A Body of Divinity, Scheme
The Connexion of these Points together, and Dependence of them one upon another.
IN Christian Religion wee are to consider the
Ground thereof, contained in the Scripture.
Parts, which treat of Gods
Nature, in his
Essence, considered absolutely in it selfe: where, the doctrine of divine Attributes which respect either
His perfection, in his
Simplenesse, whereby he is exempted from Composition and division.
Infinitenesse, wherby he is exempted from all measure of
Time, by his eternity.
Place, by his immensity.
Life, whence he is called The living God, Considered in his
All-sufficiency
Al-seeing wisdom
Foreknowledge.
Counsell.
Almighty power.
Holy will, wherein is seen, his
Goodnesse, and therein his
love unto his creatures.
mercy or grace shewed them in their misery.
Iustice, in his
word, called his Truth.
deeds
disposing of all things rightly.
rendring to the creatures according to their works.
Persons, subsisting in one and the same undivided Essence.
Kingdome, in his
Eternall decree which men must not curiously prie into, but content themselves with what is made manifest.
Execution thereof, in the workes of
Creation of things
Invisible
The highest Heavens.
Angels.
Visible
Unreasonable.
Reasonable man: consisting of
Body.
Soule.
Providence,
Common unto all creatures,
Proper, respecting the everlasting condition of principall Creatures.
Angels
Good.
Bad.
Men, who are ordered in
This life, by the tenor of a two-fold Covenant:
Nature or Workes, where we are to consider the
Conditions, and
Events,
Shame
Primary, the fall of our first parents.
Secondary, the corruption of
Nature, originall
Actions, actual, of
omission.
commission.
Death, comprehending all the curses of the Law whereunto the nature of man standeth subject.
Grace, wherein we are to consider the state of
Christ the Mediator, in his
Person, and there in his
Natures and their
Union: where, of his
Conception
Nativity.
Distinction.
Two fold state of
Humiliation,
Exaltation.
Office, with his
Calling thereunto,
Execution thereof, concerning,
God the party offended, wherein his priestly office is exercised, the parts whereof are
Satisfaction, giving contentment to Gods Iustice by his
Obedience to the Law,
Suffering for our sinne.
Intercession, soliciting Gods mercy for those he hath redeemed.
Man the party offending, to whom he communicates the grace, by him purchased, by his
Propheticall office
Kingly office
The rest of mankind, who are called by participation of his grace: where we are to consider,
1. The company thus called out of the world, The Catholike Church of Christ, where such as obey this calling in
Outward profession alone, hold onelyonly externall communion with it.
Inward affection also, internall with the
Head Christ Iesus, there being a
Mutuall donation, whereby the Father gives
Christ to them.
them to Christ.
Mysticall union, whereby they are knit together by Gods quickning Spirit.
The rest of mankind, whence ariseth the Communion of Saints.
2. Grace whereunto they are called.
Reconciliation
Iustification: where, of Iustifying Faith.
Adoption, and therein of Hope.
Sanctification, and therein of Love: here consider the
Rule of Holines, the morall law, contained in the ten Commandements, wherein are to be considered,
Generall rules to be observed in the exposition of them.
Distinction of them into two tables containing the duties we owe unto,
God: namely,
Having the true God, and entertaining him in all the powers of the soule. Com. 1.
Honoring him with that worship which is to be given from men to him,
Every day as occasion requireth, either in
Solemne worship, prescribed in the 2. Com.
Glorifying his name in the common course of our life, in the 3. Com.
One day certain in the week, prescribed in the 4. Com.
Man respecting,
Such acts as are joyned with advised consent in duties which we owe unto,
Speciall persons in regard of some particular relation which we beare unto them, prescribed in the 5. Com.
All men in generall, for the preservation of their
Safety, in the 6. Com.
Chastity, in the 7. Com.
Goods, in the 8. Com.
Good name, in the 9. Com.
The first thoughts and motions of evill towards our neighbour that doe arise from the corruption of our nature, in the 10. Com.
Exercise thereof
Repentance.
Fruits thereof, in
Resistance of sinne by Christian warfare, where, of the spirituall
Armour:
Conflict with the
World
Flesh
Devill
in
prosperity
adversity:
here, of bearing the crosse,
Abounding in good workes, especially towards
God in
Praier, the rule whereof is contained in the Lords Prayer, wherein are to be considered the
1 Preamble.
2 Petitions
3 concerning Gods glory:
3 touching our necessities.
3 The Conclusion, and there, of thanksgiving.
Fasting.
Our brethrens
Edification, in respect of their soules.
Almsgiving, for the good of their bodies,
3 Meanes, whereby they are called: The outward ministery of the Gospell, wherein consider
1 Minister.
2 Parts of the ministery,
Word.
Seales annexed thereunto, viz.
Sacraments for confirming the promises to the obedient, which are either of
Initiation or Admission into the Church.
Continuall nourishment.
Censures for ratifying of threatnings towards the disobedient in,
Word, by admonition.
Deed, by
Suspension.
Excommunication.
3 The kinds thereof: namely, the
Old ministery before Christ, called The old Testament; where, of the
1 Word of the Gospell more sparingly, and darkly delivered.
2 Types and Ceremonies.
3 Sacraments
Initiation; Circumcision.
Nourishment; Paschall Lambe.
New, from the comming of Christ unto the end of the world, called The new Testament, wherein is to be considered the cleernes and efficacy of the
Word
Sacraments
Initiation; Baptisme.
Nourishment; The Lords Supper.
4 Divers states of the Church.
The world to come, by the sentence of a twofold Iudgement,
Particular, upon every soule as soon as it departs from the body.
Generall, upon all men at once both in soule and body: therein is to be considered
1 Iudge, Christ comming with the glory of his Father.
2 Parties to be judged
Quick, of whom there shall be a change.
Dead, of whom there shall be a resurrection.
3 Sentence and execution thereof: where, of the
The torments of the Damned.
The joyes of the Blessed.