Selected quad for the lemma: death_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
death_n call_v law_n zion_n 32 3 9.1737 4 false
View all documents for the selected quad

Text snippets containing the quad

ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A47130 A Christian catechisme, for the instruction of youth, and others to whom it may be useful in the grounds of Christian religion, and practice of Christian piety wherein the twelve articles of the Christian creed, and the Godhead and manhood natures of Christ and his prophetical, priestly, and kingly office are briefly explained : and the true Christian doctrin, concerning Christ his being a sufficient saviour, as he is both God and man : and with respect to both the absolute necessity, and excellent consistencie of his outward coming in the flesh, and his inward coming, and spiritual appearance in our hearts, through faith in him, and love and obedience to him, in order to our eternal salvation, declared and demonstrated by testimonies of Holy Scripture : and the divine excellency of the light within, in distinction from humane reason, asserted and vindicated : and the question concerning its sufficiency to salvation, truly stated and resolved : where also many other Gospel doctrins, and practical Christian truths and duties are held forth / by George Keith. Keith, George, 1639?-1716. 1698 (1698) Wing K150; ESTC R19823 60,929 128

There are 7 snippets containing the selected quad. | View lemmatised text

inward Principle and Seed of God in Mens Hearts as some have most perversly construed a great part of which Blessing was forgiveness of Sins and Justification through the Righteousness of Christ without us freely imputed to us for that Abraham believed in Christ as he was to come and suffer death in the Flesh and rise again is clear Abraham saw my day and rejoyced said Christ yea he received Isaac after he had laid him on the Altar in a Figure that signified his Faith that Christ should not only suffer Death but be rais●d from the Dead And for Justification by Faith in Christ given to the holy Ancients Paul Cites that place of the Old Testament in Habukkuk 2. 4. The just shall live by his faith And Peter qu●●es a place in Isaiah 2. 8 16. 1 Pet. 2. 6. Behold I lay in Zion a chief Corner Stone Elect Precious and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded And that Cloud of Witnesses mentioned Heb. 11. Who are all said to have dyed in Faith their Faith did certainly respect Christ Jesus as he was to suffer death and rise again because he was and is the sure Foundation to whom all the Prophets gave witness that whosoever believeth in him should receive remission of Sins Q. How then is James to be understood who saith Abraham was justified by Works and Rachab A. Not in the sight of God but as an evidence both to themselves and others that they were justified Q. Are they not very fallacious who Teach Justification by the Righteousness of Christ imputed to the Faithful and mean thereby the inward Work of Righteousness or Sanctification wrought in them A. Yea. Q. And is it not Popish and contrary to Scripture to Teach that the Works which Christ works in us or which we work by the help of his Spirit are meritorious of Justification seeing Abraham whose Works were such was not justified by his Works A. Yea. Q. And is not the ground of their so Teaching false and proceeding from great Ignorance whereas they ●y the Works that Christ or the Spirit works in us are not ours but Christ's for though Christ by his Spirit is the efficient Cause of them yet he is not the only efficient for we also work with him and we are the only formal Cause of them it is not Christ in us that Repents Believes Obeys but we by his help and assistance and therefore tho' Christ is a perfect Agent yet while we are not perfect the Work is not perfect for the nature of the Effect followeth the imperfect Cause especially the formal Cause An Effect altogether good must have all its Causes perfectly good otherwise if there be a defect but in one of them the Effect is imperfect A. Yea. SECT IX Q. WHat use hath that inward Law of Righteousness or Illumination in all Men given them by Christ if no Man can be eternally Saved by it without Faith in Christ Crucified A. It is of great use as it is a preparatory Ministration of the Spirit in a lower degree and kind of Operation for convincing of Sin and giving the knowledge of Sin and working in the Soul a sense of God's Wrath and Judgment for Sin that is of that service to Men as when Men are Condemned to dye for their Crimes and afterwards hear of the King 's gracious and free Pardon their former Condemnation makes the Pardon the more precious and acceptable to them That was it that Paul calls the Ministration of Death and Condemnation 2 Cor. 3. 7 9. that was glorious in its Season that is antecedent and preparatory to the Ministration of Justification that followeth and is much more glorious For as God led Israel of old by Sin●●i where the Law was given with terror to Sion and Jerusalem that signifieth the Vision of Peace and where the Temple was built without the noise of a Hammer 1 Kings 6. 7. So God now leads his Israel through the inward Ministration of the Law to the inward Ministration of the Gospel and New Covenant of Grace of Life and Peace Q. What other use hath it especially to the Faithful who are come under the New Covenant A. So far as the dictates and teaching Light and Knowledge of it extends it serves for a Rule of Life together with the Scriptures in things of moral Honesty Justice and Temperance for if our Reason as Men be still of great use to us in things of Reason certainly that Law or Light in us and in all Men that is greater and more excellent than Humane Reason is of great use and service to the most Faithful And Obedience to it as a Rule of moral Life is so necessary that no Man can be saved without sincere Obedience to it Q. But doth not the more special Light and Illumination of Faith given to the Faithful under the New Covenant make the other void and useless and as it were extinguish it as the Light of the Day seems to extinguish the Light of the Night A. Nay For as Christ said he came not to destroy the Law and the Prophets but to fulfil them so he is not come either Outwardly or Inwardly to destroy either our Reason as Men or any former Light or Illumination that he had given nor doth the Light of the Day extinguish the Light of the Night strictly speaking though it may seem so to do but doth rather strengthen it and better it And why should the more excellent Light of Faith extinguish this other Light of Moral Justice more than it doth extinguish our Reason as Men which by experience is not so found but the contrary that the more we are enlightned by or with the Light of Faith our Reason is the more refined pure and clear strong and vigorous Q. What ground of Scripture is there for Two Lights or more than one Is there not rather one only Light which is God and the Word Christ which is one with him that inwardly shineth in the hearts of all Men A. The Light originally is but one and that is God and Christ the Eternal Word the Fountain of all Light Wisdom Grace and Goodness yet this one Fountain sendeth forth its various Streams according to his good Pleasure and though there is but one God yet there is diversity of Operations and but one Christ yet diversity of Ministrations and but one Spirit yet diversity of Gifts as the Scripture plainly declareth hence we find in Scripture that God is called the Father of Lights and the God of all Grace also we read both of the manifold Wisdom of God and his manifold Grace and of the seven Spirits of God answering to the seven Lamps or Lights in the Sanctuary which Solomon according to the Wisdom given him of God increased the number of unto Ten. Q. But can God or Christ as he is the Word be said to be a Light in Men either universally in all Men or specially in faithful Men A. Yea both universally
that justifieth the Circumcision i. e. the Jews by Faith and the Uncircumcision Rom. 3 30 〈◊〉 c. the Gentiles through Faith and another way than by Faith or without Faith in Christ Jesus the scriptures do not hold 〈◊〉 for attaining Eternal Life and Salvation Q. How doth Christ perform his Kingly Office in and over his Church A. By converting them and ●●●hering them out from among the Dross an●●●●…ish of the World to himself God having 〈…〉 in Christ Jesus before the Foundation of the World that they should be holy and having given them to him Ephes 1. 4. Joh. 6. 37. 39. Joh. 1● 6. by giving them the Holy-Spirit and the saving Gifts and Graces thereof to sanctifie renew and regenerate them into his own Image and Likeness and to crucifie and mortifie the Old Man in them with his deeds by pardoning their Sins and justifying them by giving them his Laws and writing them in their hearts by protecting and defending them and ruling them by his spiritual Presence and Indwelling in their hearts and by subduing his and their Enemies Matth. 1. 21. Acts 3. 26. 1 John 3. 58. Jer. 31. 18. 19. 33. 34. John 11. 92. Isa 11. 12. Isa 43. 5. 6. 7. John 16. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. Titus 3. 4 5. 6. Mark 2. 10 John 10. 28. 29. Isa 9. 6. 7. John 17. 23. 26. Psal 110. 1. 2. 3. 5. 6. Coloss 2. 11. 12. Q. Was not Christ's Resurrection from the Dead and his Ascension into Heaven as well as his giving and sending down the Holy Ghost upon his Disciples on the day of Pentecost all great and glorious Acts of his Kingly Office and Power A. Yea John 10. 17 18. Psal 68. 18. Eph. 4. 8 12 13. Q. What place of Scripture in the Old Testament was a Figure of Christ's giving the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost which was the fif●●●th day from his Resurrection A. The Feast of Weeks that was commanded to be kept on the fiftieth day from the day 〈…〉 Sheaf of the first Fruits was offered Levit. 23. 15. 16. Q. Is Christ to come from Heaven to judge all Men that ever lived or shall live even the quick and the dead A. Yea as the Scriptures plainly testifie 2 Tim. 4. 1. John 5. 27 28 29. Q. Will his coming and appearance be without us in his glorified Body and true Manhood Nature A. Yea. Acts 1. 11. Q. When will that time be that he will so come A. Of that Day and Hour knoweth no Man nor the Angels in Heaven Matth. 24. 36 42 44. The coming of Christ is infallibly certain but the particular time of it God would not have made known unto Men that we may be continually watching and give no way to security or sloath but be always preparing for our Lord 's coming Q. How or in what manner will Christ come A. He will come with great Power and Glory by which Power he will raise the dead Bodies of all Men both Just and Unjust in the Glory of his Father and of his holy Angels with the Voice of the Archangel and the mighty sound of a Trumpet in Kingly Power and Majesty who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords Matth. 15. 27. Mark 8. 38. 2 Thess 7. 8 9 10. 1 Thess 4 16. Q. Is then his coming to raise the dead and to judge the quick and the dead a part of his Kingly Office A. Yea Matth. 25. 34 40. Rev. 19. 16. SECT VIII Q. WHat did the Covenant of Works or the Law of Works require of Men A. The Law and Covenant of Works required of Men perfect and perpetual Obedience in their own Persons and doth so still require of all that are under it so that the breach of it and the transgression against it in the least point brings under Wrath and Condemnation and the Curse without any promise of forgiveness the terms of which are Do and Live Rom. 10. 5. Gal. 3. 10 12 13. Q. Were not many of the Jews and Twelve Tribes of Israel under the Covenant of Works A. Yea. Q. What was that Covenant of Works A. The Moral Law delivered to them in the two Tables of Stone from the Lord himself by the Hand of Moses the which Law written and engraven in Stones though Glorious is called by Paul the Ministration of Death and Condemnation 2 Cor. 3. 7 9. and some other positive and special Laws as contained in the Books of Moses Q. Was the Law of Circumcision the Passover the Sacrifices of Sin-offerings any part of the Covenant of Works A. Strictly considered they were not but according to the design of God and their true signification they all belonged to the Covenant of Grace as it was then administred as Signs and Seals thereof being a part of the more obscure Administration and Dispensation of it for that time as under Vails and Figures during that state of Minority as it were of the Church Q. But such as relyed and rested upon their Obedience that they performed to these Laws and had not Faith in Christ and relyed not upon the free Love Mercy and Grace of God in and through Christ did they not make it a Law of Works to themselves and so fell short of Justification A. Yea Rom. 10. 3. Q. And are not many called Christians in the same danger if they rely and rest upon their Obedience to any Law either Outwardly or Inwardly given them as the Foundation of their Justification A. Yea. Q. Are the Gentiles who have not either Law or Gospel outwardly Preached or Administred to them under any other Covenant of God than that made at first with Adam A. They are not under any other Covenant but they are under the Law of Righteousness writ or plac'd by God in their Hearts and Consciences Rom. 2. 15. Q. Why may not the Gentiles in their meer Gentile-dispensation be strictly said to be under a Covenant of Works without respect to Adam A. Because all Covenants that ever God made since with Men both were by some special Revelation and had some external Figure or Signs given by God for its Confirmation but so is not this Law universally put in all Men. Q. May not this divine Law or Light put in all Men be called the Law or Light of Nature which seemeth warranted by Rom 2. 14. where it is said The Gentiles do by Nature the things contained in the Law A. If by Nature in that place we understand the Nature of Man to be the subject of Reception and not the efficient Cause and Author of it it may be in called But tho' Man's Nature is the subject of it yet it is God and the eternal Word that is the efficient Cause Author and Original of it and not the corrupted and defiled Nature of Man Q. What is the nature of the Covenant of Grace called the New Covenant A. It holds forth Remission of Sin and Justification freely by the Grace and Favour of God through Jesus
in our Hearts by his holy Spirit Light and Grace Q What is the need of both the outward Teaching by Men or the Scriptures and Christ 's inward Teaching by his Spirit Light and Grace A. God hath so appointed it that as God and Christ by the Holy Spirit in our Hearts should be the principal Teacher so the Scriptures and Men Teaching according to the Scriptures should be Instrumental in the Spirit 's Teaching us and Working in us the saving Knowledge and Faith of the Christian Doctrin Q Have Men no Knowledge of God without the Scriptures A. Yea many have some Knowledge of God and of his Will in some things without the Scriptures and all Men may know some things of God and of his Will without the Scriptures by what God is pleased to make known of himself by some Manifestation within them and by his Works of Creation and Providence without them Rom. 1. 19 20. Q. But are these peculiar Doctrins of the Christian Religion revealed to Mankind without Scriptures or some outward Means of Instruction A. Nay Q Are no Doctrins of Christian Faith and Practice inwardly Taught and Revealed by the Spirit but what are delivered us in the holy Scriptures A. Nay Q. Are then the holy Scriptures the only publick authentick Standard and Rule to which all Doctrins of Men and professed Inspirations are to be subjected and by them examined and if found contrary to be rejected A. Yea Isaiah 8. 20. 2 Tim. 3. 16 17. Q. How was the Doctrin of Salvation by Christ made known to Men before the Letter of the Scripture was extant A. By outward Teaching of Good and Holy Men with word of Mouth in the several Ages from Adam to Moses which was accompanied with the inward Teaching of the Spirit of God in all the Faithful Q. Whence or how had they that Doctrin outwardly conveyed unto them A. The Prophets had it by special Revelations and others who were not Prophets had it delivered to them by means of the Prophets Q. When did Christ begin to perform the Office of a Prophet A. From the beginning of the World and in all Ages both before and since he came in the Flesh but most especially and evidently and in the most ample and clear manner when he came in the Flesh by his Ministry and Preaching when he was on Earth which was about three Years and an half Q. How did he perform the Office of a Prophet in those Ages before he came in the Flesh A. Because it was his Spirit in the Prophets 1 Pet. 1. 11. By which they Prophesied and Preached which Spirit with all the Gifts of it and saving Graces thereof were given to them and to the Church for Christ's sake and for the Merit of his most holy Obedience unto Death when he should come to perform that Obedience Q Is not the Doctrin of Salvation by Christ Jesus in a true and proper Sense the Gospel of Christ A. Yea. Q. Hath not therefore the Gospel been Preached in all Ages of the World and ever will by which God has ever had a Church in the World and ever will have to the World's end A. Yea Matth. 16. 18. Q. But have they had the Gospel of Christ Preached to them who have had no discovery of Salvation by Christ or free Remission of Sins for his sake either by outward Instruction or inward Revelation A. Nay Q. Do they not therefore greatly Err who Teach that the common Illumination wherewith every Man is Enlighted is the Gospel of Christ yea the whole Gospel without any thing else A. Yea. Q. How are Paul's Words to be understood that the Gospel hath been Preached to every Creature under Heaven Col. 1. 23. A. They cannot be universally understood 〈◊〉 all and every particular Man throughout 〈…〉 who le World more than where in the 〈…〉 within a few lines he said that he 〈…〉 Brethren did warn every Man and teach every Man Col. 1. 28. Yet none can say with any colour of Truth that they did teach every Man that either then lived in the World or had before or since lived in the World the Gospel therefore its being Preached to every Creature or to every Man hath this Sense that without exception the Gospel was Preached to every Man of whatever Nation Kindred or Family where the Gospel came by an outward Ministry Q. Why is the Gospel called by Paul the Power of God to Salvation Rom. 1. 16. A. Because wherever it is faithfully and sincerely Preached it comes not in word only or in a bare Form of Doctrin but in Power and in the Holy Ghost and in much assurance to them who doe sincerely and truly believe it and receive it by which Gospel they are saved 1 Thess 1. 5. 1 Cor. 15. 2. Q. Is the Gospel of the Kingdom to be Preached in all the World before the end of the World come A. Yea as Christ hath expresly foretold Matth. 24. 19. Q. Do they not Preach another Gospel than Christ and the Apostles and Prophets Preached who Teach that the Doctrin and Message of Remission of Sin and of eternal Life and Salvation by Christ Crucified and raised again is no part of the Gospel of Salvation and in so doing bring themselves under the Curse A. Yea Gal. 8. 9. Q. What doth the word Evangel Translated in English Gospel signifie A. A good or joyful Message concerning Christ the Saviour who was born at Bethlehem as the Angel declared to the Shepherds Behold said he I bring you good tidings of great joy that shall be to all people for unto you is born this day in the City of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord Micah 5. 2. Luke 2. 10. Q. Was it foretold in the Old Testament at what time Christ should come in the Flesh A. Yea in Jacob's Prophecy The scepter shall not depart from Judah nor a lawgiver from between his feet until Shiloh come and unto him shall the gathering of the people be Gen. 49. 10. This Shiloh is Christ who was to come of Judah the Hebrew word Shiloh as the most Learned in the Hebrew Language say signifieth his Son and such a Son as should be born of a Virgin as also it signifieth Peaceful and the most Judicious of the Jewish Writers understand it of the Messiah which is Christ that signifieth Anointed and the word Jesus signifieth Saviour Q. Did the Government among the Jews cease at that time when Christ came in the Flesh A. Yea as both the Scriptures and Writings of the Jews plainly declare for though the Jews had been some time before the coming of Christ under the Roman Government yet their great Council called the Sanedrin had the Power to judge of Life and Death continued unto them until Herod an Alien who was Contemporary with Christ took it away and the Jews confessed that at that time it was not Lawfull for them to put any Man to Death which was a clear fulfilling of
Jacob's Prophecy Q. What other Prophecies in the Old Testament did foretel the time of Christ's coming A. Danicl's Prophecy of the 70 Weeks and the Prophecy of Haggai 2. 6 7 8 9. Where it was plainly foretold that Christ the desire of all Nations should come into the second Temple and that should make it's Glory greater than the Glory of the former Temple which was accordingly fulfilled the which Temple was together with the City of Jerusalem destroyed about forty years after Christ's Passion the Destruction of which he foretold all which confirms he was that true Prophet of whom Moses Prophesied and because the Generality of the Jews did not believe in him therefore according to Moses's Prophecy they were cut off from being owned to be the true Church of God Q. What other principal Things did Christ that great Prophet foretel A. That he should be put to Death and the third day should rise again that he should ascend into Heaven and that after some days his Disciples should receive the Holy Ghost and be endewed with power from on High all which was accordingly fulfilled Matth. 16. 21. John 3. 13. Acts 1. 5. That he should raise the Dead and judge the World at the last day John 11. 24 25. Matth. 26 64. Matth. 25. 40. Matth. 7. 23. Q. About what time of the World's Age from Adam's Creation did Christ suffer Death A. About the end of Four Thousand Years from thence by the best account of Time SECT VI. Q. HOW did Christ perform the Office of a Priest A. In his Offering up Himself by his Death a Sacrifice of a sweet smell unto God for our Sins and by his continual Mediation and Intercession for us in Heaven Eph. 5. 2. Heb. 9. 26. Heb. 7. 25. Q. Why was it necessary that Christ should Offer up Himself a Sacrifice to God by His Death for our Sins A. To reconcile us unto God and to make satisfaction to His Justice and to His just and holy Law which we had transgressed Eph. 2. 16. Coloss 1. 20. Q Why was the Justice of God to be satisfied for our Sins A. Because our Sins are a Debt and the Justice of God required that this Debt should be paid by us or some other for us as our Surety Heb. 7. 22. Q. Hath then Christ paid to the Justice of God the Debt of our Sins A. Yea. Q. How did he pay it A. By dying for us and giving his Life a Ransom for us Matth. 20. 28. 1 Tim. 2. 6. Q. What is a Ransom A. A Price that is paid for the Redemption of Captives Q. What was his Life that he gave for us A. The Life of his Manhood that he laid down when he dyed for us Q. Why was it necessary that He should dye for us A. Because Death was the Punishment that was due to us for our Sins as it is written The Soul that sinneth shall dye and Christ becoming Surety for us by his Death he redeems and delivers us from Death Q. Whereas the Scripture saith Christ has redeemed us by his Blood and hath Bought us with His Precious Blood as of a Lamb without spot hath purchased us with his Blood and that we are justified cleansed and sanctified by His Blood what Blood is meant there and in other such places of Scripture that mention remission of Sins by His Blood Rom. 3. 25. Rom. 5. 9. Eph. 1. 6. Luke 22. 20. Acts 20. 28. Heb. 13. 12. 1 John 1. 7. Rev. 1. 5. 1 Pet. 1. 2. A. The real Blood of his Body that was shed on the Tree of the Cross when his Hands and his Feet were nailed to the Cross and his Side pierced so that Water and Blood came out of his Side John 19. 34 Q. Was His Blood the only Sacrifice and Atonement for our Sins A. It was but a part of the Sacrifice and Atonement for he gave his Flesh as well as his Blood for the Life of the World and his Soul was made an Offering for Sin And indeed the Sufferings of his Soul were the greatest Sufferings My Soul said he is exceeding sorrowful unto death Matth. 28. 36. Coloss 1. 21 22. John 6. 51. Q. What signifies the Word Atonement Rom. 5. 11. A. Reconciling Uniting and making One by a firm and close Union as when the Boards or Pieces of a Vessel are united ' by Glew or Pitch that the Vessel Lake not from the Hebrew word Kopher that signifieth Pitch also Ransom Redemption Reconciliation Q. If his Blood was but a part why is our Redemption remission of our Sins Justification and Sanctification so much attributed to his Blood A. By an ordinary Figure or manner of Speech when a part is put for the whole and as the Blood of the Beast is called in Scripture the Life of the Beast so the Blood of the Man Christ was his Life to wit the Life of his Manhood which he gave a Ransom for our Sins Q. Is it not therefore a great Error in them who say the Blood whereby we are Redeemed Cleansed Justified is the Life which is the Light in every Man A. Yea. Q. Is the Life which is the Light even in the Saints that Blood of sprinkling whereby they are Redeemed Cleansed Justified A. Nay For any inward Gift or Grace of Light and Life in the Saints is but the Effect or Fruit purchased and procured by the Blood of Christ as the Cause but the Cause and the Effect should not be confounded but distinctly considered although by the Figure of Metonymie sometimes the Name of the Cause is given to the Effect as Exod. 21. 21. A Man's Servant is called his Money because his Money bought or purchas'd him Q. How did Christ Redeem Reconcile Justifie and Sanctifie Men by his Death and shedding of his Blood for them on the Tree of the Cross Are Men simply by what he then did and suffered for them Reconciled Justified and Sanctified before true Faith Repentance and Conversion is wrought in them A. Men are not either Reconciled Justified or Sanctified until true Faith Repentance and Conversion is wrought in them Rom. 4. 5 6. Acts 2. 38. Acts 3. 19. Acts 5. 30 31. But Christ by the merit of his Death and shedding of his Blood and by all that he did and suffered for us without us procured and purchased for us Redemption Remission Justification and the inward Grace of Sanctification yea Faith and Repentance together with the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the spiritual Presence of Christ with all his saving Gifts and Graces all which in the time appointed of God are received and witnessed by all them who are or shall be saved Psal 6. 18. Eph. 4. 4. Acts 5. 31. Q. What is the chief thing that is to be considered in the Death and Sufferings of Christ A. His most perfect and most holy Obedience and Resignation unto the Will of his Father for because he thus humbled himself and became obedient unto Death even the
Death of the Cross therefore God hath highly exalted him to be a Prince and a Saviour Philip. 2. 8. 9. Q. What made his Obedience of so great merit and worth A. Because he offered himself through the Eternal Spirit Heb. 9. 14. and that he was both God and Man his Godhead gave that great dignity worth and value to his obedience That as the disobedience of one Man to wit Adam brought sin and guilt upon all so the obedience of one Man to wit Jesus Christ the second Adam should make satisfaction to God for the Sins of all and as the Judgment was by one to Condemnation so the free gift is of many Offences unto Justification Rom. 5. 16. 18. Q. Why did not God forgive Men's Sins without a satisfaction to his Justice seeing Men can and do oft forgive a debt of mony without payment or the least satisfaction A. The case is not alike betwixt the debt of mony and the debt of Mens Sins a Man may forgive a debt of mony without requiring any satisfaction but the Sin of Murder no Man can forgive it without a satisfaction of life for life and God hath expresly required it by his Law which may help us to understand how the Justice and just Law of God required a satisfaction and if Christ would make that satisfaction for us he was to give his life for us the just suffering for the unjust that he might bring us unto God God having laid on him the Iniquities of us all who did bear our Sins on the Tree of the Cross by whose stripes we are healed that being dead unto Sin we might live unto Righteousness Isaiah 53. 6. 1 Pet. 2. 24. 1 Pet. 3. 18. By which satisfaction that Christ hath made to God for our Sins not only the justice of God is demonstrated but his Holiness and Purity for thereby he is made known to be a God that so loveth Righteousness and hateth Iniquity that the very Holiness and Purity of his Nature as well as the Righteousness of his Law required that satisfaction to be made that the Sins of Men might be pardoned and God and Men might be reconciled and thus both the Holiness of God's Nature is demonstrated and the due Honour of his holy Law is preserved Hab. 1. 13. Isaiah 42. 21. Q. Doth not Christ his making satisfaction to the Justice of God for our Sins hinder the free forgiveness of our sins How can a debt be fully paid and yet freely forgiven A. The forgiveness of our Sins Rom. 3. 24. is still a most free forgiveness to us because God freely gave us his dear Son Christ Jesus out of his abundant love to make that satisfaction for us and also that the Justice of God accepted that satisfaction from Christ which in strict instice might have been required of us Thus the wonderful Harmony of God's mercy and justice and also of his wisdom and power is demonstrated in the way of Mens Redemption Joh. 3. 16. Psal 85. 10. Q. Did not Christ also give himself for our Redemption A. Yea Gal. 1. 4. Titus 2. 14. Q. Doth it hinder God's free forgiveness that he forgiveth none their Sins without Faith Repentance and Conversion A. Nay which may help us to understand that as Repentance and Faith on our part doth not hinder the forgiveness of God to be free to us and of his rich free Grace so nor doth the satisfaction of Christ to God's justice on Christ's part hinder the same Q. But if Christ hath suffered Death being the Punishment of our Sin why should men dye should the same debt and payment be exacted both from us and our surety A. By Christ's dying for us the Death of the Body ceaseth to be a punishment strictly speaking though it is a consequence of Adam's Sin still remaining unto the Faithful the sting of Death which is Sin being removed Death is changed from being a Punishment to the Faithful to be a blessed and sanctified means to put an end to the Sorrows Tentations and Evils of this mortal life and to be unto them a passage and entrance into eternal life 1 Cor. 15. 55. 56. Q. Who were the chief acters that put Christ to Death A. The Jews who being filled with envy accused him of diverse things and particularly for saying he was the Son of God which they accounted Blasphemy and of his being the King of the Jews and the Messiah or Christ Matth. 27. 18. John 10. 36. John 19. 7. 12. Matth. 26. 63. 65. Q. Under whom did Christ suffer Death A. Under Pontius Pilate a Roman Governour John 19. 1. Q. Why under him A. Because the Jews at that time had their power taken away by the Romans so that they said to Pilate it was not lawful for them to put any Man to death John 18. 31. Q. Was there not a great hand of Providence in this A. Yea It having been foretold by some of the Prophets that the manner of Christ's Death should be by Crucifying and Hanging on a Tree therefore that manner of death was called in the Old Testament accursed Deut. 21. 23. to signifie before-hand that Christ should become a Curse for us and dye for us the accursed death of the Cross and also it was foretold by David in the second Psalm that both Jews and Gentiles should gather together and take counsel against the Lord and against his Anointed Q. How was it foretold by any of the Prophets that Christ should be Hanged or Crucified on a Tree A. David Prophecied that his Hands and Feet should be pierced which was accordingly fulfilled and was only used in that manner of death and Moses lifting up the Brazen Serpent on the Pole or Tree was a Figure of Christ his being lifted up on the Tree of the Cross as Christ himself deolared John 3. 14. Psal 22. 16. Q. Were not all other things concerning Christ of the chiefest moment recorded in the New Testament as his Doctrin Miracles manner of Birth Life Death Burial Resurrection and Ascension foretold by the Prophets and recorded in the Old Testament A. Yea Acts 26. 22. 23. Luke 24. 44. 45. 46. Q. Why was it so ordered by the Lord A. To give the greater Evidence that Jesus who was Born of the Virgin Mary was the Christ seeing to him only and to none else could all these things agree which were prophecied of him as also to shew the excellent Harmony of the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament being all given forth by one and the same Spirit Q. What discovery of Christ's Death Resurrection and victory over Sin and the Devil and of Salvation from Sin by Christ had the Faithful from the beginning of the World A. By the first promise that God gave to our first Parents after the Fall Gen. 3. 15. That he would put enmity betwixt the Serpent and the Woman and between his Seed and her Seed and that the Womans Seed should bruise the head of the Serpent but he
should bruise his heel and also by the Sacrifices which God taught them to offer which were Types and Figures of Christ's Sacrifice that was to come Heb. 11. 4. Q. Who is here meant by the Serpent A. The Devil according to Revel 20. 2. Q. What is meant by his Seed A. That inward Principle of defilement and Seed of Sin that was then sown by the Devil in our first Parents and through their Loins transmitted to their Posterity and that which is born of it called in Scripture the Old Man and the Body of Sin and Death Q. What is meant by the Serpents bruising the heel of the Woman's Seed A. That by means of the Devil who instigated the Jews against him Christ should suffer Death in his Manhood Nature but his Head that is his Godhead neither did nor could suffer any thing Q. What is meant by the Woman's Seed his bruising the Head of the Serpent A. His Victory over the Devil by his Resurrection from the Dead and that by virtue of his Death and Resurrection the Power of Christ by his Spirit in all the Faithful should destroy the Devils Power and Kingdom of Sin flay the Old Man and Crucifie the Body of Sin in them and in due time wholly deliver them from Sin and all the effects an● 〈…〉 ●equences of it Heb. 2. 14. Coloss 2. 15. 1 〈…〉 Q. When are the ●●●●●ful to be fully and completely delivered from all the effects and consequences of Sin A. At the Resurrection of the Dead at which time that first promise shall have its full accomplishment 1 Cor. 15. ●4 Q. What places of Scripture prove that the Sacrifices under the Law were Types of Christ's Sacrifice and that the Blood of those Sacrifices signified the Blood of Christ by which remission of Sin is obtained A. There are divers as Colos 2. 16. 17. Heb. 8. 5. and 9. 9. 23. and 10. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 16 17. Q What is meant by that place in Zach. 9. 11. As for thee also by the blood of thy Covenant I have sent forth the Prisoners out of the Pit wherein is no water Is not that Blood the Blood of Christ that was to be shed and was accordingly shed when he suffered on the Cross by virtue of which all the Faithful who once were Satan's Prisoners are translated out of his Kingdom of Darkness fitly signified by the Pit wherein no Water is and brought into the Kingdom of the dear Son of God where is Righteousness Peace and Joy Light Life Love and Liberty and where Springs of living Waters flow A. Yea Colos 1. 13. Rom. 14. 17. Isaiah 12. 3. Q. Was not the Passover a Type of Christ and as the Exod. 12. 7. Blood of the Slain Lamb being sprinkled on the Lintels and Posts of the Doors of the Israelites saved them from the destroying Angel so doth not the Blood of Christ the Lamb of God that was slain for us sprinkled on our Hearts and Consciences not by any visible or material application but by Faith applyed to us save us from the Wrath of God and destruction A. Yea 1 Cor. 5. 7. 8. Heb. 12. 24. 1 Pet. 1. 2. Heb. 10. 22. Q. As the Israelites were to eat the Flesh of the Passover so are not the Faithful not by a bodily eating but by Faith to eat the Flesh of Christ's slain Body that they may have Eternal Life A. Yea John 6 53. Q What places of Scripture prove that Christ was to be a Priest and that the Priesthood of the Law and first Covenant was to end and give way to Christ's Priesthood that is unchangable and to remain for ever A. Psal 110. 4. The Lord hath sworn and will not repent thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedeck compared with Heb. 7. 11. 12. 24. Q. How is Christ a Priest for ever seeing the Sacrifice of himself he did offer but once when he suffered Death on the Cross and by one Offering once offered he hath for ever perfected them that are sanctified Heb. 7. 27. Heb. 9. 28. Heb. 10. 14. A. Because the virtue merit worth and efficacy of that one Offering once made was sufficient for the expiation and taking away the guilt of the Sins of the Faithful from the beginning of the World unto the end of it Heb. 9. 15. Q. How is Christ a Priest after the Order of Melchisedeck A. Because Melchisedeck which signifieth King of Righteousness was not only a King but a Priest also so Christ is both King of Righteousness and King of Salem which signifieth Peace and also a Priest and as Melchisedeck's Priesthood did far excel the Priesthood of Levi so doth the Priesthood of Christ far excel it Q. In what respects doth Christ's Priesthood excell that of Levi and differ from it A. In many respects as they are excellently set forth in the Epistle to the Hebrews Cap. 7. 8 9 10. As First Christ arose a High Priest out of the Tribe Judah 2. He was made by Oath 3. Not after the Law of a carnal Commandment but after the power of an endless Life 4. These of the Levitical Priesthood offered many Sacrifices yearly for Sin but Christ our High Priest offered Himself a Sacrifice but once 5. They were sinners themselves and needed to offer for their own Sins as well as for the Sins of others but Christ was without all Sin and only offered the Sacrifice of Himself for the Sins of others not only for the Jews but for the whole World 6. By reason of death they were not suffered to continue but Christ continueth for ever having once dyed he dyeth no more 7. They offered the Bodies Fat and Blood of Beasts but Christ offered up his whole Body of Flesh and Blood together with his Soul an Offering for our Sins 8. Their Offerings were but the Figure Type and Shadow his was the Substance and thing signified 9. Christ by virtue of his Priesthood was made surety of a better Testament and of a better Covenant which was Established upon better Promises 10. None of all their Offerings could take away Sin or purge the Conscience from Sin but this his Offering once did to all that sincerely believe and repent of their Sins 11. The High Priest on the day of Atonement being the 10th day of the 7th Month every Year entred the Holy Place made with Hands but Christ our High Priest by his Atonement hath entred into Heaven it self and hath made open and manifest the way thereunto unto all true Believers and Followers of him 12. The Jews paid the Tythes or Tenths of their Increase to the Priests and Levites and they paid out of their Tenth a Tenth to the High Priest but the true Christians which are the true spiritual Jews give both themselves and their All to Christ their High Priest and are ready to serve Him and his Gospel with their All for the propagation and service of his Gospel and if need
be and occasion requireth freely to give more than the Jews gave for the service of the Gospel Q. What is signified by Christ's descent into Hell according to the words of the Creed commonly call'd the Apostolical Creed and the 10th Psalm Thou wilt not leave my Soul in Hell A. That he remained in the State and Condition of the Dead all that time betwixt his Death and Resurrection in which interval of time he did further Conquer and Overcome the Powers of Hell and Death and made a glorious Triumph over them both at his Death and after his Death being free among the Dead Psal 88. 5. And at his Resurrection and Ascension into Heaven having led Captivity Captive Psal 68. 18. Q. How or in what Sense did he lead Captivity Captive A. By his powerful and victorious Conquest over the Devil Death and Hell having loosed the pains of Death it being impossible he could be held or detained by them He overcame the Devil and all his Angels who had Captivated so many Souls and made a Captive of him by means of which many Thousands of many Nations by the Power of Christ through the Preaching of the Gospel soon after Christ's Ascension were rescued from the Devil's Bondage and from serving him by their abominable Idolatries and other vile Sins and Lusts and became Servants of God and of Christ and by the same Victory then obtained the Kingdom of Sin and Satan will be more and more weakned until it be utterly destroyed and the Kingdom of God and Christ in Truth and Righteousness and Holiness advanced until its perfect State Q. Was the Guilt of our Sins laid upon Christ and imputed to him when he suffered Death for our Sins A. As Guilt signifieth obligation to Punishment it was laid upon him and imputed to him but not strictly and properly speaking as it signifieth the blame or the culpableness of them As when that Grocian King with his free consent and desire suffered Punishment for his Son to lose one of his Eyes for his Sons Adultery another Eye being taken from his Son that the honour and justice of his own Law might be preserved yet who will say that the blame of his Son's Crime was his or that he was blame-worthy on that account Q. How is that place of Scripture to be understood Is 53. 9. With his Stripes we are healed Were not these Stripes his Sufferings both of Soul and Body as Man that he suffered without us A. Yea with or by which we are healed because they were of that merit and efficacy that by them he procured and purchased that inward Virtue and Grace to be given us by which the Wound and hurt that Sin had given us is healed and by means of which that pure healing Balsam and Oyl comes from him into our Souls for their healing Q. What Figure or Type of this was given in the Old Testament A. The beaten Oyl that by the beating and bruising of the Olive came out of it which was commanded together with the fine Flower that came out of the Wheat by its being ground to be offered with the daily Sacrifices and 〈◊〉 the Wine that was to be offered with the 〈…〉 ring which was the Blood of the Wine 〈◊〉 after it was pressed also the Water that 〈◊〉 out of the Rock being struck by Moses 〈…〉 that refreshed the Israelites when they were ready to dye for thirst hath the like 〈◊〉 ●…tion the beaten Oyl the fine Flower and the Wine in these Offerings did all of them signifie as well as the Water that came out of the Rock when struck by Moses's Rod the healing nourishing and refreshing Vertue of Christ's Grace which is given us by his Sufferings Exod. 29. 38 39 40 41. Q. Is it not therefore a gross perversion of that place of Scripture to understand by the Stripes of Christ wherewith we are healed as some have understood them the Stripes wherewith Men by their Sins stripe Christ in themselves wound and bruise him as some affirm or yet the stripes that he The Light Within giveth them in their Consciences when they sin A. Yea. Q. Did Christ's Body in the Grave see Corruption A. Nay Acts. 2. 31. Q. Did it really rise on the third day A. Yea. Q. Was it his real Body which appeared to his Disciples after his Resurrection which spoke unto them and did Eat and Drink with them A. Yea. Q. What Sign or Figure of Christ's Restirrection in the third day did Christ himself give out of the Old Testament A. The Sign of Jonas Matth. 12. 39 40. That as Jonas was three days and three nights in the Whale's Belly so should the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the Earth Q. What Figure in the Old Testament did signifie that Christ should rise from the dead on the first day of the Week being the next day after the Sabbath and be the first Fruits of the Resurrection A. The sneaf of the first Fruits of their Harvest Levit. 23. 10. 11. which they were to bring to the Priest and which he was to wave before the Lord on the morrow after the Sabbath that answers to the first day of the Week wherein Christ rose from the dead and became the first Fruits of them that sleep Q What signified the waving of the Sheaf A. The waving of it was the Priest's moving it Southward and Northward Eastward and Westward signifying the Redemption and Salvation of all the Elect by Christ Jesus from the South North East and West Parts of the World called the four Winds of Heaven Luke 13. 29. Q. What other Type in the Old Testament signified our Redemption by the Death of Christ our high Priest A. The Release of the Man-slayer out of the City of Refuge by the Death of the high Priest so that he had liberty to return to his ancient Inheritance Q. What did the year of Jubilee that was each fiftieth year signifie wherein they had their former Inheritances restored after they were sold A. Our Restoration by Christ who came in the fiftieth Generation from the Flood of Noah which was as a beginning of the new World for from Arphaxad who was the first that was born after the Flood to Abraham are eight Generations and from Abraham to Christ forty two Generations making in all fifty Generations Gen. 11. 12. Matth. 1. 17. Beside what Mystery lyeth hid in the number Fifty Q. Is it not a great Error in them who say that Christ 's Body evanished or was changed in Substance and did not ascend but another Body in its place and stead A. Yea. Q. What is the hurt and evil Consequence of that Error A. It overturns not only all the Ground of the Hope of the Resurrection of our Bodies but of our whole Salvation for it Christ be not risen they that are sallen asleep in Christ are perished and all their Faith is vain and Preaching vain and all Men are yet