Vindication of the Government of New England Churches 2, Chapter 1 – Chapter 7
CHAP. I. Of the holy Scripture.
ALTHOUGH the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence, do ſo far manifeſt the goodneſs, wiſdom and power of God, as to leave men unexcuſable; yet are they not ſufficient to give that knowledge of God and of his will, which is neceſſary unto ſalvation: Therefore it pleaſed the Lord at ſundry times, and in diverſe manners to reveal himſelf, and to declare that his will unto his church; & afterwards for the better preſerving and propagating of the truth, and for the more ſure eſtabliſhment and comfort of the church againſt the corruption of the fleſh, and the malice of ſatan and of the world, to commit the ſame wholly to writing: Which maketh the holy ſcripture to be moſt neceſſary; thoſe former ways of God's revealing his will unto his people being now ceaſed.
2. Under the name of holy ſcripture, or the word of God written, are now contained all the the books of the old and new teſtament, which are theſe:
Of the Old Teſtament.
Geneſis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joſhua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Eſther, Job, Pſalms, Proverbs, Eccleſiaſtes, The Song of Songs, Iſaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hoſea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zachariah, Malachi.
Of the New Teſtament.
Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, the Acts of the apoſtles, Pauls epiſtle to the Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Epheſians, Philippians, Coloſſians, 1 Theſſalonians, 2 Theſſalonians, 1 to Timothy, 2 to Timothy, to Titus, to Philemon, The epiſtle to the Hebrews, the epiſtle of James, the firſt and ſecond epiſtles of Peter, the firſt ſecond and third epiſtles of John, the epiſtle of Jude, the Revelation.
All which are given by the inſpiration of God to be the rule of faith and life.
3. The books commonly called Apocrypha, not being of divine inſpiration, are no part of the canon of the ſcripture; and therefore are of no authority in the church of God, nor to be any otherwiſe approved or made uſe of.
… …re, for which it … …deth not upon the testimony of any man or church, but wholly upon God (who is truth it ſelf) the author thereof; and therefore it is to be received, becauſe it is the word of God.
5. We may be moved and induced by the teſtimony of the church, to an high and reverened eſteem of the holy ſcripture. And the heavenlineſs of the matter, the efficacy of the doctrine, the majeſty of the ſtyle, the conſent of all the parts, the ſcope of the whole (which is, to give all glory to God) the full diſcovery it makes of the only way of mans ſalvation, the many other incomparable excellencies, and the entire perfection thereof, are arguments whereby it doth abundantly evidence it ſelf to be the word of God; yet notwithſtanding, our full preſwaſion and aſſurance of the infallible truth and divine authority thereof, is from the inward work of the holy ſpirit, bearing witneſs by and with the word in our hearts.
6. The whole counſel of God concerning all things neceſſary for his own glory, man's ſalvation, faith and and life, is either ſet down in ſcripture, or by good and neceſſary conſequence may be deduced from ſcripture; unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelations of the Spirit, or traditions of men. Nevertheleſs we acknowledge the inward illumination of the Spirit of God to be neceſſary for the ſaving underſtanding of ſuch things as are revealed in the world: And that there are ſome circumſtances concerning the worſhip of God and government of the church, common to human actions and ſocieties, which are to be ordered by the light of nature, and chriſtian prudence, according to the general rules of the word, which are always to be obſerved.
7. All things in ſcripture are not alike plain in themſelves, nor alike clear unto all: Yet thoſe things which are neceſſary to be known, believed and obſerved for ſalvation, are ſo clearly propounded and opened in ſome place of ſcripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due uſe of the ordinary means, may attain unto a ſufficient underſtanding of them.
8. The old teſtament in Hebrew, (which was the native language of the people of God of old) and the new teſtament in Greek, (which at the time of writing of it was moſt generally known to the nations) being immediately inſpired by God, & by his ſingular care & providence kept pure in all ages, are therefore authentical; ſo as in all controverſies of religion, the church is finally to appeal unto them. But becauſe theſe original tongues are not known to all the people of God, who have right unto and intereſt in the ſcriptures, and are commanded in the fear of God to read and ſearch them; therefore they are to be tranſlated into the vulgar language of every nation unto which they come, that the word of God dwelling plentifully in all, they may worſhip him in an acceptable manner, and through patience and comfort of the ſcriptures may have hope.
9. The infallible rule of interpretation of ſcripture, is the ſcripture it ſelf; and therefore when there is a queſtion about the true and full ſenſe of any ſcripture (which is not manifold, but one) it muſt be ſearched and known by other places, that ſpeak more clearly.
10. The ſupream judge by which all controverſies of religion are to be determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men and private ſpirits, are to be examined, and in whoſe ſentence we are to reſt, can be no other, but the holy ſcriptures delivered by the Spirit; into which ſcripture ſo delivered, our faith is finally reſolved.
CHAP. II. Of God, and of the Holy Trinity.
THERE is but one only living and true God; who is infinite in being and perfection, a moſt pure Spirit, inviſible, without body, parts, or paſſions, immutable, immenſe, eternal, incomprehenſible, almighty, moſt wiſe, moſt holy, moſt free, moſt abſolute, working all things according to the counſel of his own immutable and moſt righteous will, for his own glory, moſt loving, gracious, merciful, long-ſuffering, abundant in goodneſs and truth, forgiving iniquity, tranſgreſſion and ſin, the rewarder of them that diligently ſeek him, and withal, moſt juſt and terrible in his judgments, hating all ſin, and who will by no means clear the guilty.
2. God hath all life, glory, goodneſs, bleſſedneſs, in, and of himſelf; and is alone in, and unto himſelf, all-ſufficient, not ſtanding in need of any creatures which he hath made, nor deriving any glory from them, but only manifeſting his own glory in, by, unto and upon them. He is the alone fountain of all being, of whom, through whom, and to whom are all things; and hath moſt ſovreign dominion over them, to do by them, for them, or upon them, whatſoever himſelf pleaſeth: In his ſight all things are open and manifeſt, his knowledge is infinite, infallible and independent upon the creature, ſo as nothing is to him contingent or uncertain. He is moſt holy in all his counſels, in all his works, and in all his commands. To him is due from angels and men, and every other creature, whatſoever worſhip, ſervice or obedience, as creatures, they owe unto the creator, and whatever he is further pleaſed to require of them.
3. In the unity of the God-head there be three perſons, of one ſubſtance, power, and eternity, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghoſt: The Father is of none, neither begotten, nor proceeding: The Son is eternally begotten of the Father: The Holy Ghoſt eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son. Which doctrine of the Trinity is the foundation of all our communion with God, and comfortable dependance upon him.
CHAP. III. Of God's eternal Decree.
GOD from all eternity did by the moſt wiſe and holy counſel of his own will, freely and unchangably ordain whatſoever comes to paſs: Yet ſo, as thereby neither is God the author of ſin, nor is violence offered to the will of the creatures, nor is the liberty or contingency of ſecond cauſes taken away, but rather eſtabliſhed.
2. Although God knows whatſoever may or can come to paſs upon all ſuppoſed conditions, yet hath he not decreed any thing, becauſe he foreſaw it as future, or as that which would come to paſs upon ſuch conditions.
3. By the decree of God for the manifeſtation of his glory, ſome men and angels are predeſtinated unto everlaſting life, and others fore-ordained to everlaſting death.
4. Theſe angels and men thus predeſtinated, and fore-ordained, are particularly and unchangeably deſigned, and their number is ſo certain and definite, that it cannot be either increaſed or diminiſhed.
5. Thoſe of mankind that are predeſtinated unto life, God before the foundation of the world was laid, according to his eternal and immutable purpoſe, and the ſecret counſel and good pleaſure of his will, hath choſen in Chriſt unto everlaſting glory, out of his meer free grace and love, without any foreſight of faith or good works, or perſeverence in either of them, or any other thing in the creature, as conditions or cauſes moving him thereunto, and all to the praiſe of his glorious grace.
6. As God hath appointed the elect unto glory, ſo hath he by the eternal and moſt free purpoſe of his will fore-ordained all the means thereunto: Wherefore they who are elected, being fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Chriſt, are effectually called unto faith in Chriſt by his Spirit working in due ſeaſon, are juſtified, adopted, ſanctified, and kept by his power, through faith, unto ſalvation. Neither are any other redeemed by Chriſt, or effectually called, juſtified, adopted, ſanctified and ſaved, but the elect only.
7. The reſt of mankind God has pleaſed, according to the unſearchable counſel of his own will, whereby h… extendeth or with-holdeth mercy, as he pleaſeth, for the glory of his ſovereign power over his creatures, to paſs by, and to ordain them to diſhonor and wrath for their ſin, to the praiſe of his glorious juſtice.
7. The doctrine of this high myſtery of predeſtination, is to be handled with ſpecial prudence and care, that men attending the will of God revealed in his word, and yielding obedience thereunto, may from the certainty of their effectual vocation, be aſſured of their eternal election. … ſhall this doctrine afford matter of praiſe, reverence and admiration of God, and of humility, diligence, and abundant conſolation to all that ſincerely obey the goſpel.
CHAP. IV. Of Creation.
IT pleaſed God the Father, Son and Holy Ghoſt, for the manifeſtation of the glory of his eternal power, wiſdom and goodneſs, in the beginning to create or make of nothing the world, and all things therein, whether viſible or inviſible, in the ſpace of ſix days, and all very good.
2. Af…er God had made all other creatures, he created man, male and female, with reaſonable and immortal ſouls, endued with knowledge, righteouſneſs and true holineſs, after his own image, having the law of God written in their heart, and power to fulfil it; and yet under a poſſibility of tranſgreſſing, being left to the liberty of their own will, which was ſubject to change. Beſides this law written in their hearts, they received a command not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil; which while they kept, they were happy in their communion with God, and had dominion over the creatures.
CHAP. V. Of Providence.
GOD the great creator of all things, doth uphold, direct, diſpoſe and govern all creatures, actions, and things from the greateſt even to the leaſt, by his moſt wiſe and holy Providence, according to his infallible fore-knowledge, and the free and immutable counſel of his own will, to the praiſe of the glory of his wiſdom, power, juſtice, goodneſs and mercy.
2. Although in relation to the fore-knowledge and decree of God, the firſt cauſe, all things come to paſs immutably, and infallibly; yet by the ſame Providence he ordereth them to fall out, according to the nature of ſecond cauſes, either neceſſarily, freely, or contingently.
3. God in his ordinary Providence maketh uſe of means, yet is …ree to work without, above, and againſt them at his pleaſure.
4. The almighty power, unſearchable wiſdom and the infinite goodneſs of God, ſo far manifeſt themſelves in hi… Providence, in that his determinate counſel extend…th itſelf even to the firſt fall, and all other ſins of angels and men, (and that not by a bare permiſſion) which alſo he moſt wiſely and powerfully boundeth, and otherwiſe ordereth and governeth in a manifold diſpenſation, to his own moſt holy ends, yet ſo as the ſinfulneſs thereof proceedeth only from the creature, and not from God, who being moſt holy and righteous neither is, nor can be the author or approver of ſin.
5. The moſt wiſe, righteous and gracious God doth oftentimes leave for a ſeaſon his own children to manifold temptations, and the corruption of their own hearts, to chaſtiſe them for their former ſins, or to diſcover unto them the hidden ſtrength of corruption, and deceitfulneſs of their hearts, that they may be humbled, and to raiſe them to a more cloſe and conſtant dependance for their ſupport upon himſelf, and to make them more watchful againſt all future occaſions of ſin, and for ſundry other juſt and holy ends.
6. As for thoſe wicked and ungodly men, whom God as a righteous judge for former ſins, doth blind and harden, from them he not only with-holdeth his grace, whereby they might have been enlightened in their underſtandings, and wrought upon in their hearts; but ſometimes alſo withdraweth the gifts which they had, and expoſeth them to ſuch objects, as their corruption makes occaſions of ſin; and withal gives them over to their own luſts, the temptations of the world, and the power of Satan, whereby it comes to paſs that they harden themſelves, even under thoſe means which God uſeth for the ſoftning of others.
7. As the Providence of God doth in general reach to all creatures, ſo after a moſt ſpecial manner it taketh care of his church, and diſpoſeth all things for the good thereof.
CHAP. VI. Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Puniſhment thereof.
GOD having made a covenant of works and life thereupon, with our firſt parents, and all their poſterity in them, they being ſeduced by the ſubtilty and temptation of ſatan, did willfully tranſgreſs the law of their creation, and break the covenant in eating the forbidden fruit.
2. By this ſin they, and we in them, fell from original righteouſneſs and communion with God, and ſo became dead in ſin, and wholly defiled in all the faculties and parts of ſoul and body.
3. They being the root, and by God's appointment ſtanding in the room and ſtead of all mankind, the guilt of this ſin imputed, and corrupted nature conveyed to all their poſterity deſcending from them by ordinary generation.
4. From this original corruption, whereby we are utterly indiſpoſed, diſ…bled and made oppoſite to all good, and wholly inclined to all evil, do proceed all actual tranſgreſſions.
5. This corruption of nature during this life, doth remain in thoſe that are regenerated; and although it be through Chriſt pardoned and mortified, yet both it ſelf, and all the motions thereof are truly and properly ſin.
6. Every ſin, both original and actual, being a tranſgreſſion of the righteous law of God, and contrary thereunto, doth in its own nature bring guilt upon the ſinner, whereby he is bound over to the wrath of God, and curſe of the law, and ſo made ſubject to death, with all miſeries ſpiritual, temporal and eternal.
CHAP. VII. Of God's Covenant with Man.
THE diſtance between God and the creature is ſo great, that although reaſonable creatures, do owe obedience to him as their creator, yet they could never have attained the reward of life, but by ſome voluntary condeſcention on God's part, which he hath been pleaſed to expreſs by way of covenant.
2. The firſt covenant made with man, was a covenant of works, wherein life was promiſed to Adam, and in him to his poſterity, upon condition of perfect and perſonal obedience.
3. Man by his fall having made himſelf uncapable of life by that covenant, the Lord was pleaſed to make a ſecond, commonly called the covenant of grace; wherein he freely offereth unto ſinners life and ſalvation by Jeſus Chriſt, requiring of them faith in him that they may be ſaved, end promiſing to give unto all thoſe that are ordained unto life, his holy Spirit to make them willing and able to believe.
4. This covenant of grace is frequently ſet forth in ſcripture by the name of a teſtament, in reference to the death of Jeſus Chriſt the teſtato…, and to the everlaſting inheritance, with all things belonging to it therein bequeathed.
5. Although this covenant hath been differently and variouſly adminiſtred in reſpect of ordinances and inſtitutions in the time of the law, and ſince the coming of Chriſt in the fleſh; yet for the ſubſtance and efficacy of it, to all its ſpiritual and ſaving ends, it is one and the ſame; upon the account of which various diſpenſations, it is called the old and new teſtament.