servant loveth it Q. 23. What 's the third motive to engage our love to it A. The great and constant usefulness of it to our Souls as that we cannot subsist without Iob 23.12 I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food Q. 24. How doth this love to the Word manifest it self A. Our love manifests it self in our longing after it Psal. 119.20 My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times Our diligent attendance on it Acts 10.33 Immediately therefore I sent unto thee and thou hast well done that thou art come Now therefore are we all here present before God to hear all things that are commanded thee of God Q. 25. How is Faith and Love evidenced to the Word after hearing it A. By preserving it carefully in our hearts and memories Psal. 119.11 Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee Q. 26. What 's the best cure for a bad memory A. Labour to get an high esteem of it and an experimental feeling of it and frequently meditate on it Psal. 119.16 I will delight my self in thy statutes I will not forget thy word Psal. 119.93 I will never forget thy precepts for with them thou hast quickened me Psal. 119.99 Thy testimonies are my meditation Q. 26. How is Faith and Love principally manifested to the word after hearing A. 'T is principally manifested by bringing forth the fruits of it in our lives Col. 1.5 6. For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel which is come unto you as it is in all the world and bringeth forth fruit as it doth also in you since the day ye bear a of it and knew the grace of God in truth Q. 28. What 's the use of all this A. This serves to reprove our formal and dead hearing the Word and excites us all to evidence and exercise more Faith Love and Obedience in hearing it Of Sacraments as means of Salvation Quest. 91. HOw do the Sacraments become effectual means of Salvation A. The Sacraments become effectual means of Salvation not from any vertue in them or in him that doth administer them but only by the blessing of Christ and the working of his Spirit in them that by Faith receive them Q. 1. What 's the first proper sense of this word Sacrament A. It primarily signifies a solemn Oath taken by Souldiers when they List themselves under a Prince or General and this Oath was mutual Q. 2. Why do we use it seeing it is not a Scripture word A. Though the Word be not found in Scripture yet the thing intended by it is and that brings the word in use for in the Sacraments God obliges himself to us by confirming his Covenant by it Rom. 4.11 And he received the sign of circumcision a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised that he might be the father of all them that believe though they be not circumcised that righteousness might be imputed unto them also And we oblige our selves to God Rom. 6.3 4. Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Christ were baptized into his death Thereforâ— we are buried with him in baptism into death that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father even so we also should walk in newness of life Q. 3. What is here meant by Salvation A. By Salvation is meant our compleat and final deliverance from sin and misery both temporal and eternal From sin Matth. 1.21 For he shall save his people from their sins From misery 1 Thess. 1.10 Even Iesus which delivereth us from the wrath to come Q. 4. What is a mean of Salvation A. A mean of Salvation signifies any appointment of God whereby he promotes and accomplishes his design of saving our Souls so the word is a mean Rom. 1.16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth Q. 5. How doth the Word and Sacraments differ as means of Salvation A. The Word is appointed to be the first means of begeting Faith 1 Cor. 3.5 Who then is Paul or who is Apollo but ministers by whom ye believed c. Sacraments are to seal and confirm it Rom. 4.11 And he received the sign of circumcision a seal of the righteousness of faith c. Q. 6. What is meant by an effectual mean of Salvation A. By an effectual mean is meant such a mean as fully obtains and accomplishes the end it was appointed for 1 Thess. 2.13 Because when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us ye received it not as the word of men but as it is in truth the word of God which effectually worketh also in you that believe Q. 7. Don't all the means of Salvation prove effectual to men A. Though the means of Salvation prove effectual to all Gods Elect yet they are so to no others Acts 28.23 24. And when they had appointed him a day there came many to him into his lodging to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God perswading them concerning Iesus both out of the law of Moses and out of the prophets from morning till evening And some believed the things which were spoken and some believed not Q. 8. Do not the Sacraments save all that partake of them A. No they do not Baptism may pass on a cast-away Acts 8.23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity And the Lords Supper may be received unworthily 1 Cor. 11.27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread and drink this cup of the Lord unworthily shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. Q. 9. What 's the reason they prove not effectual to all A. Because their vertue and efficacy is not in themselves but in God for we see they work as Gods Spirit concurs or not concurs with them as in the instance before given Q. 10. But is not that for want of wisdom holiness or zeal in the Minister that they have no more efficacy A. No it is not principally or only from thence for it 's not in the power of the holiest Minister in the World to make them effectual 1 Cor. 3.7 Neither is he that planteth any thing neither he that watereth but God that giveth the increase Q. 11. Whence is it that Sacraments become effectual A. 'T is only from the Spirit of Christ working in them and by them on the souls of men 1 Cor. 12.13 For by one spirit are we all baptized into one body and have been all made to drink into one spirit Q. 12. What 's the first Instruction hence A. That men enjoying all the Ordinances of the Gospel and partaking of the Sacraments annexed to the Covenant of Grace may yet perish
for ever 1 Cor. 10.3 4 5. And did all eat the same spiritual meat and did all drink the same spiritual drink for they drank of that spiritual rock that followed them and that rock was Christ but with many of them God was not well pleased for they were overthrown in the wilderness Luke 13.26 27. Then shall ye begin to say we have eaten and drank in thy presence and thou hast taught in our streets But he shall say I tell you I know you not whence you are depart from me all ye workers of iniquity Q. 13. What 's the second Inference A. That men should not idolize some Ministers for the excellency of their gifts and despise others seeing 't is not in them to make the means effectual Q. 14. What 's the last Inference A. That in all our attendance upon the means of Salvation we should be careful to beg the Spirit and Blessing of Christ without which they cannot be effectual to our Salvation Of the nature of Sacraments Quest. 92. WHat is a Sacrament A. A Sacrament is an holy Ordinance instituted by Christ wherein by sensible signs Christ and the benefits of the New Covenant are represented sealed and applyed to Believers Q. 1. How many sorts of Sacraments are found in Scripture A. Of Sacraments there are two sorts some extraordinary and transient as the Fiery Pillar Manna and Water out of the Rock 1 Cor. 10.1 2 3 4. Moreover brethren I would not that ye should be ignorant how that all our fathers were under the cloud and all passed through the sea and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea And did all eat the same spiritual meat And did all drink the same spiritual drink for they drank of that spiritual rock that followed them and that rock was Christ And some ordinary and standing as Circumcision and the Passover before Christ and Baptism and the Lords Supper since Christs death Q. 2. How many things are to be considered in every Sacrament A. In every Sacrament five things must be considered 1. The Author 2. The Parts â— The Vnion of those parts 4. The Subjects 5 The ends and uses of it Q. 3. Who is the Author of the Sacraments A. The Lord Jesus Christ as King of the Church by whose sole authority Baptism was instituted Matth. 28.19 20. Go ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you c. And the Lords Supper 1 Cor. 11.23 24. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you that the Lord Iesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread and when he had given thanks he brake it and said Take eat this is my body which is broken for you This do in remembrance of me Q. 4. Are the old Sacraments yet in being and use in the Church A. No they are past away and the new come in their room Baptism takes place of Circumcision Col. 2.11 12. In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ buried with him in baptism c. And the Lords Supper of the Passover 1 Cor. 5.7 Purge out therefore the old leaven that ye may be a new lump as ye are unleavened for even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us Q. 5. Of what parts doth every Sacrament consist A. Every Sacrament consists of two parts one external and earthly another internal and Heavenly or Spiritual Bread Wine and Water are the external Christs Blood and Spirit the internal parts Rom. 6.3 Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Iesus Christ were baptized into his death 1 Cor. 11.25 This cup is the new testament in my blood c. Q. 6. Wherein consists the Sacramental union of these parts A. It consists by vertue of Christs institution in three things 1. In apt signification 2. Firm obsignation And 3. Real exhibition of the Blessings signified and seald Q. 7. What are the Blessings signified by Water in Baptism A. It signifies our implantation into Christ and communion with him in his Death and Resurrection Rom. 6.4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father even so we also should walk in newness of life And our solemn admission into the visible Church Gal. 3.26 27 28 29. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Iesus For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Iew nor Greek there is neither bond nor free there is neither male nor female for ye are all one in Christ Iesus And if ye be Christs then are ye Abrahams seed and heirs according to the promise Q. 8. What are the Blessings signified by Bread and Wine A. They signifie Christs Body and Blood broken and poured out for us with all the Blessings of Remission Peace and Salvation purchased by his Blood 1 Cor. 10.16 17. The cup of blessing which we bless is it not the communion of the bloud of Christ The bread which we break is it not the communion of the body of Christ for we being many are one bread and one body for we are all partakers of that one bread Q. 9. Do the Sacraments seal as well as signifie these things A. Yes they do Rom. 4.11 And he received the sign of circumcision a seal of the righteousness of the faith c. Their use is to confirm Gods Covenant with Believers Q. 10. Who are the proper subjects of the Sacraments A. Believers and their Seed are the subjects of Baptism but adult Christians only of the Lords Supper Acts 2.38 39. Repent and be baptized every one of you for the promise is unto you and to your children and to all that are afar off even as many as the Lord our God shall call 1 Cor. 11.28 But let a man examine himself and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup. Q. 11. What is the main use and end of Sacraments A. It is to ratifie and confirm Gods Covenant with Believers Rom. 4.21 And he received the sign of circumcision a seal of the righteousness of the saith that he had yet being uncircumcised c. 1 Cor. 11.26 For as often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup ye do shew the Lords death till he come Q. 12. What 's the first Instruction from hence A. That the abuse of such holy and solemn mysteries is a sin of dreadful aggravation and such as God will punish 1 Cor. 11.27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread and drink this cup of the Lord unworthily shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. Q. 13. What 's the second Instruction
strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect towards him Q. 9. VVhat is the third Instruction A. That all plots against the Church shall surely be defeated Isa. 54.17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper Q 10. VVhat is the fourth Instruction A. It gives the Saints full satisfaction in all conditions Rom. 8.28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God to them that â—re called according to his purpose Q. 11. VVhat is the last Inference A. We should not stand in a slavish fear of men Isa. 51.12 I even I am he that comforteth you who art thou that hou shouldst be afraid of a man that shall die and of the son of man which shall be made as grass Of Christ's Humiliation Quest. 27. WHerein did Christ's Humiliation consist A. Christ's Humiliation consists in his being born and that in a low condition made under the Law undergoing the miseries of this life the wrath of God and the cursed death of the cross in being buried and continuing under the power of death for a time Q. 1. VVhat doth Christ's humbling of himself import A. His voluntariness in the deepest point of Self-denial Psal. 40.7 Then said I lo I come in the volume of the book it iâ— written of me Q 2. VVhat was the first act of Christ's Humiliation A. His taking man's Nature on him with all its sinless Infirmities Rom. 8.3 God sending his own son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin condemned sin in the flesh Q. 3. What is the second part of his Humiliation A. That mean life he lived in this world which obscured his Divine Glory Mark 6.3 Is not this the carpenter the son of Mary Q 4. VVhat was the first thing in Christ's Life that humbled him A. The poverty of it Mat. 8.20 And Iesus saith unto him The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests but the son of man hath not where to lay his head Q 5. VVhat was the second thing in his life that humbled him A. The Temptations of Satan to which he was subject Mat. 4.1 Then was Iesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil and that for our sakes Heb. 2.17 VVherefore in all things it behoveth him to be made like unto his brethren v. 18. For in that he himself hath sâ—ffered being tempted he is able to succour them that are tempted Q 6. What is the third thing in Christ that humbled him A. His subjection to the Law Gal. 4.4 But when the fulness of the time was come God sent forth his son made of a woman made under the law Q 7. What was the fourth thing in Christ's life that humbled him A. The Reviling and Contradictions of Sinners Heb. 12.3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself Q. 8. Wherein was Christ humbled in his death A. His death was painful and ignominious Gal. 3.13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law being made a curse for us For it is written Cursed is every one that hangeth oâ— a tree Made a curse for us and deserted in it Mat. 27.46 And about the ninth hour Iesus cried with a loud voice saying Eli Eli Lamasabachthani that is to say My God my God why hast thou forsaken me Q 9. What is the first Inference from hence A. That lowliness and humility becomes Christ's Followers Mat. 11.29 Take my yoke upon you and learn of me for I am meek and lowly in heart Q. 10. What is the second Inference A. That Christ's love to Sinners is astonishingly great 2 Cor. 8.9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ that though he was rich yet for your sakes he became poor that ye through his poverty might be made rich Q. 11. What is the third Inference A. Christians should be ready to suffer for Christ. 1 Pet. 4.1 Forasmuch as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh arm your selves likewise with the same mind for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin Q. 12. What is the last Inference A. That Humiliation is the true way to Exaltation Mat. 23.12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted Of Christ's Exaltation Quest. 28. WHerein consists Christ's Exaltation A. Christ's Exaltation consists in his rising again from the dead on the third day in ascending up into heaven in sitting at the right hand of God the Father and in coming to judge the World at the last day Q. 1. What is the first step of Christ's Exaltation A. His Resurrection from the dead Q. 2. How doth his Resurrection appear A. By the Scripture Prophesies accomplisht in him 1 Cor. 15.4 And that he was buried and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures Q 3. Why did Christ rise again A. To establish our Faith and abolish our Sins 1 Cor. 15.17 And if Christ be not risen your faith is vain you are yet in your sins Q. 4. What other end was there of Christ's Resurrection A. To declare his Divine Power Rom. 1.4 And declareâ— to be the son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead And to evidence the fulness of his satisfaction John 16.10 Of rihgteousness because I go to my father and ye see me no more Q. 5. Did Christ rise in the same Body he laid down A. It was substantially the same Iohn 20.27 Then saith he to Thomas Reach hither thy finger and behold my hands and reach hither thy hand and thrust it into my side and be not faithless but believing Q. 6. What doth Christ's Resurrection teach us A. The certainty of Resurrection after death 1 Cor. 15.20 But now is Christ risen from the dead and become the first fruits of them that slept Q. 7. What was the second step of Christ's Exaltation A. His Ascention after forty days into Heaven Acts 1.2 3. Until the day in which he was taken up after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the Apostles whom he had â—hosen to whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs being seen of them forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God Q. 8. VVhy did Christ stay so long on Earth A. To assure the truth of his Resurrection and to settle the due Government of his Church Acts 1.2 3. Q. 9. For what end did he ascend A. To take possession of his glory Iohn 17.5 And now O father glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was And that as our fore-runner Heb. 6.20 VVhither the fore-runner is for us entred even Iesus c. Q. 10. In what manner did Christ ascend A. Triumphantly and magnificently Psal. 47.5 God is gone up with a shout the Lord with a sound
which are known by Travellers to be small not capable of plunging into Q. 10. What are the benefits accruing to us by Baptism A. The benefits are twofold some external called the fatness of the Olive-tree i. e. Ordinances and visible Membership Rom. 11.17 And thou being a wild olive-tree were grafted in amongst them and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive-tree And some spiritual and saving 1 Pet. 3.21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us not the putting away of the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good conscience towards God by the resurrection of Iesus Christ. Q. 11. What engagements are said on the Baptized A. They are engaged to be the Lords people and walk suitable to that engagement Rom. 6.4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father even so we also should walk in newness of life Q. 12. Is Baptism to be reiterated as the Lords Supper A. No for the Lords Supper is a Sacrament for nourishing but this for implantation Rom 6.4 5. Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father even so we also should walk in newness of life For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection Q. 13. Doth Baptism regenerate men and confer saving Grace A. No it doth not in its own vertue convey Grace no more than the Lords Supper but the Spirit of God is the Author of Grace and works it as he pleases before or after Baptism Of the subjects of Baptism Quest. 95. TO whom is Baptism to be administred A. Baptism is not to be administred to any that are out of the visible Church till they profess their Faith in Christ and Obedience to him but the infants of such as are members of the visible Church are to be Baptized Q. 1. Who are to be Baptized A. Believers and their insane off-spring Acts 2.39 For the promise is to you and your children and to all that are afar off even as many as the Lord our God shall call Q. 2. How doth it appear that the infant seed of Believers ought to be Baptized A. It appears by this that they being Abrahams Seed were taken into Covenant with God and ordered to have the sign of the Covenant applyed to them and that Grant was never reversed Gen. 17.7 10. And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant to be a God unto thee and to thy seed after thee This is my covenant which ye shall keep between me and you and thy seed after thee every man-child among you shall be circumcised Q. 3. But was not that the Covenant of Works and so will not â—old to infer their priviledge under the Covenant of Grace A. No it was not for God never did nor will become a God by way of special interest to any people by vertue of the Covenant of Works since the breach of it by the fall Q. 4. But if it were the Covenant of Grace how doth it appear the right of Believers Infants is still the same it was before in Abrahams time A. It appears plainly from the Apostles own words and arguments Acts 2.39 For the promise is to you and to your children c. Q. 5. But though Infants then were members of Gods visible Church among the Iews how doth it appear they are so now when God hath vast them off A. It appears the membership and priviledges are as sure and ample to them now that are the Children of Gentile-believers as ever they were to the Iewish Infants Rom. 11.17 And if some of the branches be broken off and then being a wild olive-tree wert grafted in amongst them and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive-tree Q. 6. How else doth it appear they are within the Covenant A. It appears by this that they are pronounced holy 1 Cor. 7.14 Else were your children unclean but now are they holy Which is a foederal holiness and none out of Covenant can be holy by Covenant Q. 7. But may not that place mean only their legitimacy A. No it cannot for then the Apostle must pronounce all the Infants in the World bastards that descend not at least from one believing Parent Q. 8. But Infants are not capable to Covenant with God or perform Covenant Duties and therefore why should they be admitted to Covenant Priviledges A. A Child now of eight dayes old is as capable of being admitted into Covenant with God as Children of the same age were in Abrahams dayes and then it 's manifest they were admitted Q. 9. Though they were admitted by Circumcision then will it follow they may be so by Baptism now seeing that Ordinance is abolished A. Yes it will for though Circumcision cease yet Baptism is come into its place Col. 2.10 11 12. And ye are complete in him which is the head of all principality and power In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ buried with him in baptism c. Q. 10. But Circumcision was a Seal of the Covenant of Works and the argument will not hold from a Seal of the Covenant of Works to a Seal of the Covenant of Grace A. Circumcision never was nor was intended to be a Seal of the Covenant of Works but of the Righteousness of Faith Rom. 4.11 And he received the sign of circumcision a seal of the righteousness of the faith that he had yet being uncircumcised c. Q. 11. But have we no express command in the New Testament to baptize Infants A. There needed no new command their priviledge had been setled many ages before upon them and never reversed by Christ or his Apostles but their former right declared to continue still to them Acts 2.39 For the promise is to you and your children c. Q. 12. But if they have a right we might expect to find some examples of their baptizing A. 'T is manifest that Believers housholds were baptized with them Acts 16.15 33. And when she was baptized and her houshold c. Ver. 33. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes and was baptized he and all his straightway And if Infants are not named so neither are any of Age born of Christian Parents Q. 13. But many trust to their Infant-baptism as to their Regeneration and so much mischief 's done A. They do so yet the Duty is not therefore to be neglected The preaching of Christ is to some a stumbling block yet Christ must be preached for all that Q. 14. But many baptized Infants prove naught