A08483:74
An exposition of the Symbol of the Apostles, or rather of the articles of faith In which the chief points of the everlasting and free covenant between God and the faithful is briefly and plainly handled. Gathered out of the catechising sermons of Gasper Oleuvian Trevir, and now translated out of the Latin tongue into the English for the benefit of Christ his Church. By John Field.
London: printed by H. Middleton for Thomas Man, 1581
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
IT followeth that we show, that God hath so manifested himself in his word, that these three persons, the father, the Son & the holy Ghost, be that one only true God, in whom we profess to believe in the Creed, when we say: We believe in God the father, and in his only begotten Son, and in the holy Ghost. Now a person or [Greek or Hebrew], is a singular thing, understanding, willing, that cannot be imparted, or communicated to another, not upholden of another, nor part of an other. That God the father who hath made heaven & earth, is so manifest, that even the ungodliest heretics denying the divinity of the Son and holy Ghost, dare not yet deny the divinity of the father. That the Son is a thing by himself subsisting, understanding, willing &c. and by nature God: although to the Citizens ⟨p. 72⟩of the kingdom of Christ, it is plain and at hand throughout the holy scripture: yet it is pr•••ble that their memory ever and anon […] refreshed with some clear and divine testimonies. Now we will allege first some testimonies according to the order of those things which are attributed unto God, which we have set down in the description: then afterwards according to the course and order of the articles of the faith.
IT followeth that we shewe, that God hath so manifested himselfe in his worde, that these three persons, the father, the sonne & the holy Ghost, be that one onely true God, in whom we professe to beleeue in the Creede, when we say: We beleeue in God the father, and in his onely begotten sonne, and in the holy Ghost. Nowe a person or 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, is a singular thing, vnderstanding, willing, that cannot be imparted, or communicated to another, not vpholden of another, nor part of an other. That God the father who hath made heauen & earth, is so manifest, that euen the vngodliest heretiques denying the diuinitie of the sonne and holy Ghost, dare not yet deny the diuinitie of the father. That the sonne is a thing by himselfe subsisting, vnderstanding, willing &c. and by nature God: although to the Citizens ⟨p. 72⟩of the kingdome of Christ, it is plaine and at hand throughout the holy scripture: yet it is pr•••ble that their memorie euer and anone 〈…〉 refreshed with some cleare and diuine testimonies. Nowe we will alledge first some testimonies according to the order of those things which are attributed vnto God, which we haue set downe in the description: then afterwards according to the course and order of the articles of the faith.
1The word or the Son is a spiritual substance. To the Rom. 1. vers. 3. & 4. Heb. 9. ver. 14. & 1. Pet. 3. vers. 18.19. Jo. 14. Ye believe in God, believe also in me, he is eternal and incomprehensible aswell in glory as in wisdom: Jo, 17. vers. 5. Glorify me thou father, with thy own self, with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. And Proverbs 8. Also Apocalip. 1. vers. 8. Hebr. 7. vers. 3. Good, pure, and undefiled. Jo. 10. vers. 11. Isay. 40. verses 9.10.11. Isay. 6. Holy, holy, holy, the mighty Lord of hosts: all the earth is full of his glory. These things doth John the Evangelist interpret of Christ. Cap. 12 vers. 41. saying, These things said Isaiah, when he saw his glory, and spake of him, to wit of Christ. And Jo. 17. vers. 19. He is also of infinite power, for he createth & preserveth all things together with the father and the holy Ghost: Jo. 1. In the beginning was that word, & that word was with God, and that word was God.2 Also, All things were made by it, and without it, was made nothing that was made. vers. 3. And to the Coloss. 1. By the beloved Son, through whom we have redemption ⟨p. 73⟩were all things created,3
For he commandeth the wind and the sea, and they obey him, and he rebuketh the fearfulness of his disciples, Mark. 4. vers. 39.41. he giveth power also unto others to work miracles, but by calling upon his name. Mark. 8. Acts. 3. vers. 6.16. and Cap. 4 vers 10. And he is of an immutable righteousness, Jerem. 23. And this is the name whereby ⟨p. 74⟩they shall call him, Jehovah, our righteousness, Of an unspeakable mercy. Titus the 3. vers. 4. and the 6. and Chapter. 2. vers. 10. and 12. of a most constant truth. Mat. 24. vers. 35. The heaven and earth shall pass, but my words shall not perish. And the first of John, Full of grace & truth. Jo. 14. vers. 9 That same word, is the only begotten Son of the father, and the co-eternal image of the father.1 Jo. 1. We have seen his glory, as the glory of the only begotten of God. To the Hebr. 1. who being the brightness of his glory, (the light from the light) and very engraved form of his person of his substance, and bearing up all things by the word of his power,2 &c. And he is the Lord of all creatures, but chiefly of the faithful or of the Church, Jo. 1. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, but the world knew him not: he came amongest his own, and his own received him not. Before he came into the world he was a subsisting person, and Davids Lord, from which Christ maintaineth his divinity in the 22. of Matthew, saying. What think you of Christ? whose Son is he? they say unto him, Davids: he saith unto them, how then doth David in spirit call him Lord? saying: The Lord said unto my Lord, sit at my right hand, till I make thine enemies, thy footstool. If therefore David call him, Lord, how is he his Son? Also Luk. vers. 1. verses 16.17.43. and vers. 76.77. And thou child (John Baptist) shalt be called the Prophet of the most high. For thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to
but he made himself of no reputation, taking upon him the form of a servant. Hebr. 2. He took not the natures of Angels upon him, but he took the seed of Abraham. Jo. 6. I am that bread of life which came down from heaven. Jo. 16. I went out from the father, & came into the world, &c. and 1. Timot. 3. Great is the mystery of godliness, God is manifest in the flesh.1 The Prophets foretold that this man which is borne of the virgin, should not be a man, in such sort, as should subsist of himself as Peter and Paul: but the true God, to wit, the second person, bearing and upholding that human lump, into the unity of the person knit unto him. Isay 7. Behold a virgin shall be with child: and shall bring forth a Son & thou shalt call his name Immanuel, God with us. And in the 9. A child is borne unto us: A Son is given unto us: and the principality was upon his shoulders, and thou shalt call his name wonderful, counsellor, the mighty God, father of eternity and prince of peace. Jerem. 23. I will rear up to ⟨p. 76⟩David a righteous branch, and he shall reign king, and shall prosper. &c. And this is his name, whereby they shall call him Jehovah our righteousness. Miche. 5. And thou Bethlehem Euphrata, although thou be amongest the thousands of Jehudah, out of thee shall there come forth unto me, which shall be the governor of Israel: and his generations shall be from old, and from the days of everlastingness. Coloss. 2. vers 9. In him dwelleth all fullness of the Godhead bodily.2 He confessed before Pontius Pilate under whom he suffered, that his kingdom was everlasting, and that therefore he came into the world, that he might give testimony of the truth. Jo. 18. vers. 36.37. and Acts 4. vers. 25.26.27.30. When the same judge judged him, there is fulfilled that prophecy in the 11. of Zechariah, Mat. 27. And they took thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel valued. And they gave them for the potters field, as the Lord appointed unto me.
That which the Lord foretold of the children of Israel prising him then, when the covenant was to be taken away, and the people to be forsaken, (which he signified by the breaking of the staff, which was called the staff of meekness, or rather the staff of joy) But in Christ, God manifested in the flesh, this full disanullance being at hand, yea in all circumstances it was fulfilled by a wonderful providence.1 Crucified. Zach. 12. vers. 10. They shall look unto him whom they have pierced. This ⟨p. 77⟩Jehovah saith of himself; and John saith that this was fulfilled in Christ. Cap. 19. vers. 37. And the 1. Cor. 2. vers. 8. If they had known, they had not crucified the Lord of glory. Acts. 3 vers. 15. Ye have slain the prince of life. Dead. 2The Testament was to be confirmed by the death of the Testator. Now the Testator was God. Hebr. 9. vers. 16.17. And Cap. 8. vers. 8.9. Acts 20. God hath purchased the Church unto himself hy his own blood.
That which the Lorde foretolde of the children of Israel prising him then, when the couenant was to be taken away, and the people to be forsaken, (which he signified by the breaking of the staffe, which was called the staffe of meekenes, or rather the staffe of ioye) But in Christ, God manifested in the flesh, this full disanullance being at hande, yea in all circumstances it was fulfilled by a wonderful prouidence.1 Crucified. Zach. 12. vers. 10. They shal looke vnto him whō they haue pearced. This ⟨p. 77⟩
Buried, descended into hell. Oze. 13.14.15.1 God saith, I will redeem them from the power of hell, I will redeem them from death, I will be thy death, O death: O hell, I will be thy destruction. This was partly fulfilled by Christ, and shall partly be fulfilled hereafter, as the Apostle teacheth. 1. Cor. 15. vers. 55.56.57. Therefore Christ is true God, he rose also by his own power, He rose from death the third day. Rom. 1. vers. 4. Jo. 2. vers. 19. Destroy you this Temple, and I will rear it up again in three days. And Cap. 10. vers. 17. & 18. I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of my self: I have power to lay it down, and power to take it again.
Buried, descended into hell. Oze. 13.14.15.1 God saith, I will redeeme them from the power of hell, I will redeeme them from death, I will be thy death, O death: O hell, I wilbe thy destruction. This was partly fulfilled by Christ, and shall partly bee fulfilled hereafter, as the Apostle teacheth. 1. Cor. 15. vers. 55.56.57. Therfore Christ is true God, he rose also by his owne power, He rose from death the third day. Rom. 1. vers. 4. Io. 2. vers. 19. Destroy you this Temple, and I will reare it vp againe in three daies. And Cap. 10. vers. 17. & 18. I lay downe my life, that I might take it againe. No man taketh it from mee, but I laye it downe of my selfe: I haue power to lay it downe, and power to take it againe.
That he is the true God that ascended into heaven,1 the Apostle plainly teacheth in the fourth to the Ephesians, verses 7.8 9. To every one of us is grace given according to the measure of the gift of Christ: wherefore he saith, when he ascended up on high,2 he led captivity captive. Jo. 3. vers. 13. No man ascendeth up to ⟨p. 78⟩heaven (that is to say by his own power: for others ascend being drawn) but he that hath descended from heaven. And Jo 6. vers. 36. and vers. 62. Also in the 16. Cap. vers. 28.
That he is the true God that ascended into heauen,1 the Apostle plainly teacheth in the fourth to the Ephesians, verses 7.8 9. To euery one of vs is grace giuen according to the measure of the gifte of Christ: wherefore he saith, when he ascended vp on high,2 he led captiuitie captiue. Io. 3. vers. 13. No man ascendeth vp to ⟨p. 78⟩heauen (that is to say by his owne power: for others ascend being drawene) but he that hath descended from heauen. And Io 6. vers. 36. and vers. 62. Also in the 16. Cap. vers. 28.
1He sitteth at the right hand of God, and is worshipped of Angels and men. Hebr. 1. To which of the Angels hath he ever said, sit at my right hand? In the same place, all the Angels of God shall worship him. And 1 Pet. 3. vers. 22. to the Ephesians 1. verses 20.22.23. to the Philippians 2. verses 9.10. wherefore God lifted him up on high & hath given him a name, which is above every name. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, both of things in heaven and things in earth, and things under the earth. And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is the Lord, to the glory of God the father. See the first to the Corinth.2 1. vers. 2. Acts 9. vers, 14. He hath power to judge both the quick and the dead; and so he is privy to all the thoughts, sayings and doings of men, and not only that, but also he is most just and mighty to execute sentence. 1. Cor. 4.5. Judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who will lighten things that are in darkness, and make manifest the counsels of the hearts. Jo. 5. He hath given all judgement to the Son, that all may honour the Son, even as they honour the father. Mat. 3. His fan shall be in his hand, and he shall purge his floor, and gather his wheat into his garner, but will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. To discern hypocrites ⟨p. 79⟩from the faithful is the only work of God: and to gather these into heaven, and to thrust down the other into everlasting fire is also the only work of God.
1He sitteth at the right hand of God, and is worshipped of Angels and men.
The holy ghost also, in whom we believe,1 Christ himself giveth, which is a notable testimony of his everlasting godhead. Joh. 1. vers. 23. This is he that baptiseth with the holy ghost. Act. 2. compare the 17. verse, I will pour out (saith God) of my spirit. &c, with the. 33. vers. He hath shed forth this which you now behold and see. John, 16. verse. 7. and cap. 20. vers. 22.
The holy ghost also, in whom we beleeue,1 Christ himselfe giueth, which is a notable testimonie of his euerlasting godhead. Ioh. 1. vers. 23. This is he that baptiseth with the holy ghost. Acte. 2. compare the 17. verse, I will powre out (saith God) of my spirite. &c, with the. 33. vers. He hath shed foorth this which you now behold and see. Iohn, 16. verse. 7. and cap. 20. vers. 22.
He hath chosen unto himself a catholic or an universal Church,1 from among all mankind. John. 13.16. I know whom I have chosen, and in the 15. chapter. You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, that ye go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit remain. Also in the 10. Chap. vers. 16. and Chap. 11 vers. 52. He was present with this Church even from the beginning, as the everlasting king and priest thereof. Heb. 13. vers. 8. Christ yesterday, to day & for ever. Also the, 1.3. vers. 19.20. and the 1. Cor. 10. Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. and Heb. 7. ver. 3. To this church from the beginning he revealeth the father & himself. Mat. 11. No man knoweth the father but the Son, and to whom soever the Son will reveal him. Also 1. Pet. 1. vers. 11. He quickeneth this Church from everlasting death. Jo. 5. vers. 25. He will have his Church holy unto him and separated from idolaters ⟨p. 80⟩and from those which profess not faith and repentance: and therefore he directly opposeth the worship of himself in the Church against the worship of false Gods. 1. Cor. 10 14. My beloved, fly from idolatry, that I may speak more wisely, Judge you what I say. The cup of thanksgiving, whereby we give thanks, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? And a little after: Vers. 19 20. What therefore do I say? that the Idol is any thing, or that which is sacrificed to Idols is any thing? yea this (I say) that that which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, & not to God: and I would not that you should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, & the cup of devils; ye cannot be partakers of the Lords table, & of the table of devils, Do we provoke the Lord to anger? Are we stronger then he?
1He communicateth himself with the Saints, that is, with all the elect, and he dwelleth in them howsoever they are thrown out of the world. John, 14 vers. 23. I and the father will come and make our abiding with him. And in the 15 chap. vers 1.4. Also 1. Cor. 12. ver. 12. For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of the body which is one, though they be many, yet are but one body: so is Christ. Ephe. 3. That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Gala. 2. vers. 20. Now I live no more, but Christ liveth in me. Also John, 17. vers. 23. and 26. He entereth into league and fellowship with the Church by the ministry of the word and sacraments: ⟨p. 81⟩& he is present with it even from the beginning of the world, and remaineth present unto the end. 1. Cor. 10. Let us not tempt Christ, as some of them tempted, and were destroyed of Serpents. Also 1. Pet. 1. vers. 11. Matt. 28. Lo I am with you always to the end of the world. He instituted baptism the seal of the covenant, and would have us no less baptised in his name, then in the name of the father & of the holy ghost: making promise of salvation to them that believe and are baptised, Matt. 28. vers. 19. Mar. 16. vers. 16. Collo. 2. verse, 9, 10, 11. Act. 8. vers. 16. and chap. 19 vers. 5. Now it is both blasphemy to be baptised in the name of any creature, and it is only proper unto God, to make promises of salvation, and to fulfil them. Wherefore also Christ is he, which baptiseth with the holy ghost, Mat. 3
The forgiveness of sins, which he not only deserveth by his death, but also giveth by his ⟨p. 82⟩own power, is also a notable testimony of the Godhead of Christ.1 For he justifieth all his elect, from the beginning of the world. Act. 15. vers. 10.11. Why tempt ye God, laying a yoke upon the Disciples necks, that neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? but by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ we believe to be saved, even as they do. John. 8. vers. 56. Psal. 110. The Lord hath sworn and will not repent him. Thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. By, and for this Priest, were sins always forgiven to the believers. Now that he doth forgive sins by his own power, he confirmeth by a miracle. Matt. 9. But that you may know that the Son of man hath authority in earth to forgive sins (then he saith to the man sick of the palsy) Arise, take up thy bed, and go into thy house: And in Joh. 13. he saith, Unless I wash thee, thou shalt have no part with me.
The forgiuenes of sinnes, which he not onely deserueth by his death, but also giueth by his ⟨p. 82⟩owne power, is also a notable testimonie of the Godhead of Christ.1 For he iustifieth all his elect, from the beginning of the world. Act. 15. vers. 10.11. Whie tempte ye God, laying a yoake vpon the Disciples neckes, that neither our fathers nor we were able to beare? but by ye grace of our Lord Iesus Christ we beleeue to be saued, euen as they doe. Iohn. 8. vers. 56
1The resurrection also of the flesh is a work of Christ, as also the inward renewing to everlasting life. John. 5. vers. 2. and 28. As my father raiseth up the dead and giveth them life, so also the Son giveth life unto whom he will. And the hour shall come, that all that are in their graves, shall hear his voice, &c. Also John, 6. vers. 39.40. and in the 11. chap. I am the resurrection and the life, he that believeth in me, though that he were dead, he shall live, & whosoever liveth and believeth in me, he shall not die for ever. By Christ shall be fulfilled that of Hoseas, Death is swallowed up in victory. ⟨p. 83⟩O death, where is thy victory? &c. 1. Cor. 15. vers. 55.57. and in the same Chapter, verses 45.48.
1The resurrectiō also of the flesh is a worke of Christ, as also the inward renuing to euerlasting life. Iohn. 5. vers. 2. and 28. As my father raiseth vp the dead and giueth them life, so also the sonne giueth life vnto whom he will. And the howre shall come, that all that are in their graues, shall heare his voyce, &c. Also Iohn, 6. vers. 39.40. and in the 11. chap. I am the resurrection and the life, he that beleeueth in me, though that hee were dead, hee shal liue, & whosoeuer liueth and beleeueth in me, he shall not die for euer. By Christ shalbe fulfilled that of Hoseas, Death is swallowed vp in victorie. ⟨p. 83⟩O death, where is thy victorie? &c. 1. Cor. 15. vers. 55.57. and in the same Chapiter, verses 45.48.
And Christ himself giveth everlasting life.1 Joh. 1. Life was in him. Joh. 10. I give eternal life unto my sheep, neither shall they perish for ever, neither shall any man take them out of my hand, I and the father are one. All these things which we have rehearsed according to the order of the description of God, and the articles of the faith, seeing they are of that sort, as can agree to none but only to God, they plainly convince Christ to be God by nature.
And Christ himselfe giueth euerlasting life.1 Ioh. 1. Life was in him. Ioh. 10. I giue eternall life vnto my sheepe, neither shall they perish for euer, neither shall any man take them out of my hande, I and the father are one. All these thinges which we haue rehearsed according to the order of the description of God, and the articles of the faith, seeing they are of that sorte, as can agree to none but onely to God, they plainly conuince Christ to be God by nature.
1The word or ye Sonne is a spiritual substance. To ye Rom. 1. vers. 3. & 4. Heb. 9. ver. 14. & 1. Pet. 3. vers. 18.19. Io. 14. Ye beleeue in God, beleeue also in mee, he is eternall and incomprehensible aswell in glory as in wisedome: Io, 17. vers. 5. Glorifie me thou father, with thy owne selfe, with the glory which I had with thee before the worlde was. And Prouerbs 8. Also Apocalip. 1. vers. 8. Hebr. 7. vers. 3. Good, pure, and vndefiled. Io. 10. vers. 11. Isay. 40. verses 9.10.11. Isay. 6. Holy, holy, holy, the mightie Lord of hoastes: all the earth is full of his glory. These things doth Iohn the Euangelist interprete of Christ. Cap. 12 vers. 41. saying, These things said Esaias, when he sawe his glory, and spake of him, to witte of Christ. And Io. 17. vers. 19. He is also of infinite power, for he createth & preserueth all things together with the father and the holy Ghost: Io. 1. In the beginning was that word, & that word was with God, and that word was God.2 Also, All things were made by it, and without it, was made nothing that was made. vers. 3. And to the Coloss. 1. By the beloued sonne, through whom we haue redemption ⟨p. 73⟩were all things created,3 which are in heauen and which are in earth, thinges visible and inuisible: whether they be Thrones or Dominions, or Principalities, or Powers.4 All things were created by him and for him: And he is before all things, and in him all things consist. To the Heb. the first. He hath spoken vnto vs by his sonne by whō he hath made ye worlds. Prouerb 8. Iehoua possesseth me,5 from the beginning of his way: I had ye chiefty frō euerlasting, frō ye beginning before ye earth was. When there were no depths was I fashioned, before there were foūtaines running wt water: before ye mountaines were, and before the hills was I brought forth. He had not yet made the earth, & the streates, & the height of the dust of the world: when he prepared ye heauens, I was there, &c. And Io. 5. ver. 17.18. My father worketh hitherto, & I work. Therefore the Iewes sought ye more to kil him: not onely because he had broken yt sabbaoth: but said also yt God was his father, and made himselfe equall wt God. To the Philippians the 3. vers. 21. He worketh miracles by his owne power: to witte, not as one calling vpon God, but as one commanding by his owne auctority. Thou hast examples Mat. 8. vers. 26. Luk. 5. and 7.
For he commandeth the winde and the sea, and they obey him, and he rebuketh the fearefulnes of his disciples, Mark. 4. vers. 39.41. he giueth power also vnto others to worke miracles, but by calling vpon his name. Mark. 8. Acts. 3. vers. 6.16. and Cap. 4 vers 10. And he is of an immutable righteousnesse, Ierem. 23. And this is the name whereby ⟨p. 74⟩they shall call him, Iehouah, our righteousnesse, Of an vnspeakeable mercie. Titus the 3. vers. 4. and the 6. and Chapter. 2. vers. 10. and 12. of a most constant truth. Mat. 24. vers. 35. The heauen and earth shall passe, but my wordes shall not perish. And the first of Iohn, Full of grace & truth. Io. 14. vers. 9 That same worde, is the onely begottē sonne of ye father, and ye co-eternal image of ye father.1 Io. 1. We haue seene his glory, as ye glory of ye onely begottē of God. To the Hebr. 1. who being the brightnes of his glory, (the light from the light) and very ingraued forme of his person of his substance, and bearing vp all things by the worde of his power,2 &c. And he is the Lorde of all creatures, but chiefly of the faithfull or of the Church, Io. 1. He was in the worlde, and the world was made by him, but the worlde knew him not: he came amongest his owne, and his owne receiued him not. Before he came into the world he was a subsisting person, and Dauids Lord, from which Christ maintaineth his diuinitie in the 22. of Mathew, saying. What thinke you of Christ? whose sonne is he? they say vnto him, Dauides: he saith vnto them, how then doth Dauid in spirit call him Lord? saying: The Lord said vnto my Lord, sit at my right hand, till I make thine enemies, thy footestoole. If therefore Dauid call him, Lord, how is he his sonne? Also Luk. vers. 1. verses 16.17.43. and vers. 76.77. And thou childe (Iohn Baptist) shalt be called the Prophet of the most high. For thou shalt goe before the face of the Lorde to ⟨p. 75⟩prepare his waies, & thou shalt giue the knowledge of saluation to his people. Malach. 4. vers. 5. Io. 1. This is he that commeth after me that was before me, &c. Io. 20. vers. 28. Thomas answereth, him my Lord and my God. Acts 16. vers. 31. and Chap. 18. vers. 10.3 So Christ was conceaued by the holy Ghost, that being before that substantiall worde, and by himselfe subsisting, he tooke our flesh: Philip. 2. who being in the forme of God, thought it no robbery to be equall with God:
but he made himselfe of no reputation, taking vpon him the forme of a seruante. Hebr. 2. He tooke not the natures of Angels vpon him, but he tooke the seede of Abraham. Io. 6. I am that bread of life which came down frō heauen. Io. 16. I went out from ye father, & came into ye worlde, &c. and 1. Timot. 3. Great is the mysterie of godlines, God is manifest in the flesh.1 The Prophetes foretolde that this man which is borne of the virgine, should not be a man, in such sort, as should subsist of himselfe as Peter and Paule: but the true God, to witte, the second person, bearing and vpholding that humaine lumpe, into the vnitie of the person knitte vnto him. Isay 7. Beholde a virgine shalbe with childe: and shal bring forth a sonne & thou shalt call his name Immanuell, God with vs. And in the 9. A childe is borne vnto vs: A sonne is giuen vnto vs: and the principalitie was vpon his shoulders, and thou shalt call his name wonderfull, counseller, the mightie God, father of eternitie and prince of peace. Ierem. 23. I will reare vp to ⟨p. 76⟩Dauid a righteous braunch, and he shall raigne king, and shall prosper. &c. And this is his name, whereby they shall call him Iehoua our righteousnesse. Miche. 5. And thou Bethlehem Euphrata, although thou be amongest the thousands of Iehudah, out of thee shall there come forth vnto me, which shalbe the gouernour of Israel: and his generations shalbe from olde, and from the daies of euerlastingnes. Coloss. 2. vers 9. In him dwelleth all fulnes of the Godhead bodily.2 He confessed before Pontius Pilate vnder whom he suffered, that his kingdome was euerlasting, and that therefore he came into the worlde, that he might giue testimony of the truth. Io. 18. vers. 36.37. and Acts 4. vers. 25.26.27.30. When the same iudge iudged him, there is fulfilled that prophecy in the 11. of Zachary, Mat. 27. And they tooke thirty peeces of siluer, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel valued. And they gaue them for the potters fielde, as the Lord appointed vnto mee.
1He communicateth himselfe with the Sainctes, that is, with all the elect, and he dwelleth in them howsoeuer they are throwne out of the world. Iohn, 14 vers. 23. I and the father will come and make our abiding with him. And in the 15 chap. vers 1.4. Also 1. Cor. 12. ver. 12. For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of the body which is one, though they be many, yet are but one body: so is Christ. Ephe. 3. That Christ may dwell in your hartes through faith. Gala. 2. vers. 20. Now I liue no more, but Christ liueth in me. Also Iohn, 17. vers. 23. and 26. He entreth into league and fellowship with the Church by the ministerie of the word and sacramentes: ⟨p. 81⟩& he is present with it euen from the beginning of the world, and remaineth present vnto the end. 1. Cor. 10. Let vs not tempte Christ, as some of them tempted, and were destroyed of Serpentes. Also 1. Pet. 1. vers. 11. Matt. 28. Loe I am with you alwaies to the ende of the world. He instituted baptisme the seale of the couenant, and would haue vs no lesse baptised in his name, then in the name of the father & of the holy ghost: making promise of saluation to them that beleeue and are baptised, Matt. 28. vers. 19. Mar. 16. vers. 16. Collo. 2. verse, 9, 10, 11. Acte. 8. vers. 16. and chap. 19 vers. 5. Now it is both blasphemie to be baptised in the name of any creature, and it is onely proper vnto God, to make promises of saluation, and to fulfill them. Wherefore also Christ is he, which baptiseth with the holy ghost, Mat. 3, verse, 11. Act. 2. vers. 18 32. He instituted the sacrament of thankesgiuing, for the diuine worship of himselfe, in the place of the Paschall, as he saith: Do this in remembrance of me: Wherefore also Paule calleth it the cuppe of thankesgiuing, whereby we giue thankes: And concerning the seale of the newe Testament, he speaketh thus: This is the newe Testament in my blood. Now it is the same Lord or Hoastes, that had promised a newe Testament, & who confirmeth the selfsame by his death. Ierem, 31. vers. 33. and Hebrewes, 9. vers. 17.
