so sealing promise of performance of Covenant with Christ and his Church accordingly Of these I say 1. The first is not acted by the childe for that cannot desire Baptism Mark 10. But it is acted by the parents who do present the childe as those in the Gospel and dedicate and consecrate it to God in Christ and in the behalf of the childe according to Gods Covenant with the faithful and their seed desire Baptism for it That in and by Baptism it may be admitted to outward visible Infant-membership in the Church See the Ancient Forms of Baptism in the Church of Christ Reformed c. 2. Again for the second profession of the Faith that neither is nor can be done by the Infant when it usually baptâ—zâ—d at a week old or thereabouts or it may be sooner That profession of Faith therefore hath usually been made by the parents at least in a declaration of their assent and consent to the Articles of the Faith of Christ and cheif sum of the Gospel Thirdly for the intimation of a Covenant and Covenant-union with Christ and his Church in the profession of the Gospel this the child in infancy cannot perform nor promise Therefore it hath been the Churches practise that the Parents whose duty properly it is or the pro-parents have according to their duty promised and engaged themselves to do their best endeavour by the power of Christ First To Catechize and instruct their children in the knowledge of God and Iesus Christ as he is held forth in the Word of God our Saviour and to instruct them in that promise they did make when they did present them to be baptized to bring them up in the knowledge Faith and profession of the Gospel according to the power and means God in his good providence should afford them Secondly to inform them how they have likewise promised to do their best endeavour to instruct them in their duty when that they come to years and have gain'd knowledge and Faith by Gods Grace in the Gospel to make profession of that Faith and declare their subjection in their own persons unto the Gospel of Christ Thirdly and to renew the Covenant of which passively they received the seal when they were baptized in infancy and to declare their renewing of that Covenant with God in Christ when upon approbation of the Church and Ministers and Elders of the Church or those in Authority from Christ they were admitted to the Lords Table Fourthly and lastly to instruct them that they were baptized and engaged in Baptism to this end amongst others in this or the like manner to enjoy a more full Communion in and with the Church of Christ And thus I have endeavoured to set forth the manner and nature of Infants outward entrance and solemn admission with the Church by Baptism Secondly there is another thing to be considered in and concerning the children of believers when they are come to years of understanding and knowledge and that God hath given them Faith and holinesse in some measure and ability to professe their Faith and to declare their desire of holinesse and willingnesse to manifest their professed subjection to the Gospel in Faith and obedience This is their performance of this duty by means whereof they are admitted by the Church in general or those who have Authority from Christ unto a full Church communion in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper and other acts of Church-fellowship according unto the rule and direction of Christ held forth in the Gospel And thus I conceive they are formally compleat members as in respect of truth of membership-infant in their infant Baptism so in respect of visibility and ripe years membership in the Lords Supper and thus they all are visible members and matter of the Church of Christ and have a true formal admission into the Church without any other special Covenant amongst Christians as necessarily and absolutely necessary to the formal constitution of a visible Church and without any rebaptization or renouncing of their former Baptism as some have and do pretend And thus I have shewed you who are our neighbours and what is the Church of Christ visible and the Communion of Saints to and with whom we ought to exercise our Christian love and charity And so the true matter of a Church or material cause both in respect of infants and men of ripe years Quest 35. But sir there are divers Separatists amongst us who are seducing people dayly from our Church and affirm our Churches have neither matter nor form of a Church or at least are so corrupt in both that our congregation are no Churches of Christ but Babylon and members of Antichrist and so to be departed from Rev. 41. They do indeed abuse that place of Scripture and falsly apply that to us which belongs to Rome Ans But I have given an Answer to this Objection before in part Yet to clere the point more fully in brief First for the matter of the Church they cannot deny but we have in our Church and Congregations visible Saints true matter of a Church and members of Christ yea some as great Saints as most we know or reade of in the Christian world This I my self have known in some Country Parochial Congregations by experience and this I do know in some great City Congregations although there be too many hypocrites too many formalists and too many prophane People mixed and not yet purged out from our Congregation nor cast out as they ought to have been And I say further if for these failings and corruptions in a Church They will as they would un-un-church our Churches they may and do by the same Argument unchurch the Church of Corinth and others which Christ and his Apostles approve and acknowledge true Churches of God in Christ Iesus If for this cause of different matter of or in our Churches or because we have mixed Congregations and not consisting of all visible Saints but some erroneous in judgement and some erring in life and conversation their Argument I conceive must be to this or the like effect as full against the Church of Corinth as our great mixed Congregations No visible Church which is a mingled Congregation consisting of some visible Saints and some visible prophane people in life and erroneous in judgement ignorant and scandalous and not cast out but suffered in the Church is a true visible Church of Christ and to be communicated with But the Church of Corinth was such a Church as well as our mixed Congregations as may easily be proved And therefore the Church of Corinth was no true visible Church of Christ and to have beep separated from as from Babylon And this I hope they dare not but confesse is a most false and scandalous conclusion and so their Argument false against our Churches and their opinion a false opinion that our mixed Congregations are no true Churches of Christ or to be separated from as
the spirit of Christ to know believe and feel and be affected in his heart and conscience with his own self guiltinesse of sin original and actual and of bondage under sin and misery due to sin yea of his subjection to the wrath of God to death and damnation eternal for sin Thirdly with the sence of his utter inability to save himself Fourthly of his extreme need of Christ in some sence Eph. i. 16 c. Heb. 4.12 13. 1 Thes 1.4 5 6. 2 Tim. 3.15 c. Ier. 31.34 2 Cor. 5.16 Ps 57 i.2 3. Rom. 3.20 and 7.17 Eph. 16.28 c. Gen. 30. 1 Mar. 5.25 c. Phi. 1.29 Act. 16.14 and 13.48 2 Pet. 1.1 2 3. Eph. 1 i6 17 c. Rom. 10.17 Gen. 18.18 19. Mat. 16.13 c. Eph. 1.19 2 Cor. 3.8 and 4.5 Gal. 4.15 6. and 5.4 5 6. Luk. 24.25 c. Prov. 30.5 Isai 5.20 Ioh. 5.39 Rom. 15.4 act 17.11 12. and 24.14 c. and 2.19 Eph. 1.13 1 Tim. 1.5 c. act 20.24 Rom. 10.10 2 Tim. 1.12 act 15.9 Gal. 5.6 as Rachel did of children give me Christ or else I die then is the soul fit and ready to receive Christ with his precious justifying living Faith Quest 5. Who and what is the principal worker or efficient cause of our Faith Ans The principal efficient cause is God himself the Father Son and blessed Spirit or God the Father in the Son by the Spirit which great God by his Grace and in his free love hath elected and doth call his children to Faith and Glory in the Gospel and worketh Faith in them by the spirit of Faith and working of his mighty power in the world Quest 6. What is the instrumental efficient or working cause of Faith the means by which or by whom we believe Ans This is two fold outward and inward and the outward is ordinarily the Word of God in the preaching of the Gospel and catechizing inwardly the spirit of Christ called the spirit of Faith Quest 7. What is the material cause ground or object of Faith Ans The whole Word of God in general and the rich promises of Grace and Covenant of Gods free love or Gospel of the Grace of God in particular Quest 8. What is the form or nature of this Faith this precious Faith of Gods Elect Ans The form of this Faith First is not onely a light of knowledge in the understanding and assent to the truth of the Word of God as an historical Faith is Secondly Nor some temporary joy in the word as in temporal Faith Thirdly but it is this knowledge and assent joyned with a firm confidence and affiancy in the heart and will to rest on Christ and Christ his merits and righteousnesse and to trust in Christ alone for salvation As the vegetative or growing life and the sensitive or life of sence is joyned with the reasonable faculty or reasonable life in the soul in man which distinguisheth men and women from all brute creatures even so is this confidence and assured rest on Christ in this Faith joyned with knowledge and assent and sweet fruits in Faith which distinguisheth it from all false faith whatsoever Quest 9. But hath this true Faith allwayes joyned with it this confidence and assured rest on Christ Ans This Faith when it is a stronge well grown Faith 1 Cor. 7.5 Mat. 8.26 and 14.31 Isai 42.3 Psal 1.6 Heb. 12.2 it hath this blessed confidence and assured rest on Christ though not alwayes free from temptations to doubt But a weak Faith though it be a true Faith is often subject to fears and doubtings yet so as God in Christ inables the soul to stand and adhere to Christ and preserved from final despaire in greatest times of tryal for the comfort of weak Christians Quest 10. What are the effects and fruits of this true lively Faith Ans The effects of this true lively Faith in a believer or of Christ in the soul Christ thus truely apprehended and rested on by Faith in apprehending of Christs righteousnesse are divers And First justification by Christs righteousnesse and merits Rom. 5.1 act 13.39 Secondly sanctification and purity of heart 1 Cor. 1.1 2 3. Thirdly Christian liberty from the condemning and commanding power of sin Rom. 8.12 Rom. 5.1 Fourthly peace of conscience which passeth all understanding 2 Cor. 5.14 Rom. 8.35 36 37 38. Iohn 8. 5 6. Rom. 5.4.5 and 15.13 1 Pet. 1.3 4 5 6. 2 Pet. 1.10 11. Heb. 11.1 1 Pet. 1.8 Fifthly Love of Christ and a longing desire to walk in the wayes of Grace inseparable against all persecution Sixthly Joy in the love and sight of Christ and in the comfortable assurance of perseverance in grace and lively hope of Heaven Seventhly A kinde of entrance into eternal glory Faith making that as present to the eye of our souls which is not seen or present to the eyes of our bodies and yet affecting a beleevers heart with joy unspeakable and full of glory Qâ—est 11. What is the end of this true lively justifying faith this precious faith of Saints Ans The end of this faith or Christs benefits received and enjoyed by Faith is Ephes 1.5 6 7. 2 Thes 1.10 Eph. 3.16 c. 1 Thes 5.23 24. 1 Pet. 1.9 Rom. 8.30 First and principally the glory of God in Christ Secondly the preservation comforting and strengthning of our souls in the Kingdom of Grace with our everlasting salvation in the Kingdom of glory for evermore The twenty one Classis or company of Questions Question 1. YOu have made profession of your knowledge concerning the Grace of Faith Now what is you knowledge concerning the Third Grace the Grace of Evangelical Repentance to be examined renewed and enlivened of every Communicant men and women before the approach to the Lords Table What light have we from Christ concerning this Grace Ans By what I have learned from Christ I conceive Evangelical Repentance Renovation Regeneration new Creation and Conversion unto God is a Grace of God reconciled to us in Christ by which a poor soul enlightned by the Spirits working in or by the Word of God First With a true knowledge sight Rom. 3.20 and 7.7 Luke 15.17 and sence of sin original and actual Secondly Of the misery and bondage under sin Thirdly Terrour of the wrath of God due to sin Fourthly With tidings of Christ a Saviour Acts 5.31 Exalted to give Repentance and Remission of sin Iere. 31.18 Acts 2.36 37. Gen. 4.13 1 Sam. 31.4 2 Sam. 17.23 Mat. 27.4 5. Acts 2.37 38. and 16.28 29 30. Iere. 31.19 First Is troubled stinged pricked and wounded in conscience sorrowful broken-hearted and humbled under Gods hand bemoaning himself for sin as Ephraim of old Secondly Brought to a kinde of despair though not final or a despair of Gods mercy in Christ as Cain Saul Achitophel and Judas yet with a despair of themselves or of any power in themselves to save themselves
from hell and damnation Thirdly A being affected by the power of Christ with recipiscence or beginning to be wise again with a shame and confusion of soul for sins past Hos 14.1 2 c. Fourthly with a renewing of spirit and change of minde and judgement of heart will affections desires and whole man and all by the powerful vertue of Christ and the Holy Spirit of the Father and the Son Ezek. 36.31 Fifthly A dislike and loathing of sin and former evil courses as contrary to the nature of God and new nature of grace in the soul Sixthly Acts 11.18 2 Cor. 7.10 Rom. 12.2 Ioh. 3.5 2 Cor. 5.17 Psal 51.14 Luke 22.32 2 Cor. 5.19 20. Rom. 8.15 Psal 51.1 2 3 c. Luke 22.61 62. 2 Cor. 7. as 2 Kin. 23.2 3. It is inabled by Christ unto an aversion and turning from all sin and Satans Kingdom in thought word and deed and a conversion unto God and all goodnesse with a love unto and a delight in righteousnesse and true holinesse And this not onely in our first conversion or repentance as a work of grace begun in us But all the dayes of our lives perfecting holinesse by the vertue of our Saviour to the glory of God good of our neighbours and comfort of our own souls in Christ Jesus especially in the renewing of our Covenant when we meet Christ in the holy Sacrament Quest 2. You have given a large discription of Repentance to give in the substance of what repentance is in fewer words as you understand and conceive of it in your minde Ans Repentance is a grace Act. 5.31 Iere. 31.19 1 Sam. 7.2 Iob 34.32 Hos 14.8 and free gift of God in Christ by which a poor sinner upon sight and sence of sin and misery and bondage revealed by the spirit is affected with true sorrow and shame for his original and actual transgression and though he despair in himself yet by faith resting on Gods free love in Christ Zach. 12.10 11. Prov. 28.13 2 Thes 2.13 Eph. 4.20 c. 1 Thes 5.23 is drawn to a hatred of sin that crucified Christ and is converted by Christs vertue from all sin to God forsaking of all sin daily more and more and the Image of God daily renewed in him more and more that he may glorifie God in grace on earth till Christ bring him to glory in Heaven Quest 3. Who is the author and efficient cause of this Evangelical Repentance Regeneration Renovation and Conversion from sin to God in Christ Rom. 1.7 and 1.4 1 Thes 5 23. 2 Thes 2 13 14. 2 Cor. 5.10 Ans The whole Trinity in common and in special the Holy Spirit that Spirit of sanctification sent of God the Father and the Son with the Word into the mindes and hearts of poor sinners to this end that they may repent be born again converted and changed from glory to glory by the vertue of Christ Quest 4. What is the internal moving cause of this Repentance and Regeneration and Conversion of poor sinners unto God Titus 3.4 5. Iohn 1.12 13. Ephes 2.4 5 c. Ans The free-grace and good will of God in Christ giving and working this grace of his own goodnesse in the hearts of his children Quest 5. What is the internal principle meritorious vvorking cause by vertue vvhereof this change is vvrought in our souls Ans This is Christ himself Eph. 5.25 26 27. Revel 1.5 6. and his merits and blood by which we are cleansed sanctified and changed that we may be presented blamelesse before God Quest 6. What is the instrumental outvvard cause of this Repentance Regeneration and Conversion or turning unto God in Christ Ans Ordinarily the Word of God Exod. 19.18 20. Acts 2.36 37 38 39. Luke 3.9 10. Rom. 3.20 Acts 9.1 2 c. 1 Pet. 1.23 Acts 16.25 c. both Law Gospel brought home to the soul in the powerful preaching of it by the work of Christs spirit and sometimes extraordinary means as thunders lightnings judgements of God afflictions fears terrors and such like with which God worketh as he pleaseth to this end Quest 7. What is the subject matter of this Repentance and nevv birth and sanctification and turning unto God or that vvhich is thus converted to God in Christ Ans The whole man all the powers and faculties of the soul understanding will memory affections conscience and all the parts 1 Thes 5.23 24 Rom. 6.19 20 21. Rom. 12.1 2. Acts 15.9 1 Cor. 10.32 and 6.15 c. Rom. 6.3 4 c. Ephes 2.1 2 c. Isai 1.16 17 c. Eph. 4.21 c. Isai 5.7 Col. 3.9 10. Gal. 2.20 and members of the body eyes ears hands feet heart all purified and sanctified to glorifie God by Christ Iesus Quest 8. What is the form or manner of this Repentance Regeneration and Renovation unto nevvnesse of life or vvherein doth this form consist Ans In the mortification of the old man and the vivification or quickning of the new man the old man or old Adam being crucified and the body of sin destroyed and the new man created and enlived by Christ living in the soul and so an aversion from all evil and a turning or conversion unto good by the vertue of Christ Quest 9. What is the end of this grace of Repentance Renovation and Conversion to God in Christ Ans The cheif end is the glory of God the edification of our neighbour and the assurance and enjoynment of our own eternal salvation 2 Tim. 2.21 2 Thes 1.11 12. Matth. 5.16 Gal. 1.22 23 24. 2 Pet. 7.8 9 10 11. 2 Thes 2.13 Quest 10. You have made profession of your knowledge and of the grace of Faith and concerning Evangelical repentance now what light hath Christ revealed to you concerning the fourth and last Grace we noted in the wedding Garment to be examined and enlivened before we come to the Lords Supper Ans The grace of Christian love and charity is a necessary Garment to be worn as at all times so especially when we meet Christ in the Ordinance of the Lords Table Quest 11. What is this grace or affection of love and charity as you have learned from Christ Ans First in general love is an affection of the soul moving in the heart of a man or woman to embrace some known good thing First with a desire of union with it Secondly a Sympathy or good will of beneficence or well doing to it Thirdly an acquiescence 1 Sam. 17. 1 Sam. 18.1 2 3. or rest in the fruition or enjoyment of it as under God the chief present joy and satisfying delight of the soul as the love of Ionathan to David of husband and wife parents and children or the like First Ionathan observed David and knew him to be a valiant good man 1 Sam. 19.4 1 Sam. 20.4 2 Sam. 9.1 2 c. Secondly in his heart desiredd union and was knit to Davids heart
after the Lord 1 Sam. 7.1 2. Quest 9. What is the fifth help Answ Application of the Sacrament to my self as a seal of the covenant of grace 1 Cor. 10 16 17. Rom. 4.11 Gal. 2.20 Rom. 9.23 24. and of my confirmation in the faith and love of God to me as my God and Father reconciled to me in Christ untill I prize it as a rich treasure and part of the riches of Christs kingdome of grace for my preparing to glory Quest 10. What is the sixth and last help Answ Prayer to God with faith in the name of Christ zeal and constancy and humble waiting untill I can understand by the help of Christs Spirit Ios 16.23 Iam. 1.6 Iam. 5.16 1 Cor. 10 1 2 3 4. 1 Cor. 10 16 Cant. 5.8 Gâ—n 30.1 Esther 5.13 Luke 22.20 1 Cor. 11 25. the excellency of this ordinance and that glorious union and communion which a prepared humble faithfull soul enjoyes with Christ feeding on Christ spiâ—itually and feasting with him at the Lords Table and untill my soul be so far sick of love for Christ that I can truly say as Rachel did of children O my God give me the holy Sacrament and to feast with Christ in it or else I dye Or as Haman did of all his riches and honours and of Hesters banquet in another kinde what is all this so long as I enjoy not Christ and banquet not with Christ at the Supper of my Lord. Quest 11. You have declared how you conceive the grace of knowledge both of God and of our selves and of Christ and of the Sacrament may be enlivened waiting on Christ in these or the like helps now how do you conceive the grace of faith may be enlivened by the power of Christ so as you may come with greater comfort to the Lords Table What light from Christ to enlighten in this work of grace Answ First time and secondly place being observed as before Thirdly I conceive I may wait on Christ in a serious examination of my faith as it is held forth before in this catechisme First distinguishing this lively faith from all other kindes Secondly examining and trying my faith 1. In the nature of it an entertaining receiving applying faith 2. In the means disposing my heart to believe 3. In the heavenly author or efficient and instrumentall causes of faith the word of promise and spirit of Christ 2 Cor. 4.13 4. In the matter and object of faith 5. In the form and life of faith 6. In the effects and fruits of faith all proved and set forth already Fourthly I may enliven my faith by waiting upon Christ in self-application of all those rules of tryall to my own heart to see how the truth of this grace is in my soul Fifthly I may wait on Christ in a solid and devout meditation of the grace of saith in my heart of the promises of Free-grace in Christ and especially the sacramentall promises now to be looked upon in the Sacrament This is my body Mat. 26.26 27. this is my blood which is given which is shed for you untill my soul findes and feeleth that it believes more firmely receiveth and rests on Christ for salvation more fully Sixthly wait on Christ in prayer to God the Father in the name of Christ Isa 11.10 Isa 66.11 1 Cor. 10 21. That I may suck and be satisfied with the breasts of consolation and feed with joy at the Lords Table Quest 12. How or in what manner may you wait on Christ to quicken and renew your Evangelical Repentance or daily turning more and more from sin to God in minde will affection and conversation that you may with more comfort come to the Lords Supper What light is there from Christ to lead you to Christ in this grace and duty Ans First Time Secondly Place observed as before Thirdly I am to set my self as in Gods presence and examine Ier. 31.18 19. First My first conversion to God to finde evidence of the truth of that by considering 1. The meritorious cause Christ 2. The Nature 3. Author And 4. Means of working this grace in my soul as far as I can discern 5. The matter of it the whole man soul and body 6. The manner And 7. The end and effects of this conversion and repentance as in this Catechism is held forth or a I finde in other Catethisms or word from Christ Ezek. 36.31 Psal 51.10 Mat. 26.57 Secondly To examine the progresse and growth of it daily in my soule not only loathing but turning from sinne to God and lamenting my fâ—â—ling with sorrow if I have fallen as David Peter or other Saints of God and ungratefully forgotten the love of my Saviouâ— Fourthly meditating of my sinnes and vile ingratitude against so good a God to me in Christ Fifthly a right application all to my own soul in particular Psa 51.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Isa 2.1 2 3. Psal 122 1 2 3 4. Cant. 1.7 8. And lastly prayer to God in the name of Christ untill I finde an increase of power over my sinfull corruptions and a more ful assurance of my pardon new heart and spirit-restored joy which that it may better be communicated from Christ to my soule I long to meet Christ in his ordinances Quest 13. But what help and light from Christ have you to finde out not only your originall sin and sinfull nature in generall before your repentance and conversion to God but you daily actuall sals an A failings by which you do dishonour God grieve the Spirit of Christ and wound your own conscience and make your self more unfit to come to the holy Sacrament Answ I conceive I may wait on Christ and his Spirit looking for light from Christ into a threefold glasse or book which reveils sins to my soul by the power and light of Christs Spirit Quest 14. What is the first Answ The first is the book of the law or commanding part of Gods will or Word revealed by Christ held forth in the ten Commandements in particular Isa 8.21 and in the whole Scriptures of God in generall Quest 15. What is the second glasse Ioh. 3.17 18 19 20. Ioh. 16 8 9. Hebr. 2.2 3. Mat. 22.1 2 3 4 5 6. 9 10 11 12. Mat. 25.19 c. Answ Secondly the book ot the Gospel or gracious promising part of Gods Word against which I have sinned by unbelief too little regard of the tender of grace to improve my talent of faith other graces communicated to Saints and to my soul in and by Christ Iesus Quest 16. What is the third glasse or light from Christ to see this truth Answ The book of my own conscience enlightned which as Register recordeth my sins and will upon search by the help of Christs Spirit and light from Christ set my sins before my face with the circumstances Rom. 2.14 15. Rom. 9.1 2. Gen.
to love Christ with her soul 3. Ezek. 36.3 Hos 14.8 And whether he hath made her willing and desirous to loath and dislike sin and to forsake her natural and sinful communion with sin the world the flesh and the Devil 4. Whether she be willing to take the Lord Christ for her Lord and Father 2 Cor. 6.17 18. and Heavenly husband and then no doubt she is one of the Elect of God the Lord is her Father and she is his daughter who is the Lord Almighty Quest 6. But what if she doubt still Ans Give her this one rule that she seek with an impartial eye First as not to flatter her self that she hath grace when she hath none So 2 Cor. 13.5 1 Cor. 10.11 c. 2 Tim. 1.12 4.7 8. Secondly on the other side not to deny that grace which the Lord of his Free-grace and love in Christ hath bestowed upon her soul as any measure or true knowledge of true faith of true repentance of true love of true hunger after the Word desire of assurance of the like graces Thus may she in Gods due time finde her self a dear Elect daughter in Christ and so in Christ an heir and fellow-heir of Eternall glory and in the end assurance may come Quest 7. This may be a means by the power of Christ to stay her soul from despair in that temptation But what do you say to her decay in grace What light have you from Christ to reveal any comfort to her soul in this respect Ans I say the Apostle gives a caveat to his Christian Thessalonians 1 Thes 5.19 to take heed of quenching the spirit and yet no doubt they had the spirit of grace in them but they must be careful not to quench the spirit Gods dear children may be in danger to quench the spirit for a time and may lose the acts and vigor of grace for a time as Peter did when he denied Christ Mat. 26. though not finally and totally therefore if your friend finde some decay of grace in her soul or want of holinesse she ought not to conclude presently she is none of Gods childe or exclude the favour of God in Christ from her For First as there is no wheat but there is some chaff groweth with it so the best of Gods children have some imperfections Phil. 3.12 13. Secondly In this life we are not like the Sun perfect in brightnesse and light but like the Moon receiving our light of grace from Christ as the Moon doth her light from the Sun and like the Moon 1 Iohn 1.8 we are subject to have some changes some decrease as well as increase some spots of darknesse in the center of our hearts And Thirdly take this for a certain rule as sight and sense of weaknesse of body is a sign of bodily life for a dead man feels nothing so a sight and sense of spiritual weaknesse Rom. 14.15 c. is an evident argument of spiritual life of grace in her soul as it was in blessed Paul Eph. 2.1 1 Tim. 5.9 Rev. 3.2 3. Isa 40.30 31. Fourthly A dead man cannot see nor feel his own weaknesse at all a dead man complains not of sicknesse and therefore your friend ought not to despair because of sight and sence of failings which is an evidence of the life of grace but wait on Christ for more light and life till the soul recover strength and what is ready to dye be quickned and she finde peace in the end Quest 8. But I have heard my friend complain that sometimes she neither feels any signes of life of grace nor doth she feel any want of life of grace she is dead â—nd senslesse no hunger after the Word or Sacraments or Prayer or to meet Christ in any good duty she is sometimes so far from resting in a duty or setting it up in stead of Christ that she is carelesse of any duty at all as if all were in vain as to her her faith is dead and without life her soul and life is dead in respect of grace or any sense of want of grace in her soul like those Isaiah 64.6 7. no stirring of life in her And what comfort can be given to one in such a condition Ans Your friend hath no cause to despair but to live by faith For First did she ever finde or feel any signes or sense of life of grace in her soul any sight and sense of her sin and misery by natural corruption any sweetnesse or delight in meeting Christ in the Word or Sacraments or Prayer any combating or stirring in her soul between the flesh and the spirit Then although now she be as dead to all these let her know that the state of the childe of God in this life and the life of grace may be sometimes 1. Like a childe in the Mothers Simile 1 womb alive though not felt to stir or to have any motions of life at all 2. Or like a man in a trance wherein Simile 2 his own sense being as it were without sence or understanding yea and in the judgement of others may seem to be dead and yet after revive and come to himself again and so may a dear childe of God in respect of the life of grace Assuredly David after his fall until Example 1 Nathan came to him he had little sense of life of grace little remorse for his sin especially while after his sin of Adultery with Bathsheba he went on to plot and procure the making of Vriah drunk and after to take away his life so addes sin to sin Exam ∣ ple 2 The like may be said of Peter between his first and third time of denying Christ until the Cock did crow and Christ cast a look of mercy 2 Sam. 11 12 c. Mat. 26.69 75. Psal 51.1 c. and pity and love upon his poor soul then indeed he went out and wept bitterly as David repented and bewayled his folly and sinful fall in the end and prayed earnestly to the Lord to restore unto him the joy of his salvation and to stablish him with his free spirit Quest 9. What other around of comfort Ans Let her consider that Gods childe doth not sin as the wicked do with full heart consent and freedom because his seed of grace remaineth in him 1 Iohn 3.8 9. but like a man in a crowd or throng sometimes carried forwards and sometimes backward 1. Carried forwards in grace willingly the will regenerate and sanctified striving together with one consent with the grace given and good motions of Gods spirit assisting as in Christ Iesus to presse on to perfection And 2. Sometimes carried backward by corruptions and the violence of Satans temptations as it were against our will Simile to an ebbing in grace as in the Tide the water runneth back as the Moon decreasing Rom. 7.23 c. as Peter sinking in the water of presumption senslesnesse or despair as