The Beginning of the Doctrine of Christ, Chapter 4 – Chapter 7
CHAP. IIII.
The diuiſion of the ſinnes againſt the firſt table: and the ſorts of ſinnes againſt Gods nature.
THe ſinnes againſt God forbidden in the firſt table of the Law, are of 4. ſorts.
1. Some againſt his nature.
2. Some againſt the meanes of his worſhip.
3. Some againſt the manner of his worſhip.
4. Some againſt the time of his worſhip.
For the firſt, the ſinnes againſt the nature of God, are of two ſorts.
1. Some more vnuſuall and perſonall.
2. Some more vſual and naturall.
The more vnuſuall ſins are ſuch, as are not found amongſt Chriſtians, except it bee in ſuch perſons onelyonly, as are moſt monſtrouſly viſible, ſuch as are,
1. Blaſphemy; to reproch God.
2. Idolatry; to worſhip the creature.
3. Witchcraft, or the ſeruice of the Diuell.
4. Atheiſme, to defend there is no God, or to deſire conſtantly there were no God.
5. That matchleſſe Pride, for a man to ſay, hee is God, or to exalt himſelf aboue all, that is called God.
6. Hereſie, to hold, after conuiction, errors againſt the foundation of Religion.
7. The inward hatred and loathing of GOD: It ſhall ſuffice to hauehave thus touched theſe ſinnes.
The more vſuall ſins, and ſuch as are found in the moſt men by nature, are ſuch as theſe.
That naturall Atheiſme Naturall Atheiſme.of which he is guilty.
1. That cuſtomarily ſpends his time without God in the world, Epheſ. 2. 12.
2. That conceiues Atheiſticall thoughts, and of ſuch thoughts hee is guilty.
That hath inward reaſonings, whether there be a God, to which his heart inclineth, Pſal. 14. 1.
That ſayeth, or thinketh, God wil neither doe good, nor euill, or that hee neither ſeeth, or regardeth, Iſai. 29. 15. 16. Zeph. 1. 12. Ezech. 9. 9. Iob 22. 13.
That ſaith or thinketh, there is no profit in ſeruing the Almighty, Iob 21. 14. & 22. 17.
That in affliction ſaith or thinketh, it is impoſſible to be deliuered, 2. King. 7. 2.
That hath inward boylings about ſuch things as God ſheweth not the reaſon of, Iob 33. 13.
That conceiues rebellious thoughts about the decrees or prouidence of God, Rom. 9.
Thus of naturall Atheiſme.
2. The ſecond ſinne is Epicuriſme, which is ſhewed,Epicuriſm
By fulneſſe of bread and idleneſſe, Ezech. 16. 49. Phil. 3. 18.
By liuing in pleaſure▪ Ecclus. 11. 9. Iames 5, 5.
By vanity and ſtrangeneſſe of apparell, Iſaiah 3. Zeph. 1.
3. The third ſin, is theDefects. defect of thoſe graces, by which wee ſhould cleaue vntounto God, and that alſo when wee want that life of them ſhould be in vsus; ſuch are the defects of the warmth of the knowledge, louelove, and feare of God, & of our ioying and truſting in God, Pſal. 36. 1. Zep. 3. 2 Prou. 30. 1. 2. Rom. 7. Theſe defects are the worſe, by reaſon of our impotency, and extreme indiſpoſition to ſeeke to mend thoſe things. And therefore it is an aggrauation of any of theſe defects, that men do not ſtirre vp themſelues to take hold of GOD, Iſaiah 64. 7:
4. The miſplacing ofMiſplacing of our affections. our affections in ſetting them vponupon earthly things, employing our cōfidence, feare, ioy, or louelove vponupon the world, & the things thereof, whereby our hearts are any way alienated from God, Ieremy 17, 5. Iſai. 51. 7. 1. Ioh. 2. 15. Math. 6.
5. Pride: And there is a foure-fold pride,4. Sorts of pride.
1. Arrogancie, ſhewed
By high lookes, or indignation of ſpirit, Iſai. 10. 12. & 16. 6.
By feareleſneſſe of a fall in proſperity, and that boaſting hopefulneſſe in a broken eſtate, Pſalm. 30. 6. Iſaiah 9. 10. Obad. 3.
2. The pride of life, which hath in it the ſecret lifting vp of the heart, and glorying in friends, mony, meanes, houſes, riches, beauty, or the like, 1. Iohn 2. 17. 2. Kings 20. 3. with 2. Chron. 32. 25.
3. The pride of gifts, expreſt,
By great thoughts of our ſelues, beeing wiſe in our ſelues, Rom. 12. 16.
By fretting with enuy at the gifts and reſpects of others, Numb. 12. 2, 8, 9.
By being ouer-confident of our owne innocency, Iob 34. 5, 6.
By deſire to pry into the ſecret things of God, being not cōtent with things reuealed, Deut. 29. vlt. Rom. 12. 3.
4. Pride in ſinning, and ſo he is guilty,
That dares cōmit great euils againſt his knowledge.
That ſeems wiſe in maintaining ſinne, Prou. 3. 7. Pſa. 52. 7.
That hardens his heart againſt repentance, 1. Sam. 15. 22, 23. Numb. 15. 30, 31. Ierem. 16. 12▪ Iob 34. 37.
That ſinnes with affectation, that glories in it, as he that takes a pride in drunkenneſſe, Iſaiah 28. 1. 3.
That frets, becauſe hee is croſt in ſinne, Prou. 19, 3.How many waies men ſinne againſt Gods mercy. and thus of Pride.
6. The ſixt ſinne is the neglect of Gods mercy: & this is the more grieuous offence, becauſe mercy is the moſt eminent attribute of God. For the ſinnes of this kinde, worlds of men are damned in hel, Ioh. 3. 19
And againſt Gods mercy he offends,
That askes wherein God hath loued him, Mal. 1. 2.
That abuſeth Gods bleſſings, Hoſ. 10. 1. & 11. 3, 4.
That obſerues not the mercy of God in his prouidence, Hoſ. 2. 8.
That in aduerſity ſaith, God cares not for him, or hath paſſed ouer his iudgements, or hath forſaken him, Iſaiah 40. 28. & 49, 14.
That inquireth not after God, Zeph. 1. 6.
That belieues not Gods promiſes, through neglect or deſpaire.
That bleſſeth his heart againſt Gods threatnings, Deut. 29. 19.
That forſakes his owne mercy, by truſting to lying vanities, Ionah 2. 8.
That ſcoffes at the ſignes of Gods mercy, Iſaiah 7. 12, 13.
That ſacrificeth to his owne nette, aſcribing the praiſe to himſelf, Hab. 1. 16.
That ſeeks not to God in his diſtreſſe, 2. Chr. 16. 12.
That ſayes, God cannot deliuer, 2. Kin. 6. 33. & 7. 2.
That anſweres not when God calls, Iſaiah 50. 2.
That limits God, Pſal. 78.
That hath a ſpirit of bitternes through diſcontent, Hoſ. 12. 14.
That diſhonors God by his euill life, Rom. 2. 24.
Thus of the ſins againſt Gods mercy.
7. The ſeuenth ſinne is reſorting to witches, Iſaiah 8. 19, 20. Leuit. 20. 6. Deut. 18. 4.
8. Eighthly, he offends, that diſregards GODS workes, Iſaiah 5. 12.
9. That lyes againſt God, hauing profeſſed to hauehave God to bee his God, Iſai. 19. 13. and ſo he doth,
That oppoſeth the truth, and obiects againſt it.
That performes not what he promiſed in his ſicknes, or aduerſity, or at the Saraments.
That falls away from the Truth.
10. That feares notOffences againſt the feare of God. God, or not in a right manner, and ſo he ſinneth,
That feares God only for reward, Iob 1. 9▪
That feareth God onelyonly, becauſe of puniſhment, Hoſh. 3. 5.
That is not afraide of Gods preſence, or threatnings, Pſal. 36. 1, 2. Iſai. 66. 1. Ierem. 6. 10.
That comforts not men in miſery, Iob 6. 14.
That meddles with changers, or the ſeditious, Prou. 24. 21.
That in matter of ſinne is wiſe in his owne eyes, and will not depart from iniquity, Prou. 3. 7.
That ſinnes, becauſe God doth forbeare to puniſh, Eccleſ. 8. 13. Pſal. 50. 19.
That feares the ſignes of heauen, Ierem. 10. 2.
That finds any hardneſſe of heart againſt Gods fear, Iſaiah 63. 17.
Thus of the ſinnes againſt the feare of God.
11. That truſts not inOffences againſt the truſt in God. God, and ſo he offends,
That asketh not counſell of God, Iſaiah 31. 1. & 30. 1, 2. but vſeth carnal helps.
That ſaith, There is no hope, Ierem. 2. 23.
That truſts in man, and makes fleſh his arme, Ier. 17. 5.
That puts his confidence in his wealth, Prou. 10. 15. Iob 31. 24.
That leanes to his owne vnderſtanding, Prou. 3. 5.
That drawes not neer vntounto God in aduerſity▪ Zeph. 3. 2.
That impatiently deſireth death, Iob 7. 15.
Thus of the ſins againſt truſt in God.
12. That neglects communion with the godly: hee hath not God for his God, that is not ioyned to Gods people: and this is aggrauated againſt him,
That in contempt of godlineſſe, goeth in the company of the wicked, Iob 34. 8, 9.
That reproacheth Gods people, Pſal. 74. 1018. Iſai. 57. 3, 4.
That accounts the godly as ſignes and wonders, Iſai 8. 18.
That reioyceth in their diſgraces, Ezech. 25. 6.
That forſakes their fellowſhip, eyther through careleſneſſe and Apoſtacy, Hebr. 10. 25. or through ſchiſme, Iſai. 65. 2, 5.
That for malice perſecutes them, or caſts them out of the Church, Iſaiah 66. 5.
And thus of the ſinnes againſt the nature of God.
CHAP. V.
Shewing how men offend againſt the meanes of Gods Worſhip.
THe ſinnes againſt the meanes of Gods worſhip follow, and theſe are of three ſorts.
1. Not worſhipping.
2. Will-worſhipping.
3. Idoll-worſhipping.
For the firſt, hee offends in generall,
That worſhips not God, Zach. 14. 17.
That cals not vponupon the name of the Lord, Pſal. 14. 4. Iſai. 64. 7.
That comes not to the Church, 2. Chron. 29. 6, 7.
That prayes not in his family, Ier. 10. 25.
That receiueth not the Preachers of the Goſpell, Math. 10. 14.
The aggrauations are, when a man is ſo far from worſhipping aright,
That he offers the blind and the lame for the maintenance of Gods ſeruice, Mal. 1▪ 8, 14.
That he deuoures things ſanctified, that ſhould bee imployed for the furtherance of Gods ſeruice, Pro. 20. 25.
That forbids Gods faithfull Miniſters to preach in the name of Chriſt, Acts 4. 1. Theſ. 2. 16.
That diſſwades men from Gods worſhip, vponupon pretence, that it is eyther polluted, Malac. 1. 7, 12, 13. or vaine, Mal. 3. 15.
That is wayward, or neuer pleaſed with all, or any part of Gods worſhip, or the meanes thereof, Math. 11. 1.
Thus of ſinnes of irreligiouſneſſe, or not▪ worſhipping,
VVill-worſhip followes, and ſo he offends,
1. That deuiſeth any thing of himſelfe, to the intent to ſerue God by it, Num. 15. 38, 39.
2. That ſerues God for cuſtome, or after the olde manner, making the example of Fathers, or forefathers the rule of his ſeruice, 2. Kin. 17. 34. Ierem. 9. 13, 14. Amos 2. 4. 1. Pet. 1. 18.
3. That feares God after the precepts of men, Eſay 29. 13.
4. That being not a miniſter, doth the worke of a Miniſter, vponupon pretence of neceſſity or deuotion, 2. Chron. 26. 16.
5. That vrgeth the leſſer things of the Law, and neglects the greater, Math. 23. 23.
The aggrauations are,
To vrge mens traditions with opinion of neceſſity, and with neglect of Gods Law, Math. 15. 2, 3, 9.
To deſire to bee taught vaine things, Iſaiah 30. 9, 10, 11.
To borrow rites and obſeruations from the profeſſed enemies of God, to adde them as parts of Gods worſhip, 2. Kings 17. 34. Deut. 12. 4. 13. Ezech. 11. 12.
Idoll-worſhip followes, and ſo men offend eyther 1. inwardly, or 2. outwardly.
Inwardly he offends, that conceiues of God in the likeneſſe of any thing created, and manifeſts his offence, if he direct his worſhip to that likeneſſe, commanded, 2. Acts 17. 19. 1. Iohn 2. 23.
Outwardly hee offends,
That makes an image to reſemble God by it, Deut. 4. 12, 15. Eſay 40. 18.
That vſeth any geſture of louelove and reuerence vntounto ſuch images, by whomſoeuer made, Hoſ. 13. 2.
That mentiōs the names of Idols, eyther by way of ſwearing, or Apology, Exodus 23. 13.
That is preſent at the idolatrous feaſts, & therefore he much more offends that is preſent at the ſeruice of the Idoll; 1. Cor. 10 21, 22. Exod. 34. 15. Pſalme 116. 8.
That worſhippeth the Image, or GOD in the Image, Commandement 2. Exod. 32. Hoſh. 2. 16.
Thus of the ſins againſt the meanes of Gods worſhip.
CHAP. VI.
Shewing how many wayes men ſinne againſt the holy manner of Gods worſhip.
THe ſinnes againſt the manner of Gods worſhip follow.
And becauſe it were tedious to reckon vp the ſeuerall ſinnes againſt each part of Gods worſhip, becauſe in diuers things the ſame offēces may be committed againſt any one of the parts of Gods ſeruice: Therefore I will briefely touch the generall vvaies of offending in the manner of any worſhip of God, & then more ſpecially reckon the ſins againſt thoſe parts of Gods worſhip, that are moſt vſuall, and ordinary:
It is an offence in anySins in any part of Gods worſhip. ſeruice due to God, to ſerue him
Hypocritically; in ſhew and not in deed, Iſa. 29. 13.
Without Repentance: to bring the louelove of any ſinne to any part of his ſeruice, Eſay 1.
Without delight & willingneſſe, Ioſh. 24. 15.
Without conſtancy to ſerue him, but by fits, Hoſ. 6
Without conſideration, or reuerence, Eccl. 5.
Thus in generall.
In particular,
1. He offends in hearingSinnes in hearing. the Word.
That is vnteachable, Eſay 28. 9, 10, 11.
That hath Idols in his heart through Luſt, or Malice, or Couetouſneſſe, Ezech. 14. 7. Iam. 1. 18.
That heares without attention, and comes for cuſtomes ſake, Eccl. 5. 1. …c. 33. 31, 32.
That is not a doer of the Word, Math. 7. 26.
2. He offends in Prayer,Sinnes in prayer.
That prayes not at all times, or with perſeuerance in prayer, Iob 27. 10. Luke 18. 1.
That prayes without vnderſtanding, or power of the Spirit, 1. Cor. 14. 15.
That delights not in the Almighty, Iob 32. 26.
That regards wickednes in his heart, Pſalm. 66. 18. Prou. 21. 27. Iſaiah 1. 15, 16.
That doubts and wauers, or is diſcontented vponupon falſe ſurmiſes, that God heareth him not, Iam. 1. 5, 6 Mal. 2. 13.
3. Hee offends in theSinnes about the Sacramēt of the Lords Supper. Sacrament of the Lords Supper,
That diſcernes not the Lords Body, 1. Cor. 11.
That examines not himſelfe before he eates of that bread, and drinkes of that cup, refuſing to iudge himſelfe for knowne offences, 1. Cor. 11.
That beleeues not the operation of God, Col. 3. 12.
That reconciles not himſelfe to ſuch as hee hath offended by treſpaſſing againſt them, Mat. 5.
That deſpiſeth the Church and people of God, 1. Cor. 11.
4. He offends in ſwearing,
That ſweares by thatAbout ſwearing. which is no God, Ierem. 5.
That ſweares in common talke, and feares not an oath, Ierem. 23. 10. Mat. 5. 34. Eccl. 9. 2.
That ſweares falſly, Zach. 5. 2.
That loues falſe oathes, Zach. 8. 17.
CHAP. VII.
Which ſhewes how men offend in breaking the Sabbath.
HItherto of the ſins againſt the meanes & manner of Gods worſhip; the time of Gods worſhip followes, which is principally the Sabbath.
Now ſinnes againſt the Sabboth are eyther more ſecretly, or more openly.
More ſecretly he offends,
That remembers notMore ſecret offences againſt the Sabboth. the Sabboth day before it come, to vnload his heart of worldly cares and buſineſſe.
That longs to hauehave the Sabboth ouer-paſt, Amos 8. 5.
That ſpends the day in idleneſſe.
That flouriſheth not according to the bleſſings of GOD, in reſpect of the meanes on the Sabboth day, Pſal. 92. The title, with verſ. 13. 14.
That honours not the Sabboth with delight to doe Gods worke on that day, Eſay 58. 13.
That is vnwilling to be informed concerning the authority & ſeruice of the Sabboth. This is to hide his eyes from the Sabboth as the phraſe is, Ezech. 22. 26.
More openly he offends,The open breaches.
That omits publike or priuate duties, or comes in too late, or goes out too ſoone, Ezech. 46. 10. Pſ. 92. the title with verſ. 2. Leuit. 13. 3.
That doth any manner of worke on that day, Exodus 20. 10, 11. & 31. 15.
And thus he offends,
That ſels wares, Nehem. 10. 31. & 13. 15, 20.
That carries burthens, Nehem. 13. 15, 19. Ierem. 17. 20.
That trauels abroad, Ex. 16. 24.
Yea, he offends,
That workes in harueſt on that day, Exodus 34. 22. Nehem. 13. 15.
That workes, vponupon pretenceNote. it is a light worke, Exod. 16. 27, 28. & 35. 2, 3. Numb. 15. 32. Math. 12. 1. &c.
That imployes his Cattell or Seruants, though he worke not himſelfe, Exod. 23. 12.
That finds his pleaſures, that is, that vſeth recreations, Iſaiah 58. 13.
That ſpeakes his owne words, Iſaiah 58. 13.
That hauing power, reformes not the abuſes of others againſt the Sabbath, Nehem. 13. Ierem. 17.
The aggrauation is, to do any of theſe things preſumptuouſly.