carnall parents nor flesh and bloud had reuealed vnto him but his Father in heauen which is indeed a firme foundation to build the Church vpon which else might haue failed in Peters fall but was sure in Peters faith in Christ It is a firme foundation and a perfect assurance vnto vs of the continuance of Gods Church that the gates of Hell shall not preuaile against it whereas Satan preuailed much and often against Peters faithlessenes and purchased him a black name of f Math. 16. 23 Satan giuen by Christ vnto him when hee consulted with flesh and bloud in Diuine matters and was g Math. 14. 31. ready to sincke at the sight of a waue and to h Math. 26. 69 70. forsweare his Master at the breath of a silly Damsell so that as I shal shew more at large hereafter not vpon Peters constancie which was nothing but infirmitie but vpon his confession which had a firmitude of Faith in Christ was the Church to bee founded and Peter pronounced blessed if Peters blessednesse had beene built vpon himselfe and the Church founded vpon him it had bene a sandie foundation as wee see i Matt. 7. 26. 27. When the stormes arose the winds blewe and billowes beate vpon it it soone fell for want of sollid Faith but beleeuing confessing and doing the workes of God that is hearing beleeuing confessing and persisting in the doctrine of Christ hee is compared to a Rocke firme and vnmoueable as mount Zion k Psal 125. 1. 2. which standeth fast for euer because God is in the midst of her and knowne in her Palaces as a sure refuge against this Faith neither the infirmities of the flesh the tyrannies of the the world nor the gates of Hell shall be able to preuaile So that from this gracious promise of Christ the whole vniuersall Church as well at Ierusalem and Antioch as at Rome yea euery particular member hath his stablishment and consolation their assurances of deliuerance in all dangers and the certainetie of their saluation and this I conceiue to be the true and naturall Interpretation Context and Logicall resolution of these words Come wee now to the points of obseruation Blessed art thou Simon Bar-Iona Verse 17. Peter beleeueth and confesseth Christ and Christ therefore pronounceth him a blessed man Doct. Faith and the heauenly knowledge of Iesus Christ maketh a man truely blessed l Prou. 3. 13. Iohn 17. 3. Iohn 20. 31. Ihon 11. 25. Blessed is the man that findeth knowledge c. vse 1 This teacheth vs what is true and perfect blessednesse which all enquire after seeke for and dispute vpon which is not nor can be attained vnto in this life which is subiect to so many mutabilities and aduersities nor in any of the things of this world which are transitorie changeable as the world is no man can finde it in riches for the rich man perisheth and all his substance often doth m Iam. 5. 1 howle and wcepe for the miseries that come vpon him Salomon sawe them n Eccles 5. 12 reserued to the owners there of for their euill and they are as impediments and shakcles o Mat. 19. 22 23 to hinder vs in our race to Gods Kingdome p Marke 14. 19. they are full of deceitfulnesse to choake Gods word in vs and bring foorth many weeds of voluptuousnesse q Luke 16. 13 Math 6. 24. wee cannot serue God and Mammon So that voluptuousnesse carnall Pleasures pride of life Honour and earthly prosperitie can neither bring nor continue vs in any happy or blessed estate r Psal 49. 20. Man cannot abide in Honour saith the holy Prophet and it is in vaine for Saul to sinne against God Å¿ 1 Sam. 15. 30. and seeke to bee honoured of his people Nay the Morall vertues of the Heathens and vnbeleeuers cannot giue felicitie to the Stoicks nor all these accumulated with health of body Prudence and Fortitude of the minde can produce blessednesse to the Peripateticks Oh then the Knowledge Confession Profession and Imitation of Christ onely setteth vs in this happinesse of Peter by this Faith we are highly honoured aboue all earthly honour For t Galat. 3. 26. by Faith we are made the Sons of God u 1 Iohn 5. 1 4 Conquerors more then Alexander of all the kingdomes of the world and coheires with Christ of the kingdome of God in heauen Vse 2 As therefore we desire to bee blessed eternally so should wee labour to get this true Faith and sauing Knowledge of Iesus Christ without which wee are most wretched and miserable no meanes of happinesse but by Christ nor by Christ without faith on our part but when by faith wee are come vnto him then want we nothing which belongeth to true blessednesse in a word Faith is that Treasure and rich Pearle w Math. 13. 46. which a wise man would sell all his goods to buy and if any should desire to know how this pretious treasure is to bee gotten the next doctrine that commeth in order to be considered will direct him therein For flesh and blood hath not reuealed it vnto thee but my Father which is in Heauen Doct. Faith and the heauenly knowledge of Jesus Christ are the peculiar gifts of God and such as by Nature no man can attaine vnto In handling of which poynt we will first prooue the negatiue part which is that the naturall man cannot conceiue or apprehend the mysteries of Saluation by Christ And secondly it shall bee declared that God onely by his Spirit doth reueale them First concerning the first it is certaine that no man by his owne wit be it neuer so sharpe nor by his owne humane wisdome be it neuer so profound can conceiue beleeue or comprehend the Mysteries of the Gospell as witnesseth the Apostle The naturall man saith he x 1 Cor. 2. 14. perceiueth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishnesse vnto him neither can hee know them because they are spiritually discerned Heere by naturall man is not meant onely the carnall and sensuall man swinishly wallowing in vanities and pleasures but as the best Interpreters conceiue it euen a man considered with the whole compasse of the reasonable soules possibilitie a man indued with a sharpe wit a quicke apprehension a strong mind a piercing iudgement and faithfull memory inabled by Action Experience and Obseruation with such an vniuersall Wisdome that it may bee fitted for notable Offices of Societie and intercourse in politicke bodies I say all these and many more perfections may concurre vpon the soule and yet without supernaturall illumination remaineth starke blinde in the mysteries of saluation and cannot onely not perceiue the things of the Spirit of God but which is an horrible and fearefull curse euen esteeme them foolishnesse The most learned Rabbins of the Iewes the Scribes and Pharisies disputers of the Law were farthest from beleeuing in Christ neither could they vnderstand
the binding and loosing which God in all ages hath exercised in his Church by the Ministery of Moses and all the Prophets as by his Apostles in the time of grace and of the Gospell so we safely conclude that the power to forgiue or retaine sinnes is not properly giuen to men k 1 Cor. 9. 18. cap. 2. 5. 3. 6 7. but to the word of God and his diuine Sacraments whereof men are but the Ministers to plant and water to teach exhort reproue and correct but the effect is of God which giueth power to his Word and Sacraments as the Sunne to mollifie waxe and harden clay to minister the l Acts 10. 44. 2 Cor. 3. 3 6 8. spirit of grace or Satan to possesse reprobates And to conclude and close vp this poynt of the Keyes whether we vnderstand the Doctrine or Discipline of the Church or both as it may bee safely so extended yet wee ascribe vnto God the effectuall power onely to loose or retaine sinnes Vse 1 But let no man despise the Ordinance of God in the administration of his Word and Sacraments or the iust censures of the Church for the contempt of any of them God himselfe reuengeth as an indignitie done vnto himselfe and so the excommunicate person shut out of the Church by Paul and the Congregation was sayd to be deliuered to Satan who hath great dominion ouer vnbeleeuers and contemners of Gods word and holy Ordinances and there were many fearefull examples in the Primitiue Church of diuers excommunicate persons taken with frenzy and ouertaken with strange iudgments wherby God wrought a feare in the Church to offend presumptuously against his Ordinances So m Actes 5. 3 5 11. Ananias and Saphira censured by Peter for their hypocrisie were immediately strucken to death and cut off by a consteruation of the body from the grace of life and by an eternall malediction of the soule from the life of grace And also n Act. 8. 20 21 Simon Magus being discouered and cut off from the Church was filled with all iniquitie and returned to his Sorceries and the Deuils seruices againe o 2 Sam. 7. 15 1 Sam. 13. 14. and 15. 26. and 16. 14. and 19. 23. Saul being denounced by Samuel to be cut off by the sentence of God an euill spirit possessed him who notwithstanding when he was in the Assemblies of the Church Prophets did also prophesie with them It is safe therefore to bee in the Assemblies of Gods Saints where the Spirit of God hath his residence on the contrary it is a fearefull thing to bee in the Congregations of the wicked p Num. 16. 21 24 30 32. 27. 3. as the complices of Corah Dathan and Abiram which were swallowed vp into destruction and went downe quicke to hell with them To be cast off from God which raigneth in the Assembly of the Saints q 1 Cor. 5. 4 5 11. is to bee cast vnto Satan which rageth out of the Church Let such as neglect the publique Assemblies of Christian Congregations or reiect the word of God or his diuine Sacraments there ministred consider how fearefully they offend against God and their owne soules which refuse to vse that Key whereby the kingdome of grace heere and of glory hereafter is so effectually opened vnto them The Keyes of the Kingdome of Heauen Doct. In that the Word of God is called the key of the kingdome of Heauen it teacheth vs the great power and efficacie thereof being as Augustine affirmeth Potens Instrumentum the powerfull Instrument for the encrease of Gods Church and Kingdome It is most true that this great power promised was as graciously performed by Christ vnto his Apostles which brought greater workes to passe by this their Ministery in conquering the whole world and subduing the consciences of men to the obedience of God than all the Potentates and prudent men of the earth were able by their power and policie to performe Demosthenes among the Greekes and Cicero among the Latines renowned for their Eloquence Solon for his wisedome Aristides for his Iustice Plato for his diuine Philosophy Aristotle for his profound knowledge Alexander for his Prowesse Caesar and Pompey for their power famous in their generations in all the world yet neuer attayned any such conquest ouer Satan or the world as these poore Preachers Fishermen and Fishers of men brought to passe by the vertue of these Keyes and Commission of Christ wherby they surpassed all Conquerours for the vniuersall largenesse and constant continuance of Christs kingdome vpon earth Let Tamberlaine the Tartar and the Turkish Ottomans boast of their great Atchieuements yet they came short of the bounds of their Territories as Christes Kingdome was inlarged from Sea vnto Sea vnto the endes of the earth of these it was prophesied and by these it was performed r Psal 19. 4. Luke 1. 3â— Rom. 10. 18. Their sound went out into all the world and their voyce vnto the endes of the earth It is a false bragge of Turkish or Romish Emperours Iupiter in Coelis Caesar regit omnia terris for they neuer had any Empire of comparable extent with this nor of answerable subiection themselues were Lords of men and slaues of vices and it was truely verified which the dogged Diogenes tolde Alexander That he was not a Conquerour but a drudge of the world hee ouercame not the world but the world ouercame him and hee was a slaue to so many Lords as hee was subiect to vices Pride Excesse and Drunkennesse ouerthrew him and his kingdomes were diuided and fayled in the next Generation but of this King and Kingdome it is sayd Å¿ Isai 53. 8. Act. 8. 33. Who can tell his Generation Mans Lawes and subiection extended but to the body goods and estates of men in this world t 2 Cor. 10. 4 5 Christes Kingdome is ouer Satan Sinne Death Hell and Damnation and ouer the Soules and Consciences of men u Hebr. 4. 12. to bring euen the most rebellious thoughts of the heart into subiection vnto God yea it preuailed mightily against all the powers of the world w Apoc. 17. 14. which by most grieuous persecutions set themselues against it but it was no more possible for them to suppresse it then x Apoc 7. 1 to stay the winds that they should not blow vpon the face of the earth or that the breath of God should be restrayned It is recorded by Ruffinus Ruffin lib. 2. Cap. 5. that when the Christians in Edessa a Citie of Mesopotamia were banished by the Emperors commaundement yet they had their meetings in the Fields Woods and by the Riuers to heare and practise the Word of God wherewithall the Emperour being enraged strucke the Captaine with his fist in fury demaunding why he did so permit them the Exercise of their Religion contrary to his Edict and Commaundement Wherevpon the Captaine vpon the next day resolued to dispatch them but beholding
workemanship is prescribed by God himselfe whose diuine wisedome knowing what was in man would not leaue any thing to his braine-sicke if not braine-lesse inuentions namely First the Arke or Shippe of Noah Secondly the Arke or Tabernacle of Moses Thirdly the Temple of Salomon First Touching the Arke of Noah it was prouided for the preseruation of Gods Family which was the Church in the posteritie of Noah by Gods appointment only vnforeseene by the Patriarch himselfe and vnthought of by the rest of the world which were iustly destinated to destruction yet the making of the Arke is in all things prescribed by Almighty God p Gen. 6. 14 15 16. the Timber of Pine Trees gopher the Rabbines pitching within and without the length the breadth and height the windowes doore and seuerall roomes how to bee framed and placed Secondly the Arke or Tabernacle of Moses is appointed of God who ordered the worke and furnished the workemen with meete giftes for performance thereof q Exod. 25. 10 c. 26. pertotum 31. 2. to 10. the matter the forme the instruments the bars the pinnes the couerings the Snuffers the Priests garments and euery thing set downe at large r Heb 8. 5. by God himselfe for the place of his dwelling among his people for howsoeuer hee filleth Heauen an Earth with his presence yet his speciall residence is in his Church which is said to be Å¿ Psal 132. 5. 13 14. his habitation where hee will dwell for euer and hath a delight therein to conuerse with men there is his mercy seate t 1. Kin. 6. 13. and thence he giueth his Oracles and manifesteth himselfe and his will vnto the Church and Moses is very diligent in â—e ample discription thereof â—nd whatsoeuer appertained to â—he seruice of God therein â—hich was brought by Dauid â—fter he was setled in his Kingâ—ome with great solemnitie â— first to the house of Obed-Edom u 2. Sam 6. who was mightily blessed by Gods presence there and afterwards to his owne house in the Citie of Dauid Thirdly when Salomon would build a Temple and instead of a wandring Arke w 1. King 5. 5. 6. 2. 3. would haue a setled Seate for Gods habitation and exercise of Religion x 8. 4. hee brought the Arke and placed it as a Sacrament of Gods presence in his Temple which was an other illustrious and last figure of the Church of God in building whereof what soeuer God himselfe prescribed was most precisely obserued both for the matter and forme thereof and with what magnificenses and curiositie it was performed how mystically euery part was framed to represent Christs Church and spirituall Temple by a King of Peace for a King of Peace and to direct to the Kingdome of Peace is at large to be read in the holy History which is the most warrantable rule for vs to proceede by to square out our Church gouernours and gouernment and all variation from it is an aberration from the truth which is the chiefe pillar of Religion in the house of God Vse 1 And thus wee haue found out the chiefe Master builder which is Christ I will build saith he and the same is also y 1 Cor. 3. 11. the foundation of the building z 10. 4. the Rock and a 1 Pet. 2. 6 c. Corner-stone as he b Hebr. 9. 14. was the Priest and oblation the c 10. 8 12. sacrificer and the sacrifice so hee is d Eph. 1. 22 23 the head of the Church which is his mysticall body and in him wee grow together and are ioyned to him to be the members of his body and with him to be made e 1 Cor. 3. 16. 6. 19. a liuing and holy Temple for the habitation of God through the Spirit Vse 2 This also doth teach vs the excellency of Christ aboue the Church which is built by him and on him as the chiefe foundation and hath f Apoc. 19. 13 to name the word of God and is g 1 Pet. 1. 25 Math. 24. 25. of euerlasting continuance and endureth for euer though Moses was a most excellent workeman in building the Typicall Tabernacle yet he was but a part of Gods house but Christ is the builder h Hebr. 3. 3. which hath more honour then the building and let the Spouse hearken obey the voice of her Bridegroome and then wee will obey her the Apostles required no greater obedience of the Churches then i 1 Cor. 11. 1. to follow them as they followed Christ Note 2 Build the Church is compared to a building the nature of which metaphor shall the morâ— plainely bee expounded by shewing what resemblance therâ— is betweene the Church of God and a house or building First the Metaphor of building denotateth vnto vs the order which ought to bee in the Church for edification thereof for it sufficeth not to heape vp stones and timber in a confused manner but to hew and square them out to compact them strongly togither and to frame it in comly order for the God of order and therefore the Apostle requireth of teachers k 2. Tim 2. 15. that they diuide the word of God aright for Gods vnder-builders are euer noted for skillfull worke-men indued with wisedome to pollish and perfect the workemanship which they vndertake as was liuely and figuratiuely represented in the builders of the of the materiall Tabernacle and Temple as namely l Exod. 31. 1 2 3 4 5. 6. Bezaleel Aholiab m 1. King 7 9 13 14. Hiram and such like skilfull workmen Secondly as Salomons Temple was n Iohn 2 20 fortie and sixe yeares in building so o Ephes 4 11 12. the Church of God is not hastily raised vp but ariseth by degrees vnto perfection and as we say in a common Prouerbe Rome was not built in a day so hee that beleeueth must not make haste to thinke he is a true member of Gods Church by participation of Sacraments but by profiting and proceeding in the knowledge of the Word of God p 2. Pet 3. 18. There is a growing in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ and the Prophet Ezekiel in a Vision describeth the increasing of the graces of the Church q Ezek. 47 2. c. by a vision of waters which first came to the ancles then to the knees c. and Christ himselfe implyeth so much in the Parable of the Mustard-seed which being r Math. 13. 31. little at first groweth to a Tree wherein Birdes build their Neasts Thirdly as in a building the stones and timber must be hewen squared and made fit to ioyne not onely to the foundation but one to another so in Gods Church the members of Christs body are not onely required to be vnited with their Head but knit together in vnitie amongst themselues Å¿ Ioh. 13. 34 85 15. 12 17 1 Iohn 3. 23.
4. 7 12 21. He that loueth God must loue his brother also according to his commaundement and these two bee commonly if not alwayes conioyned as twinnes of one birth t Colloss 1. 4 Philem. 5 vers 1 Thes 1. 3. Faith towards God and Loue towards the Brethren 3. Text. My Church By Church here is vnderstood that Societie and communion of Saints u 1 Cor. 12. 11 12 27. which are knit together by faith in Christ and fellowship amongst themselues w Eph. 4. 12 13. by participation of Gods diuine Word and Sacraments which are the soule and sinewes of this body and are quickened by his Spirit x Deut. 14. 2. the voyce and word of God is the outward meanes whereby wee are called and gathered into an holy body y Exod. 19. 5 6. Rom. 4. 11. and we receiue the Sacraments as Seales of the grace and couenant betweene God and vs whereby he assureth vs z Deut. 26. 18 19. that hee will bee our God and we thereby bind our selues to be his people and to liue vnder his obedience and lawes a 1 Pet. 1. 15. Luke 1. 75. in holinesse and righteousnesse whereunto wee are called and Saint Paul writing to the Romanes doth not call them the Church but elegantly and significantly implyeth them to bee members of it when hee saith b Rom. 1. 6 7. They are the called of Iesus Christ and called to be Saints For that is The VVord and Sacraments are the infallible markes of the true Church the end of our vocation that we being chosen and called out of the world by the voice of Gods Word should bee an holy and precious people vnto him Ecclesia is therefore deriued from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to bee chosen or called out of one Societie into another out of the kingdome of darknesse into light out of the world into the seruice of God and are seperated vnto that end that we might no more serue sinne in the lustes of our former ignorance but by faith to serue Christ as our Head that hath called vs as also to serue one another as mutuall members of the same body so the faithfull of the Iewes and Gentiles being conuerted by the preaching of Peter and the other Apostles c Acts 13 14 2. 38. to 42. Acts 5. 11 12 13 Became a Primitiu◠Church liued together in one place continued in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship in common prayers in breaking of Bread that is communicating Gods holy Sacraments and this Saint Luke calleth the Church saying d Acts 2. 41 There was daily added to the Church such as should be saued These markes of the Church are euidently and euery where described and set foorth in the Scriptures but the markes of the Romish Church are not there to be found First their pretended Antiquitie cannot warrant the later Nouelties of their Churches inuentions Secondly their Vniuersalitie is too straightly restrained and pinned vp within the limits of their Citie and Territories Thirdly their Visibilitie fayleth when it falleth out that Elijah cannot see any face of a Church but crieth out that e 1. Kin. 19 10. Rom. 11 ◠4. he is left alone when yet God had a great people knowne to himselfe howsoeuer inuisible to the Prophet Augustine that learned Father and worthy Disputer durst affirme against their Visibilitie of the Church Quod aliquando Ecclesia fuit in solo Abraham c. That sometimes the Church visible was onely in Abraham Noah Lot Elijah c. Fourthly and for that marke of Succession of Bishops no way grounded on the Scriptures is as hardly to bee prooued otherwise then as Annas and Caiphas were Aarons successors in a broken and interrupted disorder neither called nor practising Gods Religion as Aaron but Simonists Sectaries prophane hypocries mis-interpreters corrupters of Gods Word and bloody murderers as likewise haue succeeded in Peters pretended Chaire at Rome Sadducees Monothelites Heretikes Sodomites and such disordered Chaire-masters as poynteth them out rather to bee the succeessors of Simon Magus for their Simonies then of Simon Peter for his singlenesse and sinceritie Let the Romanistes then returne from their pontificall portlinesse to the paterne of Peters pietie let them surcease f 1 Pet. 5. 2 3. to rule as Lords ouer Gods heritage feed the flocke of Christ of a willing mind and not for filthy lucre that we may find and acknowledge some similitude of their succession in the Apostolicall Chaire when we shall finde the Word of God there sounding out and his Sacraments worthily and without humane additions duely administred otherwise if they misse these markes we shall be so farre from acknowledging their Sea of Rome to be the Catholike or Vniuersall Church that wee shall doubt whether they be any particular Church of Christ or members of that mysticall body whereof hee is the onely Head and their false Prophet that teacheth lyes shall be but the g Isai 9 15 taile as the Prophet Isaiah speaketh which being out of conformitie with the body is a deformity to the whole body striuing to be another head with Christ produceth a monstrous and mishapen body of the Church with two heads as indeed they carry like Ianus two faces vnder one hood a shewe of holinesse in their mouthes but hollownesse and hypocrisie in their hearts and the woe denounced against the Pharises and Hypocrites by Christ himselfe shall fall vpon them for their merited portion for they h Matt. 23. say and doe not lay heauy burthens on other mens shoulders but will not touch them with one of their fingers doe all things to be seene of men garnish their garments with representations of holinesse loue the chiefest seates in Synagogues and assemblies and will be called and accounted the only Rabbies Doctors and Fathers of the Church they take away the Key of knowledge and shut vp the Kingdome of Heauen neither entring themselues nor suffering those that would deuouring Widdowes houses vnder colour of long prayers blinde guides and leaders of the blind professing blind ignorance for the mother of their Deuotion straine at a gnat and swallow downe a Camel make more account of a fasting day or holy-day than to commit murther of Princes and grosse Idolatry painted Sepulchers which haue all thinges outwardly beautifull make cleane Cuppes and Pottes but inwardly are full of briberie excesse rottennesse and corruption garnishing the Tombes of the Apostles and Martyres and haue martyred many that would haue imitated the doctrine and doings of Christ and his Apostles by these Emblemes Christ hath already decyphered them by these Markes wee shall vndoubtedly know them to bee the successors of the Pharises and indeede if Peter now could see his pretended successors hee might say as once Almighty God in derision said of Adam after his transgression i Gen 2. 22. Behold how the man is become as one of vs or Simia quam similis turpissima bestia
nobis indeed but Iack-an-apes to a man what should we multiply profes in so plaine a matter to proue them k Math 7. 15. wolues in sheepes cloathing making hauocke of the flocke hauing l Gal. 1. 8. another Gospel than Paul or Peter taught and therefore accursed other Mediators besides Christ and aboue to command him and so much derogating and abasing the dignitie and authority of Christ m 1. Tim. 2. 5. Heb. 12. 24. 7 25. Iohn 10. 7 8 our sole Mediator Intercessor and Sauiour that plainely pointeth and painteth them out to be Antichrists Note All this while we dispute of the works of the vssible Church wherein notwithstanding may be Wheate and Chaffe Sheepe and Goates true Professours and Hypocrites but the inuisible Church hath her inuisible markes as Gods prescience and election n 2. Tim 2. 19. the Lord knoweth who are his faith in the heart o Acts 16. 14. all such shall be saued whose hearts the Lord opened to beleeue the Gospel regeneration and renewing by the holy Ghost vnto sanctimony righteousnes loue sobrietie and all vertues p Rom. 6. 5 6 8. 2. to 15. fashioned to the image of Christ and God which was defaced by Adams transgression and our owne actuall rebellion making vs dead in trespasses and sinnes but q Colloss 2. 22. 2. 13. â— 9. 10. Gal. â— 24 Ephes 2. 1. 2. 5. 12 by Christ through faith are renewed made new men new creatures aliue vnto God adopted Children of God receiuing the Spirit of God as the pledge of our adoption and inheritance of these we cannot iudge truely because Hypocrites haue a maruailous resemblance to the children of God r Math. 7. 21 Luke 13. 25 26 they prophesie worke Miracles heare Gods word fast pray professe build Synagogues and performe many outward resplendent good workes so as Salomon could not by any outward thinge discerne the Reprobate from the Elect f Eccles 9. 2. 3. it apeareth saith hee that it commeth alike to all to him that sacrificeth as to him that sacrificeth not t Mich. 6 7. Hypocrites sacrificed thousands of Rams and streames of Oyle yea they offered the fruite of their bodies for the sinne of their soules and the Pharises u Luk 18. 11. c. can boast of many good workes when yet w Math 21. 31 penitent Publicans Harlots and sinners goe into Heauen before them Saint Paul as touching the Law liued x Phil 3 5 6 vnblameably when as yet he was no member but a y 1. Tim 1. 13 Persecutor of the visible Church till hee was called and conuerted by the voice of Christ z Rom 2. 17. 25 c. 1. Cor 10. 1 â— 5. and hee reasoneth strongly against them which boast themselues to bee the Church and people of God because they haue the outward tokens and Testimonies of the Church a Gal. 4 22 23. 28 20 37. 9. Abrahams seede are the children of Promise but in Isaack not the carnall progeny which persecute the Children borne of the spirit b Rom. 2. 25 26 c. outwardly Iewes but in truth are not their circumcision for want of faith becommeth vncircumcition and the eating of the Pasouer with leauened hearts did polute it and brought the wrath of God vpon them as c Acts 8. 13. 18 to 23. Simon Magus was acursed after he had receiued the outward Sacrament of baptisme and was full of the gall of bitternesse hypocrisie and all iniquitie d 1. Iohn 2. 19. many are in the Church which are not of the Church as e Mat. 13. 27. Tares and Wheat f Cap. 25. 32 33. Goates and Sheepe g Cap. 13. 48. 49. Fish good and bad are drawne together into a visible Church out of the Sea of this world but the good shall be preserued and the reffuse cast away and reiected foolish Virgins h Matt. 25. 2. 3. 10 11 12 c. haue no entaince though they pretend to waite for the Bridegroomes comming but are not religiously prepared as the wise with oyle in their lampes i Mat. 13. 30. when the good wheate is gathered into the garner the chaffe shall be burned with vnquenchable fire so our blessed Sauiour as well in sundry pregnant parables as declaratiue and plaine propositions k Mat. 3. 9. 12. Iohn 8. 39. Gala. 3. 7 16. Cap. 4. 22. 28. Rom. 4. 13 14 would driue vs from this vaine confidence which the Iewes had in boasting they were Abrahams seede and rested vpon the carnall ceremonies of the Law and the materiall Temple and Tabernacle all which the blessed proto-Martyre Saint Steuen largely answereth and confuteth l Act. 7. 2. 44 48 by an history call relation shewing vnto the Iewes that the Temple Law and Ceremonies must giue place to Christ Vse 2 Hauing then so sure a word of Prophesie as the Gospell and holy Scriptures to guide vs let vs which professe Christ neither stagger with Thomas m Ioh. 20. 25. we see and feele such visible and sensible signes n Gal. 3 3 and hauing begun in the spirit seeke to end in the flesh for it is too apparant and palpable that the Romish Religion and markes of their Church are altogether outward and carnall and wholy tende to delight and delude the senses and leaue the soule without any spirituall edification let vs therefore o Ioh. 1. 45. with Nathaniel seeke the Messiah and come to finde him by the guiding of Philip and the Apostles which inuite vs to come and see whom euen him of whom Moses and the Prophets did write Iesus of Nazareth and if hee make a question if any good come out of Nazareth or as the Pharises affirmed that p Ioh. 7. 41 42 out of Galile ariseth no Prophet yet the Scriptures expresse the contrary in both for q Mat. 2 23 Isay 9. 1 2 Luke 1. 26. he shall be called a Nazarite and not onely r Luke 4. 34. the Deuils acknowledge him a Nazarite but Pilate wrote the inscription of his crosse Å¿ Iohn 19. 19. Iesus of Nazareth the King of the Jewes to this Touchstone Christ himselfe directeth vs t Iohn 5. 35. search the Scriptures u Luk. 16. 29. Moses and the Prophets are left to keepe men out of Hell the place of torment and Peter sendeth vs w 2. Pet. 1. 19. to this sure word of prophesie and the beloued Apostle commendeth this assurance of saluation to the elect Lady x 2. Ioh. 9 10. to continue in the Doctrine of Christ without which they are without God that is are no Church at all nor members of Christ Vse 3 To draw then to a conclusion of these words I will build my Church these markes either of a Church or building wee require our aduersaries to shew in their Church which boast of faith and yet debarr the preaching and reading of the word of God
though for our weake capacities it pleaseth Gods spirit so to expresse spirituall powers vnto vs by gates is vnderstood the power of darkenesse the malice might policie and flattery of Satan not only by his owne immediate malice but by the cruell agency of his prophane instruments the World and the Flesh which continually assault the Church of God and try all their power and policy to batter and ouerthrow it but shall not bee able to ouercome it Doct. Whence wee learne that the power and strength of Hell the World Sinne and the Diuell shall not ouercome them that by a true faith are founded on Iesus Christ Reas Because he for them hath conquered Satan Sinne Death and Hell It was Gods blessing promised to Abraham x Gen 22. 17. Cap. 24. 60. that his seede should possesse the gate or strong holds of his enemies and the holy Apostle speaking of the weapons of our warfare y 2 Cor. 10. 4. they are not carnall saith he but mighty through God to cast downe all the strong holds as it were the brasen gates of our enemies Note No man hath any promise that he shall not be tempted and tryed by Satan but that Satan shall not ouercome the beleeuer in Christ the iust man Iob and the most faithfull Abraham the holiest Dauid the wisest Salomon and Peter himselfe were tempted tryed and afflicted but though many were the troubles of the righteous yet the Lord deliuereth them out of all For as the mountaines incompassed Ierusalem so the Lord a Psal 32. 10. standeth about his people that like mount Zion b Psal 112 6 Psal 125 1 2 they cannot be remoued but stand firme and fast for euer they are Gods Vine and therefore hee pruneth and loppeth them but withall hee c Isa 27. 3. so watereth the branches that hee maketh them to beare much fruite Nam vbi spiritus irrigatio defuerit omnis plantatio exarescit where the spirit of God doth not water the plants wither but faith is still a firme foundation built vpon Christ d Iohh 3 16 He that beleeueth in him shall not perish but haue euerlasting life let e Psal 80 13. the wild Boare of the Forrest and the subtle Foxes out of the Wildernesse seeke to roote vp and to supplant the Lords plantation yet they shall not be able to preuaile against it It must needes bee that f Gen 3 15 the seede of the Serpent will pursue the seede of the woman at the heeles yet her true seede shall breake his head and the same is more specially set forth in a vision Reu. 12 3. where Saint Iohn saw the great red Dragon with the seauen Heads tenne Hornes and seauen Crownes vpon his heads watching to deuoure the Child so soone as it was brought forth but God preserued the Child and tooke it vp into heauen and fedde the woman also in the wildernesse which was a liuely â—ype of Gods Church traueling â—o bring forth Children vnto â—im and Satan watching all opportunities to destoy the holy seede yea the Sonne of God himselfe who is yet taken vp into Heauen as all other true beleeuers through him shall be and his Church preserued and nourished for a time in the wildernesse of this World till the time of the full accomplishment of her Pilgrimage when shee shall be g Apoc. 21. 2. trimmed as a Bride to enioy her perpetuall felicitie with her Bridegroome to this agrees the Testimony of Saint Paul h 2 Cor. 4. 8. 9. we are saith he afflicted on euery side yet are wee not in distresse in pouerty but not ouercome of pouerty we are persecuted but not forsaken cast downe but wee perish not Thus Dauid affirmed that i Psal 129. 1. 2. many times the enemies had assayled but neuer preuailed against him for the Lord was with him and Saint Iohn presseth the same point and sheweth the meanes whereby the Church and children of God obtaine the victory k 1 Ioh. 5. 4. 5. all that is borne of God ouercommeth the world and this is the victory that ouercommeth the world euen our faith who is it that ouercommeth the world but hee which beleeueth that Jesus is the Sonne of God this is that which God signified vnto Moses and prepared him to constant perseuerance in the middest of all the Egyptian oppressions when he shewed him the vision of the bush l Exod â— 2. burning in fire but not consumed by the fire nay rather the Church is a fire to burne vp her enemies on euery side as the Prophet Zachary foretold the Israelites when he had reduced them out of captiuitie m Zach. 12. 2. 3. 6. Behold saith he I will make Ierusalem a Cup of poyson vnto all the people round about her and an heauy stone for all that lift at her to teare them though all the people of the earth be assembled against her in that day I will make the Princes of Iudah like coales of fire among the wood and like a fire-brand in the sheafe and they shall deuoure all the people round about on the right hand and on the left as is there further and more at large prophesied for the corroberation and consolation of Gods afflicted Church Vse 1 The first vse is for consolation great is the securitie of the godly I say securitie not carnall whereby the feare of God is shaken off but spiritual wherby the feare of damnation is ouercome for wee must vnderstand that all these glorious and assured promises of God are not to be extended to work or breed in vs any carnall securitie but a carefull watchfulnesse ouer our waies and works and to worke out our saluation with feare and trembling to cleaue stedfastly vnto the foundation and the Rock Christ otherwise o 1 Cor 10 12. let him that thinketh hee standeth take heed lest hee fall as the Israelites did which had receiued those excellent prerogatiues that God chose them as his precious treasure aboue all nations of the earth gaue them Sacraments and Ordinances of his owne Institution fed them with Manna the bread of heauen made them drinke of the spirituall Rock Christ that followed them and guarded them with a pillar of fire and a cloud night and day to direct and protect them in their way and yet for their stubburnnesse and rebellious hearts ouerthrew their carkeises in the wildernesse hereunto tend those frequent exhortations in the Scriptures that the Beleeuers which professe Christ p 2 Iohn 8. should take heed that they lose not the good things bestowed on them q Apoc. 2. 25. 3. 11. to hold fast that they haue receiued r Heb. 12. 15. to take heed that no man fall away from the grace of God and that we Å¿ 1 Thes 5. 19. quench not the spirit but to cherish the good sparkes of Gods grace giuen vnto them which is called t 2 Pet. 3. 18. growing in grace and in
the knowledge of our Lord Iesus Christ u 1 Cor. 3. 12. in whom only consisteth the whole strength of the building though weake wood and timber be built thereupon so as looking into our selues and the examples of Gods best beloued Children yea Peter himselfe after this promise how foulely they haue falne we may euer finde cause of feare and distrust but lifting vp our eyes vnto God the stablenesse of his counsels and certaintie of his promises we may rest safely in confidence of his word which hath said w Ios 1. 5. I will not leaue thee nor forsake thee x Iohn 5. 24. hee that beleeueth in him shall not perish for euer He it is that doth nourish the holy fire in vs and keepes vs vnto the end y Iohn 13. 1. for whom hee loueth he loueth euerlastingly z 1 Ioh. 3. 9. and the seede of God abideth in the elect that being borne of God they sinne not vnto condemnation a Rom. 8. 1. for there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus which walke not after the Flesh but after the Spirit Christ prayed for b Luke 22 31. Peter and he prayed also for vs c Ioh 17. 2. 12. 20 24. and for all that should beleeue in his name that none of his might be lost neither is any able to take them out of his Fathers hand which is stronger and greater then all and loueth vs in Christ as hee loued him before the foundations of the world were laid against these the gates of Hell cannot preuaile for they haue the Lords priuie Seale not seene nor knowne to men but d 2. Tim. 2. 19 the Lord knoweth his Vse 2 Secondly this Doctrine iustly impugneth that error of the Romanists holding opinion that the visible Church and the pretended successors of Peter cannot erre whereas the contrary is apparantly verified in the Scriptures that Peter himselfe did erre and therefore though it bee true that the inuisible Church that is the elect of GOD cannot erre finally yet the visible Church consisting both of good and bad may erre as appeareth through the whole History of the Bible and in the primatiue times particular Churches haue erred witnesse Corinth Galatia Philadelphia Pergamus c yea the Church of Rome it selfe whether wee regard the Head or the Body hath grieuously erred First as touching the Head Romish Bishops haue erred and diuers of them became Heretickes Scismaticks Antipopes Negromancers Sodomites and what not Marcellinus sacrificed to the Idols of the Gentiles Leberius was an Arrian Nicholas changed the decrees of Iohn the two and twentieth Gregory of Pelagius Innocentius of Gregory yea in those things which belong to faith Cardinall Ragusanus proueth that the Pope may erre and did in the great Schisme at Rome Cardinall Cusanus affirmeth the Pope may fall from the faith the Councell of Basill auoucheth that the priuiledge of not erring belongeth not to the Popes more then other Bishops Secondly and as for generall Councels which haue a more liuely representation of the whole Church and where the Bishops of Rome haue been present may yea they haue erred one repealed the Actes and Decrees of another and there can bee no correction without errour the Councell of Nice defended Images that of Constantinople was against them the third Councel of Carthage saith that he is Antichrist that calleth himselfe an vniuersall Bishop the Councell of Rome and Trent say and maintaine the contrary therefore except there be more Truths then one Councels may erre and the Pope may erre and consequently the whole visible Church may erre and the truth is e Isa 9 17. many hypocrites making a great shew of godlinesse haue fallen away from grace and the truth of the Gospell become Apostatates in faith and Satanists in conuersation and yet the Church standeth For f Rom 3. 4. Psal 116. 1â— Titus 1. 2. Hebr 6. 18. let God be true and all men lyers in his truth it standeth and Satan a lyer from the beginning cannot ouerthrow it g 2 Thess 2. 9. Antichrists deceiueable delusions and lying wonders cannot preuaile against it Verse 19. And I wil giue vnto thee the keyes of the kingdome of heauen and whatsoeuer thou shalt bind vpon earth shall be bound in heauen and whatsoeuer thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heauen Vpon such a sure and grounded confession of Peter proceedeth a twofold promise of Christ 1. as is formerly laid down that hereupon he will lay an vnmoueable foundation of his Church that the gates of hâ—ll should not bee able to preuaile against it 2. that he would for the gouernment thereof commit to his Apostles and Ministers the Spirituall keyes of the kingdome of heauen with a power to bind and loose in such manner as he would ratifie in heauen their proceedings in earth according to the tenure of his Commission wherby hee had so authorized them to execute his power in his Church In these wordes obserue two things First Datum The donation wherein consider 1. who is the giuer 2. to whom 3. what was giuen Secondly Applicaum The Application in these wordes whatsoeuer thou shalt bind on earth c. Doct. Concerning the first in as much as hee saith I will giue it teacheth vs That Christ is the giuer of the keyes who onely had this power from heauen as the heire of God the Messiah and Mediatour betwixt man and God who h Heb. 2. 3. Psal 8 6. 1 Cor. 15. 27. Iohn 17. 2. Phil. 2. 9 10. put all thinges in subiection vnder him in heauen and earth and so the Apostle affirmeth that Christ first receiued this power from God his Father to bee made the head of his Church and onely had right to giue and communicate such power vnto his Church thus Christ expresseth it in the Gospel i Math. 11. 27. 28. 18 19. All power saith he is giuen me in heauen and in earth and thereupon he groundeth his commission to send his Apostles into all the world this point is not onely verified by apparant and plentifull texts of holy Scriptures but euen our aduersaries in words not greatly contradict it howsoeuer in their practice and in effect they haue paralelled sundry of the Saints with him as the Turkes and Infidels haue wholly dethroned him and placed their false prophet and abominable idole Mahomet before him and aboue him but because they deny the principles of faith and religion wee will not contend nor spend much time in disputing with them but willingly acknowledge and subscribe to the Soueraignty and absolute power of Christ as disposer of all things in heauen and earth Vse And let the true Church and Spouse of Christ heare and obey his voyce and deriue her subordinate power from him alone which hee then promised and afterward gaue vnto her to execute for him for wee must note that he then instantly gaue not Note 1 but speaking in the future