singular thing which cannot be found in an Hypocrite nor in the best morall Man in the World Mat. 5.47 And seeing there are but few that shall be saved we must strive to go the narrow path that lead to life Luk 13.24 Luk 6.33 6. A singular love affection is to be borne towards all that feare God even because they fear God and have Gods Image on them Mat 10.41 7. A speciall regard must be had of the Lords day to spend the Lords day in the Lords work and not in wordly pleasures or profits Es 56.6 Es 58.13 8. A precise conscience must be made of the least sin by every one that desireth to stand in the favour of God as of lesser Oaths by ones Faith and Troth and also of Idle words Ps 119.6 Mat. 12.36 Jam. 2.10 Sins of Omission are to be avoided as being more dangerous then sins of Commission The heart is wonderfully hardned and estranged from God by neglect and omission of good duties 10. A Christian must exercise Justice Truth and Fidelity towards all men even the worst not daring to wrong any man in the least pin or farthing Luk 16.10 Mat. 16.26 Ezek 22.13 14. Es 63.8 11. A Christian must make Conscience of doing good things in a good manner that is with the spirit and with the affections of the inward man and unto spirituall ends viz. to please God and edify his own soule 12. A Christian must seperate from the sinfull Manners Customes Courses Fashions and waies of the World He must not fashion himselfe to the World All familiar society with wicked men is to be avoided Rom. 12.2 Es 8.11 12. Ier. 15.19 Ps 1.1 Eph. 5.7 11. Phil. 2.15 Ps 26.4 5. Mat. 24.49 2 Cor. 6.17 13. A Christian must neither feare nor please man against God he must not feare their threats nor their reproches nor yet prize their favours and so forget God his maker Es 3.22 Es 51.7 12. Luk. 1.26 27. Heb. 12.4 Of Callings 14. A Christian must live in some honest calling and be conscionable therein doing the duties thereof as the work which God sets him about And not like the Oxe or Horse who doe their worke but not in knowledge nor obedience to God we must doe the businesse of our callings faithfully and obediently as unto God studying to honour him and to adorne our holy profession in that ranke and place wherein God hath set us 15. A Christian in his calling must exercise the graces of the spirit viz. Patience Justice Equity Mercy Truth Faith and Dependance on Gods promises providence in all his waies our generall calling of Religion and Christianity must be expressed in the use of our particular callings He that is not Godly and good in his calling is good no where 16. A Christian must enter upon the duties of his calling with Prayer craving Gods blessing and strength his pardon for failings his protection in our waies And also his grace to preserver us from those snares and Temptations unto which in our callings we are most subject and exposed whether it be unto Idlenesse frowardnesse uncheerfullnesse discontentednesse distrustfulnesse covetousnesse vaine glory c. 17. A Christian should labour to see all things in God and from God the fountain of Wisdome Power Goodnesse and Mercy we must labour to see and meet God at every turne Ps 73.13 Ps 22.17 18. A Christian must never prosecute any earthly thing so as for perishing things to lose spirituall and eternall things Mat 16 26. 19. Never be thou so passironately addicted to any cause work or end be it never so good as to carry it on by unlawfull means and waies God is all sufficient in his own waies And it is better to suffer any evill of affliction then to doe any evill of sin Resolve to stick to Gods waies what ever the issue may be 20. Never meddle without a warrant or calling nor above thy strength Ps 131.1 Let it never be sayd to thee in reproach who art thou Who gave thee this Authority or who required this at thy hand 21. Doe the most necessary duties of thy calling first and most 22. Never lock up thy comfort in the Creature but let God be thy portion and thy exceeding greate reward Use the World as if thou usedest it not 23. A Christians recreations must be 1 Harmlesse and without offence to others without scrupulosity to our owne consciences 2. They must not master us nor overrule our affections but our recreations must be such as we can use for refreshments without losse of the graces of Patience Charity justice Truth c. without wasting of our pretious time Estates We must not exchange better things for sports 24. God hath given us all things plentifully to enjoy yet with moderation a Christian must never eat nor drink to make the head heavy nor the heart heavy 25. A Christian must not be ashamed of God and Godlinesse here before men Grace is a Christian crown 26. A Christian must prepare to meet with crosses reproaches in the World for a good conscience sake and yet not be discouraged thereby Es 8.18 Gal. 4.29 Ps 14.10 Ps 38.20 Pro 29.27 Act. 28.22 27. A Christian can never be sound in Religion that doth not prize and highly esteeme the Publicke Ordinances and Ministers of God We must delight to meet God in his Ordinances we must give up our hearts to be ruled and directed by them FINIS
of men professing the faith of Christ may be known to be the true Churches of Christ A. The true Church of God on earth is known by two markes 1. By the purity of Doctrine and Faith which they hold and teach 2. And by the purity of Worship preserved amongst them from pollutions of Idolatry and Superstition Pure faith and pure worship shew a true Church Jude vers 3. Acts 24.14 Hos 2.2 4 5. Papists call themselves Catholicks but falsely being both Heriticall in Doctrine Idolatrous in Worship a Catholicke is a right believer All true believers in the world make but one Catholick Church as there is but one Christ one Faith one Baptisme one Heaven and one way to life eternall Eph. 4.5 6. Heb. 11.40 Those people that maintaine Heresy or Idolatry are not the true Churches of Christ Col. 2.16 19. 2 Cor. 6.15 Rev. 18.4 Q. Doe you believe in the Church A. No there is no trust nor helpe in man for matters of salvation Ps 49.7 8 Mic. 6.7 Q. What then doe you believe A. I believe that God ever had and ever will have to the end of the world a company of faithfull people to serve him and that I am one of the number Q. How doe you know that you are one of the Church A. Because I am not of the world but have seperated my selfe from the evill manners and sinfull courses thereof and doe now heare and follow the voice of Christ Joh. 10.16 Gal. 1.4 Rom. 12.2 CAP. XXIII Of the Communion of Saints Q. WHat meane you by the communion of Saints A. I meane that this holy People have a spirituall fellowship with Christ their Head and one with another The members of the Church are coupled together with Christ their Head and one with another Eph. 4.4 6. 1 Joh. 1.3 Q. Wherein have they a fellowship with Christ their Head A. In all the priviledges riches which God hath bestowed on the man Christ as in his sufferings in his graces righteousnesse and Kingdome Christ is a Son so are we Christ is justified from our sinnes so are we As Christ the first borne is such are we in relation unto God Rom. 8.17 Joh. 14.19 Eph. 5.30 32. Joh. 17.24 Joh. 1.16 These places shew that the true believer hath a fellowship with Christ in his Sonship in his Life in his Graces in his Kingdome Q. By what bonds is this spirituall union betwixt Christ and your soule made up A. They be two one coming from Christ to us and that is his a Spirit whereby he doth apprehend and quicken us the other going from us to Christ and b that is our faith whereby we embrace hold him fast By these two we are knit unto Christ and so partake of all his riches a 1 Cor. 12.12 13. 1 Cor. 6.17 Rom. 8 9. b Eph. 3.17 Heb. 3.14 Rom. 11.20 Q. How doth it appear that you have communion with Christ the Head A. By this I know it because I have the same Spirit of Christ whereby I am conformed and made like unto him in all things his will and waies his friends and foes be mine even as if the same soule were in two bodies they would move alike and affect the same things Col. 2.19 1 Ioh. 4. 13. 1 Ioh. 1.6 Joh. 17.21 Rom. 8.14 Exek 10.17 Phil. 2.1 5. Q. Wherein have the Saints a fellowship one with another A. In faith and love Eph. 2.19.20 Q. In faith How A. They are all partakers of one Hope one Spirit one Faith one Baptisme and all goe one way to Heaven And are all confederate with Christ to serve him according to the covenant of faith and obedience against all sects heresies mis-believers and loose livers whatsoever 1 Cor. 10.1 4. 2 Pet. 1.1 Eph. 4.5 13. Phil. 1.27 Zeph. 3.9 Q. In love How A. By that one Spirit whereof all partake we are united together in love so that all the faithfull doe love a and esteeme each of other and b communicate each to other in all good things ever wishing well to the prosperity of Gods Church and cause in all the World a Philem. v. 16 17. 1 Ioh. 5.1 1 Pet. 2.17 b Act. 2 42 45 46. Act. 4.32 1 Cor. 12.13 25. Psal 137.6 Q. How are the members of the Church called Saints seeing in many things they sin A. Because they are made holy in part and are perfectly holy in Christ We must be Saints here else we shall never be Saints in Heaven Eph. 1.1 Heb. 12.14 CAP. XXIV Of forgivenesse of sinnes Q. WHat is sinne A. Any transgression of Gods Law 1 John 3.4 Gen. 3.11 Q. What is the punishment due to sinners A. Eternall death the curse of God for ever in Hell fire Rom. 6.21 23. Mat. 25.41 Q. Are you a sinner A. Yes I was borne in sinne and doe daily break Gods holy Lawes Psal 51.5 Rom. 5.14 There is sinne in Infants Q. Shall you then be damned in Hell fire A. I deserve damnation but I believe that through Christ my sinnes shall be forgiven me Rom 8.1 Q. Are sinnes forgiven in this life A. Yes now or never 1 Joh. 2.12 Col. 1.13 Mat. 9.2 Rev. 2.17 Rom. 5.5 The conscience is now absolved and it shall be hereafter declared solemnely before Men and Angels Act. 3.19 Q. What is forgivenesse of sinnes A. It is a free and full discharge of a sinner from the guilt punishment of sin so that in Gods sight they are as if they had never been Esa 43.25 Mic. 7.18 19. Rom. 8.33 34. The afflictions and miseries which the Godly endure in this World are not punishments for sin in a way of justice and satisfaction for sin as if they were the cause why sins are forgiven to us 1. Because Christ alone hath borne the chastisement of our peace and none of the people with him 2. Because the afflictions of the Godly are for the good of the party afflicted and not in a way of revenge to satisfie divine justice 3. And not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us Q. Who doth forgive sinnes A. God alone who is offended and dishonoured by them Mar. 2.7 9. Lu. 23.34 Men doe forgive one another the Trespasse but not the sin as it is sin Q. Why and for whose sake doth God forgive sinnes A. For Christs sake without respect to any thing that we can doe or suffer 1 Iob. 2 12. Act. 2.38 Eph. 4.32 Rom. 3.24 Q. Why for Christs sake A. Because he being surety of the New Covenant hath in my nature room and stead answered the Law pacified Gods wrath 2 Cor. 5.21 Heb. 7.22 Q To what manner of persons is remission of sins granted in the Gospell A. To them only that believe repent and amend their lives and turne from the evill of their doings Luk 13.3 Mar. 16.16 Ezek. 18.21 Esay 1.18 Act. 16.31 Joh. 5.24 Q. Do you think in your conscience that your sins in particular be forgiven A. Yes that is
good things we aske against the giver of them c. Mat. 4. â— 9 10. Hab. 2.6 Hos 2. â— 1 Chron. 29.14 CAP. XLVI The 5th Petition And forgive us c. Q HEre we pray for the forgivenesse of our sinnes and transgression Why be our sinnes called debts Mat. 6. â—2 A. Because they make us debtors to the Law and â—ustice of God to make satisfaction for the offence done to him As â— Felon is a debtor til he have satisfied the Law Col. 2.14 Mat. 5.26 Q How are we freed and discharged of this debt A. By Gods free grace and pardon accepting us in Christ when we had nothing of our owne to pay When we had nothing to pay God provided a price out of his own store Luke 7.42 Mat. 18.25 27. Eph. 1.7 Christ hath cancelled our Bonds Col. 2.14 Q What is forgivenesse of sinne A. It is a free and full discharge of a sinner from guilt and punishment whereby a sinner is received into favour with God Forgivenesse of sin is not the abolishing of sinne and corruption by infusing anâ— habit of charity holinesse as Papists teach but it is the receiving of a sinner into favour not in puâ—ing unto him any blame Esa 43.25 Esa 44.22 Mich 7.18 Exod 34.7 Q Doth God forgive all men their sinnes A. No only such as believe and repent and walke by the rule of new obedience Marke 1.4 15. Gal. 6.16 Q. What then is the substance of that we begge in this Petition A. We begge that God would give to every one of us faith and repentance by which we may be accepted into his favour in for Christs sake having all our sins freely fully done away by him Ps 5â— 1 2 7 9. Dan. 9.17 18 19. The best have need every day to pray forgive us our sins As we forgive Q. Why iâ— that condition added A. Because no man can have assurance that God hath pardoned his sins unlesse he finde in himselfe a disposition to forgive his brother The love of God shed abroad in our hearts begets in us compassion towards our brother when he hath offended us No unmercifull cruell man can be assured of mercy Matth 6.14 15. Matth. 18.33 35. Col 3.13 Rom 12.19 Q How shall I know that I doe indeed forgive my Brother A. By two things First if I dare not wish him ill nor doe him hurt though it lay in my power no nor yet rejoyce when evill befals him though I had no hand in it Job 31.29 30. Prov. 24.17 18. Ps 35 13 14. Levit. 19 18. Q. How 2dly shall I know it A Because it is a trouble to me to think ill of another and I am glad to see any good thing in my enemy any cause to think better of him any ground or hope of reconciliation A Christian is gentle and easie to be entreated and though some be so perverse and spitefull that one dare not trust them yet we can be glad of any good thing in them 2 Thess 3.14 15. Jam. 3.17 Psal 120.6 7. Q. What doe we learn from these two words forgive our debts A. Two things First the dangerous nature of sinne our sinnes and our names are entred into Gods debt-booke together and we are every houre liable to be arrested and brought to an account before God What a case is he in that hath Bailies watching him in every place corner c. Matth. 5.25 Q. What else doe we learne A. It sheweth our inability to satisfie for the least sinne we have no price to pay we must be forgiven or else cast into prison for the last farthing Rom. 4.7 Mica 6.7 CAP. XLVII The 6th Petition Lead us not c. IN the former Petition we prayed to have our sinnes forgiven now we pray that we may be kept from sinne for time to come Q. What doe we learne from the order and connexion of these two Petitions A. All that pray aright to have their sinnes forgiven must be as earnest to be kept from sinne for time to come Ps 15.7 Rom. 7.24 Psal 19.13 Carnall people can pray for mercy but the Godly will pray for Grace as well as mercy Q. What is here meant by Temptation A. Any thing whereby a man is enticed and drawn into sin Jam. 1.14 2 Cor. 11.3 1 Thes 3.5 Iohn 13.2 Prov. 1.10 11. There lieth a Temptation in most things we have to deale withall as in Meats Drinks and Apparrel in Wealth in Poverty in Preferments in Examples in Counselles in fear of Men in love of life in our Pleasures yea in our very callings And unlesse the Lord do gratiously keep us we shall be enticed and drawn away Q. What is it to be 〈◊〉 Temptation A. To be tempted is to be assured provoked unto evil but to be led into temptation is when we are deceived and overcome of the evil When we yeeld to the evil motion the snare is laid and we are caught 2 Sam. 11.2 4. Mat. 16 35 69 70. 1 Tim. 6.9 Q. How doth God lead into Temptation A. When hee doth not support and strengthen us against the evil but leaveth us to our own wit strength or lusts or unto Satan 2 Chron. 32.31 2 Chr. 10.15 1 Kings 22.22 2 Th. 2.11 Ro. 1.24 Job 1.12 Q. How doth God enable us to resist temptation A. Three waies 1. By making us wise to discerne an evil motion 2 Cor. 2 1â— Mat. 16.13 Neh. 6.11 13. Q. How secondly A. By making us â—â—a â— full over our slippery hearts and 〈◊〉 câ—â—tions of faling Mâ— 26.1 Prov. â—8 1 Thes 5 22. Q How Thirdly doth the Lord enable us to resist Temptations A. By fortifying us with saith and courage whereby we cleaâ—e to God against all the world Mat. 4.7 it is written Eph. 6.11 Q. What do we pray for in this Petition A. That God would give us spiritual wisdome and strength to discerne and overcome all temptations unto sinne and if at any time he suffer us to be tempted yet that he would not leave us to our selves to be deceived and overcome of the evil We pray that God will hold us up and deliver us from the power of all spiritual enemies But deliver us from evil Q. What 's here meant by evill A. The evill one that is Sathan all his wiles and subtilties Iohn 17.11 12 15. 1 Iohn 5.18 Iob 2.6 Q. What doe we pray against in these words A. That seeing we desire to be kept from sinne we desire also to be kept from the power and wiles of the temptor That God would discover his wiles and help us against him Gen. 20.6 1 Sam 25.33 Zach. 3.2 Rev. 12.13 16. Psal 17.4 5. Q. What must they doe that pray to be kept from temptation A. In a due sense of our own weaknesse we must shun occasions of evil we must not cast our selves upon temptations For else we are not true to our owne prayers Iudg 16.15 17. Prov. 7.8 Gen. 34.1 Eccles 2.3 For