The English Catechism Explained, Commentary · creed (4 of 4)

The English Catechism Explained · Commentary · creed (4 of 4)

p. 132Auintint. lib. 3. Annalium, &c.Afterwards, anno 714. when Boniface who was called the Apoſtle of the Germans, was ſent of Gregory the ſecond, for the like purpoſe, of eſtabliſhing Romiſh ceremonies, he was reſiſted by Adelbertus Gallus, Clemens Scotus, Sampſon Scotus, Ʋirgilius and Sidorius, learned men, who could not endure the ceremonies vrged about the Sacrament of the Lords Supper and Baptiſme, but they were oppreſſed by the Popes authority, viz. Gregory the ſecond, Gregory the third, and Zachary. Anno 774. Egila, Niſt. Magdeb. Cent. 8. cap. 10.a Biſhop in Spaine (who before, had much reuerenced the Biſhop of Rome) afterwards vnderſtanding that his traditions depended not vponupon Gods Word, hee contemned them, for which cauſe hee ſtirred vp other Spaniſh Biſhops againſt the ſaid Egila. Anno 899. there was one Claudius, Cent. 9. cap. 10.who had beene a Prieſt in the Court of Charles the Great, which taught the ſame doctrine that Luther afterwards did, inueighing againſt the imagery, and ſuperſtition of thoſe times.Baleus Trithsnus. Anno 841. Bertram a Prieſt in France, who was greatly eſteemed by Charles, the brother of King Lotharius, taught that the body of Chriſt was not really preſent in the Sacrament, but is by faith receiued. Anno 847. Thergaudus Biſhop of Treuiris, inueighed grieuouſly againſt Pope Nicolus, hee called the Pope Antichriſt, and a Wolfe, ſaying,Auentini… Regin…l▪ lib. 2, Cum ſis ſeruus ſeruorum, Dominus Dominantium eſſe contendis: When as thou art by profeſſion a ſeruant of ſeruants, thou p. 133ſtriueſt to be a Lord of Lords. Hee called Rome Babylon. Being called to Rome, together with Guntherius, Guntherius Biſhop of Calle….he was excommunicated, vnheard, and after ſlaine. Anno 859. S. Ʋdaſrick, Biſhop of Auguſta, held, that the Roman Biſhop might erre, and proued learnedly by ſundry arguments, that it was lawfull for Prieſts to marry.Hiſt. Mag. Cent. 9. cap. 10. Anno 1054. Berengarius, a learned man, had many followers, who ſtoutly maintained, that the body of Chriſt was not really in the Sacrament. Anno 1071. Lanfranke, Hiſt. Magdeb. Cent. 1…. cap. 10.Arch-Biſhop of Canterbury, is ſaid to hauehave corrected the writings of the Fathers, according to the Catholique Faith, whence it muſt needes follow, that the Church was then gone frō the purity of the Fathers times, which was noted by ſome, but to blinde their eyes this correction was made.

In the Epiſtle of Anſelme, there is a forme of viſiting the ſicke, preſcribed in this manner: The Prieſt ſhould ſay: Thou confeſſeſt, that thou haſt liued ſo ill, that thou haſt deſerued hell:Hiſt. Magd. Cent 11. cap. 6. The ſicke anſwers, Yea: Doeſt thou repent thee of theſe thing? He anſwers; Yea: Doeſt thou beleeue, that the Lord Ieſus Chriſt dyed for thee? He anſwers, Yea: Doeſt thou giuegive him thankes? He anſwers; Yea: Doeſt thou beleeue that thou canſt not be ſaued, but by his death? He anſwers; Yea: Go to therefore whilſt thy ſoule is in thee, put thy whole truſt in this death, truſt in no other thing, commit thy ſelfe wholly to this death, with this couer thy ſelfe all ouer, winde vp thy ſelfe all ouer in this death.S. Anſelme was a Lutheran. Whence it appeares that according to the preſent doctrine of our Church, it was held then, and that meritorious workes wrought by men, were in no requeſt, for iuſtification and ſaluation. Anno 1110. Florentinus, a Biſhop auouched that Antichriſt was then born,Platina Blondas for which he was called to account by Paſchalis the ſecond, and ſuppreſſed. Anno 1135. one Francis an Abbot maintained, that Chriſts body was not really in the Sacrament.Hiſt. Magd. Cent. 12. cap. 5. Anno 1110. Petrus de Beuis a Prieſt, & Henry a Monk in France, taught, that the body and bloud of Chriſt, were not offered in the Maſſe, neither that it was a ſacrifice made for the ſaluation of ſoules, that Altars were to be deſtroyed, that the ſubſtances in the ſacrament were not altered, that ſacrifices, p. 134and maſſes, and prayers, and almes, &c. being made for the dead,Cent. 12. cap 9. were fooleries and profited not; that Prieſts and Monkes were rather to marry then to burne; that Croſſes were not to bee reuerenced; that the Canonicall Scriptures were onelyonly to bee beleeued, and that the writings of the Fathers hauehave not equall authority; and of theſe, the one was burned, the other hardly eſcaped.Bernardi vita. Anno 1190. Bernard, a learned Father, though hee was not ſo ſound, through the iniquity of the times in all things, yet in the caſe of iuſtification, he ſpeaketh like a Proteſtant, when being in danger of his life, he ſaid, I am not worthy, J confeſſe, neither can I by mine owne merits obtaine the Kingdome of heauen: but my Lord obtaining it by a double right, viz. of inheritance, and by the merit of his paſſion, being content with the one himſelfe, h e beſtoweth the other vponupon mee. Anno 1220. one William a Goldſmith, ſaid, that Rome was Babylon, & the Pope Antichriſt, & was therfore burned.Hiſt Magd. Cent. 13. cap. 2. Anno 1250. G…lielmus de ſancto Amore, was baniſht for an heretique, and his bookes burnt. Robert Groſt…d, Biſhop of Lincolne, a zealous oppoſer of Papall tyranny, ſhould hauehave had his bones digged vp and burnt, but that the Pope being terrified in a dreame deſiſted from this his enterprize. Anno 1260. on Laurence, an Engliſhman had his bones burnt, after that they were taken out of the graue. Anno 1350. there were many ſincere Teachers, ſpecially Iohannes de rupe Sciſſi…. Anno 1360. Armachanus, an Arch-biſhop in Ireland. Anno. 1370. Iohn Wick…liffe diſputed openly at Oxenford, and was defended by K. Edward the third, and the Nobles, againſt the Pope.

Summa Conc. a Bartholom…o Goranza collecta.The poynts maintained by him, were; That the materiall ſubſtance of bread and wine remained in the Sacrament: That outward confeſſion to the Prieſt was ſuperfluous and vnprofitable: That if any man giueth almes to the idle Friers, hee is excommunicate: That hee which entreth into any ſuch order, is made more fooliſh and vnfit to obſerue Gods Commandements: That the Church of Rome is a Synagogue of Satan, neither is the Pope the Vicar of Chriſt: That it is a fooliſh thing to beleeue the Popes Indulgences, &c. Anno 1410. Iohn Huſſe and Ierome of Prague, were famous in Bohemia:Conc. fol. 415. The ſayd Huſſe began firſt with reading the writings p. 135of Wickliffe, and defended theſe things vntounto the death: That Peter neither was, nor is the head of the Church: That the Popes dignity came from Caeſar, and that his inſtitution, and perfection flowed from Caeſar, that they had done vniuſtly, that condemned the Articles of Wickliffe, &c And an hundreth yeares after, as hee had foretold, came Luther: for hee had ſaid, that they might indeed burne the Gooſe, which the name Huſſe ſignified, but within an hundreth yeares ſuch a ſmell ſhould ariſe out of her feathers, as all Italy ſhould not bee able to put downe, for a remembrance whereof, theſe words were written in certaine coyne, which remaineth with Huſſes Image. Poſt centum annos Deo, mihi que ſunt reſponſuri: After an hundreth yeares they ſhall anſwer to God and to me.

And thus hauehave I led thee along (Chriſtian Reader) throughout all ages, giuing thee a little view of the diſpoſition of former times, by which thou maiſt ſtop the mouthes of ſlanderous Papiſts, cauilling at our religion as too new, & but of yeſterday: when as in very truth, the maine things wherein they differ from vsus, viz. ridiculous ceremonies, Idolatrous imagery, popiſh ſupremacy, and abuſes about the Sacrament, &c. could neuer hauehave approbation from all, but partly feare of the Pope his tyranny, and partly the mutability of the moſt being apt to follow great ones (according to that, Regis ad exempl…r, &c After the Kings example all the world is framid) firſt made theſe abuſes common, and in proceſſe of time to be held the very religion of the Catholike Church of God: well affected, and ſincere perſons in the meane time ſeeing into theſe abhominations, and according to their ſlender power fighting againſt them.

1. Duty. To praiſe Go…s mercy …or excluding none out of the Church:Now follow the duties of this faith. The firſt, is to praiſe and extoll the Lords mercy, who without reſpect of forme or beauty, of wealth or portion, of quality or condition, of countrey or nation, is pleaſed to eſpouſe vsus vntounto himſelfe in ſpirituall marriage and to endow vsus with his heauenly Kingdome. VsUs, I ſay, in ſpeciall this nation and Church of England, which God of his mercy hath vouchſafed to call, not onelyonly out of the vtter darkneſſe of Paganiſme of old, but alſo out of the dregges of Romiſh ſuperſtition of latter yeares. p. 136Euen as Heſter was more pleaſing to King Ahaſueroſh then all the virgins, that were brought in vntounto him: ſo ſhould wee bee to the King of Kings more then all which bee out of the Church, whether Turkes, Iewes, Papiſts, or other Infidels, and heretiques. If there be any amongſt them zealous for their ſuperſtitions, deuout, charitable, iuſt and true in their dealings, much more ſhould wee all bee ſuch▪ that wee may pleaſe him, the beames of whoſe grace hauehave beene more ſhed vponupon vsus. But it being farre otherwiſe with moſt amongſt vsus, with what face ſhall we looke vponupon him? when he ſhall call to a reckoning, where ſhall our place be found? verily, as it was ſaid of the Sodomites, they ſhall riſe vp againſt ſuch, and condemne them, idolatrous and heathen men ſhall riſe vp againſt them and condemne them.

2. Duty. Not to bee diſcouraged becauſe wee are poore.The ſecond duty is, not to be diſcouraged from comming to the Lord, becauſe wee are grieuous ſinners, or poore, or baſe of condition, and thus without all likelihood of attaining to ſo great dignity, for the company which he receiueth bee of all ſorts, as well poore as rich, as well ſinners as righteous, as well low and baſe ones, as high and noble. Perſecuting Saul is as well accepted amongſt his Diſciples, as preching Peter▪ the poore Publicans and ſinners, as iuſt Zachary, and rich Ioſeph, Mary poſſeſſed with diuels as▪ Iohn Baptiſt indued with the holy Ghoſt, the Prodigall ſpendthrift ſonne, as the ſtayed good husband, that neuer brake his fathers command. Wherefore let vsus all come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may finde helpe in time of neede. Heb. 4.16.Heb 4:16If a great feaſt were made, from which none ſhould bee excluded, neither ragged nor rude ones, neither lame nor blinde, neither leprous nor loathſome, how would all that need, come flocking therevnto? How much more then ſhould wee thruſt into the Church of God and take his Kingdome by violence, ſeeing he hath ſet the gates open to vsus all, how loathſome ſoeuer we are by reaſon of our ſins, ſo that we may come not to a ful feaſt for one meale, but to be fed ſo, as that we ſhall neuer hunger any more, to be watered ſo with the water of life, as that we ſhal neuer thirſt any more. But let not impudent & hard hearted ſinners herewith, as with fig leaues couer their filthy nakedneſſe, p. 137let not prophane ones, whoſe liues are a trade of ſinning, apply this as a cloake to hide their vicerous ſores of ſinne, making them the more to putrifie. For it is phiſicke only for the ſicke, it is a medecine only for the wounded, groaning vnderunder the burthen of their ſinnes.Math. 11.Matt 11

3 Duty. To pray for the Church in all places.The third duty is to be like affected, and to pray alike for Gods Church in France, in Germany, in Denmark, in Grecia, in Sweuia, and whereſoeuer elſe, as well as for our ſelues, and neere neighbours, becauſe the myſticall body, of which we are members, is in all theſe places alſo; yea, in all places ſcattered through the world: and whereſoeuer it be, yet it is all but one body, one holy Catholique Church, wee are to pray then as heartily for the weakening, and rooting out of the popiſh hereſie from amongſt the French, and the ſetting ouer them ſincere gouernors; as in the like caſe wee would doe for our ſelues: we are to grieue as much for the Churches in Hungary, and Tranſyluania ſo ſpoyled by the Turke, as if it were our owne caſe.Rom. 12.Rom 12 For in the body, if one member be grieued, all are grieued with it, and ſo on the contrary ſide, in like manner ought we to hauehave a fellow feeling of one anothers ioy and miſery, though in places far diſtant one from another.

4 Duty. Not to be troubled at antiquity pretended by, Romaniſts.The fourth duty is, not to be driuen from our hold for the antiquity of our Religion, by any popiſh forces; ſeeing it is moſt true, that our Church is alſo Catholique for time, that is of all times, and ages, and that of the Church of Rome hath beene meerely forced vponupon the world, and in continuance of time for want of knowledge of the better, came to be eſteemed for the truth, as Mahumetiſme is amongſt the multitude vnderunder the Turkiſh dominions. No age, as wee hauehave ſeen, hath been without ſome witneſſes hereof, and no doubt but there were many more, but who was there then to regiſter ſuch things? Wherefore let vsus not wauer in our faith, but maintaine it to the death, ſeeing that, which the Romaniſts make their greateſt ſtrength, viz. antiquity, is ſtrongeſt for vsus. If others euen in the darkeneſſe of popery, hauing but a little dim light, did follow it, though left alone, and through many dangers: let vsus much more walke euer in p. 138our cleare light, hauing many companions, and all encouragements.

Let vsus not louelove darkeneſſe more then the light, as many doe, leaſt turning vntounto it, I meane, to popery againe, it turne to our condemnation.

Queſt. 37. How may a man know certainely, where this Church of God is?

Anſw▪ By theſe two ſpeciall markes, viz. holineſſe taught, and profeſſed and antiquity, when both goe together.

Queſt. 38. Is not the Church of Rome then the true Church of God, ſeeing it exceedes in holineſſe, and is moſt ancient?

Anſw. No, it was a true Church indeede in the Apoſtles times, and many yeeres after, but now it is neyther holy (for great vncleanneſſe is there maintained) nor ancient, for the ancient religion, being defaced with a new Religion, and ſo a new Church is ſtarted vp there.

Queſt. 39. Where then may wee finde the true Church?

Anſw. In England, and all other places, where theſe corruptions are done away, and religion is reſtored to the firſt puri….

Queſt. 40. How can this be, ſeeing the religion of theſe places, is, but as it was of yeſterday, and neuer heard of before Luther and Caluin?

Anſw. This is a meere ſlander, for there hath neuer beene any age, ſince the Apoſtles, wherein there hauehave not beene ſome, which hauehave ſtood to the maintenance hereof, and againſt Romiſh corruptions.

Queſt. 41. How happened it then, that the Church of Rome ſtill euer preuailed, and was accounted of all the world for Chriſts true Church, and theſe oppugners were neuer of any eſteeme?

Anſw. By the greatneſſe, and tyranny of the Roman Biſhops, whoſe chiefe care it hath beene almoſt euer ſince Conſtantines time to magnifie their owne Church and themſelues, and to ſuppreſſe their aduerſaries.

Queſt. 42. But, is it posſible, that the Roman p. 139Church hauing beene once a true Church, ſhould fall, ſeeing God hath promiſed his ſpirit vntounto his Church to be alwaies preſent to lead it into all truth?

Anſw. The Lord tyth not his ſpirit hereby to any place, for then the famous Churches of Aſia, long ſ…nce collapſed, ſhould ſtill hauehave beene true Churches, but the Spirit is alwaies preſent to the faithfull in all places of the world.

Expla. All theſe queſtions are before reſolued in the opening, and confirming of the ninth Article, onelyonly I hauehave thought it neceſſary to inſert them here, for the better vnderſtanding of ſuch, as cannot ſo well conceiue of a continued diſcourſe. Let the Reader therefore ſeeke aboue, and hee ſhall finde all theſe things more fully laid open, by arguments and reaſons, by Scriptures, Hiſtories, and obſeruations. It is time now to proceed to the tenth Article, ſetting downe the fourth thing to bee beleeued concerning the Church.

Queſt. 43. Which is the fourth thing, which you learne to beleeue concerning the Church?

Anſw. Fourthly, I learne to beleeue, that there be certaine ſpeciall benefits belonging to the Church, and to eueryevery true member therof, viz. The Communion of Saints, the forgiueneſſe of ſinnes, the reſurrection of the body, and the life euerlaſting.

Queſt. 44. What meane you by the Communion of Saints?

Anſ. That holy and ſweet fellowſhip, which all the mēbers of Chriſts Church hauehave one with another; as they make all but one body in Chriſt, ſo communicating of all good things vntounto one another, whether Spirituall or Temporall, as their mutuall neceſsities doe require.

Expla. After the deſcription of the true Church of God by the markes, here followeth the comfortable, and bleſſed eſtate thereof ſet downe in theſe Priuiledges: The Communion of Saints &c. that no man may thinke it loſt labour, either to ſeeke out the true Church, or to endeauour to ioyne himſelfe vntounto the ſame. For the meaning of this firſt priuiledge: The Communion of Saints is as much in effect, as their common vnion vntounto Chriſt their head, and through him vntounto God the Father, and of one vntounto another, euen as there is an vnion betwixt members p. 140of the ſame body, which vnion ſtretcheth not onelyonly to the Church militant, howſoeuer diſpearſed, but euen to the Church triumphant alſo, and the Saints in heauen. So that firſt in beleeuing the communion of Saints. I doe hold, and acknowledge that none in the world of what company or degree ſoeuer, are ſo highly aduanced, and ſo happy for the fellowſhippe, into the order of which they are ioyned, as the Saints are, as they which are of the company of Gods Church and people; Becauſe that they may happily bee ioyned to men famous vponupon earth, but theſe are ioyned to the holy ones placed in heauen; they may be ioyned to Princes, and men great vponupon earth, but theſe are ioyned to the King of Kings, to the greateſt both in earth, and in heauen. Secondly, the communion of Saints is as much, as their communicating with their head Ieſus Chriſt, and with one another, whereby Chriſts merits and righteouſneſſe are made common vntounto them, and their ſinnes and miſeries vntounto him: and their prayers, faſtings, and deuotions are made common vntounto one another, not only amongſt the liuing, but euen amongſt the liuing, and the Saints departed alſo; and laſtly, whereby temporall, and outward things of this life are made common vntounto them, through Chriſt, who is heire of all things, ſo as that they only hauehave true right, and title before God vntounto earthly things. I doe then in the ſecond place here acknowledge, and beleeue that no ſmall good comes of this communion, but ſuch as the world cannot afford; for my ſins are laid vponupon Chriſt, and his righteouſneſſe ſerueth to cloath me, if I be in miſery, hee is not without ſenſe and feeling thereof, but what is done againſt mee, he accounts it, as done againſt himſelfe: Moreouer the continuall, and daily prayers of all good people aſcend vp for me, if I be afflicted they grieue, if in welfare they ioy, yea, the Saints in heauen cry to God for the ſhortening of our daies of miſery: Laſtly, though mine eſtate bee neuer ſo poore in this world, yet I am richer then many, that hauehave great poſſeſsions, they being vſurpers, but I hauing right vntounto my poore cloathes, and ſlender diet, & vntounto more, as God ſhall be pleaſed to ſend it me: and if I be rich, I communicate vntounto the neceſsities of Gods children, and thus prouide me riches, that ſhall neuer periſh, or be loſt.

p. 141Proofe.For the proofe of theſe things, and firſt of the vnion of the Saints with Chriſt Ieſus. This benefit the Lord himſelfe prayeth for, ſaying, of all ſuch as ſhould beleeue in his name;Ioh. 17.11.John 17:11 I pray O Father, that they all may be one, as thou art in me, and I in thee, that they may be alſo in vsus. And as he prayed for it, ſo he hath by a ſpirituall marriage of his Church vntounto himſelfe effected it, for which cauſe the Apoſtle is bold to ſay, that as the wife is one fleſh with the huſband, ſo we are of his fleſh, and of his bones: Eph. 4.30. Cap. 2.20. Rom. 11.Eph 4:30Rom 11and that the Saints are the building, and Chriſt Ieſus the chiefe corner ſtone: and that, as imps are ingrafted into an Oliue tree, ſo are we into Chriſt, with many like compariſons ſetting forth this vnion, And that we might be able the better to apprehend it, he tooke our nature to the God-head in his incarnation, and propounds himſelfe wholly to be taken into vsus in his laſt Supper. Secondly, for our vnion with one another; it is ſet forth by the members of a body, by the parts of an houſe, by the branches of a vine, and by the ſpouſe of an honeſt husband, which is one only: ſo are the Saints but one body, one houſe, one vine, and one ſpouſe, though they be many parts, and members.Rom. 12. Eph 4. Ioh. 15.Rom 12Eph 4John 15 Wherefore it is ſaid, that in Chriſt Ieſus, there is neyther Jew nor Grecian, neyther bond nor free, neyther male, nor female, but all are one. Gal. 3.28.Gal 3:28Who ſo would ſee more for this, let him reade ouer the twelfth Chapter to the Romans, and the ſecond to the Epheſians▪ Thirdly, for our vnion with the Saints in Heauen, though they be remoued farre from vsus into another world, they ſtill remaine our fellow ſeruants and our brethren, as the Lord told them in the Reuelation,Reuel. 6.11.Rev 6:11 wherefore looke what fauour the Lord beareth towards them, the ſame hee beareth towards vsus: for neither ſhall they without vsus hauehave perfect glory, Heb. 11. 1 Theſ. 4.Heb 111 Thess 4neyther ſhall wee at the reſurrection preuent them: but as fellow members of the ſame body, wee ſhall begin to raigne together with our head Chriſt. Fourthly, for thoſe things, which are more properly ſet forth by the word Communion, viz. firſt our communion with Chriſt our head, whereby his righteouſnes becommeth ours, and our ſinnes his: the Apoſtle ſaith, that hee made him ſinne, which knew no ſinne,2 Cor. 5.2 Cor 5 that we might bee made the righteouſneſſe of God through him: and the Prophet Eſay ſaith,Eſ… 53.4. Verſ▪ 5.Isa 53:4 urely he hath borne our infirmities, for hee was wounded for our tranſgreſsions, and was broken for our iniquities, the chaſtiſement p. 142of our peace was vponupon him, and with his ſtripes we are healed. And as in our ſinnes, ſo hee partaketh with vsus in our miſeries, for that which is done to his faithfull ſeruants he taketh, as done vntounto himſelfe, whether it be matter of benefit or of affliction and neglect. To ſuch as hauehave not fed his members being hungry, nor cloathed them being naked, &c. Math. 25.Matt 25He will ſay; I was an hungry, and yee fed me not, I was naked and yee cloathed me… not, &c. And on the contrary ſide to thoſe that hauehave done contrariwiſe. When his Diſciples ſhould come and preach vntounto any City, or houſe, ſuch as receiued them, were iudged to receiue him, they which perſecuted them, were iudged to perſecute himſelfe, as may be ſeene in the example of Saul, vntounto whom poſting from one place to another, to drawe foorth the Saints to puniſhment, it was ſaide from heauen, Saul, Saul, why perſecuteſt thou me? Math. 10. Act. 9.Matt 10Acts 9Fiftly, for the Communion betwixt the Saints themſelues liuing in this world: this is firſt in their hearts and affections, in which they are knit one vntounto another through louelove: thus the Diſciples were ſaide after Chriſts aſcenſion to hauehave beene together, with one minde. And we are all exhorted,Eph. 4.3. Verſ 4.Eph 4:3 To keepe the vnity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, foraſmuch as there is but one body, and one Spirit, one Lord, one Faith, and one baptiſme. 1. Cor. 3.1 Cor 3When the Corinthians were deuided in their mindes, they were ſharpely taken vp for carnall, and not ſpirituall, and Saint Iohn maketh it a note of men,1. Ioh. 3.14. Eſa. 11.1 John 3:14Isa 11 tranſlated from death to life, if wee louelove the brethren. In the mountaine of the Lord, they all dwell together, ſaith the Prophet, both the Lyon, the Kid, the Wolfe, the Lambe, the Leopard and the Aſſe, viz. Through the vnity of their affections, though they were as diuerſly affected before as theſe creatures: yet now they are all alike, truly, holy, and heauenly minded, meeke, gentle, temperate, ſober, and addicted to eueryevery good way, and to eueryevery good worke.

Rom 12▪ 15.Rom 12:15Secondly▪ this communion is in the effects of their hearts thus vnited. viz. firſt ioyes and ſorrowes, vertues and weakeneſſes, mutually communicated amongſt them: vntounto which the Apoſtle exhorteth, ſaying, Reioyce with them which reioyce, and weepe with them which weepe; and profeſſeth it to hauehave beene in himſelfe, ſaying,2. Cor. 11.29.2 Cor 11:29 Who is weake, and I am not weake? who is p. 143offended and I burne not? Secondly, hearty prayers put vp to the Lord for one another, with ſupplications, and giuing of thankes. This S. Paul deſireth at the hand of the Epheſians, both for himſelfe, and for all Saints. And,Eph. 6.18. Iam. 5.16.Eph 6:18Jas 5:16 Pray one for another (ſaith S. Iames) for the prayer of the righteous man auaileth much, if it be feruent. This is ſo neceſſary, as that to neglect it, is a great ſinne, according to that of Samuel: 1. Sam. 12.23.1 Sam 12:23God forbid, that I ſhould ſinne againſt the Lord, and ceaſe praying for you. Thirdly, exhortations to the mutuall excitation of Gods grace in one another; for which the Hebrewes are effectually moued, where it is ſaid; Let vsus conſider one another to prouoke vntounto louelove and good workes: and againe, Let vsus exhort one another, and that ſo much the more, becauſe yee ſee that the day draweth neere. Heb. 10.24. Verſ. 35.Heb 10:24Fourthly, repairing and edifying one another: for, where mens affections are aright, there ſuch as are fallen through weakeneſſe, Gal. 6.1.Gal 6:1are reſtored by the ſpirit of meekeneſſe and this is the repairing of grace decayed: ſuch as ſtand are ſtrengthned, according to the ſaying of the Lord vntounto Peter; When thou art conuerted, ſtrengthen thy brethren▪ and this is the edifying of men in grace, when eueryevery man, according to his meaſure of knowledge in the myſtery of the Goſpel, endeauoureth to breed knowledge in others, as Paul dealt at Epheſus, when he proteſted,Acts 20.10.Acts 20:10 That he had kept back… nothing which was profitable for them, but ſhewed, and taught openly, and throughout eueryevery houſe. Fifthly, the communication of worldly goods. The practice of the Primitiue Church was wonderfull for this, the neceſsities of their fellow-ſeruants requiring it, they ſold their poſſeſſions, and laid downe the price at the Apoſtles feete, to be diſtributed, as eueryevery one had neede: The Chriſtians of Macedonia are commended for their liberality to the poore Saints of Ieruſalem, wherein they are ſaid to hauehave beene willing, beyond that they were able,2. Cor. 8.2 Cor 8 and the Corinthians are exhorted vntounto the ſame, that is in all likelihood, they did euen diminiſh their owne eſtates, and herewith make prouiſion for the poore in the famine, leauing ſcarce ſufficient for their owne maintenance. Nor doth this fauour the Anabaptiſticall Community of all things: for, we are not otherwiſe to conceiue of the Community of things in the Apoſtles times; but onelyonly, that p. 144as any man did ſell, and dedicate any thing to the Apoſtles and Diſciples which had not wherewithall elſe to liue, ſo that onelyonly, ſo dedicated, did remaine as the Church treaſury, out of which, the faithfull that wanted were relieued, there remaining vntounto eueryevery man, ſtill ſome things which were proper vntounto himſelfe: or at leaſt there remained a liberty to hauehave retained ſome parcell vntounto himſelfe. As in all populous places abounding with poore, there be ſtockes and treaſuries at this day: the onelyonly difference is, that then men being more deuoted, & the neceſſities of the Saints greater, it was more aboundantly brought into this treaſury, but now more ſparingly. For if all things had beene common, that exhortation to the Church of Corinth,1. Cor. 16.1 Cor 16 of laying aſide for the poore eueryevery firſt day of the weeke, as God had bleſſed eueryevery man, had bin to no purpoſe: there had bin no vſe of their louelove-feaſts, which were made by the richer, for the comfort of the poore, neither could ſome by exceſſe hauehave beene drunken, and ſome hungry, as they were when the vſe of theſe feaſts was corrupted amongſt them.1. Cor, 11.

Col. 3.1.Col 3:1Sixtly, and laſtly, for our Communion with the Saints departed, it is firſt in our conuerſing with them, by heauenly thoug…ts, according to that exhortation to the Coloſſians; Set your affections on things which are aboue; by holineſſe of life, according to that profeſsion of the Apoſtle to the Philippians; Our conuerſation is in Heauen, from whence we expect a Sauiour: Phil. ….20.and by ſighing after Heauen, according to that conſolation of the Corinthians;2. Cor. 5.2,2 Cor 5:2 Therefore we ſigh, deſiring to be cloathed with our houſe which is from Heauen. Secondly, in our like affections vntounto Gods glory, and againſt the enemies of the Church: for, as we pray for the aduancement of the one, and the confuſion of the other, ſo much more doe they; for they cry,Reuel. 6.10.Rev 6:10 How long Lord, holy and true, doeſt thou not iudge and auenge our blood-ſhed by them vponupon the earth: which they ſay, not becauſe they are indued with leſſe charity towards their enemies and perſecutors, then faithfull Martyrs vponupon earth, who hauehave prayed for them; but partly through the louelove of their fellow-ſeruants, ſtill ſubiect to their fury, vnleſſe they be cut off, and partly through their vnderſtanding, cleared to diſcerne p. 145reprobate perſecutors, and chiefely through the deſire, that Gods glory may bee magnified, by taking away ſuch maine lets and hinderances of the Goſpels proceedings. For it may well bee held that the Saints in Heauen doe cry vntounto God in generall againſt Sathan, and all his inſtruments, at all times, knowing their fury, euen to the end of the world, againſt Gods people in the world: but the errour is, to beleeue that they know our particular neceſsities, or can heare vsus vponupon earth complaining of thē, which is a property of the Godhead onelyonly, which is infinite and all-ſufficient to ſuch as call vponupon him.

1. Duty. To renounce wicked ſocieties.Hauing thus at large dealt with the meaning of this Article, and the grounds of holy Scripture, from whence it is taken, it remaineth now that we lay down the duties. Of which the firſt is. To abandon all wicked ſocieties, becauſe we profeſſe fellowſhip with Saints, betwixt whom and theſe, there is no agreement: For, What agreement is there, 2. Cor. 62 Cor 6ſaith the Apoſtle, betwixt God and Belial, betwixt light and darknes, betwixt righteouſneſſe and vnrighteouſneſſe? wherefore wee are forbidden to hauehave fellowſhip with ſuch.1. Cor. 5.1…1 Cor 5:1 If any bee called a brother, that is a Fornicator, or Drunkard, or Idolater, through couetouſneſſe, with ſuch an one eate not: and againe, If any walke inordinately we command you, that you withdraw your ſelues from them. And,2. Theſ…. ….… With the foole (ſaith Salomon) thou ſhalt learne folly, and the companion of fooles ſhall be afflicted, with many other places purpoſely reſtraining vsus from ſuch companions. And indeede, how canſt thou beleeue thy ſelfe to be of the Communion of Saints, and yet hauehave voluntary inward fellowſhip with the wicked? Verely no more then thoſe that liued among the Samaritans; and had dealings with them, could defend themſelues to bee of the Iewes Common-wealth, ſeeing as the woman of Samaria told Chriſt,Ioh. … the Iewes meddlenot with the Samaritans▪ no more then they which haunt the Stewes daily, can defend themſelues to be chaſt and honeſt men, ſeeing that ſuch come not into theſe dangerous places. It is true, I grant that the Saints may come amongſt vicious perſons, as amongſt ſtrangers, to eat and to drinke, to buy and to ſell with them: or they may vſe their company to win them to Chriſt, as S. Paul ſaith, p. 146duplicate page p. 147duplicate page p. 146that to all men hee became all things, that hee might winne ſome, but to make them our choyce companions to delight in them and ſingle them out to bee our conſorts, can no more ſtand with the communion of Saints, then the Sunnes cleereſt light with the moſt pitchy darkneſſe of the night. Let vsus abſtaine then from ſuch company with John the Apoſtle, let vsus cry, Properemus hinc, Let vsus haſten hence, leſt the houſe fall vponupon vsus where an enemy of the truth is, when hee vnderſtood entring the bath, that Cerinthus the Heretique was there.

3. Duty. To walke in the light.The third duty is to walke in the light of Gods holy Word by vertuous liuing, becauſe of our fellowſhip with Chriſt, & through him with God the Father: for God is light, ſaith S. Iohn, and if wee walke in darkneſſe, and ſay that wee hauehave fellowſhip with him, we lye, and doe not truely. 1 Ion. 1.7.Jonah 1:7So Chriſt calleth himſelfe the light of the world, and pronounceth this the condemnation of the world, becauſe light was come and men loued darkeneſſe more then light, becauſe their deeds were euill; that is, when hee came to inlighten them with his holy precepts of faith and repentance, they neglected this, and perſiſted in vnbeleefe, and ſinne, which would bee their damnation. Whoſoeuer therefore treadeth in the ſame ſteps, may well expect the ſame end, they are not in Chriſt, they are farre from any vnion with him; for ſuch walke after the ſpirit, ſpeaking in the Word, and ſo there is no condemnation vntounto them.Rom. 8.1.Rom 8:1 This is the ſpirituall whordome of which the Prophet did ſo much complaine, cauſing a diuorce betwixt the Lord and his people, and ſo a depriuation of all goodly ornaments before beſtowed: ſo that as the caſe of a woman is which hath played the whore, and for this is put away from her husband with ſhame and without all mercy burnt in the fire: ſo is our caſe: if wee neglect his will, and follow our owne corruption, our vnion with the Lord is cleane broken off, wee are put from him, and without all pitty muſt endure the euer-burning flames of hell fire.

4. Duty. To doe good vntounto all. Gal. 6.10.Gal 6:10The fourth duty is to doe good vntounto all, but ſpecially to thoſe of the houſhold of faith, as the Apoſtle warneth: becauſe of our communion with them, and that not onelyonly in p. 147diſtributing our temporall goods, but our ſpirituall, & in being like affected towards them, reioycing with them that reioyce, and weeping with them that weepe: For in the members of our body, to vſe the Argument of the Apoſtle, Can one be pained, and not all of them in like manner grieued? ſo in the ſpirituall body of Chriſt, of which wee profeſſe our ſelues members, there can be none grieued, but it muſt bee our griefe alſo; none comforted, but it muſt bee our comfort alſo. And if wee be thus affected towards one another, wee ſhall need no ſpurs to pricke vsus forward, to any duty of louelove towards one another; but Miniſters will preach diligently to inlighten their fellow members, people will pray heartily that a doore of vtterance may be giuen vntounto them, neighbors wil not ſuffer one another to ſin, but plainly rebuke vice, the forward in matters of religion, will not ſuffer others to bee ſlacke, but prouoke them to louelove and good works, the ſtayed will not ſuffer the vnruly to goe on in their inordinate courſes, but reſtore them in the ſpirit of meekeneſſe, the rich will not ſuffer the poore to periſh for want of food, but relieue them, they which hauehave plenty, will ſupply the neceſsities of ſuch as ſuffer through ſcarcity, euen beyond that which they are able, and all this readily and cheerefully, becauſe it is to the benefit of our common body, of which wee are all members alike. Neither is this all, but in thus doing, we do wonderfully pleaſe our deare Sauiour, and ſhall hauehave it remembred at the laſt day, to our vnſpeakable comfort.Math 2….Matt 2 Wherefore let our hard hearts breake within vsus, let them reſolue into bowels of compaſsion towards the poore: and let our ſecurity, in regard of others, become anxious carefulneſſe, for the keeping of them vpright in the way of righteouſneſſe.

5. Duty. To be comfortable in diſtreſſe. Heb. 4.15.Heb 4:15The fift duty is to bee comfortable in all our ſufferings, whether by perſecutors, or ſlanderours, by ſickneſſes or l…ſſes, by pouerty, or wants: becauſe our head Chriſt is not without a Sympathy, and feeling of theſe miſeries, and will not ſuffer vsus to be tempted heereby, beyond that we are able, but will giuegive the iſſue together with the temptation. Was it not a wonderfull ſtay to the mindes of the Diſciples, when p. 148Chriſt told them;Math▪ 10.Matt 10 Hee that receiueth you, receiueth mee, and hee that receiueth me, receiueth him that ſent me? And on the contrary ſide, to thoſe that do contrariwiſe? Did it not confirme Paul much becomming a Preacher of the Goſpell, to heare that they, which perſecuted the Chriſtians, did perſecute Chriſt himſelfe? Doubtleſſe, it did. Likewiſe then, ſhould it confirme and comfort vsus in all our troubles and croſſes. If any man were ſo neere vntounto the King, and ſo great in his fauor, as that whoſoeuer dares to touch him, it were as good for him to touch the King himſelfe, hee would bee ſecure in all wrongs and iniuries done vntounto him. But wee are ſo neere vntounto the King of Heauen, as that whoſoeuer toucheth vsus, goeth about to pull the ſignet out of his right hand, and toucheth the apple of his eye. Eſa 49.15.16.Isa 49:15Isa 49:16What ioy and comfort then ſhould wee exexpreſſe, euen in the time of our tribulations? ſeeing that when wee ſuffer,Rom. 5.Rom 5 the Lord is grieued, who will not hold his peace for euer; but as a mighty Gyant waked out of his ſleeep, will ſurely come forth and ſmite all his enemies, with a great deſtruction, and with Sampſon ſhake off the cords and ropes of all miſeries, as threds burnt in the fire.

6. Duty. To lead an heauenly life.The ſixth duty is, to leade an heauenly life whilſt we liue vponupon earth, becauſe there is a communion betwixt vsus, and the Saints in heauen. And this is, by hauing our hearts lifted vp to heauen by meditation, by ſetting vp Iaacobs ladder to Heauen by prayer, by hauing our mouthes ſeaſontd with ſpeeches of Heauen, and of heauenly things, by making vntounto vsus wings with the Angels, for ſwiftneſſe and readineſſe in doing Gods will, by being fiery through zeale, with the Seraphims, for Gods glory. If wee looke well about vsus, all things conſent together to worke in vsus this heauenlines, our Father is in Heauen, our head and husband Chriſt in Heauen, the Prophets and the Apoſtles with the reſt of our fellow-ſeruants in Heauen, our riches, our ioy, and our crowne in Heauen, and our deare Country and pleaſant dwelling places no where, but in Heauen. How is it then, that wee ſo farre forget our ſelues, as to bee ſenſuall and earthly, and hauehave ſo little ſauour of heauenlineſſe in vsus? Why doe wee not hang downe our heads, and bee aſhamed, that the Lord ſhould ſee our hearts and tongues ſo baſely taken vp, ſo eſtranged from p. 149our deere Husband, Father, Brethren, and Countrey, where ſo excellent things are prouided for vsus?

Queſt. 45. What meane you by the forgiueneſſe of ſinnes?

Anſw. That wonderfull grace of God in Ieſus Chriſt, whereby he accounts of ſinne, as if it had neuer beene committed.

Explan. We ſhall not neede to be ſo large about this Article, becauſe it is eaſie to be vnderſtood. The meaning is nothing elſe, but as is laid downe in the anſwere, viz. that the Church of God, and eueryevery member thereof, hath all their ſinnes ſo done away, that they ſhall neuer be laid vntounto their charge, no more then if they had neuer by them beene committed, and all this▪ through the meere grace, and onelyonly mercy of God in Ieſus Chriſt.

Proofe.For the proofes of holy Scripture, here is plainely ſet downe: Firſt, that the forgiueneſſe of ſins is a wonderfull fauour: for, He is bleſſed, ſaith the Pſalmiſt,Pſal. …2.1Ps 2:1 to whom his ſins are forgiuen, and good cauſe is there, why he ſhould be counted bleſſed indeede, who attaineth vntounto this, ſeeing that he is forgiuen ten thouſand of talents, of which he was not able to pay one penny, and ſo ſtood eueryevery houre in danger to be caſt into priſon, to lie there in miſery perpetually.Ma…. 18.24

Deut. …7.Deut 7Againe, he is deliuered from the curſe of God, which attendeth vponupon ſinners; for, Curſed is he that continueth not in all things, written in the booke of the Law, to doe them: and this curſe is death, according to that,Rom. 6Rom 6 The wages of ſinne is death, the death of the body, which is terrible, for death came in by ſinne, and all ſuch puniſhments, as doe haſten vntounto, and be fore-runners of this, for,Rom. 5. Lament. 3.3…Rom 5Lam 3:3 man ſuffereth for his ſinnes, and which is moſt terrible of all, the death of the ſoule, which is the loſſe of it, the intollerable pangs to bee ſuffered by it, in the fire,Matth. 25Matt 25 that neuer goeth out, and by the worm…, that neuer dyeth: Laſtly, he is freed from the bondage of Sathan, who ruleth in the children of diſobedience, that is, in ſinners; who is their maſter, and they his ſeruants, according to that:Eph. 2.2 2 Tim. 2.25 Rom. 7Eph 2:22 Tim 2:25Rom 7 He which committeth ſinne, is the ſeruant of ſinne, Who hath them in his ſnare, & carrieth them away as captiue ſlaues, at his pleaſure, who terrifieth them, and putteth them in feare all the dayes of their liues. p. 150Secondly, that God is the author of this grace, is euident, for no man forgiueth ſinnes but God only,Marc. 27. it is one of his attributes, as was declared by the Lords owne voice vntounto Moſes, ſaying▪ The Lord, the Lord, ſtrong, gratious, and mercifull, ſlow to anger, and abundant in goodnes, and in truth, forgiuing iniquity, tranſgreſsion, and ſinne, &c. Exod. 34.6. Verſ. 7.Exod 34:6Wherefore, as was obiected by the Phariſees againſt Chriſt▪ it may truely be ſaid of the Popes of Rome, This man blaſphemeth, for none can forgiue ſinnes but God. Ioh. 20.23.John 20:23It is true indeede which our Sauiour ſaid vntounto Peter; and the reſt of his Diſciples: Whoſe ſinnes ye remit they are remitted, and whoſe ſinnes ye retaine, they are retayned. But what authoritie hath the Pope giuen him here, more the any other miniſter of Gods word? what ground is here for his māifold indulgēces, by which he beguiles the ſimple world of ſuch a maſſe of Money, and increaſeth his treaſuries? For the Diſciples had none other power hereby giuen them, but that, which was fit for men appointed to carry the glad tidings of ſaluation to the reſt of the world, viz to publiſh forgiueneſſe of ſinnes to all ſuch, as did, or ſhould repent, and beleeue in Ieſus Chriſt, and the retention of ſinnes, vntounto all that remayned hardened againſt this faith of Chriſt and impenitent.

1 Cor. 5.1 Cor 5For, as when by their preaching they were ſaid to conuert any to Chriſt or to beget any to Chriſt, nothing elſe is meant, but that faithfully executing their office of preaching, men were through the working of Gods Spirit made beleeuers, and ſo the members of Chriſt: in like manner; when they are ſaid to forgiue ſinnes it is meant, firſt in generall, that preaching forgiueneſſe to beleeuers, it ſhould not be in vaine, but ſo many as became hereby, through the working of Gods Spirit, beleeuers, ſhould hauehave their ſinnes forgiuen them before God in heauen, and contrariwiſe to vnbeleeuers. The words alſo hauehave a further meaning in particular of forgiuing ſinnes by admitting into the Church notorious offendors, becomming penitent, and retayning them by iuſt excommunication, and caſting out of the Church, as Saint Paul ſeemeth to comment hereupon in his firſt and ſecond epiſtle to the Corinthians, for firſt hee giueth charge that grauely, and orderly the inceſtuous perſon bee deliuered to Satan, here is retaining of ſinnes then he wills them vponupon his repentance to receiue, and comfort him againe, here is forgiuenes p. 151of ſinnes: yea, he vſeth the very word of forgiuing, ſaying, Contrariwiſe ye ought now rather to forgiue him, and comfort him, 2 Cor. 2.7, Verſ. 10.2 Cor 2:7and againe, To whom ye forgiue any thing, I forgiue alſo. Whence it is moſt plaine, that the power of forgiuing, and retayning ſinnes, and conſequently of the keyes of heauen, conſiſteth in admitting, or duely, and rightly caſting any out of the Church, and equally belongeth vntounto the Diſciples, and equally to the graue miniſters of Gods word; ſo that ſome Paul ſit at the ſterne to moderate this weightie action: and this is not the Biſhop of Rome, but eueryevery Biſhop within the limits appointed vntounto him.

Math. 1.Matt 1For the meritorious cauſe of the forgiueneſſe of ſinnes, that it is Ieſus Chriſt, his very name doth ſhew: for he is therefore called Ieſus, becauſe he ſhall ſaue his people from their ſinnes, as the Angell told Ioſeph, before that he was borne: and there is none other name giuen amongſt men,Act. 4.1…. 1 Ioh. 1.7.Acts 4:11 John 1:7 Whereby we muſt be ſaued ſaith Peter: it is the blood of Ieſus, ſaith Iohn, that cleanſeth from all ſinne, with infinite other teſtimonies tending to the ſetting forth of the ſame thing. We did not louelove God firſt, that for our louelove towards him, he might forgiue our ſinnes, for he loued vsus firſt, yea, when we were enemies, Rom. 5.Rom 5and hated him: we did not ſeeke for it at his hands, that for our importunitie, he might be moued to forgiue our ſinnes, for, I am found, Eſa. 65.1.Isa 65:1ſaith he, of them that ſought me not: our good workes did not ſo pleaſe him, as that therfore he ſhould forgiue our ſinnes: for wee were ſo farre from good workes, that we could not thinke a good thought of our ſelues: 2 Cor. 3.5.2 Cor 3:5Laſtly, neither men, nor Angels doe ſolicite him for vsus, or can obtaine the pardon of our ſinnes, but Ieſus Cbriſt the righteous is our aduocate with the Father, who is the propitiation for our ſinnes.1 Ioh. 1.2.1 John 1:2

Pſal. 32.1… Verſ. 2. Eſa. 38.17. Mich. 7.19.Ps 32:1Isa 38:17Mic 7:19Fourthly, for that, which is further added: Whereby he accounteth of ſinne, as if it had neuer beene committed, it is taken out of the Pſalmes, where the Prophet ſaith: Bleſſed is the man, whoſe wickedneſse is forgiuen, and whoſe ſinne is couered; bleſſed is the man, to whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity. The Lord is therefore ſaid to caſt all our ſinnes behinde his backe, yea, to caſt them into the bottome of the ſea; euen, as when a debt is diſcharged, the bonds, and writings, which were before carefully kept, are now cancelled, and careleſly caſt about, becauſe it is no more any debt; ſo, although before the remiſsion of ſinnes, the p. 152Lord did carefully keepe his bookes, as it were, and account of all our ſinnes, as infinite debts, yet being forgiuen,Col. 2.14.Col 2:14 he hath put out the hand-writing that was againſt vsus, and it is, as it were, nayled vntounto the croſſe of Chriſt, becauſe it is now no more any debt to be exacted at our hands.

Math. 12. Chap. 23. Ioh. 15.Matt 12John 15Laſtly, wee muſt further know, that this forgiueneſſe is only to the faithfull, all others remaine in the bands of their ſinnes, and this partly appeareth by that which was ſaid before, that hee ſhall ſau… his people from their ſinnes. VntoUnto others hee denounceth manifold woes, ſaying, Woe be to thee Cor…zin, woe be to thee Bethſaida, and woe be vntounto you Scribes and Phariſees, hypocrites, and if I had not come amongſt them, the had not had ſinne, but now their ſinne remaineth: yea, he threatneth many of his followers, that hee will bid them,Mat. 7.21▪Matt 7:21 Depart from mee yee workers of iniquity, I know you not, ſo that euen they are without this benefit, of the forgiueneſſe of their ſinnes, viz. all ſuch as notwithſtanding their profeſsion of the Chriſtian faith, doe ſtill liue in ſinne.

1 Duty. To pray for the pardon of our ſinnes.For the duties of this faith. The firſt is to pray vntounto God earneſtly eueryevery day, aboue all things of this world, for the pardon of our ſinnes: becauſe this is ſo great and wonderfull a grace. For if a man were greatly endebted, and for his debts impriſoned, or ſold for a ſlaue, euer ſo to continue in moſt hard bondage, would hee deſire either good cheare, or apparell, pleaſures or fits of eaſe, wealth or health, in compariſon of freedome from this miſerable eſtate? in like manner, ſeeing wee bee ſo farre indebted by our ſinnes, and thus made miſerable ſlaues of the diuell, why doe wee craue ſo earneſtly againſt worldly wants, and for worldly good things, and not rather againſt our ſinnes, and for this bleſſednes to be deliuered from them. And the rather, becauſe, if our ſins be vnremitted, we cannot looke to ſpeed in any other deſire: for our ſins do ſeparate betwixt our God and vsus. Eſa. 5… 2. Ioſ. 7.Isa 5:2Josh 7All the time that ſinfull Achan was in the Iſraelites campe, they could not preuaile againſt Ay: 1 Sam. 28.1 Sam 28when Saul had ſinned, he could get none anſwere at Gods Oracle either by viſion, by Vrim, or by Prophets: ſo whilſt wee are in our ſinnes, we may aske indeed, but wee ſhall not hauehave, we may make many prayers, p. 153but not be heard, for the prayers of the wicked are abomination to the Lord. Wherefore let this bee the firſt and chiefe thing which wee pray for in all our ſupplications, and as we will vſe all humility, and importunity to ſpeed of ſome ſpeciall benefit, and renew our …uite from day to day, that wee may ſpeed, ſo let vsus neuer giuegive ouer praying vntounto the Lord for the pardon of our ſinnes, being a benefit of benefits, and the moſt neceſſary thing for vsus in the world.

2 Duty. To louelove the Lord.The ſecond duty is to louelove the Lord, and our Sauiour Ieſus Chriſt with all our hearts, and with all our might: becauſe God is the Author of this great grace, Chriſt Ieſus hath merited the ſame for vsus. A miſerable bankrupt owing a thouſand pound, if hee ſhould hauehave all forgiuen him, if ſome rich man would vndertake the payment of his debts for him, and ſet him vp, that he might liue a freeman againe, and exerciſe his trade in as good manner as euer hee did before, were a moſt ingratefull wretch, if hee ſhould not louelove ſo great a benefactor, and that vnfainedly, all his life: but much more vngratefull ſhould wee ſhew our ſelues, when as the Lord hath raiſed vsus from our bankrupt eſtate, being indebted not a thouſand pounds, but ten thouſands of talents▪ yea, millions without count, and made vsus bleſſed and happy, if we ſhal not louelove his Maieſty without all diſsimulation, and therefore ſtudy to pleaſe him all our dayes. With what thankfulneſſe doth S. Paul exult for his deliuerance from ſinne by Ieſus Chriſt, when being but euen now at the point of deſpaire, he preſently lift…th vp himſelfe through faith of the pardon of his ſinnes, hauing cryed out, miſerable man …hat I am, who ſhall deliuer me from the body of this death? hee preſently anſwereth himſelfe: Thankes bee vntounto God through Ieſus Chriſt our Lord. Rom. 7.14.2… ▪Rom 7:14Rom 7:2How deſirous is he, by publiſhing Gods mercy to the world, to expreſſe his wonderfull thankfulneſſe, for this wonderfull grace, when ſo openly hee confeſſeth; When I was a Perſecutor, and a blaſphemer, and an oppreſſor, God had mercy on mee. … Tim▪ 1.…3▪And thus greatly affected ſhould we be, not in word, but in deed, in that wee ſtudy to ſet forth his glory, as hee did, and in all things not to pleaſe men, but God: they which doe otherwiſe louelove not the Lord whatſoeuer they ſay, but as the Gentiles p. 154who by their ſinnes diſhonoured him, are ſaid to hauehave beene, ſo are theſe haters of God, and hated of him.Rom. 1.Rom 1

3 Duty. To ceaſe from ſinne.The third duty is, to breake off all our ſinnes by righteouſnes, and not continue any longer therein: becauſe wee hauehave beene already enough endangered through ſinne, nay if wee liue in ſinne, we are ſtill in the ſame danger, ſeeing the workers of iniquity are ſhut out of doores, whatſoeuer they plead for themſelues. If a man through ſurfet hath fallen into any dangerous diſeaſe, which had like to hauehave coſt him his life, but be againe recouered, he will take heed of falling into the ſame againe, and likewiſe if hee had fallen into a deepe pit, or into any other great euill: ſo ſhould we being reſtored from the ſurfet of ſinne, being lifted vp from the dangerous pit of wickedneſſe hauing eſcaped through Gods great mercy the greateſt euill that could hauehave befallen vsus, wee ſhould I ſay, bee at defiance with this euill, and aboue all watches, watch againſt ſinne. And the rather, becauſe wee doe otherwiſe ſtill remaine indangered through this deadly ſurfet, wee ſtill lie, and are like to lie without all helpe in this horrible pit, till wee exchange for the pit of hell. The Lord hath not ſo much as promiſed, or ſpoken any ſyllable tending to a promiſe of forgiuing ſinnes, but to ſuch as forſake their ſinnes. He is often in theſe and the like comfortable ſpeeches.Ezech. 18.Ezek 18 When a wicked man ſhall turne from his wickedneſſe, and doe that which is lawfull and right, hee ſhall ſaue his ſoule aliue. He …hat confeſſeth and forſaketh his ſins ſhall hauehave mercy, &c. Prou. 28.23.Prov 28:23but where is it to be found that men liuing in their ſinnes ſhall ſaue mercy, that ſuch as goe on in their wickedneſſe, ſhall hauehave their ſoules aliue? not any where in Gods booke; but the cleane contrary, that they ſhall die in their ſinnes, that they ſhall hauehave iudgement without mercy, according to that, Thou which after thy hardneſſe of heart, that cannot repent, doeſt heape vp to thy ſelfe wrath againſt the day of wrath: Rom. 2 4.Rom 2:4ſo that it muſt needs then be the diuels booke, whence men learne that they ſhall bee forgiuen, although they goe on in adding ſinne vntounto ſinne, and ſo neglect all holy admonitions of breaking off their euill courſe of life.

p. 155Queſt. 46. What is meant by the reſurrection of the body?

Anſw. That, although the body after death lye rotting in the graue, yet at the laſt day it ſhall be raiſed againe, by Gods great power, and being ioyned to the ſoule▪ ſhall ſtand before Gods iudgement ſeat to giuegive accompt of all that it hath done, whether good, or euill, and bee rewarded accordingly.

Explan. This laſt article, as it conſiſteth of two members, the one the reſurrection of the body, the other the life euerlaſting, ſo hauehave I propounded to ſpeake ſeuerally of them; becauſe they are both weighty points, and deepe miſteries. Touching the reſurrection of the body, it is nothing elſe, but that firſt I do acknowledge, that our bodies are all fraile and weake, and how many yeares ſoeuer they continue, yet fall to the ground they ſhall at the laſt, euen as they were taken out of it. Secondly, that howſoeuer they fall, or whenſoeuer yet they ſhall be raiſed againe by a ſupernaturall power, the ſoules being reunited vntounto them, and that not onelyonly the bodies of the iuſt and righteous, but of the vniuſt and wicked, the bodyes of all, both high and low, rich and poore, great and ſmall. Thirdly, all this ſhall be at the laſt day together, in a moment, at the ſound of a Trumpet, and not ſome at one time, ſome at another. Fourthly, being thus raiſed, they muſt come to iudgement, all the ſecreteſt things that euer they did, being laid open, and the hidden things of all hearts being manifeſted.

Proofe.Now for the further manifeſtation and prouing of theſe things, and firſt that our bodies ſhall fall, as it is intimated in the word reſurrection (for that cannot riſe againe, which did not firſt fall, ſo it is proued by the experience of all times, and ages of the world: for euen they of the firſt times, whoſe bodies were moſt durable; yet their end was they dyed, when they had liued nigh a thouſād years, theſe ſtrong oaks, though they ſtood neuer ſo long, they fell at the laſt: but long ſince the ſtate of mens bodies grew more weake, which made …ob compare mans life vntounto a ſhadow,Iob. 1… ▪ Eſa. 40.Job 1Isa 40 a Weauers ſhuttle, and a floure, and Dauid to a light that is ſoone put out, and to a p. 156ſpans length, and Eſay to graſſe, which is greene in the morning, but is cut down before night and withered. And dayly examples confirme the ſame thing, eueryevery ſmall matter ouerthrowing the ſtrongeſt man, and making him to fall to the earth from whence he was taken. Secondly, that our bodies hauing lien rotting in the graue, ſhall bee raiſed againe by a ſupernaturall power which is more ſpecially heere intended: S. Paul proueth at large in the fifteenth chapter of the firſt Epiſtle to the Corinths, making this the ouerthrow of all religion▪ to deny the riſing of the dead: and our Sauiour Chriſt before him, oppoſed himſelfe earneſtly againſt the Saduces, which denyed the reſurrection, ſaying:Math. 22.31. Verſe 32.Matt 22:31 HaueHave you not read of the reſurrection, what is ſpoken vntounto you of God, ſaying, J am the God of Abraham, Iſaacke, and Jaacob, now God is not the God of the dead but of the liuing, and long before this, Eſay hath ſaid, The dead ſhall come forth, with my body ſhall they riſe, and Daniel; Dan. 12.2. Iob. 19.25.Dan 12:2Job 19:25Many of them that ſleepe in the duſt ſhall awake: and Iob, I know that my red…emer liueth, and I ſhall ſtand at the laſt vponupon the earth, and though after my skin, the wormes ſhall conſume my body, yet I my ſelfe ſhall ſee him, &c. and thus it is plaine, that the reſurrection ſhall be, though wee ſay nothing of Ezechiels dryed bones reuiuing, nor of Adam, whoſe ſleepe was a type of death, and his waking, of the reſurrection.

Reuel. 10.12.13. Math. 25.32.Rev 10:12Rev 10:13Matt 25:32Now, that it ſhall bee generall of all without exception, is ſhewed in the booke of the Reuelation, where all, both great and ſmall are ſeene comming forth, the earth giuing vp the dead in it, and the ſea yeelding vp the dead therein: and Chriſt ſaith, that at his comming, all nations ſhall be gathered before him. Wherefore that of Daniel, ſpeaking of many, is to be vnderſtood, as though he had ſaid, that they being a great many, an infinite multitude ſhall awake. Laſtly, that all ſhall be raiſed by a ſupernaturall power, and not by any thing in the courſe of nature is ſhewed, where the Lord ſaith, The dead ſhall heare his voyce, and ſhall come forth, it is then by the vertue of his call, that men eueryevery where ſhall riſe againe;1 Cor. 15. Math. 24.1 Cor 15Matt 24 The trumpet ſhall ſound, and the dead ſhall riſe incorruptible, ſaith the Apoſtle: He ſhall ſend forth his Angels to gather them, he ſaith in another place, the meaning is the ſame, that as God, at the firſt p. 157by his word made all, ſo he will at the laſt reuiue all, and vſe his Angels as Miniſters to gather them together from all parts of the world.

Obiect. 1 1. King. 17.1 Kgs 17If this ſhall ſeeme ſtrange, becauſe it hath beene a rare matter that any hauehave beene raiſed at all after death. I anſwer, is it true, that many being truely dead, hauehave beene raiſed againe (as it cannot be denied, for ſuch was the womans ſon, the Shunamites, raiſed by Eliſha; the widowes ſonne of Sarepta, raiſed by Eluah; Lazarus, and two more raiſed by Chriſt; Dorcas, by Peter; and Eutychus by Paul) then me thinkes, it ſhould not be ſuppoſed impoſsible, that there ſhould be a generall reſurrection of all. For, if in the winter time, ſome plant or hearbe ſhall put out, and grow greene, it is an argument, that others may doe ſo too: if a man expert in any curious trades, as the Goldſmith, in trying gold and ſiluer from droſſe▪ the Glaſſe-man in making Glaſſes, &c. Shall doe but one, or ſeldome acts of their trade, is it not an argument, that they can do many more when they ſhall thinke good? In like manner, ſome hauing beene already, by the diuine power raiſed from the dead, ſpringing vp againe after death, is it not an argument that this hauing beene done in the winter of this worlds ſtanding, all ſhall in like ſort riſe againe at the ſpring time of the reſurrection? The Lord hauing in ſome performed this hard worke, that hee can doe the ſame in all, it being (as it were) his profeſsion, and his skill ſufficient for it.

Obiect. 2 All ſhal be raiſed, howſoeuer they hauehave periſhed.If it ſhall further ſeeme yet an hard matter that all ſhould be raiſed, becauſe ſome are drowned in the ſea, and eaten vp by fiſhes, and theſe fiſhes being taken by men, &c. Now if it ſhall ſound, as a thing impoſſsible, that euen men comming thus to their ends ſhould be raiſed for where ſhall the parts of their bodies be found? ſeeing the ſame becommeth the ſubſtance of diuers bodies? I anſwere, with God all things are poſſible, and to vſe the compariſon of a learned Father, When Doues flye diuerſly abroad, and are mixed with others: yea infinite numbers together, being farr from home, yet they returne vntounto their ſeuerall Doue-coats:Greg: Nyſſen: lib: 1. de opificio hominis, cap: 26.27. ſo the ſoules of diuers men departing out of their bodies, and remaining long from p. 158home, yet they hauehave ſome naturall, or rather ſupernaturall motion by which they are addicted to returne to their owne bodies, vntounto which they hauehave beene vſed. Quickſiluer being powred forth amongſt the duſt, is mixed with nothing elſe, but though diuerſly parted, yet it remaineth in litle globules, ſo that it is eaſie for a man to gather it together againe, and then ioyneth in one, as before: and much more eaſie ſhall it be for the great God of heauen, to gather in one the parts of the ſame bodies, howſoeuer diſperſed and powred, as it were into the duſt of the earth. When ſeedes are caſt into the ground, eueryevery one draweth vntounto it ſelfe that vertue and ſappe which is neceſſary for the nouriſhment, though it be alike common vntounto them all: ſo men in the reſurrection ſhall receiue theſe parts, and all that ſubſtance which doth ſeuerally belong to them, although in the meane ſeaſon they lye in common together in the bowels of the earth: and thus farre out of that learned Father Gregory of Nyſſen.Epiph. lib. de trino & vno Deo 14.24 de Reſur. Another alſo handling the ſame matter, reckoneth vp many things as types of the reſurrection, the day ſucceeding the night, the ſeede of the earth that ſprings vp after corruption, the locuſt reuiuing againe the nayles of our hands when any goe off, the haires of our head being cut, and growing againe, the Ring-doue reuiuing againe, and a little beaſt called Myoxus, the Phoenix an Arabian foule, which burneth it ſelfe at fifty yeeres of age, and after three dayes ariſeth againe out of her owne aſhes.

1. Cor. 15.52.1 Cor 15:52And that this generall reſurrection ſhall bee in one moment, it is the plaine doctrine of the Scripture. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye at the laſt trumpet. The Lord ſhall need no ſpace of time to effect it: but as at the time of the Aſſiſes all the priſoners are brought forth, ſo at theſe generall aſſiſes of the whole world, all ſhall come out of the priſon of the graue.

And laſtly, for the end of the reſurrection, that the workes of all men ſhall be made manifeſt, and all ſecret thoughts, that they may be rewarded accordingly, hath beene already handled and proued vnderunder the ſixth branch of the ſeuenth article, touching Chriſt his comming to iudgement, and therefore p. 159the Reader is to be referred thither, to ſee more, and alſo for the time when theſe things ſhall be. But for the further vnderſtanding of the doctrine of the reſurrection, I hauehave thought it not amiſſe further to annex here two or three queſtions more.

Queſt. 47. What manner of bodies ſhall we hauehave in the reſurrection?

Anſw. The very ſame which now we hauehave, onelyonly whereas they be now naturall, they ſhall riſe againe ſpirituall; not ſubiect to death any more, as now they be, nor ſuſtained by naturall meanes of meates, and drinkes, warmth, and ſleepe, or the like.

1. Cor▪ 15.35. Verſ. 36.1 Cor 15:35Explan. This queſtion is euen thus moued and anſwered by the Apoſtle to the Corinthians; But ſome man will ſay, how are the dead raiſed? with what body ſhall they come forth? Hee anſwereth, that euen as corne being caſt into the ground, ſpringeth vp againe, and the Lord giueth eueryevery graine its owne body, whether wheat, or ſome other: So, in the reſurrection of the dead eueryevery man ſhall hauehave his owne body, the onelyonly difference is, that it is ſowen a naturall body,Verſ. 43. Verſ. 44. but raiſed a ſpirituall body: it is ſowen in diſhonour, raiſed againe in honour, ſowen in weakeneſſe, raiſed in power, &c. Now the variety of words here vſed of honour and power, ſerueth ſpecially, to ſet forth the manner of the riſing againe of the faithfull, all others ſhall alſo hauehave ſpirituall bodies like vntounto the damned ſpirits in hell, that is euer continuing, ſeeking death through the greatneſſe of the miſery, but not being able to finde it. That we ſhall hauehave the ſame bodies, Iob alſo teſtifieth, ſaying: I ſhall ſee him, not with other, but with theſe eyes. Iob 19.25.Job 19:25And good reaſon it is, that as our bodies hauehave together with our ſoules beene inſtruments, either of Gods glory, or of ſinne to his diſhonour, ſo together with the ſoules, they ſhould partake of glory or miſery.

Queſt. 48. Amongſt thoſe that dye, ſome be crooked through age, ſome tender infants, ſome blind, and ſome lame, ſhall their bodies then at the reſurrection be the ſame?

Anſw. No, for all theſe are weakeneſſes, which ſhall be done away p. 160to the faithfull and ſtrength, perfection▪ and comlineſſe ſhall be to eueryevery one of them.

Explan. This alſo is good to be knowne, becauſe the holy Scriptures doe ſpeake hereof to the comfort of Gods people: where we are taught, that the body ſhall bee ralſed in power, and in honour, there muſt then needs be inſtead of the weakneſſe of decrepit old age, and infants, ſtrength and might in ſtead of deformity, beauty; in ſtead of lameneſſe, agility; inſtead of blindneſſe, the ſight: which could neuer here be attained vntounto, viz. Whereby wee ſhall ſee the moſt glorious God of all. As for other queſtions about the knowledge of one another, of the ceſſation of the difference of ſexes. &c. For that they be not ſo neceſſary nor very profitable, we will wade no further herein.

2. Duty. To liue as thoſe that expect the reſurrection.For the duties of this faith. The firſt is, not to liue as they which are euer to continue in this world: for wee muſt all die; we muſt firſt fall, and then ſhall wee afterwards riſe againe, the ſtrongeſt and ſtouteſt could neuer bee priuiledged from death: no not one day or houre by any ſtrength of nature. Wherefore we are not to vſe any vnlawfull meanes, to get any of the goods of this world, either by carking and caring, by robbery and ſtealth, by fraud and oppreſſion, for who can tell that he ſhall liue to enioy them; yea, who can tell that his very enemy ſhal not reape the fruit of his labors? and then what ſhall it profit a man by his toyle to ſcrape together mountaines of gold? If a man liued in a Countrey where he were in danger of publique Officers eueryevery day, to be drawne out of his houſe, and to be ſpoiled of all his goods, he would not I ſuppoſe take any great pleaſure in gathering together and increaſing his wealth, much leſſe would he ſeeke to pull from others, ſeeing this were nothing elſe but to procure more enemies by making the booty greater for the ſpoilers: but this is our eſtate in this world, we liue in this earthly countrey, ſubiect eueryevery day to be pulled out of our houſes by Death, the common all-conquering Officer, and to be ſpoyled of all our worldly goods: Oh, what madneſſe is it then in vsus to rob and to deuoure one another, to be vnſatiable in our heaping vp of wealth, and without end, in our delight in p. 161worldly vanities? for men could not more exceede in their affectation of worldly things, if they ſhould liue heere euer, then the men of this generation who hauehave no ſooner gotten any thing, but they are ready againe by death, to be depriued of it all.

2. Duty.The ſecond duty is, not to liue as they that deny the reſurrection, whoſe hope onelyonly is in this world viz. like bruit beaſts, eating and drinking, as ſaith the Apoſtle,1. Cor. 15.321 Cor 15:32 becauſe that to morrow they ſhould die, and then they ſhould be cut off from all pleaſure: for we hope for a reſurrection, in which, they that hauehave done good ſhall ariſe vntounto life,Ioh. 5.29.John 5:29 they that hauehave done euill, to condemnation. We ought then to be aſhamed, to be ſenſuall like the beaſt, whoſe end is, when he dyeth: to be like the Epicure Sardanapalus, whoſe Epigram was.

Ede, bibe, lude, dormi, poſt mortem nulla voluptas.

Eate, drinke, ſleepe, and play:

In death all pleaſure flies away.

But we know that this is the voyce of the blacke children of the night, that want the light of the vnderſtanding of this thing, or that will not vnderſtand the ſame; wee are all children of the light, we all confeſſe the reſurrection of the body, why doe wee not then ceaſe from the workes of darkeneſſe, from ſurfetting and drunkenneſſe, from chambering and wantonneſſe, and walke as in the light, in ſobriety, temperance and chaſtity?1. Theſſ. 5.1 Thess 5

3. Duty. To beare all diſeaſes patiently.The third duty is to beare all our bodily imperfections and ſickneſſes patiently, becauſe in the reſurrection all ſhall be done away, weakenes ſhall be ſtrength, deformity ſhall be beauty, crookedneſſe ſhall be ſtraightneſſe, naturall ſhall be ſpirituall. It would not grieue a man to be in a litle paine for a moment, ſo that he might be free from all paine for euer after, to be ſicke a day, that he might liue the more healthfully all the yeere after yea, men will in this caſe put themſelues to paine, and make themſelues ſicke by loathſome drugs of the Apothecary: No more ought it to grieue vsus that belieue the reſurrection, if wee ſuffer by ſickneſſe, or weakneſſe, or any p. 162aberrations in our nature in this world, which is but a ſhort time, ſeeing that euer hereafter we ſhal be freed from all theſe. If we hauehave any friends or children that be thus, let vsus neither be aſhamed of it, nor trouble our ſelues hereat, but let it rather trouble vsus if they hauehave deformed ſoules, miſerable, blind, & vgly through ſin, for theſe will remaine vponupon them as blacke badges for euer, diſgracing them before God & his holy Angels, whatſoeuer their outward proportions be.

4. Duty. To ſerue God with all our members.The fourth duty is, not to account it ſufficient to ſerue God with our hearts, but with our tongues to ſpeake of his praiſes, with our hands to worke the thing that is good, with our feete to runne to religious exerciſes, with our mouthes to glorifie God in daily prayer, with our eares to hearken to his holy Word, with our bodies to practiſe ſobriety, with our eyes to be ſtayed from wanton lookes, and to offer vp our whole ſelues, as ſacrifice vntounto God, to doe his will with all our might: becauſe that euen our bodies ſhall riſe, and be honoured, and become ſpirituall.Rom. 1….1.Rom 1:1 But how can we expect, that it ſhould be thus with vsus in our bodies, if our members be inſtruments of ſinne? How can he, which by vncleanneſſe weakeneth his body, and bringeth it into a filthy caſe at the ſtewes, looke that it ſhould be ſtrengthened and healed at the reſurrection? He that drinketh out his eyes, how can he expect to hauehave them made more cleare at that day? Hee that breakes his bones by quarrelling and fighting, how can he expect ſo much fauour as to hauehave them rightened againe? Such whoriſh women, as by painting their faces, bring them to ill-fauouredneſſe, how can they expect to hauehave faces as Angels at that day? And ſo for all other iniuries offered to mens bodies by ſeruing ſinne. No King will pity his rebellious ſubiects ſo farre as to ſend Chyrurgians or Phyſicians to cure them, if in their rebellion they hauehave beene wounded, or gotten through diſtemper any dangerous ſickneſſe, but will rather ſend out his Hangmen to doe execution vponupon them: no more will the King of Heauen heale the infirmities of ſuch, as by ſinnes hauehave rebelled againſt him, but will giuegive them ouer to his Executioners, the Diuels, to be further tormented. Wherefore thinke it not enough to ſerue God in p. 163thy heart, and in thy ſoule, but offer vntounto him thy body alſo, that the eſtate of both may bee amended in the reſurrection, and ſo remaine for euer.

5. Duty. Not to be ouer ſorry for our friends departed. 2 Sam. 13.2 Sam 13The fift duty is, to mittigate our ſorrow when by death wee are parted from our deareſt friends; becauſe wee are not without hope with the Heathen, of meeting againe at the reſurrection. They are not loſt, which dye; but as Dauid ſaid of his childe, ſo is it true of all that dye in the Lord: Hee ſhall not come to me, but I ſhall goe to him, Wee cannot but grieue, I grant, ſo many as bee indued with naturall affections, at the departure of our friend, but as Chriſt ſaid vntounto the women, that followed him to the Croſſe; Weepe not for mee but for your ſelues, and for your children: ſo is it to bee applyed vntounto vsus, when our friends go to their death; weep not for them, but weep for your ſelues who ſhall for the time of this fraile life, want their ſweet ſociety, counſel, and company; but we ſhall all meet againe.

Queſt. 50. What meane you by the life euerlaſting?

Anſw. All that euer-induring happineſſe, and all thoſe ioyes, which the Lord imparteth to all his Elect, in the world to come, which are ſo great, as that the eye hath not ſeene, nor the eare heard, neither can the heart of man conceiue throughly of them.

Expla. This member of the laſt Article, as it is placed laſt of all, ſo is it the greateſt comfort of all, to all beleeuers. VnderUnder theſe two words, Life euerlaſting, is ſet downe a ſurpaſſing weight of glory, which all the words deuiſed by the beſt wit, and vttered by the moſt eloquent tongue of man, cannot expreſſe. It is not only life, but ioy; not only ioy but riches; not only riches, but glory; and all theſe; not in ſome meaſure, but in exceſſe; not mixed, but abſolute, without griefe, without want, without diſhonour, not by intermiſſions and fits, but continually, not after ſome long time to end, but euerlaſtingly.

Proofe.Secondly, for the grounds of theſe things. 1. Euerlaſting life taken at large, is common to the Elect, and to the Reprobate; for, euen theſe ſhall ſeeke for death, and not finde it, but to liue ſhall be a paine vntounto them: It ſhall not be ſo with the elect, their life ſhall be full of ioy: for, at Gods right hand,Pſal. 16.Ps 16 there p. 164be pleaſures, and fulneſſe of ioy: They breake out into ſinging for ioy, according to that of the Prophet, My ſeruants ſhall ſing for ioy of heart. They ſhall hauehave all things to make them ioyous, the pleaſantnes of their dwelling place,Reuel. 21.Rev 21 the pauements being of gold, the walles of precious ſtones, their amiable company, none but holy,Eſa. 11. cap 65.Isa 11 none that hurt or deuoure, ſhall be in the holy mountaine of the Lord: the preſence of the King of heauen their Father, who will himſelfe,Eſa. 65.24.Isa 65:24 with his glorious preſence, dwell with them, giuing them eueryevery thing, euen before they ſhall aske; the impaſsible conſtitution of their bodies,Reuel. 7.Rev 7 not diſtempered through heat or cold, hunger or thirſt, ſickeneſſe or infirmities: and laſtly, their continuall reſt from all labour and paines, and yet no darkeneſſe of the night; for, they ſhall keepe a Sabbath from weeke to weeke, and from monethmonth to monethmonth, Eſa. 66.23.Isa 66:23and the Lord ſhall bee a perpetuall light vntounto them. 2. They ſhall hauehave added vntounto their ioy,Reu. 21.25.Rev 21:25 riches; for, be not there wonderfull riches, thinke you, where the very Pauements ſhall be of Gold?chap. 2.26. &c. where the riches of all the Gentiles ſhall be brought in to them. 3. VntoUnto their riches, ſhall be added glory; therefore it is called a crowne of glory, reigne ouer nations, our bodies ſhall ſhine as the Sunne, and be like the glorious body of Ieſus Chirſt. Phil 3.21.Phil 3:214. Our happineſſe ſhall exceede for all theſe, euen as the glory of the Sunne exceedeth all the reſt of the Starres; and the glory of Kings, all the reſt of their ſubiects; for this life ſhall bee vntounto vsus a Kingdome: and hence it is that the Prophet ſaith, The eye hath not ſeene, nor the eare heard, any other God, that doth ſo to him, that waiteth for him. Eſa. 64.4.Isa 64:45. Our happineſſe ſhall bee abſolute, vniforme, and entire, not mixed, as all worldly happineſſe is, pleaſure hauing irkſomeneſſe abundance hauing wants, glory and honour, accompanied with ſhame and ignominy: but in this life,Reuel. 7. Eſa. 65 19.Rev 7Isa 65:19 All teares ſhall be wiped from our eyes, wee ſhall ſorrow, nor grieue no more, our delight ſhall euer bee fulneſſe of ioy. 6. Theſe things ſhall not be by intermiſsion and fits, but continually, yeſterday, and today the ſame: as the damned in hell can hauehave no remiſsion of their paines, ſo ſhall the ſaued in heauen hauehave no diminution of their ioyes, but as they that liue, ſhall not ſometime be dead, and ſometime liuing, no more ſhall they that liue the euerlaſting life, bee ſometime in pleaſures, p. 165and ſometime without, for their life is pleaſure, riches, and glory.

Prou. 16.4.Prov 16:4Laſtly, all this ſhallbe for euer and euer, for farre more thouſands of yeares, then the Sea hath drops of water, the earth hath ſpires of graſſe, and all men haires vponupon their heads, and ſo beginning againe circularly without ende. For heerein is God perfectly glorified and the wicked are fully iudged, which is the laſt end of all Gods workes, according to that, Hee made all things for his glory, and the wicked for the day of Iudgement. For though the word foreign, for euer, doth ſome time ſet foorth no more, but a certaine large time, at the laſt to be ended, as the time of the Moſaicall Law, or the time of this worlds continuance: for thus it is ſaid of ceremonies, yee ſhall obſerue theſe things for euer; and of the earth,Eccl. 1.4.Eccl 1:4 It ſtandeth for euer: yet when it is ſaid, that the life …o come ſhall laſt for euer, the meaning is, as the Lord liueth for euer, vntounto whoſe dayes infinite millions of yeares can put none end, for death is ſwallowed vp of life, all cauſe of death is taken away, and ſo neuer, neuer can this life ceaſe, but ſtill, ſtill remaineth ſimply without reſpect vntounto any period of time, The life euerlaſting.

1. Duty. Carefully to fly ſuch ſins, as are threatned with death. 1 Cor. 5, 9, 10.1 Cor 5:91 Cor 5:10For the duties of this faith The firſt is, carefully to breake off all thoſe ſinnes, the doers of which are expreſſly threatned, that they ſhall neuer enter into the Kingdome of Heauen. Such are named to be fornication, adultery, Idolatry, buggery, wantonneſſe, theeuing, couetouſneſſe, drunkenneſſe, rayling, extortion, for ſuch, ſaith S. Paul, ſhall not inherite the Kingdome of God.

Gal. 5.19.20. Verſ. 21.Gal 5:19Gal 5:20In another place, he reckoneth vp the ſame ſinnes againe, and further addeth, witchcraft hatred, debate, wrath, ſeditions, hereſies, enuy, murther and gluttony, of which (ſaith hee) I tell you before, as I alſo told you before, that they which doe ſuch things ſhall not inherite the Kingdome of God. Math. 25. Reuel. 22.15.Matt 25Rev 22:15And our Sauiour Chriſt further numbreth vnmercifulneſſe to the poore, and the holy Ghoſt, by Iohn the Diuine, inchanters, lyers and dogs, meaning contemners and neglecters of holy things, of whom he ſaith, That they ſhall bee without the gate of the City.

p. 1661 King. 1.1 Kgs 1Wherefore let vsus all with one accord, bee at enmity with theſe vices, and watch ouer our hearts and wayes, that wee commit them not. When Shimei was threatned by Salomon, ſaying, Whenſoeuer thou ſhalt goe ouer the brooke Kedron, thou ſhalt dye the death; what elſe could hee expect, though vnderunder ſo mercifull a Kings gouernment, but death, when he ſhould tranſgreſſe? as he found it to his coſt, ſo what other thing can wee expect, if wee liue in any of theſe, or other grieuous and heynous ſinnes; concerning which the Lord hath ſaid, if thou doe theſe, thou ſhalt not enter into life, but to bee ſhut out indeed at the latter day? Ieruſalem, in which wee looke to liue, is aboue, our ſoules muſt flye vntounto it; to vſe the words of the Prophet,Eſa. as Doues vntounto the windowes: but ſinne is an heauy clogge, and preſſeth downe, if we thinke to be rid of it at leyſure, when we liſt, we are deceiued, for it hangeth on faſt: Heb. 12.1.Heb 12:1how then can we hope to get thither, vnleſſe wee doe lighten our ſelues hereof? All our faith is vanity, our profeſsion is deceit, and inſtead of this endleſſe life, our end will be miſerable death.

2. Duty. To enter the way of life.The ſecond duty is, to ſtriue to enter, and to walke on in the way, that leadeth to euerlaſting life, and neuer to goe out of it to our dying day, and this is the way of good works which God hath appointed that we ſhould walke in them. Eph. 2.10. Ioh. 5.29.Eph 2:10John 5:29They that hauehave done good ſhall enter into life, they that hauehave done euill, into condemnation. Reuel. 22.14.Rev 22:14Bleſſed are they that doe his Commandements, that their right may bee in the tree of life, and that they may enter in by the gate of the City. Though it be a ſtraight and narrow way, and there bee few that finde it, moſt men goe the contrary way; yet if thou wilt enter into life, thou muſt keepe the commandements.

Math. 7.14.Matt 7:14Wherefore goe not with the multitude which bee in the broad way; but embrace the counſell of Chriſt: Striue to enter in at the ſtraight gate: and that whilſt thou haſt time. Will any man, being in a ſtrange Countrey, returne to his home, and yet not take the right way thither? And will any man then being in the Countrey of this world, come to his home in Heauen, and not take the right way? How is it then, that wee hope to come to eternall life, and yet refuſe to take p. 167the way thither? yea, to hearken to the guides, or to be led by them, whom the Lord hath appointed to bee a direction vntounto vsus? For neuer more guides in eueryevery corner, poynting and haling men, as it were, to the right way, yet neuer were they ſo little regarded, which bringeth our profeſsion into a ſuſpition amongſt the enemies, as teaching good workes to be needleſſe vntounto life; but they ſhall anſwer for it, who are an occaſion of this blaſphemy.

3. Duty. To remember euerlaſting life in all tro…bles.The third duty is, to vſe the remembrance of eternall life, as a ſalue againſt all ſores, as a cordiall to comfort our hearts againſt our greateſt heauineſſe. Are we in miſery, in pouerty, in pangs, in diſgrace, in danger, in the middeſt of continuall croſſes? What are all theſe to diſmay vsus? the Lord hath prouided an excellent eſtate for vsus euer enduring, our ſuffering of theſe things is but momentany: the Lord hath aſſured his ſeruants, of Heauen, and of Crownes of glory, how can he then but giuegive vsus deliuerance from theſe things, & ſupply our temporall wants in his good time? Nay, which is more, the Lord hath ſweetned the bitter pils of the troubles of this world, by working through them the health of the ſoule, by making them meanes of further aſſurance, that wee are his children, and that hee is our Father, and by leading vsus through them, as through the right way vntounto the euerlaſting life.1. Cor. 11.28. Heb. 18. Iam. 1.1 Cor 11:28Jas 1 If a begger might hauehave twenty pounds for trauelling in the wet and cold one night, or for ſome few ſtripes to be giuen vntounto him with a rod, hee would not bee much grieued hereat: no more would we at our croſſes, if wee had faith to be aſſured, that inſtead of theſe wee ſhall hauehave an other day ſo great glory, and the leſſe would wee murmure at it, becauſe our ſtripes be vponupon vsus worthily: as if a poore priſoner that had deſerued death, ſhould bee ſet free, and rewarded with a great ſumme of money, for willingly ſubmitting himſelfe vntounto ſome light chaſtiſement.Rom. 5.1.Rom 5:1 Let vsus therefore, not onelyonly be content to beare our croſſes, but with the Apoſtle, through faith, reioyce in our tribulations, and praiſe the Lord for them, as Iob did, ſaying,Iob. 1. 4. Duty. To pray for the …aſtening of glory.Job 1:4 The Lord giueth, and the Lord taketh away, bleſſed be the name of the Lord.

The fourth duty is to pray, that this time might bee p. 168haſtened,4. Duty. To pray for the haſtening of glory. wherein we ſhal enter into life, and euen to reioyce when we ſee it approach to any of vsus in particular: becauſe it will be ſo happy a change for vsus, of mortall for immortall, of weakeneſſe for ſtrength, of diſhonour for glory: and (as one dying ſaid) of tinne for ſiluer, of copper for gold. Wee muſt learne therefore to be like vntounto the Brides which ſaith, Come; Reuel: 22.17 Verſ: 20 2. Cor. 5.12 Cor 5:1and vntounto St. Iohn, who when he had had ſome ſight of theſe things, ſaid, Euen ſo come Lord Ieſus. Wee ſigh, ſaith Paul, deſiring to be cloathed vponupon: that is to goe out of this clay houſe, and to aſcend to our houſe in heauen. What faith hauehave they then, that by the courſe of nature, or by the danger of ſicknes, being brought almoſt home to this houſe, deſire to be farre away from it againe? How vnſeemely a ſpeech is it in olde men to ſay, I would I were young againe? how lamentable a feare in ſicke men, to heare that they ſhall die? let vsus be more ſtrengthened in theſe things, that at our departing hence we may truly beleeue and hauehave euerlaſting life.

Standing vp at the Creed.There be two circumſtances further vſed, in the rehearſing of theſe Articles, the firſt is the riſing and ſtanding vp, which is a ceremony neither vaine, nor ſuperſtitious, as ſome ſuppoſe, but they thinke amiſſe, that more reuerence is hereby done to the Creed, which is no Scripture, then to the written word of God. For firſt of all, it is not vaine, becauſe it ſerueth to teſtifie our conſent to the points rehearſed, and is a ſilent confeſſion of the ſame faith, by all the Congregation, as in the time of prayer all kneele, by this geſture, manifeſting their conſent with the Miniſter in this heauenly action. In other duties done at Church in publique, there is not the like reaſon of following the Miniſter in his geſture, whether hee readeth, expoundeth, or preacheth, becauſe that in all theſe, the Hearers are Patients, and he onelyonly an Agent. Read more of this aboue, at the end of the fift Queſtion. Whereto may alſo be added, that this geſture of ſtanding vpright is the moſt ſutable and conuenient, as being the poſture of ſoldiers, and champions ready to fight vntounto the death for that faith which they then proclaime by recitall.

Amen, Why added.The ſecond circumſtance is, the addition of this word Amen; ſignifying verely, or certainly, or vndoubtedly. It is added, p. 1691. To ſhew that we doe not in word only beleeue theſe things, but from our very hearts. 2. Not waueringly, but certainly, and without doubting. 3. Not as though it were in our power, as if we were ſecure for our firme and ſtedfaſt beleefe of theſe things, but earneſtly crauing this faith at the hands of God, and thus it is as much, as So be it.

The abuſe of the Creede.All which ſhewes the wonderfull abuſe of this Creed; firſt, firſt, amongſt heretikes, which ſay theſe words with their mouthes, but the contrary in their hearts: ſome denying beleefe in the Sonne of God, for that they hold him to be meere man, and God onelyonly in name, as Princes are called Gods vponupon earth, as the Arians: Some in the Holy Ghoſt, as the Macedonians, for that they affirme him to be ſeruant, and inferiour to the Father & Sonne: ſome deny beleefe in the holy Trinity, for that they beleeue only in one God, holding the diſtinction of perſons, a monſtrous fiction of man; as the Anttrinitaries.

And ſome againe denying Chriſts bodie's reall being in heauen, becauſe they hold it to be preſent in eueryevery Maſſe: his Office of mediation ſitting at the right hand of God, becauſe they appoint other Mediators to commend vsus vntounto God: and the beleefe of the remiſſion of ſins, with the life euerlaſting, becauſe they teach doubting till the laſt gaſpe.

The Creed abuſed by the Papiſts. 1. Cor. 13.131 Cor 13:13Secondly, this Creed is further abuſed amongſt the Papiſts, becauſe when they pretend to make a confeſsion of their faith, they doe onelyonly confeſſe their hope, which is a diſtinct thing from faith, according to the Apoſtle, There remaine theſe three things, Faith, Hope, and LoueLove: Now, beſides that they teach Faith to be a beleeuing in generall of all the Scriptures to be true, they make it to be all one with hope through the mercy of God of being ſaued.

Thirdly, it is further abuſed by all infidell-like Chriſtians, which ſay with their mouthes, I beleeue in God, &c. But like Parrets, not regarding, what they ſay, not conſidering the fearefull eſtate of ſuch as want this faith, what obedient, and godly liuing is required to hauehave comfort in this faith, & how ſcandalous profeſſors heereof ſhall bee barred out of eternall life, euen as they that neuer knew how to rehearſe this confeſsion at all.

p. 170They alſo which imagine faith to be in their owne power, and therefore neglect to pray for it, when the Apoſtles themſelues prayed, Lord increaſe our Faith. So many as be faithfull indeed, let vsus bee otherwiſe minded, beleeuing all theſe things in heart without doubting, ſtudying aboue all things to bee more and more confirmed herein by godly liuing, and euer heartily praying, Lord giuegive faith where it is wanting, and where it is, increaſe our faith more and more.

And thus by the grace of God hauehave we finiſhed our commentary vponupon the firſt part of the Catechiſme, concerning the things to be beleeued, and maintained to the death, that we may come to life.

The end of the Creed.