b Gen. 5.3 6.3 image of Adam the c Ephes 4.22 old man the d Joh. 3.6 flesh c. Viz. the e Rom. 5.12 state 1. Of sinne 2 By for sinne of death Q. What is Sinne A. A f 1. Ioh. 3.4 sweruing from the law of God making the sinner g Gen. 4.7 guiltie before God and liable to the curse of the law Q. How is mankinde in the state of sinne since the fall A. Euery one naturally descending from Adam besides the guilt of that first sinne committed in Paradise 1. Is a Psal 51.5 conceiued and borne in originall corruption 2. Liuing in this world sinneth also b Gen. 6.5 Esa 48.8 actually yea of himselfe c Jer 13.23 Mat. 7.18 can doe nothing but sinne d Tit. 1.15 neither is any thing pure vnto him Q. What is originall corruption A. It is the defacing of Gods image consisting chiefely in wisedome and holinesse and the impression of the contrarie e Ioh. 8.41 c. image of Satan called f Rom. 7.7 Jam. 1.14 Concupiscence consisting 1. In an vtter g Rom. 7.18 disabilitie and h 8.7 enmitie vnto that which is good 2. In i Rom. 7.14 pronenesse vnto all manner euill Q. In what part of our nature doth it abide A. In the whole man and euery part 1. k Eph. 4.17 18 19. Darkening or l Esay 44.20 misleading the vnderstanding 2 m T it 1 15 Ephes 4.19 Benumming or n Mar. 10.20 1. Cor. 8.7 abusing the conscience 3 a Rom. 7.23 Rom 6.10 Enthralling and b Ephes 4.18 hardening the will 4. c Iam. 4.1 Gal. 5.17 Iob 15.16 Disturbing and disordering the affections 5. Finally making the bodily sences and members Either 1. As d Mat 5.29 30 Porters to let in sinne or 2. As e Ro. 6.12 13 3.13 c. Instruments to execute it Q. Is the image of God then wholly defaced in man A. No. For he f Iam. 3.9 remaineth still a creature reasonable and capable of grace hauing the same parts and faculties he had before and in them some reliques of Gods image as in the vnderstanding g Joh. 1.9 some light in the conscience sometimes h Rom 2.15 right iudgement in the will i Rom. 2.14 some libertie to good and euill in naturall and ciuill actions and freedome in all things from compulsion c. Q. What is actuall sinne A. It is sinne committed k Rom. 5.14 after the manner of Adams transgression to wit a particular breach of Gods law leauing a a Ier. 13.23 staine in the soule which polluteth the sinner and disposeth him to further euill Q. How is such sinne committed A. Two wayes Viz. by 1. Omission of duety required 2. Commission of euill forbidden whether it be 1. Inwardly in the b Gen. 6.5 Mat. 15.19 vnderstanding will or affections or 2. Outwardly in c Esay 3 8. word or deed Q. By what degrees doe men proceed in the committing of actuall sinne A. d 2. Sam. 11.2 Temptation offered e Psal 7.14 Jam. 1.14.15 concupiscence taking liking conceiueth wherevpon ensueth the committing or birth of sinne by custome and continuance wherein the heart finally is f Heb. 3 13 hardened Q. What are the different kindes of actuall sinne A. They are many but wee may reduce them to these fiue Viz. 1. g Esay 6.5 Partaking with others sinnes 2. h Psal 19.12 Sinnes of ignorance or of an i 1. Cor. 8.7 erring conscience 3. a Rom. 7.19 Sinnes of knowledge through infirmitie 4. b Psal 19.13 50.21 Eccle. 8.11 Sinnes of Presumption and obstinacie 5. c Heb. 6.4.5 6 10.29 Mar. 3.29 30. The impardonable sinne against the holy Ghost Q. Doe all naturall men alike commit all these kindes of sinne A. No for though d Rom. 7.14 all are alike disposed vnto all manner euill hauing in their corrupt nature the seedes of euery sinne yet doth God for the good of humane societie restraine many from notorious crimes by e Ro. 13.3.4.5 feare of shame and punishment desire of honour and reward c. Q. How doth God employ men in this state of sinne A. 1. Hee guideth them partly by the f Ro 2.14.13 Joh. 1.9 light of nature and partly by g Esay 44.28 common graces of the Spirit vnto many actions profitable for humane societie and for the outward seruice of God 2. Hee h Act. 3.18 4 27.28 ouer-ruleth their euill and sinfull actions so that thereby they bring to passe nothing but what his hand and counsell had before determined for his owne glorie SECT IX Of the second Consequent of the Fall viz. Death and of the Leauing of Reprobates in this fearefull state Q. HOw is man by sinne in the state of death A. By the iust sentence of God deliuering him a Rom. 5.12 for sinne into the power both of corporall and eternall death signified by b Ge. 3.22 c expelling our parents out of Paradise and debarring them of the Sacramentall tree of Life Q. What are we to vnderstand by corporall death A. The c Gen. 3.19 Eccl. 12.7 separation of the soule and bodie with all euils that attend thereon or make way thereto as d Deut. 28.15 c. sorrow sicknesse shame seruitude penurie c. yea euen c Mal. 3.2 Psal 69.22 blessings are cursed and a Psal 69.22 prosperitie causeth ruine Q. What is eternall death A. It is the finall b 2. Thes 1.9 separation of the whole man in hell for euer from Gods fauourable presence and fellowship together with present c 2. Tim. 2.26 Ephes 2.2 bondage vnder Satan d Heb. 10 27 Esay 33.14 hellish horrors and such like fore-runners of damnation Q. By what law doth God proceede in this punishment A. By the law of workes first written in the heart of Adam and vttered to his eare in Paradise and since more solemnely published and fully expressed by Moses and the Prophets e Deu. 29. â—6 Rom. 1.31 3 20. for the discouerie of sinne and the punishment due thereto Q. How commeth it to passe that the reprobate abide without recouerie in this state of sinne and death A. Because f Act. 17.30 14.16 the Lord doth not grant vnto them the benefite of Redemption and grace of faith and repentance vnto life but suffereth them to runne on in sinne deseruedly vnto condemnation Q. How doth God suffer them so to runne into condemnation A. In a diuers manner Some reprobates dying infants Others of riper yeares of which later sort 1. Some are not called 2. Others called Q. How doth God deale with reprobates dying infants A. Being once conceiued they are in the a Rom. 5.14 state of death by reason of the sinne of Adam imputed and of originall corruption cleauing to their nature wherein also dying they
That b Ro. 11.3 6. Pro. 16 4. all things should serue vnto his glorie Q. What did God decree touching Angels and men A. c 1. Tim. 5. â—1 Mat 25.41 1. Thes 5.9 Ro. 9.22 23 That they should remaine for euer some in honour others in dishonour for his glorie SECT IIII. Of Creation Q. HOw doth God execute his decree A. By two Actions to wit Creation and Prouidence Q. What is Creation A. The a Gen. 1. wholâ— making of all things of nothing very good in the first sixe dayes of the world Q. How did God create Angels A. He b Col. 1.16 made them all at the first very good and glorious spirits yet c Job 4.18 mutable Q. How did God create man A. He d Gen. 29 made him a liuing soule framing his bodie of the dust of the earth and breathing in his face the breath of life SECT V. Of Prouidence Q. VVHat is prouidence A. The continuall * Ps 213.6 care that God hath of all his creatures for the sustaining and disposing of them as they may best a Psal 119.91 serue for his glorie Q. How doth God sustaine Angels A. They are all vpheld by the power of God so that they shall b Luk. 20.36 neuer llye nor returne to nothing Q. How doth God sustaine men A. He preserueth mankinde in generall by the blessing of c Gen. 1.28 procreation and particular men and women both for the d Psal 36.6 time of this life and for e Mat. 25.46 euer in the world to come Q. How doth God dispose of Angels A. Hee suffered f 2. Pet. 2.4 some to fall by sinne into damnation without recouerie called Diuels the rest hee g Mat. 28.20 confâ—rmeth in their first blessed estate called Angels of light both which hee h â—ob 1.6 employeth for the accomplishing of his will SECT VI. Of the state of Innocencie Q. HOw doth GOD dispose of man A. As of that creature in a Psa 8.3 c whom aboue the rest hee intendeth to set forth his glorie wherefore the Scriptures doe plentifully declare the dealing of GOD with man both in this world and for euer hereafter Q. How doe the Scriptures set forth the dealing of God with man in this world A. In a threefold estate to wit of Innocencie of Corruption and misery and of Redemption all which make way vnto that euerlasting estate of honour or dishonour fore-appointed vnto all men Q. What is the state of Innocencie A. The holy and happy condition of mankinde created in the b Gen 1.27 image of God and placed by him in c Gen. 2.8 Paradise with abilitie to attaine to blessednesse by the Couenant of workes Q. What is the Couenant of workes A. The a Ge. 2.16 17 substance of the Law written in the hearts of our first parents promising blessednesse if they should obey and threatning death if they should transgresse SECT VII Of the Fall Q. VVHat is the state of corruption and miserie A. The fearefull condition of sinne and death wherein to God suffered all mankinde in Adam to b Ge. 3.1 c fall through the temptation of Satan by breaking the Couenant of workes SECT VIII Of Sinne. Q. VVHat is Sinne A. c 1. Ioh. 3.9 A sweruing from the Law of God making the sinner * Gen. 4.7 gâ—â—â—tie of the curse of the Law and it 〈◊〉 either originall or actuall Q. Wherein doth originall sinne consist A. In vtter b Rom. 7.18 enmitie of our whole nature vnto all that is good and c Rom. 7.14 prouenesse vnto all euill Q. What is Actuall sinne A. Euery d Rom. 5.14 particular breach of the Law of God SECT IX Of Death Q. VVHat is Death A. It is the separation e Gen. 3.19 either of the soule from the body f 2. Thes 1. â— or of soule and body from God with all euils that attend on the one or the other Q. How doth God employ men in this state of Corruption A. Two waies and first by the g Joh. 1.9 light of nature and h Esay 44.28 common graces restraining many from grosse sinnes and guiding some vnto actions profitable for humane societie and for the outward seruice of God Q. How secondly A. By ouer-ruling mens euill and sinfull actions so that thereby they a Act. 4.27 28. bring to passe nothing but what God hath determined for his owne glorie Q. Doth God leaue all mankinde in this state of sinne and death A. No but onely the reprobate whom hee b Act. 14.16 suffereth to runne on in sinne and so vnto damnation deseruedly SECT X. Of Redemption by the Couenant of grace Q. WHat is the state of Redemption A. The c Ro. 3.23.24 recouerie of the Elect out of the state of sinne and death by the new Couenant of grace Q. What is the Couenant of grace A. Gods a Gal. 3.21 22 second contract with mankinde after the fall for the restoring of him vnto his fauour and happinesse by the meanes of a Mediator Q. What are wee to consider in the Couenant of Grace A. Two things whereof the first is the foundation of it to wit the Mediator SECT XI Of Christ the Mediator Q. VVHo is the Mediator betweene God and man A. Onely b 1. Tim. 1.5 Iesus Christ God and man Q. How is he God A. In that hee is the c 1. Ioh. 5.20 second person in Trinitie to wit the eternall Sonne of the Father Q. How is hee man A. By d Ioh. 1.14 taking our flesh into his person beeing miraculously e Luk. 1.35 conceiued by the holy Ghost and borne of the blessed Virgin Mary Q. How is he the mediator between God and man A. By becoming our Prophet Priest and King Q. How is he our Prophet A. By a Joh. 17.26 reuealing vnto vs the will of God Q. How is he our Priest A. By b Eph. 2 1â— 2. Cor. 5.28 appeasing and reconciling God vnto vs through his death and obedience Q. How is he our King A. By c Esa 9.7 gouerning all things for the saluation of his Elect and d Psal 45.5 destruction of his enemies SECT XII Of the mysticall vnion Q. VVHat is the second thing to be considered in the Couenant of Grace A. The application thereof to the elect giuing them a Heb. 3.24 part in Christ and in all his benefits Q. What part haue the elect in Christ A. They haue first vnion with Christ and secondly thereby Communion Q. How are the elect vnited vnto Christ A. They are b Eph. 5.30 knit vnto Christ the head as members of his mysticall bodie by the spirit of Christ and by faith Q. What is the spirit of Christ A. The power of the holy Ghost c Rom. 8.9 Gal. 5.25 abiding and working in all those that are Christs as the soule of spirituall life Q.
perish as for instance the children of Heathen parents for touching the b 2. Cor. 7.14 children of Christians we are taught to account them holy Q. How doth God deale with those of riper yeeres vncalled A. Being naturally possessed c Ephes 4.18.19 with ignorance and vanitie he d Ro. 1.26.28 giueth them vp to their owne lusts to commit sin without remorse with greedinesse in a reprobate mind vntill the e Gen. 15.16 Psal 69.27 measure of sinne being fulfilled they are cut off Q. How doth God deale with such reprobates as are called A. He vouchsafeth them the outward a Heb. 4.1 2 2. Cor. 10.1 2 c. meanes of saluation giuing farther to some of them Yomo b Heb. 6.4 5. illumination a c Act. 8.13 temporarie faith some outward holinesse tast of heauen whom yet he suffereth to fall away and the meanes of grace to become a d 2. Cor. 2.16 sauour of death vnto them yea some of those doe e Heb. 6.6 fall euen to the sinne vnpardonable SECT X. Of the state of Redemption by the Couenant of Grace and of the foundation thereof viz. the Mediator Q. TO come to the state of Redemption how doth God recouer his Elect out of the state of sinne and death A. By f Rom. 3.23 24. the new Couenant of Grace Q. What is the Couenant of Grace A. Gods a Gal. 3.21 22. second contract with mankind after the fall for the restoring of him into his fauour to the state of happinesse by the meanes of a Mediator Q. How doth this couenant differ from that of workes A. In this chiefly that the Couenant of workes requireth of euery man in his owne person b Deut. 27.26 perfect obedience in default for c Ezek. 18 14 Gal 3.10.11 satisfaction euerlasting punishment but the Couenant of grace d Ibid. ver 13 14. admitteth paiment and performance by another in behalfe of so many as receiue it Thus this Couenant e Rom. 3.31 10.4 abolisheth not but is the accomplishment and establishment of the former Q. When was this Couenant of grace first plighted betweene God and man A. Immediately after the fall in Paradise in that f Gen. 3.15 promise giuen concerning the womans seede God in vnspeakeable mercy propounding the remedy before he pronounced sentence of iudgement Q. What are wee to consider in this couenant of grace A. Two things to wit 1. The foundation which is the Mediator 2. The application thereof for saluation vnto the Elect. Q. What need was there of a Mediator A. Betweene parties so disagreeing the one of finite nature offending the other of infinite nature offended the one vtterly disabled to a 2. Cor. 3.5 doe any the least good or b Job 9.3 satisfie for the least sinne the other requiring perfect c Deut. 27.26 obedience and d Mat. 18.34 satisfaction e 1. Sam. 2.25 what agreement could there be without a Mediator Q. In this case what was the Mediator then to doe A 1. To f Esay 53.5.6 Job 33.24 pay all our debt and satisfie Gods iustice by a g 1. Tim. 2.6 price of infinite valew 2. To purchase and merit for vs Gods h Ephes 1.6 fauour and kingdome by a most i Rom. 5.19 absolute and perfect obedience Q. What an one must he be that should vndertake this mediation A. He must be 1. Man of kinne to our nature offending that a Rom. 8.3 1. Cor. 15.21 Heb. 2.14 15 16. in the same he might satisfie and withall b 1. Joh. 3.5 perfectly iust without exception 2. c Act. 20.28 God that hee might giue worth and efficacie to his satisfaction and obedience and withall d Heb. 2.10 the Sonne to make vs children vnto his heauenly Father Q. How many Mediators are there A. Onely e 1. Tim. 2.5 one for though f Deut. 5.31 Gal. 4 19 other are so called yet are they onely g 2. Cor. 5.19 Iob 33.23 Ministers of the word not Authors of the worke of reconciliation Q. When was the Mediator giuen A. 1. If wee regard Gods decree h Ephes 1.4 from all eternitie 2. If the vertue and efficacie of his mediation as soone as need was euen i Reu. 13.8 from the beginning of the world 3. If his manifestation in the flesh in the k Gal. 4.4 1. Tim. 2.6 fulnesse of time from whence we now reckon more then 1600. yeeares Q. Who is this Mediator betweene God and man A. a Luk. 2.11 1. Tim. 2.5 Iesus the sonne of the Virgin Mary the promised Messiah or Christ whom the b Ioh. 1.45 8.56 Fathers expected the Prophets foretold whose c 1. Joh. 1.1 Act. 1.1 life death resurrection and ascension the Euangelists describe whose d 1. Tim. 3.16 2. Cor. 10.4.5 word preached vnto this day subdueth the world finally whom wee e Act. 10.45 looke for from heauen to be the Iudge of quick and dead Q. Is there no need of any other Mediator for vs vnto Christ A. No. For hee is f Iob 19.25 next of kinne most g Heb. 2.17 mercifull most faithfull and h 7.25 able perfectly to saue all those that come to God through him SECT XI Of Iesus Christ his Person Offices and twofold estate of Humiliation and Exaltation Q. VVHat doe the Scriptures teach vs touching Christ A. Two things 1. His person 2. His office Q. What are wee taught touching the person of Christ A. 1. His two natures Viz The Godhead And manhood 2. The hypostaticall or persosonall vnion of both into one Immanuel Q. How How is the Godhead of Christ proued A. Not onely by aboundant a Esay 7.14 9.6 c. testimonies of scripture but also by his miracles especially the b Rom. 1.4 raising of himselfe from death together with the c Act 5.39 continuance and conquest of the Gospell and that d Zech. 4â—â— not by carnall power or policie but onely by the power of his spirit and e Reu. 12.11 patient suffering of his Saints Q. How doth it appeare that Christ was man A. Besides manifold f Gen. 3 15 1. Tim. 2.5 c. predictions and cleare testimonies it is aboundantly proued by plentifull experiments especially by his g 1. Pet. 3.18 Heb. 2.14 partaking of humane infirmities and suffering of death Q. Being very man how could hee be without sinne A. Because he was not begotten after the ordinarie course by man but a Lu. 1.34.35 formed of the onely substance of the Virgin and that substance in the conception sanctified by the holy Ghost Q. What is the personall vnion of these two natures A. The b Ioh. 1.14 Heb. 2.16 assuming of the humane nature hauing no subsistence in it selfe into the person of the Sonne of God and in that person vniting it to the Godhead so making one
according to his gracious promise who also in Christ will b Mat. 10 42. 25.35 2. Tim. 1.18 acknowledge and requite it at the last day 2. To c Jam. 1.27 seale the truth of our religion 3. To d Heb. 6.9 10 1. Joh. 3.14 1. Tim. 6.19 assure our saluation 4. To e Dan. 4.24 Luk. 19.8 make amends to men for former couetousnes and crueltie 5. To f Luk. 11.41 sanctifie our store and bring a g Deu. 25.10 blessing on our labours yea and vpon our h Psal 112.2 37.26 2. Tim. 1 1â— posteritie after vs. SECT XLIX Of the Prouidence of God concerning mankinde after this life and first of particular Judgement at the houre of Death Q. THus farre of Glorification begunne and of Redemption so farre as it is vouchsafed in this life now let vs come to entreat of perfect Redemption and Glorification and that vnder the prouidence or dealing of God with mankinde after this life How doth God then deale with men A. He bringeth them all to Iudgement Q. What is here meant by Iudgement A. The pronouncing and executing of the irreuocable sentence of Absolution or Condemnation which is done Partly on euery man in a Heb. 9.27 particular at the houre of death but Fully and b Act. 17.51 generally vpon all men at the second comming of Christ Q. Must all men then dye A. Yea c Psal 49.10 Eccles 2.16 all both good and bad saue that vnto some namely such as shall bee found aliue at the comming of Christ a change shall bee in stead of Death as shall be shewed Q. Death beeing the punishment of sinne how commeth it to passe that the righteous dye to whom all sinnes are forgiuen A. d Rom. 5.12 Death indeed came on all mankinde by reason of sinne but yet it is not in all things the same to the godly and to the wicked for howsoeuer vnto both it be the a 1. Cor. 15.26 Psal 90.3 enemie of nature as the end of naturall life yet 1. Vnto the godly it is a token of Gods b Ps 37.37 38 loue vnto the wicked of his c Job 18.13 14. anger 2. Vnto the godly it is a d Apoc. 14.13 rest from labour and miserie che e 1 Cor. 15.16 last enemie being now destroyed vnto the wicked it is the f Luk. 12 20 height of all worldly euils 3. Vnto the godly it is the g Rom 6.7 vtter abolishing of sinne and perfection of mortification vnto the wicked it is the conquest of sinne and accomplishment of their spirituall captiuitie 4. Vnto the godly it is so farre from being a separation from Christ that euen the body seuered from the soule and rotting in the graue is yet vnited vnto Christ and the soule freed from the bodie is h Luk. 23 43 Phil. 1.23 with him in Paradise vnto the wicked it is an vtter cutting off from the fauorable presence and patience of God 5. Vnto the a Luk. 16.22 godly it is the beginning of heauenly glorie vnto the b Ver. 23 wicked it is the entrance into hellish and end lesse torments Q. How are men iudged at the houre of death A. First c Heb. 9.27 in that God at that instant pronounceth and the conscience apprehendeth the sentence of blessing or cursing Secondly in that the soule of euerie man is immediately conueyed by the power of God and the ministerie of Angels into that state of happinesse or miscrie d Eccl. 11.3 Luk. 16.26 wherein it shall remaine till the resurrection and from thence-forth both soule and bodie for euer SECT L. Of the Generall and finall Iudgement and first of the preparation thereto Q. TO come to the full and finall Iudgement what are wee to vnderstand thereby A. The great day of Assise for the whole world wherein a Eccl. 12.14 all mens liues that euer haue beene are or shall bee beeing duely examined b 2. Cor. 5.10 euery one shall receiue according to his workes In which Iudgement we are to consider three things and first the preparation thereto Q. Wherein doth the preparation vnto the last Iudgement consist A. In fiue things whereof the First is the foretokening of the time thereof which though it be so c Act 1.7 sealed vp in the treasurie of Gods counsell that neither men nor Angels no nor yet our d Mat. 13.32 Sauior himselfe the Prophet of the Church as man in the daies of his flesh had expresse notice thereof that e 1. Thes 5.2 3 6 from the vncertaintie and suddennesse of it we might bee taught to bee alwaies in readinesse for it yet it hath pleased God and our Lord Iesus Christ to acquaint vs with some f Mat. 24.33 signes whereby wee may discerne of his approch g Ver. 32 as men in spring time may descry Summer approching by the shooting forth of the fig-tree Q. What are the signes fore-tokening the last Iudgement A. They are certaine notable a Mat. 24.6 c. changes in the world and Church some farther off some nearer vnto the comming of Christ as The b Mat. 24.14 publishing and receiuing of the Gospell throughout the world The c 1. Tim. 4.1 2. Thes 2.3 Apostasie of the most part of professors not louing the truth The d 1. Ioh. 2.18 2. Thes 2 3 4 8 c. reueiling of Antichrist the man of sinne and child of perdition who vnder the title of Christs vicegerent opposeth himself vnto Christ in all his offices and ordinances both in Church and Common-wealth Common e 2. Tim. 3.1 c. Mat. 24.12 37. 1. Thes 5.3 corruption in manners ioined with securitie as in the daies of Noah and Lot Warres and troubles in the f Mat. 24.6 world and g Ver. 9. Church h Mat. 24.24 False Christs attended with false Prophets and armed with false miracles The i Rom. 11.25 calling of the Iewes vnto the faith of the Gospell Finally a Mat. 24.29 Luk. 21.25 signes in heauen earth and all elements as the trembling of the earth the roaring of the sea the darkning of the Sunne and Moone c. yea the b 2. Pet. 3.7 10 12. firing of the whole frame of heauen and earth with the c Mat. 24.30 signe of the Sonne of Man whereby his comming shall then bee cleerely apprehended of all men Q. What is the second thing in the preparation vnto the last Iudgement A. The comming of Iesus Christ the d Act. 10.42 Iudge of the world who in his e Act. 1.11 humane f Reu. 1.7 visible body but yet with vnspeakeable glorie shall suddenly g Mat. 24.27 breake forth like lightening through the heauens riding on the h Reu. 1.7 Iud. ver 14 clouds enuironed with i 2. Thes 1.8 flaming fire attended with all the k Ver. 7. Mat. 25.31 host of the Elect Angels and
our soueraigne with our gracious Queen Anne Prince Charles the Count Palatine with the Lady Elizabeth adorne them with all Princelie graces answerable to their high estate but especiallie with such spirituall graces as may make them Kings and Priests to thee and thy sonne for euer Impart of the same spirit of grace and gouernement to all the honorable of his Maiesties priuie Counsell to the Nobilitie and Magistracie of the Land Blesse thy seruants the Ministers of thy word and sacraments and giue them sufficiencie fidelitie and successe in thy businesse Take knowledge of our priuate friends our kinsfolkes our charges and whosoeuer may claime interest in this duty at our hands Finally to them and vs and all that call on the name of Iesus Christ both our Lord and theirs grant whatsoeuer we haue or ought to haue asked and that for the only mediations sake of the same thy sonne our Sauiour Iesus Christ to whom with thee O Father and the holy Ghost one God be praise and dominion for euer and euer Amen A Prayer for the Euening O Lord God by whose gracious prouidence the night succeedeth the day and the day the night we acknowledge that if wee had no other glasse to see thee in nor booke wherein to reade of thee but that of thy creatures wee could not without shamefull vnthankefulnesse bee ignorant of thee for as much as day vnto day vttereth thy goodnesse and night vnto night teacheth knowledge But whereas thou art further pleased to reueile thy selfe vnto vs in the booke of thy Scriptures and in the glasse of thy Sonne Iesus Christ if now we should not know thee or not acknowledge thee how desperate were our blindnesse how damnable were our vnthankefulnesse wherefore wee entreat thee to accept from vs in the name of Christ humble thankes for the manifold witnesses pledges of thy loue towards vs. Thou O Lord hast made vs not wee our selues yea thou hast made vs men and women not beasts perfect in shape noâ— monsters sensible and of vnderstanding not fooles Thou didst preserue vs in the woâ—be nourish vs when wee hanged vpon the brests prouide vs meanes of education fit vs for some honest employment wherein now by thy goodnesse wee are exercised and doe therein finde thine assistance and blessing Thou hast brought vs forth in a fruitfull land in times of peace and prosperity so â—hat we haue our share in the common blessings of a most happy gouernment Besides thou hast in priuate compassed euery one of vs with particular mercies tending to the comfort of life And euen this day past hast beene our guide our Father and our friend and now bringest vs before thee with matter of praise and not of mourning so that we may adde the day past vnto the number of the daies of our wellbeing And as if thou thoughtest all this too little for vs thou hast from all eternity set thine heart vpon vs and appointed vs to saluation by the meanes of our Lord Iesus Christ reueiled thy couenant of grace vnto vs by thy Gospell confirmed to vs in particular the promises of mercy by the outward seales of thy sacraments and by the inward seale of thy spirit changed our vile and cursed nature and made vs in some measure partakers of thy diuine nature sealed vs vp by the Holy Ghost vnto the day of redemption In a word it is thou O Lord that hast giuen vs light light of nature light of grace and light of glory For all which mercies wee doe now and alwaies magnifie thy glorious grace beseeching thee to stirre vs vp vnto a greater measure of thankefulnesse and obedience that as there is euerie day in the booke of thine account much goeing out towards vs from thee so thou maist finde somewhat from vs comming in vnto thee And now O Lord being answered in our prayers of the Morning and of the former time of our life we are emboldened to come againe vnto thee who therefore doest heare the praier that to thee all flesh may come Wee beseech thee therefore be not weary of our importunity be not ashamed of our pouertie but as the sense thereof leadeth vs vnto thee so let the pitty and commiseration of the same encline thy mercifull heart towards vs. O Lord we cannot come into thy sight but we bring with vs great matter occasioÌ„ either of wrath or of mercy from thee Our naturall corruption which as the leprosie of Adam cleaueth to vs all his posteritie filling vs euen from our conception with the seedes of all euill so that wee brought with vs a world of sinne into this thy world Our actuall transgressions which in imitation of Adams sinne we haue eueryone of vs committed our thoughts our words our works by which the eies of thy glorie haue beene daily prouoked Finally the heinous circumstances whereby our sinnes haue beene made out of measure sinfull as the abuse of thy patience quenching of thy spirit despising of thy Gospell vnthankefulnesse for thy mercies vnfaithfulnesse in thy couenant These O Lord and many moe are the mischiefs with which our natures are blemished our liues pestered our consciences burdened thy heauie wrath most iustly procured Yet because thou hast giuen thy Sonne Iesus Christ a meanes of propitiation in whom thou reconcilest the world to thy selfe wee haue boldenesse through him to entreat thee of grace and pardon Lord let his death and sufferings satisfie thy iustice for all our sinnes and procure vs fauour and forgiuenesse from thee that so mercy may reioice ouer iudgement in our behalfe as both meet together in thee Let thy Christ O Lord be our Iesus to saue vs from our sinnes and deliuer vs from the wrath to come Enrich vs with the treasure of his merits that may both ransome vs out of the hand of our deadly enemie and purchase vs an euerlasting estate in the kingdome of thy glory Let it not greeue thee O Lord thus to make vs more then gainers at thine hand seeing at the hand of him our suretie thou art sure to bee no looser And whereas thou hast not onely promised so to deale with vs but commanded vs to beleeue that promise of thine O Lord in desire to obey thy commandement and to seale vnto thy truth we professe that wee doe beleeue yet priuie to the weakenesse of our faith wee pray thee helpe our vnbeliefe Speak peace O Lord vnto our consciences replenish vs with the comforts of thy spirit multiplie in vs the euidences of our saluation Shed thy loue abroad in our hearts by the holy Ghost set vs as a seale vpoÌ„ thine hand and set thy seale O Lord vpon vs not onelie that seale of Election whereby thou knowest vs to bee thine owne but also the seale of Sanctification whereby we may know our selues to be thine O Lord if we see nothing in our selues but what wee haue of our selues or of the world we cannot say wee belong to any but to Satan
bearing no other but his image and superscription But Lord doe thou deface that cursed image blot out that superscription dissolue in vs the malicious worke of the Diuell Let the old man of corruption bee dispossessed by the new man of grace and the strong man of sinne by the stronger man of thy spirit Let no sinne O Lord haue dominion ouer vs mortifie in vs the whole body of death crucifie and put to shamefull death our speciall corruptions shew vs the ougly face of sinne grant that we may see it as thou seest it and hate it with a perfect hatred euen as thou abhorrest it Yea let vs see thee O Christ whom we haue perced with our sinnes bleeding with the wounds thou hast receaued from vs that wee may iustly detest both our sinnes as the weapons and our selues as the traitors that haue slaine our Sauiour On the contrary side good Lord renew thine owne image in vs. Enlighten our darke minds with the knowledge of thy truth mollifie our hard hearts with the oyle of thy grace reuiue our dead consciences with the soule of new life that liuing in the spirit we may also walke in the spirit Plant in vs faith without presumption loâ—e without dâ—ssimulation feare without infidelitie zeale without hyprocri ie knowledge without pride puritie without iudgeing Giue vs wisdome ioined with simplicitie courage accompanied with meekenesse cheerefulnesse tempered with sobrietie and let euery grace in vs be graced with humilitie Fill vs with all the fruits of a liuely and sauing faith working by loue let the fire thereof flame in our hearts and the light thereof shine in our liues to the praise of thy name and the comfort of our consciences And thus without ceasing lead vs forward to perfection guiding vs by thy grace and after bringing vs to thy glorie And now O Lord hauing in the first place sought thy kingdome and righteousnesse giue vs leaue in the next place to seek thy fauour in outward things Be with vs this night O Lord to watch ouer vs for good and not for euill Let it bee our comfort that thou seest vs in the darke and takest knowledge of vs when wee are vnmindfull of our selues But aboue all things keepe vs euen in our sleepe from being vnmindfull of thee Let our hearts alwaies bee awake and keepe thy watch O Lord euen as wee would thou shouldst keepe a watch ouer vs that whensoeuer thou shalt call for vs by the generall alarum of iudgement or the particular summons of our death whether at midnight or at the cocke crowing or at the dawning of the day we may bee found ready to accompany our heauenly bridegroome In the meane time sanctifie the blessing of sleepe vnto vs that the rest of the night may make vs fit for the labour of the day and night day being spent in thy seruice may prepare vs for that day of thine which shall neuer giue place to night Lastlie seeing thou hast vouchsafed this honour to thy seruants on earth to make intercession vnto thee one for another wee commend vnto thy maiestie the care of thy whole Church and of all our fellow members in the bodie of Christ Cause theÌ„ all in thy due time to be brought forth fashioned and perfected according to the image of Christ our head Let the Angell neuer cease flying with the euerlasting Gospell to enlighten them that sit in darknesse to preach good tidings to the poore to binde vp the broken hearted to proclaime libertie vnto the captiues till Babilon be quite ruined and thy Ierusalem bee reared vp and finished To this end blesse all Christian Princes and States by name thy seruant Iames our Soueraigne with our gracious Queene the royall children and as thou hast crowned them with worldly honour vpon earth so direct them vnto that more glorious crowne in heauen Make them strong and faithfull to maintaine the crowne dignitie of thy sonne that vnder his protection they may happily raigne and execute iudgement Assist with thy counsell the Honorable priuie Counsellors adorne the Nobles with spirituall nobilitie prosper the worke of thy Gospell in the hands of thy seruants the Ministers and the affaires of Iustice in the hands of the Magistrates Vouchsafe to take speciall notice from vs of those whom thou hast specially recommended to vs and to them and vs and all that desire to feare thy name grant all the blessings of mercie and peace in Iesus Christ our onely blessed Sauiour to whom with thee and thine eternall Spirit O Father be all honour obedience and thanksgiuing throughout all generations Amen A priuate Prayer for the pardon of sinne and for the fauour of God O Lord God mighty in power excellent in Maiestie righteous in iudgement rich in mercie Thou art so farre from despising and driuing from thee a weake vile sinfull wretch as I am that thou callest and drawest such vnto thee Vnto thee therefore the God that hearest the prayer I am bold to approch in the name of thy Sonne my Lord Iesus Christ beseeching thee to hold out the golden scepter of thy grace and to admit me into thy presence Let thy power not dismay but strengthen my weakenes Let thy glorie not confound but couer my vilenesse let thy puritie not pursue but purge my wickednesse let the riches of thy mercie not disdaine but take pittie of my pouertie and wretchednesse O Lord I can plead nothing but miserie in my selfe to make way vnto thy mercie from thee alone must all motiues vnto compassion be drawne For till thou didst miraculously create mee I was without any being and if in the state of creation thou sawest any thing in my nature it was thine owne and not mine But woe is mee O Lord that which I could not giue vnto my selfe I did by sinning against thee in Adam take from my selfe and deface thaâ— holy image of thine which was all the contentment thy spirit had in me and all the reioicing I could haue in my selfe And so haue I imitated the patterne of that first sinne in the dayes of my vanitie that thy spirit hath found no matter but of strife and contention with me My whole nature hath been an armorie of weapons an armie of souldiers to fight against thee And how that wicked warre hath been waged by malicious thoughts words and workes prouoking the eyes of thy glorie my conscience in great part witnesseth and thou O Lord that art greater then my conscience canst better tell Yea since the time that I was called by thy mighty word and powerfull grace to some beginnings of new obedience thy spirit hath beene put to continuall strife within me My corrupt flesh hath still maintained a rebellious partie against thee and I my selfe which is the height of shamefull trecherie taking part with it haue giuen the repulse and foyle vnto thy good spirit I ought to haue serued thee in holinesse but I haue caused thee to serue by my sinnes and
to come will come and will not tarrie Q. How shall Christ come to iudgement A. Euen in his d Act. 1.11 humane body but e Mat. 25.31 with vnspeakeable glorie attended with all the holy Angels of God and with the f 1. Thes 4 1â— shout of an Arch-Angell Q. How shall all men be brought into the presence of Christ the Iudge A. a 1. Cor 15.52 The dead shall be raised with their owne bodies and the liuiâ—â— changed and that in a moment at the sound of the last trumpet Q. Shall the resurrection of the Elect and the Reprobate be the same A. No. For b 1. Cor. 15.52 53. the Elect shall rise with glorious bodies but the Reprobate with bodies full of vncomelinesse Q. How shall men appeare before Christ A. c Luk. 21.28 1. Thes 4.17 The Elect shall with ioy be caught vp to meete the Lord but d Reu. 1.7 6.15 16. the Reprobate with horror shall bee drawne into his presence SECT LI. Of Examination and sentence Q. HOw shall men bee tryed in this iudgement A. e Ro. 2.12 15. According to the will of GOD manifested vnto them by nature or by Scripture and the testimonie of their owne consciences touching their obedience or disobedience thereto Q. Shall the Elect vndergoe this tryall A. Yea but with great fauour for a Ezek. 18.22 Reu 14.13 not their sinnes but their good workes onely shall bee remembred and those not strictly censured but onely produced as proofes of that faith in Christ whereby they haue b 2. Pet. 1.10 11 entrance into the kingdome of God Q. How shall sentence bee pronounced A. Christ the Iudge shall award vnto c Mat. 25.34 the Elect the blessed kingdome promised and to d Mat. 25.41 the Reprobate the curse of euerlasting fire e Rom. 6.23 which they haue deserued SECT LII Of the Execution of the last Iudgement Q. HOw shall this sentence be executed A. a Mat. 25.46 Christ by his Almightie power and ministerie of Angels shall caâ—â— the Diuels and wicked men into hell fire and after carrie vp the righteous with himselfe into the blissefull and euerlasting kingdome of glorie ECCL 12. ver 13 14. Let vs heare the end of all feare God and keepe his commandements for this is the whole of man For God will bring euery worke vnto iudgement with euery secret thing whether it be good or euill A short Prayer for the Morning O Eternall and Almightie Lord God who in vnspeakeable wisedome and goodnesse hast made all things for the good of man and man with al and aboue all things for thine owne glorie wee humbly acknowledge our selues to be vtterly vnworthy of the least of all thy mercies which wee either enioy or desire to enioy For O Lord wee are not onely weake creatures vnable to giue vnto thee first that wee should bee recompenced but also sinfull and vnthankefull wretches not rendring vnto thy Maiestie according to thy kinde and gracious dealing with vs. Thou createdst vs O Lord in thine owne image endued with wisedome and true holinesse adorned with all bodily perfections aduanced vnto dominion ouer all thy workes of wonder but wee all in Adam by breaking thy Couenant forfeited our birth-right deâ—aced thine holy image and made our selues more vile then the beasts that perish Thus were wee borne into the world an increase of sinfull men full of ignorance and vanitie of minde of rebellion and obstinacie of heart secure in conscience peruerse in affections vnbridled in appetite vtter enemies vnto thine holinesse carelesse to know or seeke after thee vnwilling either from thy blessings or from thy iudgements to take knowledge of thee Yea Lord when thou causedst the light of thy glorious Gospell to shine vnto vs our foolish hearts despised that light and preferred darknesse before it because our deedes were euill so that if thou hadst not giuen vs as well sight as light and a minde as well as meanes to know thee who art true euen to this day our eyes had beene still blinded by Satan the God and Prince of the darknesse of this world But blessed for ouer be thy glorious Name who for thine owne mercies sake not our merite and by thine owne Almightie power without any disposition or concurrence on our part hast effectually called vs vnto the knowledge and obedience of thy Gospell But what can we plead for our selues O Lord that haue walked vnworthy of this thy great grace and as much as in vs lieth againe defaced thine image in vs euen the new creature For since the time that we gaue our names vnto Christ and professed our selues to bee of his partie wee haue many waies and many times treacherously ioined with Satan with the world and our owne corruption to sinne against the honour of our Sauiour and against the light of knowledge which shineth into our consciences so that by our disobedience and rebellion we haue weakened the cause of thy Truth and opened the mouth of the Aduersarie to reproch the holy Gospell of thy Sonne Iesuâ— Christ which we professe Finally our whole course conuersation aboundeth with continuall breaches of all thy righteous lawes and is shamefully barren of those fruits of righteousnesse which by Iesus Christ should redound vnto thy praise and glorie Wherefore O Lord wee freely confesse against our selues our great wickednesse wee iudge our selues worthy â—o be destroyed for all our iniquities we abhorne our selues and repent before thee in dust and ashes we fly only to thy rich mercie grace in Christ Iesus beseeching thee for his sake to haue mercie on vs with his bloud to wash clense vs from all our sinnes in his face and countenance to behold vs in his absolute merite mediation fauourably to accept vs. So shall there be no condemnation for vs being in Christ Iesus who was made sinne for vs that wee might be made the righteousnes of God in him Further O Lord that wee may soundlie assure our selues that wee are in Christ and withall be enabled to walke more worthie of thy grace wee beseech thee make vs more and more partakers of the spirituall power both of the death and life of Christ Let the power of his death mortifie in vs all carnall and sinfull lusts let it crucifie the world vnto vs and vs vnto the world let it dull and dead our hearts vnto the allurements of sinne let it make vs sencelesse or carelesse of the discouragements that are or may be offered in the way of well-doing Let it arme vs with this mind rather to suffer any trouble and forbeare any pleasure then by sinning against thee to hazard the peace of a good conscience On the other side let the quickening power of the life of Christ reuiue our dead nature vnto new obedience let it in flame our hearts with the loue of thy maiestie let it make thy word sauourie vnto vs and more desirable then our
forgiuing iniquitie transgression and sinne Thou hast made many faithfull promises that thou wilt bee found of them that seeke and sue for mercie vnto thee Thou hast satisfied thy Iustice in the accursed death of thy Sonne our surety and Sauiour Iesus Christ for the sinnes of the whole word of thine elect Thou hast giuen vs of thy Spirit wherby euen we sinfull wretches are taught and enclined to forgiue for thy sake such as haue offended vs how much more wilt thou shew thy selfe a faithfull and mercifull God to pardon all our sinnes and to clense vs from all vnrighteousnesse Wherefore O Lord heare O Lord forgiue O Lord consider nâ— giue a gracious answere vnto our supplication for the Lords sake Yea Lord teach vs to rise vp with thy Maiestie against our sins that our warre with them may assure vs that we haue peace with thee Let vs not be such traitors to thy Maiestie as to harbour thine enemies Breake of in â—uerie one of vs the wicked customes of sinning abolish the power and dominion thereof crucifie the loue and affection thereto Let vs in the bloudy passion of our deare Sauiour see the ougly face heare the dreadfull cry and feele the intolerable burden of our transgressions And let vs not as if the loade were yet too light let vs not blessed God adde more vnto the waight and measure of our sinnes but rather let vs in our proportion beare part in the sufferings of our Sauiour ceasing from sinne for his sake who for our sakes refused not to offer vp his innocent soule a sacrifice for sinne Lord teach vs to doe thy will Knit our hearts vnto thee that wee may feare thy name Let thy good Spirit leade vs in all the pathes of righteousnesse and make our barren nature fruitfull in good workes Quicken vs O Lord for thy names sake with the life of grace and stablish our hearts with thy free Spirit Teach vs freely to submit our selues to the easie yoake and light burden of our Lord Iesus Christ Let thy grace so frame vs vnto heartie obedience that thy commandement may not be grieuous vnto vs. Let thy loue in Christ Iesus be so shed abroad in our hearts by the holy Ghost that no difficulties may discourage vs in the way of well doing Let the meditation of the glorious kingdome prepared for vs so possesse and affect vs that the loue of this present world may seeme base and vnworthy of vs. Let the expectation of the suddaine comming of our Lord Iesus Christ so awaken vs that the momentanie pleasures of sinne or cares of this life may not lull vs a sleepe and ensnare vs. Watch ouer vs this night by thy gracious prouidence preserue vs from the dangers of the darknesse refresh vs with the moderate vse of thine ordinance of rest and sleepe raise vs vp with health of bodie and cheare of heart to the duties of the next day Let thy kindnesse and mercie follow vs all the dayes of our life Bring vs in peace with good report especially with a good conscience vnto the bed of the graue that after the sleepe of death wee may awake vnto blessed immortalitie Preserue thy whole Church and adde thereto from day to day such as shall be saued Be mercifull to this Land forgiue the common and crying sinnes of profanenesse worldlinesse crueltie and abuse of thy long patience and liberall blessings especially of thy Gospell Giue grace vnto all estates truely to returne vnto thee and to seek thy face and fauour Especially poure downe a liberall shower of all bodily and spirituall blessings on the Kings Maiestie with the Queene and Royall family sanctifie and assist the Magistrates and Ministers Continue these blessings of peace and of thy Gospell vnto the posteritie after vs. Blesse all that loue vs and are by any band linked or allied vnto vs. Yea take pittie of those that causelessely hate vs. Shew vs all O Lord thy mercie in this life and in the life to come grant vs thy saluation through Iesus Christ thine onely Sonne and our alone Sauiour To whom with thee O Father and thy blessed Spirit be all praise power dominion and obedience henceforth and for euer Amen FINIS
God but especially h Ier. 8.6 Psal 18.23 speciall sinnes as the Arch-Rebels 2. Humble confession of sinnes and that 1. Of necessitie vnto GOD with a Pro. 28.13 Ier. 31.18 19 shame of face and true sorrow of heart 2. Vnto men conditionally Viz. if either the Church for b 2. Cor. 2.6 satisfaction of the publique offence do enioine open acknowledgement or some c Luk. 17.4 personall wrong demaund priuate reconciliation or the weakenesse of the labouring conscience doe require the secret d Iam. 1.16 assistance of a faithfull and able Minister or Brother 3. Feruent and faithfull e Psal 51.1 2 c. prayer to God in Christ both for f Ver. 7. pardon of what is past and for supply of g Ver. 10. renewing grace for the time to come Q. Seeing many doe falsely pretend that they repent how may we know that our Repentance is true A. A true tryall of vnfained Repentance may be taken 1. From the generalitie of it Viz. if it extend to the abhorring and shunning of h Ps 119.128 139.24 all sinnes and to the loue and practise of a Psal 119.6 all duties without reseruation 2. From the through performance of each part Viz. 1. Of hatred of sinne in spirituall warfare against it and that euen vnto b Heb. 12.4 blood if neede be 2. Of the loue of righteousnesse in bringing forth c Mat. 3.8 fruits worthy of amendment of life to wit good workes SECT XXXVI Of the Spirituall warfare Q. VVHat is the Spirituall warfare A. The daily exercise of our spirituall strength and armour against all aduersaries with assured confidence of victorie Q. What is our spirituall strength A. The powerfull d Ephes 6.10 assistance of God in Christ who hath loued vs whereby wee become * Rom. 8.37 more then conquerors Q. What is our spirituall armour A. The complete furniture of sauing and sanctifying graces called therefore the a 2. Cor. 6.7 armour of righteousnesse and the b Ephes 6.11 Panoplie or whole armor of God Viz. The c Ver. 14. c girdle of veritie or sinceritie The brest-plate of Righteousnesse that is holinesse of life and good conscience The shoes of the preparation or resolution to goe through with the profession of the Gospell of peace The shield of Faith The helmet of the hope of Saluation The sword of the Spirit which is the sound knowledge and wise application of the word of God Finally continuall instant prayer in the Spirit Q. Who are our aduersaries in the spirituall conflict A. They are either our friend prouing vs or our enemies seducing and endangering vs. Q. Who is that friend of ours that for our probation entereth into conflict with vs A. God himselfe who though hee a Jam. 1.13 tempt no man vnto euill no more then hee can himselfe bee tempted yet as a Maister of defence enureth vs to the conflict by contending with vs euen in his owne person Viz. Sometimes by b Gen. 22.1 c. Probatorie commandements or c Ge. 32.24 Sensible apparitions But more ordinarily by d Iob 6.4 striking our hearts with his terrors e Psal 77.7 withdrawing the comfort of his gracious presence f 2. Chro. 32.31 leauing vs for a time to our selues that by our falles wee may acknowledge our owne weakenesse Finally g Heb. 12.5 6 Reu. 3.19 exercising vs vnder the crosse and yoake of outward afflictions Q. How must wee contend with God A. No otherwise then h Hos 12.3.4 Iacob and other holy men haue done that is by obedience humilitie patience feruent prayer vnto God who onely enableth vs to preuaile with himselfe a Gen. 32.28 giuing vs the blessing and name of Israel Q. What are those enemies of ours that seeke to seduce and endanger vs A. Whatsoeuer marcheth vnder the banner of Satan the b 2. Cor. 4.4 God and c Ephes 6.12 Prince of the darknes of this world who sometimes d 2. Cor. 12.7 Zech. 3.1 immediately assaileth vs with impious and odious suggestions but more vsually employeth his forces or attendants Q. What are the attendants of Satan A 1. The e 1. Ioh. 2.15 world which he abuseth as his storehouse and armorie of temptations that is both f Ver. 16 allurements to euil with hope of gaine pleasure or preferment and g Ioh. 16.33 discouragements from dutie with feare of losse trouble reproach c. 2. Our owne h Gal. 5.24 flesh which as a treacherous party within vs being by Satan stirred vp and inueigled with the baites of the world or discouraged with the euill intreaty thereof i 1. Pet. 2.11 fighteth on his side against our soule that is our spirituall life and welfare Q. How doe these enemies fight against our soule A. By imploying all force fraud to draw vs by sinne from the a 1. Ioh. 2.25 obedience and fauour of God vnto damnation Q. What must we doe being thus assailed A. Wee must b Eph. 6.13 14 stand fast beeing strong in the Lord and in the power of his might and taking vnto vs the whole armour of God that wee may bee able to resist in the euill day and to leade our captiuitie captiue Q. How may wee bee able to stand against the assaults of the Diuell A. 1. We must labour to c 2. Cor. 2.11 enforme our selues that we may not be ignorant of his enterprises or stratagemes 2. We must boldly d Iam. 4 7. 1. Pet. 5.9 resist that is e Eph. 4 27. giue no place or ground vnto him or admit any conference with him but rather neglect and despise his suggestions 3. Wee must take the f Ephes 6.16 shield of Faith in Christ and his assistance a Psal 16.8 setting him on our right hand who is b Esay 6 3.1 mighty to saue whereby wee may quench all the fierie darts of that wicked one 4. Wee must brandish against him the c Ephe. 6.17 sword of the Spirit that is the word of God after the example of our d Mat. 4.4 c. Sauiour keeping our selues to that onely which God reuealeth to vs and requireth of vs. Q How may we withstand temptations from the world A. By our e 1 Joh. 5.4 faith which setteth a better world euen Gods heauenly kingdome before our eyes and so enableth vs both to f Heb. 11.24 c. contemne and g Gal. 6.14 crucifie the loue of this present world and to h Heb. 11 36 37. endure manfully the threates and wrongs thereof both confessing Christ in perill and suffering i Reu. 12.11 martyrdome for his sake if wee bee thereto called Q. How may we withstand the temptations of our owne flesh A. By k 1. Pet. 4 1. setting before our eyes the patterne of the death of Christ and arming our selues with the same minde that it
behooueth vs also to suffer in the flesh ceasing from sinne hereto crauing and employing the power of the same death of Christ to a Ro. 6 2. c subdue and crucifie our carnall lusts and affections whereto also belongeth the help of b 1. Cor. 9.25 c. Abstinence for the repressing of the inordinate desires of nature SECT XXXVII Of good workes in generall Q. THus farre of the spiritual warfare What is a good worke A. Whatsoeuer thing is done of us c 2. Cor. 3.5 not by the force or conduct of nature but by the power of the d Rom. 8.10 spirit of Christ dwelling in vs and according to the rule of the e Rom. 12.2 knowne will of God vnto the f 1 Cor. 10.31 glory of God the g 2. Pet. 1.10 c. assurance of our election and the h 1. Cor. 10.23 edification of others Q. Is there no concurrence of nature in the doing of a good worke A. Taking nature in the common sense of Scripture for that a Ephes 2.3 1. Cor. 2.14 hereditarie corruption that cleaueth to all the sonnes of Adam b Rom. 8.7 no good work hath any ground or help from nature but is altogether contrarie thereto but if we vnderstand by c Rom. 2.14 nature the created abilities of soule and body as the light of reason libertie of will motion of the bodily members c. wee acknowledge nature to be d Mat. 16.17 not the principal mouer or guide but the e 1. Thes 5.23 thing moued guided by grace in well doing Q. Are there any workes of men perfectly good A. None no not of the most perfect in this life by reasoÌ„ of the f Esay 64.6 Gal. 15.17 remainders of corruption but onely the workes of Christ in whom alone there was g 1. Pet. 2.22 no mixture of sinne Q. Can all men doe good workes A. No but onely the regenerate who are for that purpose h Ephes 2.10 2. Tim. 2.21 created a new and indued in measure with the spirit of Christ and power of his resurrection As for the vnregenerate they are a Mat. 7 17 c. Jer. 13.23 the euill tree that bringeth forth onely euill fruit Q. Are there not some good workes specially commended to vs in the word of God A. Yes and namely among the duties of the first Table Prayer and among those of the second Table Almes touching which therefore our b Mat. 6.1.5 c. Sauiour giueth speciall directions in the sixt of Matthew Q. Is not fasting also of which our Sauiour in the c Math. 6.16 c. same place entreateth a speciall good worke A. Fasting is not properly a good worke but an helpe and assistance thereto namely to Prayer as shall appeare SECT XXXVIII Of Prayer Q. TO proceede then What is prayer A. It is the d Phil. 4.6 request of an humble sanctified heart together with thanksgiuing offered by the power of the a Rom. 8.26 spirit of prayer as a speciall b Psal 50.15 seruice vnto God in the c Ioh. 14.14 name of Christ in behalfe of our selues and d Eph. 6.18 others with e 1 Joh. 5.14 assurance to be heard in what we pray for according to the will of God Q. Why doe you call it a request with thanksgiuing A. Because in all our prayers there must bee both f 1. Thess 5.17 petition of the good things we need and g Verse 18. thankefull acknowledgement of those we haue obtained As for those formes which containe neither supplication nor giuing of thankes as the Articles of our faith the Decalogue c. they may and ought for other good purposes bee committed to memory and h Deut 6.7 rehearsed but to vse them as prayers i Mâ—â—h 6 7. sauoreth of deepe ignorance if not of superstition Q. Why doe you call it the request of the heart A. Not to exclude the vse of bodilie gesture much lesse of the voice and tongue in the action of inuocation therefore called the a Hos 24.3 Calues of the lips but to shew 1. That the b 1. Cor. 14.15 Psal 45.1 108.1 heart is on our part the first and principall moouer and speaker in prayer from whence both voyce and gesture haue their force and grace 2. That prayer in sudden occasions may be c Exod. 14.15 Nehem. 2.4 secretly and powerfully offered and is of God accepted and heard when neither any voice is vttered nor any bodily gesture imploied Q. Why doe you adde of an humble and sanctified heart A. Because as in generall d Psal 109.7 none can pray or doe any thing acceptably but such as are truely regenerate and e Psal 51.15 sanctified vnto this and euery good worke so in speciall and for the present action of prayer it is required as the f Psal 51.17 summe of all sacrifices that the heart be humble and contrite g Dan. 9 8 9 acknowledging it owne vnworthinesse by reason of sinne h Psal 143.6 feeling the want of Gods grace and mercy and i Luk. 15.18 19. submitting it selfe vnto him willing to be beholding for the least degree of fauour Q. What is the spirit of prayer A. An especiall grace and operation of the a Iude vers 20. holy Ghost called therefore the b Zech. 12.10 spirit of grace and deprecation enabling vs to c Psal 62.8 powre out our soules vnto the Lord with d Rom. 8.26 sighs that cannot be expressed Q. Are wee to direct our prayers to God alone A. Yea to one God in Trinitie and to none other for he alone 1. As the searcher of the hearts e Psal 65.2 heareth the voice and f Rom. 8.27 knoweth the meaning of the spirit of praier 2. Is g Eph. 3.20 able to grant whatsoeuer we demand 3. Challengeth our h Rom. 10.14 faith and confidence without which wee cannot pray For which causes the Scripture alloweth not prayer to any other Q. In whose name or for whose sake must we sue to God A. In the onely i Dan. 9.17 Joh. 16.23.24 name and for the onely sake of his sonne our Lord Iesus Christ the alone k 1. Tim. 2.5 mediator betweene God and man as of a 1. Joh. 2.1 2 Rom. 8.34 propitiation so of a 1. Joh. 2.1 2 Rom. 8.34 intercession who through the b Heb. 10.19 c. vaile of his flesh and merit of his blood hath prepared for vs a new and liuing way whereby we may bee bold to enter into the holie place in c Gal. 4.5 whom alone wee are made children of God and haue liberty to call him Father Finally in with and for d Rom. 8.32 whom God giueth all good things to his Elect. Q. For whom are wee to pray A. For our selues and others vs and ours In a word 1. For e 1.