Church by the Apostolical Power Preaching Writings and Miracles and in the Sanctifying and helping all true Believers Q. 7. By this it seems there are many wayes of denying the Holy Ghost A. Yes 1. They deny him who deny his Godhead as the Third Person in the Blessed Trinity 2. They deny him who deny that the Miracles oâ— Christ and his Apostles were God's Testimony to Christ being convinced of the Trueth of the Facts 3. They deny him who deny the extraordinary qualifications of the Apostles and suppose them to have had but the prudence of ordinary honest Men. 4. They deny the Holy Ghost who deny the sacred Scriptures to be indited by him and to be true 5. They deny him who deny him to be the Sanctifier of God's Elect and feign Holiness to be bâ—â— conceit deceit or common Virtue Q. 8. But are all these the unpardonable sin against the Holy Ghost A. The unpardonable sin is called The Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost Mat. 12. And it is when Men are convinced that those Miracles were done and those gifts given which are God's attestation to Christ and his Gospel but they fixedly believe and say That they were all done by the power of the Devil by Conjuration and not by God and therfore notwithstanding them Christ was but a Deceiver And this sin is unpardonable because it rejecteth the only remedy The Spirits witness to the truth of Christ He that will not believe this Witness shall have no other Q. 9. But how may we know that we are Sanctifyed by the Spirit A. By that Holiness which he causeth 1. When our Understandings so know and believe the Truth and Goodness of the Gospel and its Grace as that we Practically esteem and prefer the Love of the Father the Grace of the Son and the Communion of the Holy Ghost and the heavenly Glory before all the Pleasures Profits and Honours of this World that stand against them and before Life it self 2. When Our Wills do with habitual Inclination and Resolution Love and Choose the same before all the said things that stand in competition 3. When in the course of our Lives we seek them first and hold them fastest in a time of Tryal forsaking the Flesh the World and the Devil so far as they are against them and living in sincere though not perfect Obedience to God Q. 10. Is the Spirit or the Scripture higher and the Rule of Faith and Life A. The Spirit as the Author of the Scripture is greater than the Scripture and the Scripture as the Word of the Spirit is the Rule of our Faith and Lives and greater than our Spiritual gifts The Spirit in the Apostles was given them to write when they had preached that Doctrine which is our Rule But the Spirit is not given to us to make a new Law or Rule but to believe Love and Obey that already made As under the Law of Moses God that made the Law was greateâ— than the Law But when God had made that Law their Rule he did not after that teach good Men to make another Law but to understand and obey that Q. 11. There are many that boast of the Spirit and Revelations how shall we try such whether their Spirits â—â— of God A. 1. If they pretend to do that which is fully done by the Spirit already that is to preach or write another Gospel or make a new Law for the Universal Church seeing this was the Prophetical extraordinary Office of Christ and the Spirit in the Apostleâ— such imply an accusation of insufficiency on Christs aâ—â— the Spirits Law or Rule and arrogate a power never given them and so are false Prophets 2. If they contradict the written Word of God which is certainly Sealed by God's Spirit already â—â— must needs be by an evil Spirit For God's Spirit doth not contradict it self Q. 12. But had not the Priests under the Law tâ—â— Spirit of God as well as Moses that gave them tâ—â— Law A. Moses only and Aaron under him had God Revelation to make the Law And the Priests only to keep it teach it and rule by it And so it is as tâ— the Apostles of Christ and the succeeding Ministry Q. 13. But might not Kings then make Religioâ— Laws A. Yes to determine such circumstances as Goâ— had only given them a General Law for and left to be determined by them but not to make new Laws of the same kind with Gods nor to add to or alter them Q. 14. But were there not Prophets after Moses that had the Spirit A. Yes But they were not Legislators but sent with particular Mandates Reproofs or Consolations save only David and Solomon who had directions from God himself not to make a new Law of God but to order things about the Temple and its Worship So if any Man now pretend to a Prophetical Revelation it must not be Legislative to the Catholick Church nor against Scripture but about particular Persons Acts and Events and it must be proved by Miracle or by Success before another is bound to believe him Q. 15. Must I take every motion in me to be by the Holy Ghost which is agreeable to the Word of God or for doing what is there commanded A. Yes if it be according to that Word for the Matter End Manner Time and other circumstances But Satan can transform himself into an Angel of Light and mind us of some Text or Truth to misapply it and put us on Meditation Prayer or other duty at an unseasonable Time when it would do more hurt than good or in an ill manner or to ill Ends He can move Men to be fervent Reprovers or Preachers or Rulers that were never called to it but are urged by him and the Passion and Pride of their own Hearts And good Men in some mistakes know not what manner of spirit they are of CHAP. XVIII The Holy Catholick Church Qu. 1. HOw is this Article joyned to the former A. This Article hath not been alwayes in the Creed in the same order and words as now But the belief of a Holy Church was long before it was called Catholick And it is joyned as part of our Belief of the Work of the Holy Ghost and the Redemption wrought by Christ Christ by his death purchaseth and the Holy Ghost gathereth the Holy Catholick Church It were defective to believe Christs Purchase and the Holy Ghost's Sanctification and not know for whom and on whom it is done To Sanctifie is to Sanctifie some Persons and so to make them the Holy Society or Christian Church Q. 2. What is a Church A. The Name is applied to many sorts of Assemblies which we need not name to you But here it signifieth The Christian Society Q. 3. Why is it called Catholick A. Catholick is a Greek word and signifieth Universal It is called Catholick because 1. It is not as the Iews Church confined to one Nation but comprehendeth all
just we must defend them by all lawful means that is by Prayer to God by Argument by Petition to the King and by helping their Flight or hiding them And if a King would ravish or murder your Mother or Wife you may hold his hands while they escape as you may do if he would kill himself in Drunkenness or Passion But you may not on such private accounts raise a War against him because War is a publick action and under the Judgment of the publick Governour of the Common-wealth and not under the Judgment of your Parents or any private person Q. 13. But if the King Command me one thing and my Parents another which of them must I prefer in my obedience A. Each of them have their proper Office in which they must be preferred and obeyed Your Mother must be obeyed before the King in telling you when to Suck or Eat Your Parents must be obeyed before the King in matters proper to Family-Government as what daily Food you shall eat and what daily work for them you shall do and what Wife to choose c. But the King is to be obeyed before your Parents in all matters belonging to National Government Q. 14. But what if it be about Religious acts as what Pastor I shall choose What Church I shall joyn with how I shall spend the Lords day c. Must I prefer the King or my Parents in my Obedience A. While you are in your Minority and understand not the Kings Laws you must obey your Parents and if they command you any thing contrary to the Kings Commands they must be answerable for it as the Case shall prove some Commands about your Religion belong to your Parents and some to the King and they are accordingly to be obeyed It is not the Kings Office but your Parents to Catechize you to teach you to Read and Pray to choose your School-master or Tutor In these therefore your Parents are first to be obeyed And it is your Parents office to choose where you shall dwell and consequently to what Pastor you shall commit the conduct of your Soul And also how in the Family and in Private you shall spend the Lords day But the determination of all those publick Circumstances which are needful to be imposed on all Christians in the Land belongs not to your Parents but to the Supream Power Q. 15. But what if the King and the Bishops or Pastors differ about matters of Religion to be believed or done which of them must I obey A. If it be in things belonging to the Kings determination as what Translation shall be used in all the Churches when Synods shall meet who shall have the Tythes Glebe and Temples what National Fasts or Thanksgivings shall be kept and such like you must obey the King But if it be in things proper to the Pastoral Office as who shall be judged Capable of Raptisme or of the Lords Supper and Church-Communion Who shall be admonished â—xcommunicated or absolved by the Pastors what â—ext the Minister shall Preach on and on what â—ubject in what Method and in what Words what â—e shall say to troubled Consciences or to the sick â—r to others what words he shall use in Exhorâ—ation Prayer or Thanksgiving all these being part â—f the Pastors work you are to obey him in them all â—ut neither Prince nor Pastor have power against God Q. 16. But what if the Bishops or Pastors be diâ—â—ded which of them must we obey A. 1. Those that obey Gods Laws 2. Those â—hat impose the safest course where the matter on â—ne side is no sin when on the other we fear it is â— All other things being equal those that are most â—â—animous and concordant with the universality of Christians and the Primitive Church And our own Pastors rather than others And the Godly and â—minently wise before the ignorant and ungodâ—â— Q. 17. But what if the Bishop or Pastor who is â—â—er us differ from most in the Nation And if the National Bishops and Ministry differ from most other â—rreign Churches as England from France Spain â—â—aly Germany Moscovy the Greeks Armenians â—â—assines A. The things in which the difference is supposed must not be thus confounded either they are necessary points of Faith or Practice to all Christians in order to Salvation 2. Or else they are controverted Opinions not so necessary 3. Or else they are matters of local occasional mutable practice 1. As to the first All true Christians are agreed in all things necessary to our Common Salvation â—… any oppose these and draw men from the Church on that account he is a Heretick In this case Godâ— Law must be known to us all to which we must stick whoever gainsay it 2. In the second case of disputable less necessary Opinions we must suspend our judgements tiâ—… evidence determine them But judge them most probably to be in the right who are in those matter discerned commonly to have greatest skill and sincerity But the Ignorant cannot subscribe to any oâ— them in the dark 3. In the third case as what Time and Placâ—… we shall meet at what Subject we shall hear whaâ—… Catechism-questions we shall answer when we shaâ—… Communicate and with what individual Persons iâ—… what words the Assembly shall pray and praise Godâ—… c. we are to obey our own Pastors and noâ—… Strangers As every Wife is to be governed by heâ—… own Husband and every Child by his own Parentâ—… and every Servant by his own Master I scarce thinâ—… our Papists Monarchical or Aristocratical woulâ—… have an universal Husband Parent or Master or â—… Council of Husbands Parents or Masters of all thâ—… World or all the Kingdom set up for such acts â—… these Q. 18. But is there no Command to Parents Prinâ—… and Pastors for their duty as well as to Chilâ—…n and Subjects for theirs A. The Commandements written on stone were â—…cessarily brief and the duty of Rulers is here imâ—…yed and included Q. 19. What is the duty of Parents for their â—…ldren A. 1. To take due care of their Lives Health and â—…cessary Maintenance 2. To teach them when â—…ey are capable to know God and his Word his Doâ—…ine Laws Promises and Penalties to know â—…emselves their Souls their Relation to God their â—…ty to him their Original pravity and guilt and â—…nger To know Jesus Christ his Person Life â—…octrine Death Resurrection Ascension Glory â—…ngdom Intercession and Judgment To know â—…e Holy Ghost as sent by Christ to indite and â—…l the Scripture qualifie the Apostles and Evanâ—…lists to deliver infallibly Christs Commands and â—…ord them to all after Ages and accordingly setâ—… the Churches to confirm their Ministry by Miâ—…les and to sanctifie all true Christians to the end â—… the world To know the use of the ordinary â—…nistry and of the Communion of Saints To know â—… Covenant of Grace and the Grace of Pardon â—…option and Sanctification which we
Atheists Sadducees or Infidels after And these are worse than common Infidels that never were baptized The Church is no Church if it be common to these 6. Some that continue a Nominal Christianity openly hate and persecute the Practice of it and live in common Adultery Perjury Murder And the Church is Holy and a peculiar People a holy Nation a royal Priesthood And Repentance and Obedience are necessary to the Church as well as Faith If therefore these notorious flagitious impenitent persons must be Members in Communion with the Church it will be a Swine-sty and not a Church a Shame to Christ and not an Honour If his Church be but like the rest of the World Christ will not be honoured as the Saviour of it nor the Spirit as its Sanctifier It is the Unity of the Spirit that all Christians must keep in the bond of Peace But these have none of his Spirit and therefore are none of Christs The Sacraments are Symbols of the Church as differenced from the World and Christ will have them be a visibly distinct Society 7. Communicants come to receive the greatest gift in the world Pardon Justification Adoption right to Heaven The Gospel giveth these to none but Penitent Believers To say that Christ giveth them to flagitious impenitent Rebels whose Lives say We will not have him reign over us is to make a new Gospel contrary to Christs Gospel which Paul curseth were it done by an Angel Gal. 1. 7 8. They are not yet capable of these precious gifts 8. The Objectors take no notice of 1 Cor. 5. 2 Thess. 3. Rom. 16. 16 17. Tit. 3. 10. Rev. 2. 3. where the Churches are reproved for suffering Defilers nor Heb. 13. 7. 17. 24. Luk. 12. 42. 42. 1 Thess. 5. 12 13. which describe the Office of Church-guides nor 1 Tim. 3. 4 c. where the governing of the Church and avoiding Communion of the Impenitent are described 9. In a word Christs Office Works and Law the Nature of the Church and Sacrament the Office of the Ministry the frequent Precepts of the Apostles and the constant practice of the Church in its greatest Purity down from the Apostles dayes do all speak so plainly for keeping and casting out Infidels and impenitent wicked men and for keeping the Church as a Society of visible Saints separated from the World that I can take him for no better than a Swine or an Infidel who would have the Church-Keyes cast away and the Church turned common to Swine and Infidels Q. 24. But it will make Ministers Lords and Tyrants to have such power A. 1. Some body must be trusted with the Power if the work must be done The Church must be differenced from the World Therefore some must trye and judge who are fit to be baptized and to have its Communion And who is fitter than those whom Christ by Office hath thereto appointed Would you have Magistrates or the People do it Then they must be prepared for it by long study and skill and wholly attend it For it will take up all their time Q. 25. Must Ministers examine People before they communicate A. They must Catechize and Examine the Adult before they baptize them and consequently those who were baptized in Infancy before they number them with adult Communicants or else Atheists and Infidels will make up much of the Church who will come in for worldly Interest This Examination should go before Confirmation or the publick owning of their Baptism But there is no Necessity of any more Examination before every Sacrament except in case of Scandal or when persons need and crave such help Q. 26. Who be they that must be Excommunicated or refused A. Those who are proved to be Impenitent in gross scandalous sins after sufficient admonition and patience And to reject such is so far from Tyranny that it is necessary Church-Justice without which a Pastor is but a Slave or Executioner of the sinfull will of others Like a Tutor Philosopher or Schoolmaster who is not the Master of his own School but must leave it common to all that will come in though they scorn him and refuse his conduct But no man must play the Pastor over other mens Flocks nor take the Guidance of a greater Flock than he can know and manage Much less be the only Key-bearer over many Score or Hundred Churches And least of all take upon him to Govern and judge of Kings and Kingdoms and all the World as the Roman deceiving Tyrant doth CHAP. XLVII Of Preparation for Death and Iudgment Qu. 1. HOw must we prepare for a safe and coâ—fortable Death A. I have said so much of this in my Family Book that to avoid Repetition I must refer you thiâ—her only in brief I. Preparation for Death is the whole work of Life for which many hundred years are not too long if God should so long spare and trie us And all that I have hitherto said to you for Faith Love and Obedience upon the Creed Lords Prayer and Commandements is to teach you how to prepare for Death And though â—ound Conversion at last may tend to Pardon and Salvation to them that have lived a careless wicked Life Yet the best the surest the Wisest Preparation is that which is made by the whole course of a holy obedient heavenly Life Q. 2. What Life is it that is the best Preparation A. 1. When we have so well considered of the certain Vanity of this World and all its pleasures and of the truth of Gods Promises of the Heavenly Glory as that by Faith we have there placed our chiefest Hopes and there expect our chief Felicity and make it our chief business in this world to seek it preferring no worldly thing before it but resolved for the hopes of it to forsake them all when God requireth it This is the first part of our preparation for Death II. When we believe that this mercy is given by Christ the Mediator between God and Man and trust in his Merits and Intercession with the Father and take him for our Teacher also and our Ruler resolving to obey his Word and Spirit This is the second part of our preparation for Death III. When the Holy Spirit hath shed abroad Gods Love upon our hearts and turned their nature into a habit of Love to God and Holiness and given us a Victory over that Love of the World and fleshly Prosperity and Pleasure which ruleth in the hearts of Carnal men though yet our Love shew it self but in such Mortification and endeavour and grief for what we want we are prepared for a safe Death But if the foretasts of Heavenly Glory and sense of the Love of God do make our thoughts of Heaven sweeter to us than our thoughts of our Earthly hopes and cause us out of Love to God and our glorified Redeemer and his Church and out of love to a Life of perfect Knowledge Love and