The Sacred Doctrine of Divinity, Book 1 – Book 2
The ſacred Doctrine of Diuinitie, gathered out of the worde of God.
Theologie, or, the firſt booke of Diuinitie, concerning God.
Chap. 1. Of God: The Father, the Sonne, and the holy Ghost.
DIuinitie is a doctrine of aGods glorie the end of Predeſtination (both reprobation, Prouerb. 16. 4. & election, Ephe. 1. 5, 6.) Of the Creation and Adminiſtration of al things, Rom. 11. 36. Of all benefits obteined in Chriſt, 2 Cor. 1. 20. Of all our actions, 1. Cor. 10. 31.glorifying God, wherof there beb2 Chro. 28. 9. Pſal. 100. 2, 3. two partes, cFor the better vnderſtanding of the vnlearned, it may bee diuided thus: Whereof there be two partes, One that entreateth of God: The other of yeelding al duetie to him.Theologie and Religion.
Theologie is the firſt part of Diuinitie concerning God. …
God is that infinitedGod is perfection it ſelf, that is to ſay: A moſt ſingle ſpirituall nature, Ioh 4. 24. all being eſſentiall in him, & nothing accidentall Eſa, 43. 25. The cauſe of his own perfectiō & of every good and perfect gift in other, Iam. 1. 17. which perfectiō ſtandeth in an infinitenes of goodnes, Mat. 19. 17. Wiſedom, Rom. 11. 33. Power, Gen. 17. 1. Eternitie, Reu. 1. 8. Immenſitie. Ier. 23. 24. And hath all things of imperfection remoued from it. 2. Tim. 2. 13. Tit. 1. 2 Iam. 1. 13. perfection, whoſe being iseExod. 3. 14. Iohn 8. 58. of himſelfe.
The Godhead, notwithſtanding thefDeut. 6. 4. 1 Cor. 8. 4. vnitie of the eſſence, receyueth a diſtinction ofgHag. 2. 5, 6. Mat. 28. 19. 1. Ioh. 5. 7. perſons.
A perſon ishColoſ. 2. 9 And therefore ſubſiſting from all eternitie. the Godhead iIohn. 1. 1. Iohn 5. 31. 37. Iohn. 14. 16.diuerſliekHeb. 1. 3. ſubſiſting. And lIohn 14. 26. Iohn 15. 26.ſendeth forth, or proceedeth.
Sending forth are thoſe perſons from whom another perſon proceedeth: as the Father & the Sonne. The Father is a perſon whichmIohn 1. 18. Col. 1. 15. hath begotten the Sonne.
The Sonne is a perſon begotten of the Father.
Proceeding is that perſon which is ſent out of the former, namely the holy Ghoſt, who is thenRom. 8. 9, 11. Spirite of them both.
Chapter 2. Of the purpoſe of God.
God being thus in his nature and perſons moſt glorious, hath further glorified himſelfe by two notes of excellencie which he taketh to him,aPſalm. 93. Math. 6 10. King dome & Honour. Kingdome is that whereby he diſpenſeth allbThe diſpenſation of God reacheth to euerie thing in hea…en and in earth, Pſalm. 115. 3. and …3…. 6. Perſon and liuinge Creature, Pſalm. 145. 15. 16. Luc. 12. 6. 7 Action, Actes. 17. 28. Both Great, Dan. 4. 29. 1 Sam. 2. 6. and Small, Math. 16. 29. Prou 16. 1. Yea euen caſuall ones, Prou. 16. 33. Exod. 21. 13. Actions of mercy and kindnes, Pſalm. 33. 5. and 119. 64. Of Iudgement and vengeance, Amos 3. 6. Lamen. 3. 37. 38. Eſay 45. 7. Of chaſtiſement and correction, Pſalm. 89. 33. 34. Iere. 12. 3. Heb. 12. …6. And laſtlie ſinfull and wicked actions, Actes 4. 27, 28. himſelfe remaining without all touch of ſinne, …ames 1. 13. End, Rom. 11. 36. Cauſe, 1 Kinges 12. 15. 2 Sam. 17 14. Qualitie both riches and pouertie, Pro. 22. 2. Honour and low degree, Pſalm. 75. 78. Accidence. Prouerb. 16. 3. Pſalm. 31. 16. Circumſtance of time, Pſalm. 31. 16. Actes 1. 7. Place, &c. Geneſ. 22. 16. thingescPſalm. 115. 3. and 135. 6. By meanes, Iudg. 2. 16. Prouerb 16. 9. Actes 27. 22. 27. (ſometimes meane and ſlender ones, Amos 5. 9. Ierem. 37. 10 and 50. 45. diſappointing the great and mightie meanes Pſalm. 33. 15, 16. Eccleſi. 9. 13.) Without and aboue meanes, Pſalm. 33. 17. Deut. 8. 3. Contrarie to all meanes and courſe of nature, Ioſh. 3. 15, 16 and 10. 13. 2 Kinges 20. …. 11. Dan. 3. 22. 27. according to his own freewil. The order wherof, aunſwerable to the relation betwene the perſons thēſelues, isd1 Cor 8. 6. Heb. 1. 2 Iob 26 13. frō the Father in the Sonne by the holy Ghoſt: Toe1 Cor. 12. 11. whō is attributed the immediat diſpenſing of them.
The kingdome of God is in hisfEphe. 1. 11. purpoſe and workes.
Purpoſe is his decreegActes 15. 18. One principall braunch whereof is Predeſtination, that is to ſays his foreappointment of eueryevery Angell and man either vntounto ſaluation, 1 Tim. 5. 21. Epheſ. 1. 4. Rom. 8. 29 and 9. 23. or damnation. Math. 25. 41. Iude verſe 4. Rom. 9. 22. and alſo of the meaſure of it (more or leſſe) vntounto them both, Math. 20. 23. Iude 4. Actes 1. 25. This foreappointment to ſaluation, is called Election. That to damnation is called Reprobation. One beeing to the prayſe of the glory of his mercy, Rom. 9. 23. Epheſ. 1. 6. The other to the prayſe of the glory of his Iuſtice, Rom. 9. 22. Both proceeding from the onelyonly will and pleaſure of God, for cauſes vnknowne vntounto vsus, but yet moſt iuſt and holy, Rom. 9. 18. Math. 11. 26. before all times of eueryevery thing.
Chapter 3. Of Creation.
THe workes of God are the aBy an inevitable neceſſitie, Ezech. 12. 25. Pſalm 33. 8. Num 23 19. Hee hauing all the Creatures at his cōmand 1. Kinges 22 19. and turning the hearts, Prou. 21. 1. and 29 26 Iob. 12. 20. and counſels of men 1 Cor. 1. 19. 2 Samu 15. 31. Which way it pleaſeth him. Yet the nature and propertie of the ſecond cauſes remaine, & the euēts of things are termed ſuch as the ſeconde cauſes are. Continngent if the ſeconde cauſes be contingent. 1. Kin. 22. 34. Act. 27. 31. Voluntary if they be voluntarie, Iohn. 10 18. Though in reſpect of Gods counſell and all be neceſſarie, 1. King. 22. 28. Act. 27. 24. Luc. 24. 26.execution of his purpoſe. And are Creation & Gouernment. Creation is hisbGen. 1. The order of the Creation was thus: Firſt God made of nothing an emptie and vnformed lumpe (called Heauen and Earth, becauſe it was the firſt matter of them both:) verſ. 1. 2. Secondly, out of that lump he beautifully framed, 1. The ſimple bodies called the foure Elements, that is to ſay Fyre (for that is to bee vnderſtood in light an adioint and qualitie of the fire) ſet in the globe of Heauen. The firſt day. 3, 4, 5. Ayre, or all that voyd place betwene the cloudes & the earth, giuing Breath of life to all things that breath: The ſecond day, 6, 7, 8. VVater, cauſed to retire to his proper chanels, the Seas, the floudes, the lakes, the ſprings, &c. and Earth, left alone all other beeing ſent into their places. 9, 10. Then the compound bodies, made by the vneuen mixture of the former, in this ſorte: 1. Thoſe without life, as well earthly bodies, both Graſſe for the vſe of Beaſtes. And Trees for the vſe of Man, the thirde day, 11, 12, 13. as heauenly bodies, the veſſells of light, (from whoſe influence the former hauehave their growth) both great ones, the Sunne and Moone: and ſmall ones, as the Starres, whereinto hee did gather the light that before was ſcattered in the whole body of the Heauens, the fourth day, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19. Secondly thoſe that hauehave a life, whether a ſenſitiue or feeling life only, as Fiſhes made ſpecially of the water. Birdes, made ſpecially of the ayre, the fift day, 20, 21, 22, 23. and Beaſtes, both going and creeping made ſpecially of the earth, 24, 25. or a reaſonable Soule and Life alſo, that is to ſay, Man in both ſexes Male and Female, viz. Adam and Eue, the ſixt day, 26, 27. making all things of nothing. Which ofcGen. 1. 31. eueryevery Creature was in excellencie of perfection.
Chapter 4. Of Gouernment.
GOuernement is hisaEphe. 1. 1…. adminiſtring of eueryevery thing.
Chap. 5. Of the Honour due to God.
SO much of the Kingdom of God: The Honour due vntounto him, is, that al his reaſonable creatures (Men & Angels)aMath. 6. 10. And that for his own ſake onelyonly without any reſpect of our owne good. Wherein it differeth from the treatiſe of righteouſnes, coming after. Which is allwayes coupled with a reſpect of our owne bliſſe and happines. As our Sauiour in that prayer doth diſtinguiſh theſe thinges. do with cheerefulnes his revealed will in all things.
The ſeconde Booke of Diuinitie concerning the Law.
Chapt. 1. Of Righteouſnes, and the bleſſednes belonging to it.
ANd this ſhortly is the ſūme of Theologie, or of that doctrine which touching God is reuealed vntounto vsus. Religion is the ſecond parte of Diuinitie, concerning righteouſnes.
Righteouſnes is the reaſonable creaturesaGal. 3. 1…. fulfilling of all duties to God. Whervnto of hisbLuc. 17. 10. free goodnes, a reward of cLeuit. 18. 5. Math. 19. 17.bleſſednes doth belōg:dAs the Angels had a greater meaſure of righteouſnes & bleſſednes, then Adam, and Adam then Lue 1. Tim. 2. 13. more or leſſe, according to the meaſure of righteouſnes.
Bleſſedneſſe is their perfect good. And ſtandeth in the e1. Iohn. 1. 3.fruitiō of Gods louelove, or (from thence cōming) a cōiunction and communion with him.
Cōiunction is the enioying of hisfMath. 18. 10. perſonall preſence.
Communion is agGen. 1. 26. Coloſſ. 3. 10. Participation (in ſome ſort) of his excellencie: namelyhMath. 6. 13. Dignitie and Dominion.
Dignitie is an excellencie of perſō aboue all other creaturs. Both foriLuke. 9. 26. glorie (wherin wiſdome & vertues of the minde are cōprehended) &kPſal. 103. 20. power.
Dominion is alGen. 1. 26. Heb. 2. 7, 8. Coloſ. 1. 16. ſoueraigntie ouer all other creatures.
Chapt. 2. Of Righteouſnes in nature, deſire and will.
aThe whole doctrine of righteouſnes is perfectly comprehended in the ten Commaundementes for the better vnderſtanding of which Commaundementes take theſe fewe rules. 1. A figuratiue ſpeach in eueryevery one, cōmanding or forbidding more thē is expreſſed. 2 They are ſpirituall, binding not the outwarde man only, but al the powers of the ſoule: the vnderſtanding, iudgment, memory, will, affections. 3. They require perfect obedience, commanding all good, forbidding all euill. 4. In commaunding, or forbidding anything, they commaund or forbid all meanes thervnto. 5. Cōmanding one thing, they forbid the contrarie: forbidding one thing, they commaund the contrarie.RIghteouſneſſe is inb1. Theſ. 5. 23. Nature & Action. Righteouſnes in Nature is a right inclinatiō of al original powers.
Righteouſnes in action is a right framing of all actions proceeding frō thoſe powers. And is of the deſire onelyonly, or of the will alſo.
That of deſire only, is a right framing of all inward motions before conſent.
The other of will alſo, is a right framing of al actions vntounto the which conſent is come.
Chap. 3. Of cleauing vntounto God.
THus much of the thinges in commō apperteining. The partes of Righteouſnes areaRo 1. 18. Tit. 2. 11. Pietie and Iuſtice.
bThe firſte Table. The duties whereof are greater then the duties of the ſeconde Table, comparing like degrees, as morall duties of the one, with morall of the other (not ceremoniall of the firſte Table, with the morall of the ſecond.) The chief middle & leaſt duties of the former with the like of the latter: deedes with deeds: words with words: thoughts with thoughts: and not otherwiſe. For if you compare murther with the leaſt abuſe of the name of God, or adulterie with the leaſt breach of the Sabbath, thoſe are the greater ſinnes.Pietie is the immediate duties to God. And is inward or outward.
cThe firſt Commandement.Inwarde with all our dMath. 22. 37. 38.powers to cleaue vntounto God. eDeu. 6. 5.Louing,fLeu. 19. 14. fearing,gNum. 20. 12. belieuing, hPſal. 22. 5, 6.truſting, &iPſal. 38. 8. hoping in him.
Chapt. 4 Of Worſhip.
aThe ſeconde commandement.OVtward; is the worſhipping of himbDeut 12. 32. Mat. 15. 9. 2 Chro. 15. 13 Exod. 23. 13. Note the oppoſition in the ſecond commaundement, of them that louelove me and keepe my commandementes, to theſe wordes, Thou ſhalt not make any grauen image. according to his commandement. As in cPſa. 50. 15.prayer, both petition and thankeſgiuinge,dEſte. 9. 17, 18, 20, 31. Zach. 8 19. feaſtes of thankfulness for his benefits: e1 Pet. 3. 15. Rom. 10. 10.open profeſſiō of ones faith: fDeut. 6. 13.othes,gPſal. 50. 12. vowes,hNehe. 10. 30. curſes, and the like.
Chap. 5. Of Reuerence.
TO the worſhippe of God two thinges doe belong, Reuerence and a holy reaſt.
aThe thirde commaundement.Reuerence is a moſtbDeut. 28. 58. Num. 30. 2. religious manner of worſhipping God. VſingcEccleſ. &. 17. Eccleſ. 5. 1. preparation,dEſay, 58. 4. faſting, eMich. 6. 8.humiliation,f1. King. 19. 1…. zeale.
Chap. 6. Of the Sabbath.
AaThe fourth commaundement. Holie reſt is the ſanctifying of one day in ſeauē to his ſeruice. BybAct. 15. 22. and 20. 7. publike exerciſes of the Church, and priuatecReuel. 1. 10. meditation of the worde and workes of God, d1. Cor. 16. 2.releeuing of the poore, &c. eGen. 2. 1. Exod. 20. 10.This, day in the firſt inſtitution was the ſeuenth day from the creation, and called the Sabbath day: beginning at thefGen. 1. 31. euening of the daye before, when the creation of the world was finiſhed.
Chap.7. Of Honor.
IVſticeaThe ſecond table. followeth which is of the duetiesbMath. 22. 39 among our ſelues. And is Honor or the generall dueties of louelove.
cThe ſiſt commandement.Honour is a performance of dueties in reſpect of a degree. Firſt among vnequalls: from inferiours to their ſuperiours, and contrariwiſe. As,
To all ſuperiours, in yeares, knowledge, or whatſoeuer els.dIob. 32, …, … Leuit. 19. 32. Reuerēce, in acknowledging the good things wherin they are preferred, & making our vſe of thē: riſing vp before thē, giuing them the place & honour of ſpeaking firſt, &c.
To them in authoritieeEphe. 6. 5, 6, 7 1 Pet. 2. 13. 14. Rom. 13. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Heb. 13. 17 Ephe. 6. 1. Eph. 5. 22, 23, 24, 3… ſubiection, in a ready ſubmiſſion to their gouernement: and obedience, in a volūtarie doing of that cōmanded, or a pacient ſuffring of the puniſhmēt.
Touching them in priuate authoritie, to MaiſtersfColo. 3. 22, 23, 24 faithfull ſeruice: to Houſband and Wife, echg1. Pet. 3. 1. 7 1. Cor. 7. 3. from other mutuall help and due beneuolēce. The Wife alſo toh1 Cor. 11. 7 repreſent her houſbands vertues, and toi1 Tim. 3. 11 ſaue that which he bringeth in. To Parents, notk1 Cor. 7. 36, 37, 38 marying without their conſent, and, when neede requireth, to l1 Tim. 5. 4.relieue them.
To publicke authoritie of the Miniſters and Magiſtrates, miniſtring ofmRom. 13. 7 1 Tim. 5. 17, 18 1 Cor. 9. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14. charges and other neceſſaries for the execution of their offices: and a defending of thē in the ſame.
Againe from all ſuperiours, anTitus. 2. 3, 4. good example of graue and wiſe cariage, and vſing of the thinges wherein they are preferred to the others benefit.
From them in authoritie, firſtoIoſhu 24. Iob. 29. 15. inſtruction of their inferiours in the thinges of God, and of their ſpeciall callinges: thenpRom. 13. 3, 4. due recōpence of good or euill actions: & laſtlyqPſal. 123. 2. Lamen. 4. 20 2 King. 4. 18, 19, 20 Gene. 20. 16 protection from wronges.
From priuate authorityrProu. 27. 27 Prou. 31. 15. 21 prouiſion of foode and rayment, ſGene. 18. 19. Epheſ. 6. 4familiarly to teach their inferiours, and in prayer to goe before them.
FromtDeu. 15. 13. 14. 15 Maiſters, due reſpect of their ſeruants trauayles.
vEphe. 5. 25From Houſbandes, cheriſhing of their Wyues withall entier affectiō: from both the parentes, toxPro. 20. 11. and 22, 6. Gene. 4. 2 apply their children to that they are fit for, & toy2 Cor. 12. 14 prouide for them: frō the zLuc. 1. 62, 6…Father to name the childe: from the Mothera1 Tim. 5. 10 to nurſe it.
From publike authority: that is to ſay, from the miniſterie, bRom 12. 6, 7, 8publike teaching: from Magiſtrates, c1 Tim. 2. 2maintenance aſwell of true religion, as of peace & honeſtie of life.
Secondly it is of aequals one vntounto another, indRom. 12. 10. louing, honoring, doeing of good to all, but chieflie to ſuch as by the bond ofe2 Tim. 3. 1. … nature, orfGal. 6. 10. profeſſion of the ſame faith, are more neerlie lincked to vsus.
And laſtly towardes our ſelues, thegMath. 25. 16 maintaining of our honeſt credit, andhRom. 12. 3 ſober eſteeming of the graces wee hauehave receyued.
Chap. 8. Of LoueLove.
THe general duties of louelove are thoſe that are without reſpect of degree. And reſpect the perſon or condition. Perſon as louelove and chaſtitie.
aThe ſixt commandement.LoueLove is of duties that touch the preſeruation of ones perſon. Conteining vnderunder it, firſt bMath. 5. 5meeknes, acPſal. 34. 14 peaceable diſpoſition d1 Cor. 6. 7 Gen. 13. 8, 9ready to depart frō our right,eProu. 19. 11 ſlowe to wrath,fEphe. 4. 31 forgiuing offences,gMath. 5. 44 louing our enimies: Thē due puniſhment of offendours, byhLeuit. 24. 17, 19, 20. Magiſtracie & lawfulli1 Sam. 25. 28 war: and laſtlie, a comelykGen. 23. 3, 4. buriall of the dead.
Chap. 9. Of Chaſtitie.
CHaſtitieaThe ſeuenth commaundement. is of the duties that touch the puritie of ones perſon. In minde, byb1 Theſ. 4, 3, 4, 5. abſteyning from filthie luſtes: in bodie, by keeping ourcIob 31. 1. Mat. 5. 29, 30. eyes, our handes, and all our partes, from being inſtrumēts of vncleannes: carrying our ſelues in alldDeut. 25. 11, 12. modeſtie ande1. Cor. 9. 27. temperance, and (where neede is) vſing thefHeb. 13. 4. remedie of holie mariage.
Chap. 10. Of Vprightneſſe.
THoſe reſpecting ones cō dition, are of the good thinges belonging to the perſon. And are Vprightnes and Contentednes. Vprightnes is to holde a lawfull courſe in dealing about them: and ſtandeth in Right and Trueth.
aThe eight commaundment.Right, which is without anie iniurie. Both in the means of cōming by them, our own bEphe. 4. 28.labour, and lawfulc1 Chro. 21. 22, 23, 24, 25. purchaſe ordLeuit. 25. 45, 46. deſcent: and in the vſe of themeProu. 21. 17. frugalitie, & liberalitie in a cheerefullfRom. 12. 13. communicating of them all bygLeuit. 25. 35. giuing & hLuke 6. 34, 35.lending. One branche wherof isi1 Pet. 4. 9. hoſpitalitie.
Chap. 11. Of Trueth.
aThe ninth commaundement.TRueth which is without any falſitie, asbMat. 10. 16. Prudēce, in iudging aright:cZach. 8. 16. Simplicitie in ſpeaking and doeing the trueth;d1 Cor. 13. 7. Mat. 1. 18, 19. Taking things in the beſt part, &c.
Chap. 12. Of Contentednes.
THis is vprightnes:aThe tenth commaundment. So I interprete it for theſe reaſons following. 1 The playne euidence of the wordes Thou ſhalt not couet thy neighbours houſe. 2 By conference of the reſt of the commaundments, Honor thy Father and thy Mother: Thou ſhalt not kill: Thou ſhalt not cemmit adultorie: thou ſhalt not ſteale: Thou ſhalt not beare falſe witnes: which hauehave (all of them) a cōmon and familiar vnderſtanding, ſuch as euerie man at the firſt hearing doeth conceyue. 3 The particular inſtances. Thy neighbours houſe, wyfe, manſeruant, maydeſeruant, oxe, aſſe, or anie thing that is his, declare manifeſtly the good thinges of ones perſon to be the proper ſubiect of this cōmandement. For which cauſe Exod. 20. 17. the wyfe of our neighbour (his moſt precious poſſeſſion, prou. 19. 14) commeth not in the firſt place but is ſet in ye middeſt of other poſſeſſions, that the verie marſhaling of the wordes it might appeare that this commandement reacheth not to vncleannes. 4 The order of the commandements, going by degrees from the greater to ye leſſe, and ſo cōtinually falling til you come to this ſumme of Coueting, which is the roote of all the reſt, 1. Tim. 6. 10. 5 It differeth in nature from the two laſt that went before. Whereof one is bent againſt iniurie and wronge, the other againſt falſitie and deceipt. And this commeth not ſo farre as eyther of them both. Laſtlie, adde herevnto that whiche I hould as a certaine grounde, that the corruption both of nature & deſire is forbidden in euerie one. For the Law of God, and conſequenthe euerie commandement thereof, being ſpirituall, Rom. 7. 14. (according to the nature of him that gaue it, Iohn 4 24. Heb 4. 12. 13.) muſt needes reach to all the faculties and powers of the whole man, yea and to his very nature. So as in eueryevery commandement the roote it ſelfe and ſtumpe of that ſinne, togither with all the braunches comming from it, are there condemned. Which ſeeing all men agree, in dueties of the firſt table, the ſame reaſon and proportion earieth it to thoſe of the ſeconde alſo. And that may further appeare by our Sauiour Chriſtes interpretation of the ſeuenth commandement, extending it to all kinde of luſt, Mat. 5. 28. So doeth the Apoſtle Iames the ſixt commaundement, ſetting it foorth by the three degrees thereof lusting, eagerly affecting, (when the heart is wholy poſſeſſed with it) and laſtly fighting and warring Iames 4. 2. As for the ſaying of Paul, Rom. 7. 7. I had not known lust, except the Law had ſaid, Thou ſhalt not luſt, I take it (vnderunder reformation of better iudgment) to be meant not of any one Commandment in particuler, but of the whole puritie (that way) which the Lawe of God thoroughout requireth. And that aſwell in the duties to God, as to our brethren. Which the Apoſtle ſoundly gathereth to bee commaunded in the Law, becauſe the Law is ſpirituall. And this hee ſaith (verſe 9) came and was, as it were, a new commaundement vntounto him, when he vnderſtood the whole Law to be ſpirituall and to reach to the luſt and deſire of the heart. which in the darkenes of his phariſaiſme hee had not learned. Becauſe this expoſition of the tenth Commaundement, doth vary from that which is generally receaued, I hauehave opened my reaſons the more at large. Let the learned Iudge. Contentednes is tobHeb. 13. 5. 1. Tim. 6. 6. 8. Phil. 4. 11, 12. reſt fully pleaſed with that which God beſtoweth.cRom. 12. 15. Reioycing in an others good as in our owne.
Chap. 13. Of our owne Righteouſneſſe, whereof the ſtate of Angels and Men, before and by their fall.
HEtherto of the partes of righteouſneſſe: The ſeuerall kindes followe.
Righteouſnes isaPhil. 3. 9. Rom. 9. 30. 31, 32. & 10. 3, 4, 5, 6. Gal. 3. 12. The firſt, requiring righteouſneſſe from our ſelues, or by our own works, & propounding life euerlaſting if we doe it, is called the Law, or the couenant of workes, Rom. 10. 5. Gal. 3. 12. The other, ſending vsus to Chriſte, and propounding life euerlaſting through him, if wee beleeue in him, is called the couenant of grace, Rom. 10. 4. Gal. 3. 13, 14. Which is two fould, according to the diuerſe diſpenſation of the times before and ſince his comming. The couenant of grace before his comming in the fleſhe (being thorough Chriſt to come) was termed the old Teſtament, Heb. 8. 13. and the publiſhing thereof, the promiſe, Acts 13. 32. Gal. 3. 17. 18. The ſame couenant ſince his comming (beeing thorough Chriſt already come) is termed the new Teſtament, Ierem. 31. 31, 32, 33, 34. and the publiſhing thereof, the Goſpell, Acts 13. 32. Marc. 1. 1. The Lawe beeing impoſſible for vsus in this our corrupt eſtate, to performe, Rom. 8 3. ſerueth not at all to iuſtifie, Gal. 3. 10, 11, 21, 22. But 1. to ſhewe and diſcouer ſinne, Rom. 3. 20. & 7. 7. 2. Through the corruption of our nature to encreaſe ſinne, Rom. 7. 8, 9, 10, 11. 3. To pronounce againſt vsus iudgement and condemnation due vntounto ſinne, Rom. 3 19. and thereby to driue vsus vntounto Chriſt, Rom. 10. 4. Gal. 3. 22. 23, 24. To the regenerate it further ſerueth. 1. As a light to direct vsus, Pſal. 119 105. 2. As a prick to incite vsus, becauſe of Gods commandment. 3. To frame vsus to humilitie, ſeeing thereby how farre we are from fulfilling it. The difference betweene the Lawe and the Goſpell ſtandeth in theſe three things. 1. The Lawe offereth ſaluation vnderunder condition of perfect obedience, that is to ſay, if wee doe it: the Goſpell vnderunder condicion of faith, that is to ſay, if we beleeue, Rom. 10. 5, 6. 2. The Law commandeth only, but giueth no power to performe it, and therfore is called the dead letter, written with inke and in tables of ſtone to be read and ſeene, but hauing no life in it to change the heart, which remaineth as ſtonie as before. The Goſpell not onelyonly commandeth, but giueth faith and newneſſe of life: And is therefore ſaid to be written in our heartes and called the Spirit, becauſe it giueth the Spirit of Chriſt & righteouſnes through him, 2. Cor. 3. 3, 6, 9. 3. The Lawe pronounceth nothing but iudgment and condemnation againſt vsus, commaunding things altogither impoſſible through our corruption, and therefore terrefieth and amazeth the conſcience, in which reſpect it is called the miniſterie of death and of condemnation, 2. Cor. 3, 7, 9. The Goſpell bringeth glad tydinges of peace and reconciliation, and therfore quieteth and appeaſeth the conſcience, Rom. 5. 1. for both parts of this latter difference, ſee Rom. 10. 5, 6, 7, 8. our own or from another.
Our owne, whiche boeth bMat. 22. 30. Luce 9. 26.Angels incMat. 18. 10. heauen, &dGen. 1. 26, 28. And therefore both of thē are the ſonnes of God by creation. Luce 3. 38. Iob 1. 6. men vponupon earth, had perfectlie by creation.eMark 13. 32. Gal. 1. 8. They in a greater, wee in a leſſe meaſure: from which notwithſtanding both of thē,fIames 1. 13. Actes 14. 15. left vntounto themſelues, quickly fell away.
gIohn 8. 44.Firſt of theh2 Pet. 2. 4. Iude vers 6. Angels ſome onelyonly, but aiLuke 8. 30. great multitude: one, namedkReuel. 12. 9. Mat. 25. 41. Satan or the Deuill, the chief ringleader of the reſt. The Angels that fell not, arel1 Tim. 5. 21. ſupernaturallie vphoulden from all daunger of falling. After, bymGene. 3. 1 Satans tentation,nRom. 5. 12. all mankinde fell in Adam.
The puniſhment to them both is double, ſinfulnes and curſednes.
Sinfulneſſe is aoThe vniuerſal corruption of Deuills, Iohn. 8. 44. 1. Iohn. 3. 8. Ephe. 6. 12. And of mē in nature Ephe. 2. 3. (which is termed originall ſin) deſire, Geneſ. 6. 5. minde, Rom. 12. 2. vnderſtāding, 1. Cor. 2. 14. will, Phi. 2. 13 actions, Rom. 3. 12. finally in boeth the partes of righteouſneſſe, Rom. 1. 18. totall vnrighteouſnes, aſwell of nature, as action. Curſednes is their vtter euill.
Contrarie throughout to bleſſedneſſe that went before. And is thepDeut. 27. 26. Gal. 3. 10. reward of al ſinne, qLuke 12. 47. 48. and 20. 47. Math. 11. 22.more or leſſe according to the meaſure of ſinne.
Of curſednes two degrees are noted out: for either it is in parte only, or in the fulnes of it. That in part only, is proper tor1 Gen. 4. 11. Iohn. 3. 18. men during this life. As, firſt theſIohn. 3. 36. wrath of God, ſo farr that all things, nottRom. 2. 4, 5. Ierem. 28. 13. bleſſinges only, but his veryvEſay. 28. 1…. graces, turn to their ruine; andxGen. 3. 8, 10. Heb. 2. 15. feare of conſcience drawing thē from God: thenyGen. 2. 25. with Gene. 3. 7. ſhame,zDeut 28. 28, 29. ignorance, all kinde ofaDeut. 28. 15. 10 the end. calamities, b1 Cor. 15. 43. Geneſ. 3. 16, 19.infirmitie,cDeut. 28. 21. 22, 27▪ 35, 59, 60, 61. ſicknes, &dGene. 2. 17. Rom. 5. 12. death it ſelfe: laſtly,eIob 5. 22, 23. enemitie of the creatures, andfColoſ. 1. 13. Heb. 2. 14. ſlauerie to Sathan. Yet in all this ſome reliques of former dignitie doe remaine: namely in the mind, gIohn 1. 5, 9.reaſon,hRom. 1. 18. common principles of good and euill: in theiGene. 9. 6. bodie, a kinde of maieſtie: in the kGene. 9. 3.whole man, a certeine ſoueraigntie, that keepeth in awe the brute creatures.
ThelGen. 3. 17, 18. Rom. 8. 20. creatures alſo for mans ſake, are ſubiect both to a preſent empaire of their firſt perfection, and to a generall abolition in the end.
This is curſednes in parte: The fulneſſe whereof falling vponupon a bare creature not able to beare the brunt of it, cruſheth him downe intomLuke 8. 31. Luke 16. 23. Hell forn1 Theſ 1. 9. euer, which is called damnation. And is particular or generall. Particular which is in ao2 Pet. 2.4. Iude vers 6. Reuel. 11. 18. leſſe meaſure of fulneſſe till the latter day. And lighted on thep2 Pet. 2. 4. Iude vers 6. Angels that fell, forthwith vponupon their fall: yet ſo as many tymes it pleaſeth God to giuegive them ſomeqLuke 8. 31. Mat. 8. 30. releaſe, r1 King. 22. 21, 22. Reuel. 20 7. Iob 1. 12. 2 Cor. 12. 7.vſing them as inſtrumēts to worke his pleaſure heere on earth. Vpō ſLuke 16. 22, 23. 1 Pet. 3. 19.men it lighteth in ſoule preſentlie after death.
General which is in at2 Pet. 2. 4, 9. Iude vers 6. Reuel. 11. 18. greater meaſure of fulnes. Both vponupon the Angels that fell, and men, invDan. 12. 2. Iohn. 5. 28, 29. ſoule and bodie raiſed vp in thexIohn 9. 39. latter day, wherof they yMat. 25. 41. 1 Cor. 6. 3. Iude vers 6.both ſhallzActes 17. 31. then receiue their ſentence.
Aa1 Cor. 15. 51, 52. 1 Theſ. 4. 15, 16, 17 ſodaine change of ſuch men as then are liuing, ſhalbe in ſtead of a death and riſing from it.