Abraham his father Heb. 7.9.10 Q. Proue that mankinde is becomâ— most wretched and miserable A. The wretched and miserable estate of all mankinde may appeare by that lamentable outcry of the Apostle Romans 7.24 O wretched man that I am who shall deliuer me from the body of this death Q. Proue that all men are conceiued and borne in sinne A. It is euident by the confession of Dauid Psal. 51.5 Behold I was borne in iniquity and in sinne hath my mother conceiued me And it is said Ioh. 3.6 That which is borne of the flesh is flesh and that which is borne of the spirit is spirit Q. How then could Christ bee free from sinne seeing hee was true man A. Christ Iesus was true man descended of Adam as we are in all things like vnto vs but yet sin excepted For he was not a mâ—ere man but was also God and againe as he was man he was not so by naturall generation as we are but by the supernaturall worke and power of the holy Ghost was conceiued in the wombe of the virgin Mary Q. Proue that all men are corrupted with sinne A. It is written Rom. 3.9 That all both Iewes and Gentiles are vnder sinne 1 Kings 8.46 There is no man that sinneth not And 1 Ioh. 1.8 If we say we haue no sinne wee deceiue our selues and the truth is not in vs. And this corruption of sinne is nâ—t by example or by imitation only or meerely of some euill custome but by propagation and naturall generation all men being conceiued and borne in sinne as is shewed before Q. Proue that all are corrupted both in soule and body A. It is euident by the Apostles prayer 1 Thes. 5.23 The very God of peace sanctifie you throughout and I pray God that your whole spirit and soule and body may bee kept blamelesse vnto the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ. For what need he to pray for the sanctification of the whole man both soule and body if all and euery part were not corrupted Q. Proue that man by nature cannot perceiue any good thing A. The Apostle doth expresly auouch so much in 1 Cor. 2.14 That the naturall man perceiueth not the things of the spirit of God for they are foolishnesse vnto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned And 2 Cor. 4.4 he saith That the God of this world hath blinded the mindes of the infidels that the light of the glorious Gospell of Christ which is the image of God should not shine vnto them Q. Proue that man by nature cannot thinke a good thought A. It is written Gen. 6.5 God saw that the wickednesse of man was great in the earth and that euery imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only euill continually Therefore the Apostle taketh it for granted 2 Cor. 3.5 That we are not sufficient of our selues to thinke any thing as of our selues but our sufficiency is of God Q. Proue that man cannot will desire or effect any good thing by nature A. It is manifest in that it is said Rom. 8.7 That the wisdome of the flesh is enmity against God for it is not subiect to the law of God neither in deed can be Whereupon it is inferred verse 8. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God Therefore it is that the Apostle saith Phil. 2.13 It is God which worketh in you both to will and to doe of his good pleasure Q. Proue that man cannot by nature speake any good thing A. Saint Paul noteth so much speaking of all men in the corruption of nature Rom. 3.13.14 Their throat saith he is an open sepulchre with their tongues they haue vsed deceit the poyson of Aspes is vnder their lips Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitternesse Q. Proue that man cannot do any good thing by nature A. It is euident by that which we read in Psal. 14.1.2.3 where it is said They are corrupt they haue done abominable works there is none that doth good The Lord looked downe from heauen vpon the children of men to see if there were any that did vnderstand and seeke God They are all gone aside they are altogether become filthy there is none that doth good no not one Which texâ— the Apostle citeth Rom. 3.10 to proue that all men are vnder sinne Q. Proue that hereupon all men are subiect to sinne A. That all men are subiect iâ— sinne as very seruants or slaues is plainely proued by the Apostle Rom. 6.16.17 Know yee not that to whom yee yeeld your selues seruants to obey his seruants ye are to whom ye obey whether of sinne vnto death or of obedience vnto righteousnesse But God bee thanked that yee were the seruants 〈◊〉 sinne but yee haue obeyed from the heart that forme of doctrine which was deliuered you And our Sauiour saith Ioh 8.34 Whosoeuer committeth sinne is the seruant of sinne For as it is in 2 Pet. 2.19 Of whosoeuer a man is ouercome euen vnto the same is he in bâ—ndage Q. Proue that man is by naâ—ure coâ—rupted become subiect to Satan A. It is euident in that Satan is called Ephes. 2.2 The spirit that work thâ—in the children oâ— disobedience And 2 Tim. 2 26. it is said That they may recouer themselues out of the snare of the Deuill Who are taken captiue by him at his will Againe 2 Cor. 4.4 hee is called The God of this world that hath blinded the mindes of them which beleeue not Q. Proue that man is by nature subiect to the wrath of God A. The Apostle saith Ephes. 2.3 That wee all were by nature the children of wrath as well as others And Ioh. 3.36 it is said That he that beleeueth not the Sonne shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him Q. Proue that man is by sinne subiect to the curse of God A The curse was pronounced vpon Adams first sinne Gen. 3.17 It was repeated against the breach of the Law of God Deut. 28.15 Mal. 2.2 And is noted by the Apostle Gal. 3.10 Cursed is euery one that continueth not in all things which are written in the booke of the Law to doe them Vnder this burden of the curse vpon man for sinne euery creature is said to groane Rom. 8.22 Q. Proue that all men are subiect to death by reason of sinne A. So saith the Apostle Rom. 5.12 By one man sinne entred into the world and death by sinne and so death passed vpon all men for that all men haue sinned And Rom. 6.23 The wages of sinne is death Q. Proue that all men are subiect to eternall damnation for sinne A. It is manifest by that which is said 2 Thes. 1.8.9 That they that know not God and that obey not the Gospell of our Lord Iesus Christ shall be punished with euerlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his
the tree of the knowledge of good and euill thou shalt surely die And by the speciall sentence of bodily death Gen. 3.29 Dust thou art and vnto dust shalt thou returne So Ro. 5.12 it is said by one man sinne entred into the world and death by sinne And Ro. 6.23 The wages of sinne is death Q. Proue that the soule is of spirituall substance immortall in its selfe A. That the soule of manâ—s of spirituall substance immortall in its selfe by nature existing as well out of the body as in the body and giung life to the body it is euident both in the creation Gen. 2.7 where it is said That God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a liuing soule As also by the parting of soule and body in death Eccles. 12.7 Then shall the dust returne to the earth as it was and the spirit shall returne to God who gaue it Else Christ could not haue said of the Patriarchs deceased Matth. 22.32 God is not the God of the dead but of the liuing And Matth. 16.26 What shall it profit a man though hee should winne the whole world if hee lose his owne soule Q. Proue that man was made a most excellent creature aboue all others excepâ— the Angels A. That next to the Angels man excelled all other creatures in the world see Psal. 8.4.5 What is man that thou art mindfull of him or the sonne of man that thou visitest him for thou hast made him a little lower then the Angels and hast crowned him with glory and honour Q. Proue that man was created in the image of God A. That God made man in his own image and liknesse is specially noted in the creation more then onee as it is written Gen. 1.26 God said Let vs make man in our image after our likenesse And verse 27. So God created man in his owne image in the image of God created he him male and female created hee them Q. Proue that man had dominion and rule ouer all other creatures A. It is granted to man in his first creation Gen. 1.26.28 To haue dominion ouer the fish of the sea and ouer the fowle of the aire and ouer euery liuing thing that moueth vpon the earth And the grant is humbly acknowledged Psal. 8.6 Thou madest him to haue dominion ouer the workes of thy hands thou hast put all things vnder his feete K Of the image of God wherein man was created Q. Rehearse the Letter K A. KNowledge righteousnesse and true holinesse are the chiefe things wherein the image of God doth consist For otherwise the word of God would not call vpon vs to renew this image in Christ and without these graces man had not beene fit to rule the creatures nor yet himselfe Q. Proue that the image of God doth consist in knowledge A. The Apostle noteth so much Col. 3.9.10 where speaking of the Christians renewed estate iâ— Christ he saith Ye haue put of the old man with his deeds and haue put on the new man which is renewed in knowledge after the Image of him that created him Q. Proue that it doth also consist in righteousnesse and true holinesse A. That the image of God in man doth not onely consist in knowledge but also in iustice and in sanctity or holinesse may appeare by that of Saint Paul to the Ephesians 4.24 Put on the new man which after God is created in righteousnesse and true holinesse Q. How is man said to bee thus made in the image of God A. Man is said to bee thus made in the image of God not that he is the very stampe and representation of the Deity for the infinite and invisible God cannot be resembled in the person of a sinite creature but in respect of some kind of similitude or likenessâ— therefore when God said Let vs make man in our image it is added after or according to our likenesse the later words expounding the former For this is the peculiar priuiledge of Christ Iesus the eternall sonne of God who alone is so called 2 Cor 4.4 The image of God And Col. 1.15 The image of the inuisible God And Heb. 1.3 The brightnesse of his glory and the expresse image of his person because he is one and the same God eternall with his father Q. Doth the image of God consist onely in knowledge righteousnesse and holinesse A. Knowledge righteousnesse and true holinesse are the chiefe but not the onely image or resemblance of God in man for in that God made man ruler ouer all creatures in earth man doth therein represent the soueraignety of God who is Lord of all things Againe besides those gifts of true knowledge righteousnesse and holinesse God gaue vnto man diuers excellent representations of the deitie both in his soule and body Q. What other resemblances of God are there in the soule of man A. In the soule of man besides those heauenly graces of diuine knowledge righteousnesse and holinesse God gaue man excellent wisdome and vnderstanding whereby he did know the nature and property of all things as may appeare in that Adam was able to giue to euery creature a name according to the nature of it Gen. 2.19 where it is said That God brought them vnto Adam to see what he would call them and whatsouer Adam called euery liuing creature that was the name thereof Q. Is there any resemblance of God in the substance of mans soule A. The very essence and substance of mans soule doth in some respects beare the image or likenesse of God as namely in that the soule of man is a spirituall nature invisible and immortall Againe the soule being onely one is endned with diuers properties as vnderstanding memory will which after a sort doe shadow out and resemble the vnity of the Godhead and the trinity of persons Q. Is there any part of the image of God in the body of man A. The whole man both soule and body was made in the image of God as may appeare by these euidences First God saith Gen 1.26 Let vs make man not the soule onely or the body onely in our image Secondly sinne being the contrary to Gods image is seated not onely in the soule but also in the body Rom. 6.12 Thirdly the renewing of Gods image which is our sanctification is as well in the body as in the soule see Rom. 12.1 1 Thes. 5.23 Fourthly God forbidding murder doth vse this reason Gen. 9.6 For in the image of God hath hee made man Q. How is the image of God in the body of man A. The image of God is not said to be in the body as it is a body or in respect of the shape and parts or limbs for God is an infinite spirit incorporaell and inuisible but in these respects 1. As the body vnited to the soule in which the image of God doth chiefely
consist dâ—â—h constitute the whole man 2. As the body like a microcosme or little world doth expresse in euery part the wonderfull worke of the Creator 3. As those excellent graces of wisdome sanctity and iustice principally seated in the soule doe expresse themselues in the body and as Solomon speaketh Make the face to shine according as we see the light of a candle shine through the lanterne Q. Proue that the word of God doth call vpon vs to renew this image in Christ. A. That the word of doth call vpon vs to renew this image of God consisting in knowledge righteousnesse and holinesse and so consequently prouing that herein the image of God doth chiefely stand see Ephes. 4.22.23.24 where the Apostle saith by way of exhortation That yee put off concerning the former conuersation the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitfull lusts And be renewed in the spirit of your minde And that yee put on the new man which after God is created in righteousnesse and true holinesse Q. Proue that without these graces man was not fit to rule the creatures nor yet himselfe A. It is euident in that man hauing lost these graces is said to become like the very brute beast as it is Psal. 49.20 Man that is in honour and vnderstandeth not is like the beasts that perish L Of the fall of man and losse of Gods image by reason of Adams sinne Q. Rehearse the letter L A. LEarne that man hath lost that image of God wherein hee was created by the sinne of Adam the first man in eating the forbidden fruit For Adam hauing power not to sinne if he would being seduced by the woman and the woman by the serpent which is the Deuill did willingly yeeld to the temptation Q. Shew how and in what respect man hath lost the image of God A. Man hath lost the image of God not in respect of the substance of soule and body which doe yet remaine the same which essentially they were in their first creation nor in regard of the faculties of reason will and affection without which we were not men but brute creatures But the image of God which man hath chiefely lost is that conformiâ—y to the will of God consisting in the true knowleâ—ge of God in righteousnesse and holinesse Q. Proue that this heauenly knowledge righteousnesse and holinesse is the image which man hath lost A. It is manifest by that exhortation of the Apostle Ephes. 4.24 where we are exhorted to renew that image wherein man was created after God in righteousnesse and true holinesse Which exhortation were needlesse if man had not lost this image and if this were not the image of God which man hath lost Q. Proue that this image of God was lost by Adams sinne A. It is euident in that the Scripture speaking of Adam saith Rom. 5.12 That by one man sinne entred into the world And verse 18. By the offence of one the fault came on all men to condemnation And verse 19. By one mans disobedience many were made sinners Q. Proue that it was by eating the forbidden fruit A. It is apparant in the history partly by the charge which God gaue vnto Adam Gen 2.16.17 The Lord God commanded the man saying Thou shalt eat freely of euery tree of the garden But of the tree of knowledge of good and euill thou shalt not eate of it Partly by the threatning in the words immediatly following For in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt die the death Partly by the sentence of curse denounced against man after hee had sinned Gen. 3.17 Q. Proue that Adam had power not to sinne if hee would A. It is manifest in that God made man so excellent a creature Whereupon it is said Eccles. 7.29 That God made man righteous and vpâ—â—ght Neither could it haue â—ood with the iustice of God to require that of man which he was not able to performe or to punish him hauing by his creation no power to obey Q. Proue that Adam was seduced by the woman A. It is so written Gen. 3.6 That the woman gaue also vnto her husband with her and he did eat It was Adams excuse verse 12. The woman which thou gauest to be with me she gaue me of the tree and I did eat And it is alleaged to humble that sex 1 Tim. 2.14 That Adam was not deceiued but the woman being deceiued was in the transgression Q. Proue that the woman was deceiued by the Serpent A. It is said by the Apostle 2 Cor. 11.3 That the Serpent beguiled Eue through his subtilty And the story Gen. 3.1 doth shew the manner how it was done Q. Proue that that Serpent was the Deuill A. That the Serpent was the Deuill or rather the Deuill in the Serpent see Reu. 12.9 where it is said That the great Dragon was cast out that old Serpent called the Deuill and Satan which deceiueth the whole world And Chap. 20.2 The Dragon that old Serpent which is the Deuill and Satan Q. Proue that Adam did willingly yeeld to the temptation A. The history doth shew it by expressing Adams owne confession and excuse before cited And Eccles. 7.29 where it is said That God hath made man vpright it is presently added but they haue sought out many inuentions M Of the miserable estate of all mankinde through Adams fall Q. Rehearse the Letter M. A. MAnkinde being tainted by Adams sinne is become most wretched miserable both in respect of sin and punishment For hereby all men are conceiued and borne in sinne and are so corrupted with sinne both in soule and body that they cannot perceiue thinke will speake or doe any good thing but are become subiect to sinne Satan the wrath and curse of God to death and to eternall damnation Q. Proue that all mankinde is tainted by Adams sinne A. It is manifest that the tainture of Adams sinne hath seized vpon all his posterity inasmuch as all mankinde doth stand guilty thereof before God see Ro. 5.12 where the Apostle saith That by one mans sinne death passed vpon all men for that all haue sinned or in whom all haue sinned Againe verse 17. by one mans offence death reigned by one verse 18. By the offence of one iudgement came vpon all men to condemnation For verse 19 By one mans disobedience many were made sinners Q. What is the reason of this guiltinesse A. The reason why all men are guilty of Adams sinne is because Adam being as it were the root out of which all mankinde doth spring did receiue whatsoeuer good hee had by creation not onely for himselfe but also for his posterity and so againe lost all as well for them as for himselfe In regard whereof all men are truely said to sinne in Adam as Leui is said to haue paid tithes in Abraham because being of the posterity of Abraham he was then in the loynes of
come into the light And my desire is that you would accordingly accept it as a second token of my loue and due respect vnto you all For the warrant of this method wee haue the expresse word of God There are all these Alphabeticall Psalmes viz. Ps. 25.34.37.111.112.119.145 Besides the Lamentations of Ieremy and the Catechisme or Instruction which Solomons mother taught him her Lemuel My only sute vnto you is that you would not let this little booke be a Curranto or as an Almanacke for a yeare but in your families make daily and constant vse of it to the building you vp to a perfect house and Temple of our Lord Iesus Christ to whose gracious protection recommends you Your louing and ancient Pastor Iohn Phillips A TABLE OF the matter contained vnder euery Letter of this Alphabet A OF the knowledge of God in generall B Of faith in one God C Of the Trinitie or Three person 's in one God D Of the distinction of the persons in Trinitie E Of the attributes or properties of God F Of the creation of the world G Of Gods prouidence in gouerning and preseruing all things H Of one God onely to bee worshipped I Of man in his first creation K Of the image of God wherein man was created L Of the fall of man and losse of Gods image M Of the miserable estate of all mankinde through Adams fall N Of man his deliuerance by Christ onely O Of our receiuing Christ to saluation by faith only P Of the preaching of the word the meanes of faith Q Of the inseparable properties of faith R Of the meanes of encreasing faith and all other graces S Of Sacraments in generall T Of the Sacrament of Baptisme V Of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper W Of the state of all men dying in respect of the soule and of the resurrection of the body X Of the day of iudgement Y Of the execution of the sentence of damnation Z Of the execution of the sentence of saluation A ACknowledge God as hee hath reuealed himselfe in his written word For no man can be saued without the knowledge of God neither can a man knowe God vnto saluation but by the Scriptures B BEleeue in one only God For to vs Christians there is but one God and they that haue many Gods haue no God at all but the Deuill And to beleeue that there is one God and not to beleeue in him is no better then the faith of Deuils C COnceiue in this one God three persons the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost For so it hath pleased God to reueale himselfe from heauen and in this name euery Christian is baptized and it is the forme of Christian blessing D DIstinguish the persons in the God head but neither confound them nor diuide the substance For the Father is of none but of himselfe the Sonne is begotten of the Father the holy Ghost proceedeth from them both And euery person distinctly by himselfe is God yet arâ— they not three Gods but onely one God coeternall coequall E ETernall infinite immutable invisible almighty most wise holy good mercifull and iust is this one God For thus God is pleased to describe himself vnto vs in his word because otherwise no man can see or know the nature of God F FRamed and made was the whole world by the word of God and that of nothing in six dayes and all very good For nothing can make it selfe neither can bee without some cause nor can bee euill being made of God G GOuerned and preserued are all things by the prouidence of God For otherwise Satan and wicked men might doe what they list yea and euery creature would perish in a moment H HE euen this God alone is to be worshipped and called vpon and that onely in the name of Christ with vnderstanding and as himselfe hath commanded For thus euer did the true Church of God and to worship and pray vnto any other is to giue Gods glory to a creature I IN the beginning God made man consisting of soule and body the body of the dust in it selfe mortall yet possibly immortall if man had not sinned the soule of spirituall substance immortall in it selfe in both a most excellent creature aboue all others except the Angels For he was created in the image or likenesse of God and had dominion and rule ouer all other creatures in the world K KNnowledge righteousnes and true holinesse are the chiefe things wherein the image of God doth consist For otherwise the word of God would not calâ— vpon vs to renew that image in Christ and without these graces man had not beene fit to rule the creatures nor et himselfe L LEarne that man hath lost that image of God wherein hee was created by the siâ—ne of Adam the first man in eating the forbidden fruit For Adam hauing power not to sinne if he wâ—uâ—d being seduced by the woman and the woman by the serpent which is the Deuill did willingly yeeld to the temptation M MAnkinde being tainted by Adams sinne is become most wretched and miserable both in respect of sin and punishment For hereby all men are conceiued and borne in sinne and are so corrupted with sinne both in soule and body that they cannot perceiue thinke will speake or doe any good thing but are become subiect to sinne Satan the wrath and curse of God to death and to eternall damnation N NO meanes can free vs from that damnable estate but onely Iesus Christ the eternall sonne of God For he being both God and man hath perfectly saued vs in that he tooke our nature vpon him being conceiued by the holy Ghost borne of the Virgine Mary liued in perfect obedience to God suffered the cursed death of the Crosse rose againe the third day ascended into heauen sitteth at the right hand of God and all for vs. O ONly by faith receiuing Iesus Christ into the heart euery man that with a contrite heart confesseth his sinnes to God and truly repenteth is pardoned all his sinnes and so doth stand iustified before God For we can merit nothing with God our best works being imperfect And the promise of God is â— onely made to them that beleeue being elected of God before the world was P PReaching of the word of God is the ordinary meanes to worke repentance and faith For God that giueth all grace and so repentance
power And 2 Thes. 2.12 That all they might be damned who beleeued not the truth but had pleasure in vnrighteousnesse N Of man his deliuerance by Christonely Q. Rehearse the letter N A. NO meanes can free vs from that damnable estate but onely Iesus Christ the eternall sonne of God For hee being both God and man hath perfectly saued vs in that hee tooke our nature vpon him being conceiued by the holy Ghost borne of the Virgin Mary liued in perfect obedience to God suffered the cursed death of the Crosse rose againe the third day ascended into heauen sitteth at the right hand of God and all for vs. Q. Proue that we are saued only by Iâ—sus Christ A. So we read Acts 4.12 Neither is there saluation iâ— any other for among men there is giuen none other name vnder heauen whereby we must be saued And Maâ—th 1.21 the Angell saith Thou shalt call his name Iesus for he shall saue his people from their sinnes Q. Proue that Iesus Christ is the eternall sonâ—e of Gâ—d A. It is written Ioh. 3.16 Gâ—d so loued the world that he gaue his only bâ—gotten sonâ—e that whoâ—â—euer beleeueth on hâ—m â—â—ould not perish but haue eâ—erlasting life Aâ—â— 1 Ioh. 5.20 We know that the Sonne of God is come c. that is the true God and eternall life And Rom. 1.4 That he was declared mightily to be the Sonne of God Q. Proue that Iesus Christ is both God and man A. That he is God is manifest Isa. 9.6 where hee is called The mighty God And Rom. 9.5 God ouer all blessed for euer And it is said Ioh 1.1 In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God That he is also mvn is proued 1 Tim. 2.5 where hee is called The man Christ Iesus And 3.16 God manifested in the flesh And Ioh. 1.14 The word was made flesh and dwelt among vs and wee saw the glory thereof as the glory of the only begotten sonne of the father full of grace and truth Q. Proue that Christ hath perfectly saued vs A. So it is expresly written Heb. 7.25 That he is able perfectly to saue them that come vnto God by him And Heb. 10.14 That by one offering he hath perfected for euer them that are sanctified And thereupon is inferred verse 18. That where remission of sinnes is there is no more sacrifice for sinne Q. Proue that Iesus Christ therefore tooke our nature vpon him A. That he did assume or take vnto his Godhead the nature of man is euident Heb. 2.16.17 For verily saith the Apostle he tooke not on him the nature of Angels but he tooke on him the seed of Abraham Wherefore in all things it behooued him to bee made like vnto his brethren that hee might bee a mercifull and faithfull high Priest in things pertaining to God to make reconciliation for the sinnes of the people Q. Was it of necessity that Christ should become man A. It was by Gods decree necessary that Christ should take vnto his deity the nature of man that without it mans redemption could not be procured for these reasons 1. Hee must bee man that hee might be fit to suffer death for vs in regard that his Godhead being immutable could not suffer and being immortall could not die 2. It was requisite that the same nature that had offended should satisfie the iustice of God 3. Hee must also be God that hee might be able to ouercome See all this in that one text Heb. 2.14 Q. Proue that Iesus Christ was conceiued by the holy Ghost A. It is the voice of the Angell to Mary Luke 1.35 The holy Ghost shall come vpon thee and the power of the Highest shall ouershadow thee therefore also that holy thing which shall be borne of thee shall bee called the sonne of God And to Ioseph hee sayd Matth. 1.20 Feare not to take vnto thee Mary thy wise for that which is conceiued in her is of the holy Ghost Q. Proue that he was borne of the virgin Mary A. It was so prophesied Isa. 7.14 Behold a virgin shall conceiue and beare a sâ—nne and shall call his name Emmanuel It was effected Math 1. â—8 Now the birth of Iesus Christ was on this wise When as his mother Mary was espoused to Ioseph before they came together she was found with child of the holy Ghost And it was proclaimed by the Angell Ioh. 2.11 Vnto you is borne this day in the city of Dauid a Sauiour which is Christ the Lord. Q. Proue that Christ liued in perfect obedience to God A. It is written Phil. 2.8 That he humbled himselfe and became obedient vnto the death euen vnto the death of the crosse Heb. 7.26 For such an high Priest became vs who is holy harmelesse vndefiled separate from sinners and made higher then the heauens For saith the Apostle Rom. 5.19 as by one mans disobedience many were made sinners so by the obedience of one shall many bee made righteous Therefore Christ saith Ioh. 17.19 For their sakes sanctifie I my selfe that they also might bee sanctified through the truth Q. Proue that Christ did suffer for vs A. It is written Isa. 53.5 Hee was wounded for our transgressions hee was bruised for our iniquities the chastisement of our peace was vpon him and with his stripes wee are healed Q. Proue that hee suffered death for vs A. It is written 1 Pet. 3.18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sinnes the iust for the vniust that he might bring vs to God being put to death in the flesh but quickened by the spirit Q. Proue that hee suffered the cursed death of the crosse A. So it is in the story of his passion Matth. 27.38 And it is said 1 Pet. 2.24 That hee his owne selfe bare our sins in his owne body on the tree that we being dead to sinnes should liue vnto righteousnesse And Gal. 3.13 Christ hath redeemed vs from the curse of the Law being made a curse for vs for it is written Cursed is euery one that hangeth on tree Q. Proue that hee did rise againe the third day for vs A. It is written Rom. 4.25 Who was deliuered for our offences and was raised againe for our iustification And 1 Cor. 15.3.4 That Christ died for our sinnes and that he was buried and that hee rose againe the third day according to the Scriptures Q. Proue that hee ascended into heauen for vs A. It was so prophesied Psal. 68.18 Thou hast ascended on high thou hast led captiuity captiue thou hast receiued gifts for men And it was performed Luke 24.51 And it came to passe while hee blessed them hee was parted from them and carried vp into heauen Q. Proue that Christ sitteth at the right hand of God for vs A. It is written Col. 3.1 If ye then bee risen with Christ seeke those things which are aboue where Christ sitteth at
to heauenly ioy the wicked to hell torments and all of them shall at the last day rise againe in their owne bodyes by the power of Christ the godly to life eternall the wicked to euerlasting damnation For Christ came to destroy death for vs and is himselfe risen from death that wee might rise with him and if there were no resurrection the preaching of the word and our faith should bee in vaine Q. What shall become of all men after they haue liued here in this world for a time A. All men of what degree state and condition soeuer yea as well the godly as the wicked must depart this life by death which is the separation of the soule from the body For sinne hath brought this euill vpon all mankinde as is shewed before out of Rom. 5.12 Whereupon in the iust iudgement of God it is appointed vnto men that they shall once die and after that commeth the iudgement Heb. 9.27 And thence is that challenge Psal. 89.48 What man liueth and shall not see death shall hee deliuer his soule from the hand of the graue Q. How is it that the godly die seeing death is a curse and a punishment of sinne which to them is pardoned A. Death is not to the godly a curse but a blessing it is not a punishment but a benefit and an aduantage through the death of Christ by whom the sting of death is so taken away that it cannot hurt them Yet the godly must die for diuers causes 1 That there may bee an end of all their sorrowes labours and miseries which they endure in this world in which respect death is called a sleepe and rest 2 That they may be freed from sinne and so fitted for heauen because flesh and blood corrupted cannot inherit the kingdome of God 3 That by death as by a gate or way they may passe into life As the corne that is sowne is not quickened except it die Q. What shall become of the Soules of men when they die A. When man who is dust shall returne to the earth as it was Then saith Solomon Eccles. 12.7 the spirit shall returne vnto God who gaue it That is to Gods disposing either to ioy or torment This our Sauiour teacheth Ioh. 5 24. He that heareth my word and beleeueth in him that sent me hath euerlasting life and shall not come into damnation but hath passed from death vnto life And as it is said before Reu. 14.13 They rest from their labours Example hereof we may see in the death of the Richman and Lazarus Luk. 16.22.23 the one went immediately to heauenly ioy the other to hall torments Q. What shall become of the bodies of men when they die A. The bodies of men when they are dead whether they lie in their graues or be in the sea or wheresoeuer shall rise againe to life So our Sauiour teacheth Ioh. 5.29 That all that are in the graues shall come soorth And in the Reu. 20.12 it is said I saw the dead small and great stand before God And verse 13â— The sea gaue vp the dead which were in it and death and hell or graue deliuered vp the dead which were in them It was Saint Pauls faith and assured hope see Acts 24.15 That the resurrection of the dead shall be both of iust and vniust And he doth proue it at large in 1 Cor. So that hee cannot bee a good Christian that beleeueth not this article of the Christian faith Q. When shall the dead rise againe A. The time when the dead shall rise againe shall bee at the last day that is at the end of the world when Christ shall come to iudgement This Martha did acknowledge concerning her brother Lazarus Ioh. 11.24 I know that hee shall rise againe in the resurrection at the last day With the comfort of that day Christ incourageth to doe good to the poore Luk. 14.14 And herewith the Apostle doth both comfort himselfe that had now almost runne his race and finished his course and incourage others to doe the like Because there is laid vp a crowne of righteousnesse which the Lord the righteous iudge shall giue at that day 2 Tim. 4.8 Q. With what bodies shall the dead rise A. All shall rise with their owne bodies that as the Apostle speaketh 2 Cor. 5.10 Euery man may receiue the things which are done in his body according to that he hath done whether it bee good or euill In this was Iob confident and comforted himselfe with in his affliction Iob 19.26.27 Though after my skinne wormes destroy this body yet in my flesh shall I see God Whom I shall see for my selfe and mine eyes shall behold and not another Q. By what power shall the dead be raised A. The dead shall rise againe by the power of Christ at the hearing of his voice and sound of the last trumpet See Ioh. 5.28 The houre shall come in the which all that are in the graues shall heare his voyce and they shall come sorth c. Againe 1 Cor. 15.52 In a moment in the twinkling of an eye at the last trumpet for the trumpet shall blow and the dead shall be raised vp c. Q. To what end is the resurrection of the dead A. The end of the resurrection is that the whole man both soule and body may bee presented before the tribunall of Christ the godly to receiue the ioyfull sentence of life as the reward of their piety the wicked to heare the dolefull doome of death and condemnation as the recompence of their sinne So saith our Sauiour Ioh. 5.29 That they that haue done good shall rise vnto the resurrection of life and they that haue done euill vnto the resurrection of damnation Q. Proue that Christ came to destroy death Q. That Christ came to destroy death without which victory there could be no resurrection it was prophesied Hos. 13.14 I will redeeme them from the power of the graue I will deliuer them from death O death I will be thy death O graue I will be thy destruction And the Apostle alledging this prophesie doth triumphantly praise God for it 1 Cor. 15.54 c. Death is swallowed vp in victory O death where is thy sting O graue where is thy victory c. But thanks be to God which hath giuen vs victory through our Lord Iesus Christ. Q. Proue that Christ is risen from death A. The Apostle doth inuincibly proue it by many arguments in 1 Cor. 15.13 14. c. concluding verse 20. in this manner But now saith hee is Christ risen from the dead and was made the first fruits of them that sleepe For as hee reasoneth there If there be no resurrection of the dead then is Christ not risen But seeing he is risen and that for vs it followeth nececessarily that there must needs bee a resurrection Q. Proue that Christ is risen that wee might rise with him
vpon 3 Only in the name of Christ. 4 With vnderstanding 5 Only aâ— he hath commanded 6 So it was in all ages 1 Before the Law 2 Vnder the Law ☜ 3 Afâ—er the law ☜ 1 Christ did so teach ☞ 2 â—he Apostles did so preach practise ☞ 3 A worshipper of God is the title of a ChristiaÌ„ ☜ 4 The worshipper of God only is the true worshipper 7 Otherwise Gods glory is giuen to a creature Man what it signifieth Why God made one man and one woman Man consists of soule and body The body is of the dust 1 Cor. 15.47 The difference of man and womans creation A second difference Io. 19.34 Man body possibly immoâ—tall The soule is immortall Man a most excelent creature Created in the image of God Had rule ouer all creatures Tâ—e image of God consisteth in knowledge Also in righteousnesse and holinesse ☜ Not in substance buâ— in sâ—mblance Gen. 1 â—6 ☞ Knowledge righteousnesse and holinesse are not the only image of God But in the whole man soueraignty ☞ In the soule wisdome ☜ In the very substance of the soule inuisibility immortality S. Augustine Vnity and Trinity ☞ In the body Gods image shineth ☞ Not in the shape or parts but otherwise The word of God calleth on vs to renew it Without it man not fit to rule Image of God how farre â—ost 2 Cor. 11.7 Oâ—â—ly in respect of knowledge righteousnesse and holinesse And that by Adams sinne In eating the forbidden fruit Hauing power not to sinne Was seduced by the woman She by the Serpent That Serpent was the Deuill Man did willingly yeed All tainted by Adams fall As guilty of his sin Are become most miserable Conceiued and borne in sinne Christ only excepted Luk. 3.23.38 Heb. Luk 1.34.35 Mat. 1.20 All corupted with sinne Both in soule and body Cannot perceiue any good thing Nor think a good thought Nor will any good thing Nor speak any good Nor doe any good But is subiect to sinne as a slaue Alsâ— to Sâ—tan To the wrath of God To the curse of God in 〈◊〉 whole life To death To eternall damnation Man saued only by Christ. He is the Sonne of God He is both God and man He hath perfectly saued vs. By taking our nature Which was of necessity Heb. 2.14 He was conceiued by the holy Ghost Borne of the virgin Liued in perfect obedience He suffred He died On the crosse He rose againe He ascended into heauen He sitteth 〈…〉 How we are iustified by faith That we are iustified by faith only 1 Instance 2 Instance 3 Instance 4 Instance 5 Instance Leu. 21.9 6 Instance How wee are iustified by faith only By faith we receiue Christ. A contrite heart is requisite So is confession to God Specially true conuersion Iustification is in the pardon of sinnes We can merit nothing with God Our best workes are imperfect The promise is onely to beleeuers Elected before the world was Preaching the means of repentance Preaching the means of faith God the giuer of all grace The giuer of repentance The giuer of faith God worketh by the Word God workes by his spirit 1 Argument 2 Argument 3 Argument 4 Argument Properties of faith 1 To vnite vs to God 2 To assure vs of Gods loue Shewed more plainely 3 To purifie the heart 4 To woâ—â— by â—â—ue Till we beleeue wee are without God Christ hope But once beleeuing we haue peace Beleeuers are fruitfull Faith and all other graces how increased Particularly 1 By preaching 2 By Reading 3 By meditation 4 By conference Heb. 10.23 24.25 5 By practise 6 By prayer 7 By Sacraments God requires encrease Meanes to that end appointed 1. Preaching 2 Reading 1 Publique 2 Priuate 3 Soliâ—arily 1 In the old Testament 2 In the new Testament 3 Meditation 4 Conference 5 Practise 6 Prayer 7 Sacraments Sacraments are signes of the couenant Gen. 17 7. God is the only author of Sacraments The end or vse of Sacraments 1 To signifie 2 To sâ—aâ—e or confirme 3 To conuay grace But to the faithfull only 4 To be aâ— badges of our profession So to the Iewes So to vs Christians There are only two Sacraments 1 By the institution and practise of Christ. 2 By the water and blood out of his side 3 By Saint Pauls allusion Our weaknesse requireth Sacraments The Word is not sufficient to vs. Christ ordained onely two Sacraments The other fiue are no Sacraments Why no Sacraments Particularly 1 Confirmation is no Sacrament Act. 8.14.15.17 Hieron aduers Luciferiaâ—os cap. 4. An nesâ—â—s etiam ecclesiarum â—â—nc esse morem c. 2 Penance is no Sacrament It may be without a Priest or Minister which a Sacrament cannot be 3 Order is no Sacrament 4 Matrimony is no Sacrament 5 Extreame Vnction is no Sacrament Our Sacraments answerable to the legall They are alone sufficient Baptisme requires 1 Profession of repentance 2 Profession of faith Châ—ldren are tâ— bâ— bâ—ptized The outward element is water The action is washing The inward grace what The forme of words what Who must administer Baptisme The end or vse of Baptisme 1 End 2 End 3 End 4 End Baptisme is the signe of regeneration The vertue 〈◊〉 it is perpetuâ—ll Rom. 6.3.4 The Lords Supper why so called The outward signe is Bread and Wine The thing signified is the Body and Bloud of Christ Crucified Who is to administer the Sacrament The action of the Minister Ioh. 3.16 and 6.27 The action of the people Ioh. 1.22 1 Cor. 10.16 The end or vse of this Sacrament 1 For remembrance of Christs death 2 For Communion with Christ. 3 For confirmation of our faith and loue How our faith in Christ. How our loue one to another It is the signe of our new life It is often to be receiued With due preparation All men must die Death to the godly is a blessing 1 Cor. 3.21 22. Phil. 1.21 1 Cor. 15.55.56 1 Thes. 4.13.14 Reu. 14.13 Rom. 6.7 1 Cor. 19.30 1 Cor. 15. â—6 The soule goeth immediately to heauen or hell The bodies of all shall rise againe At the last day Euery one with his owne body By the power of Christ. The end is to life or death eternall Christ came to destroy death Christ is himselfe risen That we might rise with him If no resurrection preaching and faith is vaine A day of iudgment shall be The time is onely knowne to God The signes what Mark 13.10 Math. 24.14 Math. 24 6.7.9.10 2 Thes. 2.3 1 Tim. 4.1 2 Thes. 2.3.4.8 1 Ioh. 2.18 Math. 24.5.11.24 Math 24.12 2 Tim. 3.1.2 Isai. 59 20. Math. 24.29 Mar. 13 8.24 2 Pet. 3.10 Math. 24.30 Why the time is concealed 1 Thes. 5.2.3 The day why deferred 2 Pet. 3.9 Math. 24.22 Rom. 11.26 Râ—u 6 11 Iâ—m 5.7 Rom. 2 1.4.5 The Iudge is Christ. The godly 〈◊〉 â—ssistant Math. 19.28 All men must be iudged Of all things 1 Committed as thoughts words woâ—kes Eccl. 12.14 2 Omitted According to their workes Christs comming shall be glorious Ioyous to the godly Fearfull to the wicked Psal. 50 The manner of the last iudgement The disposing of all men On the right or left hand why Io. 10.27 1 Thes. 4.17 Luk. 23.30 Reu. 6.16 Eccles. 34.18 c Matth. 13.29.30 The order of the trial The euidence is certaine bookes The books are 1 Of Gods prouidence 2 Of the creatures 3 Of the conscience 4 The booke of life There is a Hell Math 18.9 Luk. 12.5 2 Kin. 23 10 Where it is Christs voyce detrudeth the wicked into hell They are separated from God Iob 21.14 Math. 7.23 Luk. 13.27 They are consorted with the deuils They are depriued of all ioy Luk. 16.24 Their tâ—rmenâ—s intollerable Reu. 21.8 Isa. 66.24 Their punishment proportionable to their sinne Eternall paine easelesse endlesse It is iust with God The godly goe immediately to heauen They haue immediate communion with God He shall be all in all vnto them Reu. 22.5 They shall be freed from all euills Psal. 34.19 Possessed of all good things As â— perfection of grace 2 Brightnesse of glory Both in soule and body 3 Fulnesse of ioy Degrees of glory Vnspeakable happinesse Happinesse eternall It stands with the certainty of election With the truth of his promise 1. Io. 2.25 2 Cor. 1.13.20 With the iustice of God for Christ. It is the reward of the godly So all sorrow is turned into ioy The praise â—e giuen to God
worshipped prayed vnto A. It is euident in that Christ did so teach the Apostles did both so preach and practise Againe a good Christian is stiled or sayd to be A worshipper of God or one that calleth on the name of the Lord. And such are called the true worshippers Q. Prooue that Christ did so teach A. That our Sauiour Christ did so teach and maintayne may appeare euidently both by his combate with Satan Mat. 4.10 where he proueth by the Scriptures that religious worship and seruice is to bee done vnto God onely And Matth. 6.9 teaching his Disciples and in them vs to pray hee sayth After this maner therefore pray ye Our father which art in heauen c. Q. Prooue the Apostles did both so teach and practise A. That the Apostles did so teach see Phil. 4.6 Be nothing caâ—efull but in all things let your requâ—sts bee shewed vnto God in prayer and supplication with giuiâ—g of thankes And that they did so practise and that all the â—aithfull did the like accordinâ— to their doctrine and example is manifest by all the formes of prayer recorded in the New Testament and specially by that of the Apostle Eph. 3.14 I bow my kâ—eâ—s vnto the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ c. Q. Proue that a good Christian is stiled a worshipper of God A. It is euident in that speech of the blinde man cured by Christ Io. 9.31 Ye know sayth hee that God heareth not sinners but if any man be a worshipper of God and doth his will him heareth he Where wee see hee calleth a good Christian or godly man a worshipper of God And 2. Tim. 2.19 In stead of saying let euery Christian S. Paul sayth Let euery one that calleth on the name of Christ depart from iniquity Q Proue that such as worship God onely are the true worshippers A. That such as worship call vpon God onely are the true worshippers may be gathered by the words of Christ to the woman of Samaria Io. 4.22.23 Ye worship sayth hee ye know not what we know what wee worship c. But the houre commeth and now is when the true worshippers shall worship the father in spirit and in trueth for the father seeketh such to worship him Q. How proue you that to worship or pray vnto any other is to giue Gods glory to a creature A. Because the prayse of hearing all prayer of all creatures belongeth to God see Psal. 65.1.2 Prayse wayteth for thee O God in Sion and vnto thee shall the vow be performed O thou that hearest prayer vnto thee shall all flesh come And Isa. 42.8 I am the Lord that is my name and my glory will I not giue to another neyther my prayse to grauen Images I Of man in his first creation Q. Rehearse the letter I A. IN the beginning God made Man consisting of soule and body the body of the dust in it selfe mortall yet possibly immortall if man had not sinned the soule of spirituall substance immortall in its selfe in both a most excellent creature aboue all others except the Angels For hee was created in the image or likenesse of God and had dominion and rule ouer all other creatures in the world Q. What is to bee vnderstood by the word Man A. By the word Man is meant both sexes man and woman as we may see Gen. 1.27 5.2 where God being sayd to make man it is added immediatly male and female created he them and blessed them and called their name Adam or Man in the day when they were created Q. Why did God at the beginning make one man and one woman A. God made one man and one woman not only for propagation as it is Gen. 1.28 Be fruitfull and multiply and replenith the earth but also that by making onely one man and one woman hee might establish holy mariage and lawfull procreation of children Which our Sauiour proueth Matth. 19.4.5 Haue you not read sayth he that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female And thence concludeth that two shall be one flesh The like is in Mal. 2.15 And did not hee make one yet had hee abundance of spirit and wherefore one because he sought a godly seed Q. Proue that man doth consist of soule and body A. That man doth consist of these two parts soule and body is euident in the story of the creation Gen. 2.7 as also by many instances else where in the word of God as for example Matth. 10.28 Feare not them which kill the body but are not able to kill the soule but rather feare him which is able to destroy both soule and body in hell 1 Cor. 6.20 Glorifie God in your body and in your spirit which are Gods And 1. Thes. 5.23 I pray God your whole spirit and soule and body bee preserued blamelesse vnto the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ. Q. Proue that God made the body of the dust A. It is written Gen. 2.7 That the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and 3.9 Dust thou art and vnto dust thou shalt returne This made Abraham confesse with great humility Gen. 18.27 I am but dust and ashes And it is alleaged by Dauid as an argument of Gods pity Psal. 103.13.14 Like as a father pitieth his children to the Lord pitieth them that feare him For hee knoweth our frame hee remembreth that we are dust Q. What is the difference betweene the creation of man and woman A. The difference is this First the man was made before the woman to note his authority her subiection as Saint Paul reasoneth 1 Tim. 2.13 For saith he Adam was first formed then Eue. As also to shew the neere affinity betweene man and man seeing as it is Acts 17.26 God hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on the face of the earth Q. What is the second difference A. Secondly man was made of the dust primarily the woman secondarily in that she was taken out of him who was made of the dust for she was made of the rib of Adam Gen. 2 22. Not of the head nor of the foot to shew that God would neither haue her a ruler nor a seruant to her husband but a companion as shee is called Mal. 2.14 Againe it was a type of the Church the life and saluation whereof issued by water and blood out of the side of Christ as the woman receyued her being out of the side of the man Q. Proue that the body of man was made possibly immortall A. The body of man was in its selfe mortall yet by the appointment of God were it not for sinne had beene possibly immortall For God gaue vnto man possibility not to sinne and so consequently not to die as may be gathered by his generall threatning Genes 2.17 The day thou eatest thereof that is of