The English Catechism Explained, Commentary · creed (2 of 4)

The English Catechism Explained · Commentary · creed (2 of 4)

p. 563. Duty. Patience in ſuffering.The third duty is patience and ioy in ſuffering any thing for Chriſts ſake and the Goſpels, as thoſe which are glad of any occaſion to ſhew their louelove for ſo great louelove of his. And wee are chiefly to reioyce heerein for two cauſes. Firſt, becauſe that by ſuffering wee are made like vntounto him, according to this his ſpeech,Math. 15.25.Matt 15:25 whereby hee incourageth his diſciples: Jt is well for the Diſciple if he be as his Maiſter, and the ſeruant as his Lord, and wee ſhall be rewarded like vntounto him afterward, for he ſaith, Reioyce & be glad for great is your reward in heauen. v. 5.22.We are to be like minded vntounto Vriah, who being bidden (when hee came weary from the p. 57warres, to goe to his owne houſe, to cheare vp himſelfe, and to delight in the company of his wife) anſwered, nay,2. Sam. 11.2 Sam 11 my Lord Ioab, &c. lyes in tents in the fields, and ſhall I doe thus, ſurely I will not, and ſo was content with his, perhaps, hard lodging amongſt the Kings ſeruants: ſo doe all true Chriſtians ſay, what did my Lord Ieſus, ſuffer pouerty, hunger, thirſt, violence and wrong, was hee harbourleſſe, abuſed, and hanged on the Croſſe, and ſhall I neuer thinke my ſelfe well, but when I am rich, honoured, and abounding with all good things of this life? God forbid, I will be glad rather, if I bee counted worthy to ſuffer with him croſſes, perſecutions, troubles, or death it ſelfe. Secondly, becauſe that in ſuffering for his truth, hee doeth grace vsus, for ſo much as hee takes vsus for his Martyrs, and witneſſes, as if the King ſhould chooſe certaine men out of his dominions to be his Champions, to maintaine his honour, furniſhing them in ſuch ſort, as that they could not bee ouercome, though they muſt ſtriue, and take great paines in playing their parts, yet they would doe it cheerefully, and ioy much herein, for that they would take it as an honor done vntounto them by the King, more then vntounto others: for euen thus doeth the Lord Ieſus honour thoſe, whom he cals forth to ſuffer for his truth, they be his Champions, choſen to maintaine his honour, and he prouides aſſuredly ſo for them, as that they ſhal ouercome, according to that glorying of Paul, Rom. 8.37.Rom 8:37In all things we are more then conquerors through him that loued vsus. And this was it, that made the Apoſtles glad for being beaten. They reioyced, Act 5.41.Acts 5:41that they were counted worthy to ſuffer any thing for his ſake.

The fourth duty is, to remaine vnterrified with the pangs,4. Duty. and approaching of death vntounto vsus, becauſe our Lord Chriſt hath dyed, and in dying hath ouercome death, hee hath taken away the ſting of death, which before made it terrible: for the ſting of death is ſinne, and the ſtrength of ſinne, is the law, but for the one he hath ſatisfied by his death, the ſtrength of the other he hath made to ceaſe by the liberty, which hee hath brought vsus, inſomuch as we are not vnderunder the lawe, but vnderunder grace. So that now we may challenge this our greateſt and moſt terrible enemy with the Apoſtle.… Cor. 15. Rom. 6.Rom 6 Death where is thy ſting, hell where is thy victory? Death of it ſelfe indeede is moſt p. 58fearefull, as being the wages of ſinne, and the paſſage to eternall pangs; but Chriſt by dying hath altered the nature of death; of a curſe, he hath made it a bleſſing, of the paſſage to hell, he hath made it the entry of heauen to all the faithfull. Againe, though our griefe in our ſickneſſes be great, his pangs were greater,Heb. 4.15.Heb 4:15 and ſo he hath had experience of our miſeries, and ſo cannot but hauehave compaſſion, and prouide that we ſhall not be tempted aboue our power, and in good time deliuer vsus out of all our troubles.

Queſt. 26. Which is the third degree of his humiliation, and in which words?

Anſw. Thirdly, hee deſcended into Hell, that I might he deliuered from Hell, and euerlaſting death to theſe words he deſcended into Hell.

Ruſ in Expoſit. Symbol:Explan This clauſe was wont of olde to bee inſerted into moſt of the confeſſions of faith: as Ruſ… ſaith … eſt, quod in eccleſiae Romanae Symb…lo non habetur additum W. muſt know, that it is not added in the Creed of the Church of Rome: and neither ſaith hee, is this ſpeech had in the Churches of the Paſt, yet the meaning hereof ſeeme to be the ſame with this: He was buried. It is not in the Creed councell of Nice, nor in the Creed of Athanaſius, nor in the Sirmian, nor in the Sardian, nor in the firſt Toletan, nor in the Epheſine, nor in the firſt nor ſixt Conſtantinopolitan, nor in the Calcedon councels, nor in many other ancient confeſſions, and tractates written by the learned Fathers, for the ſpace of foure hundred yeeres and vpward. See Pirk: nemonſtr: problematis. page 129. &. Notwithſtanding it is now, and may well bee an article of our faith, or at the leaſt this third degree of Chriſt his humiliation, ſet downe vnderunder it. About the meaning of theſe words great diſputations are held, and whole bookes written, to leaue all which, onelyonly ſignifie briefely, that theſe words are interpreted fiue manner of wayes.

Of Chriſts deſcent into hell, diuers opinions.Some holding them meerely literally. He deſcended into hell, that is, went into the place of the damned, or ſome lower places thereabout. They which vnderſtand it literally of the place of the damned, ſay, that he went thither to triumph ouer p. 59all the damned Ghoſts, and Diuels, his enemies. They, which vnderſtand it of ſome place thereabout, ſay, that hee went thither to free the Patriarks, that were detained for their originall ſinne in Limbo. The grounds common to both, are both that to the Epheſians,Epheſ 4 9. 1. Pet. 3.19.Eph 4:91 Pet 3:19 He deſcended into the lower parts of the earth, and that of Peter: By which Spirit he went, and preached to the ſpirits that were in priſon, which were diſobedient in the dayes of Noah, & that of the Pſalmiſt!Pſal. 16.10.Ps 16:10 Thou wilt not leaue my ſoule in Hell. But the laſt ſort, that ſtand for Limbo, hauehave ſome ſpeciall allegations beſides, as that to the Hebrewes.Heb. 9.8.Heb 9:8 The way into the holiest of all was not yet opened, whilſt the firſt Tabernacle was ſtanding: And againe ſpeaking of the Patriarkes, he ſaith, All theſe dyed, and receiued not the promiſes.Heb. 11.Heb 11

Secondly, others againe hold them literally, but expound foreign the graue, ſaying that, He died, and was buried, that is, annoynted to the buriall, and deſcended into the Sepulcher.

Thirdly, others interpreting foreign the graue, make the deſcent to be figuratiue thus, he deſcended into Hell, that is, remained in the graue vntounto the third day.

Fourthly, ſome others interpret it as an Idiom, or phraſe peculiar to the Greekes. foreign, He deſcended into Hell, that is, was in the eſtate of the dead, for thus the Greekes were wont to ſpeake of a man departed; whether good or bad.

Laſtly, ſome others hold it to bee meerely figuratiuely ſpoken, He deſcended into Hell, that is, ſuffered the torments of Hell, viz. the anger of God againſt the ſinnes of all the elect powred forth vponupon his ſoule, driuing him into that bloody agony in the garden, and making him cry out, My God, my God, why haſt thou forſaken me.

Now of all thoſe, that which ſtands for Limbo is to be exploded; as by other ſound poſitiue reaſons drawne from Scriptures: ſo in regard alſo of the impertinency of the places alleadged: for in that to the Hebrewes: The way into the holieſt was not yet opened, is meant nothing elſe but that, which in more words is there expreſſed, viz. heauen and happineſſe, the redemption of man, as verſe 12. was not obtained by the ſeruice done in this tabernacle: and in the other, theſe dying p. 60receiued not the promiſes, is meant, the incarnation of Ieſus Chriſt ſo long before, and ſo often promiſed, but not ſent in their times.

The ſecond interpretation ſeemeth to mee too much ſtrained, and maketh this ſhort Creed needleſly to labour with tautologie, for what elſe can this import, He was buried, that is, laid in the graue, and deſcended into hell, that is, went downe into the graue, as if it had beene ſaid, He was buried, and was buried.

The third not much different from this, and onelyonly ſheweth that this his buriall was not a meere tranſeunt act or paſsion but had a due continuation by his body ſo remaining, in ſtatis quo, till his reſurrection, which me thinkes is ſufficiently implyed in the ſpecifying of his buriall and riſing the third day, importing that for that interim his body lay ſtill in the Sepulchre.

The fourth interpretation hath farre more probability, this Creed being compoſed by thoſe, who fitted it not onelyonly to the Greeke ſtile, (in which language it was written) but alſo to the Hebrew ordinary phraſe, which ſoundeth in this faſhion, ſpeaking of a dead man, namely, that he is dead and gone downe into Sheol, which whether you tranſlate, hell or the graue, or ſome place of bliſſe, it doth not heereby ſpecifie any of theſe diſtinctly, but onelyonly pointeth at the ſtate and condition of the dead in generall, and conſidereth them by a confuſed motion, as oppoſite to the ſtate of the liuing heere vponupon earth. So that by this conſtruction, heere is to bee meant, that our Sauiours, not body onelyonly, but ſoule alſo did for this meane ſpace vndergoe the common lot of ſeparation the one from the other, and ſo remained in the ordinary eſtate of others departed this life. Howſoeuer it bee yeelded that this phraſe may well beare this ſenſe; yet becauſe both thus much is implied in the generall word of Chriſts being dead, (which muſt needs meane a true death, putting him in the common condition of other deadmen) and foraſmuch as theſe words of deſcent, &c. doe rather import ſomewhat added to his death and buriall, the more currant expoſition is to make it a ſeuerall and different Article or Parcell of our Sauiours p. 61performances: and ſo wee will now conſider in the remaining interpretations.

That branch of the firſt interpretation, auouching that our Sauiour did ſometime in triduo mortis, really deſcend in ſoule into the place of the damned, is moſt literall, naturall, and agreeable to the words, no way lyable to tautologie, nor repugnant to the analogie of Faith; but conſorting with the plaine termes of Scripture and teſtimony of ancient Fathers. In this ſenſe the Church of England, in the firſt times of reformation,Artic… 37. ſeemeth to vnderſtand and interpret this Article; both by inſiſting vponupon the direct words, in the booke of Articles of Religion, where the truth & realty of Chriſts deſcent into hell is auouched in the ſame manner with the realty of his death, &c. as alſo by the explanation thereof in the larger Catechiſme authorized by our Church called Nowels Catechiſme. The end of ſuch deſcent might well bee to triumph ouer Satan in his owne dunghill and dungeon, and withall there to vpbraid vntounto the damned ſpirits of obſtinate men, what a gracious and glorious Sauiour they had neglected. Though ſome be of another minde in this point, yet I ſee no coactiue reaſons out of Scripture, or otherwiſe brought by them againſt this plaine literall conſtruction. And caeteris paribus, why ſhould not the authority of our Mothr the Church of Englād ouer ſway? For my part, in my priuate opinion, I hauehave much inclined to the fifth interpretation, applying this deſcent into hell parabolically to the diſmall apprehenſion of Gods wrath lying heauy vponupon the ſoule of Chriſt, and repreſenting the paines of hell due to vsus. The reaſons that perſwade that our Sauiour vnderwent ſuch inward ſufferings in his ſoule, are.

Firſt, if hee had not ſuffered extreame torments in ſoule, (beſides what he ſuffered by ſympathy, through bodily pangs) hee muſt either hauehave been weake, and ouer-yeelding, or elſe hauehave diſſembled, being without ſorrow,Sixt. Sennenſi Bibl. Patrum. li. 6. Annot. 35. when hee expreſſed ſo great ſorrow, (as one ſaith, that Hillary ſometimes held, but afterwards recanted, making a ſound confeſsion of his faith) for if Chriſt did not truely ſuffer, wee are not truely redeemed, or elſe the Saints of God, which are by infinite p. 62degrees, more weake then Chriſt, God and Man, muſt bee acknowledged to hauehave had more courage, and magnanimity, when they hauehave been vnderunder extreame torments, then he had. For before his paſsion vponupon the croſſe, he was very heauy, & much troubled,Math. 26.38. verſe 39.40Matt 26:38 in ſo much as hee ſaid, My ſoule is very heauy euen vntounto the death, and prayed three times, if it were poſsible; that the cup might paſſe from him: at what time alſo his paſsion was noted to be ſo great, that he ſweat with paine, and his ſweat was like drops of bloud, Luc. 22.43.44Luke 22:43Luke 22:44and an Angel appeared from heauen comforting him: whereas weake men hauehave by Gods aſsiſtance ioyfully prepared themſelues, and hauehave beene ready to meet with the moſt extreame bodily torments. Againe, in the time of his paſsion, what a wonderfull deale of feare was he ſurprized withall, when hee cryed out, My God, my God, why haſt thou forſaken me, Luk. 24.46Luke 24:46yea, and he cryed againe the ſecond time, and gaue vp the ghoſt: whereof mention is made alſo in the Epiſtle to the Hebrewes:verſe 50. In the dayes of his fleſh, hee did offer vp prayers and ſupplications with ſtrong cryings and teares to him that was able to ſaue him from death, Heb. 5.7Heb 5:7and was alſo heard in that which hee feared: whereas weake men hauehave beene vnderunder cruell tormentors hands with vndaunted courage to the aſtoniſhment of the beholders. Now there is no Chriſtian but will acknowledge that Chriſt was ten thouſand times more able to indure any tormēts, then any of the moſt cōſtant Martyrs that hauehave ſuffered for his name: and if hee were without all compariſon more able to beare, whence could it happen that he was preſſed with ſuch ſorrow, heauineſſe, and feare, but for that hee alone ſuffered more then all Martyrs, if all their ſufferings were put together euer ſince righteous Abel to this day. And how could hee ſuffer more, but in his Soule wherein hee felt the wrath of God, which is vnſupportable to men, and Angels? Heereto is added this reaſon alſo,Arg. 2. Chriſt did ſuſtaine the perſon of the faithfull, who without him were all ſubiect, not onelyonly to bodily ſufferings, and death, but to the euerlaſting death of the ſoule: now the only way whereby God is pleaſed to deliuer vsus heerefrom, is by ſending Chriſt to bee in our ſtead, and more or leſſe to ſuffer that, which wee for ſinne ſhould hauehave ſuffered; wherefore it p. 63…s ſaid, Hee was made ſinne for vsus that knew no ſinne, 2. Cor. 5.212 Cor 5:21that wee might be made the righteouſneſſe of God through him. And, Hee tooke fleſh that he might deſtroy through death, him that had the power of death, Heb. 2.14Heb 2:14that is, the Diuell. Therefore Analogie inferreth, that as the Lord Ieſus ſuffered for vsus in body; ſo hee ſuffered in his ſoule alſo, and thereby hath perfectly redeemed vsus in both: but how, and by what particular paſsions hee ſuffered in ſoule, is not reuealed, and therefore by vsus vnutterable. Only wee muſt know that how great ſoeuer his paſsions were, hee did in the end ouercome them all, and by the way, though hee feared, ſweat blood, and cryed out through want of preſent ſenſe, and apprehenſion of the vnion with the diuine nature, yet the diuinity was neuer ſeparated from Chriſt Ieſus, but ſupported him, and made him conquerour ouer all when hee ſeemed to be ouercome.

The Meditation alſo vponupon theſe ſuffering of our Sauiour, is very needfull & profitable to vsus.

Firſt, the remembring Chriſts paſsion in his ſoule,1. Duty. By the remembrance of Chriſts ſufferings, to feare to ſinne. is an antidote to preſerue vsus from ſin. For, though thou be ſo ſtout-hearted, as that no bodily puniſhments can ſcarre thee, from following thy will and reſolution in wickedneſſe: yet, doe but behold Chriſt in his ſpirituall conflict with Gods wrath due to ſinne, ſorrowing, ſweating ſweat of bloud; comfortleſſe, and crying out vponupon his Father without hope, and it will make thee to tremble to thinke, am I forward to commit that which doth thus anger the King of Heauen, that hee would not ſhew any countenance nor fauour, that hee would no whit ſpare, nor regard his owne beloued Son, ſtanding in the roome of ſinners, though his grones and cryes went vp to Heauen. O then, if I doe thus, if I rot in the dregges of my ſinnes, how ſhall I indure his anger? how regardleſſe will hee bee of mee when I ſhall in my need cry for mercy? Surely, I ſhall with Eſau be ſent away empty,Heb. 12.16Heb 12:16 though I ſeeke the bleſſing with teares.

2. Duty. Joy in all bodily ſufferings.Secondly, it begeteth an exceeding contentment and comfort in all our ſickneſſes, bodily pangs and ſufferings, Chriſt Ieſus hath endured greater pangs then any of this kind can be, our ſins deſerue greater then theſe. Wherefore, as a p. 64poore priſoner in for ſome capitall crime, but againe releaſed for his life, and onelyonly chaſtized with ſome few ſtripes, will reioyce in the middeſt of theſe his petty ſufferings, remembring what hee hath eſcaped: So wee, being in miſery in this world, but deliuered from the euerlaſting torments due vntounto vsus for our offences, cannot but reioyce in the middeſt heereof, ſeeing wee hauehave eſcaped that miſery, ten thouſand times greater.

Yet I ſincerely confeſſe that though theſe reaſons and motiues bee yeelded vntounto, as prouing the truth of this doctrine; namely, that Chriſt did thus ſuffer in ſoule; yet they inforce not, that this muſt be the ſenſe of this Article. There are many true poſitions in Diuinity concerning the actions and paſsions of our ſauiour, which are not euident Articles of faith, nor directly intended by any parcell of the Creed. So then, I neither preſſe vponupon any mans iudgement heerein, nor obtrude mine owne; but rather referre both my ſelfe and my Reader to the iudgement of the more learned in our Church.

Queſt. 27. Is this all the humiliation of the Sonne of God for our redemption? Did hee no way elſe abaſe himſelfe for vsus?

Anſw. Yes, hee became obedient to the Law alſo, that by his obedience and righteouſneſſe, wee might ſtand righteous in the ſight of God.

Chriſt obedient to the Law.Explan. Howſoeuer this bee not expreſſed in the Creede, yet is it implicitely ſet downe, in that he is ſaid to bee made man, borne of the Virgin Mary, and to hauehave ſuffered, that is, to hauehave beene obedient to ſufferings: for, being man, hee is vnderunder the Law,Gal. 4.…Gal 4 as witneſſeth the Apoſtle, God ſent his Sonne made of a woman and made vnderunder the Law, that hee might redeeme thoſe that were vnderunder the Law: and becomming obedient, euen vntounto the death of the Croſſe, his obedience to the will of his Father cannot but be admirable: and S. Paul ſeemeth hence to extoll it,Phil. 2.8.Phil 2:8 ſaying, Hee became obedient to the death, euen to the death of the Croſſe. And that which may thus be gathered from the words of this confeſsion, is plainely teſtified in ſundry p. 65places. Firſt, that hee obeyed the whole Law of God, and then, that hee did this for vsus, that wee might be accepted for obedient and righteous. That hee obeyed the whole Law of God, is teſtified, both generally,Math. 5.17.Matt 5:17 I came not (ſaith hee) to diſſolue the Law and the Prophets, but to fulfill them. And againe, as hath beene already ſhewed, in that he was vnblameable, and without ſpot, and no man could accuſe him of ſinne: and particularly, for that no duty required by the law morall, or ceremoniall, was omitted by him. The louelove of God required by the morall Law, did ſhew it ſelfe in him, when hee whipt thoſe out that bought and ſold in his houſe, and when hee verified that Propheſie, The zeale of thy houſe hath eaten me vp. The louelove of man in him aboundantly appeared, in his vnweariable going about to doe good, in his free healing of diſeaſes, and caſting of Diuels out, and in his compaſsionate feeding of thouſands, ſundry times in the wilderneſſe, being like otherwiſe, to periſh. Againe, for the ceremoniall Law, He was circumciſed the eighth day, and his name called Ieſus: Luc. 2.21.22. &c.Luke 2:21Luke 2:22when the dayes of his mothers purification were accompliſhed, he was preſented in the Temple, & an oblation offered for him according to the Law. When hee had clenſed the ten Leapers, hee bad them goe,Luc. 5.12.Luke 5:12 and offer their guift, which was commanded by the Law of Moſes, and ſo he did euer, when hee had clenſed any. Hee kept the Sabboths of the Iewes,Math 26. Heb. 9.28.Matt 26Heb 9:28 hee frequented the Temple and kept the Paſſeouer: and laſtly, being an high Prieſt hee ſacrificed himſelfe vponupon the Altar of the Croſſe, for the ſinnes of his people. All this hee did and that neceſſarily, becauſe the firſt Tabernacle was yet ſtanding, nothing ceremoniall was diſanulled, vntill the rent of the vaile in the Temple, at his death, and therefore hee could not hauehave beene perfectly righteous, had hee omitted any of theſe things.

Chriſt fulfils the law for vsus. 1 Cor. ….20.Secondly, hee did all this for vsus, that wee ſinfull creatures might become righteous through him, according to that, Hee is made of God vntounto vsus wiſedome, righteouſneſſe, ſanctification, and redemption. And in another place,2 Cor 5.2 Cor 5 That wee might bee made the righteouſneſſe of God through him. And more largely to the Romanes, That which was impoſsible to the Law, Rom. 8 3.Rom 8:3in as much as it was weake, becauſe of the fleſh, God ſending his owne Sonne in the ſimilitude p. 66of ſinfull fleſh, condemned ſin in the fleſh, that that righteouſnes of the Law might be fulfilled in vsus: that is, that Ieſus Chriſt his freedome from ſinne, and perfect righteouſneſſe in keeping the Law, might turne vntounto vsus to righteouſneſſe. We could not keepe the Law, neither can we perfectly, as is declared at large, in the ſeuenth to the Romanes, and many other places: Now it is not enough then for vsus, to obtaine eternall life, that the Lord Ieſus ſhould beare the puniſhments due to our ſinnes, but he muſt alſo fulfill the Law for vsus, according to that, Doe this, and liue.

1. Duty. Cheerefulnes in ſtriuing to keepe the Law.The duties, which we muſt performe to ſhew our faith in this, are theſe. Firſt, cheerefulneſſe in ſtriuing to fulfill the will and Law of God, in all things: for though we be vnprofitable ſeruants, when we hauehave done what we can, yet this is our comfort, that through our Lord Ieſus, wee are good ſeruants, that wherein we are wanting, he hath fulfilled for vsus. A ſcholler is commanded to make ſuch an exerciſe, as hee is no way able to doe: a ſeruant is bidden to carry ſuch a burthen, as he hath no ſtrength, or power vntounto: Now, this may vtterly diſcomfort both the one and the other, and becauſe they knowe they ſhall vndergoe ſtripes, what paines ſoeuer they take, it may iuſtly harden their hearts againſt al paines: but admit, that the ſcholler hath a friend to helpe him that the ſeruant knowes, how otherwiſe to prouide for his carriage, they will readily, and with a good cheere, goe about their taskes appointed vntounto them. We are the Lords ſchollers, we are the Lords ſeruants, the exerciſes appointed vsus bee too hard, our burthens too heauy: but we hauehave here a ſufficient friend that helpes vsus, one whoſe ſhoulders are ready to be put vnderunder eueryevery burthen, that ouerlodes vsus; Oh then, how readily ſhould we goe about our taskes, how cheerefully ſhould wee ſtriue to doe whatſoeuer the Lord hath appointed vsus: ſeeing, that in ſo doing, we ſhall aſſuredly pleaſe him, and hauehave a bountifull reward, euen euerlaſting life. They of the Church of Rome are afraid, that by teaching this, all good workes would be neglected, and therefore make men beleeue, that they may perfectly keepe the Law; yea, and doe workes of ſupererrogation alſo, more then the Law requireth at their p. 67hands; but you may eaſily perceiue, by that which hath beene ſaid, how little cauſe there is of any ſuch feare. The ſonnes of Belial indeede, men without all grace, growe ſecure hereupon, and endeauour to doe nothing themſelues, becauſe Chriſt hath done all for them: but they are fowly deceiued, as they ſhall finde to their coſt another day. The Apoſtle ſaith not ſimply, He hath fulfilled the Law for vsus, Rom. 8.4.Rom 8:4but with this addition, which walke not after the fleſh, but after the ſpirit: that is, for vsus, which would faine be righteous, and keepe the Law our ſelues, but through the weakneſſe of the fleſh, are not able, hee hath done nothing therefore for theſe ſecure perſons.

2. Duty. To rely onelyonly vponupon Chriſt.The ſecond duty, is to caſt out the anchor of our hope of eternall life, onelyonly vponupon the righteouſneſſe of Chriſt Ieſus, and not vponupon any merits of our owne, no not whereunto we are inabled, by the merits of Chriſt Ieſus. For, as hee ſaide vntounto Paul, My grace is ſufficient for thee, 2. Cor. 12.2 Cor 12ſo may it be ſaid of his merits and righteouſneſſe. His righteouſneſſe is ſufficient for vsus. Either it alone muſt make vsus righteous, or not at all, that muſt not doe ſomewhat, and our owne righteouſnes ſomewhat, the Lord will admit no ſuch partnerſhip:Rom. 11.6.Rom 11:6 But if it be of grace, it is no more of workes, ſaith hee, elſe were grace no grace: if of workes, it is no more of grace, elſe were worke no more worke. Our good workes are ordained of God, as a way to eternall life, Epheſ 2.10. verſe 9.Eph 2:10that we ſhould walke in them: they merit nothing, leſt any man ſhould boaſt. Let the Roman Catholiques therefore ſit at anchor here, if they will, let them build their hope vponupon this ſandy foundation: but let vsus ſticke faſt, and remaine vnmoueable vponupon the rocke Chriſt Ieſus, let vsus looke for the ſweetning of all our imperfect good workes, from the perfume of his righteouſneſſe, that thus wee may be ſure to be accepted before God his Father, at the laſt day.

Queſt. 28. In which wordes is his exaltation ſet downe, and how many be the degrees hereof?

Anſw. In theſe words. The third day hee roſe againe from the dead, and aſcended into Heauen, he ſitteth on the right hand of God p. 68the Father Almighty, and from thence he ſhall come, to iudge both the quicke and the dead. And of this, there be three degrees alſo.

Queſt. 29. Which is the firſt, and in which words?

Anſw. Firſt, In that he aroſe againe from death to life, and aſcended vp into Heauen. In theſe words. The third day he aroſe againe from the dead, and aſcended vp into Heauen.

Two branches of the fift Article.Explan. As the Lord Ieſus, taking vponupon him the worke of our redemption, was greatly humbled, as hath beene ſhewed, ſo when this worke was finiſhed, he was againe highly exalted, and looke by what ſteps of humiliation he deſcended, by the like alſo he aſcended, till he came to the height of his glory, beginning firſt to riſe from the loweſt, in that out of the nethermoſt earth, he goeth vp to the higheſt Heauens. Of this Article there be two branches▪ The third day hee aroſe againe from the dead, is the firſt: He aſcended vp into Heauen, is the ſecond. Concerning the firſt. Being laid into the Sepulchre by Ioſeph of Arimathea, and a great ſtone rolled to the doore of the Sepulchre, a watch alſo was ſet to keepe his body, leſt his Diſciples ſtould come by night, and ſteale it away, and ſay, He is riſen againe: being, I ſay, thus ſtrongly guarded, he is not hereby hindered, but powerfully riſeth, and commeth forth of the Sepulchre, the third day after his buriall, which was the Lords day, or firſt day of the weeke, as he had foretold vntounto his Diſciples. Proofe for the grounds of holy Scripture,Math. 28. Mark. 16. Ioh. 20. Luk. 24.Matt 28Mark 16John 20Luke 24 from whence this is taken, the hiſtory recorded by the foure Euangeliſts, doth plainely declare thus much; who doe all ſet forth his riſing againe, with the circumſtances thereof. Generally, this time was the time of the Paſſeouer, to ſhew, that the true Paſchall Lambe was now come into the world, and the religious killing of all other lambs, as meerely a figuratiue, and ſhadowing ceremony, ſhould now ceaſe, the ſubſtance it ſelfe being now preſent. Againe, it was the firſt monethmonth, about the middeſt of it, which anſwereth to our March, wherein in this Northern Hemiſphere of the world the pleaſant ſpring doth begin, to ſhew, that the earth did in her kind reioyce, to receiue the Lord reuiued from the dead, according to that of Melancthon:

p. 69Melancth.Ecce renaſcentis teſtatur gratia mundi,

Omnia cum Domino dona red ſſe ſuo.

See how the worlds grace reuiu'd doth ſhew:

With the Lord of all, all gifts return'd anew.

Gal 5 2.Gal 5:2Thirdly, it was early in the morning, before the Sun, to ſhew that a brighter Sun, the Sun of righteouſneſſe, was riſen to the world. Fourthly, it was the firſt day of the weeke, when he had lyen all the Iewes Sabboth in the graue, to ſhewe, that they are dead ſtill vntounto Chriſt, that keepe their holy reſts vponupon that day, as is ſpoken of circumciſion, If ye be circumciſed, Chriſt profiteth you nothing: and to ſhew, that a greater worke was now ended, then the creator of the world, viz. the redemption of the world: and that, as vnderunder the creation, the Lords reſting day from that great worke, was the Sabboth of Gods people: ſo, vnderunder the redemption, Chriſts reſurrection day, and of ending a greater worke, became their Sabboth, to endure to the worlds end. Fiftly, it was the third day after his death and buriall; no ſooner to ſhew, that hee was truly dead, without all deceit: no later, leſt through his longer tarrying, the faith of his Diſciples ſhould turne into deſpaire. Now, that he did riſe againe indeed, and that he was not taken away out of his ſepulcher (as the Iewes, his enemies, would make the world beleeue) is diuerſly teſtified; and ſo fully, as that it were ſhamefull impudency to deny it. Firſt, he himſelfe foretold thus much, ſometime darkely.Ioh. 16.16.John 16:16 Yet a little while, and ye ſhall not ſee me, and a little while againe, and yee ſhall ſee me. Sometime plainely.Math. 12.40.Matt 12:40 As Ionah was three dayes and three nights in the Whales belly, ſo muſt the Sonne of man be in the heart of the earth. Sometime againe more plainely,Math. 17.12 23.Matt 17:12 The Son of man ſhall be deliuered into the hands of ſinners, and be crucified, and ſlaine, and riſe againe the third day. Secondly, as he foretold, ſo that it came to paſſe the Angels doe witneſſe, He is riſen, he is not here, Luk. 24.6.Luke 24:6ſaide they vntounto the women that came to imbalme him, Remember how be ſpake vntounto you, when he was yet in Galilee. Thirdly,Ioh. 20.18.John 20:18 Mary Magdalen, Who came and told the Diſciples, that ſhe had ſeene the Lord, and that he had ſpoken vntounto her, and other deuout women, that followed him to the Croſſe, concerning whom Cleopas, in his conference with the Lord, ſaith,Luk. 24.22.23. &c.Luke 24:22Luke 24:23 Certaine women made v… p. 70aſtonied, ſaying, that they had ſeene a viſion of Angels, which ſaid that he was aliue. Now by the way is to be noted, that women firſt of all, of mankind, were vouchſafed this ioyful ſight of Chriſt riſen againe, and chiefly ſhe, which had bin the fowleſt ſinner, Mary Magdalen, I meane not Mary the bleſſed Virgin: to intimate vntounto vsus, that our comfort in Chriſt his reſurrection, comes not to any, in regard of their own worthines any way; for then, he would firſt hauehave called man to teſtifie the ſame, who is the head,1. Cor. 11.1 Cor 11 the image, and glory of God; or if not man, ſome excellent woman, ſuch as Mary the Virgin, or Elizabeth, or if not ſome ſo excellent, one at the leaſt, not noted for ſome great fault: But whereas hee doth cleane contrariwiſe, hee ſhewes, that as no vnworthineſſe paſt can hinder vsus of Gods grace in Chriſt: ſo no worthineſſe in vsus being naturall can further the ſame. Fourthly, the very enemies of Chriſt, the wicked ſouldiers that watched at his ſepulcher, they came into the City,Math. 28.11.12.Matt 28:11Matt 28:12 and ſhewed the High Prieſts how they were affrighted with the Angels, and Chriſt his comming out of the ſepulcher: but they had large money giuen them, to ſay, that whilſt they ſlept, his Diſciples came and ſtole him away. Which their report did not diſproue their firſt teſtimony, becauſe ſo manifeſt a lye: For 1. it was contrary to their knowledge, and notice giuen to the High Prieſts: and againe, the very words conuince them of lying, inſomuch, as that they ſay, Whilſt we ſlept his Diſciples ſtole him away: for if they ſlept, how durſt they hauehave confeſſed it: their charge of watching being ſo ſtrict: & if it were true that they ſlept, how could they ſay, what was done in the time of their ſleepe? Fiftly, we hauehave many witneſſes at once of his Diſciples,Ioh. 20.25.John 20:25 hee appeared to ten of them being together in one roome, and the doore ſhut, to the very day of his reſurrection, who certified Thomas, then abſent, hereof; and becauſe he was then incredulous, eight dayes after,verſe 26.27. he ſhewed himſelfe againe, when Thomas was amongſt them alſo, who feeling, and ſeeing the prints of his hands, and feet, and ſide, made with the nayles, and ſpeare, cryed out, My Lord, and my God. Moreouer, hee ouertooke two of his other Diſciples, the ſame day wherein he aroſe, as they were trauelling to Emmaus, and after much conference p. 71manifeſted himſelfe vntounto them; who ſo deſires to finde more witneſſes, may ſee the 21. of Iohn, the firſt of the Acts, and 1. Cor. 15.6 &c. And the ſame was long before typically ſet foorth in Adam, caſt into a dead ſleepe, whileſt the woman was taken out of his ſide, and then wakening againe: after which manner, Chriſt ſleeping by death, had his ſide wounded, whereout came water and bloud (which giuegive the very being to his Spouſe, the Church) and then after a while, he reuiued againe. Then was it ſet foorth in Iſaac, whom his Father Abraham receiued, in a manner, from the dead, being bound, and laid vponupon the wood, for a ſacrifice. Ionah was caſt out of the Whales belly the third day, when he had beene before in the bottome of the deepe. And thus much for the teſtimonies and proofes of this clauſe

For the duties ariſing from this Faith; they are two: Firſt,1. Duty. To liue, as at peace with God. Rom. 4. & Chap. 5.1. Epheſ. 2Rom 4Eph 2 to liue as thoſe, that be at peace with God; For, as he dyed for our ſinnes, ſo hee roſe againe for our Iuſtification, and being iuſtified by faith, we hauehave peace with God: before, wee were enemies, and ſo much at varience, as that we are ſaid, to hauehave beene without God in the world; but now, this difference is taken away, and we are throughly reconciled. Now, that we may liue as ſuch, we muſt practice theſe foure things. Firſt, contentation,Rom. 5.2Rom 5:2 and ioy in tribulation, as is added in the ſame place, not onelyonly hauehave we peace with God, but reioyce in tribulation: the Prophet Eſay ſaith, that He gaue his cheeke to the nippers, Eſa. 50.8Isa 50:8and his back to the pinchers for the Lord God, ſaith he, will helpe me: and if the Lord will helpe vsus, what can hurt vsus, if he be on our ſide, may we ſay with the Apoſtle, Who can be againſt vsus? Secondly,Rom. 8.33.Rom 8:33 becauſe our felicity ſtands in the continuāce of this peace, we muſt by all meanes remoue whatſoeuer may breake it, and becauſe ſinne ſeperates betwixt our God and vsus, Eſa. 59.1.2Isa 59:1Isa 59:2wee muſt remoue this chiefely farre from vsus. Thirdly, becauſe ſtrang…neſſe may eaſily breake off peace & louelove, and familiarity encreaſeth it and cuts off occaſions if any ariſe: we muſt hauehave our Ligier-Ambaſſadors, as it were, lying in the Court of Heauen for vsus, viz. our prayers by which we may obtaine the continuance of this, and if any contrary occaſion be offered, cut it off. Wherefore wee are often warned of this, Pray continually, and in all things giuegive thankes, 1 Theſ. 5.17.1 Thess 5:17and Chriſt p. 72by Parables ſhewes often,Luc. 16.28Luke 16:28 that we ſhould pray importunatly, and without wearineſſe: for, eueryevery day there cannot but bee occaſions offered, on our part of breaking this peace, wee being ſo weake, and ſubiect to fall, therefore eueryevery day muſt our prayers aſcend to the heauens. Fourthly, becauſe God hath his Ambaſſadors of Peace, the Miniſters of Gods Word amongſt vsus, we muſt vſe them reuerently, and redily hearken to all good motions, which they ſhall make vntounto vsus on Gods part: leſt the Lord, ſeeing our baſe vſage of them, and our regardleſneſſe of ſuch wholeſome inſtructions, as they offer vntounto vsus in his name, grow angry, and refuſe to keepe any more peace with vsus. We muſt therefore take into our mouthes,Rom. 10.14Rom 10:14 that of the Prophet, How beautifull are the feet of thoſe, that bring glad tydings of peace, and glad tidings of good things. We muſt yeelde thoſe, that labour in the World double honour, 1 Tim. 5.171 Tim 5:17as the Apoſtle ſaith, they are worthy.

2. Duty. To riſe vp to newneſſe of life. Rom. 6.4Rom 6:4The ſecond duty ariſing hence, is to riſe vp to a holy and new life from the death of ſinne, as Chriſt our Lord aroſe from death to life: Like as Chriſt was raiſed vp from the dead, to the glory of the Father, ſo ſhould we alſo walke in newneſſe of life; yea, we muſt doe this if we would not hauehave the ſecond death, to rule ouer vsus, according to that diuine voyce.Reuel. 20.6Rev 20:6 Bleſſed, and holy is he, that hath part in the firſt reſurrection, for ouer ſuch the ſecond death hath no power, Now, as our firſt life, viz. our naturall, hath certaine ſignes, as breath, warmth, motion, &c whereby it is knowne: ſo hath this ſecond, our ſpirituall life, and theſe ſignes are chiefly foure. Firſt, an heauenly minde: If yee be riſen with Chriſt, ſeek thoſe things which are aboue, Signes of a new life. Col 3.1Col 3:1where Chriſt Ieſus ſits at the right hand of God, &c. For if the minde be ſtill plodding vponupon the earth, and earthly things, if the thoughts be altogether bent this way, how is there any riſing, if the foode that periſheth be ſtill moſt ſought after, how is there another kinde of life, the meanes of ſuſtaining it being neglected; wherefore Saint Peter willeth ſuch, as be riſen to a new life,1 Peter 2.21 Pet 2:2 As new borne Babes, to deſire the ſincere milke of the word, that they may growe thereby. Secondly, an holy and innocent life: for ſuch onelyonly are riſen with Chriſt, as hauehave put on Chriſt,Eph. 4.14Eph 4:14 as hauehave put on the new man, which after God is created in righteouſneſſe and true holineſſe. They which are ſtill the old men they were, if they were vnholy, vnholy ſtill, if vile, vile p. 73ſtill; they, I ſay, are not riſen to a new life, they are not ranged into the order of true Chriſtians, our captaine Chriſt hath put all his Souldiers into an other faſhion. They are blameleſſe, and pure, Phil. 2.15Phil 2:15and the Sonnes of God in the middeſt of a naughty and crooked nation without rebuke. Thirdly, greater ioy in the grace of God through Ieſus Chriſt, then in any thing, either of pleaſure, or profit, in this world, becauſe worldly things are olde, ioy in them is paſt, now we are come to liue a new life, as hee which is preferred from a poore Farmer, to be Lord of great poſſeſsions: he is now a new man, he ioyes not in his Farme which he had vnderunder others, it delights him not, that he had ſuch a poore common Eſtate, but in this his new aduancement is his comfort. So we (being riſen from an old life to a new, from a naturall to a ſpirituall with Chriſt, from the life of the Children of wrath, and of ſinnes ſeruants to the life of the Sonnes of God,) cannot but ioy onelyonly in this, in regard of exceeding ioy, and we cannot but accompt all things droſſe and dung, with the Apoſtle, in compariſon of the excellent knowledge of Ieſus Chriſt,Phil. 3.8Phil 3:8 and of him crucified, and riſen againe. Wee cannot but compt it meat and drinke vntounto vsus with our bleſſed Sauiour,Iohn 4.34John 4:34 when we are thus doing the will of our Father, viz. in workes of holineſſe. Fourthly, growth, and increaſe in ſanctification; for nothing which begins to liue and is like to come to perfection, and to continue, is without growth; no more is any man, which begins to liue a new life in holineſſe, he is not forward herein to day, and backeward to morrow, a babe for knowledge, and practice this yeare, and a babe an whole yeere, or ſeuen yeares hence: but he goeth forward, & groweth in grace,2 Pet. 3 18 Iohn 15.12 Pet 3:18John 15:1 and in the knowledge of Ieſus Chriſt, as St. Peter exhorteth vsus to doe. He is a branch of the Vine Chriſt, which ſhooteth much foorth in a ſhort time,Pſal. 1, 1.2Ps 1:1Ps 1:2 he is a tree planted by the waters ſide, and not ſome ſhrub comming vp vponupon the drie heath. If theſe things be ſo, what a nullity of Faith is there in moſt men? when there be onelyonly words to expreſſe it, That Chriſt our head roſe againe the third day, &c. but it is plainely diſproued in deedes, by want of this newneſſe of life.

And hitherto of the firſt branch of this Article, now follows the other. He aſcended vp into heauen, For the meaning. Hee being reuiued from the dead (his ſoule comming againe into his body) walked heere a while vponupon earth for the ſpace of forty p. 74daies, eating and drinking ſometimes with his Diſciples, not for any neede of ſuſtenance, but for more aſſurance of his reſurrection, and offering his body to be felt, and handled, comforting and inſtructing them, and then in the open ſight of them all, he went vp body and ſoule into the heauens, they looking and maruelling at it.

Proofe.For the grounds hereof. Sundry times was it foretold, by many types was it prefigured, and by ſundry witneſſes ſoundly teſtified. It was foretold by Dauid Thou art aſcēded vp on high, Pſal. 68.18Ps 68:18thou haſt lead captiuity captiue, & giuen gifts vntounto men; and Chriſt himſelfe ſpake hereof to his Diſciples both before his ſuffering, I go to prepare a place for you; Iohn 14.2John 14:2in my Fathers houſe are many dwelling places, and I goe my way, and will come againe & receiue you to my ſelfe, that where I am, Ioh 20.17John 20:17there yee may be alſo, and after, I aſcended to my Father, and to your Father, to my God, and to your God. And the ſame was prefigured in Enoch, Gen. 5.24Gen 5:24the ſeuenth from Adam; who is ſaid to hauehave walked with God, and to hauehave beene taken away from amongſt men: and in Elias the Prophet, who, whileſt he was walking, and talking with Eliſha his ſeruant,2 King. 22 Kgs 2 was taken vp into heauen in a fiery Charriot; and alſo in Moſes, who though he did not aſcend vp to heauen as the other, yet he is ſaid to hauehave gone vp vponupon an high Mountaine, the mount Nebo, and his body was afterwards ſeen no more vponupon earth.Deut. 34Deut 34 Wherefore he is brought in with Elias conferring with Chriſt, vponupon the Mount Tabor, at the time of Transfiguration; that the Types, and Antitype as it were, might meete altogether before Chriſts aſcenſion. Laſtly Saint Luke ſetteth downe,Acts 1.12Acts 1:12 how he aſcended, with the circumſtances before ſpoken of, and that two Angels like men, in white apparell, asked the Diſciples, who were looking vp to heauen, after that he was aſcended from them. Why ſtand yee gazing into heauen? this Ieſus, which is gone vp into heauen, ſhall ſo come, as yee hauehave ſeene him goe vp to heauen. Epheſ. 4.10Eph 4:10And Saint Paul ſaith, Hee is aſcended farre aboue all heauens, viz. all viſible heauens to the higheſt, where the throne of God is, yea, Steuen the firſt Martyr addeth, and ſaith,Acts 7.56Acts 7:56 I ſee the heauens open, and the Sonne of Man ſtanding at the right hand of God: and hee did once more yet manifeſt himſelfe to Saul a perſecutor to be there, when hee called from heauen vntounto him,Acts 9.4Acts 9:4 ſaying, Saul, Saul, why perſecuteſt thou mee? p. 75which indeed did wonderfully confirme this thing, euen to vnbeleeuers, for that ſo forward a perſecutor was ſuddenly heerevpon turned to be a moſt zealous Preacher, for that hee which hated Chriſt, did ſet forth Chriſt his reſurrection, and aſcenſion vp into heauen, in eueryevery place where he came. And wee are chiefly to gather all teſtimonies about this matter, becauſe that ſeducers and coozeners (who would make the world beleeue that themſelues were ſome great perſons, when they hauehave done many and great matters, hauehave altogether failed in this laſt act of riſing from the dead, and going vp to heauen, peculiar indeed to the Sonne of God alone. Such was Simon Magus a Coniurer, who by his inchauntments much hindred the Goſpell, and aduanced himſelfe, and made the world beleeue, that after his beheading, hee made himſelfe aliue againe: but when hee by his impoſtures, made a proffer to aſcend to heauen alſo in the ſight of many, hee fell downe againe, and breaking his necke, miſerably ended his dayes. Such alſo was Mahomet the great Prophet of the Turkes. Hee commanded that his body ſhould be kept from buriall vntill the third day after his death, promiſing that he would then reuiue againe; but it being kept not onelyonly to the third, but to the thirtieth, euen till a moſt horrible ſtinch came from him, no ſuch thing appeared, onelyonly they put his body in an Iron coffer, which hangeth vponupon the top of his Temple by the vertue of Loadſtones, to the deceiuing of ſimple people to this day. Like to theſe, are all falſe Chriſts, that lewdly hauehave taken vponupon them this honour. OnelyOnly this, our bleſſed Sauiour as hee was wonderfull in his life, ſo was hee in his death; whatſoeuer hee promiſed, hee did accordingly, euen after his death performe.

1. Duty. To doe the duties of our calling. Eph. 4 8.Eph 4:8The duties whereby wee are to ſhew our faith in this, are two, Firſt, to doe the duties of our callings, without pretending any want of ability heerevnto: for he aſcended vp on high, as witneſſeth the Pſalmiſt, to giuegive guifts to men, which is alſo applyed by the Apoſtle, ſaying, He gaue guifts to men. Now theſe guifts are ſuch, as be fit for their callings,Act. 2.Acts 2 as is ſhewed in the hiſtory of the holy Ghoſt comming downe vponupon his diſciples, ten dayes after his aſcention in the ſhape and likeneſſe p. 76of fiery tongues, accompanied with the ruſhing as it were of a mighty winde: at what time they were made able to ſpeake all languages, according to their office of preaching in all countries among men of diuers languages, and indued with zeale, to goe through with their Apoſtolicall function. And as any more were added to the fellowſhip of the Apoſtles, they were in like manner fitted with guifts needfull, as Saul, who before his conuerſion was an enemy, but now a friend to the Goſpell, before ignorant of theſe diuine myſteries; but now in knowledge not inferiour to the very chiefe Apoſtles: for hee learned nothing of any, as hee ſaith, no not of Peter, Gal. 1. &c.Gal 1Iames and Iohn: and as many more as the Lord had imployment for in his Church, through the holy Ghoſt were wonderfully inabled thereunto. Wherefore apply thy ſelfe in what calling ſoeuer thou art placed, to walke worthy of it, pretend not inſufficiency for a cloake of idleneſſe; for ſo thou diſparageſt the vertue of Chriſts aſcenſion, that ſaid, It is neceſſary that I goe away from you; for if I depart I will ſend the comforter vntounto you: And when hee is come which is the ſpirit of truth, Ioh. 16.7. verſ. 13.John 16:7he will leade you into all truth, &c. If thou bee a Miniſter, then neglect not thy office, plead not want of leyſure, want of memory, want of ability to preach the word, and to bee inſtant in ſeaſon and out of ſeaſon, for the ſpirit inables thee againſt all theſe: if thou bee a maſter of a family, neglect not the office of a maiſter,Deut. 6.Deut 6 plead not ignorance, diſuſe incombrance of many buſineſſes hindring thee from reading or ſpeaking of the law of God to thy family, from catechizing thy children and ſeruants, from praying with them, or examining the Sermons which they hauehave heard. As thou art a common Chriſtian, fauour not thy ſelfe in thy weakneſſes and ſinnes, Plead not that eueryevery man is ſubiect to ſinne, and hath his infirmity to bee hindred from mortifying thy corruptions, to make thee reſt contented with ſome clog of ſinne ſtill hanging on. If thou bee a Magiſtrate, neglect not cauſes that come before thee, vponupon pretence that thou haſt not from God the guift of wiſedome and diſcerning: but aboue all, take heed that thou bee not ouertaken with guifts from men, which blinde the eyes of the wiſe, and will hinder p. 77thee from executing iuſtice and iudgement, from deliuering the poore and oppreſſed. And ſo let all others of what eſtate or degree ſoeuer, feare to colour ouer their negligences with the pretext of inſufficiencie: for Chriſt, that ſets them in their eſtates and places, hath aſcended and obtained gifts fit for them all: either therefore thou art an intruder, and neuer called to ſuch eſtate; or elſe in ſome meaſure fitted with guifts for thy calling, and ſtill obtaineſt increaſe by ſeeking: According to that, If any man …ant wiſedome, let him aske it of God, who giueth liberally &c.

2. Duty: Iam. 1.5. To liue as ſtrangers here.Jas 1:5The ſecond duty is, to carry our ſelues as ſtrangers in this world, all the time of our abiding heere, becauſe our head Chriſt Ieſus is in heauen; another world as it were, vntounto which wee alſo doe belong, ſo many as beleeue in his name; of this the Apoſtle ſpeaketh thus,1. Theſ. 4.14.1 Thess 4:14 If wee beleeue that Ieſus is dead and riſen euen ſo they that ſleepe in Ieſus, will God bring with him: and both of theſe, and of them, that ſhall bee liuing at his comming to iudgement, hee ſaith,verſ. 17. Wee ſhall bee caught vp in the cloudes, to meet the Lord in the ayre, and ſo ſhall wee euer bee with the Lord. Our country then is Heauen, the place of our abode is prouided there where Chriſt is, and hath beene euer ſince his aſcenſion, according as himſelfe ſpeaketh:Ioh. 14.2.3.John 14:2John 14:3 In my fathers houſe there bee many dwelling places, and I goe to prepare a place for you, that where I am, there yee may bee alſo. 15.19.For this cauſe is it that he tells Chriſtians, that they are not of this world, and we are ſaid to be Pilgrimes and ſtrangers heere, as they which are ſo much commended for their faith, Abraham, Sara, Iſaack, Iaacob, Moſes, &c. Concerning whom it is written, that they ſaw, that they were Pilgrimes, and ſtrangers vponupon earth, Heb. 11.13.14.15.16.Heb 11:13Heb 11:14Heb 11:15Heb 11:16by which they declared, that they ſought a countrey, which is a better then their owne, an heauenly one, a City which God hath prepared for them.

To liue like ſtrangers, what required. 2 Cor. 5.2. Phil. 1.17.2 Cor 5:2Phil 1:17Now then, that we may carry our ſelues as ſtrangers here, foure things are required: Firſt, wee muſt long after our Countrey and City, heauen: as S. Paul ſaith in the name of all beleeuers; Wee ſigh, deſiring to bee cloathed with our houſe, which is from heauen, and particularly of himſelfe, Deſiring to be diſſolued and to bee with Chriſt, which is beſt of all. If wee put our p. 78ſelues vponupon a iourney into a place farre from our own home; eſpecially, if the wife goeth from her deare husband, or children from their louing Parents, wee hauehave a longing deſire to bee at home againe, and the rather, if wee be hardly vſed abroad, and vndergoe many dangers: but we are heere abſent From God our louing Father, and from Ieſus Chriſt our deare Husband, in a world of miſeries, and which hateth vsus; oh, how can wee then but long to bee at home with them.

Pſal. 62.10. 1. Ioh. 2.15.Ps 62:101 John 2:15Secondly, wee muſt not care any more, nor be more in louelove with the goods and poſſeſsions of this world, then trauellers, that come to Innes of beſt entertainment, and richly furniſhed, are in louelove with them: but as they vſe them for their neceſsity, a night and away, not further regarding any thing they finde there: So muſt wee vſe things of this world; If riches increaſe, according to Dauids counſell, wee muſt not ſet our hearts thereon. If wee hauehave the world, as S. Iohn aduiſeth, wee muſt not louelove it, nor the things of the world, but vſe it, as it is ſaid in another place, as though wee vſed it not.

2. Theſ. 3.6.2 Thess 3:6Thirdly, as men vponupon their trauaile in ſtrange places, are very inquiſitiue for the right way, and will now and then be at the coſt to hire a guide, but wil not aſſociate themſelues with eueryevery company, but be choice in this regard: ſo muſt wee euer bee carefull of our way to heauen, inquire for the right at Gods word, and his faithfull miniſters, and rather then faile bee at coſt this way, and not company with lewd perſons, leſt wee be ſeduced by them, either through errour, if they bee heretiques, or through vice, if otherwiſe wicked.

Fourthly, as they which bee in a ſtrange countrey, doe comfort themſelues, in all the miſery which they indure, becauſe they hope, yea long to bee at home againe, and to be recompenced for this, with the louelove of their friends congratulating their returne, and all other pleaſing contentments, which they wanted abroad: ſo muſt wee in the middeſt of all our ſufferings bee comfortable, remembring that we are in a ſtrange countrey: when wee ſhall returne to our Fathers houſe (vntounto which time it will not be long) wee ſhall bee p. 79recompenced with ioyes vnſpeakable. Thus did Moſes, when hee might hauehave had the pleaſures of Pharaohs court, and liued like a Kings ſonne: Hee choſe rather, Heb. 11.25.26. Phil. 4.4.Heb 11:25Heb 11:26Phil 4:4to ſuffer affliction with Gods people for hee had reſpect to the recompence of reward. And for this is it that we are exhorted, alwayes to reioyce, and to reioyce againe, for that the comming of the Lord is at hand, at which time wee ſhall bee taken vp to our owne countrey, and euer remaine with that Lord. And heere is added by S. Peter a fit thing,1. Pet. 2.11.1 Pet 2:11 viz. As Pilgrimes and ſtrangers, to abſtaine from fleſhly luſts that fight againſt the ſoule, which as vtter enemies doe their indeuour to hinder vsus, and to keepe vsus out of our Soules Countrey. Euen as a woman that is taken vp with a delight in ſtrangers louelove, growes out of fauour with her husband, and is for this iuſtly diuorced from him: ſo, whoſoeuer is taken vp with fleſhly luſts, either by couetouſneſſe, or vncleanneſſe, or ſurfetting and riot, &c. procures ſuch diſlike at the hands of our iealous Lord, as that hee ſhall for euer be kept from comming at him.

Queſt. 39. Which is the ſecond degree of his exaltation, and in which words?

Anſw. Secondly, he hath all honor, power, and authority in heauen, and in earth together with God the Father. In theſe words, Hee ſitteth at the right hand of God the Father almighty.

Explan. In this Anſwere is ſet downe the very meaning of this Article, containing the ſecond degree of his exaltation, the ſecond ſtep of his riſing, anſwering to the ſecond degree of his humiliation. There hee was deſpiſed and placed vponupon the gibbet betweene two theeues, and hung like a poore creature, as vnable to helpe himſelfe: heere hee is honoured, placed in the ſtate-chayre of heauen, and full of power both in heauen and in earth: there he was poore, weary, hungry, thirſty and harbourleſſe; heere hee ſits at eaſe, full, rich, and abounding with dwelling places euen for all that ſeeke vntounto him. Laſtly, there he was ſcorned, mocked, and derided with robes, and crowne, as vnworthy to weare them, hee was leſſe eſteemed then rebells and murtherers: heere he is crowned and robed with glory, and in earneſt, as moſt worthy, p. 80hee hath all knees bowing vntounto him, and a name aboue all names. For thus is this phraſe of ſitting at the right hand wont to bee vſed in the Scriptures.1 King 1.19. Pſal. 45.9.1 Kgs 1:19Ps 45:9 Salomon is ſaid to hauehave made a throne for his mother Bathſheba, and to hauehave placed her at his right hand, which was a doing of great honour vntounto her, ſo as that whatſoeuer ſhee would command ſhould be ſo. In the fortieth fiue Pſalme the Queene is placed at the Kings right hand in a veſture of gold, that is, is highly honoured by him. In which places, with the like, howſoeuer there is truth both in the wordes and in the literall proper ſenſe; yet heere it is not ſo: the Lord of Heauen hath no right hand nor left, (as ſome ignorant and vnlearned Monks hauehave taught long agoe, becauſe hands and feet and face, and other parts of the body are aſcribed vntounto him) neither hath Chriſt any ſeate in heauen; for there is no need of any there: for which cauſe he is ſaid alſo to ſtand at the right hand of God,Act. 7.56. Rom. 8.34.Acts 7:56Rom 8:34 and to bee at the right hand of God making interceſſion for vsus. The meaning therefore heere is onelyonly to be taken, that hee hath all honour, power and authority, in heauen and in earth together with God the Father; euen Chriſt Ieſus, both God and Man, receiueth theſe in his whole perſon, but collated vponupon him in regard of his Man-hood, his God-head in it ſelfe being vncapable of any new reall acceſſion of glory or power.

For the grounds of holy Scripture from whence this Article is taken, they bee many and moſt euident, which confirme both his being at the right hand of God in heauen, and ſecondly, his honour there, and thirdly his power, and authority. Firſt that hee ſitteth at the right hand of God in heauen,Proofe. Collo. 3.1. is plainely ſet forth, where wee are bidden to ſeeke the things aboue, Where Chriſt Ieſus ſitteth at the right hand of God. The very words are to be noted againſt the Vbiquitaries, which will hauehave Gods right hand to be eueryevery where, and ſo the very body of Chriſt to be eueryevery where, and really preſent in the Sacrament of his Supper. But marke theſe words, and they teach vsus not thus, but that his body & ſoule now glorified, are aboue in heauen: and like vntounto this, is that place to the Epheſians:Epheſ. 1.20.Eph 1:20 Hee ſet him at his right hand in heauenly p. 81places. Moreouer, the Apoſtles, as hath beene already ſaid,Acts 1.12 Acts 7Acts 1:12Acts 7 ſaw him goe vp into Heauen bodily, and Steuen ſaw the heauens open, and the man Chriſt there; and Paul, though he ſawe nothing, yet he heard his voice from Heauen; Saul, Saul, Acts 7Acts 7Why perſecuteſt thou me? And where he was then, the Angels plainely told his Diſciples, he ſhould remaine, till at the laſt, hee were ſeene comming downe viſibly, in the ſame ſort, that he aſcended: wherefore it followeth in the next Article; From thence he ſhall come. From whence, I pray you, is this? The Vbiquitary muſt needes anſwere abſurdly, From eueryevery where: But the Apoſtle anſwers;Theſ 4.16 The Lord himſelfe ſhall deſcend from Heauen with a ſhout, with the voice of the Arch-Angell, &c. Likewiſe this refuteth the Papiſts, who, though they deny Chriſts body to be eueryevery where, yet are ſo bold as to faine it to be many where by the fiction of bodily preſence in the Sacrament. Surely, Chriſts body is ſo in the Heauens, that it is held and conteined there, How then is it at the ſame time, there, and here vponupon an Altar, nay, on many Altars? which plurality of places muſt needs take away, and deſtroy the Eſſentiall nature of a true body, and ſo turne it to an imaginary phantaſtike body, with the Marcionits.

Phil. 2.9.10Phil 2:9Phil 2:10Againe, that he is in higheſt honour there, the Apoſtle ſheweth, in that he ſaith, God hath highly exalted him, and giuen him a Name aboue all names, that at the Name of IESVS, eueryevery knee might bow, of things in Heauen, and earth, and vnderunder the earth: And is not that the higheſt honour, which is cited in the Epiſtle to the Hebrewes, out of the Pſalmes; Worſhip him, Pſal. 97.7 Heb. 1.6Ps 97:7Heb 1:6all yee Gods Laſtly, for the infinite power communicated vntounto him, and ſoueraignety ouer all things, himſelfe ſpeakes, as already in poſſeſsion hereof; All power is giuen vntounto me, Math. 28.18Matt 28:18both in Heauen and in earth. Yea, he is made King of all the world: for, Aske of me, Pſal. 2Ps 2ſaith the Father, and I wil giuegive thee the Heathen for thine inheritance, and the ends of the earth for thy poſſeſsion. Pſal. 110.1Ps 110:1He hath power ouer all his enemies, according to that, Sit thou at my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy foot-ſtoole. And that of the Apoſtle,1 Cor. 15.251 Cor 15:25 Hee muſt raigne, till he hath put all his enemies vnderunder his feet.

1 Duty. …oy for Chriſt his honour.To come now vntounto the duties of this Faith. The firſt is, to exult for this exaltation of our head, Chriſt Ieſus, for our nature p. 82thus honoured and graced. Euen, as Iſrael reioyced and ſhouted for ioy, ſo that the earth rang againe, when the ſon of Dauid, Salomon, was crowned King;1 King. 1.401 Kgs 1:40 and as Steuen in the middeſt of his perſecutors, now ready to be ſtoned, ioyfully brake out and ſaid; I ſee the Heauens open, and Chriſt Ieſus ſtanding at the right hand of God. So the beholding of the ſame,Acts 7.56Acts 7:56 by the eye of Faith, muſt cauſe the like gladneſſe in vsus, euen in the middſt of our greateſt dangers. If we hauehave Chriſt on our ſide, who can be againſt vsus? If we hauehave him who is dead, or rather, who is riſen againe, & ſits at the right hand of God:Rom. 8.34.Rom 8:34 If he be with vsus, whom all the Angels do worſhip, before whoſe iron Scepter, al his enemies are but as a potters veſſel. It is ioy enough for the wife,Pſal. 2Ps 2 if her Husband be crowned, or inueſted into any great dignity; It is ioy enough for all good Subiects, if their King ſubdue, and get the vpper hand of his enemies: It is ioy enough for a louing friend, if his deare friend be any way aduanced; but our husband Chriſt is here crowned, our King Chriſt makes his enemies his foot-ſtoole, our friend Chriſt is highly aduanced. What then, though wee bee poore, afflicted, and diſgraced: yet, through him thus raiſed, Wee are more then Conquerours: we are aduanced,Rom. 8.37Rom 8:37 we are raiſed.

2. Duty. Reuerencing the name of Chriſt.The ſecond duty is, willingly to yeeld obedience, and to bee ſubiect to Chriſt Ieſus; euen as wee are willing, yea, deſire to be vnderunder the Prince, or ſome moſt noted perſon of honour; for, we count it a credit for vsus ſo to be, though ſome ſeruitude, or attendance, be required hereunto, which otherwiſe we could be content to bee freed from. For, what Prince is ſo high in dignity as the Sonne of God, the Prince of Heauen? What perſon of honour may be compared with him? Yea, he excels all,Phil. 2.9.Phil 2:9 in all things, that may make vsus willing with ſubiection, and bowing the knee at his name, which is inferred hereupon. Firſt, in power and might, whereby he is moſt able to doe vsus good, and to ſubdue our enemies vnderunder vsus, ſeeing (as was ſhewed to Saul) they that perſecute his people,Acts 9.Acts 9 doe but kicke againſt the prickes. Secondly in the louelove of his Subiects; for, that he doth not compell to his ſeruice, but ſaith. Jf yee louelove me, keepe my Commandements; he is not rigorous and auſtere to the willing,Iohn 14.15John 14:15 if they faile in many things, hee forgiueth vntounto ſeuenty times ſeuen times, he leaues them not to themſelues, to performe their hard p. 81taskes, but giues them his Spirit to helpe their infirmities. Thirdly, in his facility and eaſineſſe towards them, hee preſſeth them not too heauily, but his Yoke is eaſie, and his burthen is light. Matth 11.28 1 King 12.Matt 11:281 Kgs 12If it had beene thus with Rehoboam, the ſonne of Salomon, towards the people of Iſrael, they would for euer hauehave beene his ſeruants; for, they deſired but to hauehave their yokes made more eaſie: and why ſhould we not then be ſeruants to this Sonne of God, and offer ourſelues much more readily to doe his will all our daies? But alas, moſt men are ſo blinded, that they make no account of this, as a preferment vntounto them; they thinke it better, to bee the baſe ſeruants of ſinne and the Deuill, that they may hauehave a little pleaſure of the vanities of this world; and ſo by falſifying their promiſe made in Baptiſme (as formerly hath beene ſhewed) they exclude themſelues from the benefit of their baptiſme. For they are none of Chriſts ſeruants, that liue in ſinne,Iohn 8.34John 8:34 ſeeing that he that commits ſinne, is the ſeruant of ſinne.

3. Duty. To vſe Chriſt as Mediator onelyonly. 1 Iohn 2.21 John 2:2The third duty is, to come vntounto the Throne of Grace, in our prayers, onelyonly by Chriſt, and vtterly to refuſe the helpe of other Mediators whatſoeuer; If any man ſinne (ſaith Saint Iohn) wee hauehave an Aduocate with the Father, Ieſus Chriſt the righteous, and he is a Propitiation for our ſinnes. Hauing him therfore ſo good a friend, yea, and euer making requeſt for vsus, & perfuming our praiers, Rom. 8.34Rom 8:34with the ſweetneſſe of his merits, as it were with incenſe, out of a cenſor: what neede hauehave we of Saint, or Angell, to helpe vsus to acceſſe and acceptance before the Father? Yea, I neede not ſay, what neede? but what Faith can we hauehave in ſo doing? ſeeing, that both himſelfe hath bidden vsus aske in his owne name, and in the caſe of ſinne-guiltineſſe, wee are directed onelyonly to him, as our onelyonly Mediator and Aduocate. Wherefore, the profeſsion of the Church of Rome is in this point, by all meanes to bee reiected, as a profeſsion and practice of infidelity in Chriſts ſitting at the right hand of the Father. Their compariſon from earthly Princes are chaffie, and of no moment, if they be brought to the ballance of the Sanctuary, and are meerely colours, whereby they ſeeke to dawbe ouer their blinde deuotion, and to gull the doting people.

Queſt. 31 Which is the third degree of his exaltation, and in which words?

p. 84Anſw. Thirdly, he ſhall come from Heauen, at the ende of the World, to iudge all, that ſhall then be found liuing, and all that hauehave dyed ſince the world began, in theſe words. From thence hee ſhall come to iudge both the quicke and the dead.

Explan. For the meaning of this Article, it is oppoſite to that, which ſetteth downe the firſt degree of his humiliation; for, as there of God, he was made Man, yea, a poore man, vnderunder the gouernment of Ioſeph and Mary: ſo heere, hee is of a poore man, ſet ouer all, both rich and poore, great and ſmall, that they might be diſpoſed of, according to his pleaſure: And as there he was vnderunder earthly Iudges and Rulers, who did often decree hard things againſt him: ſo here hee comes, as Iudge, and Ruler of all, to decree vnalterably extreame things, againſt all the ſtouteſt of his enemies; and comfortable things, for all his louers and friends. He ſhall come from Heauen: that is, as man, for thus onelyonly hee can remooue from place to place, his God-head euer fils all places, as man then hee ſhall come downe viſibly and openly, with great glory, and troopes of Angels about him; as Iudges are wont in pompe, and with great attendance, to ride their circuits, and he ſhall come downe, towards this nether part of the world, where they hauehave liued, whoſe cauſes ſhall be heard, and proceeded in, as Iudges are wont to go, to ſit in Iudgement in ſuch places, as wherin they dwel, which are to be brought before them; To iudge thoſe that ſhal be then liuing: for the World ſhall be full of people, euen to the houre of his comming, and then the dead being raiſed out of their Graues, euen all from the firſt Adam, ſhall be ioyned with the liuing, (who ſhall onelyonly, inſtead of dying, be changed) and thus all people together, of all Countries and Nations, ſhall bee preſented before his Tribunall, to receiue ſentence, (according to the equity, yea, and iuſtice of his Goſpell) whether of Abſolution, to paſſe into the Kingdome of the Father; or of condemnation into the Kingdome of Hell, with the Diuell and his Angels for euer.

Proofe.Secondly, for the grounds of holy Scriptures, whereupon all this is founded, the comming of Chriſt to iudgement, according to all theſe circumſtances, is plainely heere ſet downe in many Places. Firſt, that he ſhall come againe, the Angels ſent of God p. 85for the ſame end, told his Diſciples thus much, immediatly after his aſcenſion, ſaying,Acts 1.12Acts 1:12 This Ieſus ſhall euen ſo come downe from heauen, as ye hauehave ſeene him goe vp to heauen: Heb. 9.28Heb 9:28And in another place it is ſaid that Chriſt vntounto them that looke for him, ſhall appeare the ſecond time without ſin vntounto ſaluation: and of himſelfe, he ſaith, I goe away, but will come againe. Secondly, that he ſhall come to iudge,Iohn 14.John 14 not in pouerty, but in Maieſtie, not baſely accompanied, but gloriouſly with Angels not like a Lamb to be ſlaine againe, but like a Lyon, to teare in pieces his enemies: all this doth he himſelfe promiſe, ſaying, Then ſhall they ſee the Son of Man come in the clowds of Heauen, with power and great glory, Mat 24.30.31Matt 24:30Matt 24:31and he ſhal ſend his Angels with the ſound of a Trumpet, &c. And what is here wanting, is further ſupplied in the next Chapter,Chap. 25.31.32 When the Son of man commeth in his glory, and all the holy Angels with him, then ſhal he ſit vponupon the Throne of his glory and before him ſhall be gathered all nations, &c. Thirdly, that the world ſhall bee then full of people liuing, as at other times, and that all ſhal not die; before, the Apoſtle ſheweth, both where purpoſely he entreateth at large of the reſurrection, ſaying, We ſhall not all ſleepe, but we ſhall be changed in a moment, 1 Cor. 15.511 Cor 15:51in the twinkling of an eye, at the laſt trumpet; 1 The. 4and where he comforts the Church of God in this that their dead friends, and they aliue, ſhall meete againe at the laſt day. And the Lord himſelfe plainely ſaith, that as it was in the dayes of Noah, and in the daies of Lot: ſo ſhall it be, at the comming of the Son of man then the world was full of people, which were eating, and drinking, marrying and giuing in mariage &c til the floud came,Luc. 17.27Luke 17:27 & ſwept them all away, till fire came from Heauen, and conſumed them all: ſo ſhall it be at Chriſts cōming to iudgment. Fourthly, that quick & dead ſhal all come to iudgement before him, was long ſince confirmed vntounto Iohn by viſion. He ſaw a Throne ſet, and the Son of of Man ſitting theron, the books opened, and al euen the dead, as wel as the liuing, brought before him to be iudged, according to the things written in the bookes,Reuel. 20.12Rev 20:12 then the earth gaue vp the dead buried there, & the ſea gaue vp the dead that were therin. Rom. 14.10Rom 14:10And S Paul hence giues warning, that wee iudge not one another. For wee muſt al appeare before the Iudgemēt ſeat of Chriſt. Fiftly, that the maner of his comming ſhall be moſt terrible, to all his enemies but comfortable to his friends, and faithfull people: for the terrour, p. 86it is ſet forth by compariſons taken from the flood,Luk. 17.27.Luke 17:27 fearefully drowning the old world, without mercy, or compaſſion, from the fire and brimſtone deſcending vponupon Sodome,Prou. 1.Prov 1 from the ſorrowes comming vponupon a woman in trauell,Math 24.Matt 24 from a ſeuere maſter returning from a farre countrey, and adiudging his vnprofitable ſeruants to be cut off, and to hauehave their portion in the place of weeping, and gnaſhing of teeth; and from a thiefe breaking into an houſe, to rob and ſlay, in the dead time of the night, &c. For euen ſuch, and more terrible by farre, ſhall Chriſts comming to iudgement be.

2. Pet 3.10.2 Pet 3:10Againe, this terrour is ſet forth by particular accidents, that ſhall accompany this time, viz flaming fire, in which the Lord ſhall come to render vengeance to the wicked, wherewith the earth, with the workes thereof, ſhall be burned vp, The Heauens ſhal paſſe away as a ſcrowle, & the elements ſhall melt with heat A deuouring fire before him, Pſal. 50.3. Math. 24.Ps 50:3Matt 24and a great tempeſt round about him. The Sunne and the Moone darkned, and the Starres loſing their light. A great trumpet ſounded, peircing from one ence of the world to another: and all this in a moment, in the twinckling of an eye. Laſtly, it is ſet forth in the effects.Io…l 2.6. All faces ſhall gather blackenes. They ſhall ſee him, whom they hauehave pierced, and mourne eueryevery family apart. And as the Lord himſelfe ſaith,Zach 12. Math. 24.30. Reuel. 16.20.Zech 12Matt 24:30Rev 16:20 All the kindreds of the earth ſhall mourne They ſhall runne away, and call vponupon the mountaines to fall on them, and vponupon the rockes and hils to couer them. But vntounto thoſe that wait for the comming of the Lord, it ſhall be comfortable, wherefore Chriſt ſaith,Luk 21.28.Luke 21:28 When yee ſee theſe things, lift vp your heads with ioy, for your redemption draweth neere: And the Apoſtle vſeth this argument to the Theſſalonians, to diſſwade them from ſorrowing, like vntounto the Heathen:1. Theſſ 4.14.1 Thess 4:14 for at his comming, we ſhall be taken vp into the clowds, to meete the Lord, and ſo remaine euer with the Lord. Sixtly, at the time of this iudgement, it ſhall be proceeded according to mens works;Ioh. 5.29.John 5:29 They that hauehave done good, ſhall goe into euerlaſting life, they that hauehave done euill, into euerlaſting condemnation. Math. 25.Matt 25The ſheepe of Chriſt that hauehave fed the hungry, clothed the naked, viſited the ſicke, &c. Shall be inuited into the Kingdome of the Father; 1. Cor 4, 5.1 Cor 4:5the reſt, into euerlaſting fire. And ſecreteſt euils ſhall not then be hid, for thoughts ſhall bee p. 87manifeſted, and moſt hidden things diſcouered.Reu. 20.12.Rev 20:12 The booke of eueryevery mans conſcience that was ſhut vp and benummed, here ſhall be opened, and according to the things here written, he ſhall be iudged. Not onelyonly for ſinnes committed, but euen for omitting good duties, men ſhall bee ſent into Hels torments. No outward thing ſhall then ſtand any man in ſtead, the fooliſh Virgins with lampes, but wanting oyle,Math. 25.1.Matt 25:1 ſhall be ſhut out of the Bridegroomes chamber. No crying, or crauing, ſhall then preuaile, for ſuch, as hauehave liued impenitently in ſinne: if they ſhall ſay, Lord, Lord, open vntounto vsus; he will anſwer, Depart from me ye workers of iniquity. I know you not: Math 7.21.Matt 7:21If with Eſau thou then ſeeke the bleſſing with teares,Heb. 12.6.Heb 12:6 there is no place for repentance to be found. And thus much for the grounds of Chriſts comming to Iudgement, and the further ſetting forth of the ſame: Now, if any man ſhall aske the time when theſe things ſhall be? …t is eaſily anſwered;Math. 24.36.Matt 24:36 The day and the houre knowes no man, no not the Son of Man himſelfe, but the Father onelyonly but for the yeere, diuers men hauehave geſſed diuerſly, and becauſe they be but coniectures, I will not trouble the Reader herewith. A principall vnaccompliſhed forerunner to bee taken heede vntounto, the Goſpell, hauing beene already preached to all nations, and Antichriſt, that man of ſinne diſcouered: is his further laying open, and confuſion, when the Kings of the earth, that honoured him, ſhall make a mocke of him; and a gratious conuerſion of the Iewes, the ſtiffeſt enemies, vntounto the Lord Chriſt: and then ſhall the comming of the Lord vntounto Iudgement be.

1. Duty. To keepe a good conſcience.For the duties of this faith. The firſt is, to keepe a good conſcience before God, and men, becauſe at the day of iudgement, eueryevery conſcience ſhall be a booke opened, and all the world ſhall read, whither it be good or bad. This Paul profeſſeth to be his care, ſaying:Act. 24.16.Acts 24:16 Herein I endeauour to hauehave a cleare conſcience alwayes towards God, and towards men. The reaſon he alleadgeth before, viz. For that he had hope,Verſ. 15. that the reſurrection ſhould be both of the iuſt and vniuſt: that all ſhould be brought forth another day to iudgement. And in another place, ſpeaking of the Gentiles, which had not the written lawe,Rom. 2.16. Verſ. 12. Verſ. 15.Rom 2:16 hee ſaith. At the day when God ſhall iudge the ſecrets of men by Ieſus p. 88Chriſt, thoſe that are vnderunder the Law, ſhall be iudged by the Law, and they that are without, without the Law: for vntounto both the conſcience is a law, bearing witneſſe for, or againſt, and the thoughts accuſe, or excuſe: that is, in eueryevery mans nature there remaines ſome impreſſion of good and bad, of right and wrong: a light whereby to diſcerne theſe, and for thoſe that hauehave done ill; heere will be an accuſation at that time, they that hauehave done well ſhall be excuſed. And this we cannot, but in ſome meaſure conceiue by experience daily, for that, when wee hauehave done amiſſe, we feele afterwards an inward trouble in our mindes and though we would gladly put off the thinking hereupon, yet we cannot, but ſtill perplexing thoughts this way come vntounto vsus, and diſquiet vsus, and chiefely when we are alone,The excellency of a good conſcience and in greateſt darkeneſſe of the night. Now all this is nothing elſe, but our conſciences beginning the part, euen whilſt we are aliue, and as it were warning vsus to take heede of ſinne, though neuer ſo hidden, for it will not ſuffer it to be blotted our through forgetfulneſſe, but is, and will be a continuall regiſter hereof ſo long as we liue, and moſt of all then preſent it ſelfe before the Lord, when finall, and irreuocable iudgement ſhall paſſe vponupon all. Wherefore as he that is continually watched by one appointed of his maſter, who hath power of life and death ouer him, (ſo that in no place he can be hidden from his ſight, and hee will not by any bribes be hyred to conceale what he ſeeth) will carefully carry himſelfe in all things as a good ſeruant, and not by any allurements be drawne to waſt his maſters goods, or to neglect his buſineſſe, or to any vnfaithfulneſſe towards him. Euen ſo let vsus be contained alwaies in the feare of the Lord from all diſloyalty towards his Maieſty, and from all abuſes either againſt our ſelues: or our neighbours, euen when opportunities of ſecreſie are offered hereunto: becauſe our owne conſcience notes our doings, and will not be hired to giuegive any other, but true teſtimony againſt vsus, when wee come to our reckoning at the laſt day. Oh! how comfortable will it bee then to hauehave a good conſcience.

2. Duty. To abſtaine from iudging other man.The ſecond duty is, both to abſtaine from iudging and cenſuring others, and to neglect, and not to ſet by mens iudging p. 89of vsus, if ſo be our conſciences iudge vsus not: becauſe there is one iudge of all, and it is preſumption in whomſoeuer, to take his office out of his hands, in iudging theſe to be hypocrites, theſe reprobates, and theſe damned creatures: and it is ſuch preſumption, as that whoſoeuer vſeth it,Rom. 2.1,Rom 2:1 ſhall not eſcape the iudgement of God, according to that: Thou art inexcuſable, O man, whoſoeuer thou art, that iudgeſt, &c. And it is a flat precept, not onelyonly for ſome, but for all:1. Cor. 4.5.1 Cor 4:5 Iudge nothing before the time, that the Lord comes who will lighten things that are hid in darkneſſe, and make the counſels of the heart manifeſt. And what neede we to care, what iudgements of idle headed men paſſe vponupon vsus: ſeeing that it ſhall not ſtand as they iudge, but as the Lord iudgeth.Rom. 8.33.Rom 8:33 Let vsus therefore get the Lord to bee on our ſide, and ſo not care how man in his iudgement is againſt vsus. But yee will ſay, what? are wee not to iudge others at all? whereunto then tends that of our Sauiour Chriſt? By their fruits ſhall yee know them.

Act. 8.23.Acts 8:23I anſwer, yes, we may by way of caution iudge others, in whom we ſee the workes of darkeneſſe to abound, for the preſeruation of our ſelues and others, who for want of information, and notice taking, might otherwiſe be ſubiect to the infection of their poyſon: Againe we may iudge, to make thē aſhamed, and to come to repentance from their dead workes, as Peter did Simon Magus. But to iudge, that is, to pronounce, but in our hearts, any man a caſt-away, thus to ceaſe vſing meanes, as vntounto a brother of his reformation (except ſuch an one as hath ſinned againſt the holy Ghoſt, which how knowe we this?) this is to enter into Chriſts iudgement-ſeate, and to procure ineuitable iudgement againſt our ſelues. If it be further demaunded, and are we ſo lightly to eſteeme mens iudgements? how is it then, that wee are bidden to procure things honeſt before all men: yea, before thoſe that are without, viz. Infidels, and vnbeleeuers? I anſwere, that this is ſpoken in regard of iuſt occaſions of being cenſured, which we muſt by no meanes giuegive, nor make any ſhewe hereof, but walke ſo blameleſly before all men, as that they, which ſpeake euill of vsus, as of euill doers, may bee aſhamed, and ſeeing our good workes, glorifie God in the p. 90day of their viſitation. 1. Pet. 2.12. 1. Cor 4.3.1 Pet 2:121 Cor 4:3But if walking thus, thou be yet iudged, thou needeſt not with the Apoſtle, paſſe for this iudgement of man.

3. Duty. To watch againſt the Lords comming. Math. 24.38.Matt 24:38The third duty is, euer to be vigilant, and watchfull againſt the Lords comming, becauſe it will be ſudden, as of a theife in the night. The ſame which I ſay vntounto you, (ſaith our Sauiour Chriſt hereupon) I ſay to all men, watch. All comfort is promiſed to them that watch, and waite for his comming, and all terror is threatened to them, that doe otherwiſe. Now this watching is wel doing with the good ſeruant, who being found thus,Math 24.Matt 24 is bidden to enter into his maſters ioy: it is to hauehave oyle in our Lampes with the wiſe virgins, (viz. ſoundneſſe, and ſincerity of Religion) who were admitted to nuptiall delights with the Bridegroome:Math 25. 1. Theſ. 5.5.Matt 251 Thess 5:5 to walke in ſobriety, and temperance, as children of the light, and of the day, to whom the comming of the Lord ſhall not be vnawares. And to be watchful in this maner is alſo moſt neceſſary, becauſe that by our workes we ſhall be iudged, and where then will our place be, if we be not euer thus exerciſed? For not onelyonly ſhall we be iudged, according to our workes in generall, but according to thoſe, wherein we are taken at his comming: if we be then working wickednes,Ezech. 18.Ezek 18 if we be taken wallowing in ſinne, no good thing which we hauehave done, ſhall aduantage vsus, but the fearefull ſentence of condemnation will paſſe againſt vsus, for the ſinne, wherein we are found. Wherefore as wee beleeue this, ſo let vsus expreſſe it, by our daily ſetting a watch ouer our wayes; by our ſtarting vp without delay from our falls, leaſt the Lords comming to iudgement preuent vsus; by our obſeruing, and taking all occaſions to encreaſe the number of our good workes, in our ſeuerall callings, according to our ability, that thus we may be ſure to be found in the number of thoſe, vponupon whom the ſentence of abſolution ſhall paſſe, Come yee bleſſed of my Father, Math. 25.Matt 25into the Kingdome prepared for you▪ for I was hungry and yee fed me, naked and yee clothed me, ſicke, and in priſon, and yee did viſit me, &c.

4. Duty. To pray for the confuſion of Antichriſt.The fourth duty is, to pray for the further manifeſting of Antichriſt to all the world, that hee may be ſtripped of his triple crowne, and all his robes of honour, more then imperiall, p. 91and be pointed: and wondred at of all men, as a monſter amongſt men, & a ſeducer plainly ſet vp by the old couzening ſerpent the diuell, as we read in the booke of the Reuelation. For theſe things muſt be, and then will Chriſt come to the comfort of all the faithfull.

5. Duty. To be ſtrong in the faith of Chriſt.The fift duty, is to be ſtrong in the faith of Chriſt againſt all the aſſaults of Sathan, and manfully to reſiſt his attempts to driue vsus into deſpaire in regard of our ſinnes, and vnworthineſſe: for Chriſt our Sauiour, not any other, ſhall bee our Iudge; according to that of the Apoſtle, vttered to the encouragement of all faithfull people: It is God that iuſtifies: Rom. 8.33.Rom 8:33the Lord Chriſt, the great Iudge of all, that acquits thee, euen he that dyed for thee, who then ſhall condemne? Thy cauſe ſhall come before him, that loued thee thus dearely, when thou wert yet an enemy, but now much more by faith, being reconciled, who then can lay any thing to thy charge? Rom. 5.Rom 5aſſuredly none. Be not therefore faint-hearted, but make reſiſtance herein againſt the Diuell, and he will fly from thee. 1. Pet. 5.9.1 Pet 5:9The more weakely thou acquitteſt thy ſelfe in this, & the more fearefull thou art, the further art thou from faith, in Chriſts comming to iudge all the world.

Queſt. 32. What doe you learne to beleeue concerning God the Holy Ghoſt, and in which words.

Anſw. I learne to beleeue that he is God equall with the Father, and the Sonne, and the Sanctifier of all the elect people of God, in theſe words: I beleeue in the holy Ghoſt.

Of our faith in the holy GhoſtExplan Theſe few words of the Creed, doe teach no leſſe concerning the holy Ghoſt, then is here ſet downe: I beleeue in the holy Ghoſt: that is, as I beleeue in the Father, and in the Sonne, and doe hereby acknowledge both Father, and Sonne to be God: ſo by b…leeuing likewiſe in the holy Ghoſt, I acknowledge the Holy Ghoſt to be God alſo: againe, for that God is but one, as hath beene already ſhewed, in acknowledging the holy Ghoſt to be God, I confeſſe him to be one, and ſo equall with the Father, and the Sonne. Furthermore, in that I beleeue in him the holy Ghoſt; I acknowledge his office p. 92of ſanctifying and making holy the people of God: for otherwiſe the Father alſo is holy, and ſo is the Sonne, but this is the peculiar office of the Spirit to ſanctifie, from hence hath hee this name of the holy Ghoſt Laſtly, I beleeue in the holy Ghoſt that is I put my whole truſt and confidence in him, as I doe in the Father and the Sonne for my preſeruation, and ſaluation: and more eſpecially, as I depend vponupon God the Father, as my Creator, and dayly Protector, and vponupon God the Sonne, as my Redeemer and daily Mediator; ſo doe I depend vponupon God the holy Ghoſt, as my comforter, and the worker of grace and all vertue in me being of my ſelfe a lumpe of ſinne, and a maſſe of corruption.

1 Proofe.For the grounds of this Article: and firſt that the holy Ghoſt is God, S. Peter makes it plaine, when as hauing told Ananias that hee had lyed vntounto the holy Ghoſt,Act. 5 3. verſe. 4.Acts 5:3 he added, Thou haſt not lyed vntounto men but vntounto God. Theſe laſt words expreſsing who the holy Ghoſt was, of whom he had ſpoken before; viz. God.Act. 28.25. Eſa. 6, 8.9.Acts 28:25Isa 6:8Isa 6:9 Moreouer, well ſaid the holy Ghoſt, ſaith Paul by his Prophet Eſay: Goe make the heart of this people fat, and ſay, by hearing yee ſhall heare, and not vnderſtand, by ſeeing, yee ſhall ſee and not perceiue: Whereas the Prophet tells vsus, that Iehouah the Lord God ſpake theſe words vntounto him, whence plainly followes, that the holy Ghoſt is very God and Lord.

2 Proofe.Secondly, that the holy Ghoſt is equall with the Father and the Sonne, and not inferiour or ſeruant, as Macedonius wickedly taught, is plaine from diuers reaſons. Firſt, becauſe he is one with the Father and Sonne, according to that of Iohn, 1 Ioh. 5.7.1 John 5:7There be three that beare record in Heauen, the Father, the Word, and the Spirit, and theſe three are one, That is, one ſubſtance and eſſence, one infinite wiſedome, power, glory and maieſty: Secondly, becauſe hee is alike worſhipped with the Father and Sonne, as in that prayer put vp alike to them all. The grace of Ieſus Chriſt, 2. Cor. 13.13.2 Cor 13:13the louelove of God, and the Communion of the holy Ghoſt bee with you all, Amen Laſtly, becauſe hee is alike the Creator of the world, and the preſeruer of all things: for when God in the beginning made the heauens and the earth, &c. the Spirit is ſaid to hauehave moued vponupon the waters, incubaſſe, by a word that ſignifieth to ſit and hatch,Gen. 1.2.Gen 1:2 and breed life, p. 93as a Henne doth, to bring forth her chickins. And Elihu mentioned in Iob, a man of an excellent ſpirit, ſaith,Iob 33.4.Job 33:4 The Spirit of the Lord hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath giuen me life: and in the Pſalmes, it is.Pſal. 104.30.Ps 104:30 If thou ſend forth the Spirit they are created, and thou reneweſt the face of the earth, ſpeaking of all other creatures, which are ſo made and preſerued by Gods Spirit, the holy Ghoſt.

3 Proofe.Thirdly, that the holy Ghoſt is the Sanctifier of the people of God, will eaſily appeare, if wee conſider, either this attribute holy, euer to bee annexed vntounto the Spirit, as Ieſus and Chriſt ſerue to ſet forth the Sonne of God in his office: or the compariſons, by which he is for the further declaring of the ſame, compared; for he is ſaid to bee fire, and therefore Iohn the Baptiſt ſpeaketh thus of him:Mat. 3.11.Matt 3:11 Hee that commeth after me viz. Ieſus Chriſt, ſhall baptize with the holy Ghoſt and with fire, that is, the holy Ghoſt, who is as a fire, purging away & re…ning from the droſſe of ſinne, as is further ſet forth where we are forbidden to quench the Spirit of God:1 Theſ. 5.19. Ioh. 3.3.1 Thess 5:19John 3:3 againe hee is compared to water, in that ſaying to Nicodemus, Vnleſſe a man be borne againe of water and the holy Ghoſt, bee ſhall not ſee the kingdome of God, that is, of the holy Ghoſt in the vſe of water in baptiſme, ſetting forth the power thereof, viz. to clenſe from the filthineſſe of ſinne, as water doth from the filth of the fleſh. Or, if wee conſider the workes of ſanctification to be all wrought by the holy Ghoſt: as firſt ſauing knowledge, which is all one with faith, that moſt excellent and holy-making grace.Rom. 8 …6. 1 Cor. 2.12.Rom 8:61 Cor 2:12 The Spirit witneſſeth with our ſpirits that we are the children of God It maketh vsus to know and beleeue thoſe things, that are giuen vsus of God that is, righteouſnes in Chriſt, through whom we are his adopted children, and in the way to eternall life, according to that. This is life eternall, Ioh. 17.3.John 17:3to know thee to bee the very God, and whom thou haſt ſent Ieſus Chriſt.

Rom. 8.10.Rom 8:10Secondly, ſpirituall gouernment, whereby euill is ſuppreſſed, and that which is good increaſed in vsus, errour is auoyded, and the truth in all things followed. They which are in Chriſt Ieſus, to whom there is no condemnation, walke after the Spirit, and not after the fleſh, the ſpirit rules in them, and cauſeth them thus to walke, and all the ſonnes of God are thus ruled, p. 94and led,Verſ. 14. for all that are led by the ſpirit of God, as hee addeth, are the ſonnes of God. Particularly the ſpirit ſo gouerneth, by ſtriuing againſt euill motions, and by offering good: for …he ſpirit fighteth againſt the fleſh, Gal. 5.17.Gal 5:17as the fleſh fighteth againſt the ſpirit: in our weakneſſes it helps vsus: for when wee are vnable to pray acceptably, it workes with vsus, and helpes vsus to offer vp ſighes that cannot be vttered:Rom. 8.26.Rom 8:26 in our ignorances it directs vsus: for it leadeth vsus into all truth. Thirdly, ſpirituall conſolation,Ioh. 16.13. Ioh. 14.John 16:13John 14 in our ſeuerall afflictions & tentations, which is another part of holines: for this, he is called the Comforter, whom Chriſt promiſeth to ſend, to mittigate the heauines of the diſciples after his departture, he is called the oyle of gladnes, which maketh cheerfulnes euen to appeare in the face; he is called the ſpirit of adoption whereby we cry Abba. Pſal. 45.8. Rom. 8.15.Ps 45:8Rom 8:15Father that is, affecting vsus with the aſſurance, and comfort of Gods children, when wee are feared and troubled. Fourthly, power commendably to doe the weightieſt duties of our callings, therefore it is ſaid to be the ſpirit,Num. 11.Num 11 that was taken of Moſes, and put vponupon the Elders of Iſrael, that they might be able to iudge and decide controuerſies ariſing amongſt their bretheren: it was by the Spirit,Exod. 35.31.Exod 35:31 that Ahohab, and Bezaliel were inabled to worke all curious workes about the tabernacle: it was the Spirit that made the Apoſtles ſufficient, vntounto a farre greater work about the ſpirituall Tabernacle, viz. to preach the goſpell effectually to men of all languages,Act. 2.Acts 2 they being vnskilfull of any, but their mother tongue, and for this cauſe he is called by the Prophet, the Spirit of power. Eſa. 11.2.