the Stranger that is within thy Gates That is thou and all that are in thy power without exception Quest 39. But wherefore doth the Lord give this speciall command and direction to his people not onely for themselves but for all under their command Ans That Gods children being carefull and dutifull themselves and diligently performing their duties to all that are under their charge they might not be partakers of other Mens sins Quest 40. But how may one man be guilty of another mans sinne what light have you from Christ to reveile this Ans One may be guilty of another mans sin divers wayes First when a superior commands an inferior to commit a sinne and the sinne be committed of this the superior is guilty as Saul was of killing the Lords Priests 1 Sam. 22.18 2 Sam. 11.15 when hee commanded Doeg to do it and wicked Doeg did it accordingly David kild Vrias by Joab and the sword of the children of AmmoÌ„ And so Iezabell was guilty of that sin of the sons of Belial 1 Kings 21 10. who did beare false witns against Naboth for his Vineyard and thus Magistrates or masters or parents are guilty when they command their subjects or children or servants to prophane the Lords Sabbath Quest 41. What is a second way of being guilty Answ When superiors have power and doe not hinder but suffer inferiors to commit sinne 1 Sam. 3.13 as old Eli suffered his sonnes and did not punish them nor restraine them as hee ought and so when Parents suffer their children or Masters their servants to prophane the Lords Day They are guilty of their childrens sinne and servants sinne Quest 42. What is a third manner how one man may be guilty of another mans sinnes have you any light from Christ for this Ans Wen one man giveth another wicked councell to commit sinne as when Ahitophet counselled Absolom to commit wickednesse with his Fathers concubines 2 Sam. 16 21. or Herodias counselled her Daughter to aske the head of John Baptists Mark 6.24 or when a Master or Father adviseth or counselleth his sonne or servants or any under his charge to prophane the Sabbath Quest 43. What is a fourth manner Ans When Minister or people man or woman doth consent to sinne in others Acts 8.1 Eze. 3.18 or not reprove sin as Saul before his conversion consented to the death of blessed Stephen the Martyr of Christ and for Prophets not to warn the wicked Levit. 19.17 so when Parents or Masters consent to their childrens and servants prophanation of the Lords Day when as they should not suffer sin to lie upon them but reprove them rather So when unworthy Receivers are suffered without any admonition or reproofe Quest 44. What is a fift manner of being guilty Ans When one Man or Woman provokes and stirreth up another to sinne 1 Kings 21 25. as Jezabell provoked Ahab to commit wickednesse and Jobs Wife her Husband to curse God and die Job 2.9 And so when Parents or Masters provoke and stirre up their children or servants by Labour or Pastimes to prophane the Sabbath Quest 45. What is a sixt manner of becomming guilty of other mens sins Ans When men grow to such a height of impudency as to defend other mens sinnes Who call good evill and evill good Isai 5.20 1 Kings 22 6.11.24 1 Sam. 15.22 as wicked Zedechiah defended wicked Ahab in his sinfull course and Saul defended the peoples sin as Lawers plead in unjust causes or when Parents or Masters or any other will plead for Baal and defend the sinnes of their children or servants or Neighbours when they prophane the Lords Day all these ways at least may men be guilty of other mens sins Quest 46. Most certaine the Lord is a most holy God and is Law a most holy Law and perfect rule of holinesse which holdeth forth to us so many duties and so many sinnes in one Commandement of the Sabbath day and sanctification of the rest what use therefore my the knowledged of this truth be of unto the sons of men Ans First concerning wicked men out of Christ the many duties commanded Jer. 17.27 Gâ—lat 3.24 Acts 8.21 22. and sinns forbidden may cause them to tremble for feare of the curse and wrath of God due to them for their prophanation of the Lords day and so be a Schoolemaster to bring them to Christ to see if they may finde pardon and escape the curse and damnation Acts 13.38 39 1 Thess 10 Secondly concerning saints in Christ the Meditation of these things may likewise minde them of Christ First Christ as a justifyer without whose Righteousnesse and Merits they could not be saved 1 Cor. 1.30 and in whom salvation is their portion 2 Cor. 5.17 Secondly Christ as a sanctifyer in whom there is holinesse and power to sanctifie this holy rest this blessed Sabbath as the Lords day in all holinesse and righteousnesse to Gods glory and good of our own soules Quest 47. What benefit is this to the Church that the Lord hath ordained Mat. 28.6 9.17 18. and by his Resurrection and appearing to his Disciples so often one that day consecrated this holy Sabbath Mark 1â— 12 Luk. 24.13 as a day to and for himselfe and for his speciall service and ordinances wherein he now appeareth to his Church Ans A speciall cause of joy that the Saints may once a weeke be as it were in Heaven with Christ meeting Christ in his glorious Ordinances Luke 24.33 34.36 1 Cor. 16.1.2 Mat. 18.20 Ex. 25.21 22. Isai 66.11 John 15.4 5 6. Heb. 4.9 Revel 14.13 and sucking the brests of consolation in all his gracious promises so receiving the sweet juyce and sappe of the life of grace to nourish us in this time of trouble to that Kingdom of glory that eternall Sabbath of rest and peace for ever Quest 48. What is the principall motive or moving cause to stir up and draw the heart of a child of God and your soule in particular to desire and labour in all sincerity and faithfullnesse to glorifie God in a full obedience to every duty commanded and in a full avoyding of every sinne forbidden in these foure Commandemmts or first Table of the Law of God Ans The free love of God in Christ to my soule John 3.16 in the free gift of his onely begotten Sonne and the free love of God the Sonne John 10.15 the Lord Christ himselfe in giving himself and laying down his Life for mee 1 Cor. 5.14 15. to reconcile mee to God and to procure for mee grace and glory this doth constraine mee with a kind of holy and sweet violence or rather powerfull attractive or loadstone of love to love my God againe and to declare my love in a loving Isai 16.9 Psal 119.6 ready willing faithfull and cheerfull obedience yea sincere desire and endevour to fullfill every one of the
appointed us to labour six dayes Secondly the Lords own example in Resting also from worke the seventh day and Rested the seventh day Thirdly the Lords institution and appointment of the seventh day to be a holy Rest for his service wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it Quest 6. But is there no worke to be done upon the Sabbath day nor by any manner of persons Answ I answer yes first workes of piety may be done by all in their severall places and in particular by the Ministers of Christ as of old time the Priests did performe their workes upon the Sabbath day Mat. 12.5 and were blamelesse and as men went a Sabbath dayes jorney to the Prophets Acts 1.12 2 Kings 4 22 23. and places appointed for Gods publike worship Secondly workes of Mercy and Charity may be done upon the Sabbath day without blame as being acceptable to God at all times in Christ Jesus Acts 20.9 1 Cor. 16.2 Luke 14.5 and not condemned on that day but appointed Thirdly workes of necessity which require present helpe and could not have been done the day before nor stay untill the day following Mark 2.23 24 25 26 27. Mat. 12.11 12. Luke 13.15 15 16. these workes may also bee done upon the Sabbath day as necessary provision of meate for man or beast the necessary worke of the Phisitian or others for a sick or disseased person or of a Chyrurgeon for the wounded or a Midwife or others for Women in travell all such workes of necessity in truth and without hypocrisie may be done upon the Sabbath day But other Workes which are neither workes of piety of Charity nor of true necessity I believe ought not to be done upon that day Quest But is not the Sabbath day ceremoniall and so to be abolished Colos 2.16 17. or at least to be left at liberty now in the time of the Gospell since the Apostle seemeth to hold forth a Sabbath as a ceremony in that Epistle to the Collossians and before to the Galatians he blameth them for observing dayes and moneths and yeares Gala. 4.10 Is not the Sabbath day then abolished by the Comming of Christ Ans First I answer it is certaine there were diverse Sabbaths which the Jewes were required to sanctifie Levit. 23.38 39 c. Ezek. 20.21 and not to prophane or pollute as is evident by that of the Prophet Ezekiel they polluted my Sabbaths then I said I will poure out my fury upon them Thus in this sence the name Sabbath was applied to all those Ceremoniall Levit. 23.26 27 28 29 30 31 32. Feastivalls yea and daies of Fastings which were to be kept without doing any worke on those dayes as a Sabbath or Rest of the Lord. Levit. 23.15 16. Levit. 25.2 3. Lâ—vit 25.8 9. Againe there was a Sabbath of Sabbaths and a Sabbath of yeares when was the yeare of Jubile and these were Ceremoniall Types indeed and Shadowes with the Sacrifices and services herein And of these I conceive the Apostle speakes as abolished and in which the children of God in the Gospell are not to be condemned Colos 2.17 because Christ who is the body figured by all these is come But he doth not speake of this Sabbath which the Lord commanded to be sanctified in the Decalogue or Ten Commandements at least in no wise of the substance of the Commandement that a Seventh day is to be sanctified as holy to the Lord. Quest 8. But wherefore then is not the Seventh day from the Creation kept as a Sabbath day or by what authority is this Seventh day now sanctified and kept as a Sabbath called in Scripture the Lords Day Ans First Isai 56.2 3 4 5. the keeping of a seventh day for a Sabbath is absolutely morall and perpetuall instituted in Paradise before the fall and in the Decalogue or Ten Commandements given on Mount Sinai and that Commandement bindes to a seventh day for ever Secondly although there be not an absolute command in the New Testament to change the day evidently held forth unto us yet there is Divine Authority sufficient in the constant practize of the Apostles and Saints to meete on this seventh day Acts 2.46 Acts 20.7 8 c 1 Cor. 16.1 2. being then called the first day of the weeke to performe the duties of the Sabbath on this day in Preaching and Hearing of the word and receiving of the Sacrament called breaking of bread and in Prayer and giving Almes and the like as being the Lords owne day as the day of the Lords Resurrection and to be sanctified as the Lords day to meet Christ in all his Ordinances of the Sabbath Revel 1.10 as John the 〈◊〉 Divine was ravished in the spirit and met Christ on that day for the great comfort of himselfe and the Churches of Christ that day then called and esteemed and reckoned to be the Lords own day and so to be kept as the Lords day by the Churches of Christ Quest 9. What is the generall duty required in this fourth Commandement and what light from Christ for this duty Ans To be mindefull of and remember the Sabbath Isai 58.13 Heb. 4.9.10 Mark 1.35 39. or Lords day to keep it as a day of Rest from our own works and bodily labour and as a spirituall rest from the sinfull workes of our soules and bodies and to sanctifie it as a holy Rest in the performance of the Lords Workes of holinesse and his holy service to glorifie the Lord of Sabbath in a speciall manner on that Day Quest 10. What is the generall sinne forbidden in this Commandement Ans All prophanation of the Sabbath or Lords day Isaia 58.13 by ommission of Gods workes or performing of our owne workes or worldly businesse of this life outward in our bodies except in case of true extraordinary necessity or performing of any our owne workes of sinne in bodies or soules as all other dayes so especially onâ— the Lords day or the day of Gods Rest Heb. 4.9.10 and Sabbath Day Quest 11. What are the particular duties required for the sanctification of the Christian Sabbath or Lords day what light from Christ for these Ans They are diverse wee may remember these especiall First a preparation for the right sanctification of this day by minding of it before it come that we may be more fit to serve the Lord in it when it is come and by rising early in the morning as bodily health will suffer that wee may have time to exercise preparative duties before wee come to the publike Ordinances Quest 12. What is the sinne contrary unto this Ans To forget the Lords Day or be so unmindfull of it as either in our own persons or by compelling or suffering our children or servants so long to labour Ex. 12.3.6 Exo. 3.5 Ex. 19.10.15 Deut. 33.3 Mat 27.62 As Amos 4.12 so here and over-wearie our bodies or spirits on
their dayes Constantine the Great and other Christian Princes in later Ages Yea Isa 49.23 to be as Nursing Fathers and Nursing Mothers to Christs Church In the Primitive times the Church was exceeding vigilant for this duty of Catechizing they had their Catechumens Noble Theophilus was Catechized in the way of the Lord Luk. 1.4 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for so the Greek importeth That thou maist know the truth of those things in which thou hast been Catechized Acts 18.25 And Apollos was Catechized and many Catechumens were after in the Church therefore they had their Catechists or Catechizers also after the Apostles times Cyprian Epist 24. Eusebius Eccl. hist lib. 3 c. 12 their Docto◠s audientium as St. Cyprian calls them Teachers of the Catechumens such a one was Pantenus such was Origen Clemens Alexandrinus and others And for this end divers holy and learned men have both in Ancient and Modern times composed Catechisms as helps and furtherances for this excellent work Heb. 5.12 6.1 2 3. The Apostle to the Hebrews sets down a brief Catechism containing the first Principles of the Oracles of God Learned Hierom tells us there was a Catechism written by Cyril Bishop of Jerusalem and another by John Bishop of the same place Betulaeus Com. ad Lact. lib. 2. cap. 11. which Betulaeus mentioneth in his Commentaries upon Lactantius I passe many other in after Ages our late learned Writers Mr. Calvin Musculus Peter Martyr Ursinus Bucanus Beza Danaeus Zanchius Alstedius Mr. Virel Our English Mr. Nowel Mr. Perkins Mr. Egerton Mr. Dod Mr. Baal Mr. Downame Mr. Allen Dr. Twisse Dr. Majer and many other laborious workmen in the Lords Vineyard What are their sums of Divinity but Catechisms some larger some lesse and all witnesse as their desire so their approbation of this most necessary work of Catechizing Now the great benefit that I have found by experience in this way of Catechizing excellent light somtimes communicated to poor aged people as well as Children And my experience of the present necessity of all that true light which is or may be afforded by any of the Lords Servants Labourers in his Vine-yard the better to prevent Ignorant and Scandalous persons from approaching the blessed Sacrament and to remove dark ignorance and give light to heal the diseases of poor wandring souls hath moved me to cast my Mite into Christs Treasury Luk. 21.1 c. and to hold forth in this Catechism following what Light I have received from Christ to lead unto Christ on whom waiting in use of all good means a fulness of light may be communicated in Gods good time to poor hungry souls and that to their joy unspeakable and full of glory 1 Pet. 1.8 I most humbly present it to Your Honours not that I think any thing of mine in it is worthy of such an Honour but what is in it of the Lord Jesus Christ and his Spirit of Truth and Grace to whom all the Honour belongs Nor that I am not perswaded of Your Honorable and Religious care already for what is or may be fitting in this kinde Nor to prevent the learned and godly labours of any of my Reverend Brethren the Religious Assembly of Divines whose indefatigable endeavours I pray God to direct and blesse to his glory and the good of his Church but to be a light to those who stand in present need and want better directions And to conclude Luk. 2.32 Ioh. 1.9 that the true Light of Christ may more fully shine forth into darkned souls longing after Light Isa 8.20 and all false Lights daily and more duly be discovered that the true light Christ Jesus and his commands may be more fully followed Is 9.6 7. and all false light of Error or Heresie avoided that the light of the Sun of Righteousnesse may not only more richly enlighten Your Honours who are as so many glorious Stars in the firmament of the Common-wealth but may shine gloriously in all the dark corners of the Land Mat. 4.15 15. that as the glorious God hath so highly Honoured You already to begin and lay the foundation stone in the beautiful building of his House the blessed work of Reformation so he will Honour You further to lay the Top stone thereof Zac. 4.7 that all the Christian Princes and Churches in the world may with rejoycing cry Grace Grace unto it And all this by the strength of the great Jehovah For nor by might nor by power Zac. 4.6 but by my Spirit saith the Lord of Hosts That Your Excellencies may be enabled in Gods due time to take particular notice of the Thousands of Churches or Congregations in the Kingdom which want not only learned able faithful and honorable Pastors and Teachers to Preach and Catechize and hold forth the light of Christ unto them but want honorable and comfortable maintenance or encouragement fit for so honorable and great a work of the Lord Christs Ambassadors the faithful Ministers of the most high and mighty Prince the Lord Jesus Christ In a word that if it be the will of God our Soveraign Lord King Charls may be truly enlightned by the light of Christ to see the false light of all evil counsels either from his own heart or any others and may return fully convinced in conscience and rest fully satisfied by his evident experience of the mighty works of Jehovah the great God of Battel in the most faithful Counsels of thi◠High Honorable and Highly Honoured Parliament that He and His Posterity may love and Honour You and Yours from Generation to Generation as those who have been His best and most faithful Counsellors that Gods blessing may be upon all the three Kingdoms that Truth Peace Unity and Unanimity in the true light of the Lord Jesus with the God of Truth and Peace of Love Unity and Unanimity may dwell amongst us in Grace until that great King Christ shall come in the Clouds of Heaven and translate us all with all his Saints unto Eternity in Glory All which is and shall be the most humble faithful sincere and hearty Prayer of Your Honours most unworthy most humble daily Orator at the Highest Throne of Grace IMMANUEL BOURN London from my Study in Sepulchres May 1. 1646. To the Right Honorable Thomas Adams Lord Mayor The Right Worshipful Sir Nicholas Rainton Knight Isaac Pennington Sir John Wollaston Knight Thomas Atkin Sir John Cordel Sir Thomas Soam Sir Iohn Gayer Sir Iacob Gerrard Knights Iohn Warner Abraham Reynardson Sir George Garret Sir George Clark Knights Iohn Langham Thomas Andrews Iohn Fowke Iames Bunce William Gibbe Richard Chambers Thomas Cullum Simon Edmons Samuel Avery Iohn Bide George Witham Aldermen Thomas Foot and Iohn Kendrick Aldermen and Sheriffs of the Honorable City of London With the several Families of and within the said City and the Lives of Communication and especially the Beloved Congregation and particular Families of
do without sin for these and the like reasons First when the incestuous person was suffered in the Church of Corinth 2 Cor. 5.1 c. 1.10.11 3.2 3 4 those Saints who no doubt were offended did not presently separate from the Church but rather informed the Apostle of that as of other failings that there might be a Reformation rather then a separation in the Church Secondly the Apostle doth not write to the Corinthians or other Churches Rom. 16.17 18 1 Cor. 5.14 to separate one from another but to beware of self-divisions and to cast out from amongst them that wicked person whom after upon his repentance he ordered to be restored again 2 Cor. â— 6 7 8. Thirdly although the Lord commands his people to separate and come out from Babilon and from wicked Idolators Rev. 18.4 2 Cor. 6.15 c. and promiseth a blessing yet the Lord doth not require Saints to separate from Saints or leave a Church for some particular failings and it may be but for a time a Church of Christ may remain a Church though there be found some failings witnesse the Churches of Christ in the Primitive times Rev. 2.4.14 3.2 3. And if separation should be for every failing there would be no end of separation amongst some till no Church could be found and all must be Zion-seekers indeed which must needs be a scandall to those which are without and cause the worthy Name of Christ to be ill spoken of as our lamentable divisions do at this day Rom. 2.24 Iam. 2.7 Eph. 4.1 2.3 4. to the great grief of Gods people Saints therefore must pray for and seek unity in the Church But howsoever that the Church may fail Saints not sin in not separating Yet it is certain that ignorant or scandalous persons eat judgement though not to others yet to themselves 1 Cor. ii 28 29. And therefore Catechizing is necessary in the Church Quest 19. What then is required of such â—ersons as desire to meet Christ to have â—ommunion with Christ and to partake of Christs Soul-cherishing vertue in the Lords Supper 1 Cor. 11 28. Exod. 12.47 48. Num. 9.1 2 c. Ans To Examine themselves whether they be rightly prepared and then to eat of that bread and drink of that cup. Quest 20. When is a man or woman rightly prepared to meet Christ in that holy Ordinance Ans When he or she is cloathed upon with that wedding garment without which we cannot be welcome to that Feast of the Lord Mat. 22.12 As in that Feast so it is in this Feast of the Lord Christ Quest 21. What is that Wedding garment Ans Iesus Christ with his merits righteousnesse Ioh. 1.16 and living graces applied infused or wrought by Christs Spirit in our souls Quest 22. But why must we be prepared with such graces before we come to the Lords Table 2 Tim. 1.6 Is 64.7 Ans Because they are to be actuated stirred up quickened and enlivened if we will meet Christ to our comfort As a man must examine himself 2 Cor. 13.5 so here Grace is before hand to be Examined Quest 23. Wherefore do you call Christ a Garment Ans Gal. 3.27 Rom. 13.14 Because as many as have been baptized into Christ have and do put on Christ Quest 24. How is Christ put on Or when are men and women cloathed upon with the Lord Jesus as with a garment Ans When by the work of Christs Spirit upon our souls we believe and see Act. 2.37 Acts 16.29 30. Ioh. 1.11.11 12. Isa 61.10 Gal. 3.27 and finde and feel in our consciences our sin bondage and misery by sin and our extream need of Christ and by the eye and hand of Faith see and receive and rest or Christ as our only surety Saviour and remedy and so are and may be assured we are the children of God and cloathed upon with Christs robes of Righteousnesse as with a garment Quest 25. What are these living Graces which a Christian should wear and put on as a garment and the habits of which are to be examined stirred up and enlivened when we thus meet the Lord Jesus Ans As Aarons holy garments were made up of divers materials and variety of colours of gold and blew and purple scarlet Exo. 28.4 5. Psal 45.13 14. Ezek. 16.10 c. and fine linnen curiously imbroydered So this christian garment is interwoven with variety of Graces or gracious dispositions and ornaments of the soul but chiefly with four sorts Quest 26. Which are those four sorts of Graces the habits of which must he examined and enlivened that we may come with comfort to this blessed Sacrament Ans First Antecedent Primitive foregoing Graces to be examined stirred up and enlivened before we come to this holy Sacrament Secondly Antepresent or â—ore immediate foregoing Graces and gâ—acious affections and resolutions in the soul to be stirred up exercised and enlivened immediatly before and when we draw near to the act of receiving Thirdly present acting Graces and sanctified affections operations and spirituall senses of the soul together with our bodily senses to be stirred up enlivened and exercised at the Sacrament and in the act of receiving as of the Elements of Bread and Wine bodily so of the body and blood of Christ inwardly and spiritually in our souls Fourthly Subsequent living Graces to be examined and exercised after the Sacrament for the constant improvement of Christs vertue received in that holy Ordinance both when we return home and all the dayes of our lives Quest 27. What or how many are those habitual Graces to be examined and quickned before we come to this blessed Sacrament Ans They are in my minde chiefly these four 1. A Divine knowledge 2. A lively Faith 3. Evangelical repentance 4. Christian charity The second Classis or Company of Questions 1 Question WHat or how manifold is that Divine knowledge requirâ—d the habit of which must be examined and enlivened before we come to the Sacrament Ans A fourfold knowledge 1. Of God 2. Of our selves 3. Of Christ 4. Of the Sacrament Quest 2. Why is this Divine knowledge so necessary 2 Cor. 11.27 c. Hos 4.6 act 17.30 Luk. 10.41 42. Zeph. 1.6 Heb. 2.3 Iob. 21.14 Prov 1.29 30. Ans Because ignorant persons are unworthy receivers not able to examine themselves or discern the Lords body especially such as those that might learn and be Catechized and neglect the means of knowledge or That are wilfully ignorant that refuse knowledge and instruction Quest 3. Wherefore is a lively Faith so necessary Heb. 11.6 4.2 Ans Because without Faith it is impossible to please God in any duty or to feed on Christ and his vertue in the Sacrament Quest 4. For what cause is Evangelical Repentance requisite Ans Because the presence service and sacrifice of unregenerate impenitent persons are abominable before God Isa 1.12 13 c.
and long for and to receive believe and gladly rest on him alone for Salvation Act. 2.38 39. Iohn 1.11 12. Acts 16.14 15. and 16.27 c. and 4.12 Heb. 5.9 Quest 12. What further doth this great Prophet work in the soul of a believer by his Word and Spirit Ans 2 Pet. 3.16 c. He perswades the soul First to grow more and more in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ Mark 9.23 24. Lu 7.17.5 Secondly To believe more and more Thirdly To repent and be sanctified more and more Fourthly To become a new creature more and more Fifthly To be more and more fruitfull in good works And Sixthly By daily beholding First The glory of God in the face of Christ And secondly The glory of Christ in the glasse of the Gospel to be made more and more partaker of the Divine nature and changed from glory to glory as by the Spirit of the Lord Phil. 3.9 c. Luke 17.5 Eph. 3.14 c. and 4.7 c. Rom. 12. and 13. Mat 5.16 Col. 1.7 c. and 1.21 c. 2 Pet. 1.7 c. 2 Cor. 5.17 and 3.17 18. Quest 13. Now you have shewed the Priestly and Propheticall office of Christ What are the acts or work of Christs Kingly office Ans Christ doth not only as a mighty Conquerour rescue and Redeem his Church and children out of the hands of all their enemies spirituall or temporall and call gather and unite them to himself as his own mysticall body But as a rich and bountifull Prince bestow upon them all needfull graces and protect preserve and govern them in this Kingdom of grace untill he bring them safe unto his Kingdom of glory Isa 63.2 c. and 54.5 c. Luke 1.74 75. Tit. 2.13 14. Heb. 2.14 15. Mat. 20.1 2. and 22.1 c. John 12.20 c. Eph. 3.8 and 4.7 Mat. 28.10 Rev. 2.1 2 Tim. 4 16 c. Quest 14. When and how did Christ make evident that as a mighty Conqueror he had rescued and redeemed his Church out of the hands of their enemies and by his active and passive obedience to his Fathers will satisfied the Justice of God and purchased for his Children remission of sins and life everlasting Psal 2.6 c. Mat. 28.1 c. Mark 16.9 c. Luk. 24.32 c. Ioh. 20.19 c. Acts 2.23 c. 1.9 c. 3.19 c. 17.31 Luk. 21.27 28. Mat. 25.34 c. Ans When as a powerfull Prince he did break the bars and loosed the cords and pains of death as being impossible to be holden of it and gloriously did rise from the dead First appearing to his Disciples after his Resurruction And secondly Ascending visibly into heaven Thirdly sitting at the right hand of God his Father And fourthly there to remain till he shall come at the Day of Iudgement in a triumphant manner for to Iudge both quick and dead to the evealasting confusion of all his enemies and the Eternall good of his Church Quest 15. When else did Christ openly make this evident to the world of his Church Ans When by the powerfvll Preaching of the Gospel Rom. 15.15 c. 16.25 c. and work of his Spirit he brought so many Kingdoms and Nations to the obedience of Faith Quest 16. When doth the Lord Christ make this evident inwardly to the soul and conscience of a man or woman Ans When by his Word and Spirit he enlightens the eye of Faith to see Gal. 2.19 20. 2 Tim. 4.7 8. finde and assuredly perceive and enableth the mouth and tongue of Faith to speak and by assured evidence of the Spirit to say to his or her own Soul as Paul did Christ loved me and gave himself for me and Christ hath laid up for me a Crown of Righteousnesse in heaven Quest 17. How and when doth the Lord Christ call gather and unite his Church or particular members thereof as one body unto himself Ans When the Lord Christ by his faithfull Servants Mat. 28.19 20. 2 Cor. 5.19 20. Act. 26.17 18. as Ambassadors for Christ rightly called to that great office by the power of his Word and Spirit draweth them out of the Kingdom of the world sin and Satan to receive him to be their Lord and only Mediator yea their Eternall High Priest Prophet and King for their Eternall salvation Quest 18. Are the Ministers of Christ ordained by Christ in a speciall calling above others to be Instruments or outward means of converting men and women unto Christ and to bring them out of the Kingdom of darknesse into this Kingdom of Christ Psal 68.17 c. Eph. 4.10 c. Act. 26.18 c. 1 Cor. 3.5 c. 4.15 Gal. 4.19 Ans Yes the Lord Christ ascended up on high and having led Captivity Captive he gave gifts unto men first some Apostles some Evangelists some Pastors and Teachers for the work of Ministery and Gods Ministers as outward Instruments through Christ in their speciall calling do beget men again through the Gospel and travel in birth again untill Christ be formed in them and that they may be turned from darknesse to light and from the power of Satan unto God and presented with joy to God their Father by Iesus Christ their Lord and King of his Church Quest 19. May not all Christians in generall undertake this work of this Ministery to convert Souls and build them up in the truth of Christ as well as those who are so specially called of God to it Ans Certainly howsoever in Primitive times Act. 8.1 2 3 4. 8.14 11.19 c. 1 Cor. 12.12 c. some Disciples extraordinarily endued with the Holy Ghost did Preach the Gospel in dayes of persecution to Pagans and Infidels that knew not Christ and although all Christians in generall are Members of the same body of Christ and ought in their places to have a care of the whole body neverthelesse every Member is not a head or an eye or a tongue or to exercise the office of them And howsoever all the Members of Christ as private Christians may communicate their gift of knowledge one to another Heb. 10.25 in times and places convenient not leaving off their attendance on Christ in the publike Ordinances exercised by the Ministers of Christ nor separating from the publike congregations of Saints yet the great office of the publike Ministration Heb. 5.4 5. belongeth to none but such as are specially called and appointed thereunto by their Lord and King Christ Iesus Quest 20. How doth Christ our heavenly King call his Servants and Ambassadors to this great work of the Ministery Ans First Mat 28.19 20. Ioh. 20.20 c. Acts 16.8 9 10. 1 Tim. 1.11 12. 3.1 c. inwardly furnishing them with grace and experimental knowledge of Christs power and grace in their own souls that they may reveal Christ and the way of
evidence of Adoption Ans The Spirit of Prayer whereby the Childe of God is enabled to cry Abba Father Rom. 8.15 26 27 and to seek to the Lord upon all occasions as to a Father Quest 4. What is a chief Prerogative and Priviledge of an Adopted Son and Daughter of God Ans Not only this new Name of Son and Daughter of God and the excellency thereof which no man knoweth but he that hath it but also the right Title and Dignity of an Heir Rev. 2.17 Rom. 8.17 yea a fellow-Heir with Christ of Eternal glory Quest 5. How may a man or woman know that he or she is the Son or Daughter of God Rom. 8.16 Mat. 5.44 c. Prov. 4.18 2 Cor. 3.17 18. 6.16 c. 2 Pet. 14.4 Ans First by the testimony of the Spirit witnessing with our Spirits Secondly by our daily growing more and more into the likenesse of God our Father in all holinesse and perfection of Divine Nature Quest 6. But what is the ninth blessing and benefit procured and commmunicated by Christ to his Elect and chosen Ion. 1.11 12. 2 Cor. 5.7 Ans The glorious grace of new creation or new birth Quest 7. What is this new creation or birth Eph. 4.22 c. Ioh. 3.3 5. Col. 3.10 1 Cor. 6.9 c. 1 Thes 2.13 5.23 Rom. 12.12 Ans It is a Sanctification of and real communication or change of our Nature our understanding will memory and whole man by the Spirit of Sanctification from impurity and sin to the pure Image of God pressing more and more to perfection and to be like God our Father in Christ not like or conformed to the world as the children of this world desire to be Quest 8. What are the two chief acts or works wrought in the soul by the Spirit of Christ in the grace of new creation Col. 3.5 c. Rom. 6.6 c. 7.22 c. Ans First the Mortification weakning and killing or crucifying of the old man or Natural corruption or Law in our members and rebelling power of sin in us as dregs of the old Adam to be purged out Secondly the Vivification Col. 3.10 2 Cor. 4.16 5.14 15. 3.17 18. Gal. 2.20 or quickning and enlivening of the new man or inward man in our souls according to the Image of God and living power of Christ now living in us Quest 9. What is the chief end of this new creation and holinesse thus wrought in us by the holy Ghost Isa 61.3 Heb. 12.14 2 Thes 13. Ioh. 17.17 24. Ans That we may be trees of righteousnesse that God may be glorified 2. That we may see God and be saved Quest 10. How may a man or woman know they are new Creatures Ans First by the help of the Spirit of Christ Eph. i. 17 c. Secondly by the light of their own consciences reflecting upon themselves in self Examination so here to finde out Rom. 9.1 1. What changes is wrought in their hearts and will and affections Psa 51.9 10 11. as David prays for Psal 15.1 2 3. Ezek. 36.31 Psal 16.2 3. Psal 119.97 2. In their lives and conversations from sin and wickednesse to Grace and goodnesse 3. What loathing of evil and loving of God goodnesse and good people according to godlinesse in their Souls and Spirits 1 Tim. 1.12 c. 1. This change Paul found in himself 1 Cor. 6.9 c. 2. This he found in his Christian Corinthians 3. And this a man or woman may finde in themselves Ioh. 9.25 if a true change or new creation be wrought in them Quest 11. What is the tenth blessing and benefit procured by Christ and given in and by Christ from God the Father to his Church and Children Ioh. 14 i6 c. Ezek. 36.27 Zach. 12.10 Rom. 8.9 Gal. 4.5 6. 1 Cor. 12.3 c. 1 Ioh. 2.27 Ans The great and special and daily gift of the blessed Spirits presence the holy Ghost God equal with the Father and the Son not only as a worker of all these graces in us at first as we noted before but also as continually present a counsellor and comforter yea a perpetual preserver of his graces in the souls of Gods children meeting them in the Word Preached in the Sacraments in Prayer and in all other duties and Ordinances secret private and publike for their Eternal good in Christ Jesus Quest 12. How shall a man or woman know he or she hath the Spirit of Christ Ans If he or she be led or guided by the Spirit of Christ Rom. 8 i 2 12 14 Quest 13. What respect is to be had to the Spirit Ans A special care is to be taken Eph. 4.30 Psal 52.11 12. that we grieve not the Spirit by whom we are sealed to the day of Redemption but to prize his presence above all earthly treasure Quest 14. Are there any more blessings which Christ hath procured and God in Christ giveth to his Church Ans Yes there are multitudes in particular both for this present life and the life to come I will name but these that follow Quest 15. What is the first Isa 61.10 Rom. 14.17 Ans First the cloathing upon with Christs righteousnesse Quest 16. What is the second Ans Peace with God with and in our own consciences and with all good Angels and men Rom. 5.1 Phil. 4.7 Hos 2.18 Luke 2.14 Isa 11.5 c. Heb. 1.14 2 Pet. 1.11 12. Rev 22.9 Quest 17. What is the third Ans Thirdly joy and rejoycing in hope of the glory of God rejoycing in Christ with joy unspeakable and full of glory Rom. 5.2 14.17 1 Pet. 1.8 Quest 18. What is the fourth 1 Pet. 1.3 Ans Fourthly a lively hope of Heaven which no wicked man can have Quest 19. What is a fifth Rom. 5.3 Act. 5.41 Heb. 11.24 c. Ans Fifthly a joyful willingnesse to suffer for Christ Quest 20. What is the sixth Rom. 8.28 Psa 119.71 1 Pet. 1.6 7. Ans Sixthly an ordering of all things whatsoever for good of Gods children yea a working of all for good a blessing unspeakable Quest 21. What is the seventh Ans Seventhly an assurance we are Gods children by the Spirits witnesse and the fruits and graces of Christ in my soul Quest 22. What it the eighth Isa 11.10 Phil 4.11 c. Ans Eighthly a sweet rest and contentment in Christ in every state and condition both for soul and body for this life and the life to come Quest 23. What is the ninth Gal. 2.20 Ans Ninthly an enlivening vertue from Christ to cherish life and grace in the soul Ioh. 15.15 Phil. 4.12 and enable us for every duty and performance to Gods glory and good of our selves and others Quest 24. What is the tenth Ans Tenthly Gen. 4 4. Mat. 17.5 Heb. 11.4 Isa 1.5 6 7. 1 Pet. 1.3 c.
outward signes and circumstances yet the internal Grace held forth signed and sealed in both is Christ and his Benefits who is yesterday and to day and the same for ever and so though there were divers figures and types yet here are not four properly in substance but two Sacraments in the Church ordinarily for the Baptizing in the Red Sea was extraordinary Quest 14. Who hath authority as the spiritual Efficient and Author to institute and ordain such a holy Sacrament Ans None but God Gen. 17.10 11. Exod. 12.1 29. Matth. 28.19 Mark 14.22 23. the whole Trinity in common and Christ God and man in particular who is the Angel of the Covenant and of whose last Will and Testament a Sacrament is a Seal to and for the good of the Church Quest 15. Who hath authority and power as an instrument to administer such a Sacrament Answ None but the Ministers of Christ lawfully Matth. 28.19 20. Heb. 5.4 Ephes 4.7 8 c. and rightly called and authorised thereto by Christ and his Church Quest 16. what is the external matter or material cause and outward signe in the first of these Sacraments the Sacrament of Baptism Ans The external signe Matth. 3.6 Acts 8.38 Mark 7.4 1 Cor. 10.4 and seal of Baptism is the Element of Water wherewith men of ripe yeers converted to the Faith of Christ and children of beleeving Parents within the Covenant of Grace have been are and may be Baptized or washed by diving under dipping or sprinkling Heb. 12.24 and washing with water sacramentally and according to the Ordinance of Christ Quest 17. What is the internal material thing signified in this Sacrament of Baptism Iohn 3.3 5. Heb. 12.24 1 Cor. 12.13 Rom. 6.4 5 6. Gal. 3.27 1 Ioh 1.7 Rev. 1.5 Acts 22.16 2 Cor. 5.17 Titus 3.5 6 7. Matth. 28.19 Acts 14.3 4 5. Ans Christ himself and his spirit and the vertue of Christ his blood the blood of sprinkling applyed by the Spirit washing and clearsing us from our sins makeing the baptized partakers of the vertue of Christs death and Resurrection and of the Grace of Regeneration and new Creation of union and engrafting whom God the Father pleaseth into Christ in this Sacrament of Baptism Quest 18. What is the outward form of this Sacrament of Baptism Ans The outward form of Baptism on Gods part and ours is the word of Promise in the institution of the Sacrament and action and profession of Faith and manner of baptizing by dipping or sprinkling or baptizing in or into the Name of the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost Quest 19. What is the inward form of this Sacrament of Baptism Answ That mystical and sacramental union that is between the outward signes of the Sacrament Gen. 17.10 Rom. 2.29 Col. 2.11 12. Tit. 3 5. Acts 2.38 39. and 10. 47 48. and 22.16 and inward Graces of the Covenant set forth and sealed in the Sacrament by vertue of which union as the signes are attributed to the things signified and these agree with the signes so the things signified and sealed are really communicated not by vertue of the work done and to every person baptized as the Papists dream but when God seeth good to those persons that are Gods elect children and have right unto and rightly partake of this Sacrament it sealeth their Iustification Regeneration and Salvation in Christ Quest 20. What kinde of union is this between the outward signe and the thing signified in the Sacrament Ans Not a Corporall Physical or Local nor yet an imaginary union onely but a true and real union yet so as the inward Grace is not communicated to all by vertue of the work done but to Saints in Covenant by vertue of the Covenant to whom and when God pleaseth Simon Magus he wanted Acts 8.13 20. and 8.36 39. and the Eunuch enjoyed spiritual Grace and joy in beleeving when he received Baptism as the outward signe and seal of inward Regeneration of the heart so that the outward signe and inward grace are not always united together but when and to whom God please he giveth grace and sealeth it to the joy of the soul The sixteenth Classis or Company Questions 1 Question VVHo are the subjects or persons to be made partakers of this Sacrament of Baptism Matt. 28.19 29. Mark 16.16 Acts 2.38 and 8.38 Answ All that are within the Covenant of Grace are first men or women of ripe yeers embracing the Gospel and converted to beleeve in Christ repent of their sins and be new Creatures yea able and willing to make profession of the faith and graces of God in them And secondly the custome of the Church for many hundred yeers hath practised Baptizing of Infants especially of beleevers in the Church Quest 2. What grounds or proof of this do you finde that have or may be produced from Scripture that children of beleevers should be admitted to Baptism Ans Divers Reasons have been observed by Divines But first this Rule is noted by Divines That whatsoever is or may be found a command or Institution of Christ in the Old Testament or in the New either in expresse words and terms or by good and necessary consequence not upon supposition onely but true foundation in the Book of God either for moral or for positive Duty It hath sufficient authority to be commended as a Truth of Christ for the benefit of Christs Church and may hold good for substance in the New Testament as well as in the Old although in a different manner of dispensation And therefore those who cast off a Truth of Christ plainly set forth in the Old Testament because it is not in so many words held forth or expressed in the New I conceive do much derogate from Christ who was the glorious Prophet of his Church as truly in the Old Testament as in the New The same Spirit of Christ preaching to 1 Pet. 3.19 20. and in the Patriarks and by the Prophets in the Old Testament as in the New and both Moses the Prophets and Apostles being all the Amanuenses and Pen-men of the Holy Ghost The whole Scripture being written by the Inspiration the Holy Ghost not by any private Interpretation and so the whole Scripture or any part of it in the Old Testament or in the New 2 Pet. 1.19 20 21. either in expresse words or evident consequence is a sufficient ground to prove Infants Baptism or any Truth of God whatsoever Quest 3. Although this be granted yet vvhat Arguments do you finde dravvn either from the Old Testament or the Nevv for Pedobaptism or the practise of Infants Baptism in the Church Ans First you may take notice of this which followeth Whatsoever was a positive rule and institution of Christ to a beleever as a beleever either concerning himself or his children as children of a beleever for assurance of salvation by Faith in Christ and inward Circumcision of the heart according to
the Covenant of Grace in the Old Testament which is ho way revoked in the New That is still a positive rule and institution of Christ virtually and in the substance of it to a beleever as a beleever and to or concerning the children of a beleever as children of a beleever and to be continued now in the New Testament as a duty by vertue of that Institution of Christ as well as in the Old or before the coming of Christ in the flesh But a signe and seal of the righteousnesse of faith and salvation in Christ and of Circumcision made without hands or of Spiritual Regeneration of the heart and life and assurance of these was a positive command and institution of Christ to a beleever as a beleever and to or concerning the children of a beleever as children of a beleever according to the covenant of Grace in the Old Testament and is no way forbidden in the New Testament and therefore a signe and seal of the righteousnesse of faith and of salvation in Christ and regeneration or inward circumcision of the heart according to the covenant of Grace is still a positive rule and institution of Christ vertually in or for the substance of it to a beleever as to a beleever and to or concerning the children of a beleever as children of a beleever and to be continued now in the New Testament as a duty by vertue of that Institution of Christ as well as it was in the Old or before the coming of Christ in the flesh Quest 4. Hovv prove you the major or first proposition Ans For the first Proposition it may be confirmed from this ground Revel 13.8 Heb. 13.8 That Christ is the same Lamb slain from the foundation of the World and Jesus Christ the same yesterday and to day and for ever First The same Saviour and Mediator High Priest Prophet and King of his Church Secondly The same Revealer of the Covenant of Grace as Prophet and in the same manner in respect of the substance of it 1 Cor. 10.1 2 3 4. Salvation by Christ and signes and seals of it as signifying and sealing the same inward Graces in the Old Testament and in the New although by different signes and seals And therefore what was instituted by Christ then to a beleever as a beleever and no way forbidden or revoked in the New Testament expresly nor by good consequence may be continued to beleevers and children of beleevers in the New Testament as well as in the Old Quest 5. How prove you the minor Ans Again for the second the minor Proposition or Assumption First That a signe and seal of the Righteousnesse of Faith and inward Circumcision or Regeneration of the heart was instituted by Christ to a beleever as a beleever and to children of a beleever as children of a beleever I conceive this is evident in that example of beleeving Abraham In the renewing of the Covenant of Grace to beleeving Abraham Gen. 19.3 4 c. Rom. 4.11 and his spiritual Seed and Christs appointing of circumcision not onely to Abraham himself as a seal of the covenant of Grace and Righteousnesse of Faith but to his children at eight dayes old And a signe and seal was still appointed to beleevers in the New Testament though not the same signe of circumcision yet Baptism And although Infants Matth. 28.19 20. Matth. 26. 1 Cor. 11.26 27. children of beleevers are not named in the Institution in the New Testament as they were in the Old to Abraham yet they are not prohibited and may virtually be included in the general Institution of baptism as well as women not named are virtually included in the Institution of the Lords Supper And so children of beleevers nay be baptized now in their infancy as well as children were circumcised then at eight dayes old by Christs his Institution and appointment to Abraham a beleever Quest 6. But how doth it appear that the Lord did renew the Covenant of Grace to Abraham a beleever as a beleever and appointed a circumcision a signe and seal of the Righteousnesse of Faith and inward circumcision of the heart to Abraham as a beleever and to Abrahams children as children of a beleever Otherwise the Argument will not hold that beleevers and their children should be baptized now as well as beleevers and their children were circumcised then Ans Whatsoever by vertue of Christs Institution did agree to and might be practised by all beleevers and professors of Religion and onely to beleevers and children of beleevers at all time after that Institution of Christ in the Old Testament that was appointed by Christ to a beleever as a beleever and to the children of beleevers as children of beleevers as being proper to them But circumcision that signe and seal of the righteousnesse of Faith and inward circumcision of the heart did agree to and might be practised by all beleevers and professors of themselves to be beleevers of the true Religion and onely beleevers and professors of themselves to beleevers And all times ordinarily to beleevers and professors of the true Religion and to their children and therefore circumcision that signe and seal of the righteousnesse of Faith was instituted by Christ to Abraham a beleever as a beleever and to the children of beleeving Abraham as children of a beleever And so it may still follow that a signe and seal of the righteousnesse of Faith though not circumcision yet baptism doth and may agree to beleevers converted and to children of beleevers as children of beleevers now as well as before the coming of Christ Quest 7. How is the first manifest or the second evident it is good Answ For the first Proprium quod convenit omni soli semper ejusdem specici Iosh 5.7 the Proposition that is evident from the right of property which agreeth to all beleevers and onely to beleevers as at all times to beleevers in the ordinary way except it be obstructed by extraordinary causes as Circumcision was in the Wildernesse And for the second the Assumption that will appear because all beleevers or professors of the Faith and true Religion were or might be circumcised if they would though they were not of Abrahams family Gen. 17.12 c. Here is no prohibition of them but a command if they were of Abrahams family whether children born in the house or strangers bought with money of any stranger though not of Abrahams Seed yet he must be circumcised if he come into Abrahams family and so become a professor of the true Religion and worshipper of the true God for which the Lord did know that Abraham would instruct his houshold after him All these must be circumcised as beleevers or professors of beleef in God and of the true Religion and hope of etâ—rnal life in Christ the Messiah to come But unbeleevers and such as did not nor would come in and be true beleevers in the true God and professors
of the Faith in Christ the Messiah to come they had no right to circumcision nor to any signe and seal of the covenant of Grace and therefore the Assumption is true that Christ did institute Circumcision that signe and seal of the covenant to beleevers as beleevers and to children of beleevers as children of beleevers And so a signe and seal may still continue to beleevers and their children as well as beleevers and their children as well as before the coming of Christ and this not Circumcision which is abolished and therefore baptism which succeeds circumcision as the Apostle intimates to us Col. 2. Co. 2.11 12 13. making circumcision and baptism all one in the respect of the inward Grace Circumcision made without hands and burying with Christ by baptism both intimating our putting off the Old man in our burying with Christ as being made partakers of his death and rising again in putting on the New man as partaking of Christs Resurrection both signed land sealed in circumcision in the Old Rom. 4.16 and Baptism in the New Testament to beleevers and the elect children the seed of Abraham the father of us all Quest 8. But wherefore was not Melchisedech and Lot circumcised and Job and his friends and other beleevers and worshippers of the true God out of Abrahams family if circumcision was to beleevers as beleevers Ans First in Melchisedech Lot Iob and the rest we have no certain evidence that they were or were not circumcised nor is it material For it is certain neither circumcision before Christ nor baptism since or any outward Sacrament was or is or can be rightly said to be absolutely necessary to Salvation else Noah and other Patriarks before Abraham might have been circumcised or have had some other signe and seal which we had not and children dying before the eight day of circumcision or before they were baptized could not be saved which a Popish Doctrine well worthy to be exploded out of the Church Secondly it may be answered That God did renew the covenant and institute circumcision as a signe and seal of the covenant with Abraham and the Church in his house which was then the Church of God chiefly visible at that time in the world consisting of above three hundred souls Gen. 14.18 and then set forth by God as a Type of the Church of the faithful in all ages who were to have the covenant of Grace published and thâ— seals of the covenant communicated to them in the Gospel And so this Objection doth not hinder but that circumcision that signe and seal of the righteousnesse of Faith was instituted to Abraham as a beleever and to Abrahams children and family as the children and family of a beleever Men of ripe yeers professors of the true Faith and Religion and children as children of beleevers and professors And so the like signe and seal baptism may in like manner be continued in the New Testament as well as in the Old for any light that yet appeareth to be held forth from Christ to the contrary Quest 9. But is not Infants Baptism forbidden by Christ in the New Testament either expresly or by consequence in that Christ doth not name children in the institution of baptism as he did in the institution of circumcision Answ Certainly there is no expresse prohibition of Infant baptism in the New Testament yea the Lord Christ is so far from forbidding of Infants any Grace and favours they are capable of Mark 10.13 14. that he reproveth his Disciples for hindering their bringing unto him though it was not in particular to be baptized yet to receive a blessing from Christ for which cause their beleeving parents or friends did present them unto Christ that Christ might take them in his arms and put his hands upon them and blesse them as beleeving parents do now present them to Christ in baptism Mark 10.13 And Christ receiveth them and giveth for a reason a high approbation of children expressed in several Evangelists Suffer little children to come to me and forbid them not for of such is the Kingdom of God True not onely of such who in some respects are qualified like children but of such persons also even of little children And true both of the Kingdom of Grace and Glory for all elect children of Jews and Gentiles of all Nations And if the Kingdom of God belong to children then why not this Seal of the Kingdom Baptism of which Infants are capable now as well children at eight dayes old were capable of circumcision before the coming of Christ It is evident there is no expresse prohibition of Infants Baptism which may hinder their presenting unto Christ to be blessed in that Ordinance Quest 10. But what say you to the second is not Infant Baptism denyed by consequence in that they are not named in the words of Institution go Disciple all Nations or make them Disciple by Teaching and Baptizing them Ans The Answer is First it is evident that Christ in that Institution of Baptism intends principally men and women of ripe yeers Jews and Gentiles to be converted to the Faith of Christ who were capable of teaching and first to be discipled by teaching and then baptized as the Proselytes that came in to Abrahams House Gen. 18.18 c. no doubt were first taught before they were circumcised and yet their children were circumcised at eight dayes old before they were taught or made Disciples by teaching of which they were not capable It is true Iere. 1.4 5. Luke 1.13 14 15. they might be made Disciples by Covenant and inward teaching and sanctification Of the Holy Gospel as all the spiritual Seed were and so may children now that Christ holds forth why not baptized now as well as children were circumsed then by vertue of Christs Institution Secondly There is another answer That if a signe and seal of the Righteousnesse of Faith and Regeneration or inward Circumcision of the heart be due to Infants of beleevers and to be communicated to them as to children of beleevers by vertue of Christs institution of a seal to beleeving Abraham and his children as is before held forth Then it must be either circumcision or baptism or some other signe and seal appointed by Christ for this end but it cannot be circumcision for that is virtually abolished by Christs institution of baptism nor is there any other signe or seal appointed by Christ for children of beleevers Iews or Gentiles and therefore it must needs be baptism And so Christ doth not forbid but rather virtually appoint baptism for Infants in the new as he did appoint circumcision for Infants in the Old Testament Gen. 17. For the not naming doth not imply a negation when as they may be included in the institution in general setting up baptism instead of circumcision as women not named are not denyed but included in the institution of the Lords Supper in the place of the
Passeover and may partake of that Ordinance being rightly prepared although not named in the institution Quest 11. You have answered concerning the spiritual Seed of Abraham the elect children of beleevers that they may be Disciples by way of Covenant and by right of Election and so may have a right and interest to Baptism the seal of the Covenant which is not denied by some chief adversaries of Pedobaptism if they could be known to be such But now what say you for other children of beleevers which it may be are none of Gods elect nor disciples by way of that internal Covenant of Grace nor inward sanctification of the Spirit What right or title can such Infants have to baptism in infancy or until they be discipled by publike Teaching and Declaration or profession of themselves to be beleevers and converted to the Faith of Christ and such to be admitted by vertue of Christs Institution Go Disciple all Nations and Baptize as is opened before Ans I answer for all children of beleeving Parents though they be none of Gods Elect yet I conceive they may have as good a priviledge now and be under outward Administrations as Ishmael and Esau had if these were not elected or as any of the beleevers children before Christ had not being elected by way of priviledge as children of beleevers to partake of outward Ordinances and priviledges as children of the faithful especially when as it is not known of us who are elected and who are not Why may it not be that Esau was made partaker of this outward priviledge for Jacob and Abrahams sake And for the elect childrens sake all in general who are children of beleevers in the Church of God might and may have this outward badge of Christianity as a note of distinction between children of Iews Turks and Pagans who deny and reject Christ and children of such faithful who beleeve and embrace Christ and the Gospel in truth and sincerity And thus you have one ground of Scripture opened and applyed for Pedobaptism which may evidence That it is not a meer humane invention and absolute will-worship as some have affirmed whom I dare not for this one opinion against Infants baptism utterly condemn excommunicate and cast out of the Churches of Christ as enemies to Christ and the Gospel but rather look upon some of them as weak Brethren to be drawn in by bands of Love and cords of Amity by all means seeking to inform them and reveal that light the Lord hath opened in the Cannonical Books of the Old and New Testament praying God that every Saint may joyn in love and humility in prayer to God every day more and more to reveal and settle Truth in his Churches that God may be glorified and truth and peace established in Christ Jesus Quest 12. I am of your minde not to condemn all as utter enemies to Christ who are adversaries to childrens baptism But yet their Divisions and Separations they have made in the Church their unchurching of the Churches of Christ their contempt of Christs Ministers for difference of Opinion in things of lesser importance with divers such like cannot be answered or justified I think before God or men as being contrary to that Christian love and unity required by Christ in and amongst all that professe the Name of the Lord Jesus But tell me I pray you what other grounds of Scripture have you to prove the lawfulnesse of childrens Baptism Ans There are divers Grounds of Scripture discussed and handled at large by several learned men I will onely name a few and leave the more full opening of them to those who have undertaken the controversie in their larger Treatises And first That encouragement which the Apostle giveth to those Converts Acts 2.38 39. to repent and be baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ for remission of sins because the Promise is to them and to their children and not to them onely and their children but to as many as are afar off even as many as the Lord our God should call that is to the faith of Christ or to be beleevers in Christ and why not to their children also as being children of beleevers as well as to the former whether they were far off of the Iews or far off of the Gentiles who should be or are since brought in to beleeve on Christ and so their children have an encouragement to be baptized as well as other If you ask what the promise here spoken of was I cannot see why it should not be that promise made to Abraham and to beleevers in him as being in some respect the Father of the Faithful I will be thy God and the God of thy Seed and then as circumcision was especially the seal of that spiritual Covenant to Abraham and his spiritual Seed so virtually to beleevers and their spiritual children is there a signe and seal belonging And this is not circumcision which is vertually forbidden in that Institution of Baptism by Christ in the Gospel as Baptism is Matth. 28.19 20. and may be vertually commanded to children of beleevers though not expressed by Name in that Institution of Baptism aforesaid In like manner as women are not expressed by Name in the Institution of the Lords Supper and yet are vertually by Christs Ordinance to be admitted and made partakers of that holy Sacrament Quest 13. But may not there be the same Arguments for the Sacrament of the Lords Supper to be given to children of beleevers now as for the Sacrament of Baptism since the children of the Israelites are conceived to eat the Passeover Exod. 12. as well as they were circumcised Ans I conceive there is not the same Reason of Baptism and the Lords Supper For in the Act of Baptism both men of ripe yeers and children are meer patients suffering themselves to be baptized which a childe is capable of and may suffer as well as a man of ripe yeers But in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper there is action not onely of eating and drinking for that a childe may do But of eating and drinking in remembrance of Christ of shewing the Lords death until he come of offering up an Eucharistical Sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving for the death and passion and Resurrection and Assention of Christ and all benefits thereby and an Act of renewing our Covenant with God in Christ at the Sacrament which an Infant cannot do Nâ—â—â— 10 2â— as not being of knowledge and understanding and so an Infant may not he be capable of the Lords Supper though he be capable of Baptism or inchoate admission into the Church of Christ But this is discussed at large by others therefore I passe to the next Quest 14. What is that third ground you finde produced for childrens Baptism Ans That priviledge of the children of beleevers in Christ above the children of Turks Pagans and Infidels unto whom I perceive there are divers priviledges and
prerogatives may be found in Scriptures and besides that they are in the bosome of the Church in godly Families bred up under the means of Grace partakers of their Parents instruction in the knowledge of Christ and in many respects more happy then the children of Pagans and Infidels in regard of outward privileges even in spiritual things There is as the Apostle intimates a special kinde of holinesse belongeth to them which pertains not to children of unbeleevers This seemeth to me held forth by the Apostle 1 Cor. 7. 1 Cor. 7.14 The unbeleeving Husband is sanctified by the Wife i. e. by or in the beleeving wise and so on the contrary part for I conceive these are opposed one to the other and the conclusion or inference followeth else were your children unholy but noâ— they are holy And this for what 〈◊〉 yet finde may and must be meant of more then Matrimonial holinesse for that may be amongst unbeleevers And if it should be no more the conclusion would be but this else were your children Bastards as some have expounded it But I do not beleeve that all the children of unbeleeving persons in the married estate are Bastards Heb. 13.4 since marriage is honourable amongst all whether beleevers or unbeleevers And although neither of the Parents be a beleever yet if they be lawfully married their children are not Bastards nor so to be esteemed And if there be more meant and to be understood then a Matrimonial holinesse Then what reason is there why this holinesse should not be a Covenant holinesse Ben. Aret in 1 Cor. 7. Sumit Argumentum naturâ fidei melioris personae singulis fidelibus dicitur Ero Deus tuus seminis tui Ad sanctificationem filiorum satis est si alter parens sit fidelis 1 Cor. 7.14 15. intitling children of beleevers to covenant priviledges for in this I subscribe to the judgement of Bendictus Aretius upon that place That the Apostle takes an Argument from the nature of the Faith of the better party namely of the beleever to prove the sanctification of the worser party that is of the unbeleever And so the priviledge of this holinesse of the children ariseth not from a bare Matrimonial or Conjugal union of the married parties but from the excellency and priviledge of Faith and so of that Covenant union and Covenant holinesse of the Covenant to beleevers I will be thy God and the God of thy Seed And a Covenant priviledge may be to have a signe and seal of the Covenant belong to these holy children of beleevers as the Apostle calls them And if so then why not Baptism as is held forth in the Reason before and for that iâ— is objected by some that divers Divines hâ—ve been of other mindes and given other Inâ—erpretations of the place it is no satisfactory ground against Poedobaptism to another Christian who cannot underwrite to their opinions Quest 15. Is there no more Reasons given or held forth by Divines for this Infant Baptism Ans There are divers Reasons drawn from other places of Scripture Col. 2.11 c. that Col. 2. where the Apostle makes mention of inward circumsion made without hands and after of Baptism â—s coming in place of circumcision for so some argue from that place and from other the like Scriptures But because the Controversie grown to be great in these present times many Books written pro and con for and against Infant Baptism and for that the opening and handling of this Controversie at large is too great for this little Body of Divinity and beyond my intention in this work I will leave the deciding of the Question to those I hope holy and learned men that are engaged in the Controversie for I dare not but think there may be Saints on both sides and onely hold forth a few Questions for clearing of some objections at least in part as I conceive and desire that the Lord Christ will so discover truth by his light that whatsoever hath been practised amisse may be reformed and the Church of Christ be glorious in Truth and Unity Qâ—â—st 16. Is not Baptism 〈◊〉 badge of Christianity and sign to put difference between the Church of Christ and the world and if so then doth not Baptizing Children though of Believers destroy that difference and confound the World and Church together sometimes receiving them for Saints which are not and so frustrate one end of Baptism to different Believers from the world Ans It is true outward Baptism is one outward sign or badge of difference in men and women of riper years between the world and the Church and yet all that are baptized in Infancy or amongst men and women of ripe years and who have made an outward confession of Faith and Repentance and have been baptized after Profession are not by their outward Baptism truly separated from the world and made Members of Christ by vertue of that work done as Papists have taught Acts 8. For Simon Magus was outwardly Baptized and made a profession and shew of believing yet was he in truth still one of the world 1 Tim. 1. and Hymeneus and Alexander no doubt were outwardly Baptized and yet they and many others after made ship-wrack of Faith and were not truly separated from the world But there is more required then this Quest 17. What then is that which doth thus truly separate and make this true difference Ans It is Gods Election effectual calling Justification Regeneration and inward Baptism and true ingrafting into Christ and to be born of the Spirit that truly separates from the world in respect of inward separation And this Children may have as Jeremy John Baptist might and many Children of Believers Luke 1.15 and such as died before outward Circumcision and all elect children whatsoever before the Eight day and therefore by right of foederal holinesse may Children of Believers have this priviledge to be outwardly entred into the Church by an Infant Solemn admission and being Baptized to be as true outward Members of the visible Church and compleat in respect of truth and perfection of true visible Infant-Membership and so may partake of outward Administrations according to their capacity although they be incompleat in respect of perfection of degrees of visibility and declarative admission to the Lords Supper and other acts of Church-fellowship agreeing to Professors of the true Faith of the Gospel and subjection thereunto in holinesse as well as Isaac Ishmael Iacob and Esau when they were Children being Circumcised and so Children now since they cannot be discerned to be otherwise then Elect of God and of Gods Kingdom no more then Esau could till he was discovered and therefore children may be accepted as outward true Members and inward in judgement of charity and partake of Baptism otherwise what chief holinesse or priviledge have they above the Children of Infidels for to say they have none is directly contrary to the Apostles
of their hands to receive the Bread from me and so the hand by which the hand of Faith is remembred was made of no use in the action which you will say ought not to be in this Sacrament For the hand of Faith receives Christ the Lord of our souls for the spiritual refreshing as the hand of the body receives the Bread and Wine Thirdly If you rightly observe the sacramenâ—al action or act or ministration you shâ—ll finde and see the Minister of Christ having broken the Bread according to the institution command and example of Christ to take the Bread in a Silver or other Charger or Dish in which it is broken and present and give it to all in general at the Table with Christs invitation take and eat and so the cup take and drink ye all of this which doth imply every particular man or woman at the Table So our taking the Bread all out of one dish doth sweetly hold forth reaching out of a living hand of Faith a Christian union and communion in Christ as the Apostle intimates 1 Cor. 10.17 And thus I hope I have satisfied your doubts so that you may come with comfort to the Lords Table Quest 9. But what if a tender conscience cannot be satisfied about circumstances may not Saints agree to meet Christ in the Sacrament and receive the outward Elements in divers gestures of the body some sitting some standing or the like as well as they agree daily to hear the Word preached as they please or can be fitted without any such asking question for conscience Ans These Ceremonies I conceive are not worth contending for 1 Cor. 11.16 if men cannot agree or a tender conscience not satified nor ought to be excommunicated or delivered over â—o Satan for these things yet it is good yea a duty for all to study to be all of one minde and in one manner to meet Christ if it were possible according to the Directory of that Church wherein they live Quest 10. But have you any antiquity of your opinion herein Dan. 7.8 Psa 122.6 Eph. 4.3 4 5 6. Eusebius l. 5. c. 26. Anselm Epi. 327. of Ireneus to Victor and others Ans Yes the ancient of dayes God himself holdeth forth this in the Scriptures That Gods people should endeavor unity and the Saints in former ages have been of the same judgement in that controversie between the Eâ—stern and Western Church about the celebration of Easter though they differed in opinion in circumstance yet they agreed in substance and received the Sacrament together and so in the d fferent manner of celebrating the Lords â—upper and the like when the unity of charity was observed in the substantial matters of Faith divers customes in circumstance did not nor ought to separare but Saints ought to unite in love as the reformed Churches do at this day The twentieth Classis or company of Questions 1 Question YOu have answered concerning the first grace in the Wedding Garment namely knowledge first of God secondly of our selves thirdly of Christ and fourthly of the Sacrament Now what light is there from Christ to manifest Faith the second grace to be examined and enlivened before we come to the Lords Table Ans To know what Faith is we must understand that the Word is diversly held forth by Christ in holy Scriptures First Gal. 1.23 Rom. 10.6.8 1 Tim. 1.16 1 Tim. 3.9 1 Tim. 4.1 Iames 2.17 c. for the Doctrine or Word of Faith which is preached and believed by the Church of Christ Secondly Faith is taken for historical Faith only when assent is given to the truth of the Word without application or fruit it is a dead Faith Thirdly Faith is taken for a temporary Faith which hath not only assent to the truth of the Gospel but profession with a kinde of joy and delight for a time Mat. 13.20 21. Mat. 13.22 Mat. 17.19 20. 1 Cor. 13.2 till temptation and tribulation cometh because of the Word and then it dieth and withereth Fourthly Faith is taken for the Faith of working miracles a special Faith given in the Primitive times to the Saints for confirmation of the truth of the Gospel Rom. 3.3 Mat. 13.23 Fifthly Faith is taken for faithfulnesse truth and constancy in word and promises as the Faith and promise of God to his people and of men to men Rom. 5.1 Tit. 1.1 2 Pet. 1.1 Acts 13.48 Isai 53.1 2. Phil. 1.29 Rom. 13.6 c. Rom. 8.1.5.10 2 Cor 4.13 Mat. 13.11 Ioh. 17.3 Sixthly and lastly Faith is taken for a true lively justifying faith the proper and pretious Faith of Gods Elect. Quest 2. What is this pretious justifying Faith of Gods Elect Answ This Faith is an admirable peculiar and special Grace and free gift of God by which a man or woman rightly prepared by the power of the Word and Spirit of Christ First doth know assent unto and embrace and trust to God in Christ in the free promises of the Gospel or Covenant of Grace Secondly know desire earnestly single out and make choyce of Christ the rich treasure and pearl held forth in the Gospel and Gospel promises as his onely Surety Redeemer Advocate and Mediator between God and him Thirdly lively believe receive apprehend take and apply Christ to himself as his Saviour and acquiesce or rest on Christ and Christs merits and righteousnesse alone for salvation Ioh. 3.14 c. Romans 1.1 c. and. 4.16 Gal. 3.16 c. Ioh. 17.3 1 Cor. 2.2 Phil. 3.7 c. Heb. 1.22 and. 8.6 c. and. 12.14 Ioh. 3.36 and. 1.12 Phil. 3.12 Mat. 11.28 29. Gal. 2.20 and 3.14 2 Chr. 14.11 2 Tim. 1.12 Rev. 5.11 12 13 14. Act. 4.12 2 Thes 2.13 14. Act. 13.37 38 39. Quest 3. How or in what sence do you call this Faith a justifying Faith Ans Not vertually and meritoriously of it self 1 Tim. 1.9 10. Titus 3.4 c. as it is a work or act of our understanding to know and of our will sanctified to elect and embrace Christ but instrumentally as it doth apprehend and apply Christ to the soul It is not the act of our Faith receiving but the object of our Faith Christ and his merits and righteousnesse received which meritoriously justifieth poor sinners before God as not the hand which applieth but the plaister and vertue of that which cures the wound to which it is applied Quest 4. When is a man or woman rightly prepared or his heart by the power and spirit of Christ disposed to believe and thus to receive and embrace Christ for his salvation Ans When by the strength and mighty power of Christ and his spirit in the word a man or woman is in some measure First enlightened with the knowledge of God and Christ and himself by the good pleasure of God held forth in the Word of God in general and in the promises of the Gospel in particular And Rom. 8.15 Secondly Inabled by
in the Primitive times truly believers and converted to Christ before they were baptized 1 Cor. 12.13 Rom. 8.11 and indeed all the Saints in the world make but one body or Church of Christ quickened by Christs spirit to life eternal This godly Mr. Perkins excellently sets forth by a similitude which I shall expresse in this order Mr. Perkins on the creed Suppose a man as high as heaven his legs standing one in Asia the other in America his hands spred out one over Europe the other over Africa his toes and fingers in England France Germany and other parts of the world many hundred miles distant asunder and all quickened by one and the same soul This distance of place doth not hinder the union of every part of the body to the head and of each part to the fellow members or the truth of any part in particular There is and may be a sweet union and communion of one part with another though far distant in places and Countries Kingdoms Cities and Common wealths where they live and a truth of each part though not all beautiful alike one excelling in graces above another In the same manner the Head of the mystical Body and Church of Christ is now in heaven the Lord Christ himself our Lord and Saviour and some of his members in heaven with him and some in earth and of these some part in England some in Scotland some in Germany some in divers other Kingdoms Nations Provinces Cities Parishes and Congregations of men in several places of the world many hundred ye thousand miles some parts distant from the other and the spirit of God is as it were the soul of this body which giveth spiritual life unto all the members and all united by this one and the same spirit by whom we are all baptizâ—d into one body as we noted before And so first you see how the Church may be said to be Catholike or Universal as it comprehendeth all the members of the body scattered in divers Countries Secondly how it is and may be called national as it is a company called of God to believe repent and professe subjection to the Faith and Gospel-holinesse living and preserved in England Scotland or other Nations Thirdly how it was or might be called a Church provincial in the Province or Countrey of Galatia in the Cities of Ephesus Corinth Geneva London or other Cities and Provinces greater or lesse whatsoever Lastly how the same Church of Christ is and may be called particular or congregational as it relates to persons called professing Faith and holinesse admitted to Church communion and united together in a holy profession and participation of Word Sacraments and other ordinances of Christ Iesus in one parochial or congregational Assembly all as particular true members of the Catholike or Universal Church of Christ Quest 17. What or how manifold is that outward corporal or visible entrance into the visible Church of Christ and fellowship of the Saints Ans As the inward entrance is but one in substance Eph. 1.5 2 Tim. 1.9 1 Cor. 6.11 Ioh. 10.7 Ioh. 14.6 and thus in and by Christ we are elected and chosen of God the Father but it is in and by Christ and so we are inwardly called and justified and sanctified but it is in and by the same spirit of Christ The Lord Christ is the onely way and door of entrance into the Church Millitant and Church triumphant and so likewise there is but one outward entrance and admission into the Church of Christ for the substance and principal matter of it and this was by way of Covenant and seal of the Covenant as an Ordinance of Christ although there have been divers manners and wayes in the practise of the Churches and amongst the Saints of the most High yet all I conceive by a charitable and Christian construction may be referred to and for substance ageee with the Ordinance and institution of Christ Quest 18. What is or was the first of these wayes of admission and entrance into the Church or Church-fellowship and communion of Saints before Christ coming in our humane nature Ans To omit former times and what was the practise of the Church then and Gods Ordinance the footsteps thereof not being easily to be found I look upon that Ordinance and Institution of Christ with Abraham and the practise of the Church in Abrahams family and Generation Rom. 4.16 17. Abraham being in some respect the Father of the Faithful and the Church in his house a Type if I may so call it of the Church of Christ since the coming of Christ and of the household of Faith Quest 19. Gen. 17.2 3 c. Isai 56.6 7. Num. 15. Exo. 12.48 Gen. 17. What was the Institution of Christ and Direction to Abraham for admission and entrance into the Church Ans This Ordinance of Christ to Abraham was by way of Covenant between God and Abraham and Abrahams Seed the Faithful or beleevers and compleated by a signe and seal of this Covenant in Abraham and his children and all that should come in to be of Abrahams family and so members of the Church and to their children at eight dayes old as to Isaac and all Abrahams posterity This signe and seal was Circumcision as we may reade Gen. 17. Quest 20. But howsoever there was and might be a Covenant between God and Abraham and so between men of ripe yeers and the Lord mutually Yet how could there be a Covenant between God and Abrahams young children or the children of other beleevers when they were circumcised Whereas they were but eight dayes old and Circumcision in the ordinary way to be deferred no longer And how were these admitted into the Church by Covenant and Circumcision the signe and seal of the Covenant of Grace between God and Abraham Ans First The Covenant or Promise on Gods part or by the Lord was with Abraham himself and in and with Abraham to and with the children and beleeving posterity of Abraham And all Proselytes whom the Lord should convert and draw in to beleeve and to be of Abrahams Family or of the Church by Faith and Profession manifested by submitting unto and accepting of Circumcision Gen. 17. that signe and seal of the Covenant appointed by the Lord to Abraham and to and for Abrahams posterity and all such converted Proselytes and their children whatsoever Secondly As on Abrahams part Gen. 12. Gen. 17. Rom. 4.11 the Covenant was mutually made with God by himself in taking the Lord for his God as he had done before by beleeving the Promise That in him that is in his Seed Christ should all the nations of the Earth be blessed renewed here again as expressed more fully in and by acceptance of and submitting unto circumcision the signe and seal of the Covenant of Grace and of the righteousnesse of Faith in Christ the Messiah to come and so by men of ripe years Proselytes converted to
be of Abrahams Family by professing themselves covenanters and to have the Lord for their God and by accepting of and submitting unto circumcision that signe and seal of the Covenant as Abraham did But for children of Abraham and of other Proselytes believers who had entred Covenant for themselves Abraham and such Parents did in all appearance Covenant that they would instruct and teach their children the Covenant of God which the Lord witnesseth of Abraham Gen. 18.18 19. that he did know Abraham would do according to his duty and Covenant that they might fear the Lord which is certain was no more then what Abraham had engaged himself unto by his Covenant accepting the Lord for his God and the God of his seed And the Infants themselves did only passively enter Covenant if I may so speak by receiving circumcision the signe and seal of the Covenant which they were actually to enter by solemn profession when they came to be of knowledge and understanding as those children of the Israelites did of which we read Nehemiah the tenth Neh. 10.28 29. When they were instructed and catechized in the knowledge of the mystery and Sacrament of circumcision as the Israelites children were commanded to be instructed in the mystery or Sacrament of the Passeover Law of God Exo. 12.26 27. Deut. 6.6 7. from generation to generation Exodus 12. Quest 21. Then it seemeth that circumcision did not give Infants at eight dayes old a compleat and perfect admission into the Church or a perfection of membership with visible professors compleat Ans I conceive they had a true and compleat Infant admission as far as they were capable of and passively received the signe of circumcision as a signe and seal of that Covenant made with Abraham their Father to distinguish them from the children of all Pagans and Idolaters such as were not of the Church and to intitle them to other rights and priviledges which they should be capable of when they came to knowledge and understanding to professe and by profession actually to enter Covenant themselves But they were not fully and compleatly taken as such visible members as might joyn in Covenant and other Ordinances until they were of knowledge and understanding as is noted in Nehemiah before For I do not conceive it certain that children were admitted to eat the Passeover until they were of some understanding if that be true which is related by the Hebrews that every one both of men and women was bound to drink that night four cups of wine without fail every cup containing a log as much as an egge and half and to blesse God at every cup especially at the last cup As Master Ainsworth out of Maimon relates to which the Apostle alludes in the cup of blessing besides they were to be of that understanding to ask their Parents the reason of that service Exo. 12. 1 Cor. 10.16 and to conceive their instruction given them as appeareth from that 12 of Exod. noted before Therefore more then Infant-circumcision was necessary to a compleat grown up visible member of the Church before Christ Quest 22. You have shewed in part the admission of Abraham and men of ripe years of Abrahams posterity or children were admitted as members now in what manner were the Proselytes admitted when they were received as of the Church Ans It is recorded in Scripture that one Ordinance was to be for the Congregation and for the stranger that sojourned with them as they were so were the strangers to be before the Lord by an Ordinance for ever Num. 15.15 But we read further as it is related out of the Hebrew Doctors That if an Hebrew receive of the Heathens a servant grown in yearâ— and the servant be not willing to be circumcised he dealeth with him a whole twelve moneth more then that it is not lawful to keep him being uncircumcised he must sell him again to the Heathens so that every Heathen might be admitted to the Church and people of God if he would but if he would be admitted then he must be admitted and enter into Covenant as the Hebrews did like as the Hebrew Doctors say by three things did Israel enter into Covenant namely by circumcision and baptism and sacrifice First circumcision was in Egypt as it is written Exo. 12.48 1 Cor. 10.22 Exo. 10.8 9 10. no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof Secondly Baptism was in the wildernesse before the Law not only typically in the Red-sea But at the foot of Mount Sinai as it is written The Lord said to Moses go unto the people and sanctifie them to day and to morrow and let them wash their cloaths and be ready against the third day this was their entring Covenant as in the 5 6 7 8. verses a fore going in that Chapter is evident Thirdly by sacrifice as it is written he sent young men of the sons of Israel which offered burnt offerings and this at entring into a confirming of the Covenant For Moses took the Book of the Covenant and read in the audience of the people Exo. 24.5 6 7 8. and they said all that the Lord hath spoken we will do and be obedient here was a submission to the Covenant and Moses confirmed it by sprinkling the blood on the people and said Behold the blood of the Covenant which the Lord hath made with you concerning all these6 words And so in all ages when an Ethnick or Heathen was willing to enter into the Covenant and gather himself under the wings of the Majesty of God and take upon him the yoak of the Law he must be circumcised and baptized and bring a sacrifice and if it be a woman she must be baptized and bring a sacrifice and as the Israelite so was the admission of a stranger also by way of Covenant profession and seal of Covenant as is held forth by these evidences Quest 23. There is one question more I desire to be resolved in before you come to shew the admission of converts or children of belivers in the time of the Gospel and this is concerning what you said of circumcision that it was to Abraham a signe and seal of the righteousnesse of Faith and of the Covenant of Grace I have heard some are of opinion that circumcision appointed to Abraham was not a seal of Faith and Covenant of Grace but a seal of the Covenant of works do and live and of the righteousnesse of works by doing and not believing and that Abraham by circumcision was bound to perform perfect obedience to the whole Law upon pain of eternal damnation and that the Covenant was onely a corporal covenant and that there was as much difference between circumcision and baptism as between Mount Sinai which gendreth to bondage Gal. 4. and Ierusalem which is free between Hagar and Sara which are most contrary and then the manner of admission of Saints in the Old Testament can have no agreement
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-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
they were not true Ministers of the Gospel because ordained by a Bishop and a company of Presbyters according to the ancient practise of the Church Secondly I say the Ministers of Christ have had a twofold vocation or calling to that office Acts 20.18 18. and 13.1 2 3. 1 T t .4.14 First extraordinary by Christ Himself as the Apostle and Saint Paul had And Secondly more ordinarily by the Apostles and Elders of the Church and by the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery as the Scripture held forth unto us as Paul left Titus Tit. 1.3 4. Act. 20 2â— Bishop Titus or overseer Titus as Saint Paul calleth the Bishops or Elders of Ephesus far different from our late Bishops or overseers in many respects the manner commonly by laying on of hands of Presbyters and a Bishop or overseer not as a Bishop of later stamp but as a Presbyter and overseer of old have Ministers of Christ been ordained and after ordination sent and received of particular Churches And howsoever some corruptions have crept into the manner of Ordination and although some ordained Presbyters have turned Popes and Popish Bishops and some Popish Bishops with a company of Presbyters have examined approved and ordained Ministers and given outward Ordination and Authority to preach the Gospel yet this cannot nullifie the call of a Minister of Christ if he be called and gifted inwardly and inabled by Christs spirit with gifts fit for the ministerial office as all the outward calling and approbation by a particular Congregation maketh not an illiterate cobler or other mechanick to be a true Minister of Christ when Christ hath not furnished him with gifts and graces fit for so high and honourable a calling Thirdly We who are Ministers of Christ receive not our calling from Antichrist but from Christ and our Ordination for substance is truly Christian not Antichristian Howsoever some Antichristianly affected might sometimes have had a hand in Ordination the Gospel of Christ hath been conveyed to Reformed Churches yea to separate congregations themselves to such as separate themselves from Babylon it may be by the hands and means of Romish Babylon God hath made the servants of Antichrist to be his servants in this that they have been porters and carriers to bring the holy Scriptures unto the Reformed Churches by the hands of glorious Reformers in the Churches of Christ and yet the Scriptures are the true Word of God and the true Gospel of Jesus Christ for all this And so are our Ministers true Ministers of Christ though their outward Ordination had been carried through the polluted hands of some Antichristianly affected Bishops and Presbyters who did sit in place as Scribes and Pharisees did sit in Moses chair But we say further Mat. 23.1 2 3. as God did extraordinarily call and gifted the Apostles and Ministers in the Primitive times and they ordained others in the Church whose Ministery the Lord did blesse for the propagation of the Gospel So did the Lord wonderfully stir up and in an extraordinary manner call Luther Calvin and others in the Reformed Churches And so Reverend Bishop Cranmer Ridley Latimer and other godly Martyrs Bishops and Ministers of Christ by whose hand their successors the faithful Ministers in the Churches of Christ in England received their outward ordination but their inward from Christ himself and his spirit by whose grace the Lord hath made our Ministery glorious in the conversion of many thousand souls to God and building up of as glorious Saints as any ever was in the Christian world since the Primitive times yea even the Separatists themselves 1 Cor. 4 15. who now deny us to be the true Ministers of Jesus Christ must needs confesse that we have been their spiritual Fathers in Christ and have begotten them again to God through the Gospel yea Gal. 4.19 we as tender Mothers have travelled in birth again in our painful Ministery until Christ hath been formed in them all though now in a most ingrateful manner they dishonour their parents and sin against Christ the Lord of his Church Quest 43. This I suppose is sufficient to satisfie any humbled soul not filled too much with pride self-conceit and the spirit of division and separation as too many are in these dayes But yet some object That howsoever Ministers outward approbation and ordination may be passed over and they be lawful Ministers yet what lawful call have they to particular Congregations and places Ans I answer Patrons of Churches and congregations were and have been honoured and trusted with the nomination and presentation of Ministers to particular Churches but so as none ought to have been put upon any congregation but such as ought to have been well approved of by the Bishop who had a trust reposed in him also for sufficiency and ability for the work of the Ministery and for holinesse of life and and conversation which when and where the trust was rightly performed and the Ministers have been faithful labourers in the Lords harvest and after admission approved of by the faithful and godly party in a Parochial Congregation certainly there was a call sufficient and a sufficient union and form of union between Pastor and people to make up in this respect a true Church of Christ Secondly Howsoever this trust both in Patrons and Bishops hath been most grosly abused by corrupt Simoniacal Patrons most unconscionably seeking to thrust wicked Ministers they cared not whom upon the people and carelesse Bishops neglecting that trust reposed in them yet the failings herein was not enough to un-church a Church where yet the Gospel hath been preached and Sacraments administred for substance according to the institution of Christ though here as in Corinth Galatia and Jerusalem many faults might be found to stand in need of Reformation And howsoever no face of a Church might for a time appear 1 Kin. i9 14 Ier. 3.15 as in Jerusalem for a time yet God in many places have given Pastors after his own heart to feed his people with knowledge and understanding and where the Candlestick hath been removed for a time or at least a Candle shut up as in a dark lanthorn God at prayers of his people hath removed a carelesse shepherd and in his due time restored comfort in a faithful Minister to his people and so still continued and preserved the Churches of Christ amongst us yea both for matter and form sufficient to constitute a Church howsoever there hath been some failings in both Quest 44. You have in some measure cleared this Objection Yet how are our Churches rightly constituted in respect of a formal union of members one with another Ans I conceive there is a twofold union First a civil union as in division of Kingdoms Provinces Cities or Parishes And as God hath in this providence united men in habitation and course Act. 17.26 and means of livelyhood God having determined the times before appointed
new builded there are onely some few rooms pull'd down where the Officers for execution of Discipline lodged and some such particulars But the main house stands still the preaching of the Gospel as glorious as ever the Word and Prayer and the Sacraments and admission and growth of grace in the Churches of Christ yea even in our mixed Congregations and so still true Churches for matter and form and visible Saints to be found to and with whom we may exercise this grace of christian love and charity Quest 48. This is enough I conceive to shew our lawful membership in and of the Church of Christ and to evidence our Church a true Church in respect of admission into the fellowship of the Saints and communion of the faithful both for matter and form But now wherein should a childe of God declare and shew forth his Christian love and charity to such visible Saints and members of Christs Church Ans In all lawful christian union and communion one with another in actions of piety and charity according to the rules of the Gospel edifying one another in the knowledge of Christ receiving the weak brethren in all wisdom humility and love to build them up in the necessary truth of the Gospel and that in all godly prudence to win them to a more high prizing of Christ and all the wayes of Grace and godlinesse but not receiving weak brethren or sisters to doubtful Disputations Rom. 14.1 2 c. so much as in things indifferent and so not in matters of higher nature they being not able to judge of the force of Arguments in dispute 1 Tim. 1.4.6 and vain jangling too common in the world and so may be drawn to Errors have their consciences remain lesse satisfied in the truth Acts 2. 5. but to exercise all love towards them especially Ministers to the flock satisfying tender consciences out of Gods Word and one christian communicating to another in outward things especially to the poor in the Churches of Christ not that there is such a community of goods Rev. 2. and of all things as the wicked Nicolaitans did Acts 2. and some of later times do imagine by wrong interpreting Scripture but that in christian charity the richer christians should be careful to relieve the necessities of their poor Brethren and do good to them especially as being of the houshold of Faith Gal. 6.10 And this is enough to manifest the truth of members of particular Congregations that were baptized in Infancy and Catechized and professing Faith holinesse and renewing Covenant with God in Christ before their partaking of the Lords Supper as according to the true ancient order of the Church they have been in many Congregations Parochial in England where faithful Ministers have been and not onely in this respect but in respect of our Ministers Word and Sacraments and effects of grace wrought in the hearts of Gods children evidence our Churches true Churches whatsoever violent seducing Separatists whisper to their deceived Disciples to the contrary Thus you may see a communion of Saints in England to whom and with whom we may exercise our christian love and charity Ier. 15.19 which every day will shine more gloriously as Reformation separates the precious from the vile more fully which we hope and pray for daily The two and twentieth Classis or company of Questions Question 1. YOu have in some good measure declared these four Graces in the Wedding garment Divine knowledge lively Faith Evangelical Repentance and Christian love and charity Now is there no more required but the habits of these Graces to fit us for the comfortable partaking of the Lords Supper and to fit us in our walking with Christ in the whole course of our lives What light is there for Christians for direction herein Ans Yes we ought to wait on Christ in all good means that these graces may be enlivened actuated awakened as a man from sleep yea strengthned and lively 2 Tim i. 6 Rev. 3.2 stirred up and quickned by the quickning vertue and power of Christ that we may more sweetly meet Christ and gain soul-cherishing vertue from Christ in that holy ordinance and walk with Christ to eternal glory As man may have an habit of sight yet except awakened he cannot see Eph. 5.14 so we in habits of Grace must be awakened and quickned by Christ Quest 2. What helps or meant are there to be used in which we should wait on Christ for the quickning of these Graces and our further preparation for the Lords Table and walking with Christ in our lives And what light have you from Christ to direct in this particular Ans These helps are chiefly of three sorts revealed by Christ unto us 2 Chron. 30.3 c. Lev. 23.27 c 1 Cor. 11.17 c. First Publike preparation in the Ministery of the Word Prayer Catechizing confession or profession of these graces of Knowledge Faith Repentance and love especially in a day set apart for preparation for the meeting of Christ in this Ordinance that a man or woman may be approved of by the Ministers and Elders of the Church as being not onely in some competent measure freed from ignorance and without scandal but also endued with truth of grace as far as may be discerned in judgment of charity and so such as are to be admitted to joyn in communion with the Saints and partake with comfort in this this holy communion at the Table of the Lord. Quest 3. But is it fit that men or women should willingly make profession of their graces and approve themselves to the Church as well as examine themselves in secret before they presume to come to the Lords Supper Ans Howsoever it is not necessary that every one should make this profession every time he or she comes to the Sacrament yet it is certain that every one ought to make this profession or be known to be such a one until he or she be approved of by the Church as fit members to be admitted as children baptized when they come to age of discretion ought to professe the Faith in Christ 2 Cor. 2.5 c. 1 Cor. 5.3 c. 2. And if any fall into open sin after profession and admission it is fit they should declare their Repentance before they presume to come or be re-admitted to this feast of the Lord. Quest 4. What ground have you for this in holy Scriptures or what light from Christ to discover this Truth Ans Because if we must be alwayes ready to give an Answer to every one that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in us with meeknesse and fear 1 Pet. 3.15 and 5.1 c. Iud. 20.21 c. as is noted in the first Classis much more to the Church or to the Ministers of Christ or Elders set over the Congregation desiring not as Lord to tyrannize over our consciences or to shame us for our
weaknesse in knowledge Faith and other Grace But as Ministers of Christ Fathers or Brethren in all love humility and tendernesse of compassion to help and further our preparation to meet Christ with comfort in this blessed Sacrament Quest 5. What is a second help for the quickning of these graces to the glory of God in our lives and specially before we draw near to the Lords Table and what light from Christ for this to your soul Ans There may be a private lawful day or time of preparation in our Families or with some Christian friends joyning in conference and prayer and reading of the Scriptures so there be no neglect of publike places and times of worship nor disquiet of the state nor contempt of the lawful and good orders of the Church the better to fit us to meet Christ not resting on the thing done or the duty performed but waiting in these or the like duties until Christ be pleased to reveal Himself Zach. 12.10 c. Luk. 15.5 6 9. Act. 12.5.12 1 Pet. 3.7 Ier. 10.15 and communicate his vertue to our souls for our more comfortable enjoying of Christ in his holy Ordinance As we may call in neighbours to rejoyce and praise God with us So to pray with us Quest 6. What is the third help or means in which we should wait on Christ for his quickening vertue to honour God in his Ordinances and in our whole life what light from Christ for this end Ans This is a waiting on Christ in secret duties between God and our own souls And for this I conceive I may wait on Christ in six severall helps Quest 7. What are these several helps in particular Ans First I may set some time a part from all other imployments onely to attend Christ in secret for the obtaining of this grace as Isaac did Gen. 24.28 2. As day a of Atonement of old Lev. 23.27 28. 3. Or as Christ himself and Peter and other Saints Mat. 14.23 Acts 10.9 have set times apart for secret communion with God in Christ Iesus And so I may wait on Christ in a time convenient for this work Quest 8. What is a second help Ans To chuse a convenient place where I may be quiet in the sweet and secret soliloquies Mat. 6.6 14.23 Acts 10.9 or soul-conferences with God and my own heart and conscience Quest 9 What is a third Ans Examination of my self 1 Cor. ii 28 2 Cor. 13.5 and of the Graces before mentioned Knowledge Faith Repentance and Love Quest 10. What is a fourth help to this enlivening of Graces and preparation for the Sacrament by the vertue of Christ Ans Meditation both of God Luke 2.19 Psal 4.4 and my self and of Christ and the Sacrament and all these graces that they may be quickned to my own soul by the mighty power of Jesus Christ Quest 11. What is a fifth help in Christ for this renewing of grace Ans Application of all rightly to my self Ioh. 20.28 Iob. 10.25 26. Gal. â—2 20 Psal 110.1 by vertue of the life of Christ in my soul that all graces may be more enlivened in me and I may meet Christ with more cheerfulnesse and be enlivened by him for my more profitable enjoyment of Christ in the Ordinances Quest 12. What is a sixth help or means And what light further from Christ to strengthen and direct our souls in this particular Gen. 32.10 c. Ezek. 46.37 Luke 17.5 Rom. 8.26 27. Mark 9.24 Eph. 3.16 c. Acts 4.31 Ans Prayer to God in the name of Christ in which I may wait on God in Christ for the enlivening of the graces of God in me and right preparation to meet Christ in this Sacrament till God give a return of my prayer to my great joy in Christ Jesus as Jacob till an answer be given to my soul Quest 13. What is the first of these graces by these or the like helps to be enlivened by Christ and our spirit to our souls Ans Divine knowledge of God and of our selves and of Christ and of the Sacrament Quest 14. In what manner should we wait on Christ to enliven in us our knowledge of God Ans First Having set a fit time apart And Secondly Gen. 24.63 Gen. 32 2â— c. Dan 6.10 Mat. 14.23 Acts 1â— 9 2 Cor. 13.5 Mat. 13.51 16.13.15 Acts 8.30 1 Pet. 3.15 Made choice of a fit place to be separated from all worldly thoughts and to be devoted wholly to this work by the spirit of Christ that my soul may be in love with God Thirdly To Catechize and examine and question my self concerning my knowledge of God according as he is held forth unto me in this Catechism before or as far as I am enlightned with the knowledge of God what God is in himself in his excellent Nature Divine being and Essential properties perfections word and works especially the great work of mans salvation and I may examine my knowledge and see how able I am in Gods presence or before the Saints if need were to make a solemn profession of this my knowledge to the comfort of my self and edification of others Quest 14. How else should a Christian or you in particular wait on Christ to enliven this knowledge or have it enlivened by Christs spirit in his or her soul or in soul be fit to meet Christ Ans Fourthly As a Christian man or woman so I may meditate think ruminate and ponder of my knowledge of God in my heart Gen. 24.63 Psal 104.33 34. Luke 2.19 Psal 42.1 2 3 4. and endeavour to fix the eye of faith in my soul upon God in all these respects by the power of Christ until my soul be ravished with a glorious delight in God in his excellency fulnesse and all-sufficiency until that my soul and spirits by the spirit of Christ be drawn up into a holy and admirable union and communion of life with this blessed God now at one with me in Iesus Christ Quest 15. What or how thirdly may this be done Isa 64.7 2 Tim. 1.6 7. 2 Pet. 1.13 Ans Thirdly I may labour by the power of the spirit of Christ to improve my interest in this great and good God by stirring up and exercising the grace of Faith in the special application of God and his goodnesse as my God in Christ with joy and gladnesse to my own soul in particular So it is meet we stir up our selves and Graces in us Quest 16. What or in what manner lastly may you enliven this knowledge of God in your soul Ans In powring out of my soul by the strength of Christs spirit unto God in prayer to blesse this my seeking out of union and communion with God in Knowledge Sam. 1.15 Rom. 8.26 27. Phi. 30.8 9. Exo. 34.29 30. 2 Cor. 4.6 7. 1 Pet. 1.7 8. waiting on Christ till I finde the enlivening vertue of Christs spirit quickening and making alive my
7.51 Prov. 20.25 Malac. 3.8 9. or resist or revile or discontent the Ministers of Jesus Chrst in or about their Ministeriall office or any other unlawful wayes is a sin Fifthly to take away or keepe back from them any part of that honorable maintenance or countenance which is due unto them by the Ordinance of the Lord Jesus 1 Thess 5.17 Galat. 6.6 7. is sacriledge a robbing and mocking of God and an odious sinne and more particularly what is approved of by the lawfull Magistrate Iohn 15.20 21. Iohn 16.1 2 3. Acts 9.25 2 Cor. 11.32.33 Luke 11.49 50. Acts. 8.2 3 Acts 9.4 5 Luk. 19.27 2 Sam 6.7 Sixthly to persecute betray or not to defend and preserve the Ministers of Jesus Christ by all lawfull and good meanes in their lives goods good names and especially in and for the execution of their Ministeriall office is a sinne and the property and marke of wicked men whom Christ will one day take for his enemies who refuse to have him to rule over them Seventhly for any to intrude themselves into the office of Christs Ministers 2 Chron. 26.19 20. or to usurpe a Ministeriall office in the Church of Christ for which he hath no call from Christ nor ground or title from the Word of God Heb. 5.4 is certainly a sin an odious sin against Christ Jesus Quest 34. You have revealed by Scripture and light from Christ in the Scripture what are the duties required and the sinneâ— forbidden both of Christs Ministers anâ— of the people over whom the holy Ghost hatâ— made them overseers and in particulaâ— how the people ought to receive reverence and countenance their Ministers Pastors and Teachers and give them that honorable maintenance which is due to Gods Ministers by Divine right and according to the Ordinances of the Lord Christ But is there any promise of blessing or any such encouragement to those who do thus receive honour and pay freely that honorable Maintenance that is due to God for his service and to Gods Ministers for their labour and service according to the Oâ—dinance of Christ Ans Yea verily the Scripture holdeth forth diverse promises to this effect Prov. 3.9.10 as that in the Proverbs Honour the Lord with thy substance and with the first fruits of all thy increase so shall thy Barnes be filled with plenty and thy Presses shall burst out with new Wine thou shalt be sure if thou honour God in his service or faithfull servants 1 Sam. 2.30 God will honour thee yea the Lord biddeth his people to trie and prove him if they would bring in the maintenance of his Ministery and service as they ought Malac. 3.10 11. if he would not open the Windowes of Heaven and powre a blessing upon them and he would blesse and not curse their increase and Christ saith hee Mat. 10.40 41. that receiveth his Disciples and Ministers receiveth him and they that receive a Prophet in the Name of a Prophet shall receive a Prophets reward so that there is great encouragement for Saints and all Gods people to perform their duties herein Quest 35. Is there any thinke you that love the Lord Iesus that will not love and honour his faithfull Ministers and willingly give them all respect due to them by the Ordinance of Christ Ans Certainly all men have not faith and some are unreasonable and wicked men 2 Thess 3.2 who love not Christ nor his Ministers I have heard divers Ministers complaine Gens 47.22.26 2 Chron. 36.16 17. that in some parts they have beene used far worse then the Egyptians used their Priests they finde no favour but have been subject to divers abuses which was a fearfull sinne that once brought a forraigne enemy upon Gods owne people But now we hope better things that as the Lord hath honoured those who are in high places so he will honour them with one grace more to take care that there may be faithfull and honorable Ministers placed in every congregation in the Kingdome 1 Tim. 5.71 and that they may have an honorable maintenance duly payd them according to the Ordinance of Christ 1 Cor. 9.14 Quest 36. I have received good satisfaction for the duties of Ministers Pastors and Teachers in the church of Christ and the peoples duties unto them both in respect of reverence and maintenance But what is your judgement I pray you hath Christ appointed no government in his Church and so no governours who as Fathers are to be honoured and who are to be as Rulers in the Church for right ordâ—â—ing of Christs discipline for Gods glory and the good of his Church what light from Christ to direct in this Ans Yes certainly as the Scripture holdeth forth the Lord Christ himselfe to be the chiefe Lord and Governour Isaia 2.6 7 Mich. 5.2 Mat. 2.6 yea the King of his Church and the Governement to be upon his shoulder so when the Lord Christ ascended up into Heaven and led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men as hee gave some to be Apostles and some Prophets some Pastors and Teachers Eph. 4 11 12. c. 1 Tim. 5.17 Rom. 12.8 for the perfecting of the Saints for the worke of the Ministery for the edifying of the body of Christ so hee hath given Elders 1 Cor. 12.28 Acts 6.1 2 3. Rom. 12.7 Rulers and Governments or helpes in Government as Overseers Deacons Ministers and Officers for the good of the Church of Christ Quest 37. But who are these Elders and Officers that are to have government in the Church Ans First it is evident in Scripture that the same men who are called in Scripture Presbyters Acts 20.17 28. or Elders and Rulers they are called Overseers or Bishops and Pastors 1 Tim. 5.17 such as must labour in the word and Doctrine and not only take heede to all the flocke over which the holy Ghost hath made them overseers Titus 1.5 6 7 8 9. But feede the Church of God which hee hath purchased with his own blood Acts 29.28 So that it is evident that the same men who are Pastors and Teachers have authority from Christ to be Elders 1 Pet. 5.2 3 4. and Rulers in the Church although they are not to lord it over Gods heritage but to be ensamples to the flock as St. Seter holdeth forth the light of Christ unto the Church Quest 38. Are there no other Elders or Ruling Officers in the Church but Pastors and Teachers and such as labour publikely in Preaching and so in the word and doctrin Ans Divers learned men do affirme from that place of the Apostle to Timothy Aretius Piscâ—tor Beza in 1 Tim. 5.17 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Cor. 12.28 Heb. 13.17 24. The Church of Gâ—neva The Chu ch of Scotland And Holland Frâ—nce Nâ—w England and nâ—w England the Elders that Rule well are worthy of double honour especially those that labour in Word and