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A35959 Truths victory over error, or, An abridgement of the chief controversies in religion which since the apostles days to this time, have been, and are in agitation, between those of the Orthodox faith, and all adversaries whatsoever, a list of whose names are set down after the epistle to the reader : wherein, by going through all the chapters of The confession of faith, one by one, and propounding out of them, by way of question, all the controverted assertions, and answering by yes, or no, there is a clear confirmation of the truth, and an evident confutation of what tenets and opinions, are maintain'd by the adversaries : a treatise, most useful for all persons, who desire to be instructed in the true Protestant religion, who would shun in these last days, and perillous times, the infection of errors and heresies, and all dangerous tenets and opinions, contrary to the word of God. Dickson, David, 1583?-1663.; Sinclair, George, d. 1696. 1684 (1684) Wing D1412; ESTC R3405 145,943 378

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Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because the Scripture says GOD blinds their eyes and hardens their hearts even actively and judicially Iohn 12. 40. Exod. 7. 3. Deut. 2. 30. Rom. 9. 18. 2. Because God is said to punish one sin with another Rom. 1. 24 26 28 1 Thes. 2. 11 12. 3 From the practise of Iob and David who when they were afflicted and persecuted looked to God and took it patiently Iob 1. 21. Quest. III. DOth the sinfulness of the action proceed only from the Creature and not from God I answer from the Creature only Iam. 1. 13. 14 17. 1 Iohn 2. 16. Psalm 50. 21. Well then do not the Libertines err who affirm God without blasphemy be it spoken to be the Author and Cause of all sin Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 From Davids testimony Psalm 5. 4. 2 From Moses his testimony Deut. 32. 4. 3 From Daniels testimony Dan. 9. 14 4 From the testimony of Iames 1. 13. 5 From the testimony of Iohn 1 Iohn 2. 16. and 1 Iohn 1. 5. 6 From the testimony of Paul Rom. 3. 3 4 5. 7 From the testimony of Habukkuk 1 13 From reason 1 because God is in the highest degree essentially and infinitely Holy and Good and therefore pure and free from every spot and blemish Isaiah 6 3. Psalm 78 41 1 Peter 1 15 16 Lev. 11 44 2 Because God is absolutely perfect and therefore he cannot fail or be deficient in working 3 Because God is the Judge of the World He is the Forbidder the Hater and Revenger of all sin and unrighteousness as contrary to his holy Nature and Law Exod chap 20 Rom 3 5 6 Gen 18 25 Rom 1 17 Psalm 5 4 4 Because by his own most absolute and most supream dominion Soveraignty and infinite perfection He is in and of himself above all Law whatsoever and under the command of none in Heaven or in Earth CHAP VI Concerning the Fall of Man of Sin and the punishment thereof Question I. IS the guilt of the sin of our first Parents imputed and the same death in sin and corrupted Nature conveyed to all their Posterity descending from them by ordinary generation Yes Rom. 5 12 15 16 17 18 19 1 Cor. 15. 21 22 45 49. Psalm 51. 5. Gen. 5. 3. Iob 14. 4. Iob 15. 14. Well then do not the Pelagians and late Anabaptists Quakers and Socinians err who deny original sin inherent Yes Do not likewise the Dominicans Franciscans and Iesuits err who maintain the Virgin Mary not to be conceived in Original sin Yes Does not lastly a certain Ring-leader of the Quakers err who maintains that to Infants this Original sin is not imputed until by actual sin they joyn themselves to it Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 From that well known place of Scripture Rom. 5. chap. which is the very seat and foundation of this Doctrine of Original sin 2 Because unless a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God Iohn 3. 3. 3 Because all men by Nature and birth are the children of wrath Eph. 2. 3. 4 Because whatever is born of the flesh is fleshly Iohn 3. 6. And who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean Not one Iob 14. 4. Iob 15. 14. 5 Because all the thoughts and imaginations of the heart of man viz. of the natural and unregenerate man are evil continually Gen 6. 5. 6 Because David confesseth that he was shapen in iniquity and in sin did his mother conceive him Psalm 51. 5. 7 Because Infants that are guilty of no actual transgression need a remedy against sin to wit absolution by the blood of Christ a Seal whereof was given according to Gods institution under the Law to Infants namely Circumcision to which Baptism under the Gospel succeeds Deut. 30. 6. Rom. 2. 29. Acts 22. 16. Mark 1. 4. Col 2. 12. Gen 17. 12. Matth. 28. 19. 8 Because all the Elect among which are infants Matth. 18. 6. Mark 9. 42 are redeemed by Christ and are set at liberty from slavery freed from the fault and penal punishment Iohn 1. 29. Iohn 10. 15. 1 Tim 2. 6. 9 Because infants are lyable to death and other miseries and calamities which are the wages and punishments of sin Rom 6. 23. Gen 3. 19. Quest. II. IS this corruption of Nature albeit pardoned and mortified through Christ in some measure in the Regenerate both it self and all the motions thereof truely and properly sin Yes Rom. 7. 5 7 8 25. Gal. 5. 17. Well then do not the Papists Socinians and Arminians err who maintain that Concupiscence or Lust and the first motions thereof which have not gotten the consent of the Will are not properly and truely sin Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because they are forbidden by the Moral and Natural Law in the tenth Command Exod. 20. 17. Deut. 5. 21. Rom 7. 7. 2 Because Paul speaking of himself while unregenerate calleth concupiscence and lust of which the controversie is often times sin and evil Rom. 7 5 6. 3 Because it is a great part of the old Man which we must lay down and must be mortified Col 3. 5 6 9. Ephes 4. 22. Quest. III. DOth every sin both Original and Actual being a transgression of the Righteous Law of God and contrary thereunto bring in its own nature guilt upon the sinner whereby he is bound over to the wrath of God and the curse of the Law and made subject to death with all miseries Spiritual Temporal and Eternal Yes 1 Ioh. 3. 4. Rom 2. 15. Rom. 3. 9 19. Eph 2. 3. Gal 3. 10. Rom 6. 23. Ephes 4. 18. Rom 8. 20. Lam 3. 39. Matth 25. 41. and 2 Thes 1. 9. Well then do not many of the Papists err who maintain That all sins are not contrary to the Law of GOD nor transgressions thereof Yes Do not all Papists err Who deny every sin to be mortal or to deserve Eternal punishment Yes Lastly Do not the Socinians err Who deny that any sin can deserve Eternal punishment Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because all sins deserve Eternal death Rom 6. 23. Esek 18. 4. Rom 8. 6 13. 2 Because every sin is a transgression of the law 1 Iohn 3. 4. 3 Whosoever shall keep the whole law and yet offend in one point he is guilty of all Iames 2. 10. 11. and therefore he deserves Eternal punishment 4 Because those sins of Infirmity and Ignorance which the Saints are subject to and which the Papists call Venial sins will not suffer them to stand in Judgement before GOD nor can the Saints be justified from them but by Faith and therefore in strick Justice they merit and deserve Hell Psalm 143 2. Psalm 130 3 4 8. 5 Because GOD commanded Believers under the Law to offer typical Sacrifices for making a propitiation for such sins and Christ did really by his own pretious blood purge them away for by no less price
or shall be in time Acts 15. 18. Iohn 21. 17. Heb. 4. 13. But all things which come to pass in time could not have been infallibly known from eternity but in the Decree of his divine Will 2. From Gods natural way of working in time 1 Cor. 12. 6. Rom. 11. 36. whence it is evident that God worketh effectually and immediately in time all things which are done but he worketh by his will those things which he will have to be in time after that manner and in that time how and when they come to pass Psal. 115. 3. But that Act of willing cannot happen to God in time but hath been in him from all eternity because God is unchangeable Iames 1. 17. 3 By enumerating several instances concerning which the Scripture affirms particularly that they have been decreed by GOD as the sufferings and death of Christ Acts 2. 23. The glorifying of those that are to be saved Eph. 1. 4 5. 1 Thes. 5. 9. And the foreordaining the rest to damnation to be punished for their sin Iude v. 4. The like may be said of other things which come to pass in time see Psalm 33. 11. Psalm 115. 3. Isaiah 46. 10. Prov. 19. 21. That the Liberty and Freedom of the will and contingency of events is consistent with the Decree is clear from Acts 2. 23. Acts 3. 17 18. Acts 4. 27 28. Gen. 45. 5. Quest. II. IS the Decree of Predestination namely the Decree of Election and Reprobation absolute from the meer good will and pleasure of God Yes And is it particular concerning a certain number of Persons Yes 2 Tim. 2. 19. Iohn 13. 18. Well then do not the Lutherians and Arminians err who maintain the Decree of Predestination to be general and conditional depending upon persevering Faith which they affirm depends upon the will of man and foreseen infidelity and want of faith Yes Do not likewise the Papists and Socinians err who maintain the Decree of Predestination to be general and to depend upon good and evil works with Perseverance in them Yes By what arguments are they confuted 1 From the Apostle Paul who maketh the good will and pleasure of God the only cause why this man is chosen and another as worthy rejected and casten off Rom. 9. 11 12 13 14 15. Where he moves an objection against the justice of God and answers it 2 Because our blessed Saviour assignes it to the good will and pleasure of God that to some the mysteries of Faith for their conversion are revealed and that they are hid from many others who are nothing worse but in some respect better Matth. 11. 25 26. 3 Because a man of himself hath no good thing in him whereby he may be differenced from another but what he hath freely gotten from God 1 Cor. 4. 7. 4 Because the grace of Regeneration justifying Faith effectual Calling and perseverance to the end are given to all the Elect and to them only according to the eternal Decree of God and therefore are Effects not Causes or pre-required conditions of Election Rom. 8. 30. Acts 13. 48. Matth. 24. 24. 2 Tim. 1. 9. Iohn 15 16. Eph. 1. 3 4 5. Matth. 13. 11. Rom. 11. 6 7. Quest. III. HAth it pleased God according to the unsearchable Counsel of of his own will whereby he extendeth or withholdeth mercy as he pleaseth for the glory of his Soveraign power over his creatures to pass by and to ordain the rest of mankind to dishonour and wrath for their sin to the praise of his glorious Iustice Yes Rom. 9. 17 18 21 22. Iude verse 4 Matth. 11. 25 26. 2 Tim. 2. 19 20. Well then do not many of the Quakers and others err who maintain that God never ordained any man to perish eternally Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1. Because Christ thanked his Father Lord of Heaven and Earth because he had hid those things from the wise and prudent and had revealed them unto Babes Matth. 11. 25 26. 2 Because the Scripture faith to Pharo even for this same purpose have I raised thee up that I might shew my power in thee and that my name might be declared throughout all the Earth Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy and whom he will he hardneth Hath not the Potter power over the clay of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour and another unto dishonour What if God willing to shew his wrath and to make his power known endured with much long suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction Rom. 9. 17 18 21 22. 3. Because in a great house there are some vessels to honour some to dishonour 2 Tim. 2. 19 20. 4. Because the Apostle Iude says there are some who of old were ordained to this condemnation ungodly men Note that the cause of this reprobation is not mans sin but the absolute will and good pleasure of God Mans sin indeed is the cause why God will punish but no occasion why he did ordain to pass by or to punish man This Decree is just because God has power over man as the Potter hath power over the clay Neither is the end of this Decree the condemnation of the creature but the manifestation of Gods Justice Lastly sin is the effect of mans free will and condemnation is the effect of Justice but the Decree of God is the cause of neither Quest. IV. ARE any other redeemed by Christ effectually called justifyed adopted sanctifyed and saved but the Elect only No Iohn 17. 9. Rom. 8. 28. Iohn 6. 64 65. Iohn 10. 26. Iohn 8. 47. 1 Iohn 2. 19. Well then do not the Papists Quakers Socinians and Arminians err who maintain That all men even Reprobates are redeemed by Christ and that many Reprobates are effectually Called Iustified Sanctified and Adopted Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 From the Golden Chain which cannot be loosed mentioned by the Apostle Paul Rom. 8. 30. Whom he did predestinate them he also called and whom he called them he also justified and whom he justified them he also glorified 2 Because those and those only believe whom GOD hath ordained to Life Eternal Acts 13. 48. Titus 1. 1. 3 Because Christ himself says to the Iews but ye believe not because ye are not of my Sheep My Sheep hear my voice and I know them Iohn 10. 26 27 28. Ye are not of my Sheep that is of the Elect which the Father hath given me 4 Because Christ would not pray for the World but for the Elect only Iohn 17. 9. 5 Because the Election or Elect have obtained it and the rest were blinded namely who are not elected and effectually called Rom. 11. 7. 6 Because Christ says greater love hath no man than this that a man should lay down his life for his Friends Such a love he never had to Reprobates whom he professes he never knew Iohn 15. 13. with Matthew 7. 23. 7 Because according to the Scripture Christ died
could they be purged he being made a curse for them that he might liberate those from the curse of the Law which they had deserved for such sins as well as for others Lev 4. 2 3 14 15 20 22 24 31. Lev. 5. 17 18. Gal 3. 13. Heb 10. 10 12 14. Heb 9. 14 22. 1 Iohn 1. 7 9. Ephes 5. 25 26 27. 1 Peter 1. 18 19. 6 Because every sin is against the supreamest Law-giver against his Holiness and Goodness against his Infinite Majesty and floweth from a Formal or Virtual contempt of GOD and therefore the least sin cannot but deserve GODS wrath and curse eternally Iam 2. 10 11. Lev 10. 3. Lev 11. 44 45. 1 Iob 3. 4. Ephes 5 6. CHAP. VII Of GODS Covenant with Man Question I. DId all these Sacrifices and other Types and Ordinances by which the Covenant of Grace was administerd before our Saviours Incarnation adumbrate and foresignifie Christ to come Yes Heb 8 9 10 chapters Rom 4 11 Col 2 11 12 1 Cor 5 7 Well then do not the Socinians err who maintain that the Legal Sacrifices did not fore-signifie the expiatory Sacrifice of Christ neither were Types nor Figures of it but that those Sacrifices which the Jews offered for sin did really and in very deed purge away all the sins for which they were offered Yes By what reasons are they confuted There are here two parts to be considered First the Negative That the Legal Sacrifices did not foresignifie The second the Affirmative that they did truely make a real expiation and atonement The first is evidently confuted from Scripture Testimonies for the Law having a shadow of good things to come and not the very Image of the things can never with those Sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the Comers thereunto perfect Heb 10 4. The Apostle calls here these Legal Sacrifices a Shadow and Heb 9 9 he calls them a Figure and verse 24 he calls them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Exemplaria verorum the Figures of the True and Col 2 17 he calls them a shadow of things to come but the Body is of Christ which is nothing else but that the thing signified is of Christ that is to say fulfilled in Christ. For all the shadows of the Old Testament had a respect to Christ and his Benefits by whose coming they also have an end And Iohn 1. 17. it is said That the Law was given by Moses but Grace and Truth came by Iesus Christ. By Grace understand the Grace of Redemption from the curse of the Law Gal 3. 13. and of Adoption for Children Iohn 1. 12. Rom 8. 15. By Truth understand the fulfilling both of the Promises 2 Cor 1. 20. and of the Ceremonies and Types Col 2. 17. For this cause the Apostles have alwayes pressed the Abrogation of the Legal Rites and Ceremonies because the Truth being exhibited by the coming of the Anti-type the shadows of the Type ought deservedly to cease and be no more according to that of Daniel 9. 27. The second part is likewise evidently confuted namely that the Legal Sacrifices did truely and really purge away all the sins for which they were offered 1 Because the Apostle sayes the blood of Bulls and Goats cannot take away sin Heb 10 4. 2 Because those Sacrifices were not able to make him that did the service perfect Heb 9 9. 3 Because these Legal Sacrifices did leave the sins of such as offered unexpiated until they were purged away by the death and blood of Christ Heb 9. 15. 4 Because the sins of Believers under the Old Testament were forgiven and pardoned after the same manner that our sins under the New Testament are pardoned Acts 15. 11. Quest II WAS the administration of the Covenant under the Old Testament sufficient for the time and efficacious through the operation of the Spirit to instruct and build up the Elect in the Faith of the promised Messiah by whom they had full remission of sins and eternal Salvation Yes 1 Cor 10 1 2 3 4 Heb 11 13 Iohn 8 56. Well then do not the Socinians err who maintain That life Eternal under the Old Testament was never promised to the Believers of that time neither had they any promise to expect it from GOD Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because there are promises extant in the Old Testament of life eternal Isaiah 45 17 where it is said Israel shall be saved with an everlasting Salvation see Dan 12 2 2 Because the Fathers under the old Testament believed and expected life Eternal as Iob 19 25 26 27 David Psal 17 15 Abraham Isaac and Iacob all of these waited for eternal life Heb 11 9 10 3 Because some at that time were put into actual possession of it as Enoch Hebrews 11 5. So was Elias taken up into Heaven and put into actual possession likewise 2 Kings 2 11. 4 Because the Scripture of the Old Testament pointeth forth the way to Eternal life as Christ witnesseth Iohn 5 39 and Paul 2 Tim 3 15 5 Because Believers under the Old Testament were most happy Psalm 144 15. 6 Because Temporal good things were to them pledges of Spiritual good things and life eternal Heb 11 8 9. Quest III ARE there two Covenants of Grace differing in substance or but one and the same under various dispensations One onely Gal 3 14 16 Acts 15 11 Rom 3 21 22 23 30 Rom 4 3 6 16 17 23 24 Heb 13 8. Well then do not the Socinians err who maintain a Substantial and not an Accidental difference between the old Covenant and the new Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because in both the Covenants there is the same promise of Grace concerning remission of sins and life Eternal freely to be given to Believers for Christs sake Gen. 3. 15. where the seed of the Woman is promised to bruise the head of the Serpent and Gen. 17. 7. it is said I shall be thy GOD and the GOD of thy seed after thee and Gen. 22. 18. it is said in thy seed shall all the Nations of the Earth be blessed and Iohn 3. 36. it is said he that believeth hath Everlasting life And Acts 15. 11. it is said but we believe that through the Grace of our Lord Iesus Christ we shall be saved even as they 2 Because one and the same Faith and Obedience on both sides is required walk before me and be thou perfect Gen. 17. 1. and Mark 1. 15. Christ sayes after he came to Galilee preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom the time is fulfilled and the Kingdom of GOD is at hand repent ye and believe the Gospel CHAP. VIII Of CHRIT the Mediator Question I. DID the Son of GOD when the fulness of time was come take upon him Mans Nature with all the essential Properties and common Infirmities thereof yet without sin being conceived by the power of the holy Ghost in the Womb of the Virgin Mary of her
substance Yes Iohn 1. 1 14. 1 Iohn 5. 20. Heb. 2. 14 16 17. Luke 1. 27 31 35. Well then do not those Hereticks called Marcionits and the Anabaptists err who maintain That Christ is not a true Man but onely the Appearance Shape or Form of a Man Yes Do not likewise the Manicheans err who maintain That the Body of Christ is not of the substance of the Virgin Mary but a heavenly Body brought from Heaven to the Womb of the Virgin Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because Christ is said to be made of a Woman Gal. 4. 4. 2 Because the Word was made Flesh Iohn 1. 4. 3 By an induction of the essential parts of a Man and sinless infirmities which were found in him First He was endued with a rational Soul Iohn 12. 27. Secondly He had a real and substantial Body and denyed he was a Spirit only Luke 24. 39. Thirdly Christ did hunger Mat. 4. 2. Fourthly He was wearied and thirsty Iohn 4. 6. Lastly He was sad he groaned in Spirit and was troubled Iohn 11. 33. and verse 15. He wept None of which sinless perturbations can agree to an Appearance Shape or Form of a Man 4 Because He was made of the seed of David according to the Flesh Rom. 1. 3. and descended of the Iews Rom. 9. 5. 5 Because the promises were made in the seed of Abraham Gen. 12. 3. and Gen. 18. 18. 6 Because He took not on him the nature of Angels but he took on him the seed of Abraham wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren Heb. 2. 16 17. 7 Because otherwise he could not have satisfied in our place the Justice of GOD seing it had been unjust for another Nature to have suffered punishment than that Nature which had offended and sinned Quest. II. ARE there two whole perfect and distinct Natures in Christ the God-head and the Man-hood inseparably joyned together in one person Yes 1 Cor. 8. 6. Eph. 4. 5. Well then do not the Nestorians err who maintain the Union between the Divine and Humane Nature not to be Hypostatical but only by way of Assistence and that as there are two Natures in Christ so there are two Persons one proper to the Divine Nature another proper to the Humane Nature Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because unless Christ-God-Man were but one Person the Merit of his Death would not be of so great value as to redeem the Elect from infinite and eternal punishment seeing hence cometh all the value and worth of his death that the same Person who was God did suffer and die for us 2 Because otherwise Christ had been swallowed up and devoured by the wrath of God against the sins of the Elect which he himself undertook 3 Because Christ if he had not been both God and Man in one Person he could not have been a Mediator for a Mediator must be One 1 Tim. 2. 5. Quest. III. IS the Godhead and Man-hood in Christ united without Conversion Composition or Confusion Yes Luke 1. 35. Col. 2. 9. Rom. 9. 5. 1 Peter 3. 18. 1 Tim. 3. 16. Well then do not those old Hereticks the Eutichians err who maintain that as the Person of Christ is One so his Nature is made One by a composition or Confusion of the two Natures together Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because such a Composition is impossible seing the Divine Nature is most perfect and cannot lose any of its own perfection unless we would affirm the Divine Nature to be mutable and changeable 2 Because that same Christ who according to the Flesh descended of the Iews is over all God blessed for ever Rom. 9. 5. 3 Because this doctrine takes away all means of Mediation for by taking away the distinction between the Natures they take away the Natures themselves and so neither could Christ have suffered in our place because not Man neither could he have given any vertue value or worth to his sufferings because not God Quest. IV. DID Christ endure most grievous torments immediately in his soul Yes Mat. 26. 37 38. Luke 22. 44. Matth. 27. 46. Well then do not the Papists err who maintain that the soul of Christ even from its first creation was never affected with any sadness or sinless perturbation of mind Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because the Scripture testifies that his soul was sad unto death Matth. 26. 37. 2 Because the Apostle Iohn testifies that when Christ saw Mary weeping for her brother Lazarus he groaned in Spirit and was troubled Iohn 11. 33. Iohn 12. 27. 3 Because his soul was exceeding sorrowful even unto death as was cited before Matth. 26. 37. 4 The same thing is proven from Christs desertion whereby the actual fruition and enjoying of Gods favour as to his sense was interrupted and broken in the midst for a time but in no wise altogether taken away which made him cry upon the Cross My God my God why hast thou forsaken Me. Matth. 27. 46. Eph. 5. 2. Quest. V. HAD the Lord Iesus by his perfect obedience and sacrifice of himself which he through the eternal Spirit once offered up unto God fully satisfied the Iustice of his Father Yes Rom. 5. 9. Rom. 3. 25 26. Heb. 9. 14 16. Heb. 10. 14. Well then do not some otherwise Orthodox err who deny Christs Active Obedience to be a part of his satisfaction performed in our place Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because the Active disobedience of the first Adam made us all sinners therefore we must be made Righteous by the Active Obedience of the second Adam Rom. 5. 19. 2 Because Christ not only offered himself to the death for us but for their sakes that is for the Elects sake he sanctified himself that is he gave up himself as a holy sacrifice Iohn 17. 19. 3 Because it behoved Christ to fulfil all righteousness Mat. 3. 15. 4 Because we stood in need not only of the expiation of sin for saving us from eternal death but of the gift of righteousness for obtaining eternal life according to that precept and demand of the Law Do this and thou shalt live And therefore Christ is not only called our Ransom but the end and perfection of the Law to every one that believeth Rom. 10. 4. That is the aim of giving the Law by Moses is that thereby men being brought to the knowledge of their sin should flie for refuge unto Christ and his righteousness as he that hath perfectly fulfilled the Law for us 5 Because the passive obedience of Christ was not in it self meerly and purely passive but his active obedience did challenge the chief and principal part in it Psal. 40. 7. Then said I lo I come in the volume of the book it is written of Me. With these words our Saviour Christ declareth his willing Obedience to accept of undergo and execute the Mediatorship by GOD imposed
upon him And Isaiah 53. 7. he offered up himself a sacrifice for sin and by one Oblation he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified Heb. 10. 14. 6 Because whole Christ was given to us with all his benefits otherwise if onely his passive Obedience were imputed to us it would follow that half Christ onely were given to wit Christ suffering but not Christ doing those things which pleased the Father taking away our sin and saving from death onely but not bringing Righteousness But Christ was not given and born for himself but for us that he might bestow himself wholly upon us by doing for us what we could not do and by suffering for us what we could not suffer Do not likewise the Socinians err who maintain That this Orthodox Doctrine namely That Christ did merit Eternal Salvation to the Elect and hath satisfied Divine Iustice for them is erroneous false and absurd Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because the Messiah doth finish the transgression and maketh an end of sins and maketh Reconciliation for iniquity and shal be cut off but not for himself as the Prophet Daniel hath foretold chap. 9. 24 26. 2 Because his own self bare our sins in his own Body upon the tree 1 Peter 2. 24. 3 Because he hath reconciled those to GOD that were sometimes alienated and enemies in their mind by wicked works in the body of his Flesh through death Col. 1. 21 22. 4 Because now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself Heb. 9. 26. 5 Because he hath given his life an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a pretium redemptionis a price of Redemption for many 6 Because the Prophet Isaiah sayes that it pleased the Lord to bruise him and put him to grief and that he was wounded for our transgressions and that he bare our iniquities chapter 53. 5 10 11. Quest. VI. DID Christ in the work of Mediation act according to both Natures by each Nature doing that which is proper to it self Yes Heb. 9. 4. 1 Peter 3. 18. Well then do not the Papists err who maintain that Christ is a Mediator only according to his humane Nature Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because it was needful for perfecting the work of the Mediator that Christ should overcome death which could not otherwise be done than by his Divine Nature 1 Pet. 3. 18. Where it is said he was put to death in the Flesh but quickned by the Spirit 2 Because there are very many properties of the Mediator which cannot in any wise agree to the humane Nature of Christ as undertaking and promising that he will raise up all at the last day whom the Father has given him Iohn 6. 39. Again he could not lay down his life and take it up again by the alone strength of his humane Nature but all these are works proper to the Mediator as is clear from the tenth chapter of Iohn v. 18. And 3 the application of those good things which he hath merited is the proper work of the Mediator which can only be done by the Divine Nature 4 Because Christ is a Prophet a Priest and a King according to both his Natures A Prophet Matt. 11. 27. No man knoweth the Father save the Son A Priest Rom. 5. 10. Heb. 9. 14. He is a King Luke 1. 32. All which Offices he executes according to both his Natures CHAP. IX Of FREE-WILL Question I. HATH Man by his fall into an estate of sin wholly lost all ability of will to any supernatural good accompanying salvation so as a Natural Man being altogether averse from that Good and dead in sin is not able by his own strength to convert himself or to prepare himself thereunto Yes Rom. 5. 6 Iohn 15. 5. Rom. 3. 10. 12. Iohn 6. 44 65. Well then do not the Pēlagians and Socinians err who maintain that the Natural Man without supernatural and divine grace is able to convert himself to God by his own strength Yes Do not likewise the Semipelagians Papists Arminians and Lutherians err who maintain That fallen Man and corrupted with Original sin is partly able by his own strength the Grace of GOD assisting him to prepare himself and turn himself to GOD Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because the Natural Man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of GOD for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know them because they are Spiritually discerned 1 Cor. 2. 14. Rom. 8. 7 9. 2 Because all that the Natural Man doth is sin and cannot in any wise please GOD because his works are not of Faith nor to the Glory of GOD as the Law requires Rom. 14. 23. Heb. 11. 6. Titus 1. 15. Rom. 3. 10 11 12. Psalm 14. 3. Rom. 8. 8. 3 Because a man hath no good in himself whereby he may be differenced from the most flagitious nor any good thing which he hath not received 1 Cor. 4. 7. 4 Because Conversion Grace and Salvation are not of him that runneth or willeth but of GOD that sheweth mercy and whom he will be hardneth Rom. 9. 15 16 18. Rom. 11. 7 8. Matth. 11. 21 22 25. 5 Because the Conversion of a Natural Man is the quickning of one dead Ephes. 2. 5. Col. 2. 13. It is a Regeneration or bearing again Ioh. 3. 5 6 It is the creating of a new heart Psalm 51. 10. It is the taking away the heart of stone and the giving of a heart of flesh Esek 11. 19. Esek 36. 26. And therefore as God raised Christ from the dead so also he raiseth us from the grave of sin by his own proper power 1 Cor. 6. 14. And 6 because GOD converts and calls men not by works of Righteousness which they have done Titus 3. 4 5 5. but according to his own Purpose and Grace which is given us in Christ Jesus 2 Timoth. 1. 9. Quest. II. DOth a Regenerate Man after his Conversion perfectly and onely will that which is good No. Gal. 5. 17. Rom. 7. 15 18 19 21 23 Well then do not the Puritans I do not mean the old Non-conformists Antinomians Anabaptists and many Quakers err who maintain That all the Saints of GOD are free from every spot and blemish of sin Yes Do not likewise some of the Popish Church and Socinians err who maintain That some Christians that are more advanced may come that length to be without any spot blemish and act of sin Nay that some have really win that length Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because in many things we offend all Iames 3. 2. 2 Because Christ commands us to seek dayly remission of sins Matth. 6. 12. Luke 11. 4. 3 Because there is not one just man upon the Earth who doth not sin 1 Kings 8. 46. Eccles. 7. 20. 4 Because there is a continual war between the Flesh and the Spirit so that they namely the Regenerate are not able
evil tree cannot bring forth good fruit Matth. 7. 17. 2 Because the carnal mind is enmity against GOD for it is not subject to the Law of GOD neither indeed can it be Rom. 8. 7. 3 Because we have nothing in our selves which we have not received whereby we may differ from others 1 Cor. 4. 7. 4 Because whatever is not of Faith is sin Rom. 14. 23. Heb. 11. 6. 5 Because we are not able of our selves to think a good thought but all our sufficiency is of GOD 2 Cor. 3. 5. 6 Because before conversion we were dead in trespasses and sins Eph. 2. 2 5. 7 Because not by works of righteousness which we have done but according to his mercy he saved us by the washing of Regeneration and renewing of the holy Ghost Titus 3. 5. 8 Because we were sometimes that is before conversion darkness Eph. 5. 8. 9 Because Christ says without me ye can do nothing Iohn 15. 5. Quest. V. IS a Man in effectual calling onely passive until being quickned and renewed by the holy Ghost he is thereby enabled to answer this call and to embrace the Grace offered and conveyed in it Yes 1 Cor. 2. 14. Rom 8. 7. Ephes. 2. 5. Iohn 6. 37. Iohn 5. 25. Ezek. 36. 27. Well then do not the Papists and Arminians err who maintain That a Man in his conversion is not passive but active Yes By what reasons are they confuted Before I do this it is to be observed that when I say a man is passive in his Conversion I do not think he is physically passive as a stock or a stone while an Artist is about to make a Statue of them but Morally or rather Spiritually as a Man is Spiritually dead which is a true and real death though he be naturally living The 1 Reason by which they are confuted is this because we are dead in trespasses and sins Ephes. 2. 1. 2 Because we are the servants of sin until we be made freemen by the Son of GOD Iohn 8 34 36. 3 Because we are by Nature under the power of Satan and of darkness Acts 26. 18. Col. 1. 13. 2 Tim. 2. 26. 4 Because it is God that worketh in us both to will and to do of his own good pleasure Phil. 2. 13. 5 Because the Flesh lusteth against the Spirit Gal. 5. 17. 6 Because tho Scriptures ascribe that whole work to God and no part of it to Man Eph. 2. 8 9 10. Quest. VI. ARE Elect Infants dying in infancy Regenerated and saved by Christ through the Spirit who worketh when and where and how he pleaseth Yes Luke 18. 15 16. Acts 2. 38 39. Iohn 3. 3 5. 1 Iohn 5. 12. Well then do not the Anabaptists err who maintain that no Infants are Regenerated Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because Iohn the Baptist was filled with the Holy Ghost even from his Mothers Womb Luke 1. 15. 2 Because the Propher Ieremiah was sanctified from his mothers Womb Ier. 1. 5. 3 Because the promise is made to believing Parents and to their Children conjunctly Gen. 17. 7. Acts 2. 39. 4 Because of such says Christ is the kingdom of Heaven Mat. 19. 14. 5 Because the Apostle calls Children which are descended but of one Parent in covenant with God holy 1 Cor. 7. 14. 6 Because God hath promised in the second Command that he will shew mercy unto thousands that are descended of believing Parents Exod. 20. 6. Quest. VII CAN any not elected although called by the Ministry of the Word and having some common operations of the Spirit truely come to Christ and so be saved No. Matth. 22. 14. Matth. 7. 22. Matth. 13. 20 21. Heb. 6. 4 5. Iohn 6. 64 65 66. Iohn 8. 24. Well then do not the Arminians err who maintain that there is sufficient Grace given to all Men for their conversion to whom the Gospel is preached Yes Do not likewise the Quakers err who maintain that every man hath so much grace given of God as if he would improve it would bring him to heaven Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because Christ says to his Disciples to you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven but to them it is not given Mat. 13. 11. 2 Because it is said of the Jews they could not believe because God had blinded their eyes and hardned their hearts Iohn 12. 39 40. 3 Because Christ said to his Disciples there are some of you that do not believe therefore said I unto you that no man can come unto me except it were given unto him of my Father Iohn 6 64 65 4 Because the Prophet Isaiah complains who hath believed our report or to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed cap 53 1. 5 Because many are called but few are chosen Mat. 22. 14 6 Because men in nature do not discern neither can they know the things of the Spirit of God 1 Cor 2. 14. 7 Because the most part of the World are buried in gross darkness and have their understanding darkned and are alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them because of the blindness of their hearts Eph. 4 18. CHAP. XI Of IUSTIFICATION Question I. DOTH GOD freely justify those whom he effectually calleth not by infusing righteousness into them but by pardoning their sins and by accounting and accepting their persons as righteous not for any thing wrought in them or done by them but for Christs sake alone Yes Rom 9 30 Rom 3 24 Well then do not the Papists Socinians and Quakers err who maintain that the righteousness whereby we are justified before God is not without us but within us and inherent Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because if inherent righteousness did justify us then good Works would justify us but the Scripture denys that Rom 3 20 Therefore says the Text by the deeds of the Law shall no flesh be justifyed in his sight And verse 28 therefore we conclude that a man is justified by Faith without the deeds of the Law See Rom 4 6 Gal 2 16 Eph. 2 8 9 Titus 3 5 In all which places works are secluded expresly from our justification 2 Because the Righteousness whereby we are justified is not our proper own 2 Cor 5 21 For he to wit God hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness of God in him Phil 3 8 9 and be found in him not having my own righteousness which is of the Law but that which is through the Faith of Christ the righteousness which is of God by Faith 3 Because we are not justified by the Law Acts 13 38 39. 4 Because our Justification is given to us freely Rom. 4 4 5. Rom. 11. 6. 5 Because our inherent righteousness is imperfect 1 Kings 8 46 For this Scripture says there is no man that sinneth not See that parallel place 1 Iohn 1 8 Where it
Evangelical Repentance without Confession of the mouth made to a Priest and without Pennance If the mouth and heart confess to God only it is sufficient unless their be a publick scandal committed against the Church of God As for Absolution it can be no part of Repentance for it is not a thing done by the Sinner but as I said conferred by the Priest Quest. III. IS Repentance to be rested on as any satisfaction for sin or cause of the pardon thereof No. Ezek. 36. 31 32 Ezek. 16. 61 62 63. Well then do not the Papists err who maintain that Repentance is a satisfaction for sins to wit an imperfect satisfaction and that it deserves the mercy of God and pardon of sin Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because Christ did satisfy the justice of God to the full and it is his blood only that purgeth us from all sin Isai. 53. 4 5 6 8. 11. 1 Iohn 1. 7. 2 Because to satisfie for sin is a part of the Priestly office of Christ which cannot be communicated to any Heb. 2. 17. compared with Heb. 7. 23 24. 3 Because the Lord pardoneth our sins not for our sake but for his own sake Isai. 43. 25. Ezek. 36. 25. 31. 32. 4 Because pardon of sin is an Act of the free favour of God Hos. 14. 2. Eph. 1. 7. But if it be of the free favour of God then it is no more of works and of Repentance as a satisfaction for sin Rom. 11. 6. Quest. IV. IS there any sin so great that it will bring damnation upon those who truely repent No. Isaiah 59. 7. Rom. 8. 1. Isaiah 1. 16. 18. Well then do not the Novatians Anabaptists and Puritans called Kathari err who maintain that if any after Baptism and Grace received fall into grievous sins offend willingly there is no pardon remaining for them even though they should repent Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because God under the Law appointed dayly sacrifices even for sins that were commited willingly Num. 28. 3. Lev. 6. 1. to the eight verse 2 Because God in the Covenant of Grace hath promised that he will not utterly take from them with whom he is in Covenant his loving kindness even though they have broken his statutes and not keeped his commandments Psalm 89. 30 31 32. 3 Because GOD invites the Galatians and Corinthians who were guilty of Apostasie and of very many gross scandals to Repentance from the hope of pardon Gal. 3. 1. Gal. 1. 6. Gal. 4 19. 1 Cor. 1. 11 12. and 1 Cor. 5. 1 2 7 8. 2 Cor. 12. 21. 4 Because the Apostle Iohn says even to such as have sinned willingly after Baptism and Grace received if we truely Repent and confess our sins God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins 1 Iohn 1. 9. see 1 Iohn 2. 12. 5 Because David after murder and Adultery and Peter after denying of his Master obtained pardon when they repented 2 Sam. 12. 13. Iohn 21 19. Therefore there remaineth pardon to such as after Baptism and Grace received have fallen and repented Quest. V. IS every man bound to make private confession of his sins to God praying for the pardon thereof Yes Psalm 51. 4 5 7 9. Psalm 32. 5 6. Well then do not the Antinomians Libertines and Anabaptists err who maintain that those who are once iustified are not any more obliged to confess their sins to be grieved for them or to Repent of them Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because whosoever doth call upon God the Father in their pravers they ought to seek dayly remission of sins Luke 11. 2 3 4 2 Because God doth commend the serious confession of sins and grief for them in justified persons and delighteth therein Ier. 31. 18 19 20. Luke 7. 44. Isa. 66. 2. 3 Because pardon of those sins which justified persons shall confess is promised Prov. 28. 13. Psalm 32. 5. 1 Iohn 1 9. 4 Because such are declared blessed that mourn Matth. 5. 4. 5 Because in whom the Spirit dwelleth it worketh in them being greatly weighted with the burden of their sins a continual groaning and sorrow for the same Rom. 7 23 24. Rom. 8. 26. 6 Because true repentance is a renewing of the image of God lost at least greatly defaced by the committing of sin which in sanctification is not perfected but only begun and doth dayly increase through the vertue of Christs death and resurrection Eph. 4. 19 20 21 22 23 24. 7 From the example of justified persons as David Iosia Peter and others who after justification confessed their sins grieved for them and begged pardon 2 Sam. 12. 13. Psalm 51. the 2 Kings 22. 19 Neh 9. from the begining Mark 14. 72. Quest VI DO those who confess their sins privately to God who pray for the pardon thereof and forsake them obtain mercy Yes Prov 28 13 1 Iohn 1 9 Well then do not the Papists err who maintain that besides confession of sins made to God and forsaking of them an Auricular confession and enumeration of all particular sins committed after Baptism must be made to our own proper Priest as a necessary mean for obtaining remission of them Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because the Psalmist says who can understand his errors Psalm 19 12 and they being moe than the hairs of our head how can they be mumbled over to a Priest Psalm 40. 12 2 Because Christ gave an absolution without an enumeration of every sin Mat. 9 2 Neither doth he demand an enumeration of all our several sins though we be obliged to reckon and rehearse all that we are able to remember Luke 7. 48. Luke 18. 13 14. 3 Because there is no command or example in Scripture for any man to whisper and round his sins into the ear of a Priest and therefore it not being of Faith it is sin Rom. 14. 23. 4 Because whosoever turneth from his sin to God and confesseth them he findeth mercy presently Ezek. 18. 21. 28. Prov. 28. 13. Quest. VII OUght he who scandalizeth his Brother or the Church of Christ to be willing by a private or publick conconfession and sorrow for his sin to declare his Repentance to those who are offended Yes Iames 5. 16. Luke 17. 3 4. Iosh. 7. 19. Psalm 51. throughout 2 Cor. 2. 8. Well then do not the Novatians err and others too who maintain that those who have offended their Brother or the Church of Christ are not obliged to declare their repentance to the parties offended and that those who are offended ought not to require any such thing as private or publick confession and acknowledgement but that presently they ought to be received without doing any such thing Yes Do not likewise some Church-men err who connive and wink at the publick scandals especially of the richer and better sort Yes And lastly do not many in these times err who jear and make a mock at all publick confession of
or oblige him to give any thing as due And according to the order of Gods justice he can receive no favor from us nor can any creature confer any benefit on him Ps. 16. 2. Iob 22. 2 3. Truely where there is no favour done there can be no Merit for merit presupposeth a benefit accepted 4 Because our works are imperfect as well as to Parts as to Degrees Gal. 5. 17 Is. 64. 7. Deut. 27. 26. A Perfection of parts is when we have a Part of every Grace and are renewed in some measure in every power and faculty of the whole man though we be not come to the just and due measure in any of them A perfection of Degrees consists in the compleat measure of our conformity and our exact correspondence to the Law of God in respect of all whatsoever it requires 5 Because Christ says so likewise ye when ye shal have done all those things which are commanded you say we are unprofitable servants we have done that which was our duty to do Luke 17. 10. 6 Because the Good Works which we do are not ours but it is God that worketh in us both to will and to do 1 Cor. 4. 7. Gal. 5. 22. Phil. 2. 13. 7 Because that heavenly blessedness to be given to the saints is expresly attributed to the mercy and pity of God Plalm 103. 4. Matth. 5. 7. Titus 3. 5. Eph. 4. 6 7 8. 8 Because when the Apostle proclaims death to be the wages of sin he doth not affirm life eternal to be the reward of Good Works but the free and gracious gift of God which we obtain by Christ even in our sanctification whereof the Apostle here Rom. 6. 23. Which free Gift hath for its end eternal life Not that it merits this for then it should not be a gracious gift but because Christ hath merited this for us and shal of free Grace give it to us as the following words through Iesus Christ our Lord shew 9 Because God will have us to buy without money or price Wine Milk Honey that is to receive all things requisite and necessary for our spiritual life for Nothing and eternal life it self Isaiah 55. 1 2 3. 10 Because Christ should not be a perfect Saviour if any thing from us were to be added to the righteousness of his Merit But Christ is a perfect Saviour Eph. 1. 7. Eph. 2. 7 8 9. 1 Iohn 1. 7. Acts 4. 12. 11 Because our best works have such a mixture of corruption and sin in them that they deserve his curse and wrath so far are they from meriting Isa. 64. 6. But we are all saith the Prophet as an unclean thing and all our righteousnesses are like filthy raggs 12 If the works of regenerated men did deserve eternal life then should the whole contrivance of the Gospel be subverted and the same very way of Life layed down which was in the Covenant of works as is clear from 2 Cor. 5. 21. The Gospel is so contrived by the infinite Wisdom and Goodness of God that there is a judicial transferring of our sin as a debt on Christ the Cautioner and a translation of his righteousness and merit to be imputed to us for our justification without the least respect to our works Quest. VII ARE Works done by unregenerate men although for the matter of them they may be things which God commands and of good use both to themselves and others are they I say sinful and cannot please God Yes Hag. 2. 14. Titus 1. 15. Amos 5. 21. 22. Hos. 1. 4. Rom. 9. 16. Titus 3. 5. Well then do not the Papists err who maintain that not only all the works of unregenerate men are not sinful but also that some of their Works do indeed Merit and deserve somewhat from God namely as they speak by Merit of Congruity that is as they are agreeable to the Law of God Yes There is also as they say a Merit of Condignity by which the works of the Regenerate which follow justification deserve eternal life not from the imputation of Christs righteousness but from their own intrinseck worth and proportionableness to the Reward Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because as a good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit neither can a corrupt rotten tree bring forth good fruit Matth. 7. 18. 2 Because all unregenerate men are dead in Trespasses and sin Eph. 2. 1. 3 Because all the works of unregenerate men are done without Faith and so cannot please God Heb. 11. 6. Rom. 14. 23. 4 Because if unregenerate men were able to do Good Works or perform any duty which deserved somewhat from God than would it follow that a man were able to do some good of himself which is contrary to Iohn 15. 5. Phil. 2. 13. 5 Because it is clear from Scripture that before renewing grace all are the children of wrath who of themselves cannot have a good thought nor any active concurrence or putting themselves forth to the utmost for their own Conversion 2 Cor. 3. 5. Therefore no plea for merit by any improvement of mens natural abilities see Rom. 9. 15. CHAP. XVII Of the Perseverance of the SAINTS Question I. CAN they whom GOD hath accepted in his beloved effectually called and sanctified by his Spirit either totally or finally fall away from the state of Grace No. Shall they certainly persevere therein to the end and be eternally saved Yes Phil. 1. 6. 2 Pet. 1. 10. Iohn 10. 28 29. 1 Iohn 3 9. 1 Peter 1. 5. 9. Well then do not the Papists Socinians Arminians and some Ring-leaders among the Quakers err who maintain that the Saints may totally and finally fall away Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because the Saints are built upon the Rock and not upon the Sand therefore when temptations of any kind assault they can never fall nor can the gates of hell prevail against them Matth. 7. 24. Matth. 16. 16 18. 2 Because he that hath begun a good work in the Saints will finish it untill the day of Jesus Christ Phil. 1. 6. 3 Because Paul says nothing can separate us from the love of God Rom. 8. 35 38 39. 4 Because they that fall away have never had true justifying Faith Luke 8. 13 16. 1 Iohn 2. 19. 5 Because it is impossible for the Elect to be seduced Matth. 24. 24. I say impossible not in respect of the will and power of the Elect themselves but in respect of the immutability of Gods Decree concerning them and of his purpose of keeping them powerfully against seduction according to his promises of which he cannot repent see Iohn 10. 28. Rom. 8. 38 39. 1 Peter 1. 5. 6 Because they that believe in the Son of God have life eternal 1 Iohn 5. 13. Iohn 6. 47 54 58. And they have passed from death unto life and shall never thirst nor hunger any more Iohn 6. 35. 7 Because God hath promised in his Covenant that though he chastise his own
And besides this Law a positive Law was superadded to it that Adam should not eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil that by obeying the same he might give a Specimen or proof of his obedience to the Law of Nature in the perfect obedience whereof so long as he should continue he should live for ever For the Lord threatned death to him only if he should sin and death is the wages of sin which by sin entered into the world Gen. 2. 17. Rom. 6. 23. Rom. 5. 12. 13. 4 From those places of Scripture in which it is denyed that believers under the Covenant of Grace are justified by the Law but by Faith and the righteousness of Christ manifested in the Gospel For that the Law is weak powerless or impotent through the corruption of our Nature to justifie us and give us life Rom. 3. 20 21 28. Gal. 2. 16. Gal. 3. 10 11 12 13. Phil. 3. 9. Rom. 8. 2 3. Quest. II. DO the first four Commandments contain our duty towards GOD and the other six our duty towards man Yes Matth. 22. 37 38 39 40. Well then do not the Papists and Lutherians err who maintain that three only belong to the First Table and seven to the Second and that thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image with the foregoing thou shalt not have any other Gods before me are but one Command And that Thou shalt not covet thy neighbours house thou shalt not covet thy neighbours Wife nor his man-servant c. are two distinct Commands Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because the two first Precepts command diverse things The one teacheth us who is to be worshipped to wit the true and living God and no other The second instructs us how he is to be worshipped namely according to his own appointment and not according to the appointment and pleasure of men as by Images and such like 2 Because it is one and the same Concupiscence which is forbidden in the tenth Command the summ whereof Thou shalt not covet is cited by the Apostle Paul Rom. 7. 7. and which is summarly exprest in the close of the tenth Command nor any thing which is thy neighbours 3 If the tenth Command ought to be two because these words thou shalt not covet are twice repeated then would it follow there should be as many Commands as there are things desired forbidden because it is evident that these words Thou shalt not covet are to be repeated with every part Quest. III. ARE all the Ceremonial Laws now abrogated under the new Testament Yes Col. 2. 14 16 17. Dan. 9. 27. Eph. 2 15 16. Well then do not the Judaisers err who maintain that all the Ceremonial Laws remain in their former strength and vigour and are obliging to Believers under the Gospel and not abrogated or disanulled by Christ Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because Christ hath abolished the Law of Commandments contained in ordinances that he might gather together both Iews and Gentiles into one new man Eph. 2. 14 15. Col. 2. 14. Note that the Apostle here speaks of all Believers both of Iews and Gentiles as of one man because they being all under Christ the Head as members of one spiritual Body are made up as one renewed man 2 Because the Apostle sayes let no man judge you in meat or in drink or in respect of an holy day or of the new Moon or of the sabbath dayes all which are shaddows of things to come but the body is of Christ Col. 2. 16 17. This ver is a conclusion of the Apostles foregoing discourse against Ceremonies and things commanded by the Ceremonial Law which by the coming of Christ are abolished He calls them in the 17 verse a shaddow of things to come but the body says he is of Christ. That is the thing signified is of Christ for all the shaddows of the Old Testament had respect to Christ and his benefites by whose coming they also have an end Iohn 1. 17. Gal. 4. 3 4 5. 3 Because the Apostle says Believers are dead with Christ from the Rudiments of the World that is from the Ceremonial Commands as is evident from the Context Why says he as though living in the World are ye subject to ordinances That is as if your life and happiness consisted in these outward worldly principles but suffer your selves to be burdened by such Teachers with humane institutions and ordinances The Apostle indeed in these last words is reasoning against the institutions and ordinances of men from this Medium which is an argument from the greater to the lesser if ye be dead with Christ from the Ceremonies of the Law instituted in the Old Testament by God himself much more are ye free from the institutions and ordinances of men which are only grounded upon their own good pleasure Col. 2. 20 21. Gal. 4. 10 11. 4 Because the Apostle affirms that the Observation and useing of Circumcision cannot consist with true Faith in Christ now after the Gospel is fully published And he exhorts the Galatians to abide in their liberty purchased by Christ and not to submit themselves to the yoke of Mosaical Ceremonies Gal. 5. 1 2. 5 Because those Teachers who pressed the believing Gentiles to be circumcised and to observe the Law of Moses I mean the Ceremonial Law were condemned by the Council of Apostles Acts 15. 24. 6 Because Ceremonial Commands are neither of the Law of Nature nor are they injoyned to Believers under the Gospel as things Moral 7 Because these appointed Ceremonies were figures only of things to come imposed on the Iewes until the time of Reformation but taken away by Christ Heb. 9. 9 10 11 12. and Heb. 10. 9. Where it is said he taketh away the first namely all sorts of Propitiatory Offerings which were used in the Old Testament to settle the second namely his obedience to the will of his Father 8 Because they were given to the Israelites to foresignifie and represent Christ and his death and to be marks of difference between them and the unbelieving Nations Col. 2. 17. Eph. 2. 14. Where it is said who hath made both these namly Iewes and Gentiles one and hath broken down the middle wall of partition whereby the Ceremonial Law is understood which made a difference between the Iewes and the Gentiles Now since Christ hath suffered death and the Gentiles are called all these Ceremonies which did foresignifie his death and made that difference must of necessity cease 9 Because the Temple of Ierusalem to which the Ceremonies were restricted is destroyed and could never since be rebuilded Quest. IV. DId the Lord by Moses give to the Jews as a Body Politick sundry Iudicial Laws which expired together with their state Yes Do they oblige any other now further than the general equity thereof may require No. Exod. 21. from the first to the last ver Exod. 22. 1. to verse 29. Gen. 49.
10. 1 Cor. 9. 8 9 10. 1 Peter 2. 13. 14. Matth. 5. 17. 38. 39. Well then do not some err though otherwise Orthodox who maintain that the whole Iudicial Law of the Jews is yet alive and binding all of us who are Christian Gentiles Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because the Judicial Law was delivered by Moses to the Israelites to be observed as to a Body Politick Exod. 21 chapter 2 Because this Law in many things which are of particular right was accommodated to the Common-wealth of the Iews and not to other Nations also Exod. 22. 3. Exod. 21. 2. Lev. 25. 2 3. Deut. 24. 1 2 3. Deut. 25. 5 6 7. 3 Because in other things which are not of particular right it is neither from the Law of Nature obliging by Reason neither is it pressed upon Believers under the Gospel to be observed 4 Because Believers are appointed under the Gospel to obey the civil Laws and commands of those under whose Government they live providing they be just and that for Conscience sake Rom. 13. 1. 1 Peter 2. 13 14. Titus 3. 1. Quest. V. DOTH the Moral Law for ever bind as well justified persons as others to the obedience thereof and that not only in regard of the matter contained in it but also in respect of the Authority of God who gave it Yes Rom. 13. 8 9 10. Eph. 6. 2. 1 Iohn 2. 3 4 7 8. Iames 2. 10. 11. Well then do not the Antinomians err who maintain that Believers under the Gospel are not obliged to the obedience of the Moral Law Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because Christ sayes he came not to destroy the Law and the Prophets that is to alter or disannul the doctrine of the Law or of the Prophets Matth. 5. 17. 2 Because he says in the following verse I say unto you till heaven and earth pass one jot or one title shal in no wise pass from the Law till all be fulfilled Matth. 5. 18. 3 Because whosoever shal break one of these least Commandments and shall teach men so he shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven that is shall not at all be esteemed there or shall not enter thereinto verse 19. 4 Because that after the Apostle Paul hath concluded the justification of Believers to be of free Grace he subjoines Do we then make void the Law through faith God forbid yea we establish the Law Rom. 3. 31. 5 Because all the Precepts of the Moral Law belong to the Law of Nature naturally ingraven upon the hearts of men which cannot be abrogated but oblige all men perpetually and necessarly from Natural Reason it self Rom. 2. 15. 6 Because all the Precepts of the Moral Law are repeated in the Gospel and injoyned to all Believers by Christ Matth. 19. 17 18 19 20. Rom. 2. 13. 7 Because Paul adjoyneth and proposeth to Believers under the New Testament both a command and a promise of the Decalogue as properly belonging to them Eph. 6. 2 3. 8 Because the Apostle Iames setteth forth to Believers the moral law as a Rule of life which they are obliged to observe and by breaking of which they are convinced of sins Iames 2. 8 9 11. 9 Because whosoever committeth any sin against the Moral Law shall never enter into the kingdom of God 1 Cor. 6. 9 10. Gal. 5. 21. 10 Because this Tenet of the Antinomians turns the Grace of God into wantonness overturneth the end of Christian liberty and of the coming and death of Christ and paveth a way leading to all impiety and the indulging of the lusts of the flesh and fostering the Dominion of sin contrary to these Scriptures Iude verse fourth 1 Iohn 2. 16. 2 Peter 2. 18 19 20. Rom. 6. 14 15 16. Luke 1. 74 75. Tit. 2. 11. 12. 1 Tim. 6. 9. Rom. 6. 21. 22 23. 11 Because Believers ought to study good works Titus 3. 8 to which they are created in Christ that they should walk in them Eph. 2. 10. 12 Because Christ will render to every man at his last coming both to the good and the bad according to their works Rev. 22. 12. Matth. 25. 34 35 41 42. Quest. VI. ARE true Believers under the Law as a Covenant of Works to be thereby justified or condemned No. Rom. 6. 14. Gal. 2. 16. Gal. 3. 13. Gal. 4. 4 5. Acts 13. 39. Rom. 8. 1. Well then do not the Papists and Socinians err who maintain that Believers under the Gospel are justified by their obedience to the Law of God the Law I say either Moral or Evangelical and condemned for the transgression thereof Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because by the Law is the knowledge of sin Rom. 3. 20. 2 Because for as many as are of the works of the Law are under the curse Gal. 3. 10. 3 Because there is not a Law given which could have given life to fallen man Gal. 3. 21. 4 Because Christ is not dead in vain for if righteousness be by the Law then Christ is dead in vain that is without cause reason need or fruit Gal. 2. 21. see Iohn 15. 25. 5 Because it was promised by God about 430 years before the promulgation of the Law that all the Nations of the earth should be blessed in the seed of Abraham Gen. 22. 18. Gen. 12. 3. with Gal. 3. 16 17 18. 6 Because Christ is become of no effect to them that are justified by the Law they are fallen from Grace Gal. 5. 4 7 Because Believers ought to wait through the Spirit for the hope of righteousness by Faith Gal. 5. 5. 8 Because the Apostle though a strick Observer of the law counted all his works but loss and dung that he might be found in Christ not having his own righteousness which is of the Law but that which is through the Faith of Christ the righteousness which is of God by Faith Phil. 3. 8 9. 9 Because Christ is made of God to Believers righteousness 1 Cor. 1. 30. 2 Cor. 5. 21. 10 Because they that seek righteousness not by Faith but by their works do not attain to it And contrarywise they that seek their righteousness by Faith and not by their works do attain to it Rom. 9. 30 31 32. 11 Because Christ is the end of the Law for righteousnes to every one that believeth Rom. 10. 4. 12 Because the justification of men under the Law or Covenant of works is by the law and by the works of the law but the justification of men under Grace or the Covenant of Grace is by Faith Rom. 10. 5 6 8 9. 10. Gal. 3. 11 12. Lev. 18. 5. But Believers now are not under the Law or the Covenant of works but under Grace or the Covenant of Grace Rom. 6. 14 15. Gal. 5. 18. 13 Because Believers under the New and Old Testament are saved by the Grace of Jesus Christ and not by the Law Whose yoke none were able to bear That
is none were able perfectly to keep nor to be justified thereby Acts 15. 10 11. 14 Because whosoever transgresseth the Law in the least is under the curse of it Gal. 3. 10. Deut. 27. 26. And deserveth death and a curse Rom. 6. 23. Ezek. 18. 4 20. But all men even the Regenerate sin dayly and transgress the Law of God and so are guilty of all Iam. 1. 13 compared with Iames 2. 10 and with 1 Iohn 1. 8. 15 Because Good works do not go before justification but follow after it Titus 1. 15. Heb. 11. 6. Rom. 14. 23. Rom. 3. 9 10 23. 16 Because the righteousness of God which is by Faith in Jesus Christ is manifested unto all and upon all by Moses and the Prophets For all the Apostles do witness that whosover believeth in Jesus Christ shall have remission of sins Rom. 3. 21 24 25. Acts. 10. 43. 17 Because Justification is from the free Grace of God Rom. 3. 24. Not by the Works of the Law otherwise Grace should be no more Grace nor work any more work Rom. 11. 6. 18 Because the good works of Believers are unclean and defiled Isa. 64. 6. Gal. 5. 17. 19 Because it is said by the Spirit of God the just shall live by Faith Hab. 2. 4. Gal. 3. 11. 20 Because it is written that Abraham believed God and it was imputed to him for righteousness Gen. 15. 6. Rom. 4. 3. But to him that worketh not but believeth on him that justifies the ungodly his Faith is counted for Righteousness Rom. 4. 5. 21 Because believers must not glory in themselves but in God only Rom. 4. 2. Rom. 3. 27. 22 Because by the obedience of ONE many shall be made righteous as was foretold by the Prophet Isaiah 53. 11. And is asserted by Paul Rom. 5. 17. 23 Because Justification by Faith and not by Works is expresly taught at large by the Apostle in that third to the Romans and third to the Galatians CHAP. XX. Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience Question I. IS GOD alone Lord of the Conscience and hath left it free from the Doctrines and Commandments of men which are in any thing contrary to to his Word or beside it in matters of Faith or worship Yes Iam. 4. 12. Acts 4. 19. Acts 5. 29. Matth. 23. 8 9 10. 2 Cor. 1. 24. Matth. 15. 9. Well then do not the Papists err who contradict this both in doctrine because they teach that the Pope of Rome and Bishops in their own Diocesses may by their own authority praeter Scripturam beside the Word make Laws which oblige and bind the Conscience under the pain of everlasting death and in practise because they have obtruded and do obtrude many Ecclesiastical Rites and Ceremonies as necessary in worship without any foundation in Scripture Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because there is one Law-giver who is able to save and to destroy Iames 4. 12. Therefore no Pope no Prelate nor any meer man can be a Law-giver 2 Because Christ rejects the Commandments of men from the worship of God Matth. 15. 9. 3 Because the Apostles refused to obey the orders of the Council since they were contrary to the Commands of God Acts 4. 19. Acts 5. 29. 4 because the Lord threatens to do a marvellous work among his people because they drew near to him with their mouth as the most part of the Ceremonial service is but a drawing near to God with the mouth but had their hearts removed far from him Isaiah 29. 13 14. 5 Because Christ expresly forbids such subjection and obedience to the Commands of men Matth. 23. 9 10. 1 Cor. 7. 23. 6 because the Apostles themselves forbids all will-worship such as the Popish Ceremonies are Col. 2. 18 21 22 23. 8 Because the Apostle Paul withstood these false Brethren unawars brought in who came in privily to spie out his liberty which he had in Christ Jesus that they might bring him into bondage to whom he gave place by subjection no not for an hour that the truth of the Gospel might continue where he lays so much weight upon Christian liberty that if that were taken away the truth of the Gospel would perish likewise Gal. 2. 4 5. 9 Because the Apostle commands Believers to stand fast in their liberty wherewith Christ hath made them free and not to be intangled again with the yoke of bondage Gal. 5. 1. 10 Because Ceremonies are superstitious being a vice opposite to Religion in the excess commanding more in the Worship of God than he requires in his Worship Quest. II. IS not the requiring of an implicit Faith and an absolute and blind obedience to the Church or any Man a destroying of liberty of Conscience and Reason also Yes Rom. 10. 17. Rom. 14. 23. Isaiah 8. 20. Acts 17. 11. Iohn 4. 22. Hos. 5. 11. Rev. 13. 12 16 17. Ier. 8. 9. Well then do not the Papists err who require an Implicit Faith to all the Decrees and Ordinances of their Church and Pope and a blind obedience to their commands without a previous judgement of discretion Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because no man performing any duty out of blind obedience can be perswaded in his mind of the will of God therein and so he that doubteth is damned because it is not of Faith Rom. 14. 23. 2 Because all things must be examined and proven by the Rule of the Word Isaiah 8. 20. 1 Iohn 4. 1 2. 3 Because the Apostle says prove all things and hold fast that which is good 1 Thes. 5. 21. 4 Because blind obedience makes us the servants of Men which is contrary to 1 Cor. 7. 23. And against the command of Christ forbidding us to call any man Father on earth Matth. 23. 9. 5 Because absolute obedience is only due to God whose commands are all most just himself being the alone Law-giver Iames 4. 12. 6 Because every man ought to be ready to render a reason of the hope which is in him 1 Peter 3. 15. This no man can do who receives the Commands of Superiors with an Implicit Faith Quest. III. DO they who upon pretence of Christian Liberty practise any sin or cherish any lust destroy thereby the end of Christian Liberty Yes Gal. 5. 13. 1 Peter 2. 16. 2 Peter 2. 19. Iohn 8. 34. Luke 1. 74 75. Well then do not the Libertines err who maintain that the true Christian Liberty which we ought to follow and use is to take away all difference between Good and Evil to esteem nothing of sin nor to be touched with any Conscience or sense of it that every man ought to follow the swing of his own lust Yes Do not likewise the Antinomians err who maintain almost the same very Tenet and opinion Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because we being called to liberty ought not to use our liberty for an occasion of the flesh Gal. 5. 13 And that with well
Christ in this Sacrament corporally or carnally in with or under the brèad and wine No. 1 Cor. 10. 16. Well then do not the Lutherians err who maintain that the body and blood of Christ are corporally in with and under the bread and wine and that as the Papists also teach his body and blood are taken corporally by the mouth by all Communicants believers and unbelievers Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because Christ was sitting with his body at the Table 2 Because he himself did eat of the bread and drink of the wine 3 Because he took bread from the Table he took not his own body he break bread and did distribute it he break not his own body so he took the Cup and not his own blood 4 Because Christ said the Cup was the New Testament in his blood but the Cup is not in with and under the Wine 5 Because Christ said the bread was his body which was broken the Wine was his blood which was shed But neither was his body broken under the bread nor his blood shed under the Wine seing Christ as yet was not betrayed crucified and dead In the next place the end of the Lords Supper is that we may remember Christ and declare his death until be come Luke 22. 19. 1 Cor. 11. 24 25 26. Therefore if Christ be now present with his body in with and under the bread the Sacramental remembrance of Christ and the declaring of his death ought to cease This Doctrine of Consubstantiation is contrary to the Articles of our Faith It is against the Truth and Verity of his Humane Nature which is visible palpable and in a certain place circumscriptive It is against the Article of his ascension for it makes his body which is now in Heaven until the last day to be in with and under a piece of bread It is against the spiritual communion of the Saints with Christ the Head which the Lutherians makes by this doctrine a corporal and carnal communion contrary to 1 Cor. 10. 3 4. Ephes. 1. 22. Ephes. 4. 4. Rom. 8. 9. 1 Cor. 6. 17. 1 Iohn 4. 13. Iohn 15. 5. It brings with it many and great absurdities as that the body of Christ Non habeat partem extra partem hath not one part of it without another but as if all the parts of his Body were in one part which is contrary to the Nature of a true and real Quantum which consists essentially in three dimensions length breadth and thickness It makes in effect his Body to be no body It brings down the glorious Body of Christ from Heaven and puts it under the base Elements of this Earth It makes as many bodies of Christ as there are pieces of Eucharistical bread It makes his body to be broken in with and under the bread and bruised with the teeth It sends his Body down to the stomach where it is turned into a mans substance and afterwards throwen out Moreover all true Eating brings life and Salvation Iohn 6. 50 51. but eating by the mouth profiteth nothing Iohn 6. 63. Again our union with Christ and therefore our eating of his Body from whence ariseth this union is not corporal but spiritual Eph. 3. 17. And the Body and Blood of Christ are meat and drink not carnal but spiritual even as the hunger whereby we long for this meat is spiritual and the life to which we are nourished is spiritual and the nutriment is spiritual Lastly according to this Doctrine of Consubstantiation stiffly maintained by the Lutherians it follows that Christ did 〈◊〉 his own body while he did eat the bread of the first supper That his Disciples did eat their Lord and Masters Body That Christ before he was crucified was dead That his Disciples were more cruel and inhumane to him than the Iews were that crucified him That he is often buried within the intrals of wicked men Quest. VI. IS the Body and Blood of Christ as really but spiritually present to the faith of Believers in that Ordinance as the Elements themselves are to the outward senses Yes 1 Cor. 10. 16. Well then do not the Socinians err who maintain that the Body and Blood of Christ in the Sacrament of the Supper are not really present Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because the body of Christ in this Sacrament is spiritually eaten by Believers and his blood is spiritually drunken But a spiritual presence is a true and real presence because it comes and flowes from true and real causes namely from Faith and the Holy Spirit 2 Because in the right use of this Sacrament Christ is united to a man by faith and by the Holy Spirit 1 Cor. 10. 16. 3 Because the body of Christ in so far as it was given to the death and was broken for us on the cross and in so far as his blood was shed for the remission of our sins all these I say are the internal matter of this Sacrament Luke 22. 19. Mat. 26. 28. 1 Cor. 11. 24. 4 Because those who eat and drink unworthily are said not to discern the Lords body and therefore to such as eat and drink worthily the body and blood of Christ must be truely present according to their spiritual sense namely Faith 1 Cor. 11. 24. 5 Because length of time doth not hinder but that Faith may make things past and things to come spiritually present and therefore distance of place doth not hinder but that things most distant as to place may be made spiritually and truely present Heb. 11. 1. Iohn 6. 56. Phil. 3. 10. Heb. 11. 9. Quest. VII ARE all ignorant and ungodly persons as they are unfit to enjoy Communion with Christ unworthy of his Table Yes Can they without great sin against Christ while they continue such partake of these holy Mysteries No. And are not therefore Church-officers to debar those who appear grosly ignorant and scandalous Yes 1 Cor. 11. 27 28 29. and 2 Cor. 6. 14 15. and 1 Cor. 5. 6 7 13. Matth. 7. 6. Well then do not some men err in their Practise if not in their Opinion who suffer many ignorant scandalous and ungoodly persons to come to the Lords Table Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because ignorant and wicked men eating and drinking unworthily are guily of the body and blood of Christ and so bring judgement upon themselves Cor. 11. 29. 2 Because all were not admitted to eat of the Passover neither was it for all promiscuously to partake thereof Numb 9. 6 7. and 2 Chron. 23. 19. Esek 22. 26. 3 Because it was not lawful for any man to come to the Marriage feast that wanted the Wedding garment Matth. 22. 11. 4 Because Pearles are not to be casten before Dogs and Swine men manifestly ungodly and wicked Matth. 7. 6. 5 Because they who deserve to be excluded from the Fellowship and Society of Believers ought not to be admitted to the Sacrament of intimate Communion