The Faith of the Church of England, Chapter 1 – Chapter 4
CHAP. I. Of our own inſufficiency.
WE will begin with our own inſufficiency to any good, and ſhew what matter the books allow us to ſet it out, ſo farre forth as arguments may be taken from thence to prove an effectuall work of God upon the will of man in the work of regeneration. Where in generall I obſerve, that the books put no difference in unregenerate men, but make all their wills alike dead in ſins and treſpaſſes, unable to beleeve untill they be quickened by God. Which takes away the new Arminian conceit, that where the Goſpel is preached, there is a power given to all that heare it even before regeneration, to beleeve if they pleaſe, by the uſe of which power ſome do beleeve, & others that have as much power will not uſe it to beleeve in Chriſt. The books that make all alike dead in ſins, auke to goodnes, till they be actually regenerate acknowledge no ſuch difference. This is but a trick to avoyd the odious names of naturall power in the will, and Pelagianiſme. It is a monſtrous opinion in nature, that a thing ſhould have a naturall inbred motion wrought in it, before any life be wrought in it, ſo is it in grace, that their ſhould be a power wrought in mans will, whereby of it own free inclination it ſhould be able to live ſpiritually, or not to live as it liſt, yea which is more abſurd, be able to move it ſelf in the higheſt ſpirituall action that can be, before it be actually regenerate, or have in it any true ſpirituall life. Now let the words of the book declare mans inſufficiency, and let every one collect from thence Gods-powerfull operation in mans converſion.
FAith giveth life to the ſoule, Sermon of good works. Part. 1.and they be as much dead to God that lack faith, as they be to the world, whoſe bodies lack ſouls.
Sinne is come into the world, Sermon two of the Paſſion.and ſo come that it cannot be avoided. It cannot be choſen, but we muſt needs fall often.
That which is born of the Spirit, Hom. for Whitſunday Part. 3.is ſpirit: as who ſhould ſay; Man of his own nature is fleſhly, and carnall, corrupt and naught, ſinfull and diſobedient to God, without any ſpark of goodneſſe in him, without any vertuous or godly motion, onelyonly given to wicked thoughts, Sermon for Rogat. week. Part. 1. 2 Cor. 3.5. Sermon of Repentance. Part. 1.and evill deeds.
Paul brings in his beliefe, we be not (ſaith he) ſufficient of our ſelves, as of our ſelves once to think any thing: but all our ableneſſe is of Gods goodneſſe.
We muſt beware and take heed, that we do in no wiſe think in our hearts, imagine, or beleeve, that we are able to repent aright, or to turn effectually unto the Lord by our own might and ſtrength. Ioh. 15.5.For this muſt be verified in all men, without me ye can do nothing. 2 Cor. 3.5.Again, of our ſelves we are not able as much as to think a good thought.
We are all by originall corruption of our nature, Now. Cat. queſt. 69.of ſuch blindneſſe, wickedneſſe and frowardneſſe, that we can neither underſtand, nor are able or willing to do our dutie required by the law.
We by nature are ſo unwary to foreſee, Now. Cat. queſt. 224.and ſo weak to reſiſt temptations, that we cannot but be overcome, unleſſe God do aſſiſt us with his grace, and arme us with his ſtrength.
The corrupt inclination of man was ſo much given to follow his own fantaſie, Sermon of good works. Part. 2.that all the admonitions, exhortations, benefits, and threatnings of God could not keep him from his inventions.
Neither could the notableneſſe of the place being the beginning of Gods law make us to marke it, Hom. againſt perill of idolatry. Part. 1.nor the plain declaration by recounting of all kinde of ſimilitudes cauſe us to underſtand it, nor the oft repeating and reporting of it in divers and ſundry places, the oft reading and hearing of it could cauſe us to remember it, nor the dread of the horrible penaltie to our ſelves, our children and poſteritie after us, feare us from tranſgreſſing of it, nor the greatneſſe of the reward to us, and our children after us, move us any thing to obedience and the obſerving of the Lords great Law againſt idolatry.
So that if either the multitude or plainneſſe of the places might make us to underſtand, In the ſame Hom.or Gods earneſt charge that God giveth in them, move us to regard, or the horrible plagues threatned to idolaters; might ingender any feare in our hearts, we would forſake this wickedneſſe.
When God leaveth us to our own wit, will, Sermon of falling from God. Part. 1. Part. 2.and ſtrength, then he begins to forſake us.
When God gives us over, he ſuffers us to bring forth ſuch fruits as we will, all naughtineſſe and vice, and that ſo abundantly, that they ſhall cleane overgrow us, choke, ſtrangle, and utterly deſtroy us.
They that live not after God perceive not this great wrath of God towards them, Part. 2.that he doth let them alone to themſelves.
When thou art called to repentance, Hom. of Repentance. Part. 3.neglect not the good occaſion, that is miniſtred to thee, leaſt when thou wouldſt repent, thou haſt not the grace to do it. Sermon for Rogat. week. Part. 1. Hom. of information of them, that take offence at ſome places of Script. Part. 2.For to repent is a good gift of God.
In the power and vertue of the holy Ghoſt we are made meet and able to receive Gods gifts and graces
Godly men when they fall into ſin, through Gods great grace and infinite mercy riſe again, and fight againſt ſinne.
CHAP. II. Of Gods Omnipotency ſhewed in our Converſion.
THis Argument is one of the ſtrongeſt: for if God uſe his omnipotency in converting of a ſinner, then there is no queſtion, but God doth more then perſwade, and that the work muſt needs be effectuall, unleſse any mans will can reſiſt Gods omnipotency. Let us therefore heare the books pronounce ſentence and agree to it.
God which declareſt thy Almightie power moſt chiefly in ſhewing mercy and pitie, Collect. 11. Sunday after Trinity.give unto us abundantly thy grace, that we returning to thy promiſes may be made partakers of thy heavenly treaſure through Jeſus Chriſt our Lord.
From Satans rage and filthy band,Lords prayer. By D. Coxe. Serm. of Sacrament. Part. 1. Hom. for Whitſunday. Part. 1. In the ſame place.
Defend us with thy mightie hand.
We are marvellouſly incorporated into Chriſt, by the operation of the holy Ghoſt.
It is the office of the holy Ghoſt to ſanctifie, and regenerate. Which work the more it is hid from our underſtanding, the more it ought to move all men to wonder at the ſecret and mighty working of Gods holy Spirit, which is within us.
Did not Gods Spirit miraculouſly work in David, Matthew, Peter, and Paul? Such is the power of the holy Ghoſt to regenerate men, and as it were to bring them forth a new, ſo that they ſhall be nothing like the men that they were before.
The Apoſtles rejoyced, In the ſame place.that they were counted worthy to ſuffer for Chriſt. This was the mighty worke of the Holy Ghoſt, who becauſe he giveth patience and joyfulneſſe of heart in temptation and affliction, hath therefore worthily obtained this name in holy Scripture to be called a Comforter.
Let us humbly beſeech God ſo to worke in our hearts by the power of his holy Spirit, In the ſame place.that we being regenerate, and newly borne againe in all goodnes, righteouſneſſe, ſobriety, and truth may in the end obtaine eternall life.
To new create a man from a wicked perſon to a righteous man is a greater act (ſaith S. Auguſtin) then to make ſuch a new Heaven and Earth, Serm. for Rogat. week. Part. 1.as is already made.
God is able to doe abundantly beyond our deſires and thoughts according to the power working in us.Part. 3.
Almighty God give us grace that we may caſt away the works of darkneſſe, Coll. 1. Sunday in Advent.and put upon us the armour of light.
Lord of all power and might graffe in our hearts the love of thy name.Coll. 7. Sunday after Trin. Coll. on All Saints day. Song before Even. prayer.
Almighty God which haſt knit together thy elect in one communion and fellowſhip in the myſticall body of thy Sonne Chriſt our Lord.
Praiſe yee the Lord which gives all grace, for he is a Lord of great might.
CHAP. III. Of Gods ſpeciall grace.
THe doctrine of Gods ſpeciall grace overthroweth the fooliſh conceit of ſome common grace wrought in all thoſe that heare the Goſpel, whereby they may beleeve if they will, yet often doe not. It is a ſpeciall and effectuall grace, that workes in our regeneration, that workes not in others, that are not regenerate. Heare therefore the words of the bookes.
BY thy ſpeciall grace preventing us thou doſt put into our hearts good deſires.Coll. on Eaſterday. Exhort. to ſuch as come negligently to the Communion. Article. 10.
Theſe things if ye earneſtly conſider, ye ſhall by Gods grace return to a better minde: for the obtaining whereof we ſhall make our humble petitions, while we ſhall receive the holy Communion.
The condition of man after the fall of Adam is ſuch that he cannot turne, and prepare himſelfe by his owne naturall ſtrength, and good works to faith and calling upon God, wherefore we have no power to doe good works, pleaſant & acceptable to God without the grace of God preventing us, that we may have a good will, and working with us, when we have that good will.
Adverſaries unto this truth, Mr. Rogers commentary on it. Prop. 2.ere ſuch as hold that men beleeve not, but of their owne free-will: and that it is in a mans free-will to beleeve or not to beleeve, to obey or diſobey the Goſpel of truth preached.
They which be indued with ſo excellent a benefit of God (that is predeſtination) be called according to Gods purpoſe by his Spirit working in due ſeaſon, Artic. 17.they though grace obey the calling, they be made like the image of Chriſt.
In Chriſt Jeſus of the meere will and purpoſe of God ſome are elected, Mr. Rogers comment. Prop. 5.and not others unto ſalvation.
Adverſaries unto this truth.
Hereby is diſcovered the impiety of thoſe men, Mr. Rogers in the ſame place.which think that God beheld in every man, whither he would uſe his grace well, and beleeve the Goſpel or no, and as he ſaw a man affected, ſo did predeſtinate, chuſe, or refuſe him.
Such as be ordained to everlaſting life, Expoſ. of Prop. 6.if they live long in this world, they one time or other be called unto the knowledge of ſalvation by the preaching of Gods word: they obey that calling through the operation of the Holy Ghoſt working within them.
The predeſtinate are both juſtified by faith, Prop. 7.ſanctified by the Spirit, and ſhall be glorified in the life to come.
Divers be the effects of mans predeſtination, Expoſ. of Prop. 7.but chiefely it bringeth to the elect juſtification by faith in this life, and in the life to come glorification, &c. as teſtify all the Churches in their confeſſions.
The word of God is the ſavour of life unto eternall life unto all thoſe, Hom. of inform. of ſuch as take offence at ſome places of Script. Part. 2. Hom. of almes deeds. Part. 2.whoſe hearts God hath purified by true faith.
God of his ſpeciall favour toward them whom he hath appointed to ſalvation, hath ſo offered his grace eſpecially, and they have ſo received it fruitfully, that the ſpirit of God mightily working in them now unto obedience to Gods will, they declare by their life and good deeds (which cannot come, but of the Spirit of God, and his eſpeciall grace) that they are the undoubted children of God appointed to everlaſting life.
All ſpirituall gifts and graces come ſpecially from God. Sermon for Rogat. week. Part. 3.Faith is the gift of God, and by his power we are kept through faith unto ſalvation.
We ſhall never be able to avoyd ſinne without the ſpeciall grace of him, Sermon of Repentance. Part. 2. Ioh. 15. Now. Cat. queſt. 150.that doth ſay, without me ye can do nothing.
All thoſe whom God hath choſen, he hath reſtored unto holineſſe of life and innocency.
CHAP. IIII. Of Gods work in infants.
IT is evident out of the firſt Chapter, that men are as dead to God by nature as infants, and as unable to repent and beleeve: Now children are not ſpiritually quickned by power of any morall ſwaſion, but by an effectuall divine operation, as the books in ſundry places affirme.
SAnctifie theſe children and waſh them with the holy Ghoſt.Publike Baptiſme. Prayer. 1.
We call upon thee for theſe infants, that they coming to thy holy Baptiſme, Prayer. 2.may receive remiſſion of their ſins by ſpirituall regeneration.
O mercifull God grant, The ſhort prayers after the promiſe made by the ſureties.that the old man in theſe children may be ſo buryed, that the new man may be raiſed up in them.
Grant that all carnall affections may die in them, and that all things belonging to the Spirit, may live and grow in them.
Grant that whoſoever is here dedicated to thee by our office and miniſtry, may alſo be endued with heavenly vertues.