sinnes by free pardon and forgivenesse of them all and whereby also they are accepted as righteous in Gods sight by the merit of Christs righteousnes both of his life death imputed unto them Mat 9.2 Rom 3.25 4.6 7. 2 Pet. 1.1 2. Reconciliation whereby sinners being freed from Gods anger and displeasure justly incurred and provoked by their sinnes they are againe received into his love favour and friendship Matth 3.17 Col 1.21 3. Adoption whereby of the children of disobedâ—ence of wrath and of the Divell which they were in Adam and by their sinnes Ephes 2.2 5.6 Ioh 8.44 they are made the children of God and heires of the Kingdome of heaven Gal 4.4 5.6 Eph 1.4 5 6. P. What degree of salvation doe the faithfull attaine at the end of this life M. It is this First and generally they depart in peace Luke 2.29 for their soules are parted from their bodies in Gods favour they are carried to heaven Luk 16.22 and received thither Acts 7.50 They dye in Christ 1 Thess 4.16 they sleepe in Iesus verse 24 they dye in the Lord Revel 14.13 they dye the death of the righteous Num 23.10 they depart to the Father Iohn 13 1. As soone as they are departed this life their soules are with Christ in Paradise which is Christs Kingdome Luke 23.42.43 even when their bodies are unburied or lye in the grave and therefore this salvation is called the salvation of the soule 1 Pet 1.9 Heb 10.39 for the spirits of just and perfect men are in heaven Hebr 12.25 And well may the faithfull depart in peace when they dye seeing when they lived they were justified by faith and had peace with God Rom. 5.1 Good cause have they if they forget not to consider it not to feare to dye seeing they know that the sting of their death is taken away 1 Cor 15.55 by Christ who through his death hath overcome him that had the power of death that is the Divell Hebr 2.14 and seeing they are perswaded that death shall not separate them from the love of God which is in Christ Iesus Rom 8.38 39. Secondly and more specially 1. The bodies of the faithfull at the end of this life are at rest from their labours paines and diseases and are free from sense of all miseries and vexations Revel 14.13 Isai 56.1 2. 2. Their soules are wholly freed from originall and naturall corruption for the flesh which was therein while they lived is wholly killed destroyed For they are carryed into heaven Luk 16 22. into which no uncleane thing can enter Revel 21 27. 1 Cor 15.50 P. And what degrees of salvation doe the faithfull attaine unto at the end of the world M. It consists of 2 branches whereof the first concernes the body the second belongs to the soule and bodie too P. What happines receives the body at the end of the world M. It is this Of a naturall dead weake corruptible and mortall body which it was when it was alive in the world and lay in the grave it is raised a spiritual living strong incorruptible and immortall body and being raised from death to life it is restored to its former being and shape complexion and proportion yet without any defect or blemish in a most comely manner for it is a glorified body 1 Cor 15.42 to 46. P. Yea but it seemes to naturall reason an impossible thing for a dead body to rise and live againe M. True but Christians know by the light of the holy Scriptures that the dead body shall rise from death to life not by any power in it selfe or by the meanes of any naturall cause but by a supernaturall even the power of God Matth 22.29 Iosh 22.1 Thess 4.16 P. How may I bee drawne better to beleeve the Resurrection from the dead M. By these seaven Reasons 1 The testimony of Christ who sayd that all that are in the graves shall heare Christs voyce and come forth unto the Resurrection Iohn 5 28 29. 2 The promise of it made by God unto the Patriarks Act 26 6 7 8. 3 The faith hope of Gods children who in all ages beleeved it hoped and lookt for it Acts 23 6 24 15. Iohn 11 24. 4 The practise of many Heathen who in hope of the Resurrection washed the dead bodyes of their freinds departed before they buryed them 1 Cor 15 29. Acts 9 36. 5 The proofe and experience of many recorded in the Scriptures who have risen from death to life Mat. 27 52 53. Ioh. 11 35. 6 The appoynting of a day of iudgment at the second comming of Christ Act 17.30 31 32. Ioh 5 28 29. Dan 12.2 7 The Resurrection of Christ himselfe from death to life to be the first fruits of them that sleepe 1 Cor 15 20. 1 Thes 4 14. 1 Pet 1.3 For the gathering in of the first ripe fruites doe giue hope to the husbandman of ripening gathering in of the rest afterwards P. Indeed these Reasons cleerely and unanswerably doe prove that the dead shall rise againe and that there shall bee a Resurrection from the dead But you sayd it was a branch of happines unto the faithfull that their bodyes rose from death to life how may this bee prooved M. This also may be sufficiently proved out of the Scripture and that by these 7 reasons also 1 Because it is said that they are counted worthy of the Resurrection Luke 20 35. Therefore the Resurrection is a favour consequently a branch of happinesse unto them 2 Because they are called the children of the Resurrection Luk 20 36. and they are so called as in other respects so in this because they rise Gods children as they lived and dyed are in his favor which is a great happinesse 3. Because they are said to be equall to the Angels when they are raised Luke 20.36 and the Angels are happy for nothing but happinesse can befall them 4. Because the Apostle saith that if the faithfull did not rise they were of all men most miserable 1 Cor 15.19 therefore because they doe rise againe they are happy 5. Because when they are raised from death to life they are called blessed for Christ will call unto them and say Come ye blessed of my Father Matth 25.34 6. The resurrection from the dead is a degree of happinesse because as it hath beene said before the naturalnesse weaknes corruption and morrality of the body is abolished and destroyed and by the resurrection it is made a spirituall strong incorruptible and immortall body yea it is raised a glorified body to be made fit to enter into and enjoy the glory of heaven 1 Cor 15.41.50 7. And lastly the resurrection of the body from death to life is a degree of happines because the assured expectation of it did work in the faithfull both more grace and also more peace and comfort in their consciences Acts 24.15 16. Psal 16.9 1 Thess 4.17 P. Sir I cannot
of the law Rom. 3.20 4.11 2. They must also beleeve the Gospell that is consent in their opinion judgement that there is salvation to be had and that this is a truth of God that it is possible for men to get salvation and this is wrought by the Gospell Marke 1.15 Acts 4.4 3. They must heartily be sorry for their past sinnes and unfeinedly purpose to leave them which is Repentance begun in the roote Matth 21.32 4. They must hunger and earnestly desire to be saved Matth 5.6 Isay 55.1 5. They must consult what to doe and enquire further into and after the way and the meanes of salvation with a minde to follow those directions accordingly Act. 2.37 16.30 And these three last actions are wrought by the Law and Gospell whereby they are both drawne and driven to seeke and get salvation P What be the actions of men which give them title and interest unto salvation to claime and receive it of God M. Actions that gâ—ue title to claime and receiue saluation They are beleeving or trusting in Iesus Christ Rom 10 9. Eph. 1 13. whereby weary and heavy laden sinners come to Christ for salvation Math 11 28. Iohn 6 35 and rest onely upon the merits of the righteousnes of his life and death for salvation in all the severall degrees thereof For by this faith they get and lay hold upon the Saviour himselfe even the Lord Iesus Christ and are engrasfed and united to him Rom 11 19.20 for by faith Christ is in true beleevers 2 Cor 13 5. he liues in them Gal 2 20 and dwells in them Eph. 3.17 P. What reasons may be brought from the Scripture to prooue this which you say concerning the action of beleeving in Christ M. These 1 Beleeving in Christ is the action appointed by God to be performed by man for receiving salvation because it is requyred of him as the condition to obtaine forgivenes of sinnes Act 10 43. reconciliation and peace with God Rom 5 1. 3 25. justification Act 13 29. adoption Iohn 1.12 blessednes Gal. 3 9 eternall life Iohn 3 16. ease from the burden of sinne Matth 11 28. quenching all Satans fiery darts Eph 6 16. not being confounded of our sinnes Rom. 10.11 and of pleasing God Heb. 11.6 2 Beleeving in Christ is the action requyred by God to be performed on mans part for receiving salvation because by this meanes salvation comes to him by the free grace and mercy loue favour of God Rom 4 16. Eph 2 8. 3 Beleeving in Christ is the action and condition required on mans part for obtaining salvation because hereby the promise of salvation will be sure to the faithfull Rom 4.16 which by the action of obeying the Law it could not bee because hee could not performe it Acts 13.39 Rom 8.3 4. Beleeving in Christ is the action and condition required to be performed by man for the getting of salvation because it makes a man renounce his own righteousnesse and to goe out of himselfe to another for it namely to Iesus Christ to be saved by his righteousnesse Matth 11.28 Ioh 6.35 Phil 3.9 Gal 2.19 P. What are the actions which Christians must performe to make their salvation sure unto themselves M. They are divers Actions that assure saluation for they concerne either 1. God or 2. our brethren or 3. our selves P. What actions concerne God M. They are such as belong either 1. to God the Father or 2. to God the Sonne or 3. to God the holy Ghost P. What actions belong to God the Father M. They are three principally 1. Fearing to offend God and caring to please him 1 Pet. 1.17 1 Cor 7.32 For unto such and for their comfort is the word of salvation sent Acts 13.26 and such may worke out their salvation that is the assuming not the procuring of it unto themselves Phil 2.12 And no marvell seeing Gods mercy is on them that feare him for ever Luke 1.50 Such know that they are redeemed with the precious blood of Christ 1 Pet 1.17 18 and such are blessed Psal 128.1 2. Loving God and setting our hearts and delight upon him for such may know that they are of the truth and shall assure their hearts before him 1 Iohn 3.18 19 And that they may have boldnesse in the day of judgement 1 Iohn 4.16 17. And no marvell seeing their love to God will assure them that they are borne of God 1 Iohn 4.7 that they dwell in God and God in them 1 Iohn 4.19 that they are knowne and acknowledged and approoved of God The first to the Corinthians the 8 chapter 3 verse that all things shall worke to their good that is to the furtherance of their sanctification and salvation Rom. 8.28 And that the crowne of life eternall and the Inheritance of the kingdome of heaven is promised to such as love God Iam 1.12 2.5 3. Christians must hope in God that is assuredly expect looke for yea patiently abide and waite for the accomplishment of all Gods promises specially that of the resurrection of the body and of eternall life for they are saved by hope Rom. 8.24 And Hope is a helmet of salvation to them 1 Thess 5.8 And an anker to the soule both sure and stedfast and which entreth into heaven whither the forerunner is for us entred even Iesus Heb 6.19 20. And no marvell seeing their hope will not deceive nor make them ashamed Rom 5.5 Because into the hearts of such as hope in God the love of God is shed abroad by the holy Ghost Rom 5.5 And they rejoyce in the hope of the glory of God Rom 5.3 P. What actions of Christians concerne Iesus Christ that will assure them of their salvation M. They are these two principally 1. They must obey him in all his Evangelicall precepts and commandements which belong to the hearing and beleeving of the Gospell preached and to the administring and receiving the Sacraments in remembrance of him Matth 28.20 Marke 1.15 Luke 10.16 Matth. 26.26 27. 1 Cor 11.24 25. For unto such as obey him herein Iesus Christ is become author of eternall salvation Heb 5.9 no marvell seeing they are blessed of God Luk 11.28 Revel 1.3 they are of God that is chosen beloved of him Iohn 8 4.7 and they are the sheepe of Christ to whome hee will give eternall life Iohn 10 27.28 2 They must love long for looke and waite for the second appearing or coming of Christ For such beleeve that there is layd up for them a crowne of righteousnes which the Lord the righteous judge shall give them at that day 2 Tim. 4.8 Titus 2.13.14 Such the Lord Christ will deliver from the wrath to come 1 Thess 1.10 and to such he will appeare the second time unto salvation Hebr. 9.28 P. What actions of Christians concerne the holy Spirit that will assure them of salvation M. These Not to resist or vexe the holy Spirit Act 7
which it reproves or doe the duties which it commands or be refreshed with the comforts it affords or bee terrified from sinne with the threatnings of it P. What are the severall parts of the word that we must performe duties vnto when they are preached M. They are foure chiesly 1. the commandements of the word 2. the promises 3. the threatnings 4. the good examples of the godly doings and sufferings of godly persons recorded in it P. What are the Commandements of the word M. The commandements of the word The commandements of God are those parts thereof which binde and enjoyn the doing of good actions and which forbid the committing of evill actions in thought word and deede P. And what duties of service to God doe properly concerne the commandements of the word preached M. These three 1. Obedience in doing the good actions commanded and in leaving undone and forbearing to doe the evill actions forbidden Rom. 2.13 Ioh. 13.17 Matth. 7.24 and that for conscience sake Genes 39.9 Iam. 2.11 and constantly Rom. 2.7 Gal. 3.10 2. Vsing al good means whereby wee may be furthered in our obedience Psal 119.10.11 3. Refraining all means occasions and opportunities whereby wee may be hindered in our obedience Psal 119.101 P. What are the promises of the word The promises of the word M. Gods promises are those parts of the word wherein God covenants with his people to bestow upon them upon their faith and repentance the things of this life that may be good for them and of the life to come 1 Tim. 4.8 Psal 34.10 P. And what duties doe properly belong to the promises of the word preached M. These foure 1. Faith whereby wee beleeve the truth of them and trust in Gods power goodnesse and faithfulnes for the performance of them 2 Tim. 1.12 2. Hope in God assuredly to looke for the performance of them Psal 119.81 42.5 3. Ioy or rejoycing in the good things promised and hoped for Psal 119.162 4. Patience to waite Gods leisure till we be made partakers of them without limiting God the time or meanes Heb. 10.36 6.12 Rom. 8.25 Psal 130.6 123.2 Isay 28.16 P. What are the threatnings of the word M. Gods threatnings are parts of his word The threatnings of the word wherein God denounceth to bring vpon sinners for their infidelity and impenitency temporall spirituall and eternall judgements P. And what duties of service to God doe properly concerne these threatnings M. These two 1. Trembling and astonishment at the very hearing of them Ier. 36.16.24 2. Feare to sinne against God lest the evills threatned in them doe come vpon vs Revel 18.4 P. What are the examples of the word M. Certaine presidents The examples of the word and particular patternes of the faith obedience and patience of Gods servants and children recorded in the Bible P. And what duties properly concerne these holy examples M. These two 1. An honourable memoriall of them and of their good name seeing God was glorified by them Matth. 28.13 5.16 2. A sincere purpose and endeavor to imitate and follow their patternes in the practise of the like duties Luke 10.37 Heb. 6.12 P. Sir I thanke you for your labours touching my service to God in respect of the first religious exercise and part of Gods publike service I pray you goe on now with the second which is the receiving of the Sacraments and first tell me what the receiving of the Sacraments is M. Receiving the Sacraments Duties in respect of receiving the Sacraments is a part of Gods worship wherein by taking certaine creatures and using certaine actions about them appointed by God and by setting them apart by the word and prayer from common and civill use to a sacred use there is thereby signified and remembred Christ his death and also the benefits and merits thereof are sealed and assured to all true beleevers 1 Cor. 11.28 Rom. 4.11 6.2 3. P. How many be there of these Sacraments that are to be received M. Two 1. Baptisme 2. the Lords Supper P. What duties of obedience and service to God belong to the receiving of these Sacraments M. They be of two sorts 1. Some which be common to the receiving of both the Sacraments Some that bee proper to each of them P. What be the duties that be common to the receiving of both the Sacraments M. These two 1. In respect of our bodies wee must looke vpon the creatures and actions about them appointed by God to be used in the administring of them for the remembring of Christ and for the setting forth of his death and wee must permit the Minister to administer vnto us those creatures and actions to this end and also receive them from him when they are administred to vs by him Act. 8.38 Mark 16.16 Ezra 6.21 2. In respect of our soules 1. wee must meditate on the nature and parts use and end benefit and comfort of the Sacraments 2. We must remember with thankfulnesse the death and blood-shedding of Christ shewed and set forth therein 3. Wee must by faith apply to our selves the merits of Christs bloody death to the washing away of our sinnes and to the nourishing of our souls in the life of grace to the life of glory 1 Cor. 10.16 P. What duties to God are proper to the receiving of the Sacrament of Baptisme M. These two 1. Duties in respect of praying to God Desire and endeavour by prayer and examination to finde in our selves the efficacie and benefit thereof to the cleansing of vs from the power and punishment of our sins Rom. 6.3 4.2 Conscience to doe what wee have professed and to performe what wee have promised when wee were baptized namely to renounce the service of sinne and to continue Gods faithfull servants For hereby we shall manifest to our selves and others that our soules are inwardly and spiritually baptized with Christs blood and Spirit as well as our bodies are outwardly by the water and Minister Ioh. 3.5 1 Pet. 3.20 21. P. And what duties are proper to the receiving of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper M. The duties proper to that Sacrament have beene as you know plainely and largely delivered by me in a Booke called Spirituall exercise to procure a good appetite unto and a good digestion of the Lords Supper to which I referre you for more particular instruction P. Sir I blesse God for these your directions touching the receiving of the Sacraments which is the second religious exercise of Gods publike service I pray you proceede to the third which is Prayer and therein first tell mee what it is M. Praying to God is a part of his publike service wherein we call vpon him and beg of him either the bestowing of good things upon us or the removing of hurtfull things from us Psal 50.15 P. What duties of service concerne prayer to God M. They are of three kindes for they belong either 1. to the matter of
deny but these reasons doe prove the point most cleerely but one thing there is that I am not as yet resolved of namely I would faine learne how the resurrection from the dead should be a happines to the faithfull more than to the wicked and unfaithfull for all both good and bad arise M. It cannot be denied but all both good and bad just and unjust must arise from death to life Iohn 5.28 Acts 24.15 but though this be true yet there is a great difference in their rising and this difference shewes the happinesse of the one and the unhappinesse of the other P. Wherein I pray you is the difference betwixt the resurrection of the godly and of the wicked M. It appeares specially in three things 1. All arise not the same manner of persons for some rise just and godly as they lived and dyed Luke 14.14 yea they rise Gods children Luke 22.36 but others rise unjust unrighteous and wicked as they lived and dyed Acts 24 15. 2. All arise not by the same meanes for the godly arise by Christs mediation and resurrection as his members 1 Thess 4.14 1 Pet 1.3 4. 2 Cor 4.14 But the wicked arise from death to life onely by Gods power and as his creatures 3. All arise not to the same end for the godly arise to the resurrection of life and eternall blessednesse Ioh 5.29 Matth 25.32.34 To shine as the brightnesse of the firmament and as the starres for ever and ever Dan. 12.2 Whereas the ungodly arise to the resurrection of condemnation Iohn 5.29 and to shame and everlasting contempt Dan 12.2 Some also have thought that there is a fourth difference betweene the resurrection of the just and unjust namely that the dead in Christ shall arise before them that have dyed out of him and for that they alledge a place in S. Paul 1 Thess 4.16 But I answer though it be not a thing improbable that the godly shall arise before the wicked yet doe I not thinke that that place proves it because that place speakes not of an order betwixt the rising of the godly and wicked but of an order betwixt the dead in Christ and the living in Christ at his second comming and that order is that the dead in Christ shall not prevent or goe before unto heaven and happinesse the living or them that shall be alive at Christs second comming P. But I pray you forget not that degree of happinesse whereof both the soules and bodies of the godly partake at the end of the world M. This happinesse hath 6 branches 1. Both soule and body shall bee joyned together even the very same Iob 19.25 26. 2. They shall bee freed from ever dying any more Luke 20.36 3. They shall be perfectly sanctified with that measure of grace whereof a creature can be capable for the fitting of him to enjoy the heavenly glory 1 Cor 15.49 4. Being sanctified they shall be translated and received into the kingdome of heaven Matth 25.34 5. Being translated they shall partake of glory with God and Christ Iohn 17.24 6. Partaking of heavenly glory they shall enjoy it for ever 1 Thes 4.17 P. These indeede are excellent degrees of happinesse the Lord fit us to partake of them but I pray you remember to shew mee the third generall point necessary to be knowne in the doctrine of salvation which was the meanes whereby it is effected and brought to passe in the severall degrees thereof M. I will The means whereby saluation is effected by the grace of God These meanes are certaine actions of God P. What are the actions wrought by God that bring to passe mans salvation M. They are actions that properly belong to the severall Persons of the sacred Trinity namely 1. God the Father 2. God the Sonne and 3. God the Holy Ghost P. What were the actions of God the Father whereby mans salvation was effected M. Twofold 1. In respect of Christ his appointing and sending him into the world to save it Iohn 3.16 and his setting him in the office of his Mediatorship Ioh. 6.28 Matth 3.17 2. And in respect of the faithfull his justifying of them his being reconciled unto them and his adopting of them to be his children and heires of heaven whereof you have heard before in the degrees of salvation P. What were the actions of God the Sonne which hee did to bring to passe our salvation M. They were those whereby hee merited and procured that the Elect should be surely brought into Gods favour againe and safely carried to heaven for he is called the Authour of our salvation Hebr 5.9 and the Captaâ—ne of our salvation Hehr 2.10 And hee is called a Saviour and our Saviour 23 times in the New Testament And these actions of Christ concerned either 1 his conception and birth or 2. his life or 3. his death or 4. his resurrection or 5. ascension or 6. his sitting on Gods right hand P. What was Christs conception and birth and the merit of them to our salvation M. Christs conception and birth was his incarnation whereby he tooke into the unity of his Person being the Sonne of God the man then in framing in the wombe of the Virgin Mary By this being a great abasing to him Phil 2.6 7. Hebr 2.14 he merited and procured that our originall sinne wherein we were conceived and borne of our parents should be pardoned and purged Psal 51.3 P. What were the actions of Christs life whereby hee wrought our salvation M. They were these principally 1. In his life hee was just righteous 1 Pet. 3.18 for hee knew no sinne experimentally 2 Cor. 5.21 But was holy and separate from sinners Hebr 7.26 Hee was Gods righteous servant Isay 53.11 He was made unto us righteousnesse 1 Cor 1.30 That by the imputatioÌ„ of the merit thereof to all true beleevers their imperfect righteousnes might be covered and they therein accepted and presented as faultlesse Iude verse 24 holy and without blame Eph 5.25 Yea that hee might establish them unblameable in holines before God 1 Thess 3 13. 2. In his life Christ made many heavenly prayers to God his Father for his Elect and by them Christ merited that their faith might not faile Luke 22.32 nor they fall from grace but be brought safe to glory in heaven Ioh. 17.11.24 3. In the life of Christ 1. hee endured much poverty Mat 8.20 having not a house to put his head in of his owne though he were Lord of all Acts 10.36 2. Hee was much shamed and disgraced being reviled and rayled upon Mat 27.30 And 3. he was put to much paine being buffeted and scourged Matth 27.26 Ioh 19.1 Matth 26.6 7. But Christ merited and procured for us hereby that by his povertie we might be made rich 2 Cor 8.9 that by his disgrace wee might be honoured with this prerogative of being Gods children Iohn 1.12 that by his stripes we might be healed 1 Pet 2.24 And that all our afflictions might
them that their faith might faile Luke 22.32 And lastly that they are subject to many afflictions and persecutions which make many fall away Matth 13.21 Luke 8.13 4. That God doth not thinke it best to leave every man to himselfe to keepe himselfe and to the use and choice of his owne freewill to persevere in grace and faith or to fall from it shall bee prooved by two Reasons P. Which is the first M. If man were left by God to the use and choise of his owne free will to keepe himselfe and to persevere in grace or fall from it then would these two great mischiefes follow thereupon 1. that then not God but man himselfe should make the difference betwixt him that perseveres and him that fals away But this is denyed by Paul who saith It is not in him that willeth nor in him that runneth but in God that shewes mercie Rom 9.16 And againe Who maketh thee to differ from another and what hast thou that thou hast not received 1 Cor 4.7 2. This mischief will follow thereupon also that not God but man himselfe must have the chiefe praise of his owne salvation Indeed God might have some thankes 1. for appointing and sending a Saviour into the world 2. for offering grace and salvation to man by him and 3. for moving him by his Spirit to beleeve in Christ that hee may be saved But that hee doth indeede actually consent to the motion of grace and receive it doth indeed beleeve in Christ and actually persevere in grace so as to be saved in the event this proceedes from himselfe meerely and onely from the good use and choise of his own freewill when God left him to himselfe to beleeve or not beleeve and to persevere or not persevere and therefore himselfe must have the chiefe praise of his being saved and not God who of right is to have all the glory of the beginning proceeding and accomplishing of the worke of our salvation P. I pray you giue me also the second reason why God thinks it not best to leave every man to himselfe to persevere or fall from grace M. If every man were a like left to himselfe and to the use choice of his owne free-will to persevere or not persevere and none were actually kept unto salvation nor effectually caused by the holy Spirit to persevere in grace to the end so that in the event they might certainly be saved then were it uncertayne whether any man should in the event be saved or no for it is uncertaine in respect of the event whether any man should persevere in the faith or no because it is uncerteine whether any man shold well use his freewill to persevere or no and if it were uncertaine whether any mā shold be saved or no in the event then were it uncertaine whether the blood of Christ shedd on the Crosse for mans salvation should bee spilt in vayne or no. For salvation is purchased by Christs bloud onely Act. 20.28 without it there is no remission Heb. 9.14.22 And they onely that persevere in the faith shall be saved Mat 10.22 Reve 2.10 and therefore the Regenerate are preserved in the state of grace by the holy Spirit to the end that Christ may not die in vayne nor the salvation of the Regenerate be uncertaine nor the chiefe prayse of their salvation redound to themselves but to God onely and wholly P. Sir I thanke you I am fully satisfied in this poynt you haue sayd enough touching the first point of seeking to be saved which was seeking to know the chiefe points of the doctrine of salvation The last branch whereof was the meanes whereby mans salvation is effected I pray you now proceede to the second point Seeking to be affected with saluation which is seeking to be affected with salvation M. That you may be moved to desire to be saved and to affect it you must consider these foure things chiefly 1. the possibility of attaining it 2. the necessity of getting it 3. the excellency of it when it is had and enjoyed and 4. the certainty of holding it when wee have it P. How may it be proved that it is possible for us to bee saved if wee seeke it M. By these reasons 1. Because it is revealed offered and promised in the Gospell Luke 1.77 12.31 32. Iohn 3.16 Acts 10.23 Rom 10.10 2. Because it is merited and procured by Iesus Christ who hath done and suffered all things needfull for the purchasing of it Eph 1.14 Acts 20.28 1 Pet 1.18 19. 1 Cor 6.20 3. Because salvation is already possessed and enjoyed by infinite millions of Christians who have sought and obtained it Hebr 11.3.5 12.1 Luke 23.42 43. Matth 11.12 P. How may the necessity of salvation appeare M. By these three reasons also 1. By the commandement of God which bids us seeke it and by the threatning of the word which denounceth judgement to them that neglect to seeke it wherof you have heard more particularly before 2. By the words of our Saviour who speaking of taking the present opportunity of hearing himselfe preach the Gospell of salvation saith One thing is necessary Luke 10.42 3. By considering and laying to heart the miserable estate of not being saved 1 Cor 15.18 19. For it had beene better for them they had never beene borne Matth 26.24 And no marvell seeing the Lord will one day pronounce that direfull sentence Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Divell and his Angels Matth 25.41 P. How may the excellency of salvation bee shewed M. By these foure things 1. The excellency of Gods love and free grace which is the foundation of it and which moved God to appoint and provide it 1 Iohn 3.1 Ephes 3.18 19. Tit. 2.8 2. The excellencie of the price by which it was purchased and procured for us namely Christ himselfe Gal 1.4 Eph 1.24 His life 1 Iohn 3.16 Rom 3.10 His blood Acts 20.28 1 Pet 1.23 His death Hebr 2.10 Yea a cursed death on the Crosse Phil 2.8 Gal. 3.13 3. The excellency of the nature and parts degrees and priviledges benefits and comforts of our salvation wherof you have heard at large before in the two first points 4. The excellency of the persons that in the event are to bee made partakers of it namely the Elect and the beloved of the Lord 2 Tim 2.10 Tit 1.1 To whom the very Elect Angels are ministring spirits to attend upon them Hebr. 1.14 P. I pray you how may the certaintie of salvation be proved M. By three things 1 The Decree and purpose of God to save true beleevers in Christ Eph 1.5.9 which standeth sure 2 Tim 2.19 and cannot be changed because with God there is no variablenesse neither shadow of turning Iam 1 17. 2 The prom se covenant and oath of God to save them that are in Christ Luke 1.72.73 all which are immutable Heb 6.17 3 The power and goodnes righteousnes