The rule of faith, or, An exposition of the Apostles Creed so handled as…

Thirdly, the doctrine of the last Judgement, should serve also for instruction, and so

Thirdly, the doctrine of the last Iudgement, should serue also for instruction, and so

1. It should strike a constant fear of God into our hearts, and of his dreadful justice, and majesty, Revel. 14. 7.

1. It should strike a constant feare of God into our hearts, and of his dreadfull iustice, and maiestie, Reuel. 14. 7.

2. It should make us very patient under any wrongs, or oppressions of the wicked men of the world, especially when men suffer trouble for Christs sake and the Gospels; for we shall be sure to see a perfect recompense upon our adversaries at that day, if they repent not, 2 Thess. 1. 5, 6, 7. Jam. 5. 6, 7. Phil. 4. 5.

2. It should make vs very patient vnder any wrongs, or oppressions of the wicked men of the world, especially when men suffer trouble for Christs sake and the Gospels; for we shall be sure to see a perfect recompence vpon our aduersaries at that day, if they repent not, 2 Thess. 1. 5, 6, 7. Iam. 5. 6, 7. Phil. 4. 5.

But especially it should marvellously fire the hearts of Gods children, to all possible care and conscience to express all manner of holiness, and good works, in all parts of their conversation, and to avoid all things that may offend, Tit. 2. 12, 13. 2 Pet. 3. 11, 14. 1 Cor. 15. 5, 8.

But especially it should maruellously fire the hearts of Gods children, to all possible care and conscience to expresse all manner of holinesse, and good works, in all parts of their conuersation, and to auoid all things that may offend, Tit. 2. 12, 13. 2 Pet. 3. 11, 14. 1 Cor. 15. 5, 8.

The eighth Article.

I believe in the Holy Ghost.

I beleeue in the Holy Ghost.

1 JOHN 5. 7. For there are three, which bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

1 IOHN 5. 7. For there are three, which beare record in heauen, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

Hitherto of the Articles of the Creed that concern the Father and the Son: Now followeth the Article that concerns the third Person in the Trinity in those words, I believe in the Holy Ghost.

HItherto of the Articles of the Creed that concerne the Father and the Son: Now followeth the Article that concernes the third Person in the Trinity in those words, I beleeue in the Holy Ghost.

Ghost is an old English word, and signifieth Spirit: and this Title of the Holy Spirit is given to the third Person in Trinity, in a special manner: The word Spirit by way of cause, and the word Holy, by way of effect.

Ghost is an old English word, and signifieth Spirit: and this Title of the Holy Spirit is giuen to the third Person in Trinity, in a speciall manner: The word Spirit by way of cause, and the word Holy, by way of effect.

He is a spirit not only in nature (so the Father and Son are a Spirit) but because he proceeds from the Father and the Son by way of spiration or breathing: on the other side, he is called holy, not only in respect of Nature (for so Father and ⟨p. 537⟩some are holy) but by effect, because he makes the Church holy.

He is a spirit not only in nature (so the Father and Son are a Spirit) but because hee proceeds from the Father and the Son by way of spiration or breathing: on the other side, he is called holy, not only in respect of Nature (for so Father and ⟨p. 537⟩some are holy) but by effect, because hee makes the Church holy.

Now to believe in the holy Ghost, is not only to believe that there is a holy Ghost, but to rely upon him for sanctification, and salvation, and all happiness: to believe the holy Ghost to say true when he speaketh, or to believe what is written of him, will not serve turn, unless we believe in him.

Now to beleeue in the holy Ghost, is not only to beleeue that there is a holy Ghost, but to relie vpon him for sanctification, and saluation, and all happinesse: to beleeue the holy Ghost to say true when he speaketh, or to beleeue what is written of him, will not serue turne, vnlesse wee beleeue in him.

The reason why there is but one Article about the Holy Ghost is, because the doctrine concerning him, hath not been so much opposed, as the doctrine concerning Christ, or the Father: unless we take in the Articles that follow, and place them under this head of the Holy Ghost, which may be done thus; The third part of the Creed concerns the Holy Ghost, and his special operation, which is sanctification: which is declared partly by the object, which is the Church, and partly by the effect, which is communion of Saints: which communion is enjoyed in three things, viz. Forgiveness of sins, Resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.

The reason why there is but one Article about the Holy Ghost is, because the doctrine concerning him, hath not beene so much opposed, as the doctrine concerning Christ, or the Father: vnlesse wee take in the Articles that follow, and place them vnder this head of the Holy Ghost, which may be done thus; The third part of the Creed concernes the Holy Ghost, and his speciall operation, which is sanctification: which is declared partly by the obiect, which is the Church, and partly by the effect, which is communion of Saints: which communion is enioyed in three things, viz. Forgiuenesse of sinnes, Resurrection of the body, and life euerlasting.

Before I come to open the full meaning of the words of this Article, I observe from the general consideration of them, with the coherence, these things,

Before I come to open the full meaning of the words of this Article, I obserue from the generall consideration of them, with the coherence, these things,

1. That the Holy Ghost is God as well as the Father and the Son, because we must believe in him, as well as in the Father and the Son, which is plainly proved by the Scriptures, 2 Sam. 23. 2, 3. Isaiah 6. 7. with Act. 28. 25. Act. 5. 3, 4. 1 Cor. 3. 16. hence is the Holy Ghost reckoned with the Father and the Son, Matth. 28. 29.

1. That the Holy Ghost is God as well as the Father and the Sonne, because we must beleeue in him, as well as in the Father and the Sonne, which is plainly proued by the Scriptures, 2 Sam. 23. 2, 3. Esay 6. 7. with Act. 28. 25. Act. 5. 3, 4. 1 Cor. 3. 16. hence is the Holy Ghost reckoned with the Father and the Sonne, Matth. 28. 29.

2. That he proceedeth from the Father and the Son, which the Creed intimateth in placing this Article last, and is plain by these Scriptures, where he is called, The Spirit of the Father, Luk. 4. 18. Esa. 61. 1. Joh. 14. 16. 26. and 15. 26. and of the Son, Joh. 16. 7. 14. and 20. 22. Rom. 8. 9. Gal. 6. 4.

2. That he proceedeth from the Father and the Son, which the Creed intimateth in placing this Article last, and is plaine by these Scriptures, where he is called, The Spirit of the Father, Luk. 4. 18. Esa. 61. 1. Ioh. 14. 16. 26. and 15. 26. and of the Sonne, Ioh. 16. 7. 14. and 20. 22. Rom. 8. 9. Gal. 6. 4.