And he takes it for blasphemy to say any such remaining so are members of his body what a member of Christ and a member of a harlot God forbid he that is joyned to the Lord to one spirit 1 Cor. 6.15.17 That is one spirit acts all the members of Christ as one spirit acts all our members Now here you will be put to your shists for either you must be forced to say all those abhominations which are done before gonver on are the actings of Gods spirit in them or else you must deny that the spirit of God acts them by his grace But if you say the spitit of God is not in them then saith the Apostle they are none of his Rom. 8.9 And so not justified But you play the sophister to prove that all our sinfull actions are moved by the spirit of God before conversion saying the act of beleeving is the fruit of the spirit Gal. 5.22 But this will not cover your naked nesse for that is the grace of faith yet all other graces are the fruits of Gods spirit because hee wrought them in us but the actings of those graces are partly from Gods spirit and partly from ours and cannot so properly be called the fruits of his spirit Againe what a damuable stuggard is the spirit of the Antinomians Christ to lye as a drone in their soules twenty or forty yeares and doe nothing well may they pull their shoulder from the law of God and from all workes of sanctification being led by such an idle spirit But the true Christ hath no idle members nor the true Vine no barren dead branches But you say if faith be a good fruit men must be good trees else we may gather grapes of thornes and sigs on thistles I answer Faith is the fruit of Gods spirit which is a good tree and cannot beare evill fruits But what a faith have these Antinomians that will not make the tree of their body good Againe you say he that hath the spirit of Christ hath Christ so I say too but you say you have the spirit before you beleeve and therefore have Christ before you beleeve but have what spirit you will you are no childe of God by adoption till you receive Christ by faith Iohn 1.12 And have what spirit you will it is not the spirit of adoption unlesse it make you cry Abba Father Galat. 4.5 6. He is called the spirit of grace and supplication Zech. 12.10 Which none can have before conversion But here I smell an empty trunck for their Christ to move in personally and he must move them as we move a stone according to their tenets But the true Christ makes us living stones to offer a living sacrifice aceptable to God 1 Pet. 2.5 But they will not come to him that they may have life Iohn 5.4 He that hath the sonke hath life and he that hath not the sonne hath not life 1 John 5.12 Then here is the cause why they still remaine dead stones and empty trunâ—ks A third stands up saying the Elect are justified therefore some that do not beleeve are justified before they beleeve your argument they that cannot be charged with any thing are justified but who can lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect It is God that justifies who shall condemne It is Christ that dyed yea rather that is risen againe Rom. 8.33 But will it follow because some of the elect are justified called and glorified that therefore all the elect are so Saith the true Christ Other sheepe I have which are not of this fold them also I must bring in John 10.16 Neither let them bring in their common divellish evasion saying that is meant of their owne apprehension but is it the voyce of the sheepe or the voyce of the shepheard that spake this Christ saith that they are not of this sold but I hope Christ was not mistaken through misapprehension saith the holy Ghost He that beleeveth not the sonne shall not seelife but the wrath of God abideth on him John 3.36 Saul Saul why persecutest thou me Acts 9.4 Was not this chosen vessell here taxed with sinne And such were some of you saith the Apostle being mooved by the Holy Ghost and ye were carried after dumb Idols 1 Cor. 6.11 12.2 And saith Paul he that wrongâ—t effectually in Peter the same spirit was mighty in me Now by the same spirit he withstood Peter to his face because he was to be blamed Gal. 2.8.11 see 13 14. And saith the Angell thou shalt be dumb because thou beleevest not my words Luke 1.20.22 And sinne and death is passed upon all men Rom. 5.12 Then are the elect charged with nothing He that committeth sinns the servant of sin John 8.34 Till the Sonne of God make him free and then they are free indeed vers 36. A fourth stands up saying they that have their sinnes taken a way are justified but the elect have their sins taken away before they beleeve Ergo the elect are justified before they beleeve Your first part you say is proved that sins are taken away because David saith they are covered Psal 32.1 And the minor you say is proved because Christ is the Lamb of God that taketh away the sinnes of the world Iohn 1.29 And because the Lord laid on him the in quities of us all Isa 53.6 Himselfe bare our sinnes in his own body on the Tree 1 Pet. 2.24 Our old man is crucified with him that the body of sinne might be destroyed Rom 6.6 But is coveâ—ing a thing the taking away the being of it Sin is compared to things most loath some but when such a thing may be covered yet it hath a being under that covering Deut 23.13 Gen. 9.23 And is Christ come hath begun to take away our sins Yet we are not free from sinne till death Rom. 6.7 Againe our sinnes were not taken from us and lofused into Christ no more then we have stript him of his righteousnesse buâ—by imputation they are accounted to be his although they remaine in us and his righteousnesse is accounted to bee ours although it remaine in him still and for what was laid on Christ was nothing but the guilt and punish nent He was woanded for our transgressions bruised for ur in quities and the chastisement of our peace 〈◊〉 on him and by his strepesâ—ve aâ—e bâ—aled Isa 53 5. But if our 〈◊〉 had beene infused into him they had been his and not ouâ—s and if his rigâ—teâ— suesse had beene infused into us it were ouâ—s and not his for sinne and punishment they goe together so that often he one is named for the other if thou dost â—ot well sinne lyeth at the doore that is punishment lyeth at the dooâ— for sin 〈◊〉 lay then within him â—en 4.7 see 13. Nay further although the â—â—gâ—ing power of none bâ— taken away yet the being of sinne is not taken away no not in the justified Thus hee runs into one ertour 〈◊〉
is true he had a great portion of grace given to him into his own hands to keep but no supportance from the Lord to keep him from falling and he being a mutable creature could not but fall and nothing is immutable but God alone and Satan in the serpent beguiled them saying you shall not dye but yee shall be as Gods knowing good and evill and they saw the tree was good for food and pleasant to the eye and a tree to be desired to make one wise so they did both eat of it and fell together Gen. 3.4.6 Why did not God support them from falling A. That man might see his weaknesse and that God might make knowne what he had decreed from all eternity and for the honour of his justice and mercy in the execution of his decrees in redeeming some and leaving others in that miserable condition What is the state of all men since the fall of Adam A. We have all lost our righteousnesse so that now there is none righteous no not one Rom. 3.10 and we have lost our holinesse we are all as an uncleane thing Isa 64.6 and we have lost our knowledge so that every man now is bruitish in his knowledge Jer. 10.14 having the understanding darkned being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them because of the blindnesse of their heart Ephes 4.18 and we have lost the soveraignty over the creatures here below will the Unicorne now be willing to serve thee wilt thou trust him because his strength is great wilt thou leave thy labour to him wilt thou beleeve that he will being home thy seed and gather it into thy Barn or doth the Eagle fly at thy command Job 39.9.11 12. Thus we have lost all our happinesse wherein we were created and not onely so but we are children of wrath Eph. 2.2 and slaves of Satan led captive at his will 2 Tim. 2.6 and under the curse Gal. 3.10 and lyable both to a corporal spirituall and eternall death Rom. 5.12 1 Cor. 15.22 Was that actuall sinne of Adam our actuall sinne as some would have it A. No for by one mans sinne death entred into the world and 〈◊〉 â—he offence of one many be dead by one that sinned for the judgement was by one to condemnation for by one mans offence death reigned by one and by the offence of one judgement came upon all men to condemnation and by one mans disobedience many were made sinners Rom. 5.12.15 16 17 18 19. Then how came that sinne of Adam to be ours if we did not then actually commit it A. It is ours potentially we being all then in his loynes as the fruit is in the body of the tree and also being begotten and borne by those polluted parents we receive originall defilement from them for Adam being defiled begat his children in his owne likenesse Gen. 5.3 and so his defilement spread over all men as when bondslaves had children they were all borne slaves by the law of God Ex. 21.4 and by mans law the fathers treason cuts off his posterity from his inheritance But cannot we recover our selves out of this miserable condition A. No we cannot think one good thought as of our selves all our sufficiency is of God 2 Cor. 3.5 it is God that worketh in us both to will and to doe of his own good pleasure Phil. 2.13 we are all dead in trespasses and sinnes Eph. 2.1 none of them can by any meanes redeeme his brother nor give to God a ransome for him for the redemption of the soule is precious and ceaseth for ever Psal 49.7 8. so that man hath neither power nor will to help himselfe but is dead in sinne O Israel thou hast destroyed thy selfe but in me is thy help Hosea 13.9 What meanes hath God appointed and decreed to help us out of this damnable estate A. By Jesus Christ the eternall Sonne of God he tooke our nature upon him that so he might be a fit mediator between God and man the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us Ioh. 1.14 he took not on him the nature of Angels but he took on him the seed of Abraham wherefore it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren that he might be a mercifull and a faithfull high Priest in all things pertaining to God to make reconciliation for the sins of the people Heb. 2.16 Wherefore must our Redeemer be both God and man A. He was man to dye and suffer in that nature that had sinned and he was God that he might overcome death and rise againe which none could doe but God alone againe he must be God and man to sanctifie that nature that had sinned and was defiled with it and he was God that so by the worthinesse of his person he may bring a satisfaction sufficient to reconcile an offended God for in that he dyed for us it was a thousand times more in value then if all men and Angels had dyed eternally for one poore sinner for it is unpossible that creatures should bring a satisfaction worthy of the acceptation and sufficient to appease the wrath of their Creator But if our Mediator was both God and man then he must be two persons but how can that be A. Although he be both God and man yet he is not two but one Christ as one body and soule make but one man neither are they one by turning the God-head into flesh but by taking the man-hood into God as the misletow lives in the Oake without any rooting so is the humarity in the God-head by a hupastacicall union unconceiveable unto us neither may we without danger search too farre into this holy mistery In what manner did God the father make that new covenant with God the sonne touching our salvation A. The Father promised to give unto christ his Son all the elect as they fall in the severall ages of the world upon condition that the Sonne will give him a full satisfaction for their ransome hereupon sayth the Sonne O father deliver them from going downe into the pit for I have found a ransome Iob 33.24 upon this they concluded and the sonne of man came not to be ministred unto but to minister and to give his life a ransome for many Mat. 20.28 for sayth Iohn thou hast given him power over all flesh to give eternall life to as many as thou hast given him Ioh. 17.2 so the father set the sonne a day to pay the ransome and took his word to performe it and gave him all the elect that fell in the times before his comming in the flesh in the time of their being and now christ hath actually payd the ransome he takes his fathers word for all the rest of the elect that fall in the severall ages of the world since the debt was actually payed Then hath Christ payed this ransome and in his humanity dyed for his people A. Yes he was wounded for our transgressions he was bruised
for our iniquities the chastisement of our peace was upon him and with his stripes we are healed Isa 52.5 christ hath once suffered the just for the unjust that he might bring us to God being put to death in the flesh but quickned by the spirit 1 Pet. 3.18 who did no sinne neither was guile found in his mouth who when he was reviled reviled not again when he suffered he threatned not but committed himselfe to him that judgeth righteously who his owne selfe bare our sinnes in his owne body on the tree that we being dead to sinne should live unto righteousnesse by whose stripes ye are healed 1 Pet. 2.22 23 24. thus christ hath passively suffered all the penalty of the law to free us from the curse and penalty of it and to sanctifie both afflictions and death unto us O death where is thy sting O grave where is thy victory the sting of death is sinne but thankes be to God which hath given us victory through our Lord Iesus christ 1 cor 15.55 56. To what use serveth the active obedience of christ to the law of God A. It serveth to sanctifie all our disobedience and failings in the performance of holy duties so that now a willing mind is accepted according to that a man hath 2 cor 8.12 row Christ takes notice when the spirit is willing although the flesh be weak Mat. 26.41 for our Saviour hath performed perfect obedience to the law of Gad for us it was his meat and drinke to doe his Fathers will Iohn 4.32.34 he sayth I doe alwayes those things that please him Iohn 8.29 I seeke not mine owne will but the will of him that sent me Iohn 4.30.7.16 as by the disobedience of one many were made sinners so by the obedience of one many were made righteous Romans 5.19 But did Christ obey or suffer for himselfe as some would have it A. No for although his humane nature was a creaturne yet being united to the second person and so making one Christ there was no obedience due from himselfe to the law neither came he by the ordinary way of mankind into the world therefore free from that law that Adam was bound unto with all his posterity But did we actually doe all that which christ did in our nature as well as he as some would have it A. No the gift by grace is by one man Iesus Christ and by him hath abounded to many and righteousnesse shall reigne in life by one Iesus christ even so by the righteousnesse of one the free gift came upon all to justification of life by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous rom 5.15 16 17 18 19. hence I conclude that we did not act in Christs person as well as himselfe saying it was a common lumpe of all mankind that christ obeyed and suffered in we for him as well as he for us and he for himselfe as well as for us This is Antinomian blasphemy But if we did not act as well as christ how comes his righteousnesse to be ours A. By imputation for as he is a blessed man to whom the Lord will not impute sinne rom 4.8 so he is a blessed man unto whom God will impute righteousnesse without workes rom 4 6. now as Adams sinne is imputed to all in Adams nature so the second Adams righteousnesse is imputed to all that are in him by greace to him that worketh not but beleeveth on him that justifieth the ungodly by faith instrumentally it is countrd for righteousnesse rom 4.5 Then did christ alone in his owne person doe all the workes of our redemption A. Yes he looked and saw there was none to helpe therefore his owne arme brought salvation and his righteousnesse it sustained him Isaiah 59 16.6â—.5 neither is there salvation in any other there is none other other name given under Heaven among men whereby we must be saved Acts 4.12 he trod the Wine-presse alone and there was none with him Isaiah 63.3 he by himselfe purged our sinnes Hebr. 1.3 and he washed away our sinnes in his owne blood revel 1.7 he is the Lambe of God that taketh away the sinnes of the word Iohn 1.29 Did Christ dye for all men without exception A. No for Christ would not so much as pray for the world much lesse would he spill his blood for them but the first is true therefore not the second Joh. 17.9 againe if Christ had dyed for them and they not saved either the Father brake Covenant and did not give him all that he bought of him or else the world and the divell and sinne were too strong both for the father that have them and the sonne that bought them which were no other then blasphemy to think How doe you know that Christ dyed for you A. The good Sbeâ—heard gave his life for the sheep Joh. 10.11 and I know my selfe to be one of his sheep for I know his voyce Joh. 10.4 both the secret voyce of his spirit and the publike voyce of his word when I am charged to let the word of Christ dwell in me richly Col. 3.16 when I turne aside to the right hand or to the left I still heare his voyce saying unto me this is the way walk in it Isa 30.21 and I know it is the voyce of my beloved that knocketh saying open to me my sister cant 5.2 because he leadeth me into al truth makes me see an excellency in him above all other Cant. 5.9.10 11 12 13 14 15 16. Psal 45.2 then sayth Christ I know my sheep and I am knowne of mine Joh. 10.14 and they will esteeme of all things else but as dung aad drosse and losse for the excellent knowledge of Christ Phil. 3.78 By what other mark doe you know that you are one of the sheep of Christ for which he dyed A. The sheep of Christ doe not onely know his voyce and delight in hearing of it but in obeying it and follownig him Joh. 10.4.27 they will walke as Christ walked 1 Joh. 2.6 and they will learne of him that is meek and lowly in heart and they shall find rest for their soules Mat. 11.29 and as he sayd it as my meat and drink to doe the will of him that sent me and to sinish his worke and he did alwaies those things that pleased him Joh. 4.34.8.29 and concerning his surferings he sayd I lay downe my life no man taketh it from me Joh. 10.17 18 the cup that my father hath given me shall I not drinke it Iohn 18.4.11 Christ suffered leaveng us an example that we should follow his steps 1 Pet. 2.21 to you it is given in the behalfe of Christ not onely to beleeve on him but to suffer for his sake Phil. 1.29 they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth these were redeemed from among men Rev. 14.4 What other reasons have you to prove that Christ dyed for you A. Christ loved the church and gave himselfe for it that he might sanctisie
to a covenant of workes but they stand as a people redeemed not onely from Pharaoâ—â—s bondage but from the bondage of sin and satan Gods wrath and damnation figured out by that from Aegypt in the preface againe Adam was to stand by his perfect obedience to it or to fall if he failed in the least title but the law at Mount Sinai was a rule to square their obedience by but the penalty is taken off as I sayd before and they and we are bound to doe our utmost endeavour to obey it although we can never legally fulfill it but evangellically as we are in Christ to testifie our thankfulnesse and obedience to our Redeemer 1 cor 6.19 20. What are the maine differences between the covenant of workes and the covenant of grace A. The first covenant was of mans workes the second of Gods grace againe the first was made to Adam and in him to all his posterity the second was made with Christ and so in him for all the elect called the seed of the woman but not with the seed of the serpent Gen. 3.15 againe the first stood upon mans righteousnesse the second upon the righteousnesse of Christ made ours by imputation againe the first was soon broken standing upon the mutability of mans will but the second stands upon a sure foundation being Gods unchangeable will and so never can be broken for sayth the Lord I will establish with thee an everlasting covenant Ezek. 16.60 againe the first was a covenant of justice without mercy the second was a covenant of mercy yet in Christ justice and mercy met together Psal 85.10.89.28 againe the first man is of the earth earthly the second man is of the Lord from heaven and as the earthly so were all they in that covenant and as the heavenly such are they also that are heavenly and as we have borne the image of the earthly we shall also beare the image of the heavenly 1 cor 15.47 48.49 What be the offices of Christ to make him an alsufficient saviour A. First he was a Priest as he was both God and man and he sacrificed his body Mat. 20 28. and his soule was made an offering for sinne Isa 53.10 upon the altar of his Godhead Heb. 13.16 so christ was once offered to beare the sinnes of many Heb. 9.28 also by his integrity or purity of his humane nature and his obedience in performing all that the law requires as I shewed before thus Christ hath satisfied for our sinnes and he makes intercession for us How doth Christ make intercession foâ— us A. He appeares continually before his Father in heaven rom 8.34 Heb. 7.25 making their prayers acceptable to God by Iesus christ 1 Pet. 2.5 Eph. 5.2 by applying the merits of his owne perfect satisfaction to them rev 9.3.4 What other office hath Christ A. He is a Prophet to reveale unto his church the way and meanes of salvation it is written in the Prophets and they shall be all taught of God every man therefore he that hath heard and hath learned of the Father commeth to me Iohn 6.45 he teacheth continually by the ministery of word and by the inward teaching of his holy spirit Iohn 14.26.16.13 What other office hath Christ A. He is a King that he may bountifully bestow on us all the meanes of salvation he overcame the divell and hell and the grave and death as aconqueror see Acts 2.24.32.10.14 1 cor 15.55.57 all power in heaven and in earth is given to me goe ye therefore and teach all nations Mat. 28.18 19. on this rocke will I build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevaile against it Mat. 16.18 thus he is both a King to furnish and to defend his church You told me that faith was wrought in the soule by the fririt of God by the preaching of the Word now the question is how the Lord prepares the soule to receive that excellent grace of faith A. The Lord sayth I will give them one heart and I will put my spirit within you but the manner how this is wrought is this I will take the stony heart out of their flesh and then I will give them an heart of flesh then they shall walke in my statutes and keepe mine ordinances and doe them Ezek. 11.19 20. here you see the first worke is to take the stone out of the heart which in reason should be as painfull as to take the stone our of the bladder this is done by that sharp knife of the morall law when it bruiseth and humbleth us and worketh in us a sight of our sinne for by the law is the knowledge of sinne I had not knowne sinne but by the law for I had not knowne lust except the law had sayd thou shalt not lust rom 3 20.7 7. What is sorrow for sinne A. It is when a mans conscience is touched with a lively feeling of Gods displeasure for any sinne they were â—oricked in their hearts and sayd what shall we doe Acts 2.37 with an utter dispairing of salvation in regard of any thing in our selves O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from this body of death rom 7.24 and so acknowledge our deserved shame should be eternally czra 9.6 How doth God worke this sorrow in us A. By the terrible curse of the law thus he which breakes but one of the commandements of God though it be but once in all his life time and that onely but in thovght is subject too and in danger of eternall damnation for it Gal. 3.10 Jam. 2.10 When the heart is thus prepared how doth God ingrafâ— faith in it A. By casting into it inward motions which are the seeds of faith first when the heart is humbled under the burden of sin then to acknowledg to feel that we stand in need of christ this is the seed of faith for we see that we have spent our money for that which is not bread and our labour for that which satisfieth not Isa 55.2 secondly a hungry desire and a longing to be made partaker of christ his merits these also are the seeds of faith for such are blessed and promised to be filled Mat. 5.4 rev 21.6 thirdly using the meanes when we see the need of christ and have a longing desire after him flying from the sentence of the law pricking the conscience to the throne of grace such shall obtaine mercy and find grace to help in time of need Heb. 4.16 How is this done A. First as the Prodigall did to think our sinnes pardonable and to say Father I have sinned against heaven and before thee and am no more worthy to be called thy sonne make me as one of thy hâ—red servants Luk. 15.18 19. then with loud cryes for Gods savour in christ in pardoning sinnes with a fervent perseverance herein till the desire of our heart be granted as the woman of Canaan did Mat. 15.22 23. What followes after this A. Then God according to
command 〈◊〉 Mat. 28.19 In the name of the Father Son and holy Ghost that being in the covenant and ingrafted into christ they may have perpetuall fellowship with him he that beleeveth and is baptized shall be saved Marke 16.16 Acts 2.38 May we baptize in no other name nor leave out any of the three persons in Trinity A. No christ is not divided nor Paul crucified for you neither were you baptized in the name of Paul I thanke God I baptized none of you but Crispus and Gaius least any should say that I did baptize in my own name 1 cor 13.14 15. Who are those within the covenant that are to be baptized A. They are of two forts first such as are growne in yeers and joyne themselves to the visible church testifying their faith and repentance and hold the foundation of Religion taught in the same church they are to be baptized in the Eunuch sayd to Phillip I beleeve that Christ is the sonne of God and so they went both into the water and he baptized him Acts 8.38 they were baptized of Iohn in Iordan confessing their sinnes Mat. 3.6 repent and be baptized everyone of you acts 2.38 if a stranger dwell with thee and will observe the Passover of the Lord let him circumcise all his males and then let him come and observe it and he shall be as one borne in the land for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof Exod. 12.48 Who else are in in the covenant and ought to be baptized A. Infants born of christian parents the unbeleeving husband is sanctefied by the wife and the unbeleeving wife is sanctified by the husband else were your children uncleanâ— but now they are holy 1 cor 7.14 if the first fruits be holy so is the whole lumpe if the root be holy so are the branches rom 11.16 I will establish my covenant with thee and with thy seed after thee for an everlasting covenant to be thy God and the God of thy seed after thee Gen. 17.7 How are children of christian parents in the covenant A. Not as they are the sinfull off-spring of the first Adam for so they beget them in their owne likenesse nor secondly as they are by grace the sonnes of God for they are not made the sonnes of God by naturall generation but by adoption yet they may beleeve for themselves and others according to the covenant of grace Gen. 17.7 as Adam did sinne both for himselfe and others and as parents in bargaines doe covenant both for themselves and their heires after them thus the parents being the first fruits sanctifies the whole lump of their posterity rom 11.16 What is it to be baptized In the name of the father sonne and holy Ghost A. It is to be made one of Gods family which is his church and to be made partaker of the priviledges thereof as Jacob sayd the Angel which hath delivered me from all evil blesse the lads and let my name be named upon them and the name of my fathers Gen. 48.16 in that day shall seven women take hold of one man saying we will eat our owne bread and weare our owne garments onely let us be called by thy name to take away our reproach Isa 4.1 What doe we learne from hence A. We learne that in this washing of baptisme is sealed a solemne contract and covenant between God and the baptized first of God the father who vouchsafeth to receive him into favour and of God the sonne to redeem him and of God the holy Ghost to purifie and regenerate him What doth the baptized bind themselves unto A. He promiseth to acknowledge invocate and worship none other God but the true Iehovah which is the father sonne and holy Ghost VVhat is the visible or externall matter of baptisme A. It is water for the Minister may not baptize with any other liquor but only with naturall water according to those examples we have in Scripture of the primitive church What is the externall forme of baptisme A. It is the ministers washing the baptized according to the prescrpt of God Suppose it was the ancient custome to dip or dive all the body of the baptized in the water must their example of necessity be followed A. No for the word baptize signifies sprinkling as well as dipping or diving and sayth the Lord I will sprinkle cleane water upon you Ezek. 36.25 againe by reason of some cold countries and the weaknesse of young Infants necessity and charity may dispence with ceremonies and mittigate the sharpnesse of them What resemblance is there between the element of water and the thing signified thereby A. As water washeth away the filth of the body so the blood of Christ Iesus cleanseth us from all sinne 1 John 1.7 What doth the acâ—â—â— of the Minister waâ—â—ing the body of the baptized signifie A. This sealeâ— and I confirmeth a double action of God first the ingrafting or incorporating the baptized into Christ as many as are baptized into Christ 〈…〉 Christ Gal. 3.27 by one spirit we are all baptized into one body 〈…〉 secondly it sealeth to us our regeneration not he the worker 〈…〉 which we have done but according to his mercy he saved us by the 〈◊〉 king of regeneration and renewing of the holy Ghost â—â—tus 3.5 What doth 〈…〉 water or sprinkling it upon the baptized signifie A. It doth raâ—â—â— the shedding of the blood of Christ for the remission of all our sinne and the imputation of his righteousnesse arise and be baptiâ—â—d and waâ—â— away thy sinnes calling upon the name of the Lord Acts 22.16 and it signifies mortification of sinne by the power and death of Christ know ye not that all they which have been 〈◊〉 into Christ have been baptized into his death the 〈…〉 crucified with him that the body of sinne might be destroyed rom 〈…〉 What doth the 〈◊〉 â—ancâ— in or under the water signifie unto us A. It signifies the buriall of sinne or a continuall encreaâ—â— of mortification both by the power of Christ's death and buriall we are buried with him by baptisme in oâ—â—is death rom â— 4 What doth the comming out of the water signifie unto us A. It concernes our spirituall vivification to newnesse of life in all holinesse and righteousnesse by the power of Christs resurrection for like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the father so we all should walke in newnesse of life for if we be grafted together in the likenesse of his death we shall be also in the 〈…〉 of his resurrection rom 6.4 5. What doth the action of the party baptized signifie when he offers himselfe before the Mâ—â—â—ter and the congregation to be baptized A. It signifies that he doth consecrate himselfe the Lord and that he utterly renounceth the flesh the world and the devill the like figure which now saveth us even baptisme not the putting away the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good conscience towards God 1
the faith of the sonne of God Gal. 2.20 we which haâ—e the first fruits of the spirit doe groane within our selves waiting for the adoption to wit the redemption of our bodies rom 8.23 What is the efficient cause whereby these graces are wrought in us A. The holy Ghost applying the power of the death and resurrection of Christ worketh holinesse in us he will deliver his soule from going into the pit and his life shall see the light loe all these things worketh God oftentimes for man to bring back his soule from the pit to be enlightned with the light of the living Job 33.28 29.33 that the offering up of the gentiles might be acceptable being sanctified by the holy Ghost rom 15.16 How is this grace preserved in us A. It is preserved by the vertue of christs resurrection that I may know him and the vertue of his resrurection phil 3.10 first christ did in his own flesh overcome death and sin and live to God and was exalted above every name then he infuseth this power into us we receive it by faith wherby we dye unto sin daily and live to God in newnesse of life In what part of us is this grace of sanctification wrought A In every part of body and soule the very God or peace sanctifie you wholly and I pray God yoâ—r whole spirit soule and body may be perfect and blamelesse unto the comming of our Lord Jesus christ 1 Thes 5.23 How do you know when the mind is sanctified A. When spirituall understandding is given unto it to acknowledge the known truth of Gods word and when spirituall wisdome is given to apply that truth knowne to the well ordering both of things and actions as person place and time requires then we come to discerne both good and evill heb 5.14 and to discerne of things that are excellent phil 1.10 and to try the spirits whether they be of God 1 Joh. 4.1 and to try doctrines Joh. 7.17 1 Thes 5.21 Acts 17.11 and so we come to medâ—tate on the word and workes of God and to delight in his law and to exercise our selves in it night and day Psal 1.119.15 and we discerne our owne want of knowledge by which meanes we shall entreat the Lord to teach us Psal 119.18.33 When is the memory sanctified A. When it is made a treasury of good things a good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth good things Mat. 35. Mary kept all those sayings in her heart Luke 2.51 and David sayd thy word I have hid in my heart that I might not sinne against thee Psal 119.11 Secondly when we remember our sinnes to loath them then shall ye remember your owne evill wayes and your doing that were not good and shall â—â—â—th your selves in your owne sight for your iniquities and for your abominations Ezek. 36.31.16.63 When is the conscience sanctified A. When it doth excuse us for all sin when we are certaine that they are forgiven us in Christ having faith and a good conscience which some have put away 1 Tim. 1.19 I know nothing by my selfe yet am I not hereby justified 1 Cor. 4.4 I have in all good conscience served God untill this day Acts 23.1 herein I exercise my selfe to have alwayes a conscience void of offence both towards God and towards men Acts 24.16 try me O Lord and prove me examine my raines and my heart for thy loving kindnesse is before mine eyes and I have walked in thy truth Psal 26.1 2.3 hence ariseth in us that peace of conscience that passeth all understanding which shall keepe our hearts and minds through Christ Iesus Phil. 4.7 this makes the righteous as bold as a lyon Pro. 28.1 if our hearts condemne us not then have we conscience towards God 1. Ioh. 3.21 When is the will sanctified A. When our wils is regulated by Gods revealed will when the spirit is willing though the flesh be weake Mat. 26.41 When to wil is present but how to performe that which is good we finde not rom 7.19 for it is God that worketh in us both to will and to doe of his own good 〈◊〉 Phil. 2 1â— When are the affections sanctified A. Our hope is sanctified when we wait for the accomplishment of our redemption rom 8.23 24 25. and when we shew the same diligence in full assurance of hope unto the end Heb. 6.11 Our feare is sanctified when we feare to offend the Lord because of his goodnesse Hosea 3.5 they shall feare and tremble for all the goodnesse and for all the prosperity that I will procure unto it Jer. 33.9 If ye call him father passe the time of your sojourning here in feare 1 Pet. 1.17 our love of God in Christ is sanctified when it is as a fire that cannot be quenched many waters cannot quench love nor the floods drowne it cant 8.7 when this love burnes up all other love and when we esteeme of all outward things but as losse and dung for the excellent knowledge of Christ and to win christ phil 3.7 8. our zeale is sanctified when we regard not what becomes of us so God may be glorified Exod. 32.32 rom 9.3 our sorrow and anguish of mind is sanctified when our eyes can gush out with teares because men keep not Gods law Psal 119.136 as Lots righteous soule was vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked he dwelling amongst them in seeing and hearing vexed his righteous soule from day to day with their ungodly deeds 2 Pet. 2.7 8. our joy is sanctified when Gods countenance more rejoyceth our hearts then the increase of come and wine Psal 4.7 and when we rejoyce that the Gospell is preached phil 1.18 and when we rejoyce in the fruitfulnesse of is in the conversion of soules Luke 15.7 How doe you know when the body is sanctified A. Whâ—n it is a fit instrument for the soule to accomplish that which is good as ye have given your members servants to uncleanoesse and to iniquity to commit iniquity so now give your members servants unto righteousnesse in holinesse rom 6.19 Cannot we be saved without holinesse A. No for heaven is promised to them that are sanctified Acts 26.18 and no uncleane thing shall enter into it rev 21.27 without holinesse no man shall see the Lord Heb. 12.14 the pure in heart they shall see God mat 5.8 Are there degrees in holinesse or sanctification A. Yes that ye may grow up into him in all things which is the head even christ Eph. 4.15 being knâ—t together we may increase with the increase of God col 2.19 I beseech you brethren and exhort you by the lord Iesus christ that as you have received of us how you ought to walke and to please God so ye would abound more and more for this is the will of God even your sanctification that every one may know how to possesse his vessell in sanctification and honour 1 Thes 4.1.3 4. May a man attain to perfection in
Pet. 3.21 Suppose any question the lawfulnesse of his baptisme may he be re-baptized A. No for as in naturall generation a man is but once borne so he can be but once new borne therefore if a man be baptized be a Minister that is an heretick not yet degraded from his calling and if he observe the forme of administration In the name of the father sonne and holy Ghost it is a reall baptisme How may a man profitably use his baptisme all his life long A. First when any sinfull lust shall arise in thy soule then begin to meditate of that solemne Vow which thou did dest make to God in thy baptisme Secondly if through infirmity thou fall into any sinne still have recourse to thy baptisme for thy encouragement and comfort for although baptisme be but once administred yet that once testifieth that all thy sinnes past present and to come are washed away 1 Pet. 3.20 Eph. 5.25 26 27. it is called the sacrament of repentance Marke 1.4 lastly to make a profitable use of thy baptisme then thou must not rest till thou have a feeling of that renewing power fignified in baptisme namely the power of Christ's death mortifying thy sinne and the vertue of his resurrection renewing thy spirit soule and body in all holy obedience How is it that many feele not the fruit of their baptisme A. The fault is not in God but in themselves in that they doe not keepe the condition of the covenant to receive Christ by saith and to repent of their sinnes When shall a man see the effect of his baptisme A. When he receives Christ by faith though it be many yeers after then he shall feel the power of God to regenerate him and to work all those things which he offered him in baptisme What is done in the Lords supper A. The former covenant solemnly ratified in baptisme is renewed in the Lords supper between the Lord and the receiver What doe the elements of bread and wine signifie unto us A. They are signes and seales of the body and blood of Christ What doth the actions of the Minister about the same elements signifie unto the receiver A. They signifie unto the receiver foâ—re actions of God himselfe First his taking the bread and wine into his hands doth seale unto us the action of God the father who from all eternity did separate and elect his sonne to performe the duty of a mediatour between God and man mine elect in whom my soule delighteth Isa 42.1 him hath God the Father sealed Iohn 6.27 What doth the Ministers blessing of the elements with the recitall of the promises signifie and seale unto the receiver A. The blessing of them signifies that those elements are now taken from a common to a holy use and the recitall of the promises seales unto us that action of God by which in the fulnesse of time he sent Christ to performe the office of mediatour unto which he was fore-ordained What doth the breaking of bread and powring out of the wine signifie to the receivers A. This sealeth the action of God offering Chiist unto all but â—iving him onely to the faithfull for the encrease of their faith and repentance What doth the receivers action in taking the bread and wine in his hand signifie A. This sealeth a spirituall action namely his apprehending of christ by the hand of faith as many as received him to them he gave power to become the sonnes of God even to them that beleeve on his name Ioh. 1.12 What doth his eating of the bread and drinking of the wine signifie A. This sealeth his application of Chirst by the same faith by a feeling of his true union and communion to encrease daily by faith as our bodies are strengthned by the bread and wine the cup of blessing which we blesse is it not the communion of the blood of Christ the bread which we breake is it not the communion of the body of Christ 1 Cor. 11.16 Is not the bread in the sacrament after consecration turned into the body of Christ A. No first because this sacramentall bread was eaten before the death of Christ therefore unpossible to be a corporall eating of his flesh secondly the bread is broken and distributed after consecration but the whole body of Christ is received by every single communicant thirdly the bread is the communion of Christ therefore not his very body fourthly the body of Christ was made of the substance of the Virgin Mary therefore not of bakers bread fiftly this bread is subject to mold that is left after consecration this shewes that it is will reall bread sixtly if the signe be turned into the substance then what signe remaines this would overthrow the sacramentall union between the signe and the thing signified But is not christs body corporally present in the sacament A. No this doe in remembrance of me 1 cor 24.25 secondly the heavens must receive him till the restitution of all things act 3.2 Thirdly the body of Christ can be but in one place he is not here come sâ—ee the place where the Lord lay mat 28.6 When are we fitly prepared to receive the Lords supper A. First if we bring a right knowledge of mans fall and a promised restoration into the covenant by Christ he is the mediatour of a better covenant which is established upon better promises Heb. 8.6 so often as yee shall eat this bread and drinke of this cup yee shew the Lords death till he come and we must by our knowledge discerne the Lords body 1 cor 11.26 29. Secondly we must have a true faith in Christ for we receive so much as we beleeve that we receive for unto us was the Gospell preached as well as to them but the word preached did not profit them not being mixed with faith in them that heard it Heb. 4.2 Thirdly we must have true repentance for all our sinnes both originall and actuall being the state wherein we lay in the breach of the first covenant Fourthly we must bring renewed faith and repentance to testifie our thankfulnesse to God for his great goodnesse to receive us into a new covenant not of works but of grace wherein he promises to be mercifull to our righteousnesse and to remember our iniquities no more Heb. 12.13 and to testifie our love both to God and his people he so loved us that he gave his onely begotten sonne for us Ioh. 3.16 and Christ gave his life a ransome for us mat 20.28 therefore we should love him that first loued us 1 Ioh. 4.19 also our love must be to his people if thou bring thy gift to the Altar and there remembrest that thy brother hath ought against thee leave thy gift before the Altar and goe first and be reconciled to thy brother and then come and offer thy gift mat 5.23 25. But what if I in part find these things in me when withall I find my heart exceeding rebellious and very corrupt A.