gave him commandment to execute the same IV. This Office the Lord Jesus did most willingly undertake which that he might discharge he was made under the Law and did perfectly fulfill it endured most grievous torments immediately in his soul and most painful sufferings in his body was crucified and died was buried and remained under the power of death yet saw no â—â—â—â—uption On the third day hâ— arose from the dead with the same â—â—dy in which h◠〈◊〉 with which also he ascendâ—â— iâ—to heaven and thâ—re sitteth at the â—ight hand of his Father g making 〈◊〉 h and shall return to judge mâ—n and Angels at the end of the World V. The Lord Jesus by his perfect obedience and sacrifice of himself which he through the eternal spirit once offered up to God hath fully satisfied the Justice of his Father and purchased not only reconciliation but an everlasting inheritance in the Kingdom of Heaven for all those whom the Father hath given unto him VI. Although the work of Redemption was not actually wrought by Christ till after his Incarnation yet the vertue efficacy and benefits thereof were communicated unto the elect in all ages successively from the beginning of the World in and by those promises types and sacrifices wherein he was revealed and signified to be the seed of the Woman which should bruise the Serpents head and the Lamb slain from the beginning of the World being yesterday and to day the same and for ever VII Christ in the work of Mediation acteth according to both Natures by each Nature doing that which is proper to it self yet by reason of the unity of the Person that which is proper to one nature is some times in Scripture attributed to the Person denominated by the other Nature VIII To all those for whom Christ hath purchased redemption he doth certainly and effectually apply and communicate the same making intercession for them and revealing unto them in and by the word the Mysteries of Salvation effectually perswading them by his spirit to believe and obey and governing their hearts by his word and spirit overcoming all their enemies by his Almighty Power and Wisdom in such manner and wayes as are most consonant to his wonderful and unsearchable dispensation CHAP. IX Of Free Will GOD hath indued the Will of Man with that natural liberty that is neither forced nor by any absolute necessity of Nature determined to do good or evil II. Man in his state of innocency had freedom and power to will and to do that which was good well-pleasing to God but yet mutably so that he might fall from it III. Man by his fall into a state of sin hath wholly lost all ability of Will to any spiritual good accompanying salvation so as a natural man being altogether averse from that good and dead in sin is not able by his own strength to convert himself or to prepare himself thereunto IV. When God converts a sinner and translates him into the state of grace he freeth him from his natural bondage under sin and by his grace inables him freely to will and to do that which is spiritually good yet so as by reason of his remaining corruption he doth not perfectly nor only will that which is good but doth also will that which is evil V. The will of man is made perâ—ectly and immutably free to good alone in the state of Glory only CHAP. X. Of effectual calling ALL those whom God hath predestinated unto life and those only he is pleased in his appointed accepted time effectually to call by his word and Spirit out of that state of sin and death in which they are by nature to grace and salvation by Jesus Christ in lightning their minds spiritually and savingly to understand the things of God taking away their heart of stone and giving unto them an heart of flesh renewing their wills and by his Almighty power determining them to that which is good effectually drawing them to Jesus Christ yet so as they come most freely being made willing by his grace II. This effectual Call is of Gods free and special grace alone not from any thing at all foreseen in man who is altogether passive therein until being quickened renewed by the holy Spirit he is thereby inabled to answer this Call and to imbrace the grace offered and conveyed in it III. Elect infants dying in Infancy are regenerated and saved by Christ through the Spirit who worketh when where and how he pleaseth So also are all other elect Persons who are uncapable of being outwardly called by the Word IV. Others not elected though they may be called by the Ministry of the Word and may have some common operations of the Spirit yet they never truely come unto Christ and therefore cannot be saved much less can men not professing the Christian Religion be saved in any other way whatsoever be they never so diligent to frame their lives according to the light of Nature and the Law of that Religion they do profess And to assert and maintain that they may is very pernicious and to be detested CHAP. XI Of Iustification THose whom GOD effectually calleth he also freely justifieth not by infusing righteousness into them but by pardoning their sins by accounting and accepting their persons as righteous not for any thing wrought in them or done by them but for Christs sake alone nor by imputing faith itself the act of believing nor any other evangelical obedience to them as their righteousness but by imputing the obedience and satisfaction of Christ unto them they receiving and resting on him and his righteousness by faith which faith they have not of themselves it is the gift of God II Faith thus receiving and resting on Christ and his righteousness is the alone instrument of justification yet is it not alone in the person justified but is ever accompanied with all other saving graces is no dead faith but worketh by love III. Christ by his obedience and death did fully discharge the debt of all those that are thus justified and did make a proper real and full satisfaction to his Fathers Justice in their behalf Yet in as much as he was given by the Father for them and his obedience and satisfaction accepted in their stead hand both freely not for any thing in them their justification is only of free grace that both the exact justice rich grace of God might be glorified in the justification of sinners IV. God did from all eternity decree to justifie all the elect and Christ did in the fulness of time die fâ—r their sins and rise again for their justification nevertheless they
are not justified untill the holy spirit doth in due time actually apply Christ unto them V. God doth continue to forgive the sins of those that are justified and although they can never fall from the state of justification yet they may by their sins fall under Gods fatherly displeasure and not have the light of his countenance restored unto them until they humble themselves confess their sins beg pardon and renew their Faith and Repentance VI. The justification of Believers under the Old Testament was in all these respects one and the same with the justification of Believers under the New Testament CHAP. XII Of Adoption ALl those that are justified God vouchsafeth in and for his only Son Jesus Christ to make partakers of the grace of Adoption by which they are taken into the number and enjoy the liberties and priviledges of the children of God have his Name put upon them c receive the spirit of Adoption have access to the throne of grace with boldness are inabled to cry Abba Father are pitied protected provided for and chastned by him as by a Father yet never cast off but sealed to the day of redemption and inherit the promises as heirs of everlasting Salvation CHAP. XIII Of Sanctification THey who are effectually called and regenerated having a new heart a new spirit created in them are further sanctified really personally through the vertue of Christs death resurrection by his word and spirit dwelling in them the dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed and the several lusts thereof are more more weakned and mortified and they more and more quickned and strengthned in all saving graces to the practice of true holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. II. This sanctification is throughout in the whole man yet imperfect in this life there abideth still some remnants of corruption in every part whence ariseth a continual and irreconcilable war the flesh lusting against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh III. In which war although the remaining corruption for a time may much prevail yet through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ the regenerate part doth overcome so the Saints grow in grace perfecting holiness in the fear of God CHAP. XIV Of saving Faith THe grace of Faith whereby the Elect are inabled to believe to the saving of their Souls is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts is ordinarily wrought by the Ministry of the Word by which also and by the administration of the Sacraments and Prayer it is increased and strengthned II. By this Faith a Christian believeth to be true whatsoever is revealed in the word for the authority of God himself speaking therein and acteth differently upon that which each particular passage thereof containeth yielding obedience to the Commands trembling at the threatnings and imbracing the promises of God for this life and that which is to come But the principal acts of saving faith are Accepting Receiving and resting upon Christ alone for Justification Sanctification and Eternal life by vertue of the Covenant of grace III. This faith is different in degrees weak or strong may be often and many waies assailed and weakned but gets the victory growing up in many to the attainment of a full assurance through Christ who is both the Author and finisher of our Faith CHAP. XV. Of Repentance unto life REpentance unto life is an Evangelical grace the doctrine whereof is to be Preached by every Minister of the Gospel as well as that of Faith in Christ II. By it a sinner out of the sight and sense not only of the danger but also of the filthiness and odiousness of his sins as contrary to the holy nature and righteous Law of God and upon the apprehension of his mercy in Christ to such as are penitent so grieves for hates his sinâ— as to turn from them all unto God purposing endeavoring to walk with him in all the waies of his Commandments III. Although Repentance be not to be rested in as any satisfaction for sin or any cause of the pardon thereof which is the act of Gods free grace in Christ yet is it of such necessity to all sinners that none may expect pardon without it IV. As there is no sin so small but it deserves damnation so there is no sin so great that it can bring damnation on those who truly repent V. Men ought not to content themselves with a general repentance but it is every mans duty to endeavour to repent of his particular sins particularly VI. As every man is bound to make private confession of his sins to God praying for the pardon thereof upon which and the forsaking of them he shall find mercy so he that scandalizeth his brother or the Church of Christ ought to be willing by a private or publick confessâ—on and sorrow for his sin to declare his repentance to thâ—se that are offended who are thereupon to be reconâ—â—â—ed to him and in love to receive him CHAP. XVI Of good Woorks GOod Works are onely such as God hath commanded in his holy Word and not such as without the warrant thereof are devised by men out of blind zeal or upon any pretence of good intention II. These good works done in obedience to Gods Commandments are the fruits and evidences of a true and lively faith and by them Believers manifest their thankfulness strengthen their assurance edifie their Brethren adorn the profession of the Gospel stop the mouths of the adversaries and glorifie God whose workmanship they are created in Christ Jesus thereunto that having their fruit unto holiness they may have the end eternal life III. Their ability to do good works is not at all of themselves but wholly from the Spirit of Christ And that they may be inabled thereunto besides the graces they have already received there is required an actual influence of the same holy Spirit to work in them to will and to do of his good pleasure yet are they not hereupon to grow negligent as if they were not bound to perform any duty unless upon a special motion of the Spirit but they ought to be diligent in stirring up the grace of God that is in them IV. They who in their obedience attain to the greatest hight which is possible in this life are so far from being able to supererogate and to do more than God requires as that they fall short of much which in duty they are bound to do V. We cannot by our best works merit pardon of sin or eternal life at the
offered to them being justly left in their unbelief do never truely come to Jesus Christ Q. 69. What is the communion in Grace which the members of the invisible Church have with Christ A. The Communion in Grace which the members of the Invisible Church have with Christ is their partaking of the vertue of his Mediation in their Justification Adoption Sanctification and what ever else in this life manifests their Union with him Q. 70. What is Iustification A. Justification is an act of Gods free grace unto sinners in which he pardoneth all their sins accepteth and accounteth their persons righteous in his sight not for any thing wrought in them or done by them but only for the perfect obedience and ful satisfaction of Christ by God imputed to them and received by Faith alone Q. 71. How is Iustification an act of Gods free Grace A. Although Christ by his Obedience and Death did make a proper real and full satisfaction to Gods justice in the behalf of them that are justified yet in as much as God accepteth the satisfaction from a surety which he might have demanded of them did provide thâ—s surety his own only Son imputing his righteousness to them and requiring nothing of them for their Justification but faith which also is his gift their justification is to them of free grace Q. 72 What is justifying Faith A. Justifying Faith is a saving grace wrought in the heart of a sinner by the Spirit word of God whereby he being convinced of his sin and misery and of the disability in himself and all other creatures to recover him out of his lost condition not only assenteth to the truth of the promise of the Gospel but receiveth and resteth upon Christ and his righteousness therein held forth for pardon of sin and for the accepting accounting of his person righteous in the sight of God for Salvation Q. 73. How doth Faith justifie a sinner in the sight of God A. Faith justifies a sinner in the sight of God not because of these other graces which do alwaies accompany it or of good works that are the fruits of it nor as if the grace of Faith or any act thereof were imputed to him for his justification but only as it is an instrument by which he receiveth and applieth Christ his righteousness Q. 74. What is Adoption A. Adoption is an Act of the free grace of God in and for his only Son Jesus Christ whereby all those that are justified are received into the number of his Children have his name put upon them the Spirit of his Son given to them are under his fatherly care dispensations admitted to all the liberties and priviledges of the sons of God made heirs of all the promises and fellow-heirs with Christ in glory Q. 75. What is Sanctification A. Sanctification is a work of Gods grace whereby they whom God hath before the foundation of the world chosen to be holy are in time through the powerful operation of his spirit applying the death and resurrection of Christ unto them renewed in their whole man after the image of God having the seeds of repentance unto life and of all other saving graces put into their hearts and those graces so stirred up increased and strengthned as that they more and more die unto sin and rise unto newness of life Q. 76. What is repentance unto life A. Repentance unto life is a saving grace wrought in the heart of a sinner by the Spirit Word of God whereby out of the sight sense not only of the danger but also of the filthiness odiousness of his sins and upon the apprehension of Gods mercy in Christ to such as are penitent he so grieves for and hates his sins as that he turns from them all to God purposing and endeavouring constantly to walk with him in all the ways of new obedience Q. 77. Wherein do Iustification and Sanctification differ A. Although Sanctification be inseparably joyned with Justification yet they differ in that God in Justification imputeth the righteousness of Christ in Sanctification his spirit infuseth grace and enableth to the exercise thereof in the former sin is pardoned in the other it is subdued the one doth equally free all believers from the revenging wrath of God that perfectly in this life that they never fall into condemnation the other is neither equal in all nor in this life perfect in any but growing up to perfection Q. 78. Whence ariseth the imperfection of Sanctification in believers A. The imperfection of Sanctification in believers ariseth from the remnants of sin abiding in every part of them and the perpetual lustings of the flesh against the spirit whereby they are often soiled with temptations and fall into many sins are hindred in all their spiritual services their best works are imperfect defiled in the sight of God Q. 79. May not true believers by reason of their imperfections and the many temptations sins they are overtaken with fall away from the state of Grace A. True believers by reason of the unchangeable love of God and his Decree and Covenant to give them perseverance their inseparable union with Christ his continual intercession for them and the Spirit and seed of God abiding in them can neither totally nor finally fall away from the estate of grace but are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation Q. 80. Can true believers be infallibly assured that they are in the estate of grace and that they shall persevere therein unto Salvation A. Such as truly believe in Christ and endeavour to walk in all good conscience before him may without extraordinary revelation by faith grounded upon the truth of Gods promises and by the spirit enabling them to discern in themselves those graces to which the promises of life are made and bearing witness with their spirits that they are the children of God be infallibly assured that they are in the estate of grace shall persevere therein unto salvation Q. 81. Are all true believers at all times assured of their present being in the estate of grace and that they shall be saved A. Assurance of grace salvation not being of the essence of faith true believers may wait long before they obtain it and after the enjoyment thereof may have it weakned and intermitted through manifold distempers sins temptations and desertions yet are they never left with out such a presence support of the Spirit of God as keeps them from sinking into utter despair Q. 82. What is the Communion in glory which the members
with Adam not only for himself but for his posterity all mankind descending from him by ordinary generation sinned in him fell with him in his first transgression Q. 17. Into what estate did thâ— fall bring mankind A. The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery Q. 18. Wherein consists the sinfuâ—â—ness of that estate whereinto man fell A. The sinfulness of that estatâ— whereinto man fell consists in thâ— guilt of Adams first sin the want 〈◊〉 Original righteousness and the corâ—ruption of his whole nature which 〈◊〉 commonly called Original sin togâ—ther with all actual transgressions which proceed from it Q. 19. What is the misery of that estate whereinto man fell A. All mankind by their fall lost communion with God are under his wrath curse so made liable to all miseries in this life to death it self to the pains of Hell for ever Q. 29. Did God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery A. God having out of his meer good pleasure from all eternity elected some to everlasting life did enter into a Covenant of grace to deliver them out of the estate of sin misery and to bring them into an estate of Salvation by a Redeemer Q. 21. Who is the Redeemer of Gods elect A. The only Redeemer of Gods elect is the Lord Jesus Christ who being the eternal Son of God became man and so was and continueth to be God man in two distinct natures one person for ever Q. 22. How did Christ being the Son of God become man A. Christ the Son of God became man by taking to himself a true body and a reasonable soul being conceived by the power of the holy Ghost in the womb of the Virgin Mary born of her yet without sin Q. 23. What Offices doth Christ execute as our Redeemer A. Christ as our redeemer executeth the Offices of a Prophet of a Priest and of a King both in his estate of humiliation exaltation Q. 24. How doth Christ execute the Office of a Prophet A. Christ executeth the Office of a Prophet in revealing to us by his Word and Spirit the will of God for our salvation Q. 25. How doth Christ execute the Office of a Priest A. Christ executeth the Office of a Priest in his once offering up of himself a sacrifice to satisfie divine justice and reconcile us to God and in making continual intercession for us Q. 26. How doth Christ exâ—pute the Office of a King A. Christ executeth the Office of a King in subduing us to himself in râ—ling and defending us and in restraining and conquering all his and our enemies Q. 27. Wherein did Christs Hâ—miliation consist A. Christs humiliation consisted in his being born and that in a low condition made under the Law undergoing the miseries of this life the wrath of God and the cursed death of the Cross in being buried and continuing under the power of death for a time Q. 28. Wherein consisteth Christs Exaltation A. Christs exaltation consisteth in his rising again from the dead on the third day in ascending up into Heaven in sitting at the right hand of God the Father and coming to judge the world at the last day Q. 29. How are we made partakers of the Redemption purchased by Christ A. We are made partakers of the Redemption purchased by Christ by the effectual application of it to us by his holy Spirit Q. 30. How doth the Spirit apply to us the Redemption purchased by Christ A The Spirit applyeth to us the Redemption purchased by Christ by working faith in us and thereby uniting us to Christ in our Effectual Calling Q. 31. What is effectual calling A. Effectual calling is the work of Gods Spirit whereby â—â—nvincing us of our sin misery inlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ and renewing our wills he doth perswade and inable us to imbrace Jesus Christ freely offered to us in the Gospel Q. 32. What benefits do they that are effectually called partake of in this life A. They that are effectually called do in this life partake of Justification Adoption Sanctification the several benefits which in this life do either accompany or flow from them Q. 33. What is Iustification A. Justification is an act of Gods frâ—e grace wherein he pardoneth all our sins and accepteth us as righteous in his sight only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us and received by faith alone Q. 34. What is Adoption A. Adoption is an act of Gods free grace whereby we are received into the number have a right to aâ—l the priviledges of the Sons of God Q. 35. What is Sanctification A. Sanctification is the work of Godâ— free grace whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the Image of God and are inabled more and more to die unto sin and live unto righteousness Q. 36. What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from Iustification adoption sanctification A. The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from Justification Adoption and Sanctification are assurance of Gods love peace of conscience joy in the Holy Ghost increase of grace and perseverance therein to the end Q. 37. What benefits do Believers receive from Christ at death A. The Souls of Believers are at their death made perfect in holiness do immediately pass into glory r and their bodies being still united to Christ do rest in their graves till the Resurrection Q. 38 VVhat benefits do Believers receive from Christ at the resurrection A. At the resurrection believers being raised up in glory shall be openly acknowledged acquitted in the day of judgment and made perfectly blessed in full enjoying of God to all eternity Q. 39. What is the duty which God requireth of man A. The duty which God requireth of man is obedience to his revealed will Q. 40. What did God at first reveal to man for the rule of his obedience A. The rule which God at first revealed to man for his obedience was the Moral Law Q. 41. Where is the Moral Law summarily comprehended A. The Moral Law is summarily comprehended in the Ten Commandments Q. 42. What is the Sum of the Ten Commandments A. The sum of the Ten Commandments is to love the Lord our God with all our heart with all our soul wiâ—h all our strength and with all our mind and our neighbour as our selves Q. 43. What is the Preface to the Ten Commandments A. The Preface to the Ten Commandments is in these words I am the Lord thy God Which have brought thee out of
not such as the Jewish Doctors taught but love out of a pure heart c. 3. That the true end of the Law preached unto the people is that they by the Law being made to see their deserved condemnation should flie to Christ unfaignedly to be justified by faith in him So saith the Text while it maketh love to flow through faith in Christ. 4. That no man can set himself in love to obey the Law except in as far as his conscience is quieted by faith or is seeking to be quieted in Christ for the end of the Law is love of a good conscience and faith unfaigned 5. That faigned faith goeth to Christ without reckoning with the Law and so wants an errand but unfaigned faith reckoneth with the Law and is forced to flie for refuge unto Christ as the end of the Law for righteousness so often as it finds it self guilty for breaking of the Law For the end of the Law is faith unfaigned 6. That the fruits of love may come forth in act particularly it is necessary that the heart be brought to the hatred of all sin and uncleanness and to a stedfast purpose to follow all holiness universal for the end of the Law is love out of a pure heart 7. That unfaigned fâ—ith is able to make the conscience good and the heart pure and the man lovingly obedient to the Law for when Christs blood is seen by faith to quiet justice then the conscience becometh quiet also and will not suffer the heart to entertain the love of sin but sets the man on work to fear God for his mercy and to obey all his commandments out of love to God for his free gift of justification by grace bestowed on him For this is the end of the Law indeed whereby it obtaineth of a man more obedience than any other way The fourth thing requisite to evidence true faith is the keeping of strait communion with Christ the fountain of all grace and of all good works holden forth Iohn 15.5 I Am the true vine ye are the branches he that abideth in me and I in him the same bringeth forth much fruit for without me ye can do nothing Wherein Christ in a similitude from a vine tree teacheth us 1. That by nature we are wild barren briers till we be changed by coming unto Christ and that Christ is that noble vine tree having all life and sap of grace in himself and able to change the nature of every one that cometh to him and to communicate spirit and life to as many as shall believe in him I am the vine saith he and ye are the branches 2 That Christ loveth to have believers so united unto him as that they be not separated at any time by unbelief and that there may be a mutual inhabitation of them in him by faith and love and of him in them by his Word and Spirit for he joyneth these together if ye abide in me and I in you as things inseparable 3. That except a man be ingrafted in Christ and united to him by faith he cannot do any the least good work of his own strength yea except in as far as a man doth draw spirit and life from Christ by faith the work which he doth is naughty and nul in the point of goodness in Gods estimation for without me saith he ye can do nothing 4. That this mutual inhabitation is the fountain and infallible cause of constant continuing and abounding in well-doing For he that abideth in me and I in him saith he the same beareth much fruit Now as our abiding in Christ presupposeth three things 1. That we have heard the joyful sound of the Gospel making offer of Christ to us who are lost sinners by the Law 2. That we have heartily embraced the gracious offer of Christ. 3. That by receiving of him we are become the sons of God Iob. 1.12 And are incorporated into his Mystical body that he may dwell in us as his temple and we dwel in him as in the residence of righteousness and life So our abiding in Christ importeth other three things 1. An imploying of Christ in all our addresses to God and in all our undertakings of whatsoever peece of service to him 2. A contentedness with his sufficiency without going out from him to seek righteousness or life or furniture in any case in our own or any of the creatures worthiness 3. A fixedness in our believing in him a fixedness in our imploying and making use of him and a fixedness in our contentment in him and adhering to him so that no allurement no tentation of Satan or the World no terror nor trouble may be able to drive our spirits from firm adherence unto him or from constant avowing of his truth and obeying his commands who hath loved us and given himself for us and in whom not only our life is laid up but also the fulness of the God-head dwelleth bodily by reason of the substantial and personal union of the Divine and Humane nature in him Hence let every watchful Believer for strengthning himself in faith and obedience reason after this manner WHosoever doth daily imploy Christ Iesus for cleansing his conscience and affections from the guiltiness and filthiness of sins against the Law and for making of him to give evidence of true faith in himself But I may every watchful believer say do daily imploy Jesus Christ for cleansing my conscience and affections from the guiltiness and filthiness of sins against the Law for enabling of me to give obedience to the Law in love Therefore I have the evidence of true faith in my self And hence also let the sleepy and sluggish believer reason for his own up-stirring thus Whatsoever is necessary for giving evidence of true faith I must study to do it except would deceive my self and perish But to imploy Christ Jesus daily for cleansing of my conscience and affections from the guiltiness and filthiness of sins against the Law and for enabling of me to give obedience to the Law in love is necessary for evidencing of true faith in me Therefore this I must study to do except I would deceive my self and perish And lastly seeing Christ himself hath pointed this fourth as an undoubted evidence of a man elected of God unto life and given to Jesus Christ to be redeemed if he come unto him that is close Covenant and keep communion with him as he teacheth us Iohn 6.37 Saying All that the Father hath given me shall come to me and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out Let every person who doth not in earnest make use of Christ for remission of sin and amendment of life reason hence and from the whole premisses after this manner that his conscience may be wakned Whosoever is neither by the Law nor by the Gospel so convinced of sin righteousness and judgment as to make him come to Christ and imploy him daily for remission