THE CONFESSION OF FAITH AND CATECHISMS Agreed upon by the Assembly of Divines at Westminster TOGETHER With their Humble ADVICE Concerning Church Government And Ordination of Ministers LONDON Printed for Robert Bostock at the Sign of the Kings Head in Pauls Church-yard THE Confession of Faith Agreed upon by the Assembly of Divines at Westminster To be a part of the Uniformity in Religion between the Churches of Christ in the three Kingdoms CHAP. I. Of the holy Scripture ALthough the light of Nature and the works of Creation and Providence do so farre manifest the Goodnesse Wisdom and Power of God as to leave men unexcusable a Rom. 2 14. 15. Rom. 1. 19 20. Psal 19. 1 2 3. Rom. 1. 32. with chap. 2 1. yet are they sufficient to give that knowledge of God and of his Will which is necessary unto salvation b 1 Cor. 1 21. 1 Cor. 2 13 14. Therefore it pleased the Lord at sundry times and in divers manners to reveal himself and to declare that his Will unto his Church c Heb. 1. 1 and afterwards for the better preserving and propagating of the Truth and for the more sure establishment and comfort of the Church against the corruption of the flesh and the malice of Satan and of the world to commit the same wholly unto writing d Pro. 22 19. 20 21 Luke 1. 3. 4 Rom. 15. 4 Mat. 4. 4 7 10. Isai 8 19 â—0 which maketh the Holy Scripture to be most necessary e 2 Tim. 3 15. 2 Pet. 1 19. those former wayes of Gods revealing his Will unto his people being now ceased f Heb. 1. â— 2. II. Vnder the name of Holy Scripture or the Word of God written are now contained all the Books of the Old and New Testament which are these Of the Old Testament GEnesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers DeuteronomiE Joshua Judges Ruth I. Samuel II. Samuel I. Kings II. Kings I. Chronicles II. Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah Esther Iob Psalmes Proverbs Ecclesiastes The Song of Songs Isaiah Ieremiah Lamentations Ezekiel Daniel Hosea Ioel Amos Obadiah Ionah Micah Nahum Habbakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zechariah Malachi Of the New Testament The Gospel according to MAtthew Mark Luke Iohn The Acts of the Apostles Pauls Epistles to the Romanes Corinthians Corinthians I. Corinthians II. Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians Thessalonians I. Thessalonians II. To Timothy I. To Timothy II. To Titus To Philemon The Epistle to the Hebrews The Epistle of Iames The first and second Epistles of Peter The first second and third Epist of Iohn The Epistle of Iude The Revelat. of Iohn All which are given by inspiration of God to be the Rule of faith and life g Luk. 16. 29. 31. Eph. 2. 20. Rev 22. 18 19. 2 Tim. 3. 16. III. The Books commonly called Apocrypha not being of Divine inspiration are no part of the Cannon of the Scripture and therefore are of no authority in the Church of God nor to be any otherwise approved or made use of than other humane Writings h Luk. 24. 27 44. Rom. 3. 2. â— Pet 1. 21. IV. The authority of the Holy Scripture for which it ought to be beleeved and obeyed dependeth not upon the Testimonie of any man or Church but wholly upon God who is Truth it self the Author thereof and therefore it is to be receive d because it is the Word of God i 2 Pet. 1. 19 21. 2 Tim. 3. 16 1 Iohn 5. 9 1 Thes 2. 13 V. Wee may be moved and induced by the Testimonie of the Church to an high and reverend esteem of the holy Scripture k 1 Tim. 3. 15. And the heavenlinesse of the Matter the efficacie of the Doctrine the majesty of the Stile the consent of all the Parts the Scope of the whole which is to give all glory to God the full discovery it makes of the onely way of mans salvation the many other incomparable Excellencies and the intire perfection thereof are Arguments whereby it doth abundantly evidence it self to be the Word of God yet notwithstanding our full perswasion and assurance of the infallible truth and Divine authority thereof is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit bearing witnesse by and with the Word in our hearts l 1 Iohn 2. 20 27. Iohn 16. 13 14. 1 Cor. 2. 10 11. 12. Isa 59. 21. VI. The whole Councell of GOD concerning all things necessary for his own Glory mans salvation Faith and Life is either expressely set down in Scripture or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture unto whâ—ch nothing at any time is to be added whether by new revelations of the Spirit or traditions of men m 2 Tim. 3 15. 16 17. Gal 1. 8. 9. 2 Thes 3. 2. Neverthelesse we acknowledge the inward illumination of the Spirit of God to be necessary for the saving understanding of such things as are revealed in the Word n Ioh. 6. 4â— 1 Cor. 2 9 10 12. and that there are some circumstances concerning the Worship of God and Government of the Church common to humane actions and Societies which are to be ordered by the light of Nature and Christian Prudence according to the generall Rules of the Word which are alwayes to be observed o 1 Cor. 11. 13 14. 1 Cor. 14 26. 40. VII All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves nor alike clear unto all p 2 Pet. 3. 16. yet those things which are necessary to be known believed observed for salvation are so clearly propounded and opened in some place of Scripture or other that not only the Learned but the unlearned in a due use of the ordinary meanes may attain unto a sufficient understanding of them q Psal 119 105. 130. VIII The Old Testament in Hebrew which was the Native Language of the people of God of old and the New Testament in Greek which at the time of writing of it was most generally known to the Nations being immediatly inspired by God and by his singular care and providence kept pure in all Ages are therefore Authenticall r Mat. 5. 18 so as in all Controversies of Religion the Church is finally to appeal unto them Å¿ Isa 8. 20 Act. 15. 15 Iohn 5. 39 46. But because these Originall Tongues are not known to all the people of God who have right unto and interest in the Scriptures and are commanded in the fear of GOD to read and search them t Iohn 5. 39. therefore they are to be translated into the vulgar Language of every Nation unto which they come u 1 Cor. 14 6 9 11 12 24 27 28. that the Word of GOD dwelling plentifully in all they may worship him in an acceptable manner w Col. 3. 16 and through patience and comfort of the Scriptures may have hope x Rom. 15. 4 IX The infallible Rule of Interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture it self and therefore when there is a Question
present to the Faith of Believers in that Ordinance as the Elements themselves are to their outward senses o 1 Cor 10 16 VIII Although ignorant and wicked men receive the outward Elements in this Sacrament yet they receive not the Thing signified thereby but by their unworthy comming thereunto are guilty of the Body Blood of the Lord to their own damnation Wherefore all ignorant and ungodly persons as they are unfit to enjoy communion with him so are they unworthy of the Lords Table and cannot without great sin against Christ while they remain such partake of these Holy Mysteries p 1 Cor. 11 27 28 29 2 Cor. 14 6 15. 16 or be admitted thereunto q 1 Cor. 5. 6 7 13 2 Thess 3 6 14 15 Mat. 7. 6 CHAP. XXX Of Church Censures THe Lord Iesus as King and Head of his Church hath therein appointed a Government in the hand of Church Officers distinct from the Civill Magistrate a Isa 9. 6 7 1 Tim. 5. 17 1 Thess 5. 12 Acts 20. 17 28. Heb. 13 7. 17 24 1 Cor. 12. 28 Mat. 28. 18 19 20. II. To these Officers the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven are committed by vertue whereof they have power respectively to retain and remit sins to shut that Kingdom against the impenitent both by the Word and Censures and to open it unto penitent sinners by the Ministery of the Gospel and by Absolution from Censures as occasion shall require b Mat. 16. 19 Mat. 18. 17 18. Iohn 20 20 21 22 23 2 Cor. 2. 6 7 8. III. Church Censures are necessary for the reclaiming and gaining of offending Brethren for deterring of others from the like offences for purging out of that Leaven which might in fect the whole Lump for vindicating the honour of Christ and the holy Profession of the Gospel and for preventing the wrath of God which might justly fall upon the Church if they should suffer his Covenant and the Seals thereof to be prophaned by notorious and obstinatâ— offenders c 1 Cor. 5. Chapter 1 Tim. 5. 20 Mat. 7. 6 1 Tim. 1. 20 1 Cor. 11. 27 to the end with Iude ver 23. IV. For the better attaining of these ends the Officers of the Church are to proceed by Admonition suspension from the Sacrament of the Lords Supper for a season and by Excommunication from the Church according to the nature of the crime and demerit of the person d 1 Thes 5 12. 2 Thes 3. 6 14 15 1 Cor. 5. 4 5 13. Mat. 18 17. Tit. 3. 10 CHAP. XXXI Of Synods and Councels FOr the better Government and further edification of the Church theâ—e ought to be such Assemblies as are commonly called Synods or Councels a Act. 15. 2 4. 6. II. As Magistrates may lawfully call a Synod of Ministers and other fit Persons to consult and advise with about matters of Religion b Isa 49. 23 1 Tim 2. 1 2 2 Chron. 19 8 9 10. 11 2 Chron. 29 30. Chapters Mat. 24 5. Prov. 11. 14 So if Magistrates be open Enemies to the Church the Ministers of Christ of themselves by vertue of their Office or they with other fit persons upon delegation from their Churches may meet together in such Assemblies c Acts 15. 2 4 22 23 25 III. It belongeth to Synods and Councels ministerially to determine Controversies of Faith cases of Conscience to set down Rules Directions for better Ordâ—ring of the publick Worship of God and Government of his Church to receive complaints in cases of Male administration and authoritatively to Determine the same which Decrees and Determinations if consonant to the Word of God are to be received with reverence and submission not only for their agreement with the Word but also for the Power whereby they are made as being an Ordinance of God appointed thereunto in his Word d Acts 15. 15 19 24 27 28 29. 30 31 Acts 16. 4 Mat. 18. 17 18 19 20. IV. All Synods or Counsels since the Apostles times whether generall or particular may erre and many have erred Therefore they are not to bee made the rule of Faith or practice but to be used as an help in both e Eph 2. 22 Acts 17. 11 1 Cor. 2. 5 2 Cor. 1. 24 V. Synods and Counsels are to handle or conclude nothing but that which is Ecclesiasticall and are not to intermeddle with civill affaires which concern the Common-wealth unlesse by way of humble petition in cases extraordinary or by way of Advice for satisfaction of conscience if they be thereunto required by the civill Magistrate f Luke 12 13 14. Iohn 18. 36 CHAP. XXXII Of the state of men after death and of the Resurrection of the dead THe Bodies of men after death return to dust and see corruption a Gen. 3. 19 Acts 13. 36 but their soules which neither die nor sleep having an immortall subsistence immediatly return to GOD who gave them b Luk. 23 43 Eccles 22. 7 the soules of the Righteous being then made perfect in holinesse are received into the highest Heavens where they behold the face of God in light glory waiting for the full Redemption of their Bodies c Heb. 12. 23 2 Cor 5 1 6 8. Phil. 1. 23 with Acts 3 21. Eph. 4. 10. And the souls of the wicked are cast into Hell where they remain in torments utter darknesse reserved to the Iudgement of the great Day d Luk. 16. 23 24. Acts 1 25 Iude v. 6 7 1 Pet. 3. 19 Beside these two places for souls separated from their bodies the Scripture acknowledgeth none II. At the last Day such as are found alive shal not die but be changed e 1 Thes 4. 17 1 Cor. 15. 51 52. and all the dead shall be raised up with the self same bodies none other although with different qualities which shall be united again to their souls for ever f Iob 19. 26 27. 1 Cor. 15 42 43 44 III. The bodies of the unjust shall by the power of Christ be raised to dishonour the bodies of the just by his spirit unto honour and be made conformable to his own glorious Body g Acts 24 1â— Ioh. 5. 28 29 1 Cor. 15. 42 Phil. 3. 21 CHAP. XXXIII Of the last Judgement GOD hath appointed a Day wherein he will judge the World in righteousnesse by Iesus Christ a Acts 17. 31 to whom all power and judgement is given of the Father b Ioh 5. 22 27. In which day not only the Apostate Angels shall be judged c 1 Cor. 6. 3 Iude vers 6 2 Pet. 2. 4. but likewise all persons that have lived upon earth shall appear before the tribunall of Christ to give an account of their thoughts words and deeds and to receive according to what they have done in the Body whether good or evill d 2 Cor. 5 10 Eccl. 12. 14 Rom. 2. 16 Rom 14. 10
a father able and ready to help us u Ro. 8 15 Luk 11 13 and that we should pray with and for others w Act 12 5 1 Tim. 2. 1. 2 Q. What do we pray for in the first Petition A. In the first Petition which is Hallowed be thy name x Mat 6 9 we pray that God would enable us and others to glorifie him in all that whereby he maketh himself known y Psal 67 2 3 and that he would dispose all things to his own glory z Psa 83 throughout Q. What do we pray for in the second Petition A. In the second Petition which is Thy Kingdom come a Mat 6. 10 we pray that Satans Kingdom may be destroyed b Psa 68 1 18 and that the Kingdom of Grace may be advanced c Rev 12 10 11 our selves and others brought into it and kept in it d 2 Thess 3 1. Rom 10 1 Ioh. 17 9 20 and that the Kingdom of Glory may be hastened e Rev 22 20 Q. What do we pray for in the third Petition A. In the third Petition which is Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven f Mat. 6 10 we pray that God by his grace would make us able and willing to know obey and submit to his will in all things g Psa 67 throughout Ps 119 36 mat 26 39 2 Sam. 15 25. Iob 1 21 as the Angels do in heaven h Psa 103. 20 21 Q. What do we pray for in the fourth Petition A In the fourth Petition which is Give us this day our dayly bread i Mat. 6. 11 we pray that of Gods free gift we may receive a competent portion of the good things of this life and enjoy his blessing with them k Prov. 30 8 9 Gen. 28 20. 1 Tim 4. 4 5 Q. What do we pray for in the fifth Petition A. In the fisth Petition which is And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debters l Mat. 6. 12 we pray that God for Christs sake would freely pardon all our sins m Psa 51. 1 2 7 9 Dan. 9. 17 18 19 which we are the rather encouraged to ask because by his grace we are enabled from the heart to forgive others n Luk. 11. 4 Mat 18. 15 Q. What do we pray for in the sixth Petition A. In the sixth Petition which is And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil o Mat. 6. 13 we pray that God would either keep us from being tempted to sin p Mat 26 41 or support and deliver us when we are tempted q 2 Cor 12. 1 8 Q. What doth the Conclusion of the Lords Prayer teach us A. The Conclusion of the Lords Prayer which is For thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory for ever Amen r Mat. 6. 13 teacheth us to take our encouragement in prayer from God onely Å¿ Dan. 9. 4 7 8 9 16 17 18 19. and in our Prayers to praise him ascribing Kingdom power and glory to him t 1 Chro. 29. 10 11 12 13 and in testimony of our desire and assurance to be heard we say Amen u 1 Cor. 14 16. Rev. 22. 20 21 PROPOSITIONS Concerning Church-Government AND ORDINATION OF MINISTERS LONDON Printed for Robert Bostock and are to be sold at his shop at the Kings-head in Pauls Church-yard 1648. TO THE Right Honorable THE Lords Commons Assembled in PARLIAMENT The humble Advice of the Assembly of Divines now sitting by Ordinance of Parliament at Westminster Concerning Church-Government The Preface JEsus Christ upon whose shoulders Isa 9. 6 7 the Government is whose name is called Wonderful Counsellor the Mighty God the everlasting Father the Prince of Peace of the encrease of whose Government and Peace there shal be no end who sits upon the throne of David and upon his Kingdom to order it and to establish it with Judgment Mat. 28. 18 19 20 Eph. 1. 20 21 22 23 compared with Eph. 4 8 11. Psa 68. 18 and Justice from henceforth even for ever having all power given unto him in Heaven and in Earth by the Father who raised him from the dead and set him on his own Right Hand far above all Principalities and Power and Might and Dominion and every Name that is named not only in this World but also in that which is to come and put all things under his feet and gave him to be the head over all things to the Church which is his Body the fulness of him that filleth all in all He being ascended up far above all Heavens that he might fill all things received gifts for his Church and gave offices necessary for the edification of his Church and perfecting of his Saints Of the Church THere is one General Church visible held forth in the New Testament 1 Cor. 12. 12 13 28. together with the rest of the Chapter The Ministry Oracles and Ordinances of the new Testament are given by Jesus Christ to the General Church visible for the gathering and perfecting of it in this life until his second coming 1 Cor. 12 28. Ephes 4. 4 5. compared with vers 10 11 12 13 15 16. of the same Chapter Particular visible Churches Members of the General Church are also held forth in the New Testament Gal. 1. 21 22. Rev. 1. 4. 20. and Rev. 2. 1. Particular Churches in the Primitive times were made up of visible Saints viz. Of such as being of age professed faith in Christ and obdience unto Christ according to the Rule of Faith and Life taught by Christ and his Apostles And of their Children Acts 2. 38 41. Acts 2 vers last compared with Acts 5. 14. 1 Cor. 1. 2. compared with the 2 Corinth 9. 13. Acts 2. 39. 1 Cor. 7. 14. Rom. 11. 16. and so forward Mark 10. 14. compared with Matth. 19. ver 13 14. Luke 18. vers 15 16. Of the Officers of the Church THe Officers which Christ hath appointed for the edification of his Church and the perfecting of the Saints are Some extraordinary as Apostles Evangelists and Prophets which are ceased Others ordinary and perpetual as Pastors Teachers and other Church-Governors and Deacons Pastors THe Pastor is an ordinary and perpetual Officer in the Church Jer. 3. 15 16 17. Prophecying of the time of the Gospel 1 Pet. 5. 2 3 4. Eph. 4. 11 12 13. First It belongs to his office To pray for and with his flock as the mouth of the people unto God Acts 6. 2 3 4. 20. 36 Where Preaching and Prayer are joyned as several parts of the same Office Jam. 5. 14 15. The Office of the Elder that is the Pastor is to pray for the sick even in private to which a blessing is especially promised much more therefore ought he to perform this in the publick execution of his Office as a part thereof 1 Cor. vers 15 16. To read the Scripture
about the true and full sense of any Scripture which is not manifold but one it must be searched and known by other places that speak more clearly y 2 Pet. 1. 20 21. Acts 15. 15 16. X. The Supream Iudge by which all Controversies of Religion are to be determined and all Decrees of Councels Opinions of Ancient Writers Doctrines of men and private spirits are to be examined and in whose Sentence we are to rest can be no other but the Holy Spirit speaking in the Scripture z Mat. 22. 29. 31. Ephe. 2. 20. with Acts 28. 23. CHAP. II. Of God and of the holy Trinity THere is but one onely a Deut. 6. 4. 1 Cor. 8. 4. 6 living and true God b 1 Thes 1. 9 Ier. 10. 10. who is infinite in Being and Perfection c Iob 11. 7 8 9. Iob 26. 14. a most pure Spirit d Iohn 4. â—4 invisible e 1 Tim. 1. 17 without body parts f Deut. 4. 15 16. Ioh. 4. 24. with Luke 24. 39 or passions g Act. 14. 11 15. immutable h Iam. 1. 17. Mal. 3. 6. immense i 1 King 8. 27. Ier. 23 23 24. eternall k Psal 90. 2. 1 Tim. 1. 17. incomprehensible l Psal 14â— â— Almighty m Gen. 17. 1. Rev. 4. 8. most wise n Rom. 16. 27. most Holy o Isa 6. 3. Rev. 4. 8. most free p Psal 115. â— most absolute q Exod. 3. 14 working all things according to the Counsel of his own immutable and mostrighteous will r Eph. 1. 11. for his own glory Å¿ Pro. 16. 14. Rom. 11 36. most loving t 1 Iohn 4. 8. 6. gracious mercifull long-suffering abundant in goodnesse and truth forgiving iniquity transgression and sin u Exod. 34. 6 7. the rewarder of them that diligently seek him w Heb. 11. 6. and withall most just and terrible in his judgements x Nehem. 9. 32. 33. hating all sin y Psa 5. 5 6. and who will by no meanes clear the guilty z Nah 1. 2 3. Exod. 34 7. II. God hath all life a Iohn 5. 26. glory b Acts 7. 2. goodnesse c Psal 119. 68. blessednesse d 1 Tim. 6. 15. Rom. 9. 5. in and of himself and is alone in and unto himself all-sufficient not standing in need of any creatures which he hath made e Act. 17. 24 25. nor deriving any Glory from them f Iob 22. 2 3 but only manifesting his own glory in by unto and upon them He is the alone Fountain of all Being of whom through whom and to whom are all things g Rom. 11 36 and hath most Soveraigne Dominion over them to do by them for them or upon them whatsoever himself pleaseth h Rev. 4. 11. 1 Tim. 6. 15. Dan. 4. 25 31. In his sight all things are open and manifest i Heb. 4. 13. his knowledge is infinite infallible and independent upon the creature k Rom. 11. 33 34. Psal 147. 5. so as nothing is to him contingent or uncertain l Act. 15. 18. Ezek. 11. 5. He is most holy in all his counsels in all his works and in all his commands m Psal 145. 17. Rom. 7. 12 To him is due from Angels and men and every other creature whatsoever worship service or obedience he is pleased to require of them n Rev. 5. 1â— 13 14. III. In the Vnity of the God-head there be three Persons of one substance power and eternity God the Father God the Son and God the Holy Ghost o 1 Ioh. 5. 7. Mat. 3. 16 17 Mat 28. 19. 2 Cor. 13 14 The Father is of none neither begotten nor proceeding The son is eternally begotten of the Father p Ioh. 1. 14 18. The Holy Ghost eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son q Ioh 1. 15 26. Gal. 4. 6. CHAP. III. Of Gods eternall Decree GOD from all eternity did by the most wise and holy Counsell of his own Will freely and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to passe a Eph. 1. 11 Rom. 11. 33. Heb. 6. 17. Rom 9 15 18. yet so as thereby neither is God the Author of sin b Iam. 1. 13. 17. 1 Ioh 1. 5 nor is violence offered to the will of the Creatures nor is the Liberty or contingency of second Causes taken away but rather established c Acts 2. 23 Mat. 17 12. Act. 4. 27 28 Iob 19. 11. Pro. 16. 33. II. Although God knowes whatsoever may or can come to passe upon all supposed conditions d Act. 15. 18. 1 Sam 23. 11 12. Mat. 11. 21 23. yet hath he not decreed any thing because he foresaw it as future or as that which would come to passe upon such conditions e Rom 9. 11 13 16. 18. III. By the decree of God for the manifestation of his Glory some men and Angels f 1 Tim. 5. 21. Mat. 25. 41. are predestinated unto everlasting life and others fore-ordained to everlasting death g Rom. 9. 22 23. Eph 1 5 6 Prov. 16. 4 IV. These Angels and men thus predestinated and fore-ordained are particularly and unchangeably designed and their number is so certain and definite that it cannot be either increased or diminished h 2 Tim. 3 19. Ioh. 13 18. V. Those of man-kinde that are predestinated unto Life God before the foundation of the world was laid according to his eternall and immutable purpose and the secret counsell and good pleasure of his Will hath chosen in Christ unto everlasting glory i Eph. 1. 4 9 11. Rom. 8. 30 2 Tim. 1. 9 1 Thes 5 9 out of his meer free grace and love without any foresight of Faith or good works or perseverance in either of them or any other thing in the creature as conditions or causes moving him thereunto k Rom. 9. 11 13 16. Eph. 1. 4 9. all to the praise of his glorious grace l Eph. 1. 6. 12 VI. As God hath appointed the Elect unto glory so hath he by the eternall and most free purpose of his Will fore-ordained all the meanes thereunto m 1 Pet. 1. 2 Eph 1. 4 5 Eph. â— 13 Wherefore they who are elected being fallen in Adam are redeemed by Christ n 1 Thes 5 9. 10. Tit. 2. 14 are effectually called unto faith in Christ by his Spirit working in due season are justified adopted sanctified o Rom. 8. 30 Eph. 1. 5 2 Thes 2. 13 and kept by his power through faith unto salvation p 1 Pet. 1. 5 Neither are any other redeemed by Christ effectually called justified adopted sanctified and saved but the Elect onely q Iohn 17. 9 Rom. 8. 28 to the end Iohn 6. 64 65. Iohn 10 26. Iohn 8. 47. 1 Ioh. 2 19. VII The rest of man-kinde God was pleased according to the unsearchable counsell of his own Will whereby he
to the good thereof CHAP. VI. Of the Fall of Man of Sin and of the Punishment thereof OVr first Parents being seduced by the subtilty and Temptation of Satan sinned in eating the forbidden fruit a Gen. 3. 13. 2 Cor. 11. 3 This their sin God was pleased according to his wise and holy counsell to pâ—rmit having purposed to order it to his own glory b Rom. 1â— 32. II. By this sinne they fell from their originall righteousnesse and communion with God c Gen. 3. 6 7 8. Eccles 7. 29. Rom. 3. 23. and so became dead in sin d Gen. 2. 17 Eph 2. 1 and wholly defiled in all the faculties and parts of soul and body e Tit. 1. 15 Gen. 6. 5. Ier. 17. 9. Rom. 3 10 10 19. III. They being the root of all mankind the guilt of this sin was imputed f Gen. 1. 27. 28 and Gen 2. 16 17. and Acts 17 13. with Rom. 5. 12 15 16 17. 18 19. and 1 Cor. 15 21 22 45 and the same death in sin and corrupted nature conveyed to all their posterity descending from them by ordinary generation g Psal 51. 5 Gen. 5. 3. Iob 14. 4. Iob 15. 14. IV. From this originall corruption whereby we are utterly indisposed disabled and made opposite to all good h Rom. 5. 6. Rom 8. 7. Rom. 7. 18. Col. 1. 21 and wholly inclined to all evil i Gen 6. 5. Gen 8 21. Rom 3. 10 11 12. do proceed all actuall transgressions k Iam. 1. 14 15. Eph. 2. 2 3. Mat. 15. 19 V. This corruption of nature during this life doth remaine in those that are regenerated l 1 Ioh 1. 8 10. Rom 7. 14 17 18 23. Iam. 3 2 Prov. 20. 9. Eccles 7. 20 and although it be through Christ pardoned and mortified yet both it self and all the motions thereof are truly and properly sin m Rom 7. 5 7 8 25. Gal. 5. 17. VI. Every sin both Originall and Actuall being a transgression of the righteous Law of God and contrary thereunto n Iohn 3. 4 doth in its own nature bring guilt upon the sinner o Rom. 2. 15. Rom. 3. 9 19. whereby he is bound over to the wrath of God p Ephes 2. 3. and curse of the Law q Gal. 3. 10. and so made subject to death r Rom. 6. 23. with all miseries spirituall Å¿ Ephes 4. 18. temporall t Rom. 8. 20. Iam. 3. 39. and eternall u Mat. 25. 41. 2 Thes 1. 9. CHAP. VII Of Gods Covenant with Man THe distance between God and the Creature is so great that although reasonable Creatures do owe obedience unto him as their Creator yet they could never have any fruition of him as their Blessednesse and Reward but by some voluntary condescension on Gods part which he hath been pleased to expresse by way of Covenant a Isaiah 40. 13 14 15 16 17. Iob 9. 32 33 1 Sam. 2. 25 Ps 113. 5 6 Psal 100. 2 3 Iob 22 2 3. Iob 35. 7 8 Luke 17. 10 Act 17. 24 25. II. The first Covenant made with Man was a Covenant of Works b Gal. 3. 12 wherin Life was promised to Adam and in him to his posterity c Rom. 10. 5 Rom 5. 12 to 20. upon condition of perfect and personall obedience d Gen. 2. 17 Gal. 3. 10. III. Man by his Fall having made himself uncapable of Life by that Covenant the Lord was pleased to make a Second e Gal. 3 21 Rom. 3. 20 21. Gen 3. 15. Isa 42. 6 commonly called the Covenant of Grace Wherein he freely offereth unto sinners Life and Salvation by Iesus Christ requiting of them Faith in Him that they may be saved f Mark 16 15 16. Iohn 3. 16. Rom. 10. 6 9. Gal. 3. 11 and promising to give unto all those that are ordained unto Life his holy Spirit to make them willing and able to believe g Ezek. 36. 26 27. Iohn 6. 44 45. IV. This Covenant of Grace is frequently set forth in the Scripture by the name of a Testament in reference to the death of Iesus Christ the Testator and to the everlasting Inheritance with all things belonging to it therein bequeathed h Heb. 9. 15 16 17. Heb. 7. 22. Luke 22. 20. 1 Cor. 11. 25 V. This Covenant was differently administred in the time of the Law and in the time of the Gospel i 2 Cor. 3. 6 7 8 9. Vnder the Law it was administred by Promises Prophesies Sacrifices Circumcision the Paschal Lamb and other Types and Ordinances delivered to the people of the Iewes all fore-signifying Christ to come k Heb. 8. 9 10 chapters Rom. 4. 11 Col. 21. 1 12 1 Cor. 5. 7 which were for that time sufficient and efficacious through the operation of the Spirit to instruct and build up the Elect in Faith in the Promised Messiah l 1 Cor. 10 1. 2 3 4. Heb. 11. 13 Iohn 8. 56 by whom they had full remission of sins and eternall Salvation and is called the Old Testament m Gal. 3. 7 8 9 14. VI. Vnder the Gospel when Christ the substance n Col. 2. 17 was exhibited the Ordinances in which this Covenant is dispensed are the Preaching of the Word and the Administration of the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lords Supper o Mat. 28 19 30. 1 Cor. 14 23 24 25 Which though fewer in number and administred with more simplicity and lesse outward glory yet in them it is held forth in more fulnesse evidence and spirituall efficacy p Heb. 12 22. to 28 Ier. 31. 33 34. to all nations both Iews and Gentiles q Mat. 28. 19 Eph. 2. 15 16 17 18 19 and is called the New Testament r Luk. 22. 20 There are not therefore Two Covenants of Grace differing in substance but one and the same under various dispensations Å¿ Gal. 3. 4 16. Rom. 3 21 22 23 30 Psal 32. 1 with Rom. 4. 3 6 17 23 24. Heb. 13. 8. Act. 15. 11. CHAP. VIII Of Christ the Mediatour IT pleased God in his eternall purpose to choose and ordain the Lord Iesus His only begotten Son to be the Mediator between God and Man a Isa 42. 1 1 Pet. 1. 19 20. Iohn 3. 16. 1 Tim. 2. 5 the Prophet b Acts 3. 22 Priest c Heb. 5 5 6 and King d Psal 2. 6 Luke 1. 33 the Head and Saviour of his Church e Eph. 5. 23 the Heir of all things f Heb. 1. 2 and Iudge of the World g Acts 17. 31 Vnto whom He did from all eternity give a People to be his Seed h Iohn 17. 6 Psal 22. 30 Isa 53. 10 and to be by him in time Redeemed Called Iustified Sanctified and Glorified i 1 Tim. 2. 6 Isa 55. 4 5 1 Cor. 1. 30 II. The Son of God the second Person in the Trinity
being very and eternall God of one Substance and equall with the Father did when the fulnesse of time was come take upon Him mans nature k Iohn 1 1 14. 1 Iohn 5. 20. Phil. 2. 6. Gal. 4. 4 with all the Essentiall properties and common infirmities thereof yet without sin l Heb. 1. 14 16 17. Heb. 4. 15 being conceived by the Power of the Holy Ghost in the womb of the Virgin Mary of her substance m Luke 1. 27 31 35. Gal. 4. 4. So that two whole perfect and distinct Natures the God-head and the Man-hood were inseparably joyned together in one Person without Conversion Composition or Confusion n Luke 1. 35 Col. 2. 9 Rom. 9. 5 1 Pet. 3. 18 1 Tim. 3. 16 Which person is very God and very Man yet one Christ the only Mediator between God and Man o Rom. 1. 3 4 1 Tim. 2. 5 III. The Lord Iesus in his humane nature thus united to the divine was sanctified and anointed with the holy Spirit above measure p Psal 45. 7 Iohn 3. 34 having in him all the treasures of Wisdom and knowledge q Col. 2. 3 in whom it pleased the Father that all fulnesse should dwell r Col. 1. 19 to the end that being holy harmless undefiled and full of grace and truth Å¿ Heb. 7. 16 Iohn 1. 14 he might be thorowly furnished to execute the Office of a Mediator and surety t Acts 10. â—8 Heb. 12. 24 Heb. 7. 22 Which Office he took not unto himself but was thereunto called by his Father u Heb. 5. 4 5 who put all power and judgement into his hand and gave him commandment to execute the same * Ioh. 5. 22 27. Mat. 28 18 Act. 2. 36 IV. This Office the Lord Iesus did most willingly undertake x Psal 40. 7 8. with Heb. 10. 5. to 11 Iohn 10. 18 Phil. 2. 8 which that he might discharge he was made under the Law y Gal. 4. 4. and did perfectly fulfill it z Mat. 3. 15 Mat. 5. 17 indured most grievous torments immediatly in his Soul a Mat. 26. 37 38. Luke 22 44. Mat. 27 46. Mat. 26. 27 chapters and most painfull sufferings in his body b was crucified and died c Phil. 28. was buried and remained under the power of death yet saw no corruption d Act. 2. 23 24 27. Act. 13. 37. Rom. 6. 9. On the third day he arose from the dead e 1 Cor. 15. 3 4. with the same body in which he suffered f Iohn 20. 25 27. with which also he ascended into Heaven and there sitteth at the right hand of his Father g Mark 16 19. making intercession h Rom. 8. 34 Heb. 9. 24. Heb. 7. 25. and shall return to judge men and Angels at the end of the World i Rom. 14. 9 10. Acts 1. 11. Acts 10. 42. Mat. 13. 40 41 42. Iude v. 6. 2 Pet. 2. 4 V. The Lord Iesus by his perfect obedience and sacrifice of himself which he through the eternall Spirit once offered up unto God hath fully satisfied the justice of his Father k Rom. 5. Heb. 9. 14. 16. Heb. 10. 1 4. Eph. 5. 2 Rom. 3. 25 26. and purchased not only reconciliation but an everlasting inheritance in the Kingdome of Heaven for all those whom the Father hath given unto him l Dan 9. â—4 26. Col. 1. 19 20. Eph 1. 11 14. Iohn 17. 2. Heb. 9. 12 15. 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 slaine from the beginning of the world being yesterday and to day the same and for ever m Gal 14 5. Gen. 3. 15. Rev. 13. 8. Heb. 13. 8. VII Christ in the work of Mediation acteth according to both Natures by each Nature doing that which is proper to it self n Heb. 9. 14. 1 Pet. â— 18. yet by reason of the unity of the Person that which is proper to one Nature is sometimes in Scripture attributed to the Person denominated by the other Nature o Acts 20. 25 Ioh 3. 1 â— Ioh. 3. 16. VIII To all those for whom Christ hath purchased Redemption he doth certainly and estectually apply and communicate the same p Ioh. 6. 3â— 39. Ioh. â—0 15 16. making intercession for them q 1 Ioh. 2 1. 2 Rom 8. 34 and revealing unto them in and by the Word the mysteries of salvation r Ioh. 15 13 15. Eph. 1. 7 8 9. Iohn 17. 6. effectually perswading them by his Spirit to beleeve and obey and governing their hearts by his Word and Spirit Å¿ Iohn 14. 16. Heb. 12 2. 2 Cor. 4. 13. Rom. 8. 9. 14. Rom. 15. 18 19. Ioh. 17. 17. overcoming all their enemies by his Almighty Power and Wisdom in such manner and wayes as are most consonant to his wonderfull and unsearchable dispensation t Psal 110. 1 1 Cor. 15. 25 26. Mal. 4. 2 3. Col. 2. 15. CHAP. IX Of Free-will GOD hath indued the Will of man with that naturall liberty that is neither forced nor by any absolute necessity of nature determined to do good or evâ—â— a Mat. 17. 12. Iam. 1. 14. Deut. 30. 19 II. Man in his state of Innocency had freedom and power to will and to do that which was good and well-pleasing to God b Eccles 7 29. Gen. 1 26. but yet mutably so that hee might fall from it c Gen. 2. 16 17. Gen. 3. 6 III. Man by his fall inâ—o a state of sin hath wholly lost all ability of Will to any spirituall good accompanying salvation d Rom. 5. 6 Rom. 8. 7 Iohn 15. 5 so as a naturall man being altogether averse from that good e Rom. 3. â—0 12. and dead in sin f Eph. 2. 1. 5 Col. 2. 13 is not able by his own strength to convert himself or to prepare himself thereunto g Ioh. 6. 44 65. Eph 2 â— 2. 3. 4 5. 1 Cor. 8. 14 Titus 3. 3 4 5. IV. When God converts a sinner and tanslates him into the state of grace he freeth him from his naturall bondage under sin h Col. 1. 13 Ioh. 8. 34 36 and by his grace alone inables him freely to will and to do that which is spiritually good i Phil. 2. 13 Rom. 6. 18 22. yet so as that by reason of his remaining corruption he doth not perfectly nor only will that which is good but doth also will that which is evill k Gal. 5. 17 Rom. 7. 15 19 21 V. The will of man is made perfectly and immutably free to good alone in the
state of Glory onely l Eph. 4. 13 Heb. 12. 23 â—1 Iohn 3. 2 Iude v. 24 CHAP. X. Of Effectuall Calling ALL those whom God hath predestinated unto life and those only he is pleased in his appointed and accepted time effectually to call a Rom. 8. 30 Rom. 11. 7 Eph. 1. 10 11 by his Word and Spirit b 2 Thes 2 13 14. 2 Cor 33. 6 out of that state of sin and death in which they are by nature to grace and salvation by Iesus Christ c Rom 8. 3 Eph 2. 1. 1 2 3 4 5. 2 Tim. 1 9 10 enlightning their mindes spiritually and savingly to understand the things of God d Acts 26. 18 1 Cor. 10. 12 Eph. 1. 17 18 taking away their heart of stone and giving unto them an heart of flesh e Ezek. 36. 27 renewing their wills and by his Almighty power determining them to that which is good f Ezek. 11. 19 Phil. 2. 13 Deut. 30. 6 Ezek. 36. 27 and effectually drawing them to Iesus Christ g Eph 1. 19 Ioh. 6. 44 45 yet so as they come most freely being made willing by his grace h Cant. 1. 4 Psal 110. 3 Iohn 6. 37 Rom. 6. 16 17 18. II. This effectuall Call is of Gods free and speciall grace alone not from any thing at all foreseen in man i 2 Tim. 1. 9 Tit. 3. 4 5. Eph. 2. 4 5 8 9. Rom. 9. 11 who is altogether passive therein untill being quickened and renewed by the holy Spirit k 1 Cor. 2. 14 Rom. 8. 7 Eph. 2. 5 he is thereby inabled to answer this call and to imbrace the grace offered and conveyed in it l Ioh. 6. 37 Ezek 36. 27 Rom. 8. 9 Ioh 5. 25 III. Elect infants dying in infancy are regenerated and saved by Christ through the Spirit m Luke 18 15. 16. and Act. 2. 38 39 and Iohn 3 3. 5. and 1 Iohn 5. 12 compared who worketh when and where and how he pleaseth n Iohn 3. 8 So also are all other elect persons who are uncapable of being outwardly called by the Ministery of the Word o 1 Iohn 5 12. Acts 4 12. IV. Others not elected although they may be called by the Ministery of the Word p Mat. 22. 14 and may have some common operations of the Spirit q Mat. 7. 22 Mat. 13. 20 21. Heb. 6 4. 5. yet they never truly come unto Christ and therefore cannot be saved r Ioh. 6. 64 65 66. Ioh. 8. 24 much lesse 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 doe professe Å¿ Acts 4. 12 Iohn 14. 6 Ephes 2. 12 Iohn 4. 22 Iohn 17. 3 And to assert and maintain that they may is very pernicious and to be detested t 2 Ioh. v. 9 10 11 1 Cor. 16. â—â— Gal. 1. 6 7 8. CHAP. XI Of Justification THose whom God effectually calleth he also freely justifieth a Rom. 8. 30 Rom. 3. 24 not by infusing righteousnesse into them but by pardoning their sinnes and 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 it self the act of believing or any other Evangelicall obedience to them as their righteousnesse but by imputing the obedience and satisfaction of Christ unto them b Rom. 4. 5 6 7. 8 2 Cor. 5. 19 21. Rom. 3 22 24 25 27 28 Titus 3. 5 7 Eph. 1. 7. Ier. 23 6. 1 Cor. 1. 30 31 Rom. 5. 17 18 19 they receiving and resting on him and his righteousnesse by faith which faith they have not of themselves it is the gift of God c Acts 10 44. Gal. 2 16. Phil. 3. 9 Act. 13. 38 39 Eph. 2. 7 8 II. Faith thus receiving and resting on Christ and his righteousnesse is the alone instrument of Iustification d Iohn 1. 12 Rom 3. 28 Rom. 5. 1 yet is it not alone in the person justified but is ever accompanied with all other saving graces and is no dead faith but worketh by Love e Iam. 2. 17 22 26 Gal. 5. 6 III. Christ by his obedience and death did fully discharge the debt of all those that are thus justified and did make a proper reall and full satisfaction to his Fathers Iustice in their behalf f â—om 5. 8 9 10 19 1 Tim. 2. 5 6 Heb. 10. 10 14. Dan. 9 24. 26. Isa 53. 4 5 6. 10 11 12 Yet in as much as he was given by the Father for them g Rom. 8. 32 and his obedience and satisfaction accepted in their stead h 2 Cor. 5. 21 Mat. 3. 17 Ephes 5. 2 and both freely not for any thing in them their justification is only of free grace i Rom. 3. 24 Eph. 1. 7 that both the exact justice and rich grace of God might be glorified in the Iustification of sinners k Rom. 3. 26 Ephes 2. 7 IV. God did from all eternity decree to justifie all the elect l Gal. 3. 8 1 Pet. 1. 2 19 20 Rom. 8. 30 and Christ did in the fulnesse of time die for their sins and rise again for their justification m Gal. 4. 4 1 Tim. 2. 6 Rom. 4. 25 neverthelesse they are not justified untill the holy Spirit doth in due time actually apply Christ unto them n Col. 1. 21 22. Gal. 2 16. Tit. 3. 4 5 6 7. V. God doth continue to forgive the sins of those that are justified o Mat. 6. 12 1 Iohn 1. 7. 9 1 Ioh. 2. 1 2 and although they can never fall from the state of justification yet they may by their sins fall under Gods fatherly displeasure p Iuke 22 32. Iohn 10 28. Heb 10 14. and not have the lâ—ght of his countenance restored unto them untill they humble themselves confesse their sins beg pardon and renew their faith and repentance q Psal 89. 31 32. 33 Psal 51. 7 8 9 10 11 12 Psal 32. 5 Mat. 26. 7â— 1 Cor. 11. 30 32. Luk. 1. 20 VI. The justification of Beleevers under the Old Testament was in all these respects one and the same with the justification of Believers under the New Testament r Gal. 3. 9 13 14. Rom. 4. 22 23 24 Heb. 13. 8 CHAP. XII Of Adoption ALl those that are justified God vouchsafeth in and for his only Sonne Iesus Christ to make partakers of the grace of Adoption a Eph. 1. 5 by which thâ—y are taken into the number and enjoy the liberties and priviledges of the children of God b Gal. 4. 4â— Rom. 8. 17 Iohn 1. 12 have his Name put upon them c Ier. 14 9 2 Cor. â— 18 Rev. 3. 12 receive the spirit of Adoption d Rom. 8. 15 have accesse
to the Throne of Grace with boldnesse e Eph. 3. 12 Rom. 5. 2 are enabled to cry Abba Father f Gal 4. 6 are pitied g Psa 103. 13 protected h Prov. 14. 16 Mat 6. 30 32 1 Pet. 5. 7 provided for i and chastened by him as by a Father k Heb. 12. 6 yet never cast off l Lam. 3. 31 but sealed to the day of redemption m Eph. 4. 20 and inherit the promises as heirs of everlasting salvation o 1 Pet. 1 3 4. Heb. 1. 14 n Heb. 6. 12 CHAP. XIII Of Sanctification THey who are effectually called and Regenerated having a new heart and a new spirit created in them are further sanctified really and personally through the vertue of Christs death and resurrection a 1 Cor. 6. 11 Acts 20. 32 Phil. 3. 1â— Rom. 6. 5 6 by his Word and Spirit dwelling in them b Iohn 17 17 Eph. 5. 26 2 Thes 2. 13 the domininion of the whole body of sinne is destroyed c Rom. 6. 6 14. and the severall lusts thereof are more and more weakened and mortified d Gal. 5. 24 Rom. 8. 13 and they more and more quickned and strengthened in all saving graces e Col 1. 11 Ephes 3. 16 17 18 19 to the practice of true holiness without which no man shall see the Lord f 2 Cor. 7. 1 Heb. 12. 14 II. This Sanctification is throughout in the whole man g 1 Thes 5 2â— yet imperfect in this life there abideth still some remnants of corruption in every part h 1 Ioh 1. 10 Rom. 7. 18 23. Phil. 5. 12 whence ariseth a continuall and irreconcileable warre the flesh lusting against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh i Gal. 5 17 1 Pet. 2. 11 III. In which warre although the remaining corruption for a time may much prevail k Rom. 7. 23 yet through the continuall supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ the regenerate partdoth overcome l Rom. 6 14 1 Iohn 5. 4 Eph. 4. 15 16 and so the Saints grow in grace m 2 Pet. 3 18 2 Cor 3 18 perfecting holinesse in the fear of God n 2 Cor. 7. 1 CHAP. XIV Of Saving Faith THe grace of Faith whereby the elect are inabled to believe to the saving of their soules a Heb. 10. 39 is the Work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts b 2 Cor. 4. 13 Eph 1. 1â— 18. 19 Eph. 2. 8 and is ordinarily wrought by the Ministry of the Word c Rom. 1â— 14. 17 by which also and by the administration of the Sacraments and Prayer it is increased and strengâ—hened d 1 Pet. 2. 2 Acts 20. 32 Rom. 4. 11 Luk. 17. 5 Rom 1. 16 17. II. By this Faâ—th a Christian believeth to be true whatsover is revealed in the Word for the authority of God himself speaking therein e Iohn 4. 42 1 Thes 2. 13 1 Iohn 5. 10 Acts 24. 14 and acting differently upon that which each particular passage thereof containeth yeelding obedience to the Commands f Rom 16. 26 trembling at the threatnings g Isa 60. 2 and imbracing the promises of God for this life and that which is to come h Heb 11. 13 1 Tim. 4. 8 But the principall acts of saving faith are Accepting Receiving and Resting upon Christ alone for Iustification Sanctification and Eternall life by vertue of the Covenant of Grace i Iohn 1. 10 Acts 16. 31 Gal. 2. 29 Acts 15. â—1 III. This faith is different in degrees weak or strong k Heb. 5. 13 14. Rom. 4 19 20 Mat. 6 30 Mat. 8. 10 may be often and many wayes assayled and weakned but gets the victory l Luk. 22. 31 32. Eph. 6. 16 1 Ioh. 5. 4 5 growing up in many to the attainment of a full assurance through Christ m Heb. 6. 11 12. Heb. 10 22. Col. 2. 2 who is both the Author and finisher of our faith n Heb. 12. 2 CHAP. XV. Of Repentance unto life REpentance unto life is an evangelâ—call grace a Zec. 12. 10 Acts 11. 18 the Doctrine whereof is to bee preached by every Minister of the Gospel as well as that of faith in Christ b Luke 24 47. Mark 1 15. Acts 20 21. II. By it a sinner out of the sight and sense not only of the danger but also of the filthinesse and odiousnesse 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 and hates his sins as to turn from them all unto God c Eze. 18. 30 31. Eze. 36. 31 Isa 30. 22 Psal 51. 4 Ier 31. 18. 19 Ioel 2. 12 13 Amos 5. 15 Psal 119. 128 2 Cor. 7. 11 purposing and endeavourâ—ng to walk with him in all the wayes of his Commandments d Psal 119 6 59 106 Luk. 1. 6 2 Kin 23. 25 III. Although Repentance be not to be rested in as any satisfaction for sin or any cause of the pardon thereof e Eze. 36 31 32. Eze. 16 61 62 63 which is the act of Gods free grace in Christ f Hos 14. 2 4 Rom. 3. 24 Ephes 1. 7 yet is it of such necessity to all sinners that none may expect pardon without it g Luk. 13 â— 5. Acts 17 30 31 Rom. 5. 21 IV. As there is no sin so small but it deserves damnation h Rom. 6. 23 Mat. 12. 36 so there is no sin so great that it can bring damnation upon those who truly repent i Isa 5â— 7 Rom. 8 1 Isa 1. 16 â—â— V. Men ought not to content themselves with a generall repentance but it is every mans duty to endeavour to repent of his particular sins particularly k Psal 19 13 Luke 19. 8 1 Tim. 1 13 15 VI. As every man is bound to make private confession of his sins to God praying for the pardon thereof l Psal 51. 4 5 7 9 14 Psal 32. 5 6 upon which and the forsaking of them he shall finde mercy m Pro. 28. 13 1 Iohn 1. 9 so he that scandalizeth his Brother or the Church of Christ ought to be willing by a private or publique confession and sorrow for his sinne to declare his repentance to those that are offended n Iam. 5. 16 Luk 17. 3. 4 Iosh 7. 19 Psal 51 throughout who are thereupon to be reconciled to him and in love to receive him o â— Cor. 2. â— CHAP. XVI Of Good Works GOod Works are only such as God hath commanded in his holy Word a Micah 6. 8 Rom. 12 2 Heb 13. 21 and not such as without the warrant thereof are devised by men out of blinde zeal or upon any pretence of good intention b Mat. 15. 9 Isa 29. 13 1 Pet. 1. 18 Rom. 10 2
Iam. 2. 11 Psal 119 101 104 28. and the threatnings of it serve to shew what even their sins deserve and what afflictions in this life they may expect for them although freed from the curse thereof threatned in the Law r Ezra 9. 13 14. Psal 89 30 31 32 33 34. The promises of it in like manner shew them Gods approbarion of obedience and what blessings they may expect upon the performance thereof Å¿ Levit. 26. 1 to 14. with 2 Cor. 6. 16 Eph. 6. 2. 3 Psal 37. 11 with Mat. 5 5. Psal 19 11. although not as due to them by the Law as a Covenant of Works t Gal. 2. 16 Luke 17. 10 So as a mans doing good and refraining from evill because the Law encourageth to the one and deterreth from the other is no evidence of his being under the Law and not under grace u Rom. 6 12 14. 1 Pet. 3. 8 9 10 11 12 with Psa 34 12 13 14 15 16 Heb. 12. 28 29. VII Neither are the forementioned Vses of the Law contrary to the grace of the Gospel but do sweetly comply with it w Gal. 3. 21 the Spirit of Christ subduing and inabling the will of man to do that freely and chearfully which the will of God revealed in the Law requireth to be done x Eze. 36. 27 Heb. 8. 10 with Ier. 31 33. CHAP. XX. Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience THe Liberty which Christ hath purchased for Beleevers under the Gospel consists in their freedom from the guilt of sin the condemning Wâ—ath of God the Curse of the Morall Law a Tit. 2. 14 1 Thes 1. 10 Gal. 3. 13 and in their being delivered from this present evil world bondage to Satan and Dominion of sin b Gal. 1. 4 Col. â— 13 Acts 26. 18 Rom. 6. â—4 from the evill of afflictions the sting of death the victory of the grave and everlasting damnation c Rom. 8. 28 Psal 119. 71 1 Cor. 15. 55 55 56. 57 Rom. 8. 1 as also in their free accesse to God d Rom. 5 1 2 and their yeelding obedience unto him not out of slavish fear but a child like love and willing minde e Rom. 8 14 15 1 Iohn 4 18. All which were common also to Beleevers under the Law f Gal. 3. 9 14. But under the New Testament the liberty of Christians is further inlarged in their freedom from the yoke of the Ceremonial Law to which the Iewish Church was subjected g Gal. 4. 1 2 3 6 7 Gal. 5. 1 Acts 15. 10 11. and in greater boldnesse of accesse to the Throne of Grace h Heb. 4. 14 16. Heb. 10 19 20. 21 22 and in fuller communications of the free Spirit of God than Beleevers under the Law did ordinarily partake of i 1 Iohn 7 38 39 2 Cor. 3. 13 17 19 II. God alone is Lord of the Conscience k Iam. 4. 12 Rom. 14. 4. and hath left it free from the Doctrines and Commandments of men which are in any thing contrary to his Word or beside it if matters of Faith or Worship l Acts 4. 19 Acts 5. 29 1 Cor. 7. 25 Mat 23. 8. 9 10. 2 Cor. 1 24. Mat. 15. 9 So thaâ— to beleeve such Doctrines or to obey such commands out of conscience is to betray true liberty of conscience m Col. 2. 20 22. 23. Gal. 1 10. Gal. 2. 14 5. Psal 5. 1 and the requiring of an implicit faith and an absolute aâ—d blinde obedience is to destroy lâ—berty of conscience and reason also n Rom. 10 17. Rom 14 23 Isa 8. 20 Acts 17. 11 Iohn 4. â—â— Hos 5. 11 Revel 13. â—â— 16 17 Ier. 8. 9 III. They who upon pretence of Christian Liberty do practise any sin or cherish any lust do thereby destroy the end of Christian Liberty which is that being delivered out of the hands of our Enemies we might serve the Lord without fear in holinesse and righteousnesse before him all the dayes of our life o Gal. 5. 13 â— Pet 2. 16 2 Pet. 2 19 Iohn 8. 34 Luke 1. 74. 75. IV. And because the Powers which God hath ordained and the Liberty which Christ hath purchased are not intended by God to destroy but mutually to uphold preserve one another They who upon pretence of Christian Liberty shall oppose any lawfull Power or the lawfull exercise of it whether it be Civill or Ecclesiasticall resist the Ordinance of GOD p Mat. 12. 25 1 Pet. 2. 13 14 16 Rom. 13. 1 10 8. Heb 13. 17. And for their publishing of such Opinions or maintaining of such Practises as are contrary to the light of Nature or to the known Principles of Christianity whethe concerning Faith Worship or Conversation or to the Power of Godlinesse or such erroneous Opinions or Practises as either in their own nature or in the manner of publishing or maintaining them are destructive to the externall Peace and Order which Christ hath established in the Church they may lawfully be called to account and proceeded against by the Censures of the Church q Rom. 1. 32 with 1 Cor 5. 1 5 11 13. 2 Iohnver 10. 11. and 2 Thes 3. 14. and 1 Tim. 6 3 4 5. and Tit. 1. 10 11 13. Tit. 3. 10. with Mat. 18. 15 16. 17. 1 Tim. 1. 19 20. Reve. 2. 2 14 15 20. Rev. 3. 9. and by the Power of the Civill Magistrate r Deut. 13. 6 to 12. Rom. 13. Rom. 13. 3 4. with 2 Iohn ver 10 11. Ezra 7. 23 25 26 27 28. Revel 17. 12 16 17. Nehem. 13. 15 17 21 22 25 30. 2 Kings 23. 5 6 9 20 21. 2 Chron. 34. 33. 2 Chron. 15. 12 13 16. Dan. 3. 29. 1 Tim. 2. 2. Isa 49. 23. Zec. 13 2 3. CHAP. XXI Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath-day THe light of Nature sheweth that there is a GOD who hath Lordship and Soveraignty over all is good and doth good unto all and is therefore to be feared loved praised called upon trusted in served with all the heart and with all the soul and the might a Rom 1. 20 Acts 17. 24 Psal 119. 68 Ier. 10. 7 Psal 13. 23 Psal 18. â— Rom. 10. 12 Psal 6. 2. 8 Ios 24. 14. Mark 12. 33 But the acceptable way of Worshipping the true GOD is instituted by Himself and so limited by his own revealed Will that he may not be worshipped according to the imaginations and devices of men or the suggestions of Satan under any visible representation or any other way not prescribed in the holy Scripture b Deut. 12. 32. Mat. 1â— 9. Acts 17. 25. Mat. 4 9. 10. Deu. 4. 15. 10 20. Exo. 20. 4 5 6. Col. 2. 23 II. Religious Worship is to be given to GOD the Father the Son and Holy Ghost and to him alone c Mat. 4. 10. with Ioh. 5. 23 2. 2 Cor. 13. 14 not to Angels
Saints or any other creature d Col. 2. 18 Rev. 19. 10 Rom. 1. 25 and since the Fall not without a Mediator nor in the mediation of any other but of Christ alone e Iohn 14. 6 1 Tim. 2. 5. Eph. 7. 18 Col. 3. 17 III. Prayer with thanksgiving being one speciall part of Religious Worship f Phil. 4. 6 is by GOD required of all men g Psal 65 2 and that it may be accepted it is to be made in the Name of the Son h Iohn 14. 13. 14. 1 Pet. 2. 5 by the help of his Spirit i Rom. 8. 26. according to his Will k Ioh. 5. 14 with understanding reverence humility fervency faith love and perseverance l Psal 47. 7 Eccles 5. 1 2 Heb. 12. 28 Gen. 18. 27 Iames 5. 16. Iam. 1 6 7 Mark 11. 24. Mar 6. 12. 14. 15. Col 4. 2. Ep. 6. 18 and if vocall in a known tongue m Cor. 14. 14 IV. Prayer is to be made for things lawfull n 1 Ioh 5 14 and for all sorts of men living or that shall live hereafter o 1 Tim. 2. 1 2 Ioh. 17 20 2. Sa. 7. 29 Ruth 4. 12 but not for the dead p 2 Sam. 12 21 22. 23. with Luk. 16. 25 26 Rev. 14 3 nor for those of whom it may be known that they have sinned the sin unto death q 1 Ioh. 5. â—6 V. The reading of the Scriptures with godly fear r Act. 15. 21 Rev. 1. 3 the sound Preaching Å¿ 2. Tim. 4. 2 and conscionable hearing of the Word in obedience to God with understanding faith and reverence t Iam. 1. 22 Acts 10. â—5 Mat. 13. 19. He 4. 2. Isa 66. 2 singing of Psalms with grace in the heart u Col. 3. 16 Ephes 5. 19 Iam. 5. 13 as also the due administration worthy receiving of the Sacraments instituted by Christ are all parts of the ordinary Religious Worship of God w Mat. 28. 19 1 Cor. 11. 13 to 29. Acts 2. 42 Beside Religious Oaths x Deut. 6. 13 with Neh. 10. 29. Vows y Isa 19. 21 with Eccl. 5. 4 5 Solemn Fastings z Ioel 2 12 Esther 4. 16 Mat. 9. 15 1 Cor. 7. 5 and Thanksgivings upon special occasions a Psal 107 throughout Ester 9. 22 which are in their severall times and seasons to be used in an holy and religious manner b Heb. 11. 28 VI. Neither Prayer nor any other part of Religious Worship is now under the Gospel either tyed unto or made more acceptable by any place in which it is performed or towards which it is directed c Iohn 4. 21 but God is to be worshipped every where d Mal. 1. 11 1 Tim. 2. 8 in Spirit and Truth e Iohn 4 23 24 as in private Families f Ier. 10. 25 Deut. 6. 6 7 Iob 1. 5 2 Sam. 6. 18 20. 1 Pet. 3 7. Acts 10. 2 daily g Mat. 6. 11 and in secret each one by himselâ— h Mat. 6. 6 Eph. â— 18 so more solâ—mnly in the publique Assemblies which are not carelessy or wilfully to be neglected or forsaken when God by his Word or Providence calleth thereunto i Isa 56. 7 Heb. 10 25 Prov. 1. 20 21 24 Prov. 8. 34 Acts 13 42 Luk. 4. 16 Acts 2. 42 VII As it is of the Law of Nature that in general a due proportion of time be set a part for the Worship of God so in his Word by a positive Morall and perpetuall Commandment binding all men in all ages he hath particularly appointed one day in seven for a Sabbath to be kept holy unto him k Exod. 20 8 0 11 Isa 56. 2 4 6 7. which from the beginning of the World to the resurrection of Christ was the last Day of the week and from the Resurrection of Christ was changed into the first Day of the week l Gen. 2. 2 3 1 Cor. 16. 1 2 Acts 20. 7 which in Scripture is called the LORDS Day m Rev. 1. 10 and is to be continued to the end of the World as the Christian Sabbath n Exod. 20. 8. 10. with Mat. 5 17 18 VIII This Sabbath is then kept holy unto the Lord when men after a due preparing of their hearts ordering of their common affairs before-hand do not only observe an holy rest all the Day from their own works words and thoughts about their worldly imployments and recreations o Exod. 20. 8 Exod. 16. 23 25 26 29 30 Ex. 31. 15 16 17 Isa 58. 13. Nehem. 131 16 17 18 19 21 22 but also are taken up the whole time in the publique and private Exercises of his Worship in the duties of necessity and mercy p Isa 58. 13 Mat. 12. 2 to 13 CHAP. XXII Of lawfull Oaths and Vows A Lawfull Oath is a part of Religious Worship a Deut. 12 20 wherein upon just occasion the person swearing solemnly calleth God to witnesse what he asserteth or promiseth and to judge him according to the truth or falshood of what he sweareth b Exod. 20. 7 Levit. 19. 12 2 Cor. 1. 23 2 Chron. 6 22 23 II. The Name of God only is that by which men ought to sweare and therein it is to be used with all holy fear and reverence c Deut. 6. 13 Therefore to swear vainly or rashly by that glorious and dreadfull Name or to swear at all by any other thing is sinfull and to be abhorred d Exod 10. â— Ier. 1. 7 Mat 5. 34 37 Iam. 5. 12 Yet as in matters of weight and moment an Oath is warranted by the Word of God under the New Testament as well as under the Old e Heb. 6. 16 2 Cor. 1. 2â— Isaâ— 6â— 1â— so a lawfull Oath being imposed by lawfull Authority in such matters ought to be taken f 1 Kings â— 31. Neh 13 25. Ezra 10 5. III. Whosoever taketh an Oath ought duely to consider the weightinesse of so solemn an Act and therein to avouch nothing but what he is fully perswaded is the truth g Exod. 20. 7 Ier 4. 2 Neither maâ— any man binde himself by Oath to any thing but what is good and just and what he believeth so to be and what he iâ— able and resolved to perform h Gen 24. 2 3 5 6. 8 9. Yet is it a sin to refuse an Oath touching any thing that is good and just being imposeâ— by lawfull Authority i Num. 5. 19 21 Neh. 5 12. Exâ—d 22 7 8 9 10 11 IV. An Oath is to be taken in the plain and common sense of the words without equivocation or mentall reservation k Ier. 4. 2 Psal 24. 4 It cannot oblige to sin but in any thing not sinfull being taken it binds to performance although to a mans own hurt l 1 Sam. 25 22. â—2 33 34 Psal 15. 4 nor is it to be violated
although made to hereticks or infidels m Ezek 17 16 18 19 Iâ—sh 9. 18. 19 with 2 Sam. 21 â— V. A Vow is of the like nature with a Promissary Oath and ought to be made with the like Religious care and to be performed with the like faithfulnesse n Isai 19. 11 Eccles 5. 4 5 6. Psal 61. 8 Psal 66. 13 14 VI. It is not to be made to any Creature but to God alone o Psal 76. 11 Ier. 44. 25 26. and that it may be accepted it is to made voluntarily out of Faith and conscience of Duty in way of Thankfulnesse for mercy received or for the obtaining of what we want whereby we more strictly binde ourselves to necessary duties or to other things so far and so long as they may fitly conduce thereunto p Deut. 23. 21 22 23 Psal 50. 14 Gen. 28. 20 21 22 1 Sam. 1. 11 Psal 66. 13 14. Psal 132 2 3 4 5. VII No man may Vow to do any thing forbidden in the Word of God or what would hinder any duty therein commanded or which is not in his own power and for the performance whereof he hath no promise of ability from God q Acts 23. 12 14 Mark 6. 26 Numb 30. 5 8. 12 13. In which respects Popish Monasticall Vows of perpetuall single life professed Poverty Regular Obedience are so far from being degrees of higher Perfection that they are superstitious and sinfull snares in which no Christian may intangle himself r Mat. 19. 11 12 1 Cor. 7. 2. 9 Eph. 4. 28 1 Pet. 4. 2 1 Cor. 7. 23 CHAP. XXIII Of the Civill Magistrate GOD the supream Lord and King of all the World hath Ordained Civill Magistrates to be under him over the people for his own Glory and and the publike good and to this end hath armed them with the Power of the sword for the defence and incouragement of them that are good and for the punishment of evill doers a Rom. 13. 1 2 3 4 1 Pet. 2 13 14. II. It is lawfull for Christians to accept and execute the Office of a Magistrate when called thereunto b Pro. 8. 15. 16 Rom. 13 1 2 4 in the managing whereof as they ought especially to maintain Piety justice Peace according to the wholsom Laws of each Commonwealth c Psal 2. 10 11 12 1 Tim. 2. 2 Psal 82. 3 4 2 Sam. 23. 3 1 Pet. 2. 1â— so for that end they may lawfully now under the New Testament wage War upon just and necessary occasion d Luke 3. 14 Rom. 13. â—4 Mat. 8. 9 10 Acts 10. 1 2 Rev. 17. 14 III. The Civill Magistrate may not assume to himselfe the administration of the Word and Sacraments or the power of the Keys of the Kingdom of heaven e 2 Chro. 26 18 with Mat. 18. 17 Mat. 16 19 and 1 Cor. 12. 28 29 Eph. 4. 11 12. 1 Cor. 4. 1 2. Rom. 10 15. Heb 5. 4. yet he hath Authority and it is his duty to take order that Vnity and Peace be preserved in the Church that the Truth of God be kept pure and intire that all Blasphemies and Heresies be suppressed all corruptions and abuses in Worship and discipline prevented or reformed and all the Ordinances of God duely setled administred and observed f Isa 49. 23 Psal 22. 9 Ezra â— 23 25 26 27 28 Levit. 24. 15 Deut. 13. 5 6. 12 2 Kings 18. 4 1 Chro. 13 1 to 9. 2 Kings 23. to 26 2 Chro. 34. 33. 2 Chron. 15. 12. 13. For the better effecting whereof he hath power to call Synods to be present at them and to provide that whatsoever is transacted in them be according to the mind of God g 2 Chro. 9 8 9 10 11 2 Chron. 29 30. Chapters Mat. 2. 4 5 IV. It is the duety of People to pray for Magistrates h 1 Tim. 2. 1 2 to honour their persons i 1 Pet 2 1â— to pay them tribute and other dues k Rom. 13. 6 7. to obey their lawfull commands and to be subject to their Authority for consciencesake l Rom. 13. 5 Tit. 1. 3 Infidelity or difference in Religion doth not make void the Magistrates just and legâ—ll Authority not free the people from their due obedience to him m 1 Pet. 2. 13 14 16 from which Ecclesiasticall persons are not exempted n Rom. 13 16. Kings 2 35. Acts 25 9 10 11 2 Pet. 2. 1 10. 11 Iude ver 8 9 10 11 much lesse hath the Pope any power and jurisdiction over them in their Dominions or over any of their people and least of all to deprive them of their Dominions or lives if he shall judge them to be Hereticks or upon any other pretence whatsoever o 2 Thes 2. 4 Rev. 13. 15 16 17. CHAP. XXIV Of Marriage and Divorce MArriage is to be between one Man and one Woman neither is it lawfull for any man to have more then one Wife nor for any Woman to have more then one Husband at the same time a Gen. 2. 24 Mat. 19. 5 6 Pro. 2. 17 II. Marriage was ordained for the mutuall help of Husband and Wife b Gen. 2 18 for the increase of man-kinde with a legitimate issue and of the Church with an holy seed c Mal. 2. 15 and for preventing of uncleannesse d 1 Cor. 7 29 III. It is lawfull for all sorts of people to marry who are able with judgement to give their consent e Heb 13 4 1 Tim 4. 3 1 Cor. 36 37 38 Gen 24. 57 5â— Yet is it the duty of Christians to marry only in the Lord f 1 Cor. 7. 39 And therfore such as professe the true reformed Religion should not marry with Infidels Papists or other Idolaters Neither should suâ—h as are godly be unequally yoked by marrying with such as are notoriously wicked in their life or maintain damnable Heresies g Gen. 34. 14 Exod. 3â— 16 Deut. â— 3 4 1 Kings 11 4. Neh. 13. 25 26 27. Mal. 2 1â— 12 2 Cor. 6. 14 IV. Mariage ought not to be within the degrees of Consanguinity or Affinity forbidden in the Word h â—evit 18 Chapter 1 Cor. 5. 1 Amo. 2. 7. Nor can such incestuous marriages ever be made lawfull by any Law of man or consent of Parties so as those persons may live together as man and wife i Mark 6. 18 Lev. 18. 24 25 26 27 28. The man may not marry any of his wives kindred nearer in bloud then he may of his own nor the woman of her husbands kinred nearer in bloud then of her own k Levit. 20 19 20 21. V. Adultery or fornication committed after a Contract being detected before marriage giveth just occasion to the innocent party to dissolve that contract l Mat. 1. 18 19 20. In the case of Adultery after marriage it is lawfull for the Innocent party to
sue out a Divorce m Mat. 5. 31 32. And after the Divorce to marry another as if the offending party were dead n Mat. 19. 9 Rom. 7. â— 3 VI. Although the corruption of man be such as is apt to study arguments unduely to put asunder those whom God hath joyned together in marriage yet nothing but Adultery or such wilfull desertion as can no way be remedied by the Church or Civil Magistrate is cause sufficient of dissolving the bond of Marriage o Mat. 19. 8 9. 1 Cor. 7. 15. Mat 19. 6. Wherein a publick and orderly course of proceeding is to be observed And the Persons concerned in it not left to their own wills and discretion in their own case p Deut. 24. 1 2 3 4. CHAP. XXV Of the Church THe Catholick or Vniversall Church which is invisible consists of the whole number of the Elect that have bin are or shall be gathered into one under Christ the Head thereof and is the Spouse the Body the fulnesse of Him that filleth all in all a Eph. 1. 10 22 23 Eph. 5. 23 27. 32 Col. 1. 18 II. The visible Church which is also Catholick or Vniversall under the Gospell not confined to one Nation as before under the Law consists of all those throughout the World that professe the true Religion b 1 Cor. 1 2 1 Cor. 12 12 13. Psal 2. 8 Rev. 7. 9 Rom. 15. 9 10 11 12 and of their children c 1 Cor. 7. 14. Acts 2 39. Ezek. 16. 20 21. Rom. 11 16. Gen. 3. 15. Gen. 17. 7 and is the Kingdome of the Lord Iesus Christ d Mat. 13. 47 Isa 9. 7 â— Eph. 1. 19 the House and Family of God e Eph 2. 15 out of which there is no ordinary possibility of Salvation f Acts 2. 47 III. Vnto this Catholick Visible Church Christ hath given the Ministery Oracles and Ordinances of God for the gathering and perfecting of the Saints in this life to the end of the world aâ—d doth by his own presence and Spirit according to his promise make them effectuall thereunto g 1 Cor 12 28. Eph. 4 11 12 13 Mat. 28. 19 20. Isa 50. 21 IV. This Catholick Church hath bin sometimes more sometimes lesse visible h Rom. 11. 3 4. Rev. 12. 6 14. And particular Churches which are Members thereof are more or lesse as pure according as the Doctrine of the Gospel is taught and imbraced Ordinances administred and publick worship performed more or less purely in them i Rev. 2. 3 chapters 1 Cor. 5. 6 7 V. The purest Churches under Heaven are subject both to mixture and errour k 1 Cor 13. 12. Rev. 2. 3 chapters Mat. 13. 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 47 and some have so degenerated as to become no Churches of Christ but Synagogues of Satan l Rev. 18. 2 Rom. 11. 18 19 20 21 22 Neverthelesse there shall be alwayes a Church on Earth to Worship God according to his will m Mat. 16 18 Psâ—l 72. 17 Psâ—l 102. 28 Mat 28. 19 20 VI. There is no other Head of the Church but the Lord Iesus Christ n Col. 1. 18 Eph 1. 22 Nor can the Pope of Rome in any sence be head thereof but is that Antichrist that man of sin and Sun of Perdition that exalteth himself in the CHurch against Christ and all that is called God o Mat. â—3 8 9 10 2 Thess 2. 3 4 8. 9 Rev. 13. 6. CHAP. XXVI Of the Communion of Saints ALL Saints that are united to Iesus Christ their Head by his Spirit and by Faith have fellowship with him in his graces Sufferings Death Resurrection and Glory a 1 Iohn 1 Eph 3. 16 17 18 19 Iohn 1. 16 Eph. 2 5 6 Phil. 3. 10 Rom. 6. 5 6 2 Tim. 2 12 And being united to one another in love they have communion in each others gifts graces b Eph. 4. 15 16. 1 Cor. 12 7. 1 Cor 3. 21 22 23 Col. 2. 19. and are obliged to the performance of such duties publick and private as do conduce to their mutuall good both in the inward and outward man c 1 Thes â— 11. 14 Rom. 1 11 12 14. 1 Iohn 3. 16 17 18. Gal. 6. 10. II Saints by profession are bound to maintain an holy fellowship and communion in the worship of God and in performing such other spirituall services as tend to their mutuall edification d Heb. 10 24 25. Acts 2. 42 46 Isa 2 3 1 Cor. 11 20 as also in relieving each other in outward things according to their severall abilities and necessities Which Communion as God offereth opportunity is to be extended unto all those who in every place call upon the Name of the Lord Iesus e Acts 2. 44 45. 1 Iohn 3. â—7 2 Cor. 8 9. chapters Acts 11. 29 30. III. This Communion which the Saints have with Christ doth not make them in any wise partakers of the substance of his God-head or to be equall with Christ in any respect either of which to affirm is impious and blasphemous f Col 1. 18 19. 1 Cor. 8 6. Isa 42 8 1 Tim 6 15 16. Psal 45 7. with Heb. 1. 8 9. Nor doth their Communion one with another as Saints take away or in fringe the title or propriety which each man hath in goods and possessions g Exod. 20. 15 Eph 4 28 Acts 5. 4. CHAP. XXVII Of the Sacraments SAcraments are holy Signes and Seales of the Covenant of Grace a Rom. 4. 11 Gen. 17. 7 10 immediatly instituted by God b Mat. 28. 19 1 Cor 11. 23. to represent Christ and his Benefits and to confirm our interest in him c 1 Cor. 10 16. 1 Cor 25 26. Gal. 3. 27. as also to put a visible difference between those that belong unto the Church and the rest of the World d Rom. 15. 8 Exod. 12. 48 Gen. 34. 14 and solemnly to engage them to the Service of God in Christ according to his Word e Rom. 6. 3 4. 1 Cor. 10. 16 21. II. There is in every Sacrament a spirituall relation or Sacramentall union between the Signe and the Thing signified whence it comes to passe that the names and effects of the one are attributed to the other f Gen. 17. 10 Mat. 26. 27 28. Tit. 3. 5 III. The grace which is exhibited in or by the Sacraments rightly used is not conferred by any power in them neither doth the efficacy of a Sacrament depend upon the piety or intention of him that doth administer it g Rom 2. 28 29. 1 Pet. 3. 21 but upon the work of the Spirit h Mat. 3. â—â— 2 Cor. 12. 13 and the word of institution which contains together with a precept authorizing the use thereof a promise of benefit to worthy receivers i Mat. 26. 27 â—8 Mat. 28. 19 â—0 IV. There be only two Sacraments ordained
by Christ our Lord in the Gospel that is to say Baptism and the Supper of the Lord neither of which may be dispensed by any but by a Minister of the Word lawfully ordained k Mat. â—8 19 1 Cor. 11. 20 23. 1 Cor. 4. 1 Heb. 5. 4 V. The Sacraments of the Old Testament in regard of the spirituall things thereby signified and exhibited were for substance the same with those of the New l 2 Cor. 10 1â— 2 3 4. â— CHAP. XXVIII Of Baptism BAptism is a Sacrament of the New Testament Ordained by Iesus Christ a Mat. 28. 19 not only for the solemn Admission of the party Baptized into the Visible Church b 1 Cor. 12 13 but also to be unto him a signe and seal of the Covenant of Grace c Rom. 4. 11 with Col. 2. 11 12 of his ingrafting into Christ d Gal 3. 27 Rom. 6. 5 of Regeneration e Tit. 3. 5 of Remission of sins f Mark 1. 4 and of his giving up unto God through Iesus Christ to walk in newnes of life g Rom. 6. 3 4. Which Sacrament is by Christs own appointment to bee continued in his Church untill the end of the World h Mat. 28. â—9 20. II. The outward Element to be used in this Sacrament is Water wherewith the Party is to be Baptized in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost by a Minister of the Gospel lawfully called thereunto i Mat. 3. 11 Iohn 1. 33 Mat. 28. 19 20. III. Dipping of the person into the Water is not necessary but Baptism is rightly administred by powring or sprinkling Water upon the person k Heb 9. 10 19 20 21 22 Acts 2. 41 Acts 16. 33 Mark 7. 4 IV. Not only those that do actually professe Faith in and obedience unto Christ l Mark 16 15 16. Acts 8. 37 38. but also the infants of one or both believing Parents are to be baptized m Gen. 17. 7 9. with Gal. 3. 9 14 Col. 2. 11 12 Acts 2. 38 39. Rom. 4. 11 12 1 Cor. 7. 14 Mat. 28. 19 Mark 10. 13 14 15 16 Luke 18. 15 V. Although it be a great sin to contemn or neglect this Ordinance n Luke 7. 30 with Exo. 4. 24 25 26 yet Grace and Salvation are not so inseparably annexed unto it as that no person can be regenerated or saved without it o Rom. 4. 11 Acts 10. 2. 4 23 31 45 47 or that all that are Baptized are undoubtedly regenerated p Acts 8. 13 23. VI. The efficacy of Baptism is not tied to that moment of time wherein it is administred q Iohn 3. 5 8 yet notwithstanding by the right use of this Ordinance the grace promised is not only offered but really exhibited and conferred by the Holy Ghost to such whether of age or infants as that grace belongeth unto according to the Councell of Gods own Will in his appointed time r Gal. 3. 27 Tit. 3. 5. Eph 5. 25 26 Acts 2. 38. 41. VII The Sacrament of Baptism is but once to be administred unto any person Å¿ Tit. 3. 5. CHAP. XXIX Of the LORDS Supper OVr Lord Iesus in the night wherein he was betrayed Instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood called the Lords Supper to be observed in his Church unto the end of the world for the perpetuall Remembrance of the sacrifice of Himself in his Death the sealing all benefits thereof unto true Believers their Spiritual nourishment and growth in him their further engagement in and to all duties which they owe unto him and to be a bond and pledge of their Communion with him and with each other as members of his mysticall Body a 1 Cor 11 23 25. 26 2. Cor. 10. 16. 2â— 21 2 Cor. 12. 13 II. In this Sacrament Christ is not offered up to his Father nor any reall Sacrifice made at all for remission of sins of the quick or dead b Heb. 9. 22 25 26 28 but only a Commemoration of that one offering up of Himself by Himself upon the Crosse once for all and a spiritual Oblation of all possible praise unto God for the same c 1 Cor. 11 24 25 26 Mat. 26 26 27. So that the Popish Sacrifice of the Masse as they call it is most abominably injurious to Christs one onely Sacrifice the alone Propitiation for all the sins of the Elect d Heb. 7. 23 24 27. Heb. 10. 11 12 14 18. III. The Lord Iesus hath in this Ordinance appointed his Ministers to declare his word of institution to the people to pray and blesse the Elements of Bread and Wine thereby to set them apart from a Common to an Holy Vse and to Take and Break the Bread to Take the Cup they communicating also themselves to give both to the Communicants e Mat. 26 26 27 28 Mark 14. 22 23 24. and Luke 22. 19 20. with 1 Cor. 11 23 24 25 26 but to none who are not then present in the Congregation f Acts 20. 7 1 Cor. 11. 20 IV. Private Masses or receiving this Sacrament by a Priest or any other alone g 1 Cor. 10. 6 as likewise the denyall of the Cup to the people h Mark 4. 23 1 Cor. 11. 25 26 27 28 29 worshipping the Elements the lifting them up or carrying he about for adoration and the reserving them for any pretended religious use are all contrary to the nature of this Sacrament and to the Institution of Christ i Mat. 15. 9 V. The outward Elements in this Sacrament duly set apart to the uses ordained by Christ have such relation to him crucified as that truly yet Sacramentally onely they are sometimes called by the name of the things they represent to wit the Body and Blood of Christ k Mat. 26 26. 27 28 albeit in substance and nature they still remain truly and only Bread and Wine as they were before l 1 Cor. 11 26 27 28 Mat. 26. 29 VI. That Doctrine which maintains a change of the substance of Bread and Wine into the substance of Christs Body Blood commonly called Transubstantiation by Consecration of a Priest or by any other way is repugnant not to Scripture alone but even to common Sense and Reason overthroweth the nature of the Sacrament and hath bin is the cause of manifold Supertitions ye of grosse Idolatries m Act. 3. 21 with 1 Cor. 11. 24 25 26 Luk. 24. 6 39. VII Worthy Receivers outwardly partaking of the visible Elements in this Sacrament n 1 Cor. 11 28. do then also inwardly by faith really and indeed yet not carnally and corporally but Spiritually receive and feed upon Christ crucified and all benefits of his death The Body and Blood of Christ being then not corporally or carnally in with or under the Bread and Wine yet as really but Spiritually
the first Commandement A. The sinnes forbidden in the first Commandement are Atheism in denying or not having a God n Psal 14. 1 Ephes 2. 12 Idolatry in having or worshipping more Gods then one or any with or instead of the true God o Ier. 2 27 28 with 1 Thes 1 9 the nor having and avouching him for God and our God p Psal 81 11 the omission or neglect of any thing due to him required in this Commandement q Isai 43. 22 23 24 ignorance r Ier. 4. 22 Hos 4. 1 6 forgetfulnesse Å¿ Ier 2. 32 misapprehensions t Acts 17. 23 29 false opinions u Isai 40. 18 unworthy and wicked thoughts of him w Psal 10. 21 bold and curious searching into his secrets x Deut. 29. 29 all prophanenesse y Tit. 1. 16 Heb. 12 6 hatred of God z Rom. 1. â—â— self-love a 2 Tim. 3 â— self-seeking b Phil. 2. 21 and all other inordinate immoderate setting of our mind will or affections upon other things and taking them off from him in whole or in part c 1 Ioh. 2. 15 16 1 Sam. 2. 29 Col 3. 25 vain credulity d 1 Ioh. 4. 1 unbeliefe e Deut. 10. 6 24 Heb 3. 12 heresie f Gal. 5. 21 Tit. 3. 10 misbelief g Acts 26. 9 distrust h Psal 78. 22 despair i Gen. 4 13 incorrigiblenesse k Ier. 5. â—3 insensiblenesse under Iudgments l Isai 42. 25 hardnesse of heart m Rom. 2 5 pride n Ier. 13. 15 presumption o Psal 19. 13 carnall security p Zeph. 1. 12 tempting of God q Mat 4. 7 using unlawfull means r Rom. 3. 8 and trusting in lawfull means Å¿ Ier. 1â— â— carnall delights and joyes t 2 Tim. 3. 4 corrupt blind and indiscreet zeal luke-warmnesse and deadnesse in the things of God estranging our selves and apostarizing from God praying or giving any religious worship to Saints Angels or any other creatures z Rom. 10. 13 14 Hos 4. 12 Acts 10. 25 26 Rev. 19. 10 Mat. 4. 10 Col. 2. 18 Rom. 1. 25. all compacts and consulting with u Gal. 4. 17 Iohn 16. 2 Rom. 10. 2 Luk. 9 54 55 the devil a Lev 20. 6 1. Sam 28. 7 11. with 1 Chr. 10. 13 14 and hearkning to his suggestions b Acts 5. 3 making men the Lords of our faith and Conscience c 2 Cor. 1. 24 Mat 23 9 slighting and despising w. Rev. 3. 16 God and his Commands d Deut. 32. 15 2. Sam. 12. 9 Prov. 13 13 resissing x Rev. 3. 1 and grieving of his spirit e Acts 7 51 Eph 4. 30 discontent y Ezek 14. 5 Isai 1 4. 5 and impatience at his dispensations charging him foolishly for the evils hee inflicts on us f Psal 73. 2. 3 14 15 22 Iob 1. 22 and ascribing the praise of any good we either are have or can doe to fortune g 1 Sam. 6. 7 8 9. Idols h Dan. 5 23 our selves i Deut 8. 17 Dan. 4. 30 or any other creature k Hab. 1. 16 Q. What are we especially taught by these words before me in the first Commandement A. These words before me or before my face in the first Commandement teach us that God who seeth all things takes speciall notice of and is much displeased with the sin of having any other God that so it may be an argument to disswade from it and to aggravate it as a most impudent provocation l Ezek. 8. 5 to the end Ps 44. 20 21 as also to perswade us to doe as in his sight what ever we doe in his service m 1 Chr. 2. 8 9 Q Which is the second Commandement A. The second Commandement is Tâ—ou shalt not make unto thee any graven image or any likenesse of any thing that is in heaven above or that is in the earth beneath or that is in the water under the earth thou shalt not bow down to them nor serve them for I the Lord thy God am a iealous God visiting the iniquity of the Fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and kèep my Commandements n Exod. 20 4 5 6 Q What are the duties required in the second Commandement A. The duties required in the second Commandement are the receiving observing and keeping pure and entire all such religious worship and Ordinances as God hath instituted in his word o Deut. 32 46 47 Mat. 28 20 Acts 2. 42 1 Tim. 6 13 14 particularly Prayer and Thanksgiving in the name of Christ p Phil 4. 6 Eph 5 20 the reading preaching and hearing of the Word q Deut. 17. 10 19 Acts 15. 21 2 Tim 4 2 Iam 1. 21 22 Acts 10. 33 the administration and receiving of the Sacraments r Mat. 28 19 1 Cor 11. 23 to 30 Church-government and Discipline Å¿ Mat 18. 15 16 17 Mar. 16 19 1 Cor 5 ch 1 Cor. 12. 28 the Ministery and maintenance thereof t Eph 4 11 12 1 Tim 5. 16 17 1 Cor 9. 7 to 15. religious fasting u Ioel 2. 12 13. 1 Cor 7. 5 swearing by the name of God w Deut 6 13. and vowing unto him x Isai 19. 21 Psal 76. 11 As also the disapproving detesting opposing all false worship y Acts 17. 16 17 Psal 16 4 and according to each ones place and calling removing it and all monuments of Idolatry z Deut 7. 5 Isai 30 22 Q What are the sinnes forbidden in the second Commandement A. The sinnes forbidden in the second Commandement are all devising a Num. 15. 39 counselling b Deut. 13. 6 7. 8 commanding c Hos 5. 11 Mich 6. 16 using d 1 King 10. 33. any waies approving any religious worship not instituted by God himselfe e Deut. 12 30 31 32 tolerating a false Religion f Deut. 13. 6 to 12. Zech. 13. 2 3. Rev. 2. 2 14 15 20 Rev. 17. 12 16 17 the making any representation of God of all or of any of the three Persons either inwardly in our minde or outwardly in any kind of Image or likenesse of any creature whatsoever g Deut. 4. 15 16 17 18 19 Acts 17. 29 Rom. 1. 21 22 23 25 all worshipping of it h Dan. 3. 18 Gal. 4. 8 or God in it or by it i Exo. 32. 5 8 the making of any representation of feigned Deities and all worship of them or service belonging to them l 1 Kings 18. 26 28. Isai 65 11. all superstitious devices m Acts 17. 22 Col. 2. 21 22 23 corrupting the worship of God n Mal. 1. 7. 8. 14 adding to it taking from it o Deut. 4. 2. whether invented
and taken up of our selves p Ps 106. 39 or received by tradition from others q Mat. 15. 9 though under the title of antiquity r 1 Pet. 1. 18 custom Å¿ Ier. 44. 17 devotion t Isa 65. 3 4 5 Gal. 1. 13 14 good intent or any other pretence whatsoever u 1 Sam. 13 11 12 1 Sam. 5. 21 simony w Acts 8. 18 sacriledge x Rom. 2. 22 Mal. 3. 8 all neglect y Ex. 4. 25. 26 contempt z Mat. 22 5 Mal. 1. 7. 13 hindering a Mat. 23. 13 and opposing the Worship and Ordinances which God hath appointed b Acts 13 44 45 1 Thes 2. 15 16 Q. What are the Reasons annexed to the second Commandment the more to enforce it A. The Reasons annexed to the second Commandement the more to enforce it contained in these words For I the Lord thy God am a iealous God visiting the iniquities of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me keep my Commandements c Ex 20. 5 6 are beside Gods soveraignty over us property in us d Psal 45. 11 Rev. 15. 3. 4 his fervent zeal for his own worship e Exod. 34 13 14. his revengfull indignation against all false worship as being a spirituall whordom f 1 Cor. 10 20 21 22 Ier. 7. 18 19 20 Ezek. 16. 26 27 Deut. 22. 16 17 18 19 20 accounting the breakers of this Commandement such as hate him and threatning to punish them unto divers generations g Hos 2 2 3. 4 and esteeming the observers of it such as love him and keep his Commandements and promising mercy to them unto many generations h Deut. 5. 29 Q. Which is the third Commandement A. The third Commandement is Thou shalt not take the Name of the LORD thy GOD in vain for the LORD will not hold him guiltlesse that taketh his Name in vain i Exod. 20. 7 Q. What is required in the third Commandement A. The third Commandement requires that the Name of God his titles attributes k Mat. 6. 9 Deut. 28. 58 Psal 29. 2 Psal 6. 4 Rev. 15. 3 4 ordinances l Mal. 1. 14 Eccles 5. 1 the word m Psal 138. 2. Sacraments n 1 Cor. 11. 24 25 28 29 prayer o 1 Tim. 2. 8 oaths p Ier. 4. 2 vowes q Eccl. 5. 2. 4 5 6 lots r Acts 1. 24 26 his works Å¿ Iob 36. 24. whatsoever else there is whereby he makes himself known be holily and reverently used in thought t Mal. 3. 16 meditation u Psal 8 throughout word w Col. 3. 17 Psal 105. 2. 5 writing x Ps 102. 1â— by an holy profession y 1 Pet. â— 15 Mic 4. 5 and answerable conversation z Phil. 1. 27 to the glory of God a 1 Cor. 10. 31 and the good of our selves b Ier. 32. 39 and others c 1 Pet. 2. 1â— Q. What are the sinnes forbidden in the third Commandement A. The sinnes forbidden in the third Commandement are the not using of d Mal 2 2 Gods name as is required and the abuse of it in an ignorant e Acts 17. 23 vain f Pro 30 9 irreverent profane g Mal. 1. 6 â— 12 Mal 3 14 superstitious h 1 Sam. 4. 3 4 5. Ier 7 4 9 10. 14. 31 Col. 2. 20 21 22. or wicked mentioning oâ— otherwise using his titles attributes i 2 King 18. 30 35 Exod 5 2 Psal 139. 10 ordinances k Ps 50. 16 17 or works l Isa 5. 12. by blasphemy m 2 Kin. 19. 22 Lev. 24. 11 perjury n Zech 5 4 Zech. 8 17 all sinful cursings o 1 Sam 1â— 43 2 Sam. 16. 5 oaths p Ier. 5. 7 Ier 23. 10 vows q Deut 23. 18 Acts 23. 12 14. and lots r Esth 3. 7 Esth 9. 24 Psal 22. 18 violating of our oaths and vows if lawfull Å¿ Psal 24. 4 Ezek. 17. 16 18 19 and fulfilling them if of things unlawfull t â—â—a 6. â—6 1 Sam. 25. 23 33 34 murnâ—uring and quarrelling at u Rom. 9. 14 19 20 curious prying into w Deut. 29. 29 and misapplying of Gods decrees x Rom 3. 5 7 Rom 6. 1 and providences y Eccl 8. 11 Eccles 9. 3 Psal 39. throughâ—ut misinterpâ—ting z Mat. 5. 21 to the end misapplying a Ezek. 13. 22. or any way pervâ—rting the woâ—d or any part of it b 2 Pet 3. 16. Mat. 22. 2â— to 31 to proâ—ane jests c Isa 22. 13. Ier 23 34. 36. 38. curious or unprofitable questions vain janglings or the maintaining of false Doctrines d 1 Tim. 1. 4. 6 â— 1 Tim. 6. 4 5. 20. 2 Tim. 2. 14 T it 3 9 abusiâ—g it the creatures or any thing contained under the name of God to charms e Deut 18. 10 11 12 13 14. Acts 19. 13. or sinful lusts and practises f 2 Tim. 4. 2. 4. Rom. 13 13. 14. 1 Kin. 21. 9. 10. Iude v 4 the maligning g Acts 1 16 1 Iohn 3 12. scorning h Psal 1. 1. 2 Pet 3 5. reviling i 1 Pet. 4 4 or any ways opposing of Gods truth grace and wayes k Acts 13. 45 â—6 50. Acts 4. 18. Acts. 19. 9. 1 Th. 2. 16 Heb. 10. 29. making profession of Relgion in hypocrisie or for sinister ends l 1 Tim. 3. 5. Mat. 23. 14. Mat. 6. 1. 2. 5. 16. being ashamed of it m Mar. 8. 38. or a shame to it by uncomfortable n Psal 73 14 15 unwife o 1 Cor 6. 5 6 Eph. 5. 15 16 17 unfruitfull p Isa 5. 4 2 Pet 1. 8. 9 and offensive walking q Rom. 2. 23 24 or backsliding from it r Gal 3. 1. 3 Heb. 6. 6 Q What Reasons are annexed to the third Commandement A. The Reasons annexed to the third Commandement in these words the LORD thy GOD and for the LORD will not hold him guiltiesse that taketh his name in vain Å¿ Exod. 20. 7 are because he is the LORD our GOD and therfore his name is not to be profaned or any way abused by us t Levit. 19. 12 especially because he will be so far from acquitting and sparing the transgressours of this Commandement as that he will not suffer them to escape his righteous judgement u Ezek. 36. 21 22 23 Deut. 28. 58 59 Zech. 5. 2 3 4 albeit many such escape the censures punishments of men w 1 Sam. 2 12. 1â— 22 24 with 1 Sam 3. â—3 Q. Which is the fourth Commandment A. The fourth Commandement is Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy six dayes shalt thou labour and do all thy work but the