The substance of Christian religion soundly set forth in two bookes, by definitions and partitions, framed according to the rules of a naturall method, by Amandus Polanus professor of diuinitie. The first booke concerneth faith. The second concerneth good workes. The principall pointes whereof are contained in a short table hereunto annexed. Translated out of Latin into English by E.W.

So much concerning the adioynts of good workes: their kinds follow.

Good works are two fold: that is either the workes of Gods worship, or of vertue. The former, that is, Gods worship, is commanded in the first table of the ten commandements: the other in the second.

The worship of God is an honor to be gi∣uen to God alone according to his comman∣demēt; If I be your father, where is my honor? I will not giue my glory to an other: that he that honoureth the sonne, might honour the father also: that they may glorifie your father in heauē. Pro. 3.9. Honor God with thy riches.

Atheisme, witchcraft, Idolatry, and supersti∣tion are contrary to the true and sincere wor∣ship of God.

Atheism is whē some beastly natures of mē, do deny that there is any God: or at the least that there is any prouidence of God. Psal. 14.

Witchcraft is a couenāting with the deuils y^e enemies of God, that by their help things not

necessary may be knowen and effected either for the fulfilling of euill lusts, or for ostenta∣tiō▪ or to the cōmodity of life, or else that they might receiue by them those things which are to be asked and looked for from God a∣lone. Deut. 18.11.

Idolatry is a sinne, when the worship that is due to God alone, is translated to the crea∣tures. Gen. 31.30.34. Exod. 12.12. Iere. 43.13. Exod. 32.1.2. &c. Iud. 17.3.4.

The worshipping of bread, or of the God Maozim in the Papisticall masse, and as also the worship of Images, are speciall kinds of Idolatry.

Superstition, is a sinne, when the effects of Gods fauour, or some naturall force, is attri∣buted to a thing or gesture without Gods commaundement, or without natural causes. Col. 2.23. Gen. 32.32. Iud. 18.27. 1. Sam. 5.5. Act. 17.22.

There are infinit kinds of this superstition amongst the Papists: among which the exor∣cisme, or as we may call it coniuration of creatures is notorious.

Exorcisme is a superstition, through which the sacrificing priest adiureth the euill spirit by heauenly things, and doth boldly enough, and by his authority, command him, that he depart out of the infant that is to be baptized.

The worship of God, is either onely in∣ward, or else both inward and outward. Deu. 6.5. & 10 12. Mat. 1.8.

The onely inward worship of God, is that which doth consist in the affectiō of the mind onely. Deut. 6.5.

And that is the true knowledge of God, loue towards God, humility, confidence in God, and patience.

The true knowledge of God, is the in∣ward worship of God, when we know God so, as he hath manifested himselfe in his word.

To it is contrary the ignorance of God, which is not to know those things concer∣ning God, which euery one ought to know. Furthermore false opinions touching God, are contrary to it.

Loue towards God, is the inward wor∣ship of God, when we do loue God so ear∣nestly, that we do all his commaundements with a certaine ioyfulnesse. 1. Ioh. 5.3. 1. Tim. 1. Deut▪ 6. Mat. 22.

To it is contrary the hatred of God, which is by reason of the turning away of our na∣ture from God, and from the iustice of God, and through inclination to sinne, to flee from God, and to be angry with him, accusing and punishing sinne. Rom. 8.7.

To it also is contrary, an inordinate loue of himself or of any of the creatures, which is to preferre a mans owne lusts, will, life, or glory, before Gods will and glory, and wickedly to neglect, and offend him rather then to forgoe those things we loue. Mat. 10.37.

Humility is the inward worship of God, when we acknowledgeing our owne misery, cast away all confidence in our own strength, and do acknowledge that all good thinges which are in vs, and which are done by vs, do not proceede of any worthinesse or ability of our owne, but of the free goodnesse of God. 1. Cor. 4.7. Iob. 1.21.

Poore in spirite that is to say, humble, may he be said to be, who doth acknowledge that he hath no good thing of his owne nature, or by himselfe, but rather that he is naked and poore, and voide of all good things, and re∣ceiueth all such things freely from God.

To it is opposed, a fained humility and pride.

Fained humility belongeth to hypocrites. Col. 2.23. as of the Pharisies. Mat. 6.6. Of the Anabaptists and Muncks, who will be hum∣ble without lowlinesse, poore without want, rich without labour, as Bernard saith.

Pride is a sinne, when any one without the knowledge of his own infirmity, doth loue, extoll, and magnifie himselfe for some giftes he hath, and doth swell and trust in his owne wisedome, holinesse and strength, and attri∣buteth to himselfe more then is in him, & des∣piseth others. Prou. 8.13. & 16.5. Reuel. 3.17.

Notes

• Of the worship of God.
• Of humility.