But as for Pastors and Teachers to govern the Church and ordain Successors and to minister the Word and Prayers and Sacraments they will be equally wanted in every Age and therefore the Holy Ghost has appointed them to continue always Go Baptise all Nations teaching them to observe all my Commandments And lo in such Teaching and Baptising I am with you always even to the end of the World Mat. 28. 19 20. And tho as I say some of the Offices mentioned by St. Paul were necessary only in the first Age yet others which are equally necessary to the edifying of the Church and the Work of the Ministry in every Age are to continue as he says tiâ— we all i. e. all Christians that are and aâ— that shall be come in the Unity of the Faith and of the Knowledge of the Son of God untâ— a perfect Man unto the Measure of the Stâ—ture of the Fulness of Christ. So that the Church is to enjoy the Benefit of them to the Worlds end Eph. 4. 12 13. Quest. Since all that are at any time in these Offices die in one Age how are they to be continued in the next Answ. The Bishops or Governours are stilâ— to Ordain others to remedy their owâ— Mortality and supply the Necessities of the Church through all Times Thus Christ told his Apostles As my Father sent me viz with a Power of Commissioning you to succeed in this Ministry when I am gone sâ— send I you i. e. with Power of Ordaining others in like manner of Succession John 20. 21. Pursuant to this they Ordained Bishops in all Churches as St. Paul did Titus at Crete and Timothy at Ephesus And these in a constant Succession were to Ordain others as Paul bid Timothy give Commissions as he had been Commission'd himself or commit what he had heard of him to faithful Men who should be able to teach others also 2 Tim. 1. 14. and 2. 2. And with these in their Work of the Ministry God would be present and assistant in all after Times as he had been with the Apostles in the First Age. In thus Preaching and Baptizing lo I am with â—ou always even to the end of the World Mat. 28. 20. With you that is with your selves during your own Lives and your Successors in all after times which is the only way that in this Work he could be with them to the Worlds end who were all to die in that Age. Quest. Is the Holy Ghost the Author of these Offices Answ. Yes God hath set these Officers in the Church saith St. Paul 1 Cor. 12. 28. and Christ gave them as a Gift after he was ascended Eph. 4. 8 11. That is God gave them and Christ gave them by the Holy Ghost who now since Christ is gone to the Right-hand of God is come down to his Church as his Substitute from whom both the Authority and Ability of all these Officers is derived Feed the Flock saith the Apostle over which the Holy Ghost hath made you Overseers Acts 20. 28. And when Christ ordain'd his Apostles giving them Power to send others as the Father gave him and to remit and retain Sins he breathed on them and said Receive ye the Holy Ghost Joh. 20. 21 22 23. And accordingly to shew from whom these Powers are derived in Ordinations of these Officers whether Bishops or Priests the Power is to this day conferr'd by saying Receive thou the Holy Ghost Quest. What shall we think then of those who reject the Ministry and cast off all Church-Officers and Ordinances and yet pretend in all this to be guided by the Spirit Answ. You may be sure it is not by that Spirit which Christ sent down upon the Apostles and which indited the holy Scriptures For that Spirit gave these Offices as the most necessary and greatest Blessing to the Church Whereas this Spirit of theirs plucks up what he planted and endeavours to abolish and overthrow them Quest. From what you have said I perceive how infinitely we are obliged to the Holy Ghost for that care he has taken in Planting and Propagating Christ's Church and Religion both in the miraculous Gifts he bestowed upon his Church so amply in the First Age and in the Offices and Governments he has appointed to Feed and Rule it in all succeeding Ages But besides these extraordinary Gifts bestowed only on some for the Propagation and Establishment of Christ's Church and Religion you mention'd another sort of Gifts for the effecting this Great Work of our Salvation which the Holy Ghost bestows ordinarily on Persons of all Times and Places What Gifts are those Answ. All the inward Graces and vertuous Endowments which are necessary to the Salvation of all particular Persons such as the Apostle reckons up Gal. 5. The Fruits of the Spirit are Love Joy Peace Long-suffering Gentleness Goodness Faith Meekness Temperance and such like v. 22 23. Particularly he excites Devotion and helps to raise in us holy Desires and Life and Quickness in our Prayers There says the Apostle the Spirit helps our Infirmities making Intercession for the Saints according to the Will of God by inspiring them with such Desires and Groanings as cannot be uttered Rom. 8. 26 27. Quest. Is the Holy Ghost the Author of all these inward Graces in us and can we not have them without his Gift Answ. No for the Renewing of our Nature is ascribed to the Holy Ghost Tit. 3. 5. And St. Paul calls all the recited Virtues Fruits of the Spirit Gal. 5. 22. And no Man can come to me saith Christ i. e. believe on me and obey me except the Father which hath sent me draw him John 6. 44. All our Graces come from God and must be sought of him And because we are daily in want of them we are taught by our Lord himself to pray Hallowed be thy Name Thy Kingdom come Thy Will be done Deliver us from Evil c. as constantly as we say Give us this Day our Daily Bread. Quest. If the Holy Spirit gives these then any Man that has them may know he has Grace and that the Holy Ghost dwells and acts in him Answ. Yes if he is affected and influenc'd not only by some few but by all of them For they are the Fruits of the Spirit as I noted and where we see the genuine Fruit we may make sure of the Principle that gives Birth to it as our Saviour said the Tree is known by its Fruit Luke 6. 43 44. Mat. 7. 16 20. And accordingly they are given as Marks of Grace and a sure Proof that Men belong to God in the Scriptures Hereby know we that we know him and that we are in him if we keep his Commandments 1 John 2. 3 5. We know that we have passed from Death unto Life because we love the Brethren 1 John 3. 14. He that doth Righteousness is righteous in this the Children of God are manifest 1 John 3. 7 10. Quest. But may
at his mouth for he is the Messenger of the Lord of Hosts Mal. 2. 7. And so are the Ministers of Christ among us Christians Loe I am with you teaching them all things whatsoever I have commanded and that always even to the end of the World. That is with you during your own lives and the Pastors and Teachers your Successors for ever after your deaths Mat. 28. 20. So that if we would give ear to Christ and own him for the Prophet of the Church we must seek the mind of God from the Holy Scriptures and from the mouths of our Bishops and Pastors who are his established Ministers to inculcate and explain those Scriptures Quest. Another Office you say he was design'd and anointed to was the Office of a Priest. Wherein doth that consist Answ. In two things 1. The payment of a Price to make Reconciliation and expiate mens sins with God. And 2. Interceding for ever after that they should have the benefit and blessing of it A Prophet is employ'd from God to men to declare his will and pleasure to them But a Priest is employ'd from men to God ordain'd as St. Paul says for men in things pertaining to God Heb. 5. 1. So that a Priest stands for the Church to make Reconciliation and intercede for it Quest. And did Christ act the part of a Priest for the Church paying a Price to make Reconciliation with God and in virtue of that to intercede for it Answ. Yes he reconciled us to God by dying in our stead We are reconciled to God by the death of his Son Rom. 5. 10. And being now raised from the Dead he is entred into Heaven where he ever lives to make intercession for us Heb. 7. 25. Quest. Doth he intercede that men may have this Reconciliation whilst they go on in sin Answ. No but only when they forsake it and Repent that their sins may be blotted out Act. 3. 19. So that till they amend they must never expect that he should move for them Quest. What doth the consideration of Christ's Priesthood teach us Answ. To hope for the Mercy of God for our sins upon our true Repentance If any man sin we have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the Righteous who is the Propitiation for our sins 1 Joh. 2. 1 2. And having him our High-Priest we may draw near with full assurance of Faith if once our Hearts are sprinkled and cleansed from an evil Conscience Heb. 10. 21 22. And in general it teaches us whensoever we want any Mercy or Favour from God to apply to him by Jesus Christ who is anointed to be the sole Intercessor or Great Master of Requests from whom he will receive our Prayers Quest. You said thirdly that Christ was invested with the Office of a King to his Church what doth that imply Answ. Two things 1. That he govern it by his Laws and Officers the Bishops and Pastors 2. That he protect it from all visible and invisible Enemies by his Spirit and Providence And both these Parts of Regal Power Christ exercises over his Church He is our Lord to command the Head over all things to his Body which is the Church Eph. 1. 22 23. and sits now as a Protector at God's Right-hand till his Enemies be made his Foot-stool Psal. 110. 1. Quest. 'T is plain he exercises his Kingly Power of Governing us by his Laws which are contain'd in the holy Scriptures But doth he also govern his Church by his Officers viz. the Bishops and Ministers making them his Deputies here on Earth Answ. Yes for they are called his Pastors Eph. 4. 8 11. which is the Scriptural word for Governours to feed and to rule being used promiscuously in the holy Language That saith of Cyrus he is my Shepherd that is my Deputy in Power or Substitute in Government Isa 44. 28. And God brought David to feed Jacob his people and Israel his inheritance that is to Rule them So he fed them according to the Integrity of his Heart and guided them according to the skilfulness of his Hand Psal 78. 71 72. His Ministers are his Substitutes in Government whom we are to hearken to and obey in his place Know them that are over you in the Lord and admonish you 1 Thess. 5. 12 13. and obey those that have the rule you for they watch for your Souls Heb. 13. 17. Quest. What must this teach us Answ. To submit to our own Bishops and Ministers acting for and under him as we would to Christ himself if we would own him to be King over us For they are his Deputies to Rule the Church in his place And whilst they act according to his Commission he Decrees and Sentences Binds and Looses Speaks and Acts by them as every Royal Prince doth by his Representatives and Ministers in all Authoritative Acts whereto they are commission'd by him which when done by them have the same Authority and Force as if performed by himself in Person And therefore if we reject them in such cases we shew that we will not have him to Reign over us He that heareth you heareth me and he that despiseth you despiseth me Luk. 10. 16. And accordingly St Paul both in binding and loosing declares he acted in the person of Christ 2 Cor. 2. 10. and commends the Galatians for receiving him as Christ Jesus Gal. 4. 14. Quest. And wherein must we shew this Submission Answ. In uniting with them in Prayers and Sacraments they having the charge of ministring in his Worship and Service and what he solemnly and openly receives in his Princely Dependancies being from the Mouths and Mediation of his own Stewards and Officers In hearkening to their Godly Admonitions because he has left them to instruct and rebuke Sinners In meekly undergoing their deserved Censures and seeking again the Peace of the Church by true Repentance And lastly in chearfully conforming to all their Church-Laws and Constitutions when they do not thwart or oppose his Christ himself our Soveraign Lord and King has given Laws for all necessary things but has left them to regulate Rites and Ceremonies which are variable matters and to take care of the Order and Decency of Worship in the publick Assemblies Let every thing be done decently and in order in the Church 1 Cor. 14. 40 is a Precept given to Church-Governours for they have the care of God's Publick Service And when they make any innocent or useful Appointments in these things we must cheerfully obey and conform our selves Obey them that have the Rule or Guidance over you for they watch for your Souls Heb. 13. 17. Quest. Is it another part of his Kingly Power to protect his Church from all visible and invisible Enemies Answ. Yes he guards it against all inward and invisible Enemies by his Spirit and from all outward and visible Enemies by his Providence But the security he gives against these is not that it shall never be eclipsed and persecuted but only
express and declare it and of Miracles whereby they should undoubtedly prove and demonstrate it to all the World. Answ. Yes Quest. When Christ promised the Holy Ghost to his Apostles he calls him by the Name of Comforter Joh. 16. 7. What is meant by that Answ. First that he should be an Advocate which is one sence of the word Paraclete to plead the Cause of Christ and his Religion against all that opposed them This he did most convincingly in the miraculous Gifts already mentioned And in this sence Christ says of him that when he is come he will reprove or convince the world of Sin of Righteousness and of Judgment Joh. 16. 8. Secondly a Comforter which is another sence of it to support them under all that troubled them This is plainly another sence since he tells them of sending the Comforter because sorrow had filled their hearts v. 6. And this Office he fulfill'd by assuring them their Lord whose death they lamented was now alive again by supplying his Place in making their defence and giving them assistance and direction and by shewing them an happy end of all their Troubles and preparing them for the Kingdom of Heaven Quest. Is the unpardonable Sin against the Holy Ghost a Sin against these miraculous Gifts of his Answ. Yes for it was against the Gift of Miracles and casting out Devils the Pharisees sin'd when he cautions them against this dreadful sin saying the sin against the Holy Ghost shall never be forgiven Mat. 12. 24 32. Quest. And what is the unpardonable sin against them Answ. Slandering or Blaspheming them as the Pharisees there did when they attributed them to Magick and said he cast out Devils by Beelzebub v. 24. for it is expresly called speaking against the Holy Ghost v. 32. and Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost v. 31. And this he said saith St. Mark because they said he hath an unclean Spirit Mar. 3. 30. Quest. What is meant by never forgiven in this world nor in the world to come Answ. Not being pardonable under any dispensation or Religion either Jewish or Christian for the Jews looked on the days of Messiah as a later state and dispensation of the Church to succeed their own on which account it is called the last days Is. 2. 2. Heb. 1. 2. and the last time 1 Joh. 2. 18. and the World to come Heb. 6. 5. And some sins were to be atoneable among Christians for which there was no atonement among the Jews since by Christ they were to be justified from those Things from which they could not be justified by the Law of Moses Acts 13. 39. And therefore when Christ says this Blasphemy shall not be forgiven in this World nor the World to come that is the same as neither to be forgiven in the Jewish State while it lasted nor the Christian neither Moses nor He having provided any Sacrifice or expiation for it Quest. Is Blaspheming God the Father or the Son unpardonable Answ. No whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man it shall be forgiven him Mat. 12. 32. yea all manner of other Sin and Blasphemy shall be forgiven unto Men v. 31. Quest. Why then will the Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost never be forgiven Is he more worthy than either the Father or the Son Answ. No that is not the reason But these his Gifts are the last means of begetting Belief in men and without Faith and Repentance wrought by Faith there is no Pardon If men would not believe but revile the Son when he was among them after he was taken up the Holy Ghost was to come and be his Advocate and by all the miraculous Gifts I have mentioned gain credit from them But if instead of believing him they shall go to Blaspheme and Revile him and slanderously call all his stupendious Gifts magical Tricks and works of Satan God is resolved to endeavour no more with them nor ever to bring them to Believe and Repent without which there is no Pardon So that it is unpardonable because after it God has decreed that Faith and Repentance shall be impossible Of Apostates says St. Paul who committed this sin it is impossible to renew them again to Repentance Heb. 6. 6. Quest. These miraculous Gifts were wonderful vouchsafements did not they evidence all that enjoy'd them to be in Favour with God and in a justified state Answ No for they were bestowed promiscuously on good and bad Balaam loved the wages of unrighteousness yet he was a Prophet 2. Pet. 2. 15 16. Judas was the Son of Perdition but he wrought Miracles as well as the other Apostles Mat. 10. 1 4 5 8. And at the last Day many will plead that in Christ's Name they Prophesied and cast out Devils and did Wonders and yet he will bid them depart from him because they wrought iniquity Mat. 7. 22 23. 'T is obedience not miracles that will save our Souls it being not the workers of wonders but workers of Righteousness that God accepts of And thereupon our Saviour bid his Disciples rejoyce not for that the Devils were subject to them but rather because their Names were written in Heaven Luk. 10. 17 18 19 20. Quest. Thus much may suffice for the understanding of the extraordinary Gifts of the Holy Ghost But besides his bestowing these Gifts you said he has appointed several Offices for the Planting and Establishing Christ's Church and Religion what are those Offices which he is the Authour of Answ. He gave some Apostles the highest and most extensive power in the Church and some Prophets who foretold future Things Expounded old and utter'd new Prophesies and some Evangelists who writ the Gospels or preach'd the Word in unconverted Places where it was never heard before and some Pastors and Teachers or Bishops and Presbyters to govern and instruct the Church All which he gave for the perfecting of the Saints the Work of the Ministry and the edifying of the Body of Christ Eph. 4. 8 11 12. And God hath set in the Church first Apostles secondarily Prophets thirdly Teachers after that Miracles Governments c. 1 Cor. 12. 28. Quest. For what end were these Offices appointed Answ. For the Government and Edification of the Church and the Work of the Ministry in the Word and Sacraments and Prayers They were given saith St. Paul for the perfecting of the Saints for the Work of the Ministry and for the edifying of the Body of Christ Eph. 4. 12. Quest. And were all these Offices to last through all Ages of the Church Answ. No Apostles Evangelists and Prophets were Temporary Offices which lay in founding of the Church and revealing Christ's Religion by Inspiration from himself And this Church being once founded and built and this Revelation being once committed to Writing it remains a lasting Thing and so needs not to be repeated a second time And therefore when once they had perform'd this Work in all after Ages there was no further need of them
and exacted more than can possibly or at least ordinarily be performed Or labour under some other cloudy and afflicting Error or distemper of mind which hinders a most comfortable Religion and peaceful Piety from creating any Joy or Comfort in them Quest. But when there are none of these intrinsick impediments to interpose betwixt his Joy and them doth not he sometimes Arbitrarily and without any provocation withdraw himself and hide his Face as if he were displeased with them Which withdrawing is oft given as the cause of many Good mens Grief and Dejection and is what some call Spiritual Desertion Answ. At this rate indeed all Spiritual Comfort must needs be most variable and uncertain as depending not on any Constancy of good and comfortable Dispositions in themselves but on the Arbitrariness of such unprovoked withdrawings to try Experiments upon Men. But this I think is all humane invention the Scripture on the contrary teaching us that when Sinners purify their hearts and draw nigh to him God doth not withdraw himself and shrink away but draws nigh to them Jam. 4. 8. It is an imputation on this good Spirit not at all agreeing with his inclination which is to be an immutable lover of goodness and of good men to be unalterably pleased with them whilst they do what is pleasing to him and to delight in having them take pleasure and joy in him It seems very opposite to his Office and Undertaking For his Work and Office as I have shewn is to engender Peace and Comfort as well as Goodness in the hearts of his Servants And since that is his business he will be as constant in pursuing it and no more withdraw his Comforts than he doth his Graces from them without being justly provoked thereto by some act of their own Nay on the contrary when their own melancholly humours or mispersuasions have intercepted his joyful presence from good men he is ready with the light of his Countenance to break thro' that darkness and in great pity very often restores that Comfort to their minds which their own errour or distemper had driven from it So that these arbitrary and unprovoked desertions whether in Grace or Comforts as they have no foundation in Scripture but there meet with opposition so are they not suitable to the Holy and good Spirit 's natural Genius or his Undertaking and Office He always loves and delights in good men and never voluntarily withdraws himself but is always driven from them CHAP. IX Of the Holy Catholick Church and the Communion of Saints The Contents No assurance of Salvation by Christ but in his Church This Church Holy. And Catholick Admission into it by Baptism when regularly perform'd in any one valid in all Churches Excommunication is so too This Church is one Body by external visible unity Of the Communion of Saints in this Church Of their visible union in Faith or Doctrine And in Prayâ—rs and Devotion Of communicating in Publick Prayers A Sin to separate without just cause Imposing Sins or Errours as Conditions of Communion is a just cause Not Lawful to separate for Things indifferent Nor for better means of edification Just to separate from a Church that doth not impose her Corruptions when her Errors in Faith overthrow the Foundation That is when she ceases to own the one true God. Or denys Jesus to be the Christ or Salvation by his Merits and Mediation Owning Jesus to be the Christ implies owning the Articles of the Apostles Creed which contains all Fundamentals Whilst any Churches hold to this Creed which is the Foundation Errors in other things do not unchurch them But such Erroneous are in a worse state than Orthodox Christians Nor is her Communion to be deserted meerly for such Errors tho' very gross if she doth not impose them Just to separate from a Church of a corrupt Worship when sinful things pollute her Publick Offices Or when good Devotions are put up in a strange Language Not for Rites and Customs about indifferent Matters Nor just to separate for scandalous Members where a Churches constitution is faultless Nor tho' it neglect Discipline which should reform them Of keeping Fellowship with the Apostles by submitting to our lawful Bishops their Successors Christians to communicate in Affections in Alms and Temporal good Things Quest. WHat is the Ninth Article in the Creed Answ. The Holy Catholick Church the Communion of Saints Quest. Is there no assurance of Salvation by Christ but in his Church Answ. No for Baptism whereby we are made members of the Church is compared to Noah's Ark whereinto all were to enter that would not perish with the World 1 Pet. 3. 20 21. Christ is represented to us as the Head of his Church and the Saviour of the body Eph. 5. 23. And God daily added to the Church such as should be saved saith St. Luke Act. 2. 47. In the Church all good men have a sure claim to God's favour by Promises and Compacts which ingage him in Faithfulness But out of it they stand to courtesie and can build at best only on presumptions and uncovenanted mercies the Covenant which God seals with us respecting his Church and being proposed and ratified in the Word which it preaches and in the Sacraments which it dispences Quest. Must not this make all careful to be Members of this Body and keep in Commâ—nion with Christ's Church who profess Christianity Answ. Most certainly as without which by their Religion there is not only a want of the set means and opportunities but also of all express Contracts and Promises of Salvation Our Saviour Christ has appointed not only the Christian Religion which all are to believe and practise but the Christian Church too wherein they are to profess that Faith and Communicate as Members And the same Baptism that lists us Professors of his Religion makes us Members of his Church also Quest. Why is the Church called Holy Answ. Because it is a Body of men that is Holy that is separated from the rest of the World and dedicated to Aâ—mighty God. Ye are a chosen Generation an Holy Nation a Peculiar People 1 Pet. 2. 9. And because whatever they prove in reality their Religion is a Profession of Holiness as their Baptismal Vow which is made at their entrance on Christianity sufficiently declares To the Church at Corinth called to be Saints 1 Cor. 1. 2. Quest. Why is it called Catholick Answ. To shew its Universality and that it is not confined to one Nation or Place as the Jewish Church was And the Catholick Church notes the whole Body of Christians diffused through all places and enduring through all times The Church is also call'd Catholick in relation to the Faith it holds which ought to be the same in all Places And in this sense particular Churches are sometimes stiled Catholick meaning thereby that they are Orthodox and live in the Faith and Communion of the Catholick Church not of any Heretical Combinations Quest.
himself in all things towards them and was correspondently treated by them as a Brother In any common Debates and particularly in the Council of Jerusalem he did not so much as preside as St. James there seems rather to have done but as an Equal gave his Reasons and his Voice among them Act. 15. 7. When his actings seem'd very Novel and Doubtful as his going in to Cornelius and his Gentile Friends the Brethren of the Circumcision freely required an Account thereof and stifly contended with him Act. 11. 2. And when they were really Blame-worthy as his dissimulation was at Antioch St Paul like his Com-Peer Apostle openly withstood and rebuked him Gal. 2. 11 12 13 14. These with sundry other like Passages shew how unknown such Universal Headship was in the Apostles time And the same may be made appear of the Church in the Ages following But that visible Unity which all Christians were obliged to endeavour after in the Church was preserv'd as I say by their joint readiness to communicate externally as Brethren not by a profest subjection of all Churches to one Visible Head and submitting to his Authority and Jurisdiction Quest. In this one Church indeed as it follows in the Creed there must be a Communion of Saints what is meant by Saints Answ. Christians By their Enemies they were styled Hereticks or Nazarenes But the Names they gave themselves were the Elect the Brethren the Christians or many times the Saints as is very commonly seen in the inscriptions or salutations of the Epistles writ to them by the holy Apostles Quest. And what is the Communion of these Saints or Christians Answ. Their joining in common in those things which make them Christians or in the common Offices and concerns of Christianity There must be Communion because of their Unity as one Body And this Communion must be in something sensible to shew a visible Unity which the World shall see and reflect upon as I noted from our Saviour Quest. In what doth this Communion consist Answ. In adhering to the same Doctrine Government and Worship both in Prayers and Sacraments For in these St. Luke places the Communion of the Primitive Church They continued stedfastly in the Apostles Doctrine and Fellowship and breaking of Bread and in Prayers Act. 2. 42. Quest. How must they keep to the same Faith and Doctrine Answ. By adhering to the Holy Scriptures which ought to be every where the same Rule of it And this Unity of Faith requiring not only that they inwardly believe the same things but also that they outwardly profess that Belief to make Unity in this Profession in the first days there is mention of its being drawn up into a Form of Sound words 2 Tim. 1. 13. This Form was as some think the Apostles Creed which contains all that Catholick Doctrine that is necessary to make any Man a Good Christian and which accordingly has been always received as the Form in Baptism the most learned not professing more thereat nor the most ignorant less through all Ages of the Church Quest. This united Adherence to the same Rule and Form will keep up a visible Union in Faith or Doctrine But how can they all be thus united in Prayers and Devotions not having one and the same Forms of Prayer and Liturgies Answ. By making them all according to the same Rules and for the same intents and purposes For all their Prayers are put up to one and the same God for one and the same common mercies on the same common terms and expectations through the same common Merits and Mediation and with the same common Affection and Brotherly concern for each other Which make them in Substance the same Worship and Devotions though put up in far distant places or in different Forms of expression or Languages Quest. According to what you said before of the Unity of the Church the Members of this one Body must not only worship and pray like each other but be ready to worship and pray together But how can we communicate or joyn in the use of Prayers and Sacraments with all Christians who are so far spread and widely distant in their Habitations Answ. With Foreigners we are bound to joyn only as we meet with them When we happen to be amongst them or they amongst us to shew we are all of the same Body and that the Church is one we must mutually Associate in worship and receive each other to Communion not sticking at any different Rites and usages we find in other Churches whilst there is no Sin in them And as for the Christians of our own Country there is no difficulty of joining thus in Worship yea and Government too with them because we are all under the same Laws and spiritual Guides and live among them Quest. Do you lay much weight upon Publick Prayers and think the People ought to place much in attending the Churches Service and Praying along with the Minister Answ. Yes For though God is ready to hear any Good man by himself alone Yet for the Countenance of the Publick Worship and the maintenance of good order he sets particular marks of Favour on those Prayers which are offer'd to him in Publick in concurrence with his Minister Thus in the Jewish Law he appointed the Priests to Offer and burn incense twice a Day for a Daily Service the end whereof was to present those Prayers which the People offer'd up during this Ministration as a sweet smell to God in these Perfumes And David when he would desire a great Recommendation to his Prayers begs they may come fortifi'd with this advantage to be set forth in God's sight like Incense Psal. 141. 2. In like manner the four and twenty Elders in the Revelations that is the Bishops or Pastors of the Church are represented as having every one like the Jewish Priests Golden Vials full of Odors which are the Prayers of the Saints Rev. 5. 8. And when any Persons in sickness would have Recourse to Prayers St. James directs them to present them by their Pastors and send for the Elders of the Church Jam. 5 14. And Jesus Christ that Angel who at the Golden Altar offers up the Prayers of all Saints is set out particularly as presenting those Prayers of theirs which came up with the smoke of incense Rev. 8. 3 4. Not to mention the many other Advantages of Publick Prayer as its being an addressing to God in a Body and united Number which in all Addresses is confessedly a way of most Force and Power and among them perhaps in conjunction with some of the best Souls and very likely with several more Holy and dearer to him than our selves for whose sake he may be more like to hear our joint supplications as he would hear Job for his Friends when he would not accept either their Prayer or Sacrifice at their own hands Job 42. 7 8. And therefore it is a most fond
owning the Authority of our own Bishops who are their Successors and rule the Church in their stead Christ told the Apostles he would be Present with them to the end of the World Mat. 28. 20. Being present with their Successors he calls being Present with them And in like sort keeping Fellowship with our Lawful Bishops who are their Successors is keeping Fellowship with them He that one sends saith the Jews is as himself And accordingly when Christ had sent out his Apostles he tells them he that receiveth you receiveth me Mat. 10. 40. and he that receives whomsoever I send receiveth me Joh. 13. 20. And the Apostle commends the Galatians that that they received him not only as an Angel of God but as Christ Jesus Gal. 4. 14. And St. Ignatius that Blessed Martyr and contemporary of the Apostles applauds the Trallians that they were subject to their Bishop as to Jesus Christ and to the Presbytery as to the Apostles In Scripture Account and Legal estimate that is done to any Persons which is done to their Substitutes and Representatives And thus keeping Fellowship and Subjection to the Bishops of the Church in all Ages who were at first sent and commissioned by the Apostles and empowered to send and ordain others at all times is holding Fellowship and paying subjection to the Apostles themselves and by them to Christ Jesus Quest. This then is one Part of the Communion of Saints to live subject to our own Bishops not suffering our selves to be drawn away by such as would seduce us but adhering to them against all Schismatical Opposers Answ. Yes Obey them that have the Rule over you and submit your selves Heb. 13. 17. And mark those that cause Divisions and avoid them Rom. 16. 17. Be their Pretences and Appearance what they will if they lead us into Schism and an unnecessary Rejecting of our Lawful Governours God hath not sent nor doth his Spirit go along with them That cannot lead to Schism it is the Author of Peace not of Confusion 1 Cor. 14. 33. It will not put us upon a needless rejecting of our Spiritual Governours since Adherance to them in the Apostles Days as I noted before was made a Test of discerning True Spirits from False ones We are of God he that knoweth God heareth us he that is not of God heareth not us Hereby know we the Spirit of Truth and the Spirit of Error 1 Joh. 4. 6. Quest. But if a Man is careful to Believe and Practise Christ's own Laws and Doctrines is not that enough to make him a good Christian except he likewise submit to Church-Rulers and peaceably conform to their innocent Constitutions and Rules of Discipline Answ. No. For this is one of his Laws to obey those that have the Rule over us and watch for our Souls and to submit our selves Heb. 13. 17. He orders them to take care that all things in his Worship be done decently and to Edification 1 Cor. 14. 26 40. And he requires us to obey and submit to their ordering A good Christian is not only one that believes and professes the Christian Religion but is also a Member of the Christian Church And they cannot be good Church-members who will not submit so far as conscionably they may to Church-Governours nor Communicate in Church-Offices Quest. I see the Communion of Saints implies their Communion in Christian Doctrine Worship and Government But doth it not also imply Communicating not only in Affections but in all Good Offices in Alms and outward Things Answ. Yes to do Good and to Communicate forget not Heb. 13. 16. And the Receiving their charitable Contributions St. Paul calls taking upon him the Gift and Fellowship or Communion of Ministring to the Saints 2 Cor. 8. 4. In the extream distress of the Jerusalem Christians at first this communication of Alms was wonderful For all that were Rich sold their Pessessions and put them into a Common Stock to be distributed by the Apostles as every one had need Act. 2. 44 45. and c. 4. 33 34. And in other places where they did not take this course yet was Communicating as in all good Offices so particularly in outward Things with their poorer Brethren the Profession of all Christians Their Rule was as they had opportunity to do Good unto all but especially to those of the Houshold of Faith Gal. 6. 10. And to do good to these more particularly when they travelled about as Strangers and fled from place to place for the Faith of Christ which is the Charity and Hospitality of the Scriptures so much magnified Quest. When any Saints then of Foreign Countries are forced to fly and come among us for Christ's sake to entertain them in our Houses and communicate to them of our Substance which is here professed is of Great Account with God Answ. Yes of high Account For it is one of those Good Deeds which Christ will expresly mention in our behalf at the last Judgment Come ye Blessed inherit the Kingdom for I was a Stranger and ye took me in Mat. 25. 34 35. And therefore St. Paul when he tells us of distributing to the necessities of Saints reminds us particularly of being given to Hospitality Rom. 12. 13. CHAP. X. Of the Forgiveness of Sins The Contents What Sin is Of wilful sins Of sins of Ignorance Surreption Passion Forgiveness of sin is the Release of its Punishment When Eternal Punishments are remitted Present and Temporal are often exacted What is the Time of Relaxing these Punishments Remission of all sins but Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost And wilful Apostacy from Christianity Wilful sins forgiven when we Repent and forgive others Sins of Ignorance and inadvertence upon our Charity to others This forgiveness outwardly dispensed in Baptism The Eucharist And Sacerdotal Absolution The Power of the Keys lies in Retaining as well as Absolving which ought to beget a just dread of Excommunication What is meant by our Forgiving sins What use we are to make of the Forgiveness of sins Quest. WHat is the Tenth Article of the Creed Answ. I Believe the Forgiveness of Sins Quest. What is Sin Answ. The Breach of a Commandment or a Transgression of some Law of God committing what his Law forbids or omitting what it injoins us Sin is the Transgession of the Law 1 Joh. 3. 4. And all the Laws of God which we transgress in sinning against him are contain'd in Holy Scripture Quest. Then we never offend God nor shall suffer for any thing but what the Scripture has forbid and against which we can produce some Law out of it Answ. No for Sin is not imputed where there is no Law Rom. 5. 13. And it must always be a Law that worketh Wrath i. e. makes us liable to suffer it For where there is no Law there is no Transgression Rom. 4. 15. The strength of sin is the Law saith the Apostle 1 Cor. 15. 56. and the Law enter'd e're sin did abound Rom. 5. 20. Quest.
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A Discourse on Persecution or Suffering for Christ's sake Clearing the Notion of it and making a Discrimination of Just from Unjust Pretensions to it And passionately recommending True Christian Suffering to all those who shall be call'd thereto 14. An Answer to the Bishop of Condom now of Meaux his Exposition of the Catholick Faith c. Wherein the Doctrine of the Church of Rome is detected and that of the Church of England expressed from the publick Acts of both Churches To which are added Reflections on his Pastoral Letter ERRATA PAg. 12. lin 14. for our meaning read one meaning p. 27. l. 30. for from the Argument r. from the Agreement p. 35. l. 32. for no Deangs r. no Dealings p. 54. l. 1. for intimately nearer r. infinitely nearer p. 57. l. 4. for by an acceptable r. by any acceptable p. 113. l. 29. for be more terible r. be most terrible p. 155. l. 11. for Guilt subservient r. Gift subservient p. 172. l. 11. and p. 175. l. 24. for ingenious r. ingenuous p. 281. l. 28. for into its Baptism r. into it by Baptism p. 302. l. 16. for their Faith in Christ r. this Faith in Christ. p. 305. l. 2. for those Superstructures r. such Superstructures †Gal. 2. 20. Phil. 3. 9. * Act. 18. 8. †Mar. 1. 15. Phil. 1. 27. * 2 Thess. 2. 13. Heb. 10. 26. †Joh. 12. 47 48. * Act. 11. 1. †Jo. 1. 12. * Jo. 3. 33. †Jo 6. 35 37 64 65. †Heb. 10. 25. †Heb. 11. * Exod. 12. 22 23. †Exod. 14. 16. * Josh. 2. 9 10 11. †Act. 7. 2. * Gen. 12. 1 2. * Gen. 15. 5 6. c. 21. 12. * Rom. 13. 10. * Matth. 15. 18 19. * Vid. Grot. on Matth. 5. 20. * Antiq. l. 12. c. 13. * Rom. 4. 2 6. c. 9 31 32. Gal. 2. 16. * 2 Cor. 3. 6. †See Mr. Smith's Discourse on Legal Righteousness c. 2. * See Mr. Smith ibid. †Ro. 11. 6. * Eph. 2. 8 9. †Mr. Smith ib. c. 3. * Mat. 3. 7 8 9. * Rom. 3. 20. Gal. 2. 14 15 16. †Gal. 5. 6. * Rom. 12. 1 2. †Rom. 2. 28 29. * Gal. 6. 15. †Gal. 5. 22. * Tit. 3. 5. †2 Cor. 3. 6 7 8 9. * Gal. 3. 21 22. c. 5. 5. †Rom. 4. 6 7 8. 3. 25. * Rom. 10. 4. †Rom. 3. 24 25. * 1 Cor. 1. 30. †Ro. 3. 24. * Ro. 3 27. Eph. 2. 8 9. * Jam. 2. 10. * Luke 17 10. * Eph. 2. 8 9. * Gal. 5. 22. Psal. 37. 37. †Rom. 15. 13. * Exod. 25. 21 22. †Num. â—7 21. * Lev. 9. 23 24. †1 King. 8. 11. Ps. 80. 1. * Lev. 16. 2. †Lev. 4. 3 25 29. 5. 6. Psal. 40. 6. in all which for sin-offering the Septuagint use 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Cor. 5. 21. * Deut. 12. 11 13 14. * Lydiat Emend temp c. An account of whose method and reasons may be seen in Dr. More 's Expos. of Daniel's Visions on Vis. 4. p. 1â—0 c. * Ezra 1. 1 2 3. †Ezra 6. 1 c. * Ezra 7. 1 8 12 13 c. * Lydiat Emend temp p. 69 c. Canon Chron. p. 54 c. †In Mr. Lydiat's Calculation of the Worlds Age a point differently fixed by most Chonologers whilst they agree in the other Calculations the twentieth year from the second Ol. 77. is made A. M. 3553. * See Lydiat Emend Temp. p. 134. seq †According to the AEra Hispan in Tom. Coâ—cil though according to the common computation 't is 45. * Num. 4. 3. †For Christ's Baptism in the 19. Tib. see Lydiat Emend Temp. p. 168. seq * Lydiat ib. p. 176. seq And of all these particulars more largely in his Recensio Explicat Argum. Lib. Emend Temp. * Antiq. l. 20. â— 6 7. †Luke 3. 15 16. †Suet. in Vesp. c. 4. * Isa. â—3 1 3. * Jer. 31. 31 32 33. †Mal. 4. 5 6. * Dan. 9. â—6 27. * De Verit. l. 5. c. 14. * Vid. Episcop Instit l. 3. c. 5. * Prov. 30. 18 19. * Vid Seld. â—x Heb. l. 2. c. 3. * Verse 1. †Chap. 7. 1. a Isa. 1. 26. 62. 4. b Jer. 3. 17. c Ezek. 48. 35. d Zec. 8. 3. †Verse 1. * Chap. 7. 8 9. †Heb. 1. 5. * Ps. 69. 21. †Zech. 12. 10. * Ps. 16. 10. * Matth. 13. 55. Mar. 6. 3. †Matth. 26. 15. * Mat. 27. 7. †Luk. 22. chap. 23. * Jo. 19. 1. †Matth. 26. 67. * Mar. 15. 27 28. * Matth. 26. 65. †Lev. 24. 16. * John 19. 28 29. Matth 27. 34 48. †Matth. 27. 41 43. * Matth. 27. 46. †John 19. 34. * John 19. 23 24. †Matth. 27. 60. * Matth. 27. 57. †Mark 15. 43. * Act. 5. 36 37. * Exod. 23. 20 21. Gal. 3. 19. †Zech 9. 9. * Is. 52. 7. 61. 1 2. †Jer. 31. 34. * Dan. 9. 24 †Zech. 13. 1. * Jer. 31. 33. Heb. 8. 10. †Mr. Smith of a Legal Right ch 2. oâ—t of Breshith Rabba * Lev. 20. 10. †Mal. 1. 11. * Verse 2 4 * De Divinat l. 2. †Vid. Euseb Praep. Evang. l. 5. c. 16. * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * Vid. Euseb Praep. Evang. l. 5. c. 1. Thâ—â—dor de curand Graec. Affect l. 10. †Under 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * Euseb. de vit Constant l. 2. c. 50 51. †Sozom. Hist. Eccl. l. 5. c. 19. Thâ—od Hist. Eccl. l. 3. c. 10 Chrys. Homil. 〈◊〉 S. Baâ— * Instit. l. 4. c. 27. †De Mâ—râ— Persec c. 10. * Apol. c. 23. * De Idol Van. p. 30. * Tertull. Apol. c. 39. * Matth. 3 16 17. †Dial. cum Tryph. * John 1. 27. †Antiq. l. 18. â— 7. †Deut. 18. 22. * John 8. 14. †John 17. 5. * John 16. 28. 8. 42. †John 8. 38. * Matth. 8. 4 9. 30. 12. 16. †John 5. 30. 14. 10. * Luke 11.