that they become a Psal 21.6 blessings vnto others Q. What is the fourth A. b Ps 31.20 37.19 Immunitie from outward euils as punishments of sinne which yet if as trials and chastisements God inflict vpon them they are assured to finde c Esay 27 7 mercy and mitigation in the hand correcting d 1. Cor. 10.13 2. Cor. 12.9 strength to beare what is laid vpon them the speciall prouidence of God causing all things to e Rom. 8.28 worke together for the best vnto them and finally a f 1. Cor. 10.13 Psal 149.4 glorious issue out of all troubles in due time Q. What is the fift prerogatiue A. Dignitie and praeeminence in that the faithfull haue g Gen. 9.26 27. Pro. 14.19 Psal 105 14 15. dominion and vpperhand ouer the wicked their enemies are h Mar. 6.20 Act. 5.13 honorable in the eyes and hearts of men though not ioyning with them in profession Q. What â—nsueth here vpon to make vs outwardly blessed A. i Pro. 10.22 Ioy without mixture of sorrow in prosperitie and in affliction abundant * 2 Cor. 1.5 consolation SECT XXII Of Glorification begunne in our nature viz. Sanctification Q. HOw are we made holy in our nature A. By the grace of Sanctification which is the * Tit. 3.5 renewing of our nature according to the a 2. Cor. 3.18 Ephes 4.24 image of God in righteousnesse true holinesse making vs after a sort b 2 Pet. 1.4 partakers of the godly nature Q. How farre forth and by whom is our nature in this life renewed A. This renewing is of our c 1. Thes 5.23 Rom. 12.2 whole nature spirit soule and bodie our vnderstanding being enlightened our will enfranchised and our outward man reformed but d Ioh. 13.10 not wholly in this life being the worke of e Ps 51.10 Ezek. 36.26 God not of our selues yet f Ezek. 18.31 required at our hands both to shew vs what wee ought to doe by the power of grace and to stirre vs vp to seeke by prayer and all holy endeuour to attaine vnto that supernaturall strength Q. By what meanes is this worke of God wrought in vs A. By the power and * Rom. 6.5 â— 2 Joh 15.3 Rom. 8.13 Act. 1â— 9 efficacie of the death and resurrection of Christ conueyed vnto vs by his word and Spirit which being apprehended by faith and setting faith on worke are auaileable vnto each part of our sanctification Q. What are the parts of Sanctification A. They are two according to the powerfull meanes whereby they are wrought Viz. 1. a Rom. 6.6 7. Mortification or dying vnto sinne and thereby freedome from the dominion thereof by the vertue of the death of Christ 2. b Ro. 6 4.11 Viuification or quickning vnto newnesse of life by the power of the resurrection of Christ in regard whereof it is also called our c Reu. 20.6 first resurrection Q. How doth Sanctification differ from the former grace of Iustification A. In many maine and materiall differences as 1. In the order not of time wherein they goe both a Rom. 8.30 together nor of knowledge and apprehension wherein this b 1. Cor. 6.11 latter hath precedence but of nature wherein the former is the c 2. Cor. 7.1 ground of this latter 2. In the subiect the righteousnesse whereby we are iustified being inherent in Christ for vs but this of sanctification d Rom 8.10 in our selues from him 3. In the cause our iustification being from the merite our sanctification from the e Ephes 1 19. c. 2.1 efficacie of the death and life of Christ 4. In the instrument faith which in iustification is onely as an hand receiuing in sanctification a f Act. 15.9 Gal. 5.6 co-working vertue 5. In the measure Iustification being in all beleeuers at all times alike but sanctification wrought g 2. Cor. 3.18 2. Pet. 3.18 differently and by degrees 6. In the end which beeing in both eternall life a Ro. 6.22.23 yet is the one among the causes of reigning the other only as the high way to the kingdome SECT XXIII Of the rule of Sanctification viz. the Law with the direction of the Gospell Q. VVHat is the rule square of our Sanctification A. The whole b Psal 119.9 word of God as containing that c Rom. 12.2 will of his which is d 1. Thes 4 3. c. euen our sanctification Q. What meane you by the whole word A. e Job 22.22 Ioh. 17.17 Both the Law and Gospell the old Testament and the new Q. Are wee not then deliuered from the law by the meanes of Christ A. From the f Gal. 3.10 11 12 13. burthen of the law exacting in our owne persons perfect obedience and from the curse of it due vnto disobedience wee are deliuered by Christ But from the Commandement as a a Jam. 2.8 rule of life we are not freed but contrariwise enclined and disposed by his b Psal 51.12 119 2 45 1. Ioh. 5.3 free spirit to the willing obedience thereof Thus to the regenerate the Law becometh as it were Gospel euen a c Jam. 1.25 2.12 law of libertie Q. How is the Gospell a rule of obedience being the rule of faith A. The Gospel * 1. Tim. 1.11 Eph 4.20 21 directeth the faithfull to the obedience of the Law only with difference 1. Of the manner the Law propounding God to bee worshipped of vs in himselfe as our Creator the d Ioh. 14.1 5.23 Gospel in Christ as our Sauiour 2. Of the end the Law requiring all duties as for the procurement of our owne saluation the Gospell in way of e 1. Thes 5.18 thankefulnesse for saluation in Christ alreadie bestowed 3. Of the effect the Law like Pharaoh that required bricke but allowed no strawe f Rom. 10.5 6. c. demanding obedience but vouchsafing no assistance supposing man as in the state of Creation but the Gospell both requireth and conferreth faith vnto the Elect and that not onely as a hand to lay hold on Christ but also as the chiefe vertue working by loue in all parts of obedience without which euen the Gospell is law that is a a 2. Cor. 3.6 killing letter as to the vnregenerate Q. Doth not the Gospell adde other precepts or counsels to those of the law A. Not any other in substance of action but onely reneweth enforceth b 1. Ioh. 2.7 8 those of the law and specifyeth some duties as of faith in the Messiah of the Sacraments c. which haue their generall ground from the law As for those that are propounded in forme of counsell and doe concerne things indifferent they are not c Reu. 3.18 therefore arbitrary courses of higher perfection much lesse meritorious of greater glory but as they are applied with due circumstances necessary precepts
according to his gracious promise who also in Christ will b Mat. 10 42. 25.35 2. Tim. 1.18 acknowledge and requite it at the last day 2. To c Jam. 1.27 seale the truth of our religion 3. To d Heb. 6.9 10 1. Joh. 3.14 1. Tim. 6.19 assure our saluation 4. To e Dan. 4.24 Luk. 19.8 make amends to men for former couetousnes and crueltie 5. To f Luk. 11.41 sanctifie our store and bring a g Deu. 25.10 blessing on our labours yea and vpon our h Psal 112.2 37.26 2. Tim. 1 1â— posteritie after vs. SECT XLIX Of the Prouidence of God concerning mankinde after this life and first of particular Judgement at the houre of Death Q. THus farre of Glorification begunne and of Redemption so farre as it is vouchsafed in this life now let vs come to entreat of perfect Redemption and Glorification and that vnder the prouidence or dealing of God with mankinde after this life How doth God then deale with men A. He bringeth them all to Iudgement Q. What is here meant by Iudgement A. The pronouncing and executing of the irreuocable sentence of Absolution or Condemnation which is done Partly on euery man in a Heb. 9.27 particular at the houre of death but Fully and b Act. 17.51 generally vpon all men at the second comming of Christ Q. Must all men then dye A. Yea c Psal 49.10 Eccles 2.16 all both good and bad saue that vnto some namely such as shall bee found aliue at the comming of Christ a change shall bee in stead of Death as shall be shewed Q. Death beeing the punishment of sinne how commeth it to passe that the righteous dye to whom all sinnes are forgiuen A. d Rom. 5.12 Death indeed came on all mankinde by reason of sinne but yet it is not in all things the same to the godly and to the wicked for howsoeuer vnto both it be the a 1. Cor. 15.26 Psal 90.3 enemie of nature as the end of naturall life yet 1. Vnto the godly it is a token of Gods b Ps 37.37 38 loue vnto the wicked of his c Job 18.13 14. anger 2. Vnto the godly it is a d Apoc. 14.13 rest from labour and miserie che e 1 Cor. 15.16 last enemie being now destroyed vnto the wicked it is the f Luk. 12 20 height of all worldly euils 3. Vnto the godly it is the g Rom 6.7 vtter abolishing of sinne and perfection of mortification vnto the wicked it is the conquest of sinne and accomplishment of their spirituall captiuitie 4. Vnto the godly it is so farre from being a separation from Christ that euen the body seuered from the soule and rotting in the graue is yet vnited vnto Christ and the soule freed from the bodie is h Luk. 23 43 Phil. 1.23 with him in Paradise vnto the wicked it is an vtter cutting off from the fauorable presence and patience of God 5. Vnto the a Luk. 16.22 godly it is the beginning of heauenly glorie vnto the b Ver. 23 wicked it is the entrance into hellish and end lesse torments Q. How are men iudged at the houre of death A. First c Heb. 9.27 in that God at that instant pronounceth and the conscience apprehendeth the sentence of blessing or cursing Secondly in that the soule of euerie man is immediately conueyed by the power of God and the ministerie of Angels into that state of happinesse or miscrie d Eccl. 11.3 Luk. 16.26 wherein it shall remaine till the resurrection and from thence-forth both soule and bodie for euer SECT L. Of the Generall and finall Iudgement and first of the preparation thereto Q. TO come to the full and finall Iudgement what are wee to vnderstand thereby A. The great day of Assise for the whole world wherein a Eccl. 12.14 all mens liues that euer haue beene are or shall bee beeing duely examined b 2. Cor. 5.10 euery one shall receiue according to his workes In which Iudgement we are to consider three things and first the preparation thereto Q. Wherein doth the preparation vnto the last Iudgement consist A. In fiue things whereof the First is the foretokening of the time thereof which though it be so c Act 1.7 sealed vp in the treasurie of Gods counsell that neither men nor Angels no nor yet our d Mat. 13.32 Sauior himselfe the Prophet of the Church as man in the daies of his flesh had expresse notice thereof that e 1. Thes 5.2 3 6 from the vncertaintie and suddennesse of it we might bee taught to bee alwaies in readinesse for it yet it hath pleased God and our Lord Iesus Christ to acquaint vs with some f Mat. 24.33 signes whereby wee may discerne of his approch g Ver. 32 as men in spring time may descry Summer approching by the shooting forth of the fig-tree Q. What are the signes fore-tokening the last Iudgement A. They are certaine notable a Mat. 24.6 c. changes in the world and Church some farther off some nearer vnto the comming of Christ as The b Mat. 24.14 publishing and receiuing of the Gospell throughout the world The c 1. Tim. 4.1 2. Thes 2.3 Apostasie of the most part of professors not louing the truth The d 1. Ioh. 2.18 2. Thes 2 3 4 8 c. reueiling of Antichrist the man of sinne and child of perdition who vnder the title of Christs vicegerent opposeth himself vnto Christ in all his offices and ordinances both in Church and Common-wealth Common e 2. Tim. 3.1 c. Mat. 24.12 37. 1. Thes 5.3 corruption in manners ioined with securitie as in the daies of Noah and Lot Warres and troubles in the f Mat. 24.6 world and g Ver. 9. Church h Mat. 24.24 False Christs attended with false Prophets and armed with false miracles The i Rom. 11.25 calling of the Iewes vnto the faith of the Gospell Finally a Mat. 24.29 Luk. 21.25 signes in heauen earth and all elements as the trembling of the earth the roaring of the sea the darkning of the Sunne and Moone c. yea the b 2. Pet. 3.7 10 12. firing of the whole frame of heauen and earth with the c Mat. 24.30 signe of the Sonne of Man whereby his comming shall then bee cleerely apprehended of all men Q. What is the second thing in the preparation vnto the last Iudgement A. The comming of Iesus Christ the d Act. 10.42 Iudge of the world who in his e Act. 1.11 humane f Reu. 1.7 visible body but yet with vnspeakeable glorie shall suddenly g Mat. 24.27 breake forth like lightening through the heauens riding on the h Reu. 1.7 Iud. ver 14 clouds enuironed with i 2. Thes 1.8 flaming fire attended with all the k Ver. 7. Mat. 25.31 host of the Elect Angels and
b Gen. 5.3 6.3 image of Adam the c Ephes 4.22 old man the d Joh. 3.6 flesh c. Viz. the e Rom. 5.12 state 1. Of sinne 2 By for sinne of death Q. What is Sinne A. A f 1. Ioh. 3.4 sweruing from the law of God making the sinner g Gen. 4.7 guiltie before God and liable to the curse of the law Q. How is mankinde in the state of sinne since the fall A. Euery one naturally descending from Adam besides the guilt of that first sinne committed in Paradise 1. Is a Psal 51.5 conceiued and borne in originall corruption 2. Liuing in this world sinneth also b Gen. 6.5 Esa 48.8 actually yea of himselfe c Jer 13.23 Mat. 7.18 can doe nothing but sinne d Tit. 1.15 neither is any thing pure vnto him Q. What is originall corruption A. It is the defacing of Gods image consisting chiefely in wisedome and holinesse and the impression of the contrarie e Ioh. 8.41 c. image of Satan called f Rom. 7.7 Jam. 1.14 Concupiscence consisting 1. In an vtter g Rom. 7.18 disabilitie and h 8.7 enmitie vnto that which is good 2. In i Rom. 7.14 pronenesse vnto all manner euill Q. In what part of our nature doth it abide A. In the whole man and euery part 1. k Eph. 4.17 18 19. Darkening or l Esay 44.20 misleading the vnderstanding 2 m T it 1 15 Ephes 4.19 Benumming or n Mar. 10.20 1. Cor. 8.7 abusing the conscience 3 a Rom. 7.23 Rom 6.10 Enthralling and b Ephes 4.18 hardening the will 4. c Iam. 4.1 Gal. 5.17 Iob 15.16 Disturbing and disordering the affections 5. Finally making the bodily sences and members Either 1. As d Mat 5.29 30 Porters to let in sinne or 2. As e Ro. 6.12 13 3.13 c. Instruments to execute it Q. Is the image of God then wholly defaced in man A. No. For he f Iam. 3.9 remaineth still a creature reasonable and capable of grace hauing the same parts and faculties he had before and in them some reliques of Gods image as in the vnderstanding g Joh. 1.9 some light in the conscience sometimes h Rom 2.15 right iudgement in the will i Rom. 2.14 some libertie to good and euill in naturall and ciuill actions and freedome in all things from compulsion c. Q. What is actuall sinne A. It is sinne committed k Rom. 5.14 after the manner of Adams transgression to wit a particular breach of Gods law leauing a a Ier. 13.23 staine in the soule which polluteth the sinner and disposeth him to further euill Q. How is such sinne committed A. Two wayes Viz. by 1. Omission of duety required 2. Commission of euill forbidden whether it be 1. Inwardly in the b Gen. 6.5 Mat. 15.19 vnderstanding will or affections or 2. Outwardly in c Esay 3 8. word or deed Q. By what degrees doe men proceed in the committing of actuall sinne A. d 2. Sam. 11.2 Temptation offered e Psal 7.14 Jam. 1.14.15 concupiscence taking liking conceiueth wherevpon ensueth the committing or birth of sinne by custome and continuance wherein the heart finally is f Heb. 3 13 hardened Q. What are the different kindes of actuall sinne A. They are many but wee may reduce them to these fiue Viz. 1. g Esay 6.5 Partaking with others sinnes 2. h Psal 19.12 Sinnes of ignorance or of an i 1. Cor. 8.7 erring conscience 3. a Rom. 7.19 Sinnes of knowledge through infirmitie 4. b Psal 19.13 50.21 Eccle. 8.11 Sinnes of Presumption and obstinacie 5. c Heb. 6.4.5 6 10.29 Mar. 3.29 30. The impardonable sinne against the holy Ghost Q. Doe all naturall men alike commit all these kindes of sinne A. No for though d Rom. 7.14 all are alike disposed vnto all manner euill hauing in their corrupt nature the seedes of euery sinne yet doth God for the good of humane societie restraine many from notorious crimes by e Ro. 13.3.4.5 feare of shame and punishment desire of honour and reward c. Q. How doth God employ men in this state of sinne A. 1. Hee guideth them partly by the f Ro 2.14.13 Joh. 1.9 light of nature and partly by g Esay 44.28 common graces of the Spirit vnto many actions profitable for humane societie and for the outward seruice of God 2. Hee h Act. 3.18 4 27.28 ouer-ruleth their euill and sinfull actions so that thereby they bring to passe nothing but what his hand and counsell had before determined for his owne glorie SECT IX Of the second Consequent of the Fall viz. Death and of the Leauing of Reprobates in this fearefull state Q. HOw is man by sinne in the state of death A. By the iust sentence of God deliuering him a Rom. 5.12 for sinne into the power both of corporall and eternall death signified by b Ge. 3.22 c expelling our parents out of Paradise and debarring them of the Sacramentall tree of Life Q. What are we to vnderstand by corporall death A. The c Gen. 3.19 Eccl. 12.7 separation of the soule and bodie with all euils that attend thereon or make way thereto as d Deut. 28.15 c. sorrow sicknesse shame seruitude penurie c. yea euen c Mal. 3.2 Psal 69.22 blessings are cursed and a Psal 69.22 prosperitie causeth ruine Q. What is eternall death A. It is the finall b 2. Thes 1.9 separation of the whole man in hell for euer from Gods fauourable presence and fellowship together with present c 2. Tim. 2.26 Ephes 2.2 bondage vnder Satan d Heb. 10 27 Esay 33.14 hellish horrors and such like fore-runners of damnation Q. By what law doth God proceede in this punishment A. By the law of workes first written in the heart of Adam and vttered to his eare in Paradise and since more solemnely published and fully expressed by Moses and the Prophets e Deu. 29. â—6 Rom. 1.31 3 20. for the discouerie of sinne and the punishment due thereto Q. How commeth it to passe that the reprobate abide without recouerie in this state of sinne and death A. Because f Act. 17.30 14.16 the Lord doth not grant vnto them the benefite of Redemption and grace of faith and repentance vnto life but suffereth them to runne on in sinne deseruedly vnto condemnation Q. How doth God suffer them so to runne into condemnation A. In a diuers manner Some reprobates dying infants Others of riper yeares of which later sort 1. Some are not called 2. Others called Q. How doth God deale with reprobates dying infants A. Being once conceiued they are in the a Rom. 5.14 state of death by reason of the sinne of Adam imputed and of originall corruption cleauing to their nature wherein also dying they
freed from all mixture of corruption doe in their kind perfectly obey God whom therfore we desire to imitate in the maner though wee know we cannot equall them in measure and degree of obedience Q. What doe wee then aske of God in this Petition A. Three things viz. 1. That all wils of wicked d Zech. 3.2 Angels and e Psal 140.8 men as contrary to the will of God may bee disappointed 2. That in vs f Psal 119.18 ignorance of the reueiled will of God g 1. Sam. 15.22 23. rebellion disobedience murmuring c. being remooued all pretences and dispensations or powers presuming to dispence with the wil of God disclaimed and our hearts by grace a Psal 119.32 set at large strengthened and b Vers 36. directed wee may both know and obey the will of our heauenly Father and Lord. 3 That for the manner of performance we may after the heauenly patterne aforementioned c Psal 110.3 willingly without constraint or repugnancy d Psal 119 60. speedilte without delay e Deut 5.28 29. sincerelie without hypocrisie f Psal 119.6 fully without reseruation g Vers 112. constantly without intermission beleeue the promises of mercie and obey the precepts of holinesse SECT XLIII Of the fourth Petition Q. THus farre of the three first petitions for things concerning God To come to the three latter concerning our selues What are we generally to note in them A. The order dependance they haue 1. From the former three concerning God for we are then allowed and a Luc. 17.7 c. not til then to seeke good things for our selues when wee haue first minded sought those things that concerne the glory of God because vnto b 1. Tim. 4.8 godlinesse only the promises of this life and that which is to come are entailed 2. Betweene themselues wherein is to be obserued First that we haue but one petition for outward things as lesse to be esteemed but for spirituall things two as about c Mat 6.33 which our care is to bee doubled Secondly that yet the first place is giuen to outward things not as chiefest but as d Gen. 28.20.21 helps to enable vs to spirituall duties and as steppes e Act. 17.27 28. whereby our weak faith may the better ascend to lay claime hold on spirituall graces Thirdly that according to the order obserued in the Creed called the Apostles we are taught to depend On the prouidence of God the Father our Creator for outward blessings On the mercy of Christ our Sauiour for the remission of our sinnes On the powerfull assistance of the holy Spirit our sanctifier for the resisting and subduing of al temptations vnto euill Lastly that in all these petitions vnder one thing expressed other things are figuratiuely included as shall appeare Q. To proceed in order What are the words of the fourth petition A. a Mat 6.11 Luke 11.3 Giue vs this day our dailie bread Q. What is the meaning of these words A. First by bread we must vnderstand b Pro. 27.27 31.14 all outward things seruing for our necessitie and sober delight as foode physicke sleepe raiment house c. together with the meanes thereof as peace seasonable weather and such like Secondly by daily bread or bread instātly necessary or such as is to be added to our substance we vnderstand such prouision and such a proportion thereof as may best a Pro. 30.8 agree with our nature charge and calling Thirdly by our bread we vnderstand b 2. Thes 3.12 such as commeth to vs by the blessing of God on our lawfull labours so that neither God nor man can iustly implead vs for it Fourthly when wee say giue we professe our selues c Luk. 17.10 Gen. 32.10 vnable by any seruice or labour to merit our bread much lesse our saluation at the hands of God but that our right vnto the creatures beeing forfeited in Adam wee haue nothing to plead but onely Gods deed of gift made vnto vs in Christ the second Adam and d Heb. 1.2 heire of all things e Rom. 8.32 in whom and with whom all things are conueyed to vs. Fiftly when we say giue vs wee professe our selues petitioners for all men especially the houshold of faith that for the most part euery one may haue sufficient and where want is a 2. Cor. 8.14 others may bee enabled to supply it out of their abundance Lastly when we say this day or for the day we professe the b Math. 6.34 moderation of our care and desire of earthly things with our purpose euery day by labour and prayer to seeke these blessings at the hands of God Q. What doe we then begge of God in this Petition A. Two things Viz. First bread c Iam. 4.3 Num. 11.4 5 6. not quailes or delicates not riches and superfluitie but a proportion of maintenance credit libertie c. d Pro. 30 8 1. Tim 6.8 conuenient for vs and that with condition e Jam. 4.15 2 Sam 7.27 if God shall see good which is a caution proper to this Petition for outward things Secondly faith and grace as well in f Phil. 4.12 want as in abundance to depend on the prouidence of God for outward things to bee g Heb. 13.5 contented with and thankefull for the portion which it shall please the Lord to a Psal 16.6 measure out vnto vs as his gift not enuying such to whom hee giueth more to b Ephes 4.28 labour with our hands the thing that is goo◠that wee may eate our owne bread to adde vnto our labor c 1. Tim. 4.4 5 prayer and thanksgiuing as whereby on our part all Gods blessings are assured and sanctified vnto vs Finally to d Phil. 4.6 Psal 37.5 containe our selues within the care for the meanes leauing euents vnto Gods only disposition SECT XLIIII Of the fift Petition Q. VVHat are the words of the fift Petition A. e Mat. 6.12 Luk. 11.4 And forgiue vs our debts as euen we forgiue our debtors where besides the petition is a reason added for confirmation thereof Q. What is the meaning of the words A. First by debts we must vnderstand sinnes as Saint Luke expoundeth the metaphor and that not in themselues as breaches of the Law of God for who would say that wee owe and are to pay sinne vnto God but with respect to the punishment and satisfaction due to Gods iustice for the offence of sinnes For our debt properly being a Rom. 8.12 13.8 Gal. 5.3 obedience whereto we were bound vnder penaltie of all the curses of the Law especially eternall death we all in Adam forfeited that bond whereby the b Luc. 13.4 Mat. 18.24 c. Rom. 6.23 penaltie became our debt and is daily encreased in vs all by sinning Secondly by forgiuenesse we vnderstand such remission as may agree with Gods iustice which will