perfection of the Scriptures that though Nature may informe against evill yet for perfection in goodnesse the knowledge of the Scriptures is necessary Nature being the more imperfect Rule this of the Scriptures that infallible 22. T. You said in your answer to our fourteenth question that God is a Spirit What proofe have you for that L. That of Christ himselfe n Jo. 4. 24. Explic. There are other Spirits as the Angels they are said to be spirits o Ps 104. 4 Heb. 1. 7. and there are spirits of Devils p Eph. 2. 2. Re. 16. 14. and the like but they all with all things else but God are Creatures that of some other have their being q Pro. 16. 4. God is the Creator that hath his being of himselfe r Ex. 3. 14. They all were made in time and finite substances God is infinite s Job 11. 7 8 9. and Eternalâ— t Deu. 33. 27. Psal 90 2. They are changeable as the Angels at first u Jude 6. the Devil ever since w 2 Cor. 11. 14. But God is unchangeable x Mal. 3. 6 Jam. 1. 17 They are some good y Heb. 12. 23. some evill z Lu 7. 21 some lying a 2 Chro. 18. 20 21. seducing b 1 Tim. 4. 1. spirits God is alwayes and altogether good c Ps 52. 1. true righteous d Ps 19. 9. And the like other Attributes hath God as properly essentiall to him as that he is holy e Ex. 15. 11. just f 2 Chro. 11. 6. mercifull g Ex. 34. 6 and the like other excellencies of good that no other hath but by donation from him h Ja. 1. 17. 23. T. You find in your answer to our fifteenth question that God made all things How prove you that L. Proofes there are sufficient for that in the whole i Gen 1 first Chapter of Genesis 24. T. How prove you that he made all good L. Why the same proofe may serve for that took. Gen. 1. 31 25. T. Can you thence as you answer to our eighteenth question prove that he made us all at first good when as the Prophet David saith we are all evill l Psal 14. 1. 3. L. Yes that I can 26. T. Tell me how L. Why that last cited place m Ge. 1. 31 saith God saw all that he had made and that all was good 27. T. But what is that all to us now L. We were then good in Adam that was then made as afterwards I answered to your one and twentieth question in him we became evill n Rom. 5 18. 28. T. But is there no evill in us but that L. Yes that is as the fountain-head of evill called by some Originall sin and as still whatever ill thoughts ill words and ill actions are as the streames that flow from that fountaine and called actuall sins And thence is it as we answered to your nineteenth question that I said that in â—hat our first Parent Adams fall we are all evill and for that subject to death o Rom. 6. 23. 29. T. How prove you that we are so evill L. God that tels nothing but truth tels us so p Ge. 6. 5. 30. T. How prove you that for that evill we are subject to death L. So saith St Paul r Ro. 6. 23. Explic. Where by Death is meant not onely as the consequent of sinne the dissolution of soul and body here but as also the consummation of it the damnation of both hereafter Which however some in mercy by grace and Repentance may avoid that fatall destruction yet might be the just stipend of all the wicked off-spring of Adam though living thousands of yeares after him God no otherwise dealing with them then as we use to doe with Vipers kill them not only for the breed sake coming of a pestiferous generation though otherwise having as yet done no evill yet for the ill they when occasion serves will surely doe That issuing from that unsavory fountaine cannot but be insipid waters so as though damned we have no just cause to complaine of God receiving thereby but the stipend of our sin 31. T. You said in your answer to our twentieth question that the last day the generall Resurection of all mankind they by grace renewed shall be blessed in heaven they that continue in sin shall be accursed in hell What proofes have you for that L. First that they by grace renewed shal be blessed that of Christ s Mat. 25. 34. and that they that continue in sin shall be accursed that also of him t Mat. 25. 41. Explic. Where by Heaven is meant the joyfull vision and enjoyment of God and the company of the blessed Saints Angels professors of the Gospell of Christ And by Fire is meant not only Hell torments and the unwelcome company of the Devill and his brood Infidels and ill Livers that regarded not the Gospell of Christ but as it were trod underfoot the son of God but also as torments yet more fatall and insufferable the for ever losse of Heaven and the blessed vision of God and his chosen No hell to an ingenuous minde being more horrid then the losse of Heaven 32. T. Well then you say there shall be a Resurrection what meane you by the Resurrection L. After our departure hence and a dissolution of both soule and body the soule to the place appointed of God for it and the body to the dust that the body shall againe rise at the last day and be united every body to his owne soule to enjoy the good or the evill appointed for them 33. T. How then say some as the Saduces that u Luk. 20. 27. 1 Cor. 15. 12. there shall be no Resurrection L. They are much mistaken it is an Article in my Creed to beleeve the Resurrection of the dead St Paul in that place w 1 Cor. 15. 13. c. presently hath infallible Arguments for it Explic. Resurrection is from a Latin word that signifies to stand up or arise again used diversly in the Scriptures as sometimes for the immortall life x Ph. 3. 11 deliverance from danger y 2 Cor. 1. 10. A new birth in Christ z Col. 3. 1. which is a resurrection from sin to holinesse and called a Rev. 20. 6. the first Resurrection on which the second death that is damnation hath no power and the like Bâ—t hereby is meant that deliverance up of the dead b Rev. 20. 13 which is a Resurrection 〈◊〉 the dead bodies of all that dyed to be judged every man according to his works at that great and generall day the day of judgement a Resurrection of the flesh according to that faithfull knowledge of Job c Job 19. 26. 27. that though dying or by death made Wormes meat yet againe in his Flesh with the very same eyes he then had he should againe meaning
wrath appeased g Mat 12 40 Jonas cast into the Sea to appease its raging so Christ into the grave to appease Gods fury And then 5. He descended into Hell that is being dead and buried when as to our redemption he had sealed its consummation as if to shew his lowest estate and that come he was to the bottome of these steps or degrees he was in the Grave under the power of death and darknesse untill the third day although in the garden h Mat. 26 38 39 and on the Crosse i Mat 27 46 having suffered the most hellish paines he yet by this thus continuance in the grave would consummate all his sufferings and for a time be Captive that after he might appeare the more glorious Conqueror over Death and Hell for ever Applic. That first he suffered Christ the Son of God that he should be driven to such an exigency for mans sin may not onely shew the certainty of his salvation but also the hainousnesse of mans sinne And therefore never thinke it much what we suffer for sin or thinke God austeâ—e that he will not spare us that would not spare his owne Sonne for us No but that he thus suffered for us the just for the uâ—just as saith the Apostle k 1 Pet 3 18. le ts accuse our selves as the cause of our sufferings and beware of sinne that may yet cause us to suffer Then that under Pontius Pilate he suffered may shew us the certainty of our Messias the Shiloh Jacob speakes of l Gen. 49. 10. meaning Christ which was not to come untill the Scepter was departed from Judah which was now in Pilates time Jury being become tributary to Rome and he a President under Caesar Then secondly that he suffers thus crucified the most dreadfull dolorous and dismall sort of sufferings may teach us how hard a matter it was to reconcile us to God and what an hatefull and horrid thing sin is Then thirdly that he dyes the Sonne of God for the sins of man may teach us to leave our man sin and seeke unto that our Saviour God to be as those two Disciples were m Jo. 1. 37 never satisfied till we had found Christ be as the woman of Samaria was having found him never at rest till we have proclaimed him to others n Jo. 4. 28. 29. till we have made him ours and crucified our old man of sin in these sufferings of this new Man of God o Rom. 6. 6. Gal. 2. 20. Then fourthly that he was buried may teach us having crucified our sinnes with his sufferings where to bury them in his death p Rom. 6. 4. And to that end by faith and repentance to beate downe to kill in us whatever reigning contagion of sin q vers 12. Christ dying to that end that we should not live to our selves in our sin r 2 Cor. 5. 15. but unto him in holinesse of life in upright and honest conversation s Luk. 1. 75. And then fifthly that he descended into Hell may teach us that he hath left unassayed no mean of our salvation but having lost heaven by our sinne and merited hell he by his merits will bring us even from hell to heaven And therefore should we leave unassayed no means may make us forsake sin but by holinesse and righteousnesse in him make us still fit for heaven Disciples t is true there are many about this part of this Article many wil not have Christ descend to this lower step of hell the place of the damned but that he went only to the grave the place of the dead But knowing Christ to become the Conqueror of hell wherever it is and to have got the mastery over death and Devils we may rather modestly beleeve the truth of this part of the Article then curiously enquire into the manner of it beleeve Christs descent though not knowing how he went thither and that whether or no while his body was in the grave his soul went into the place of the damned as some thinke or however otherwise whither in soule or body or both or neither went thither makes no matter as to our knowledg of the manner it being a matter plain enough that he became victorious over hell that both death Devils were made subject to him t 1 Cor. 15. 55. and not onely so but by that his Conquest over both made us all Conquerors u veâ—s 57. Witnesse his most glorious Exaltation and steps by which he ascendâ—d in the next three Articles in which are four degrees of it first in the next which is the fifth Article secondly in the sixt and first more in the seventh Of which exaltation now next and thereof first the first step thereof which is in the V. Fift Article The third day he rose againe from the dead Where is to be noted what now next he did 1. rise again 2. whâ—n the third day and 3. whence from the dead That first he rose again the Scriptures teach and that too according to the Scriptures When the third day w 1 Cor. 15 4. And thirdly also whence from the dead x vers 12. He first thus rose againe as by those steps of his Humiliation abased to purchase our salvation so by these of his exaltation raised to apply that salvation to us y Rom. 4. 24. And as by that last step in his Humiliation having to the full satisfied for our sin so in this first step of his exaltation begins he to shew his glory for till thus raised are we not fully happy nor he fully glorified z Jo. 7. 39 the full of our happinesse consisting most in that his glory who thus rises again as evidence that he hath both satisfied for our sinnes and vanquished death and that we also shall rise in him a Ro. 6. 4. from both sin b Rom. 8. 11. and death c 1 Cor. 15. 17. 20. Then secondly the third day he rose again nor sooner nor later no sooner because they might see he was truly dead no later because they might see his power over death And then thirdly from the dead he thus rises to make good that his saying d Jo. 2. 19. that he would destroy the Temple meaning his body by death and three dayes raise it up againe meaning this his third dayes resurrection from the dead Applic. That first he rose againe may teach us that faithfully applying to our selves his merits nor death nor Hell shall detain us but that in him we may be happy perils and persecutions shall not for ever oppress us but though for a while by them bearing the markes of Christ e 2 Cor. 4. 10. yet this rise of Christ shall raise us from them f vers 14. The grave shall not for ever detaine us g 1 Cor. 15. 22. 1 Thes 4. 10. but in this his Exaltation shall we â—â—se also thence Then
a Act 10 47 67. T. And whence as you next answer to the next Remission of sinne to be the inward grace L. Oâ—t of that in the Gospell b Mar. 1. 4. Explic. The Sacrament of Baptisme hath its denomination from washing or sprinkling as with water which is the outward signe and signifies that as the body is outwardly cleansed with Water or washing so is the soul inwardly and spiritually clensed by grace in Christs blood And it is called the Sacrament of initiation or entrance or admission into Christs Church and therefore but once to be received 68. T. You said in your answer to our sixty sixt qâ—estion that beleevers are to be baptized How prove you that L. Out of that in the Acts c Act. 8. 37 38. Explicat Infidels till converted are not to be baptized d Act 8 12 And the Children of a Christian Parent is to be baptized e Act. 2 39 for they because within the Covenant are also accounted Beleevers 69. T. Whence as you answer to our sixty seventh question prove you bread and wine to be the outward signe in the Lords Supper L. Out of that of St Paul f 1 Cor. 11. 24. c. Explic. This Sacrament hath its Name of the Lords Supper from the circumstance of time when instituted which was at supper-time when Christ with his Disciples or Apostles having eaten the Passover ate his last supper and signifies that as the body is really refreshed and nourished with bread and wine so is the soule spiritually by Christs flesh and blood And it is called the Sacrament of Nutrition and therefore oft to be received Moreover Christ is therein pleased to use a two-fold signe as some thinke the better by this Sacrament to imprint in our mindes the horrid usage in his death as not only thereby signifying the breaking of his body but also the shedding of his blood for us most certaine signes of his death At the administration of this which Sacrament is to be seriously noted the Action of the Minister about both to be sure to put us in mind of that his death by breaking the bread and pouring out of the wine how much he was molested for us how severely used which might hint unto us the more hatred against sin the maine cause of that ill usage And also both he uses to signifie the sufficiently satisfactory offerture of himselfe that as bread and drinke is a sufficient and due nourishment to the body so his body and blood spiritually is a sufficient refection for the soul That his blessing the bread and wine as thereby shewing the blessing of God by the oblation of his Son for us by Christ his son in this Sacrament and the offering of both to the Communicants the holy offerture of that blessing Both which they are to take and to eate the one and drinke the other as assured of the energie of that blessing and oblation to Beleevers 70. T. Why say you in answer to our sixty ninth question that Beleevers baptized are they to receive this Sacrament L. Beleevers they ought to be that are admitted to either Sacrament and order requires they be first baptized Explic. If Infidels converted they may presently after Baptisme on the first opportunity offered receive also this Sacrament Though Children of Christian Parents though when infants baptized are not presently so to receive this Sacrament til come to years of discretion to know that they are beleevers Where under the Notion of beleevers we comprehend and understand the penitent them that know their misery by sin and that but in Christ there is no remedy for it and by forsaking sins past and resolving of amendment of life for time to come and understanding the doctrine of the Sacraments and the like testifie their desire of like Salvation by Christ by their receiving this Sacrament 71. T. You said in answer to our seventieth question that Christ himselfe instituted and ordained these Sacraments How prove you it L. For the Sacrament of Baptisme that of Christ g Mat. 28. 19. and for the Sacrament of the Lords Supper that of Christ before cited h Luke 22. 19 20. 72. T. Then next in answer to our seventieth and first question you said that they to administer these Sacraments ought to be Ministers lawfully called thereunto How prove you that L. Oâ—t of that testimony of Paul i Heb. 5. 4. Explic. Aaron and the Priests were onely ordained to offer sacrifices for sins those Sacrifices that were Types of these Sacraments which none may administer but them called as was Aaron and the Priests of God which must intimate the Ministers of Christ Besides that as if giving forth the the Rule for it Christ bid them that preach the Gospell goe also and baptize k Mat. 28. 19. and where St Paul saith l Ep. 5. 26. that Christ sanctifies the Church with the washing of Water by the word as if also intimating this order that only the Ministers of his word should administer his Sacraments 73. T. You said in answer to our seventy second question that we ought to have faith and shew forth that faith workes of faith to pray to receive the Sacraments c. that we may obtaine salvation How prove you that L. Out of that m Act. 16. 30. where the Jaylors chiefest care is for that Salvation when n vers 31. Paul and Silas that he might have it bid him beleeve 74. T. How prove you salvation to be next to Gods glory the chiefe end of mans endeavours as you answer to our seventy third question L. Out of the Psalme o Psa 73. 24 25. where Davids hope was to be received to glory which was to be saved which we must conceive next to Gods glory his chiefest indeavour as that of the Fathers in the place before cited p Act 16. and by that comparison of Christ q Mat. 16. 30. 75. T. Then as you answer to our there next question how prove you that end to be Eternall life L. Out of that place r Jo. 5. 39. where the Jews search for Eternall life was their search for this salvation They might be assured here that they might live with God hereafter which living with God is that eternall life as we answered to that your last question and prove it by that of David in the Psalme before cited s Psal 73. 24. By Glory there meaning Salvation as we have said and by that Salvation the happy end of the godly that they shall see God and Christ t 1 Jo. 3. 2. enjoy them u Ps 73. 24 have fellowship and communion with them w Jo. 17. 24. have in soule and body endlesse and everlasting yea unspeakable incomprehensible peace and glory x Mat. 25. 34. 1 Cor. 2. 9. Further Instructions for the Teacher NOw betweene whiles sometimes while thus expounding this Catechisme instead of those idle tales
main blessings that of the Communion of Saints which we have expounded and this of the Remission of sins we come next to expound or explain A maine blessing t is o Is 33. 24 Psal 32. 1. a blessing of this life p Eccle. 9. 10. Mat. 5. 25. No other mean to free us from sin for being by nature all sinners dead in trespasses and sins q Eph. 2. 1. 3. Gods free grace in Christ which is this forgivenesse is that onely must revive us r vers 5. 8. That had will doe and that if sought is a certaine meane to be had s Ps 32. 5. Is 55. 7. But will we know how God t is gives it t Is 43. 25 Mark 2. 7 but ever upon this condition that we repent u Luk. â—3 3. â— Act. 3. 19. Remission never comes but by the way of Repentance w 1 Jo. 1. 9 And by that way it ever comes x Ps 32. 7. Applic. That Remission of sin is that other great blessing of God to his Church in this life how above others ought we to seeke for that To repent us of our sinnes that we may obtaine this blessing y Act. 3. 19. And when a blessing of this life here had or never had how ought we to let passe no time when but still be both mindfull and carefull how to obtaine it and as the Apostle wisheth x Heb. 3. 13. dayly to call unto each other to be still mindfull of this That when but by this there is no meane to free us from sin that we be mindfull still to keep God the giver of this our friend who that if faithfully sought too wil give it us how againe ought we still to seeke him y Is 55. 6. Mat. 7. 7. And being onely sin is it that steps between God and us to the prejudice of this forgivenesse our ever care it must be that to keepe us by God we ever keep off sin a 1 Jo. 2. 1. Thus of the two maine blessings here come we next to explaine those other two maine blessings hereafter the first whereof we have in the next the XI Eleventh Article and that this the Resurrection of the Body which is that our bodies though buried and turned to dust and ashes yet shall be gathered and rise againe b Is 6. 19. Act. 24. 15 Rev 20. 12 Yea the very same bodies c Job 19. 25. 26. 27 perfect and intire d Act. 3. 21 as no more subject to death e Rev. 21. 4. so surely not subject to any losse harme or imperfection made immortall and glorified bodies f 1 Cor. 15. 53. And as here forgiven and remitted by Christ's blood g Eph. 1. 7 so hereafter raised by the power h Mat. 22. 29. and vertue of Christ's Resurrection i Ro. 8. 11. 1 Cor. 15. 20. at the last day k Job 14. 11. 12. Jo. 11. 23. 24. Applic. That this order is observed in Gods distribution of these blessings first thus to blesse us here and after so to blesse us hereafter may teach us to observe and note the order by what steps to attaine happinesse that fellowship we must have with the godly here and our sins forgiven us ere we can hope to have our bodies raised so as to attain everlasting life Then that our bodies shall rise againe yea the very same bodies how may this comfort each dying soule to thinke he is not lost for ever bâ—t onely laid up for a time and therefore while living labour to keep our bodies pure and unspotted from any the filthy pollution and reigning contagion of sin that after being dead at this Resurrection they may yeeld a sweet savour to God And being to be raised by the power and vertue of Christ learne we still to magnifie that power not to doubt nor any wise to distrust this Resurrection But that we shall rise againe yea that all shall rise l Jo. 5. 29. both good and bad though the bad to abad a sad and dismall doome to have eternall death and damnation yet that that is though but just to them as to the good to their fuller comfort and consolation the more to magnifie Gods mercy and be sensible of their owne happinesse everlasting life and Salvation Which everlasting life come we next to explain the second blessing hereafter as set forth in the XII Twelfth and last Article The life everlasting Amen This is may I say the Crowne of blessings and an happy close to our Creed Wherein our faith hath its full consummation of happinesse In this is it the Sheepe which is the Church that listen to the voyce of Christ the Shepherd have summed up the price of their happinesse and blessed issue of his voyce they hear him they follow him and he in this blesses them makes them happy m Jo. 10. 27. 28. By eternall life meaning both life of grace n Tit. 3. 7. and also life of glory hereafter o Jo. 17. 24. the one an entrance as 't were to the other p Jo. 5 24. Which what either is is beyond our ken or compare admirable ineffable q Psal 31. 19. 1 Cor. 3. 9 2 Cor 12. 5. Be it otherwise what it will be this we know and are assured of we shall be freed from all evil r Rev. 1. 4. enjoy all good and that too for ever s Ps 116. 11. This life is everlasting life Applic. That this life is such an ineffable blessing how should we labour to attain it And being of everlasting being what persons should we be if we meane to attaine it How labour to be Citizens fit for the Celestiall City men not immerged with any wilfull pollution of sin t Rev. 21. 27. but such as here attend the good pleasure of God doe his Commandements live the life of grace here that we may have right to that life of glory hereafter u Rev. 22. 14. every one in his proper place and calling by faith and repentance laying hold of that temporall life of grace that so he may attaine that everlasting life of glory So as whatever our care be here though by carnall Christians scorned contemned despised derided yet of Christ may we hear that happy call hereafter Come ye blessâ—d of my Father c. w Mat. 25. 34. And thus have you an end of the Articles Amen is an Hebrew word used even in all Languages to signifie an assent to what we say approve of or pray for and is to be understood to testifie our faith even of every these Articles of the Creed as of every petition in the Lords Prayer As to the further explanation whereof we refer you to our exposition of the word at the end of the Lords prayer Many other circumstances might be noted incident to every Article of the Creed but we study brevity and to explain that obvious in the words