A Christian Dictionary, Dictionary 1 · Part 2 – Part 8
To Accept vsus. sig:
To receiue vntounto fauour, and to bee well pleased with our persons, being through sin estranged from God. Ephe. 1▪ 6. He hath accepted vsus freely in his beloued. This is the acceptation of our persons.
2 To approue graciously our vnperfect & spotted workes, by the free forgiuenesse through Christ of those wants and faultes which sticke vntounto them. 1. Pet. 2, 5. Psal. 51, 19. Then thou shalt accept our Sacrifice, &c. This is the acceptation of our works.
Acception of person. Sig
Respect or fauour, giuen to one before another for some outwarde quality, as of Nation, Riches, Kinred, Honour, friend-ship, and such like, Acts 10, 34. God is no accepter of persons, for in eueryevery Nation, he that feareth God is accepted. Rom. 2, 11. There is then no cause why any should deny the eternall election of God, depending vppon his owne good pleasure alone, as the moouing cause, least he bee counted an accepter of persons.
Accesse. sig:
A drawing toward or comming neerer, Rom. 5, 2. We hauehave accesse vntounto this grace, &c. that is, wee may approch into his gracious presence being now reconciled to God, hauing our sinnes forgiuen vntounto vsus through Christ, apprehended and laid holde on euen by faith.
To Acknowledge. sig:
To take knowledge of Gods worde, to rule our selues by it, also of his prouidence. What it is that he doth to vsus either in anger or in mercy. Pro. 3, 6. In all thy wayes acknowledge God.
2 To ioyne and adde knowledge vntounto knowledge, or to increase our knowledge, whē we know a truth more certainly, and clearely then wee were wont to do. Luke 1, 4. That thou maist Acknowledge, &c. Tit, 1, 1.
3 Openly and frankely to vtter and shew foorth our knowne sinnes, or Gods owne perfections, 1. Iohn 1, 6. If we acknowledge our sins. Psalme. 32, 5.
4.
Then I acknowledged my sins vntounto the, &c. 4. To take others for such as they are, louing them, and hauing them in due account. Thes. 5, 12. Acknowledge them that admonish you, and hauehave them in singular louelove for their Worke. Note this generally, thatNote. words of knowledge doo many times comprehend affections in them.
According to God. sig:
With God, or hauing God going before vsus, Iohn 3, 21. That they are wrought according to God; according to his will in his worde, which must go before vsus in doing duties, as a guide or a Lantherne.
One accord sig:
Agreement or consent of hearts, Phil. 2, 2. Of one accord. Acts 4, 32. that is, of one iudgement & wil.
To Accuse. sig:
To lay an euill or fault to ones charge; This is done, either truly, or falsely; secretly, or openly. Ioh. 8, 10. Woman where are thine Accusers? Actes 24, 13, 19. Men accuse God, one man accuseth another, and Sathan accuseth the Bretheren, also our owne thoughts do accuse vsus. Reuel. 12, Rom. 2, 15.
Accursed. sig:
Seperate from all humaine vse, and appoynted to temporall destruction. Ios. 6, 20, 21, Keepe yee from the accursed thing.
2 Seperate from Christ, and appointed to eternall destruction. Gal. 1, 9. Let him be accursed. Rom. 9, 3. I would be accursed or (seperate from Christ) for my Kinsmen. In these words, holy Paule maketh no such prayer or wish, that hee might perish (for this had beene vnlawfull and vaine too, both agaynst the constant purpose of God, and his owne assurance testified, Rom. 8, 38, 39. Neither was Paule bound to louelove the Iewes saluation more then christ and his grace) but by this manner of speech, beeing conditionall, hee bewrayes his deepe affection for the Iewes his kinsmen, in that (if it could hauehave bin) hee was ready to hauehave redeemed their eternall destruction with his owne.
A. D.
Adde. sig:
To put vntounto, Reuel: 22, 18. If any man shall adde to these things in this Booke, &c. Prou. 30, 6. Put nothing his word. Deut. 12, 32. Men adde to the word of God, when they put some-thing to the seruice of God, which he hath not commaunded for his Seruice: or do make that to be Scripture, which is not Scripture, putting to it somewhat which is false, or taking from it somewhat which is true. Thus do the Romanists, as a man halfe blind, may see.
2 To cast in some-thing as a surplusage and ouerplus, Mat. 6, 33. All other things shall bee added (or ministred) vntounto you.
3 To inflict some heauy Iudgement, or to plague one with encrease of wrath. Reuel. 22, 10. I wil adde vntounto him all the plagues, &c.
To Adiure. Sig
To command a thing by interposing the authority and name of God or Christ, Acts 19, 13. Wee adiure you by Iesus.
2 To demand an oath of one for more safety, & certainty, Marke 5, 7. Where the same worde is in the Greeke, as in former place of the Acts.
Administration. sig:
A publicke function, or charge, 1. Cor. 12, 5. There are diuersities of administrations.
Admonitiō. sig:
A warning by worde or speech, when wee are wisely, earnestly, and louingly, put in mind of some duty to be done, or some sin to bee left vndone. 1. Thes. 5, 14. Admonish one another: This is priuate admonition. Verse 12. speaketh of publicke admonition. Also Titus 3, 10.
2 A warning by example. 1 Cor. 10, 11. These things came for ensample, & were written to admonish vsus.
Adoption. sig:
The purpose of God eternally decreeing to make some his children, Gal. 4, 5. This is adoption of Gods purpose.
2 A taking, or admitting one actually to be a son by fauour, who is none by nature; and to adopt, is actually to take him for a son, who was the childe of wrath by nature. Rom. 8, 15. Ye hauehave receiued the spirit of adoption. Actuall adoption. 3 The dignity of being Gods people. Rom. 9, 4. To whō pertains the adoption. This is external adoption.
Spirite of Adoption. sig:
A speciall guift of the spirit, certifying vsus of our adoption. Rom. 8, 16. We hauehave receiued the spirite of adoption, to cry Abba Father.
To wait for y• Adoption. sig:
Earnestly to looke for the fruition and enioying of our adoption, in a full restoring at the last day. Rom: 8, 23. We wait for our adoption. This is adoption compleat and perfected; to wit, glorification in heauen.
Aduantage sig:
Gaine, benefit, or profit, either spiritual or earthly, Phil. 1, 12. Christ is to me aduantage. Mat. 16, 26. What will it aduantage (or profite) a man to winne the world and to loose himselfe.
Adultery. sig: pro
Vncleannes about the act of generation between two persons, whereof the one at least is married, Heb: 13, 4. Adulterers God will Iudge. Iohn 8, 3. A Woman taken in adultery.
2 All maner of vncleannes, about desire of sex, together with the occasions, causes, and meanes thereof, as in the 7. Commandement. Exod: 20, 14. Thoushalt not commit adultery. A Sinechdoche.
Aduocate. sig: pro
One, that pleadeth for another at any barre of Iustice. This is the proper signification.
2 One, that pleadeth the cause of beleeuing sinnersNote. at the barre of Gods Iustice. Christ alone performes this office, by the eucrlasting merite of his death. 1. Iohn 2▪ 2. We hauehave an *All Wordes, which concerne Christ his mediation, are to be vnderstood exclusiuely, shutting out all creatures.Aduocate with the Father, Iesus Christ the righteous. Heere fals downe the multitude of Aduocates set vp in the Romish Synagogue, to Christ his great dishonor, who onelyonly is our Aduocate, because he alone is our Propitiator, or Reconciler.
A. F.
Affections. sig:
Passions which affect the mind with some griefe or paine, especially when they are strong and vehement. Rom. 7, 5. The affections of sin wrought in vsus. In the original Text it is read, The Passions of sinne.
2 More entire feeling & harty louelove, 2. Cor. 7, 15. His inward affection is more aboundant towards you.
Affliction. sig:
Any trouble, greefe or euill whatsoeuer, that happeneth either to soule or body, name, goods, or estate, for correction of sin, or for triall, as it doth to the godly; or for punishment and vengeance, as to the wicked, Rom. 2, 8. Anguish, affliction. Also 5▪ 3.
A. G.
Against Christ. Sig
Haters of Christ, and open Blasphemers, Math. 12, 30. He that is not with me, is against mee. They were not against Christ, which did think reuerendly of him, though they did not follow him, & make open profession of him; but such, as reproched him, his Doctrine, and works, are heere said to be against him. As appeareth by comparing together the 30, 31, and 32▪ verses of the 12. Chapter of Saint Mathew.
Agony. sig: pro
Any fight, conflict, wrestling, or strife.
2 The deepe soul-sorrow and extreame anguish of Christ, wrestling, and striuing, not only with the terror of death, but with the infinit Iustice & wrath of God, highly displeased with our sinnes, Luke 22, 44. And he was in an agony, &c. If any thinke, this Agony did arise meerely from a feare of Naturall death in Christ, they thinke too vnwoorthily of Christ his excellent fortitude, of his Fathers infinite Iustice, of mans most horrible and execrable sinnes.
A. L.
All. sig:
EueryEvery one, & then it is put vniuersally, Rom. 5, 12. Death went ouer all. 2. Cor: 5, 10. Wee must all appeare, that is, all and eueryevery one.
2 Some of al: and then it is put indefinitly. 1, Tim. 2, 2. God will hauehave all to be saued: Mat. 3, 5, & 4, 24. And he healed all diseases: that is, some of all sortes and kindes. Iohn 6, 45. These and such like places therefore, are euilly cited in fauour of vniuersallelection to proue that all and eueryevery one were chosen, and that the cause of their damnation which do perish, is because they refused offered grace.
3 Plentifull and perfect, Rom. 15, 13. All Ioy. 1, Cor. 13, 2. All knowledge.
A. L.
Allegory. sig:
A sentence consisting of sundry strange and borrowed speeches, which sound one thing, and couertly shewes forth another. Gal. 4, 24. Mat. 7, 6. & Mat. 3, 10, 11. affoord vsus examples heereof. Allegories bee either continued Metaphors, whereof many examples are in Scriptures besides those heere named: or a drawing of some words plainly vttered at first, from their naturall and proper meaning, to a strange sense, for better instruction of our minds, in some points of faith or manners, as that in Gala. 4, 24. Touching the latter kinde of Allegories, it is a safe thing to tread in the steps of the holy ghost, not making Allegoricall sences, where the Spirit hath made none.
Almes. sig:
A releefe giuen to the poore out of a pitiful hart, Mat. 6, 1. When thou giuest thy Almes, &c. It hath affection of mercy, and effect of succour; the heart touched with pittifulnesse, and an hande reached out to giuegive if we hauehave wherewith. See 2. Cor. 8.
Almightie. sig:
One of infinite power, able to do whatsoeuer he will, and to hinder whatsoeuer hee will not hauehave done by his respectiue power, and by his absolute power able to doo more then he will; such a one is God onelyonly, 2. Cor. 6, 18. Saith the Lorde God Almighty. Rom. 9, 19. Who hath resisted his will? The Papists reason foolishly from Gods Almightinesse, to proue the reall presence of Christes body in the supper: whereas they should rather prooue it is his reuealed will to hauehave it so, which they can neuer do. Wee may assure our selues that God is able to do, and doth whatsoeuer he is willing to doo, but not on the contrary, that he will do whatsoeuer hee can do. Note further, that if God could do things against his Nature, or thinges contradictory, or against his word, it would bewray impotencie, and weakenesse, not Omnipotency and Almightinesse.
Alpha. sig:
That which is first amongest the Greeke Letters, as Omega is that Letter which is last: whereby is meant, that Christ is both beginning and ending, Re. 1, 11. I am Alpha & Omega, the first and the last.
All-sufficient. sig:
One God, most able to performe all promised good things, and to keepe away al threatned euils, Gen. 17, 1. I am God All-sufficient.
Altar. sig:
The Doctrine of free saluation by Christ crucified: or the sacrifice of Christs death, Heb. 13, 10. We hauehave an Altar, &c. The meaning of this place is, that such as remayne (after due instructions) in the obseruations of Legall-Sacrifices, shal not partake in the Sacrifice of Christs death, once offered on the crosse. What is this to Popish Altars, whereon to Sacrifice Christ againe in an vnbloody maner for sinnes of the quicke in earth, and of the dead in Purgatory?
2 The Sacrifices and Oblations, slain and offered at the Altar, 1 Cor. 9, 13. They which serue at the Altar, are partakers with the Altar.
To offer, or bring our guift to the Altar. sig:
To do and performe the duty of godlines, which are vntounto God as an Oblation or Sacrifice, Mat. 5, 23, 24. The efore if thou shalt bring thy guift to the Altar, &c. It is a speech borrowed from those times, when the Temple, and Altars, and Sacrifices were in vse. Therefore the Papists deale absurdly, which vponupon these words, would build theyr Altars for Masses, and their Purgatory: woful Interpreters of Scriptures.
A. M.
Am. sig:
Existence or selfe-being, Exod. 3, 14. I am that I am; that is, I hauehave my being from my selfe, and from no other, and am the cause of beeing to all things that be.
2 Representating, or resembling, Iohn 15, 1. I am that Vine: that is, I represent, & am like vntounto a vine.
Amen. sig:
In the end of Prayer, a wishing that it may bee so, as wee aske, and a trusting that it shall bee so: Gal. 1, 5. To whom be glorie for euer and euer: Amen.
2 Vehement asseueration, when a thing is earnestly and strongly affirmed. Mat. 18, 3. Amen I say vntounto you.
3 Certaine, constant, or most firme, 2. Cor: 1, 20. Yea and Amen.
4 Trueth it selfe, Reuel: 3, 14. These things sayeth Amen.
To Amend. sig:
To redresse and reforme faultes. It is put for repentance, Math. 3, 8. Actes 26, 20. Bring foorth fruites woorthy of Repentance (or amendment.) Repentaunce is as the roote, amendment as the fruite. First, there must bee a chaunge of the heart from euil to good, by the guift of repentance put into it of God, and then will followe, an amendment and redresse of our wayes and maners.