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The Substance of Christian Religion

Amandus Polanus 1595
A systematic presentation of Christian doctrine covering God, creation, redemption, and the Christian life comprehensively.

EEBO-TCP A09819 (TEI), original spelling, printed page numbers

From the text

The opening of the work as printed, in the spelling of this edition.

The first part, namely concerning faith, doth teach vs, what we must beleeue to saluation. And that cōcerneth either God, or the Church.

Of the knowledge of God, or of faith concerning God, are two parts, the first concerning the essence of God, the second concerning his workes.

The essence of God, is the nature of God, whereby God is indeede, and doth subsist.

And that essence is but one: and therefore God is but onely one also.

There are two partes of the knowledge of the essence of God, the first concerning the attributes of God, the second concerning the distinction of the persons.

The attributes of God, are those titles, which are attributed to God, to declare his essence better vnto vs.

[Of the attributes of God.] The attributes of God, are either simple, or compared.

The simple attributes of God are the esential properties of God, which doe agree to him without comparison.

Of these some haue such a similitude of him, as is in the creatures by creation: some haue not.

p. 2Of the former kind are blessednes, immortalitie, vnderstanding, praescience, memorie, will, goodnesse, holinesse, iustice, clemencie, long sufferance, patience, constacie, fortitude, truth, faithfulnesse, and the rest.

p. 2The goodnesse of God is that, by which he hath bene euerlastingly contented with him selfe, not hauing neede of any other thing. 1. Tim. 1.11. & 6.15.

The vnderstāding of God, is that by which he hath a perfect vnderstāding of al things, & this is somtimes called the wisdome of God.

The immortalitie of God, is that by which he neuer dieth. 1. Tim. 1.17. & 6.16.

The praescience of God, is a most perfect foreknowledge of all things to come.

The memorie of God, is that by which he doth most exactly remember all things. Psal. 25.6.7. Esa. 49.16.

And that will is onely one, & most simple if we respect God him self, but so farre as we respect mē, to whō it is either reuealed or hid, it is two fold: manifest or secret. The schoolemen do call the former of these, the wil of the signe, the other the will of the good pleasure of God.

The secret wil also in due time appointed by God, is made open and manifest.

The will of God is most free, whereupon also it is called the free will of God.

p. 3The free wil of God, is that self same essence of God, vnderstanding by it selfe all things immediatly and most perfectly, & that most freely, but yet vnchangeably and necessarily, willing that which is good onely, and abhorring that onely which is euill, neither depending of another former beginning, but of it selfe onely. And this alone may properly be called of his owne power.

The goodnes of God is that by which he is the author of all good things.

And he doth exercise this, either generally towards all creatures, or else particularly towards his elect.

The former is called beneficence, the later is called mercie.

The beneficence of God, is that by which he giueth his gifts to all his creatures. Mat. 5.44.45. Act. 14.17.

The mercie of God is that by which God doth good to his elect, although they deserue nothing of him but euill. Esa. 49.10.13. Eph. 2.3.4. Psal. 145.9.

The holinesse of God is that by which he doth altogether abhorre all impuritie & vncleanesse Esa. 6.3. Reu. 4.8. Ierem. 3.12.

p. 3The iustice of God, is that by which he dealeth iustly in all things. Psal. 116.11. Rom. 3.4.

The clemencie of God, is that by which he doth represse his anger, which is most iust, that he might spare vs. Exod. 34.5.

The long sufferance of God, is that wherby p. 4he doth a long time defer his anger, and punishment against sinners, that he might prouoke them to repentance. Exod 34.5.

The patiēce of God is that by which he suffereth a long time patiently the sins of men, that he might lead thē to repentance. Esa. 48.9

The constancie of God, is that by which he performeth most certainely that which hee hath spoken. Exod. 34.5.

The truth of God is that by which hee speaketh and doeth all things as they are indeed, he himselfe being most free from all lying. Rom. 3.4. Deut. 7.9.

The fayhfulnes of God is that by which he most faythfully performeth to his children that which hee hath promised. Esay. 49.7. Exod. 34.6. Deut. 7.10.

p. 4Hitherto we haue handled the simple attributes of God, which are of the first sort: they of the latter sort follow.

The simple attributs of God, of the later sort are those which haue not in thē such a similitude of him, as is in some creatures by creatiō.

Of which sort are these, Eternitie, Infinitnes, vbiquity, omnipotency, omniscience.

Eternitie, is an essential propertie of God, by which hee is sayde to bee without any beginning or ending. Esa. 43.13. Ps. 90.2. & 92.8.

p. 5Infinitenesse, is an essentiall propertie of God, by which we vnderstand that the diuine essence can in no wise be cōprehēded in any boundes. 1. Kin. 8.27. 2. Chro. 2.6. and 6.18.

It is also called his vnmeasurablenesse.

Vbiquitie is an essentiall property of God, by which he is alwayes present euery where in all things. Iere. 23.23.24. Psal. 139.7.10. Esa. 6.3. and 66.1.

It is also called omnipresence.

Infinitnesse is the cause of vbiquitie.

For that that is euery where, is therfore euery where, because it is infinite. Neither is, neither can any thing be said to be euery where, except it be infinit.

And this is proper to the Deitie alone, that it be whole euery where & in euery particular place.

Omnipotencie, is an essentiall propertie of God, by which he can bring to passe all things, whatsoeuer he doth will now he doth will all those things, which are agreable to his nature and word. Luk. 1.37. and 18.27.

Omniscience, is an essentiall propertie of God, by which he most perfectly knoweth, euen in one moment all things euery where. Hebr. 4.13.

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Contents

  1. TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE AND HIS VERIE GOOD LORD, THE LORD Edward Earle of Bedford: and to…
  2. THE FIRST BOOKE OF THE PARTITIONS, AND DEFINITIONS OF DIuinitie, framed according to the…p. 50
  3. Of Faith.p. 2
  4. Hitherto we haue handled the simple attributes of God, which are of…p. 4
  5. Thus haue the simple attributes of God bene handled: The compared…p. 6
  6. Hitherto of the members attributed to God in the Scripture: now…p. 9
  7. And these are the senses, which are attributed to God: the affections…p. 9
  8. And these are the affections which are attributed to God: the…p. 11
  9. Hitherto we haue spoken concerning the attributes of God: now we will…p. 12
  10. Hitherto concerning the essence of God: now concerning his workes.p. 14
  11. Hitherto generally concerning the benefites of God: now concerning…p. 19
  12. Hitherto concerning the adiunctes of the workes of God, the sortes…p. 16
  13. Hitherto concerning Gods decree: now concerning the execution of Gods…p. 18
  14. Thus farre concerning perfect reason: now concerning perfect…p. 20
  15. Hitherto concerning good Angels: now concerning euill Angels.p. 21
  16. Hitherto concerning Angels: now concerning man.p. 23
  17. Hitherto concerning the state of man: now concerning his will.p. 24
  18. Thus much concerning the will of man before the fall.p. 24
  19. Hitherto concerning the will of man being corrupted: now concerning…p. 26
  20. Hitherto concerning the will of men in this life: now concerning…p. 27
  21. Hitherto concerning creation: now concerning the prouidence of God.p. 28
  22. Thus much concerning good: now concerning euill.p. 29
  23. Thus farre concerning the sinnes of deuils: now concerning the sinnes…p. 30
  24. Thus much concerning the sinne of our first parents.p. 31
  25. Thus much concerning originall sinne: now concerning Actuall sinne.p. 32
  26. Thus farre concerning the euill of the offence: now concerning the…p. 35
  27. Thus much concerning the subiect of Gods prouidence: now concerning…p. 35
  28. Thus far cōcerning Gods action done by meanes: now concerning Gods…p. 39
  29. Thus farre concerning the action of God: now concerning his…p. 40
  30. Hitherto concerning the parts of Gods prouidence: the sorts follow.p. 42
  31. Hitherto concerning the generall prouidence of God: his speciall…p. 44
  32. Hitherto concerning predestination: now concerning the naturall…p. 45
  33. Hitherto concerning the naturall manifestation of God: now concerning…p. 46
  34. Hitherto concerning the punishment: now concerning the crosse.p. 47
  35. Thus farre concerning affliction: now concerning the secret mouing of…p. 49
  36. Thus farre concerning the secret motion of the w ••• : now •…p. 50
  37. Hitherto concerning the generall workes of Gods speciall prouidence…p. 51
  38. Thus farre concerning the threatening.p. 56
  39. Hitherto concerning the second commandement: now concerning the third.p. 56
  40. Hitherto concerning the first table of the ten commandements: The…p. 58
  41. Hitherto concerning the explication of the ten commandements: now…p. 61
  42. Thus farre concerning Gods perpetuall law: now concerning the law of…p. 62
  43. Hitherto concerning the law of God • now concerning the Gospell.p. 63
  44. Thus farre concerning the natures in the person of Christ: now…p. 64
  45. Thus farre concerning the distinction of the natures in the personall…p. 66
  46. Hitherto concerning the exaltation of the nature assumed: now…p. 67
  47. Thus much concerning the personall vnion.p. 69
  48. Thus farre concerning the incarnation of Christ: now concerning his…p. 69
  49. Hitherto of the euils which Christ suffered from his birth, euen to…p. 72
  50. Thus farre concerning the striuing of Christ: now concerning his…p. 73
  51. Thus much concerning the betraying of Christ.p. 73
  52. Hitherto concerning the passion of Christ: now concerning his death…p. 74
  53. Hitherto concerning Christes humiliation: now concerning his…p. 75
  54. There are foure endes and vses of the resurrection of Christ.p. 75
  55. Hitherto concerning Christes ascension: now concerning his sitting at…p. 77
  56. Hitherto concerning the person of Christ: now concerning his office.p. 78
  57. Thus farre concerning the Propheticall office of Christ: now…p. 80
  58. Thus much concerning the expiation of sinne: now concerning…p. 81
  59. Hitherto concerning Christes Priesthood: now concerning the kingly…p. 81
  60. Thus farre concerning the reuelation of doctrine: now concerning the…p. 82
  61. Hitherto concerning the absolute foretelling of things to come.p. 84
  62. Thus much concerning the promise: now concerning the threatning.p. 86
  63. Hitherto concerning the supernaturall manifestation of Gods will: now…p. 86
  64. Thus much concerning the outward calling: now concerning the inward.p. 87
  65. Hitherto concerning our calling to Christ: now concerning our calling…p. 87
  66. Thus farre concerning our calling: now concerning Gods couenant.p. 87
  67. Thus much concerning the couenant of workes: now concerning the…p. 89
  68. Thus farre concerning the giuing of the holy spirite: now concerning…p. 91
  69. Thus farre concerning iustification: now concerning Regeneration.p. 94
  70. Thus much concerning enlightening: now concerning repentance.p. 96
  71. Hitherto concerning the mortification of the old man: now concerning…p. 98
  72. Thus far concerning the regeneratiō of the soule: now concerning the…p. 98
  73. Hitherto concerning the parts of regeneration: the perpetuall…p. 99
  74. Hitherto concerning regeneration: now concerning adoption and the…p. 100
  75. Thus farre concerning adoption: now concerning the freedome of the…p. 101
  76. Thus much concerning inward freedome: now concerning outward freedome.p. 101
  77. Hitherto concerning our communion with Christ: now concerning our…p. 105
  78. Hitherto concerning the common comfort in euery affliction: now…p. 108
  79. Hitherto concerning comfort: now concerning the rest of the benefites.p. 112
  80. Hitherto concerning our preseruation in this communion with Christ…p. 112
  81. Hitherto concerning the promise of grace: now concerning the…p. 113
  82. Hitherto concerning the eternall couenant: now concerning the…p. 113
  83. Hitherto concerning Gods couenant: now concerning the diuine signe.p. 113
  84. Thus farre concerning a miracle: now concerning a Sacrament.p. 116
  85. Hitherto concerning the sacrament of the couenant of workes: now…p. 117
  86. Hitherto concerning the earthly matter: now concerning the outwarde…p. 121
  87. Hitherto concerning the action of the minister that administreth the…p. 123
  88. Hitherto concerning the parts of the couenant of the Sacrament of…p. 126
  89. Thus farre concerning the ends of the couenant of grace.p. 128
  90. Thus farre concerning circumcision: now concerning the Passeouer.p. 130
  91. Thus farre concerning the ordinary Sacraments of the old Testament…p. 131
  92. Hitherto concerning the Sacraments of the old Testament: now…p. 132
  93. Thus farre concerning the action of the Minister administring…p. 134
  94. Hitherto concerning Baptisme: now concerning the Lords Supper.p. 136
  95. Hitherto concerning the earthly matter in the holy Supper: now…p. 142
  96. Thus farre concerning the action of the minister: now concerning the…p. 144
  97. Hitherto concerning the receiuing of the bread and wine: now…p. 146
  98. Thus farre concerning the parts of the Lordes Supper: now concerning…p. 146
  99. Concerning the trying of a mans selfe before the vse of the Supper of…p. 149
  100. Hitherto concerning the Sacrament of the eternall couenant: now…p. 150
  101. Thus farre concerning the workes of God which are done in this life…p. 151
  102. Thus farre concerning the finall sentence to be pronounced to the…p. 154
  103. Hitherto concerning the generall raysing vp of the dead, and the last…p. 155
  104. Hitherto we haue layd open faith concerning God: now concerning the…p. 155
  105. Thus farre concerning the vniuersall Church, now concerning the…p. 157
  106. Hitherto concerning the Ministers of the church of the old Testament…p. 160
  107. Hitherto concerning the extraordinarie Ministers of the Church of the…p. 161
  108. Thus farre concerning the Ecclesiasticall ministery: now concerning…p. 163
  109. Hitherto concerning the power of order: now concerning the power of…p. 164
  110. Thus farre concerning the Ecclesiasticall punishment: now concerning…p. 167
  111. Hitherto concerning Pastors: now concerning Doctors.p. 167
  112. Thus farre concerning Bishops: now concerning their helpers.p. 168
  113. Hitherto concerning the gouernours: now concerning the disposers of…p. 168
  114. Thus farre concerning Deacons: now concerning Deaconesses.p. 169
  115. Hitherto concerning the Ministers of the church: now concerning the…p. 169
  116. Thus farre concerning the proper gouernment of the church: now…p. 169
  117. Hitherto concerning the true church: now concerning the false Church.p. 172
  118. Hitherto concerning the Iewes: now concerning the Gentiles.p. 173
  119. And thus farre concerning open enemies: now concerning dissembled…p. 174
  120. Thus farre is shewed what Antichrist is: now who it is.p. 176
  121. Thus farre concerning Antichrist himselfe: now concerning the Church…p. 176
  122. So much concerning Antichrist: now concerning false Christs.p. 178
  123. THE SECOND BOOKE of the definitions and partitions of Diuinitie, framed according to the…p. 179
  124. Of good workes.p. 179
  125. So much concerning the feare of God: now concerning subiection vnto…p. 182
  126. Hitherto concerning the adioynts of good workes as they respect God.p. 182
  127. Hitherto we haue spoken of the adioynts of good workes as in respect…p. 187
  128. So much concerning the adioynts of good workes: their kinds follow.p. 188
  129. Thus farre concerning humility: now concerning confidence in God.p. 191
  130. So much concerning faith: now concerning hope in God.p. 194
  131. So much concerning confidence: now concerning patience.p. 196
  132. Hitherto concerning that worship of God which is only inward: now…p. 196
  133. Thus much concerning the distribution of prayer: now concerning the…p. 200
  134. This is the first part of the entrance: the second followeth.p. 201
  135. So much concerning the entrance of the Lords prayer: the petitions…p. 202
  136. The three former petitions haue been thus expounded: the three later…p. 204
  137. Thus hath the second part of the Lordes prayer bene handled: the…p. 207
  138. Hitherto we haue handled the third part of the Lords prayer: the…p. 208
  139. Hitherto concerning prayer: now concerning an oath.p. 209
  140. So much concerning calling vpon God: now concerning thankesgiuing.p. 211
  141. And thus farre concerning thankesgiuing: now concerning the…p. 212
  142. Hitherto concerning the confession of the truth: now concerning the…p. 215
  143. Hitherto concerning the sanctification of an holy day: now concerning…p. 216
  144. So much concerning a fast: now concerning a vow.p. 217
  145. Hitherto concerning a rite common to the old and new Testament: now…p. 218
  146. Hitherto concerning-sacrifices: now concerning the obseruation of…p. 220
  147. Hitherto concerning the holy times of a day: now concerning the holy…p. 221
  148. Hitherto haue the solemnities instituted by God himselfe bene handled.p. 222
  149. Hitherto concerning the yearly solemnities.p. 222
  150. Hitherto concerning the publicke rites of the old Testament: now…p. 223

and 38 more sections

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