The Reasons of the Christian Religion Part 1, Part 2 · Chapter 3

The Reasons of the Christian Religion Part 1 · Part 2 · Chapter 3

p. 204CHAP. III. Of the CHRISTIAN RELIGION: and Firſt, What it is.

What the Chriſtian Religion is, judge not by the intruded opinions of any Sect, but by the ancient Creeds and Summaries, which elſewhere I have recited out of Tertullian and other ancients; and which you may finde recited or referr'd to in Uſher and Voſſius, de Symb.§. 1. IV. THE laſt ſort of Religion to be enquired into, is CHRISTIANITY: in which by the Providence of God I was educated, and at firſt received it by a humane Faith, upon the word and reverence of my Parents and Teachers, being unable in my Childhood rationally to try its grounds and evidences.

I ſhall declare to the Reader juſt in what Order I have received the Chriſtian Religion, that the Inquiſition being the more clear and particular, the ſatisfaction may be the p. 205greater: And it being primarily for my own uſe that I draw up theſe Papers, I finde it convenient to remember what is paſt, and to inſert the tranſcript of my own experiences;See the deſcription of the Chriſtian Faith in Proclus ad Armenios de fide in Bib. Pal. Graecolat. To. 1. pag. 311. that I may fully try whether I have gone rationally, and faithfully to work or not. I confeſs, that I took my Religion at firſt upon my Parents word: And who could expect that in my Childhood I ſhould be able to prove its grounds? But whether God owned that method of Reception,Alſo the Catechiſ. of Junilius Africanus, de part. div. Legis. by any of his inward light and operations, and whether the efficacy of the ſmalleſt beams, be any proof of the truth of the Chriſtian Faith, I leave to the Reader,Et Hermenopul. de Fide Orthod. and ſhall my ſelf only declare the naked hiſtory in truth.

§. 2. In this Religion (received defectively both as to Matter and Grounds,) I found a Power even in my Childhood, to awe my Soul, and check my ſin and folly, and make me carefull of my ſalvation, and to make me love and honour true wiſdom and holineſs of life.

§. 3. But when I grew up to fuller uſe of Reaſon, and more diſtinctly underſtood what I had generally and darkly received, the power of it did more ſurprize my minde, and bring me to deeper conſideration of ſpiritual and everlaſting things: It humbled me in the ſenſe of my ſin and its deſerts: and made me think more ſenſibly of a Saviour: It reſolved me for more exact Obedience to God; and increaſed my love to God: and increaſed my love to perſons and things, ſermons, writings, prayers, conference, which reliſhed of plain reſolved Godlineſs.

§. 4. In all this time I never doubted of the Truth of this Religion; partly retaining my firſt humane Belief, and partly awed and convinced by the intrinſick evidence of its proper ſubject, end, and manner; and being taken up about the humbling and reforming ſtudy of my ſelf.

§. 5. At laſt having for many years laboured to compoſe my mind and life, to the Principles of this Religion, I grew up to ſee more difficulties in it, than I ſaw before: And partly by temptations, and partly by an inquiſitive mind, which was wounded with uncertainties and could not contemptuoſly or careleſly caſt off the doubts which I was not able to reſolve, I reſumed afreſh the whole inquiry, and reſolved to make as faithfull a ſearch into the nature and grounds of this Religion, as if I had never been baptized into it.

p. 206The firſt thing I ſtudyed was, the Matter of Chriſtianity, What it is? and the next was the evidence and certainty of it: of which I ſhall ſpeak diſtinctly.

§. 6. The Chriſtian Religion is to be conſidered, 1. In its ſelf, as delivered by God. 2. In its Reception and Practice by men profeſſing it. In its ſelf it is Perfect, but not ſo eaſily diſcernable by a ſtranger; In the Practiſers it is imperfect here in this life; but more diſcernable by men that cannot ſo quickly underſtand the Principles; and more forcibly conſtraineth them to perceive its holyneſs and worth; Where it is indeed ſincerely practiſed: And is moſt diſhonoured and miſunderſtood through the wickedneſs of Hypocrites who profeſs it.

Leg Julian. Toletin. cont Judaeus. Et Rabbi Samuel. Marrochiani de adventu Meſſiae.As the Impreſs on the Wax doth make the Image more diſcernable than the Sculpture on the Seal; but the Sculpture is true and perfect, when many accidents may render the Impreſſed image imperfect and faulty: So is it in this caſe. To a diligent Enquirer, Chriſtianity is beſt known in its Principles delivered by Chriſt the Author of it: and indeed is no otherwiſe perfectly known; becauſe it is no where elſe perfectly to be ſeen: But yet it is much more viſible, and taking with unskilfull ſuperficial Obſervers, in the Profeſſors Lives: For they can diſcern the good or evil of an action, who perceive not the nature of the Rule and Precepts. The vital form in the Roſe-tree is the moſt excellent part; but the beauty and ſweetneſs of the Roſe is more eaſily diſcerned. Effects are moſt ſenſible, but cauſes are moſt excellent. And yet in ſome reſpect the Practice of Religion is more excellent than the Precepts, in as much as the Precepts are Means to Practice: For the end is more excellent than the Means as ſuch. A poor man can eaſilyer perceive the worth of Charity in the perſon that cloatheth and feedeth and relieveth him, than the worth of a treatiſe or ſermon of Charity. Subjects eaſily perceive the worth of a wiſe, and holy, and juſt, and mercifull King or Magiſtrate, in his actual Government, who are not much taken with the Precepts which require yet more perfection: And among all deſcriptions, hiſtorical Narratives, like Zenophons Cyrus, do take moſt with them. Doubtleſs, if ever the Profeſſors of Chriſtianity ſhould live according to their own Profeſſion, they p. 207would thereby overcome the oppoſition of the World, and propagate their Religion with greateſt ſucceſs through all the Earth.

Becauſe no man can well judge of the Truth of a doctrine, till he firſt know what it is, I think it here neceſſary, to open the true nature of the Chriſtian Religion, and tell men truly what it is: Partly, becauſe I perceive that abundance that profeſs it hypocritically, by the meer power of Education, Laws and Cuſtom of their Countrey, do not underſtand it, and then are the eaſilyer tempted to neglect or contemn it, or forſake it, if ſtrongly tempted to it: (even to forſake that which indeed they never truely received). And becauſe its poſſible ſome Aliens to Chriſtianity may peruſe theſe lines. Otherwiſe, were I to ſpeak only to thoſe that already underſtand it, I might ſpare this deſcription.

§. 7. The CHRISTIAN RELIGION containeth two Parts: 1. All Theological Verities which are of Natural Revelation. 2. Much more which is ſupernaturally revealed. The ſupernatural Revelation is ſaid in it to be partly written by God, partly delivered by Angels, partly by inſpired Prophets and Apoſtles, and partly by Jeſus Chriſt himſelf in perſon.

§. 8. The ſupernatural Revelation reciteth moſt of the Natural, becauſe the ſearching of the great Book of Nature, is a long and difficult work, for the now-corrupted, dark and ſlothfull minde of the common ſort of men.

§. 9. Theſe ſupernatural Revelations are all contained, 1. Moſt copiouſly in a Book called, The Holy Bible, or Canonical Scriptures. 2. More ſummarily and contractedly, in three Forms, called, The Belief, The Lords Prayer, and the Ten Commandements: and moſt briefly and ſummarily, in a Sacramental Covenant: This laſt containeth all the Eſſential parts moſt briefly; and the ſecond ſomewhat fuller explaineth them; and the firſt (the holy Scriptures) containeth alſo all the Integral parts, or the whole frame.

§. 10. Some of the preſent Profeſſors of the Chriſtian Religion, do differ about the authority of ſome few Writings called Apocrypha, whether they are to be numbred with the Canonical Books of God, or not: But thoſe few containing in them no conſiderable points of doctrine different from the reſt, the p. 208controverſie doth not very much concern the ſubſtance or doctrinal matter of their Religion.

§. 11. The ſacred Scriptures are written very much. Hiſtorically, the Doctrines being interſperſed with the Hiſtory.

§. 12. This ſacred Volume containeth two Parts: The firſt called, The Old Teſtament, containing the Hiſtory of the Creation, and of the Deluge, and of the Jewiſh Nation till after their Captivity; As alſo their Law, and Prophets. The ſecond called The New Teſtament, containing the Hiſtory of the Birth, and Life, and Death, and Reſurrection, and Aſcenſion of Jeſus Chriſt; The ſending of his Apoſtles, the giving of the Holy Ghoſt; the courſe of their Miniſtry and Miracles; with the ſumm of the doctrine preached firſt by Chriſt, and then by them, and certain Epiſtles of theirs to divers Churches and perſons more fully opening all that doctrine.

Gen. 1.Gen 1§. 13. The ſumm of the Hiſtory of the Old Teſtament is this:

That in the beginning God created the Heaven and the Earth, with all things in them: Viz. That having firſt made the Intellectual ſuperiour part of the World, and the matter of the Elementary World in an unformed Maſs, he did the firſt day diſtinguiſh or form the active Element of Fire, and cauſed it to give light; The ſecond day he ſeparated the rarified Paſſive Element called Fire, expanding it from the Earth upwards to be a ſeparation and medium of action between the ſuperiour and inferiour parts: The third day he ſeparated the reſt of the Paſſive Element, Earth and Water into their proper place, and ſet their bounds; and made individual Plants, with their ſpecifick forms, and virtue of generation. The fourth day he made the Sun, Moon and Starrs, for Luminaries to the Earth; either then forming them, or then appointing them to that Office (but not revealing their other uſes which are nothing to us.) The fifth day he made Fiſhes and Birds, with the power of generation. The ſixth day he made the terreſtrial Animals, and Man, with the like generative Power. And the ſeventh day he appointed to be a Sabbath of Reſt, on which he would be ſolemnly worſhipped by Mankinde as our CREATOR. Having made one Man and one Woman, in his own Image, that is with Intellects, Free-will, and executive Power, in wiſdom, holineſs, and aptitude p. 209to Obey him, and with Dominion over the ſenſitive and vegetative, and inanimate Creatures; he placed them in a Garden of pleaſure, wherein were two Sacramental Trees, one called, The Tree of Life, and the other the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil: And (beſides the Law of Nature) he tryed him only with this poſitive prohibition, that he ſhould not eat of the Tree of Knowledge: Whereupon the Devil **Caeſarius Dialog. 3. Q. 122. thinketh that Adam was forty dayes in Paradiſe, and that therefore Lent is kept, to ſhew our hungring after Paradiſe. But that's a ſingular Fanſie. And after he changed it upon ſome old mens tradition of a longer time.(who before this was fallen from his firſt ſtate of innocency and felicity) took occaſion to perſwade the Woman that Gods Threatning was not true; that he meant not as he ſpake; that he knew Man was capable of greater Knowledge,Gen. 2. & 3.Gen 2 but envyed him that happineſs; and that the eating of that Fruit,Tranſtulit Deus hominem in Paradiſum, ei undi que occaſiones ſuggerens ut creſceret, & perfectus redderetur, & declaratus tandem Deus, in aſtra aſcenderet. Mediam etenim conditionem obtinuit homo; nec totus mortalis, nec totus immortalis exiſtens; verum utriuſ que extitit particeps. Theoph. Autio. ad Autol. l. 1. p. 129. was not the way to death as God had threatned, but to Knowledge and Exaltation: whereupon the woman ſeeing the beauty of the Fruit, and deſiring Knowledge, believed the Devil, and did eat of that which God forbad: The ſin being ſo hainous for a new-made Rational Creature, to believe that God was falſe and bad, a lyar and envious, which is indeed the nature of the Devil, and to depart from his Love and Obedience for ſo ſmall a matter, God did in Juſtice preſently ſentence the Offenders to puniſhment: yet would not ſo loſe his new-made Creature, nor caſt off Mankind, by the full execution of his deſerved puniſhment; but he reſolved to commit the Recovery and Conduct of Mankind to a Redeemer, who ſhould better perform the work of ſalvation, than the firſt Man Adam had done the work of adhaeſion and obedience. This Saviour is the Eternal Wiſdom and Word of God, who was in due time to aſſume the Nature of Man, and in the mean time to ſtay the ſtroke of Juſtice, and to be the inviſible Law-giver and Guide of Souls, communicating ſuch meaſures of mercy, light, and ſpirit, for their recovery, as he ſaw fit. (Of whom more anon): ſo that henceforward God did no longer Govern man as a ſpotleſs innocent Creature, by the meer Law of entire-Nature; but as a lapſed, guilty, depraved Creature, who muſt be pardoned, reconciled, and renewed, and have Laws and Means made ſuitable to his corrupted miſerable ſtate.Gen. 3.15.Gen 3:15 Hereupon God publiſhed the Promiſe of a Saviour, to be ſent in due time: who ſhould confound p. 210the Devil that had accuſed God of falſhood, and of envying the good of man, and had by lying murdered mankind; and ſhould overcome all his deceits and power, and reſcue God's injur'd Honour, and the Souls of ſinners, and bring them ſafe to the everlaſting bleſſedneſs which they were made for. Thus God as man's Redeemer, (and not only as his Creator) governeth him: He taught Adam firſt to worſhip him now by Sacrifice, both in acknowledgment of the Creator, and to teach him to believe in, and expect the Redeemer, who in his aſſumed humanity was to become a Sacrifice for ſin. This Worſhip by Sacrifice Adam taught his two ſons, Cain and Abel; who were the early inſtances, types and beginnings of the two ſorts of perſons which thence-forward would be in the world;Gen. 4.Gen 4 viz. The holy Seed of Chriſt, and the wicked Seed of Satan: Cain, the elder, (as corruption now is before Regeneration) offering the fruits of his land only to his Creator; and Abel, the younger, ſacrificing the firſtlings of his flock (of ſheep) to his Redeemer, with a purified mind; God rejected the offering of Cain, and accepted the ſacrifice of Abel: Whereupon Cain, in imitation of the Devil, envied his Brother, and in envy ſlew him, to foretell the world what the corrupted nature of man would prove, and how malignant it would be againſt the ſanctified, and what the holy Seed that are accepted of God muſt look for in this world, for the hope of an everlaſting bleſſedneſs with God. After this, God's patience waited on mankind, not executing the threatned death upon their bodies, till they had lived ſeven or eight or nine hundred years a piece: which mercy was abuſed to their greater ſin,Gen. 5.Gen 5 (the length of their lives occaſioning their exceſſive ſenſuality,Gen. 6. & 7.Gen 6 worldlineſs, and contempt of God, and life eternal) ſo that the number of the holy Seed was at laſt ſo ſmall, and the wickedneſs of mankind ſo great, that God reſolved to drown the world: Only righteous Noah and his family (eight perſons) he ſaved in an Ark, which he directed him to make, for the preſervation of himſelf, and the ſpecies of Aereal and Terreſtrial Animals. After which Floud,Gen. 8▪ & 9. & 10. & 11.Gen 8 the earth was peopled in time from Noah, to whom God gave Precepts of Piety and Juſtice, p. 211which by tradition came down to his poſterity through the world. But ſtill the greater part did corrupt their ways, and followed Satan, and the holy Seed was the ſmaller part:Gen. 12 to the end of the Book.Gen 12 of whom Abraham, being exemplary in holineſs and righteouſneſs, with his ſon Iſaac, and his grandſon Jacob, God did in ſpecial approbation of their righteouſneſs renew his gracious covenant with them, and enlarge it with the addition of many temporal bleſſings, and ſpecial priviledges to their poſterity after them; promiſing that they ſhould poſſeſs the Land of Canaan, and be to him a peculiar people above all the people of the earth: The children of Jacob being afterward by a famine removed into Egypt, there multiplied to a great people; The King of Egypt therefore oppreſſed them, and uſed them as ſlaves,Exod per totum. to make his brick, by cruel impoſitions: Till at laſt God raiſed them up Moſes for a deliverer, to whom God committed his meſſage to the King, and to whom he gave power to work miracles for their deliverance, and whom he made their Captain to lead them out of Egypt towards the promiſed Land. Ten times did Moſes with Aaron his Brother go to Pharaoh the King in vain, though each time they wrought publick miracles to convince him, till at laſt when God had in a night deſtroyed all the firſt-born in the land of Egypt, Pharaoh did unwillingly let the Seed of Jacob (or Iſrael) go: But repenting quickly, he purſued after them with his Hoſt, and overtook them juſt at the Red-ſea, where God wrought a miracle, opening the Sea, which the Iſraelites paſt through on dry ground: but the King with his Hoſt, who were hardned to purſue them, were all drowned by the return of the waters, when the Iſraelites were over. Then Moſes led them on in the Wilderneſs towards the promiſed Land:Exod. & Numb. but the great difficulties of the Wilderneſs tempted them to murmuring againſt him that had brought them thither, and to unbelief againſt God, as if he could not have provided for them: This provoked God to kill many thouſands of them by Plagues and Serpents, and to delay them forty years in that Wilderneſs, before he gave them the Land of Promiſe: ſo that only two which came out of Egypt (Caleb and Joſhua) did live to enter it. But to confute p. 210duplicate page p. 211duplicate page p. 210duplicate page p. 211duplicate page p. 212their unbelief, God wrought many miracles for them in this Wilderneſs: He cauſed the Rocks to give them water: He fed them with Manna from above: Their ſhooes and cloaths did not wear in forty years. In this Wilderneſs Moſes received from God a Law, by which they were to be governed: In mount Sinai in flames of fire, with terrible thunder, God appeared ſo far to Moſes, as to ſpeak to him, and inſtruct him in all that he would have him do; He gave him the chief part of his Law in two Tables of Stone, containing Ten Commandments, engraven thereon by God himſelf, (or by Angelical miniſtration): The reſt he inſtructed him in by word of voice. Moſes was made their Captain, and Aaron their High Prieſt, and all the Forms of God's Worſhip ſetled, with abundance of Laws for Sacrifices and Ceremonies, to typifie the Sacrifice and Reign of Chriſt:Joſh. per tot. Judg. When Moſes and Aaron were dead in the Wilderneſs, God choſe Joſhua, Moſes his Servant, to be their Captain, who led them into Canaan, and miraculouſly conquered all the inhabitants, and ſetled Iſrael in poſſeſſion of the Land. There they long remained under the government of a Chieftain, called a Judge, ſucceſſively choſen by God himſelf:1 Sam. Till at laſt they mutinied againſt that form of Government, and deſired a King like other Nations: Whereupon God gave them a bad King in diſpleaſure; but next him he choſe David, a King of great and exemplary holineſs, in whom God delighted, and made his Kingdom hereditary. To David he gave a Son of extraordinary wiſdom, who by God's appointment built the famous Temple at Jeruſalem, yet did this Solomon, by the temptation of his Wives, to gratifie them, ſet up Idolatry alſo in the land;1 King. 2 King. & 1 Chron. & 2 Chron. which ſo provoked God, that he reſolved to rend ten Tribes of the twelve out of his ſons hand; which accordingly was done, and they revolted and choſe a King of their own, and only the Tribes of Juda and Benjamin adhered to the poſterity of Solomon. The wiſe Sentences of Solomon, and the Pſalms of David, are here inſerted in the Bible. The Reigns of the Kings of Juda and Iſrael are afterwards deſcribed; the wickedneſs and idolatry of moſt of their ſucceſſive Kings and people; till God being ſo much provoked by them, gave them up p. 213into Captivity: Here is alſo inſerted many Books of the Propheſies of thoſe Prophets which God ſent from time to time, to call them from their ſins, and warn them of his fore-told judgments: And, laſtly,Ezra & Nehem. here is contained ſome of the Hiſtory of their ſtate in Captivity, and the return of the Jews by the favour of Cyrus; where in a tributary ſtate they remain'd in expectation of the promiſed Meſſiah, or Chriſt. Thus far is the Hiſtory of the Old Teſtament.

The Jews being too ſenſible of their Captivities and Tributes, and too deſirous of Temporal Greatneſs and Dominion, expected that the Meſſiah ſhould reſtore their Kingdom to its ancient ſplendour, and ſhould ſubdue the Gentile Nations to them: And to this ſenſe they expounded all thoſe paſſages in their Prophets, which were ſpoken and meant of the ſpiritual Kingdom of Chriſt, as the Saviour of Souls: which prejudiced them againſt the Meſſiah when he came: ſo that though they looked and longed for his coming, yet when he came they knew him not to be the Chriſt, but hated him and perſecuted him, as the Prophets had fore-told: The fulneſs of time being come,Matth. 1, 2, &c. Luk. 1, 2; &c.Matt 1:2Luke 1:2 in which God would ſend the Promiſed Redeemer, the Eternal Wiſdom and Word of God, the Second in the Trinity, aſſumed a Humane Soul and Body, and was conceived in the womb of a Virgin, by the holy Spirit of God, without man's concurrence. His Birth was celebrated by Propheſies, and Apparitions, and applauſe of Angels, and other Wonders: A Star appearing over the place, led ſome Aſtronomers out of the Eaſt to worſhip him in the Cradle: Which Herod the King being informed of, and that they called him the King of the Jews, he cauſed all the Infants in that country to be killed, that he might not ſcape: But by the warning of an Angel, Jeſus was carried into Egypt, where he remained till the death of Herod. At twelve years old he diſputed with the Doctors in the Temple: In this time roſe a Prophet called John, who told them, that the Kingdom of the Meſſiah was at hand, and called the people to Repentance, that they might be prepared for him, and baptized all that profeſſed Repentance into the preſent expectation of the Saviour: About the p. 214thirtieth year of his age,Vid. Procli Homiliam de Nativ. Chriſti, interpret. Peltano. Jeſus reſolved to enter upon the ſolemn performance of his undertaken work: And, firſt, He went to John to be baptized by him, (the Captains being to wear the ſame Colours with the Souldiers.) When John had baptized him, he declared him to be the Lamb of God, that taketh away the ſins of the world: and when he was baptized and prayed, the Heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit deſcended in a bodily ſhape like a Dove upon him, and a voice came from Heaven which ſaid, Thou art my beloved Son, in thee I am well pleaſed: The firſt thing that Jeſus did after his Baptiſm, was, when he had faſted forty days and nights, to expoſe himſelf to the utmoſt of Satan's temptations, who thereupon did divers ways aſſault him;Matth. 4. Luk. 4.Matt 4Luke 4 But Jeſus perfectly overcame the Tempter, who had overcome the firſt Man Adam; Thenceforth he preached the glad tidings of Salvation; and called men to repentance, and chooſing Twelve to be more conſtantly with him than the reſt, and to be witneſſes of his works and doctrin, he revealed the myſteries of the Kingdom of God: He went up and down with them teaching the people, and working miracles to confirm his doctrin: He told them, that he was ſent from God, to reveal his will to loſt mankind for their recovery, and to bring them to a fuller knowledge of the unſeen world, and the way thereto; and to be a Mediator and Reconciler between God and Man, and to lay down his life as a Sacrifice for ſin; and that he would riſe again from the dead the third day; and in the mean time, to fulfill all righteouſneſs, and give man an example of a perfect life: Which accordingly he did: He never ſinned in thought, word or deed: He choſe a poor inferiour condition of life, to teach men by his example, to contemn the wealth and honours of this world, in compariſon of the favour of God, and the hopes of immortality. He ſuffered patiently all indignities from men: He went up and down as the living Image of Divine Power, Wiſdom and Goodneſs; doing Miracles to manifeſt his Power, and opening the doctrin of God to manifeſt his Wiſdom, and healing mens bodies, and ſeeking the ſalvation of their ſouls, to manifeſt his Goodneſs and his Love. Without any means, by his bare command, he immediately p. 215cured Fevers, Palſies, and all diſeaſes, caſt out Devils, and raiſed the dead to life again; and ſo open, uncontroled and numerous were his Miracles, as that all men might ſee, that the Omnipotent God did thereby bear witneſs to his Word. Yet did not the greateſt part of the Jews believe in him, for all theſe Miracles, becauſe he came not in worldly pomp to reſtore their Kingdom, and ſubdue the world: but they blaſphemed his very Miracles, and ſaid, He did them by the power of the Devil: And fearing leſt his fame ſhould bring envy and danger upon them from the Romans, who ruled over them, they were his moſt malicious perſecutors themſelves: The doctrin which he preached was not the unneceſſary curioſities of Philoſophy, nor the ſubſervient Arts and Sciences, which natural light revealeth, and which natural men can ſufficiently teach: But it was to teach men to know God, and to know themſelves, their ſin and danger, and how to be reconciled to God, and pardoned, and ſanctified, and ſaved: How to live in holineſs to God, and in love and righteouſneſs to men, and in ſpecial amity and unity among themſelves, (who are his diſciples): How to mortifie ſin, and to contemn the wealth and honours of the world, and to deny the fleſh its hurtful deſires and luſts; and how to ſuffer any thing that we ſhall be called to, for obedience to God, and the hopes of Heaven: To tell us what ſhall be after death; how all men ſhall be judged, and what ſhall become both of ſoul and body to everlaſting: But his great work was, by the great demonſtrations of the Goodneſs and Love of God to loſt mankind, (in their free pardon and offered ſalvation) to win up mens hearts to the love of God, and to raiſe their hopes and deſires up to that bleſſed life, where they ſhall ſee his glory, and love him, and be beloved by him for ever. At laſt, when he had finiſhed the work of his miniſtration in the fleſh, he told his Diſciples of his approaching Suffering and Reſurrection, and inſtituted the Sacrament of his Body and Bloud, in Bread and Wine, which he commandeth them to uſe for the renewing of their covenant with him, and remembrance of him,Vid. Microlog. de Eccleſ. obſerv. cap. 23. and for the maintaining and ſignifying their communion with him and with each other. After this, (his time being come) p. 216the Jews apprehended him, and though upon a word of his mouth (to ſhew his power) they fell all to the ground; yet did they riſe again and lay hands on him, and brought him before Pilate the Roman Governour; and vehemently urged him to crucifie him, contrary to his own mind and conſcience: They accuſed him of blaſphemy, for ſaying he was the Son of God; and of impiety, for ſaying, Deſtroy this Temple, and in three days I will re-build it, (he meant his Body): and of treaſon againſt Caeſar, for calling himſelf a King, (though he told them that his Kingdom was not worldly, but ſpiritual.) Hereupon they condemned him, and clothed him in purple like a King in ſcorn, and ſet a Crown of thorns on his head, and put a Reed for a Scepter into his hand, and led him about to be a deriſion: They cover'd his eyes, and ſmote him, and buffeted him, and bid him tell who ſtrake him: At laſt they nailed him upon a Croſs, and put him to open ſhame and death, betwixt two Malefactors, (of whom, one of them reviled him, and the other believed on him): they gave him gall and vinegar to drink: The Souldiers pierced his ſide with a Spear, when he was dead. All his Diſciples forſook him and fled; Peter having before denied thrice that ever he knew him, when he was in danger. When he was dead, the earth trembled, the rocks and the vail of the Temple rent, and darkneſs was upon the earth, though their was no natural Eclipſe; which made the Captain of the Souldiers ſay, Verily this was the Son of God. When he was taken down from the Croſs, and laid in a ſtone-Sepulchre, they ſet a guard of Souldiers to watch the grave, having a ſtone upon it, which they ſealed; becauſe he had fore-told them that he would riſe again:All this is written by the four Evangeliſts. On the morning of the third day, being the firſt day of the week, an Angel terrified the Souldiers, and rolled away the ſtone, and ſate upon it; and when his Diſciples came, they found that Jeſus was not there: And the Angel told them, that he was riſen, and would appear to them: Accordingly he oft appeared to them, ſometimes as they walked by the way, and once as they were fiſhing, but uſually when they were aſſembled together: Thomas, who was one of them, being abſent at his firſt appearance to the reſt, told them he would not believe p. 217it, unleſs he ſaw the print of the nails, and might put his finger into his wounded ſide: The next firſt day of the week, when they were aſſembled, Jeſus appeared to them, (the doors being ſhut) and called Thomas, and bad him put his fingers into his ſide, and view the prints of the nails in his hands and feet, and not be faithleſs but believing: After this he oft appeared to them, and once to above five hundred brethren at once: He earneſtly preſt Peter to ſhew the love that he bare to himſelf, by the feeding of his flock: He inſtructed his Apoſtles in the matters of their employment: He gave them Commiſſion to go into all the world, and preach the Goſpel, and gave them the tenour of the New Covenant of Grace, and made them the Rulers of his Church, requiring them by Baptiſm ſolemnly to enter all into his Covenant, who conſent to the terms of it, and to aſſure them of pardon by his Blood, and of ſalvation if they perſevere: He required them to teach his Diſciples to obſerve all things which he had commanded them, and promiſed them that he would be with them (by his Spirit, and grace, and powerful defence) to the end of the world. And when he had been ſeen of them forty days, ſpeaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God, being aſſembled with them, he commanded them not to depart from Jeruſalem, but wait till the holy Spirit came down upon them, which he had promiſed them: But they, being tainted with ſome of the worldly expectations of the Jews, and thinking that he who could riſe from the dead, would ſure now make himſelf and his followers glorious in the world, began to ask him whether he would at this time reſtore the Kingdom to Iſrael: But he anſwered them,Act. 1.Acts 1 [It is not for you to know the times or ſeaſons which the Father hath put in his own power: But ye ſhall receive power, after that the holy Ghoſt is come upon you, and ye ſhall be witneſſes to me both at Jeruſalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermoſt parts of the earth.] And when he had ſaid this, while they beheld, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their ſight: And while they looked ſtedfaſtly toward heaven, as he went up, two men ſtood by them in white apparel, and ſaid, Why gaze ye up into p. 218Heaven? This ſame Jeſus which is taken up from you into Heaven, ſhall ſo come in like manner as ye have ſeen him go into Heaven. Upon this they returned to Jeruſalem, and continued together,Act. 2.Acts 2 till ten days after: as they were all together, (both the Apoſtles and all the reſt of the Diſciples) ſuddenly there came a ſound from Heaven, as of a ruſhing mighty wind, and the likeneſs of fiery cloven tongues ſate on them all, and they were filled with the holy Ghoſt, and began to ſpeak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them utterance: By this they were enabled both to preach to people of ſeveral languages, and to work other miracles to confirm their doctrine; ſo that from this time forward, the holy Spirit which Chriſt ſent down upon Believers, was his great Witneſs and Agent in the world; and procured the belief and entertainment of the Goſpel whereſoever it came: For by this extraordinary reception of the Spirit, the Apoſtles themſelves were much fullier inſtructed in the doctrine of ſalvation than they were before, notwithſtanding their long converſe with Chriſt in perſon; (it being his pleaſure to illuminate them by ſupernatural infuſion, that it might appear to be no contrived deſign to deceive the world.) And they were enabled to preach the word with power, and by this Spirit were infallibly guided in the performance of the work of their Commiſſions, to ſettle Chriſt's Church in a holy order, and to leave on record the doctrine which he had commanded them to teach: Alſo they themſelves did heal the ſick, and caſt out devils, and propheſie, and by the laying on of their hands, the ſame holy Spirit was ordinarily given to others that believed: ſo that Chriſtians had all one gift or other of that Spirit, by which they convinced and converted a great part of the world in a ſhort time: and all that were ſincere, had the gift of ſanctification, and were regenerate by the Spirit, as well as by Baptiſmal water, and had the love of God ſhed abroad in their hearts, by the holy Ghoſt which was given them: A holy and heavenly mind and life, with mortification, contempt of the world, ſelf-denial, patience, and love to one another and to all men, was the conſtant badge of all Chriſt's followers:Act. 2▪ & 3.Acts 2 The firſt Sermon that Peter preached p. 219did convert three thouſand of thoſe ſinful Jews that had crucified Chriſt: And after that, many thouſands of them more were converted: One of their bloody perſecutors, (Saul a Phariſee) that had been one of the murderers of the firſt Martyr Stephen, Act. 9.Acts 9and had haled many of them to priſons; as he was going on this buſineſs, was ſtruck down by the high-way, a light from Heaven ſhining round about him, and a voice ſaying to him, Saul, Saul, why perſecuteſt thou me? And he ſaid, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord ſaid, I am Jeſus whom thou perſecuteſt; it is hard for thee to kick againſt the pricks: And he trembling and aſtoniſhed ſaid, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord ſaid, Ariſe, and go into the City, and it ſhall be told thee what thou muſt do: And the men that journeyed with him ſtood ſpeechleſs, hearing a voice, but ſeeing no man: And ſo Saul was led blind to Damaſcus, Act. per tot.where one Ananias had a viſion, commanding him to Baptize him, and his eyes were opened: This Convert called Paul, did hence-forward preach the Goſpel of Chriſt, from Country to Country, in Syria, in Aſia, at Rome, and a great part of the world, in marvellous unwearied labours and ſufferings, abuſes and impriſonments, converting multitudes, and planting Churches in many great Cities and Countries, and working abundance of miracles where he went. His Hiſtory is laid down in part of the New Teſtament: There are alſo many of his Epiſtles, (to Rome, to Corinth, Galatia, Epheſus, Philippi, Coloſs, Theſſalonica, to Timothy, to Titus, and to Philemon, and the Hebrews (as is ſuppoſed) There are alſo the Epiſtles of Peter, James, John and Jude, with the Revelation of John, containing many myſterious Propheſies. An Eunuch who was of great power under the Queen of Ethiopia, was converted by Philip, and carried the Goſpel into his Country. The reſt of the Apoſtles and other Diſciples carried it abroad a great part of the world, eſpecially in the Roman Empire: and though every where they met with oppoſition and perſecution, yet by the power of the holy Ghoſt, appearing in their Holineſs, Languages and Miracles, they prevailed and planted abundance of Churches, of which the moſt populous were at Jeruſalem, Antioch, Rome and Alexandria: And though p. 220they were all diſperſed abroad the world, and out of the reach of mutual converſe, yet did they never diſagree in their Doctrine, in the ſmalleſt point, but proceeded through ſufferings in Unity and Holineſs, in the work of ſaving Souls, till moſt of them were put to death for the ſake of Chriſt; having left the Churches under the Government of their ſeveral Paſtors, according to the will of Chriſt.

This is the abſtract of the Hiſtory of the holy Scriptures.

§. 14. The ſumm of the Doctrine of Chriſtianity is contained in theſe Articles following, conſiſting of three general Heads: I. Things to be known and believed. II. Things to be willed, and deſired, and hoped. III. Things to be done.

1 Cor. 8.4, 6. Matth. 28.19 1 Joh. 5.7. 1 Tim. 1.17. Pſ. 139.7, 8, 9. & 147.5. Iſa. 40.17. 1 Tim. 6.16. Mal. 3.6. Jam. 1.17. Neh. 9.6. Rev. 4.8. & 15.3. Exod. 34.6, 7. Ezek. 18.4. Pſ 47.7. & 119.68. & 145.9.1 Cor 8:41 Cor 8:6Matt 28:191 John 5:71 Tim 1:17Ps 139:7Ps 139:8Ps 139:9Ps 147:5Isa 40:171 Tim 6:16Mal 3:6Jas 1:17Neh 9:6Rev 4:8Rev 15:3Exod 34:6Exod 34:7Ezek 18:4Ps 47:7Ps 119:68Ps 145:9I. 1. There is one only GOD in Eſſence, in Three Eſſential Principles, POWER, UNDERSTANDING and WILL; or OMNIPOTENCY, OMNISCIENCE and GOODNESS; in Three Subſiſtences or Perſons, the FATHER, the SON and the HOLY SPIRIT, who is a Mind or Spirit, and therefore is moſt Simple, Incorruptible, Immortal, Impaſſionate, Inviſible, Intactible, &c. and is Indiviſible, Eternal, Immenſe, Neceſſary, Independent, Self-ſufficient, Immutable, Abſolute and Infinite in all Perfections: The Principal Efficient, Dirigent and Final Cauſe of all the world: The CREATOR of all, and therefore our Abſolute OWNER,Prov. 16.4. Gen. 1.26. Deut. 30.19. Col. 3.10. Eccleſ. 7.29. Pſal. 8.5, 6. Mar. 12 30, 33. Deut. 6.5. & 10.12. & 1.32. Gen. 2.16, 17. Rom. 6.23. See an Expoſition of the Creed briefly in Iſidor. de Eccleſ. Offic. l. 2. c. 23. p. 222. Of the Original of the Creed, ſee Voſſi…s de Symbol. and Parker de Deſcenſu ad Inferos. Of the ſeveral Creeds of the Eaſtern and Weſtern Churches, ſee Uſher, de Symbolis.Prov 16:4Gen 1:26Deut 30:19Col 3:10Eccl 7:29Ps 8:5Ps 8:6Mark 12:30Mark 12:33Deut 6:5Deut 10:12Deut 1:32Gen 2:16Gen 2:17Rom 6:23 or Supreme RULER, and our Total BENEFACTOR, and CHIEF GOOD and END.

2. GOD made Man for himſelf; not to ſupply any want of his own, but for the pleaſing of his own Will and Love, in the Glory of his Perfections ſhining forth in his works: In his own Image; that is, with Vital Power, Underſtanding and Free-will, Able, Wiſe and Good; with Dominion over the Inferiour Creatures, as being in ſubordination to God their OWNER, their GOVERNOUR and their BENEFACTOR and END. And he bound him by the Law of his Nature to adhere to GOD his MAKER; by Reſignation, Devotion and Submiſſion to him as his OWNER, by Believing, Honouring and Obeying him as his RULER; and by Loving him, Truſting and Seeking him, Delighting in him, Thankſgiving to him, and Praiſing him, as his Grand BENEFACTOR, chief Good, and p. 221ultimate end, to exerciſe Charity and Juſtice to each other; and to Govern all his inferiour faculties by Reaſon according to his Makers will, that he ſo might pleaſe him, and be Happy in his Love: And, to try him, he particularly forbad him to eat of the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil, upon pain of death.

3.Gen. 3. Joh. 8.44. Rom. 5.12.17, 18. Gen. 3.16, 17. Rom. 3.9, 19, 23. & 6.23. Act. 26.18. Eph. 2.2. Heb. 2.14 Pſal. 51.5. Rom. 5.12. Eph. 2.2, 3, 5. Iſa. 48.4. Job 14.4. & 25.4. Gen. 6.5. Hoſ. 11.7. Rom. 5.18, 19. Rom. 5.6, 10. Act. 4.12.Rom 5:12Rom 5:17Rom 5:18Gen 3:16Gen 3:17Rom 3:9Rom 3:19Rom 3:23Rom 6:23Acts 26:18Eph 2:2Heb 2:14Ps 51:5Eph 2:3Eph 2:5Isa 48:4Job 14:4Job 25:4Gen 6:5Hos 11:7Rom 5:19Rom 5:6Rom 5:10Acts 4:12 Man being tempted by Satan to break this Law of God, did believe the Tempter who promiſed him impunity, and advancement in Knowledge, and who accuſed God as falſe in his threatning, and as envying Man this great advancement: And ſo by wilfull ſinning againſt him, he fell from God and his uprightneſs and happineſs, under the diſpleaſure of God, the penalty of his Law, and the power of Satan: And hence we are all conceived in ſin, averſe to good, and prone to evil, and condemnation is paſſed upon all, and no meer Creature is able to deliver us.

4. God ſo loved the World,Joh▪ 3.16, 17. & 4.42. 1 Joh. 2.2. Rom. 9.5. Joh. 10.30. 1 Tim. 2.5. Heb. 2.14, 16. Luk. 1.27, 31, 35. Mat. 1.20, 21. Heb. 4.15. Mat. 4. Heb. 7.26. Mat. 3.15. Act. 2.22. Heb. 2.3, 4. Heb. 9.26. & 10.12. 1 Tim. 2.6. Eph. 2.16. 1 Cor. 15.3, 4. Luk. 23.43. Pſal. 16.10. 1 Pet. 3.18, 19. 2 Tim. 1.10. Heb. 2.14. Act. …2.24, 9. & 3.21. Rom. 9.5. Heb. 7.24. Act 2.36. & 10.36. Heb. 8.2. & 10.21. Act. 3.23. & 5.31. Heb. 7.25. Rom. 8.34. Eph. 4.8, 11, 12, 13. Rom. 8.9, 1. Theſſ. 5.12.John 3:16John 3:17John 4:421 John 2:2Rom 9:5John 10:301 Tim 2:5Heb 2:14Heb 2:16Luke 1:27Luke 1:31Luke 1:35Matt 1:20Matt 1:21Heb 4:15Matt 4Heb 7:26Matt 3:15Acts 2:22Heb 2:3Heb 2:4Heb 9:26Heb 10:121 Tim 2:6Eph 2:161 Cor 15:31 Cor 15:4Luke 23:43Ps 16:101 Pet 3:181 Pet 3:192 Tim 1:10Acts 2:24Acts 2:9Acts 3:21Heb 7:24Acts 2:36Acts 10:36Heb 8:2Heb 10:21Acts 3:23Acts 5:31Heb 7:25Rom 8:34Eph 4:8Eph 4:11Eph 4:12Eph 4:13Rom 8:91 Thess 5:12 that he gave his only SON to be their REDEEMER, who being the Eternal WISDOM and WORD of God, and ſo truly GOD and one in Eſſence with the FATHER, did aſſume our Nature, and became Man, being conceived by the HOLY SPIRIT in the Virgin Mary, and born of her, and called JESƲS CHRIST: who being Holy and without all ſin, did conquer the Tempter and the World, fulfilling all righteouſneſs; He enacted and preached the Law or Covenant of Grace, confirming his Doctrine by abundant uncontrolled Miracles; contemning the World, he expoſed himſelf to the malice and fury, and contempt of ſinners, and gave up himſelf a Sacrifice for our ſins, and a Ranſom for us, in ſuffering death on a Croſs, to reconcile us to God: He was buryed, and went in Soul to the Souls departed: And the third day he roſe again, having conquered death; And after forty dayes having inſtructed and authorized his Apoſtles in their Office, he aſcended up into Heaven in their ſight; where he remaineth Glorified, and is Lord of all; the chief Prieſt, and Prophet, and King of his Church, interceding for us, teaching and governing us, by his Spirit, Miniſters and Word.

5. The New Law and Covenant which Chriſt hath procured, p. 222made and ſealed (by his Blood,Heb. 9.15. Joh 1.12. & 3.16. Act. 26.18. Gal. 5.6. Act. 11.13. & 3.19. & 20.21. Rom. 8.1.13. Mar. 4.12. Rom. 8 16, 17. Gal. 4.6. Joh. 3.6. 1 Cor. 6.17. Rom. 8.9. Eph. 2.18.22 Rev. 2. & 3. Col. 1.22, 23. Heb. 4.1. Mar. 16.16. Joh. 3.3, 5.36. Heb. 12.14. 2 Theſſ. 1.8.9. & 2.12. Luk. 13.3. Mat. 28.19. Mar. 16.15, 16. 2 Cor. 5.19. Joh. 6.37. & 10 28, 29. Joh. 14.26. & 15.26. 1 Pet. 1.10, 11, 12. 2 Pet. 1.21. 2 Tim. 3.16. Joh. 16.13. Eph. 3.3, 5. & 2.20. Iſa. 8.20. Rev. 22.18, 19. 1 Tim. 6.14. Luk. 16.29, 31. Act. 2.22. & 5.32. & 19.11, 19. Heb. 2.3, 4. Gal. 3.1, 2, 3. Joh. 14.12. & 3.2. 1 Cor. 14. Act. 26.17, 18. Rom. 8.9, 10, 11. Act. 16.14. Joh. 6.44. Ezek. 36.26. Gal. 5.22. Col. 2.19. Eph. 5.30, 31, 32. & 3.17. 1 Cor. 12.12, 13, 27. Rom. 3.24. & 4.24. Joh. 1.12. Tit. 2.14. Rom. 5.5. Mat. 10.37. 1 Cor. 6 11. Luk. 1.75. 1 Joh. 3.14. 1 Pet. 1.22. Act. 24.2. Gal. 5.17, 24. 1 Joh. 2.15. 1 Cor. 1.7. 2 Pet. 3.11, 12. Tit. 1.2. & 3.7. Luk. 23.43. & 16.22. 2 Cor. 5.1, 8. Phil. 1.23. 2 Pet. 3.19. Luk. 16.28. Act. 1.11.Heb 9:15John 1:12John 3:16Acts 26:18Gal 5:6Acts 11:13Acts 3:19Acts 20:21Rom 8:1Rom 8:13Mark 4:12Rom 8:16Rom 8:17Gal 4:6John 3:61 Cor 6:17Rom 8:9Eph 2:18Eph 2:22Rev 2Col 1:22Col 1:23Heb 4:1Mark 16:16John 3:3John 3:5John 3:36Heb 12:142 Thess 1:82 Thess 1:92 Thess 2:12Luke 13:3Matt 28:19Mark 16:152 Cor 5:19John 6:37John 10:28John 10:29John 14:26John 15:261 Pet 1:101 Pet 1:111 Pet 1:122 Pet 1:212 Tim 3:16John 16:13Eph 3:3Eph 3:5Eph 2:20Isa 8:20Rev 22:18Rev 22:191 Tim 6:14Luke 16:29Luke 16:31Acts 2:22Acts 5:32Acts 19:11Acts 19:19Heb 2:3Heb 2:4Gal 3:1Gal 3:21 Cor 14Acts 26:17Rom 8:10Rom 8:11Acts 16:14John 6:44Ezek 36:26Gal 5:22Col 2:19Eph 5:30Eph 5:31Eph 5:32Eph 3:171 Cor 12:121 Cor 12:131 Cor 12:27Rom 3:24Rom 4:24Titus 2:14Rom 5:5Matt 10:371 Cor 6:11Luke 1:751 John 3:141 Pet 1:22Acts 24:2Gal 5:17Gal 5:241 John 2:151 Cor 1:72 Pet 3:112 Pet 3:12Titus 1:2Titus 3:7Luke 23:43Luke 16:222 Cor 5:12 Cor 5:8Phil 1:232 Pet 3:19Luke 16:28Acts 1:11 his Sacraments, and his Spirit) is this; [That to all them who by true Repentance and Faith, do forſake the Fleſh, the World and the Devil, and give up themſelves to God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, their Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier, he will give Himſelf in theſe Relations, and take them as his reconciled Children, pardoning their ſins, and giving them his grace, and title to Everlaſting Happineſs, and will glorifie all that thus perſevere: But will condemn the unbelievers, impenitent, and ungodly, to everlaſting puniſhment.] This Covenant he hath commanded his Miniſters to proclaim and offer to all the World, and to baptize all that conſent thereunto, to inveſt them Sacramentally in all theſe benefits, and enter them into his holy Catholick Church.

6. The Holy Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Son, did firſt inſpire and guide the Prophets, Apoſtles and Evangeliſts, that they might truly and fully reveal the Doctrine of Chriſt, and deliver it in Scripture to the Church, as the Rule of our Faith and Life; and by abundance of evident, uncontrolled Miracles, and gifts, to be the great witneſs of Chriſt, and of the truth of his holy Word.

7. Where the Goſpel is made known, the HOLY SPIRIT doth by it illuminate the minds of ſuch as ſhall be ſaved, and opening and ſoftening their hearts, doth draw them to believe in Chriſt, and turneth them from the power of Satan unto God: Whereupon they are joyned to Chriſt the Head, and into the Holy Catholick Church which is his Body, conſiſting of all true Believers, and are freely juſtified and made the Sons of God, and a ſanctified peculiar people unto him, and do Love him above all, and ſerve him ſincerely in holineſs and righteouſneſs, loving and deſiring the Communion of Saints, overcoming the Fleſh, the World, and the Devil, and living in Hope of the coming of Chriſt, and of Everlaſting life.

8. At death the Souls of the Juſtified go to Happineſs with Chriſt, and the Souls of the wicked to miſery: And at the end of this World, the Lord Jeſus Chriſt will come again, and will raiſe the Bodies of all men from the dead, and will judge all the World according to the good or p. 223evil which they have done:1 Cor. 15. Joh. 5.…2, 29. Mat. 25. 2 Cor. 5.10. Mat. 25. & 13.41, 42, 43. 2 Tim. 4.8, 18. 2 Theſſ. 1.8, 9, 10. & 2.12. Joh. 17.24.1 Cor 15John 5:2John 5:29Matt 252 Cor 5:102 Tim 4:82 Tim 4:182 Thess 1:82 Thess 1:92 Thess 1:102 Thess 2:12John 17:24 And the righteous ſhall go into Everlaſting Life, where they ſhall ſee Gods Glory, and being perfected in Holineſs, ſhall love and praiſe and pleaſe him perfectly, and be loved by him for evermore; and the Wicked ſhall go into Everlaſting puniſhment with the Devil.

II. According to this Belief we do deliberately and ſeriouſly by unfeigned conſent of Will, take this One God,Luk. 15.21. Act. 2.37. & 3.19. Rom. 8.13. Luk. 14.33. 1 Theſſ. 1.9. Exod. 20.3. Deut. 26.17. Joſh. 24.16, 26. 2 Cor. 8.5. Joh. 17.3. 1 Cor. 8.6. 2 Cor. 6.17, 18. 1 Joh. 1 3. Eph. 4.5, 6. Joh. 14.6. Luk. 5.14. & 14.26. Act. 9.6. Rom. 6.13, 16. Luk. 19.27. Joh. 3.10. Mat. 28.19. Eph. 2.18, 22. & 1.13, 14, 18. Rom. 8.9, 13, 16, 26. 1 Cor. 2.10. Eph▪ 2.18.22. & 3.5, 16. 2 Cor. 1.22. & 5.5. Iſa. 44.3, 4, 5. Rom. 15.6. See the Lords Prayer.Luke 15:21Acts 2:37Acts 3:19Rom 8:13Luke 14:331 Thess 1:9Exod 20:3Deut 26:17Josh 24:16Josh 24:262 Cor 8:5John 17:31 Cor 8:62 Cor 6:172 Cor 6:181 John 1:3Eph 4:5Eph 4:6John 14:6Luke 5:14Luke 14:26Acts 9:6Rom 6:13Rom 6:16Luke 19:27John 3:10Matt 28:19Eph 2:18Eph 2:22Eph 1:13Eph 1:14Eph 1:18Rom 8:9Rom 8:16Rom 8:261 Cor 2:10Eph 3:5Eph 3:162 Cor 1:222 Cor 5:5Isa 44:3Isa 44:4Isa 44:5Rom 15:6 the infinite Power, Wiſdom, and Goodneſs, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, for our only God, our reconciled Father, our Saviour and our Sanctifyer, and reſolvedly give up our ſelves to him accordingly; entering into his Church under the hands of his Miniſters, by the ſolemnization of this Covenant in the Sacrament of Baptiſm. And in proſecution of this Covenant, we proceed to ſtirre up our DESIRES by daily PRAYER to God in the Name of Chriſt, by the help of the Holy Spirit, in the order following: 1. We deſire the glorifying and hallowing of the Name of God, that he may be known, and loved, and honoured by the World, and may be well-pleaſed in us, and we may delight in Him which is our ultimate end. 2. That his Kingdom of Grace may be enlarged, and his Kingdom of Glory as to the Perfected Church of the ſanctified, may come: That Mankinde may more univerſally ſubject themſelves to God their Creator and Redeemer, and be ſaved by him. 3. That this Earth which is grown too like to Hell, may be made liker to the Holy ones in Heaven, by a holy conformity to Gods Will, and Obedience to all his Laws, denying and mortifying their own fleſhly deſires, wills and minds. 4. That our Natures may have neceſſary ſupport, protection and proviſion in our daily ſervice of God, and paſſage through this World, with which we ought to be content. 5. That all our ſins may be forgiven us through our Redeemer, as we our ſelves are ready to pardon wrongs. 6. That we may be kept from Temptations, and delivered from ſin and miſery, from Satan, from wicked men, and from our ſelves: Concluding our Prayers with the joyfull Praiſes of God, our Heavenly Father, acknowledging his Kingdom, Power, and Glory for ever.

p. 224III. The Laws of Chriſtian PRACTICE are theſe: 1.The Ten Commandments. Jud. 21. Gal. 5.22. Luk. 10.27. 1 Tim. 4.7. Iſa. 64.7. Act. 24.16. Col. 3.5. Rom. 8.13. Heb. 3.11, 13. Mat. 15.18, 19. Luk. 12.15. Rom. 13.13, 14. 1 Cor. 3.18. 2 Pet. 1.10. 2 Cor. 13.5. Gal. 6.3▪ 4. Pſal. 4.4. & 104.34. & 1.2. & 119.97, 99. Gen. 24.63. Eph. 3.18, 19. Pſal. 90.12. Luk. 12.36. 2 Pet. 3.11.12. Luk. 21.36. Pſal. 141.3. 1 Cor. 10.12. Pſal. 39.1. Prov. 4.23. Eph. 6.10, 19. 1 Pet. 5.9. Jam. 4.7. Pſal. 34.1. & 145.2. 1 Theſſ. 3.17. Phil. 4.6. Joh. 4.23, 24. Mat. 15.9. Iſa. 1.13. Deut. 6.13. & 10.20. Jer. 4.2. & 12.16. Jam. 5.12. Act. 2.42. & 6.2. & 20 7.28.30, 31, 36. 1 Cor. 14.16, 26. Jam. 5.14. Phil. 1.4. 1 Cor. 11.24. & 10.16. Heb. 7.7. Rev. 1.10. Act. 20.7. 1 Cor. 16.2. Eph. 6.4, 9. Deut. 6.11, 12. Dan. 6.10. Act. 10.30. Pſal. 101. 1 Sam. 2.23, 29. Gen. 18.19. Joſh. 24.15. Col. 3.20, 22. Deut. 21.18.Judg 21Gal 5:22Luke 10:271 Tim 4:7Isa 64:7Acts 24:16Col 3:5Rom 8:13Heb 3:11Heb 3:13Matt 15:18Matt 15:19Luke 12:15Rom 13:13Rom 13:141 Cor 3:182 Pet 1:102 Cor 13:5Gal 6:3Gal 6:4Ps 4:4Ps 104:34Ps 1:2Ps 119:97Ps 119:99Gen 24:63Eph 3:18Eph 3:19Ps 90:12Luke 12:362 Pet 3:112 Pet 3:12Luke 21:36Ps 141:31 Cor 10:12Ps 39:1Prov 4:23Eph 6:10Eph 6:191 Pet 5:9Jas 4:7Ps 34:1Ps 145:21 Thess 3:17Phil 4:6John 4:23John 4:24Matt 15:9Isa 1:13Deut 6:13Deut 10:20Jer 4:2Jer 12:16Jas 5:12Acts 2:42Acts 6:2Acts 20:7Acts 20:28Acts 20:30Acts 20:31Acts 20:361 Cor 14:161 Cor 14:26Jas 5:14Phil 1:41 Cor 11:241 Cor 10:16Heb 7:7Rev 1:101 Cor 16:2Eph 6:4Eph 6:9Deut 6:11Deut 6:12Dan 6:10Acts 10:30Ps 1011 Sam 2:231 Sam 2:29Gen 18:19Josh 24:15Col 3:20Col 3:22Deut 21:18 That our Souls do firmly adhere to God, our Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifyer, by Faith, Love, Confidence, and Delight; that we ſeek him by deſire, obedience and hope; meditating on himſelf, his word and works of Creation, Redemption and Sanctification, of Death, Judgement, Heaven and Hell: exerciſing Repentance and mortifying ſin, eſpecially atheiſm, unbelief, and unholineſs, hardneſs of heart, diſobedience and unthankfulneſs, pride, worldlineſs and fleſh-pleaſing: Examining our hearts; about our Graces, our Duties, and our ſins: Watchfully governing our thoughts, affections, paſſions, ſenſes, appetites, words and outward actions: Reſiſting temptations; and ſerving God with all our faculties, and glorifying him in our Hearts, our Speeches, and our Lives.

2. That we worſhip God according to his Holineſs, and his Word, in Spirit and Truth, and not with Fopperies and Imagery according to our own devices, which may diſhonour him, and lead us to Idolatry.

3. That we ever uſe his Name with ſpecial Reverence; eſpecially in appealing to him by an Oath; abhorring prophaneneſs, perjury, and breach of Vows and Covenants to God.

4. That we meet in Holy Aſſemblies for his more ſolemn Worſhip; where the Paſtors teach his Word to their Flocks, and lead them in Prayer and Praiſe to God, adminiſter the Sacrament of Communion, and are the Guides of the Church in Holy things; whom the people muſt hear, obey and honour; eſpecially the Lords Day muſt be thus ſpent in Holineſs.

5. That Parents educate their Children in the Knowledge and Fear of God, and in obedience of his Laws; and that Princes, Maſters and all Superiours govern in Holineſs and Juſtice, for the glory of God, and the common good, according to his Laws: And that Children love, honour and obey their Parents, and all Subjects their Rulers, in due ſubordination unto God.

Math. 5.21, 22, 23, 25, 38, 39.Matt 5:21Matt 5:22Matt 5:23Matt 5:25Matt 5:38Matt 5:396. That we do nothing againſt our Neighbours Life or Bodily welfare, but carefully preſerve it as our own.

p. 2257. That no man defile his Neighbours wife,Mat. 5.27, 28, 29, 30.Matt 5:27Matt 5:28Matt 5:29Matt 5:30 nor commit Fornication; but preſerve our own and others Chaſtity in thought, word and deed.

8. That we wrong not another in his Eſtate, by ſtealing,1 Theſſ. 4.6. Eph. 4.28.1 Thess 4:6Eph 4:28 fraud, or any other means; but preſerve our Neighbours Eſtate as our own.

9. That we pervert not Juſtice by falſe witneſs or otherwiſe;Prov. 19.5, 9. & 21.28. Rom. 13.9. Rev. 16.19. & 24.17. Prov. 17.23. & 31.5. Col. 3.9. Prov. 12.22. & 6.17. & 13.5.Prov 19:5Prov 19:9Prov 21:28Rom 13:9Rev 16:19Rev 16:24Rev 16:17Prov 17:23Prov 31:5Col 3:9Prov 12:22Prov 6:17Prov 13:5 nor wrong our neighbour in his Name, by ſlanders, backbiting or reproach: That we lie not; but ſpeak the truth in love, and preſerve our neighbours right and honour as our own.

10. That we be not ſelfiſh, ſetting up our ſelves and our own, againſt our Neighbour and his good,Ro. 7.7. & 13.4. Mat. 19.19 & 22.36. Luk. 14.22, 23. Jam. 2.8. & 3.13. 1 Cor 13. Mat. 7.12. Eph 4 32. Col. 3.13. 1 Joh. 4.16. Rom. 13.9. 1 Theſſ 4 9. 1 Pet. 1.22. & 3 8. & 2.17. Gal. 6.10. Eph. 2 10. Tit. 2.14.Rom 7:7Rom 13:4Matt 19:19Matt 22:36Luke 14:22Luke 14:23Jas 2:8Jas 3:131 Cor 13Matt 7:12Eph 4:32Col 3:131 John 4:16Rom 13:91 Thess 4:91 Pet 1:221 Pet 3:81 Pet 2:17Gal 6:10Eph 2:10Titus 2:14 deſiring to draw from him unto our ſelves: But that we love our Neighbour as our ſelves, deſiring his welfare as our own; doing to others as (regularly) we would have them do to us; forbearing and forgiving one another; loving even our enemies, and doing good to all, according to our power, both for their Bodies and their Souls.

This is the Subſtance of the CHRISTIAN RELIGION.

§. 15. II. The ſumm or Abſtract of the Chriſtian Religion is contained in three ſhort Forms: The firſt called, The Creed, containing the matter of the Chriſtian Belief; The ſecond called, The Lords Prayer, containing the matter of Chriſtian Deſires and hope: The third called, The Law or Decalogue containing the ſumm of Morall Duties; which are as followeth.

The BELIEF.

1. I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth; 2. And in Ieſus Chriſt his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghoſt, born of the Virgin Mary, ſuffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried, deſcended to **Hades, of which read Bp. Uſher in his Anſwer to the Jeſuits Challenge. De totis Scripturis, haec breviatim collecta ſunt ab Apoſtolis, ut quia plures credentium literas neſciunt, vel qui ſciunt prae occupationibus ſeculi Scripturas lege…e non poſſunt, haec corde retinentes habeant ſibi ſufficientem ſcientiam ſalutarem. Iſidor. de Eccl. Offic. l. 2. c. 22. pag. (in Bibl. Patr.) 222.Hell; the third day he roſe again from the dead; he aſcended into Heaven, and ſitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty: from thence he ſhall come again to judge the quick and the dead. 3. I believe in the Holy Ghoſt; the Holy Catholick Church, the Communion of p. 226Saints, the Forgiveneſs of ſins, the Reſurrection of the body, and the Life Everlaſting.

The LORDS PRAYER.

Our FATHER which art in Heaven, hallowed be thy Name: Thy Kingdom come: Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our treſpaſſes as we forgive them that treſpaſs againſt us: And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil: For thine is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory; for ever, Amen.

The Ten COMMANDEMENTS.

Exod. 20. Deut. 5.Exod 20Deut 5God ſpake all theſe words; ſaying, I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the Land of Egypt, out of the houſe of bondage.

1. Thou ſhalt have no other Gods before me.

2. Thou ſhalt not make unto thee any graven Image, or any likeneſs of any thing in Heaven above, or that is in the Earth beneath, or that is in the water under the Earth: Thou ſhalt not vow down thy ſelf to them, nor ſerve them: For I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, viſiting the iniquities of the Fathers upon the Children to the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, and ſhewing mercy unto thouſands of them that love me and keep my Commandements.

3. Thou ſhalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltleſs that taketh his Name in vain.

4. **De die ſeptimo qui inter omnes mortales celebris eſt, magna apud pleroſ que ignorantia eſt. Hic enim dies qui ab Hebraeis Sabbatum vocatur, Graecè ſiquis interpretetur, Septimana, dicitur. Hoc nomine mortales omnes diem iſtum appellant; at nominis cauſam neſciunt pleri que Theophil. Antioch. ad Autol. li. 1. p. (mihi) 121. in B.P. Gr. L.T. 1.Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy: ſix dayes ſhalt thou labour and do all thy work: but the Seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou ſhalt not do any work; thou, nor thy Son, nor thy Daughter, thy Man-ſervant, nor thy Maid-ſervant, nor thy Cattel, nor the Stranger that is within thy gates: For in ſix dayes the Lord made Heaven and Earth, the Sea, and all that in them is, and reſted the Seventh day, wherefore the Lord bleſſed the Seventh day, and hallowed it.

p. 2275. Honour thy Father and thy Mother; that thy dayes may be long upon the Land, which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

6. Thou ſhalt not kill.

7. Thou ſhalt not commit Adultery.

8. Thou ſhalt not Steal.

9. Thou ſhalt not bear falſe witneſs againſt thy Neighbour.

10. Thou ſhalt not covet thy Neighbours Houſe: thou ſhalt not covet thy Neighbours Wife, nor his Man-ſervant, nor his Maid-ſervant, nor his Oxe, nor his Aſs, nor any thing that is thy Neighbours.

§. 16. The ten Commandements are ſummed up by Chriſt into theſe two, Thou ſhalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and ſoul, and might; and Thou ſhalt love thy Neighbour as thy ſelf.

§. 17. Theſe Commandements being firſt delivered to the Jews, are continued by Chriſt, as the ſumm of the Law of Nature; only inſtead of Deliverance of the Jews from Egypt, he hath made our Redemption from ſin and Satan, which was thereby typified, to be the fundamental motive; And he hath removed the memorial of the Creation-Reſt, from the ſeventh day-Sabbath, to be kept on the Lords day, which is the firſt, with the Commemoration of his Reſurrection, and our Redemption, in the ſolemn Worſhip of his holy Aſſemblies.

§. 18. III. The briefeſt Summary of the Chriſtian Religion,Matth. 28.19. Rom. 8.1. & 6 4 1 Pet. 3.21, 22. Heb. 6.2. Act. 2.38, 41. Tit. 3.5. 1 Cor. 11. De modo Baptizandi antiquo vide Walafridum Strabon. de rebus Eccleſ. cap. 26. p. (Bibl. Pat.) 691. Et Ivon. Carnol. ſerm. de ſacram. Neophytorum, p. 767, 768, &c.Matt 28:19Rom 8:1Rom 6:41 Pet 3:211 Pet 3:22Heb 6:2Acts 2:38Acts 2:41Titus 3:51 Cor 11Sir 26 containing the Eſſentials only, is in the Sacramental Covenant of Grace: Wherein the Penitent Believer, renouncing the Fleſh, the World and the Devil, doth ſolemnly give up himſelf to God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, as his only God, his Father, his Saviour and his Sanctifier, engaging himſelf hereby to a Holy life (of Reſignation, Obedience and Love); and receiving the pardon of all his ſins, and title to the further helps of grace, to the favour of God, and everlaſting life: This Covenant is firſt entered by the Sacrament of Baptiſme, and after renewed in our communion with the Church, in the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Chriſt.

So that the Chriſtian Religion is but [Faith in God our Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifyer, producing the hope of p. 228Life Everlaſting, and poſſeſſing us with the love of God and Man: And all this expreſſed in the genuine fruits of Patience, Obedience, and Praiſe to God, and works of Charity and Juſtice unto Man.

§. 19. That all this Religion might be the better underſtood, received and practiſed by us, the Word of God, came down into Fleſh,Joh. 13.15. 1 Pet. 2.21.John 13:151 Pet 2:21 and gave us a perfect Example of it in his moſt perfect Life; in perfect holineſs and innocency, conquering all temptations, contemning the honours, riches and pleaſures of the World; in perfect patience, and meekneſs, and condeſcenſion, and in the perfect Love of God and Man.

When perfect Doctrine is ſeconded by Perfect Exemplarineſs of Life, there can be no greater Light ſet before us, to lead us out of our ſtate of darkneſs into the everlaſting Light. And had it not been a pattern of holy Power, Wiſdom and Goodneſs; of Self-denyall, Obedience and Love; of Patience, and of Truth and Prudence, and of contempt of all inferiour things, even of Life it ſelf, for the Love of God, and for Life eternal; it would not have been a full exemplification of his Doctrine; nor a perfect Revelation of it to the World. Example bringeth Doctrine neer our Senſes, and thereby maketh it more clear and powerfull.

Joh. 3:5, 6. & 7.38, 39. Gal. 4.6. & 5.18, 25. Rom. 8.9, 13. 2 Cor. 3.3. 1 Cor. 6.11. & 2.10, 11. Jer. 31.33. Pſal. 1.2. 2 Pet. 1.4. 1 Joh. 4.7. & 5.4, 18.John 3:5John 3:6John 7:38John 7:39Gal 4:6Gal 5:18Gal 5:25Rom 8:9Rom 8:132 Cor 3:31 Cor 6:111 Cor 2:101 Cor 2:11Jer 31:33Ps 1:22 Pet 1:41 John 4:71 John 5:41 John 5:18§. 20. It is the undertaken Office of Jeſus Chriſt, to ſend the Holy Spirit into Believers mindes, and to write out the ſubſtance of this Law upon their hearts, and give them ſuch holy and heavenly inclinations, that it may become as it were a Natural Law unto them, and they obey it with love, facility and delight (though not in perfection till they arrive at the ſtate of Perfection.)

So much to ſhew WHAT the Chriſtian Religion is.