost Of the Trinitie and yet not three Gods but one God In these three persons it pleased God to open him selfe to our fayth in their seuerall woorking For vnto the diuine The Father essence or substaunce which we call God the Father who is a spirite is attributed the creation of all things And yet the Almightie power and Godheade of the Sonne and the holy Ghost was then also at the beginning before all worldes and all one in substaunce all three beeing the whole incomprehensible diuine substance and yet the same substance is not diuided Vnto the Sonne Christ Iesus is attributed The Sonne our redemption The almightie power and Godheade vniting or taking to it the manhoode which was borne of the holy virgine Saint Marie and in the same manhoode the fulnesse of the Godheade and almightie power dwelleth and abydeth bodily The same twoo natures Vnited together wee call Christ who is God and man c The vertue and almightie power The holy ghost which proceedeth from Christ working his good pleasure the same is God the holy Ghost As the spirit of man which is in man is of the substāce of man So the spirit of God which is in God is of the essence and substance of God and with God before the creation of the worldes So wee bee compelled by the christian veritie to acknowledge euery person by himselfe to be God Lord. And yet not three Gods nor three Lordes For in this Trinitie none is before nor after other none is greater nor lesser then another but the whole three persons be coeternall together coequall The vnitie in Trinitie and the Trinitie in vnitie is to be worshipped He therefore that wil be saued must thus think of the Trinity And beleue and confes that our Lorde Iesus Christ the sonne of God is God and man God of the substance of the Father begotten before the worldes and man of the substaunce of his mother borne in the world
The Principles of the true Christian religion breifelie selected out of manie good Bookes First reade and then iudge Ioh 17 2 3 3 16. The Godly ioye of a true Christian is to knowe the onely God in Christ So shall hee obtaine the eternall ioyfull life 1. Tim 4 8. Godlinesse is good vnto all thinges As a thing which hath promises in the life that is now And in the life to come 1590. ⧠To the Christian Reader EVery Christian ought to haue great care to ground him selfe in the principles of christian religion a 2. Tim 3. 16. 17. Acts 17. 11. 19. 28. Ioh 5. 39 Reue 3. 15. 16. Iam 1. 6. 7. 1. Pet 3. 15. 16. Vpon the sure rocke of the holie Scriptures that he bee not caried awaie with euery winde to a newe religion nor vnto hereticall opinions nor wauering in his faith b Mar 16. 16. Ioh 3. 18. 36. 12. 48. For except a man beleeue the Catholicke faith vndoubtedlie with an assured beleefe he cannot be saued c Act 17. 11. The consideration hereof maie stirre vppe euerie Christian to search the holie Scriptures to learne to knowe Christ and howe to attaine vnto saluation These thinges caused me to select and write this little booke for mine owne instruction Reade diligentlie this little booke â—â—d I doubte not you will acknowledge to haue receiued profite worth your paines Thus wishing the encrease of the knowledge of God to al people I commend you to his gratious protection Thine in the Lord. Swithunc Butterfeild Aprill 1590. The Principles of Christian Religion EVery Christian which desireth to attaine eternall life in heauen must knowe howe condemnation Rom 5. 18. 19. and sinne came on all men by the offence of our first father Adam from whom wee are all discended And therefore hee and his posteritie accursed And how that condemnation and curse Ioh 17. 2. 3. Rom 5. 18. 19. is put from vs and the ioyfull eternall life attained Onely by the mercye of God through faith in Iesus Christ our sauiour Mar 16. 16. Mat 16. 26. 27. Ephe 1. 4. 1. Pet 1. 15. 9. Ioh 3. 18. Therefore euerie Christian must know what hee must beleeue and howe to serue God Thereby to obtaine forgiuenes of all his sinnes in this life that hee may attaine vnto eternall life in heauen The faith in Iesus Christ which wee Ioh 17. 2. 3. Mat 22. 37. to 40. Gal 5. 14. must beleeue and the true seruing of God according to his holy will Is breifely comprised in the Creede The tenne commaundementes of almightie God the Lo 〈…〉 s prayer and the right vse of the holy Sacramentes so Religion consistes in faith and obedience The Creede teacheth what we must beleeue The tenne commaundementes sheweth vs our dutie towardes God and our dutie towardes our neighbour The Lordes prayer teacheth vs how we must praâ— and for what we must pray The holy Sacramentes are ordeined to be holy signes and assured tokens to vs of the mercy of God and forgiuenes of sinnes For the merites death and passion of Christ Iesus our sauiour These foure parts containeth faith which is the beleeuing of the Gospell The Law Praier and Sacramentes Or more shorter The Lawe and the Gospell Those articles of faith which wee must beleeue are these that followe Commonlie called the Apostles Creede The Creede I Beleeue in God the father almightye maker of heauen and earth All my hope trust and beleefe for al things I beleeue in God I shall neede either heauenly or earthly is in the same A onely very God that made the heauens and the earth B The father of our Lord Iesus Christ C and my father for Christ his sake For hee hath chosen all the faithful in Christ to bee his children And loueth them Who is so D almightie that hee made Almighty maker of heauen and earth the heauens and the earth and all thinges therein with his word And doth still so preserue rule and gouerne them that nothing happeneth in this world but by his determination will and foreknowledge It is God onely that giueth faire weather and foule weather plentye and all things else as pleaseth him There is not any thing that happeneth to me in blessings or punishments but by the appointment and foreknowledge of almightie God Whereby I knowe that the deuill is not able to doe any hurt to me vntill God suffer him for my punishment and that only so farre as he giueth the deuell leaue The wicked spirites the wicked people and the wilde beasts are the messengers of God to execute his iudgementes and punishmentes C This almighty God is so wonderfull mighty and incomprehensible that my minde nor any man whatsoeuer is not able to conceiue what hee is But Christ hath taught vs that this our good God and father is a spirite a Of God Gen 1. Ioh 1 17 3. 1 Tim 2 5. 1. Cor 8 6. Eph 4 5 6. Deu 6 4. Ier 10 10 11 1 Tim 1 17. Ier 23 24. Ioh 4 24. b The father of Christ Iesus Math 1 18 20 3 17. Luk 1 32 35. Ioh 1 14. Rom 15 6. c And my father Rom 8 15 Gen 1 27 2 7 Ioh 1 12. Gal 4 6. Eph 1 5 6. Ioh 20 17 1 Ioh 3 1. Rom 5 8. D Ephe 1. Leui 26. Psal 89. 10. 91 His almighty prouidence so that nothing happeneth but by his appointment Heb 1. 3. Math 6. 31. c. Luke 21. 15. 1. Pet 5. 18. Pro 8. 15. Esay 3. 2. 1. Cor 2. 7. Ro 9. 20. Deu 11. 14. 15. 25. 32. 39. Ma. 10. 29. 30. 31. Psal 34. 7. Math 18 10. Gen 19. 22. 2. Sam 24. 1. Kings 22. 22. Math 8. 31. Iob 1. 7. 8. 12. Psal 104. 14. Acts 17. 25. c Iob 37. 5 38. 27. Exo. 21. 13. 2. Sam 17. Gen 45. 7. 8. Exod 3. 21. 4. 23. 20. Iudg 6. 7. 1 King 17 20. 22. 2. Kings 6. 7. Psal 34. 37. 127. 1. Cro 29. 11. 12. Dan 6. 22. Act. 12 Eze 14 9 Amos 3. 6. Psal 76. 2. Esay 3. 47. 5. Zach 8. 10. Esay 44. 24. 25. 45. 6. 7. Leui 19. 31. Deut 18. 10. 11. 12. Ier. 10. 2. 23. Pro 16. Eccle 11. 4. Deut 32. 39 Pro 20. 24. Act 17. 26. 27. 28. Exod 21. 13. Deut 19. 5. Iosua 11. 20. Ionas 1. 4. 1. King 12. 15. Iud 9. 23. 24. 1. Sam. 16. 14. 1. King 22. 21. 22. 2. Kin 17 26. 24. 3 2. Cor 4. 4. 1 Sam 2. 25. 2. King 7. Ier 43 11. 2. Thes 2. 9. 10. 11. Iob 1. 10. 12. Ro. 8 27. Esay 57. 1. 54. 16. Pro. 16. 3. 7. Iere. 42. 11. 12. â— Iere 23. 24. Acts 7. 48. 50. Ioh. 4. 24. What God iâ— 2 ANd in Iesus Christ his onely sonne our Lorde And I beleeue in Iesus Christ that hee And in
Perfect God and perfect man Equall to the father as touching his Godheade and inferior to the father as touching his manhoode Who although hee bee God and man yet is he not twoo but one Christ For as the reasonable soule and fleshe is one man So God and man is one Christ a The holy ghost worketh in vs all the benefits we receiue from Christ And preserueth vs. Math. 10. 20. Luke 12. 12. 1. 35. 11. 13. Iohn 6. 63. 7. 39. 14. 16. 17. 26. 15. 26. 27. 16. 7. 13. 20. 22. 1. Cor. 2 10. 12. 6. 11 10. 12 3 to 14 3. 16. Luke 24. 49. Act 1. 4. 5. 2. 17. 5. 32 9. 31. Rom. 5. 5. 8. 9. 14. 15. 16. 15 16. Gal 4. 6. 2. Thes 2. 13. Ephe 1. 13 2 18. 4. 30. Tit. 3. 5. 6. Ioh 3. 5. 6. Mat 3. 11. 1. Pet 1. 2. 22. 2. Pet 1. 21. 1. Iohn 4. 13. Howe nothing happeneth to vs but as Christ our sauiour appointeth or suffereth See the proofe more a◠large in the first article of the creede b God the father God the sonne and God the holye Ghost are but one God Math. 28. 19. 3. 16. 17. Luke 3. 21. 22. Iohn 1. 14. 33. 14. 16. 17. 26. 15. 26. 16 7. 1 Iohn 5 7 2 Cor 13 13 Act 1 4 Rom 1 1 to 5 8 9 14 Ephe ◠17. Psal 33. 6. c The holy ghost was from the beginning with the father and a seuerall person in working Gen. 1. 2 26. Iob. 26 13. Ioel 2. 28. Esay 48. 16. and 61. 1. 2. Pet. 1 22. THe holy Catholike Church A I beleeue there is a holy Catholike Church The which Church I beleeue to 9 The holy Catholike Church be◠those people elected of God to be saued which haue bene in this world from the beginning and hereafter shall be to the ende of what countrey or nation so euer through the whole world of the which number I beleeue I am one B God knewe from the beginning all those that shall bee saued and hath a tender care ouer them C Iesus christ is the head of those people and they are his members all being vnited together by the power of his holy spirit and ioyned together in Christ as one body He which is not a member of this Church is from Christ and therefore shall not be saued D This Church is called Catholike or vniuersall because the members of the Catholike Church bee in euerie nation and countrey vniuersally through the whole worlde without distinction of people E And the same church is called holy because Christ is the head doth sanctify make holy the church his mēbers F This church is inuisible because men cannot visibly see the faith repentance and conscience of the beleuers nor know who they be which God hath chosen to eternall life Therefore is this church inuisible a matter of faith and faith is of things which is not seene G The members of this Catholike church here on earth are visible hauing among them many wicked persons and hypocrites The visible church of God The visible Church is a companie amongest men wheresoeuer they be which embrace and professe the true doctrine of Christ and vse the holy Sacraments according to Christe◠institution H This whole vniuersal church neuer erreth in the foundation of doctrine but many particular churches which are mēbers of this Catholike church do erre haue erred as did some churches which the Apostles taught Also the church of Rome and generall counsels haue erred and condemned the doings one of another and haue decreed direct contrarie one to the other I Some or many of the elect people of God may erre and fall frō the church for a time as king Dauid did but they shall not finally fall away for euer but shal rise againe by sorowful repentance and newnesse of life and so shall come againe to God and haue their sinnes forgiuen them a The Catholike church are only those people which shall be saued which euer haue bene or shall be Ephe. 1. 3. to 12 Rom. 8 29. 30. 9. 30. 32. Heb. 3 6. Ier 1. 5. 1. Pet. 2. 4. to 11 2. Tim. 1 9. 10. Tit 3. 5. 2 Thes 2. 13. Iohn 15 16. b God knoweth them all hath a tender care ouer them 2 Tim. 2 19. Rom. 8. 29. 30. 1. Pet. 1 5 5 7. Mat. 10 29. 30 31. Psal 37 25 55. 22. 104 27 28. 136. 25. 145 15 16. c Christ is the heade of them and they be his mēbers vnited to him by his holye spirite Ephe 5 25 26 30. 1 22 23. 27. 2 22. 4 12 13 16. 10 17. Rom. 8 9. 12 4 5. 1. Cor 12 12 13. 3 16 6 15 17 19. 2 Cor. 13 5 Col 1 18 Iohn 15 5. d This church is vniuersal through the whole worlde Iohn 10 16 Matth 8 11 and 28 19 Marke 16 15 Acts 2 21 and 13 39 10 4 34 35 Gal. 3 28 Col 3. 11 Rom 9 30 Iob 1 1. e This church is holy because christ doth sāctifie it Ephe. 1. 22 23 and 5. 25. 26. 1. Pet. 2 5. Rom. 8. 9 1. Cor. 1. 30. 1. Cor. 12. 12. 13. Colos 1. 18. 2. Thes 2 13. Hebr. 10. 14 Iude 1. verse f This church is inuisible because the faithfull are not knowē frō hipocrites 1. Kings 19. 14 18. Iob 1. 1. Hebr. 11 1. g The members of this Church here on earth are visible c. Matth. 18 20 and 28 19 20. Acts 2 24 and 4 32. Rom. 6 15 1 Cor. 16 19. Luke 8 21 Iohn 8 47 and 10 27 Gal 1 8 Ephe 1 1 Phil 1 1 1 Cor 1 2. h The visible churches here on earth though not all may erre haue erred Gal 2 11 c and 3. 1 3 Actes 10 14. 15 and 15. 19 20. and 21. 20. to 28. 1. Cor. 15. 12. 1. Iohn 2. 19. i The elect shall neuer fall away finally from God The communion of saints 1. Iohn 2. 19. 2. Sam. 11. THe communion of Saints A I beleeue that all the faythfull doe seuerally receaue the benefites of Christ to their saluation as members of his bodie vnited to him by his holye spirit And that they do pray one for another and are readie to helpe and comfort one another as members of one head B The faythfull are called Saints because they are vnited to Christ and haue Christ dwelling in them by his holy Spirite And are made holy by the sanctification of the same spirit a The faithfull euery of them receiue Christes benefits to their saluation and do comfort one another Ephes 5. 30. and 4. 3 to 18. 1. Cor. 6. 17. and 10. 17. 1. Iohn 1. 3. Iohn 10. 14. 15. 16. and 13 35. and 15. 5. Rom. 8.
without Christ in eternal paine with y◠diuel in hel for euer Euerlasting life in heauen is giuen the faythfull by the free mercie of God for Christ his sake And is begun in this life by faith and conuersion which is a full purpose and intent to liue according to Gods commaundements Eternall life is begun here by conuersion and finished in heauen by glorification The peace of conscience which is ioy and gladnesse in God doth assure vs in this life of euerlasting life a The faithfull shall enioy euerlasting life and dwell with christ for euer Matth. 19 28. 29. and 25 34 35. Luke 20 36 Iohn 3 14 15 36 and 5 24 29 and 6 47. 11 25. and 17 3. 1. Iohn 3 2. and 5 11 Esay 51 11. and 65 17 18. Rom. 2 6 and 5. 17. and 6. 23. and 8 17 30. 1 Cor. 2 9. 1. Cor. 15 53 54. Actes 13 48. Tit. 1 2. Reu. 2 10. b The wicked shall haue euerlasting torments with the deuill in hell for euer Matth. 25 41 46. and 8 12. and 13 39 to 43. Luke 16 23 Iohn 5 29. Iude Iob 10 21. 22. Esay 66 15 16 24. 2 Pet. 2 4. The ende of the Creede In this faith I am taught how and what to beleeue concerning God the Father who made me and all the world Secondly what to beleeue concerning God the Sonne who redeemed me and all mankinde Thirdly what to beleeue concerning God the holye Ghost who sanctifieth mee and all the elect people of God Fourthly what to beleeue concerning Gods people called the Church The conclusion how this fayth iustifieth A This is the Catholike fayth which Howe this faith maketh vs righteous before God except a man beleeue faithfully hee can not be saued B And by this faith we haue our sinnes forgiuen vs and are iustified and made righteous freely by the onely mercie of God for the merits death and passion of Christ Iesus our sauiour and redemer C This fayth whosoeuer hath it doeth What is fayth wholy and onely trust for his saluation vpon the mercie and promises of God in Christ And commeth vnto Christ with this true faith repentaunce and newnesse of life And so continually loueth righteousnesse and hateth the doing of euill for this fayth will worke in him conuersion NOwe is to bee called to minde what Of faith and the lawe hath bene heretofore said cōcerning sinne And that the whole life of a Christian consisteth in fayth and charitie Sinne entered on Adam and all his posteritie Gene. 3. Rom. 5. 12 c. from whom all of vs are discended by his offence in breaking of Gods commandement And to make vs more Rom. 5 20. 3. 20. sinfull and to know our sinne the law or tenne commandements of almightie God was giuen Wherein God doth Deut. 27. 26. Gal. 3. 10. Iam. 2. 10. appoynt vs what we ought to do and if wee faile in any one poynt his terrible iudgement and curse doth rest vpon vs and so eternall death D And forasmuch as it is altogether Acts 15. 10. Gal 3. 24. aboue our strength and power to fulfill the lawe of God Therefore our mercifull God hath giuen vs a meane of deliuerance to drawe vs out of this so wretched a calamitie thereby to attaine the heauenly eternall life The which meane is the foresayd fayth and trust in Gods mercie for the merits death and passion of Christ Iesus our sauiour redeemer and by him onely and by none other Acts 4. 12. Hebr. 10. 10. Ioh 3. 18. 17 3. 14. 6. way nor meane it pleaseth our heauenly father to haue mercie vpon vs and to suucour vs. And by this our true fayth the Lawe and cursse thereof taketh no holde in vs but hath an ende Who so euer hath this fayth assuredly The same will worke in him repentance and conuersion and cause him to hate euill and he that hateth euill will repent his doing of euil Thus repenting the breaking of Gods commaundements and our sinnes wee are by this our true fayth iustifyed and made righteous by Christ our Sauiour our sinnes shall not bee layde to our charge And thus beeing iustified The holy Ghost doeth sanctifie vs and prouoke and stirre vs vp to serue God and to our power to reliue our needie neighbours hauing sufficient for our familie because he that ◠Tim. 5. 8. prouideth not for them hath denied the faith and is worse then an infidel So he that hath this fayth will loue Christ with all his power and aboue all thinges And will haue an earnest continuall desire and endeuour to keepe Christ his commaundements Therefore this faith can by no meane be seuered from godly affections because Christ dwelleth in the failhfull by his holy spirite and vertue and sanctifieth them * 1. Cor. 1 30. 2. Thes 2. 13. Hebr. 10. 14. Phil. 2 13. Acts 4. 12. So fayth and good workes are ioyned together This is the onely meane to enioy the eternall blessed life and to dwell with God in glorie for euer So I conclude that he which hath this faith wil to his power endeuour to worship God aright and to keepe his holy commaundements a They that beleeue not are cōdemned alreadie therfore faith is an assured knowledge trust c. Mar. 16 16 Iohn 3 18 36 8 24 10. 25 26. 12 48 Heb. 3 19. 10 22 11 1. Col. 2 2 Mat. 13 23. b The true liuely faith iustifieth for by faith we take hold of Christ his merits and the forgiuenes of sinnes Haba 2 4. Mar. 5. 36. 10 52. 16 16. Luke 7 50. 8 48. Iohn 3 16 18. 5 24. 17 3 20 21 22. Acts 10 43. 13 39 15 9. 16 31. 22 16. 26 18. Rom. 1 16. 3 24 25 26 28. 4 5. 5. 1 5 10 8 9 14 33 34. 9 30. 10 10. Gal. 2 16 20 21. 3 11. 14 22 23 24. 5. 6. Eph. 1 3. 5 7. 2 8 3 9. 2. Cor. 5 19 21. Gen. 15 6 1. Pet. 1 5. 9. 1 Iohn 17. 5 14 Ioh. 16 23 11 26 Mat. 9 29. Lu. 18 42. Heb. 11. 1. Cor. 1. 30. Ti. 3. 5 6. Mat. 7 17 12 33. See more proofe before in the 2. 10. Articles of the Creede that faith iustifieth And what this faith is is shewed before in all the Creede c whosoeuer hath this faith wil loue christ and hate the doing of euill and wil relieue his nee die neighbours to his power Iohn 15. 5. Matth. 5. 16. and 7. 12. c. and 12. 33. Gal. 5. 6. 13. 14. and 6. 8. 15. Tit. 1. 16. and 2. 11. c. and 3. 8 Phil. 2. 13. Acts 17. 28. 1. Cor. 13. 1. Cor. 1. 30. 1. Pet. 1 15. 16. Heb. 12. 14. Iohn 13. 34. 35 15. 8. 1. Iohn 3. 17 18 Col. 1. 10.
neighbour but seeke reuenge God will not forgiue vs. These wordes As we forgine doeth not signifie the degree and comparison betweene God and vs as if God shoulde forgiue so farre and no more then wee doe forgiue But these assureth vs that God remitteth our sinnes as truely and certainly as we forgiue and remitte our neighbour And that if we do not forgiue our neighbour but seeke reuenge God will noâ— forgiue vs. This prouoketh vs to fayth and true repentance and to forgiue and loue our neighbours For we cannot pray in fayth and true repentaunce if wee hate our neighbour ANd lead vs not into temptation but deliuer vs from euill And lead vs not into temptation In praying that we be not a Psal 125 5 81 12 rom 1 24 26. 2 thes 2 11 12. esay 63 17. 29 10. 1 sam 16 14 iohn 14. 17. rom 6. 12 2. cor 4 7 c. 2. tim 4 18. 1 pet 1 5. 5 8 92 pet 2 9. led into temptation we desire that God will not withorawe his speciall grace from vs but defende and vpholde vs with the power of his holy spirite that we may ouercome all temptations and thereby may be deliuered from the consent and doing of euill When God b 1 Sam 16 14 1. pet 5 8 9. gal 6 1. 1 cor 7 5. rom 1 24 26. esay 63 17. withdraweth his speciall grace in preseruing and keeping vs by his holye spirite Then God suffereth the deuill and our wicked inclinations to tempt vs and to worke vs afflictions and troubles thereby to exercise our fayth or to chastice vs for our sinnes For the Lorde will c 2. Tim 3 12 reue 3 19. heb 12 6 c. 1 thes 3 3 29. 2 cor 7 10 10. pro 30. 9. correct the offences of the godly in this world by afflictions else our flesh would be wanton and forget God Therefore wee pray That he leade vs not into temptation That wee should be d 1 Cor. 10 13 ouercome of it and so consent to the doing of euill but that hee will deliuer vs from euill There are two sortes of temptations The one is from God The other is from the deuill the wicked and our corrupt inclinations The temptations whereby God tempteth vs is a e Iam 1 2 3. 12 5 10 13. 1 pet 4 12 c. deut 8 2. 2 cro 32 31. rom 5 3â— 5. 1 cor 11 10 3â— tryall and proofe of our fayth and obedience that our faith patience and constancie may be manifested vnto our selues and vnto men to his glorie and prayse when hee deliuereth vs from that temptation and tryall So were f Gen. 22 1 2 9. c 29 7 c. iob 1 7 c 2. 1 cro 21. 1. c. the temptations of Abraham Ioseph Iob Dauid and other holy men The tryall or temptation sent from God is by afflictions and troubles as aforesayde g Ioh. 15 5 6 which come on the godly in that tyme that God withdraweth his speciall grace in preseruing and keeping of them by his holy spirite And then God h Iudg. 9 25 suffereth the wicked and our euill inclinations to tempt vs and to worke vs afflictions and troubles that wee maye resort i Iohn 16 20 2 cor 4. 7 c. rom 8. 18 c. to his grace and feele the presence of his strength in succouring of vs. God not working these afflictions for he k Iam. 1. 13 14 15. tempteth none to euill but onely withdrawing his speciall grace for the time For where l 1 Sam. 16 24. heb 3 13. rom 8 9. 1 pet 5 8 9. the spirite of Christ is absent there will the wicked spirit be readie and present to worke our destruction The m Iob 1. 7 to 13 2 mat 8 31. 10 29 30 wicked spirites can do nothing vnto the faythfull but what God shall suffer them and giue them leaue For the Lorde will haue regarde that those his elect shall not perish So n Iud. 9 23. 1. King 22. 22. 2. King 17 27. 24 3. the wicked doe execute the iudgements of God All thinges o Rom. 8. 28. Esa 57 1. worke for the best to them that loue God for hee knoweth what is best for vs. Also temptations are profitable for vs when his mercie doth accompanie them Wee must not p Mat. 4. 7. Wisd 1. 2. seeke for afflictions for so wee shall tempt God and prouoke his wrath But those afflictions which be layde on the godly agaynst their will God in the ende when it pleaseth him q 2. Pet 2 9 reue 3 10 2 cor 4. 7 c. 1. Cor 10 13. will deliuer the faithfull out of those temptations and will suffer no more to be layd on them Then he will giue them strength to beare The temptation whereby the deuill How the deuil tempteth Iam. 1. 13 14. 15 1. Pet. 5. 8 9. the wicked and our corrupt inclinations doe tempt vs is euery soliciting to sinne To the ende wee may bee withdrawne from God and so to perish These are the diuersities of temptations The diuersitie of the temptations God tempteth only by the withdrawing of his speciall grace to exercise the fayth of the godly or to chasten them for their sinnes holding them still in his mercie that they shall not perish thereby to make them to resort to his grace and so to feele the presence of his strength in succouring them But the deuill tempteth to withdrawe 1. Pet. 5 8. 9. vs from God and enticeth and prouoketh vs to doe euill and wickednesse and so to forsake God that wee might be destroyed and damned BVt deliuer vs from euill But deliuer vs from euill In this wee pray That when temptations shall assault vs and prouoke vs to doe euill that God Iohn 17. 15. would deliuer vs from all euill present and to come And that hee will suffer no euill to hurt vs but that all thinges may bee vnto our saluation We shall bee led into temptations Therefore we pray that we may not be 2. Tim. 3 12. 1 Pet. 5 8 9. 1 Cor. 10. 13. ouercome of them and so to bee withdrawen from God but that we may be deliuered from euill FOr thine is the kingdome the power and the glorie for euer Amen For thine is the kingdome c. This clause serueth to confirme our fayth That 1 Chr. 29 10 11 12 Psal 14 5 13. 1. Tim. 1 17. Reue 5 13. 1 Pet. 5 11. Ephe. 3 21. Col. 3. 17. God is able to giue vs those things which we desire For the kingdome and all power and glorie is his therefore we trust in his power mercie and goodnesse Vnto this our God be all prayse glorie honour power and thankes by Iesus Christ our Lorde for enermore Amen This worde Amen signifieth That we wish and desire that it be so done or so be it The
for it is the holy ghost that encreaseth and strengtheneth our fayth and maketh the Sacraments to bring forth fruit in vs. We doe not denie but Christ himselfe Matth. 28. 20. with the power of his spirit is present at the administration of the holye Sacraments and the grace of God is there truely present to our fayth when we receyue them Neuerthelesse the inwarde grace of the spirite is seuered from the outward ministerie And the Sacraments doe not profite but being receyued by fayth All that are baptised haue not the spirite of Christ Simon Magus was baptised Acts 8. 13. 18 to 25. by Philip the Apostle but had not the grace of the holy ghost he confessed the truth yet was not regenerate by the holy ghost So Baptisme and the Lords supper may be receyued without the holy ghost Albeit God inwardly worketh by the holy ghost that which the Sacraments testifie Hee that despiseth the holy sacraments and willingly doth forbeare the Gen. 17 13 14. Luke 14 24. Mar. 8 38. vse of them as though he needed them not he is not to bee accounted any of Gods people And also thereby he refuseth the grace of Christ But he that receyueth Iohn 3 16. 17 20 c. them in fayth and repentance vnto him the holy Sacraments seale and confirme most assuredly the promise of 1. Iohn 2 3 Rom. 3 25. 5 9 2. cor 5 21. Gal 3 1â— heb 9 14. 10 10. Col 1 14. grace and forgiuenesse of sinnes and that he shall bee partaker of Christ and his benefites and dwell with him in heauen for euer Of Baptisme BAptisme is a holy signe and an assured Mark 16 16. Tit. 3 5. Gal 3 27. 1. Cor. 12 13. token to mee that my sinnes are forgiuen mee for Christ his sake and that I am receyued into the holy Church as a member of the same and vnited vnto Christ by the speciall working of the holy Ghost Baptisme hath the promise of forgiuenesse Matt. 28 19. Mark 16 16. Rom. 6 3. Tit. 3 5. 1. Pet 3 21. of sinnes and saluation annexed to it that euery one which beleeueth and is baptised shall be saued And in Baptisme wee are renued by the holye Ghost whereby our euill inclinations are chaunged into good that wee haue thereby an hatred of sinne In Baptisme the offence and punishment Gal. 3 27. Ephe. 5 26. Tit. 3 5. 1. Pet. 3 21. of our sinne is taken away Neuerthelesse the corruption or inclination to sinne remayneth in vs which maketh euery one of vs subiect to sinne and alwayes to neede the mercie of God and 1. Iohn 1 8 9 10 forgiuenesse of sinnes Baptisme is a ceremonie or outwarde What Baptism is and wherefore it was ordeyned signe instituted by Christ being washed with water in the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the holy Ghost Whereby Christ testifyeth 1. Iohn 1 7. Ephe. 5. 26. to vs that wee are cleansed from our sinnes by his blood And Baptisme is also a solemne signe of our receyuing into the holy Church and the marke whereby Christians are knowne from Infidels Also it is the Sacrament Acts 2 38. of Christian profession for by my receyuing of Baptisme I do professe 2. Cor. 5 17. Rom. 6 3 4. to liue a Christian to beleeue trust for my saluation all things else which I shall neede onely in the name of the father the sonne and the holy ghost three persons and one true and euerlasting God And I doe thereby solemnly binde my selfe to Christ to keepe his commaundements to my power and to beleeue and trust in his merits death and passion for my saluation And so by Acts 22. 16. 15 9. Mar. 16 16. Tit. 3. 5. fayth in Christ I am sanctified by the spirite vnto eternall life The visible signe in Baptisme is water with which the person baptised is washed The spirituall and inuisible grace is 1. Cor. 6 1 1. Tit. 3. 5. forgiuenesse of sinnes and the renuing by the holy ghost After our Baptisme Christ with his grace by the working of the holy ghost doeth regenerate and frame the faithfull to newnesse of life by fayth and repentance so long as they liue here in this worlde whereby they hate sinne and the deuill and in the end ouercome them To be baptised in the name of the father the sonne and the holy ghost signifieth into the Religion profession and grace of the father the sonne and the holy ghost Baptisme is the solemne receyuing of vs into the holy Church and into Gods fauour therefore euery of vs are but once baptised in our whole life Although our baptisme doe require Baptisme of infants fayth and repentance yet the Baptisme of infants doth very well agree with the institution of Christ and the nature of the signe For the signes consist not in the outward ceremonies but principally Acts 2. 39. Gal. 3 7. 29. Gen. 17 7. 1. Cor. 12. 13. depende vppon the promise of saluation which belong also to the children of the faythfull and wee and our children by baptisme enter into the profession of God that we may be reckoned his people Also Baptisme hath the same office with vs as Circumcision had with the Iewes And God commanded the Iewes to circumcise their infants Infants Mat. 19 14. 15. mar 10. 14. 15. 16. Gal. 3. 29. are partakers of Christ and heyres by promise Therefore are not to be debarred from baptisme The children of Christians are accounted holy although they bee the 1. Cor 7 14. issue but of one faythfull parent Therefore the childe of a Christian may bee baptised The Prophet Ieremie and saint Iohn Baptist were sanctified in Iere. 1 5. Luke 1 15. their mothers wombes whereby plainly appeareth saluation is according to Gods election albeit the infant were Tit. 3. 5. 2 Thes 2. 13 neuer baptised God hath chosen vs before the foundation of the worlde So then saluation is not in him that willeth Ephe. 1. 4. Rom. 9 16 nor in him that runneth but in God that sheweth mercie Of the holy Communion THe holy Communion I receyue in remembraunce Luke 22. 19 20 1. Cor. 11 24. 25 26. Rom. 4 25. that Christ dyed for my sinnes and rose againe to giue mee and all the faythfull eternall life And in this holy Sacrament receyuing the same in true fayth and repentaunce I receyue by the 1. Cor. 13 2 3. working of the holy Ghost grace and vertue from heauen from the verie bodie and blood of our Sauiour Iesus Christ for out 1. Cor. 10 3 4 16 17. gal 2 20 Iohn 6 51 c. of the substance of his flesh he giueth life to my soule and the holy Ghost doeth thereby nourish my heart to beleeue faythfully in Christ his death and merits for my saluation and dwelleth in mee and vniteth mee vnto Christ And also maketh mee