The Pattern of Wholesome Words, Chapter 1 – Chapter 2
CHAP. I. Containing the nature and vse of this Treatise.
THe purpose and drift of this Treatise is to effect three things:
First to extract out of all Theologie contained in the Scriptures such truths,3Things intended in this Treatise. as are of necessitie to be beleeued vntounto saluation; the knowledge whereof is required of all: In the defence whereof we should be ready to suffer the extreamest things, euen death it selfe; and which wee should account the very Characters of true Religion, the distinct knowledge whereof we should lay vp, as great riches.
Secondly, to gather out of the Scriptures such euident proofes of each of those truths, as might make a full assurance and establishment of heart in the particular beleefe of them.
Thirdly, to poynt out the seuerall vses wee should make of these fundamentall truthes, and for what excellent purpose they may serue vsus all the daies of our life.
The benefit of attending to this course.Singularly great would the profit of this proiect be, if there were a heart in man to vse a little diligence in matters of so great moment. Is it not a meruailous benefit in this contending world for a man to know distinctly, what truthes be infallible; and to hauehave the truthes, that are absolutely necessary to be beleeued, separated from such, as a man may bee ignorant of, and yet bee saued?
And for the second thing, it is certaine, the most Christians knowe their groundes but by heare-say, and the common iudgement of others: whereas here they may bee informed of them so, as to knowe them by proofes of Scripture, which with a little labour they may commit to memory, as seed-plots of contemplation.
And for the third, what is the reason, that Common-place Diuinitie is so out of vse in popular teaching? or that Catechismes are looked vponupon so dully, and learned or taught with so little profit? but that the vse of such doctrine hath not been distinctly shewed: so as men thinke of Principles, as of certaine inferior truthes, because they see other points in textuall course handled with directions for the vse of them. Whereas it is certaine, that no doctrines in Religion hauehave more abundant vse in the life of man, nor more vrged with varietie of vses in the Scriptures, then the heads of Catechisme.
The warrant of this course.And for the warrant of the proiect, it is euident, that the Apostles did make a separation of truthes, and did extract the fundamentall truthes out of the maine body of doctrine, and those they deliuered to ye Churches, as the common treasure of all the Saints: and those both for the honour and vse of them they described by diuers titles.
They were called the principles of the praises of God, Heb. 5.12.
The principles of the doctrine of Christ, Heb. 6.1.
The doctrines of foundation in the same place.
The patterne of wholesome words, 2. Tim. 1.13.
The forme of the knowledge of the truth, Rom. 2.20.
The forme of doctrine, into which they were deliuered, Rom. 6. All which titles shew the singular vse of them.
Now if any aske mee,Question. how I will know a Principle?
I answere by these markes.Answere.
First, it is such a truth to bee beleeued,Principles may bee knowne three waies. as is contained in the expresse words of Scripture: so as I take a Principle to bee a Doctrine plainely expressed in the Word: and so differ from Doctrines, that are deduced from the Scriptures onelyonly by consequence, or are there but in darke and obscure words.
Secondly Principles are first truths, that is such, as hauehave been from the beginning, and hauehave been beleeued in all ages of the Church.
Thirdly, they are such truthes, as being stubbornely and wilfully denied, the whole building falles downe, and men hold not the foundation. Besides, any man may be guided herein, that will make vse of the iudgement of the Churches in their Creedes and Confessions, and Catechismes; though it be true, that if men narrowly obserue the most Catechismes, they either hauehave not all Principles in, or else they hauehave more then Principles, such truths, as are strong meate, and so prooue hard sayings to the weake. Neither am I so transported with any ouerweaning of my selfe in this proiect, but that with all readines I shall subiect my endeuors herein to the correction of the godly learned: if my labor may prouoke others more sufficient to perfect this worke with such exactnes, as is further requisite, I shall reioyce in it, and thinke I hauehave attained a happy end.
I doubt not, but that this labour may be of great vse for yonger Diuines to point out a way, how they may Catechise with more profit by making the vses of eueryevery Principle, as they teach the grounds to the people: yea, it is one part of the Sabbaths daies best imployment in Sermons to treate in this, or the like manner; and so to let the people bee truly informed concerning the Characteristicall truthes in their Religion, with vse of them in their conuersation.
Lastly, it will be some content vntounto ingenious mindes, to see the Principles cast into some method for the helpe of memorie and quickening of delight, and the more easie learning of them.
CHAP. II. The Method of the Principles.
The diuision of Principles according to their chiefe heads.THe Principles concerne either the fountaine and originall of Doctrine and knowledge, which is the scripture or word of God; or the subiect of knowledge, which is God himselfe:
In God wee consider: 1. His Nature: 2. His Workes.
The workes of God, as the principles take notice of them, are: 1. Creation: 2. Prouidence:
The prouidence of God must be considered either in generall, or as it concernes man onelyonly.
The prouidence of God, as it concernes man hath Principles, that looke vponupon him in his fourfold estate.
In the estate of Innocency.
In the estate of Corruption, or misery.
In the estate of Grace, where the principles consider,
1 The meanes of grace, viz. Election in God; and Redemption in Christ.
2 The subiect of Grace, viz. the Church.
3 The degrees, or sorts of Grace: viz. Iustification, and Sanctification.
In the estate of Glory, where
1 Of the resurrection of the dead.
2 Of the last iudgement.
3 Of the glory of Heauen.