4.14 15 3 John 9 10. Psal 101.5 and to abide by him waiting upon his Ministry in Season and out of Season not wilfully wandring from or forsaking it to attend upon any other esteeming him very highly in Love for his Works sake as a Steward of the Mysteries of God to us We shall not suffer any privily to backbite whisper or prate against our Pastour with malicious words for such are to be cut off We shall Honour and Obey our own Elders in the Lord not rebuking 1 Tim. 5.1.17.19 but intreating them as Fathers counting them worthy of double Honour who rule well especially those who labour in the Word and Doctrine Respecting also our Deacons and being ready for every good work to which they shall call Neh. 13.13 1 Tim. 6.18 IIdly We Covenant to discharge our Duty to our Infant Seed Gen. 18.19 Jude 3. Gen. 17.7 12. Deut. 10.15.14.1 2. contending earnestly for the Faith once delivered to the Saints of their right to a relation unto God in his Church with us and to Baptism the Seal thereof We being a Spouse of Christ our Royal Husband Mal. 2.15 1 Cor. 7.14 10.2 Eze. 16.20 21. 46.16 18. Jer. 30.20 Acts 2.39 Ephes 2.13 Psal 147.13 All our Children therefore are his born to him who hath promis'd to us Gentiles that were afar off that he will not thrust our children out of their possession but that even our children shall inherit and be continu'd a holy Seed as afore-time that our Congregation should be establisht and the Bars of our Gates strength'ned Isa 65.23 66.22 Josh 24.16 Joel 2.16 17. Psal 90.16 Esther 10.3 Nehem. 2.10 Psal 101.1 Ephes 6.4 Prov. 22.6 1 Chr. 28.9 2 Chr. 29.11 30.6 Isa 44.3 5. Gen. 21.9 12. by the Lord's blessing our children within us therefore will we and our House serve the Lord seeking as well in the Congregation as in Secret for the Blessing of the Lord and his Peace upon our children walking before them in a perfect way training them up in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord and calling upon them as they grow up to avouch the Lord for their God and to take on themselves the Bond of the Covenant casting out such of them as prove Scoffers and despisers of their Birthright IIIdly We Covenant to discharge our Duty to each other as members in particular 1 Cor. 12.27 1 Pet. 1.22 Gal. 6.2 Ephes 4.2 Rom. 12.10 Mark 13.37 to Love one another with a pure heart fervently to bear each others burthens forbearing one another and in Honour esteeming each better than our selves to watch over each other not hating our Brother by suffering sin to rest upon him Levit. 19.17 but in any wise to rebuke him We shall not consent hearken to Deut. 13.6 11. Prov. 29.24 pity spare nor conceal any tho' dear as our own soul that would secretly intice us to depart from the true Faith of God in which we stand 1 Pet. 5.12 Heb. 3.12 13. Acts 11.23 James 5.16 Luke 22.32 1 Thess 4.18 but daily will we exhort each other with full purpose of heart to cleave unto the Lord praying for strengthning and comforting one another in the ways of Christ no Brother wronging nor defrauding a Brother 1 Cor. 6.1 8. nor going to Law with him before unbelievers the Saints being to judge all matters relating to the Brethren And consecrating our substance to the Lord Mic. 4.13 Esther 10.3 Rom. 12.13 Acts 4.32 we shall seek the welfare of each other distributing to the necessities of the Saints according to the Example of the People of God in the Apostles times 1 Cor. 7.26 27. as far as the present distress doth permit not refusing to lay down even our lives for the Brethren 1 John 3.16 Psal 137.6 as preferring this Sion to our chiefest Joy Nor shall we neglect our several relative Duties whether within the Church Col. 4.5 or without Husbands loving their Wives Ephe. 5.25.33 Col. 3.19 Eph. 5.22 24. Col. 3.18 not being bitter against them Wives being obedient to their own Husbands in the Lord Parents bringing up their Children in the Fear of God Ephes 6.4 Children obeying their Parents in the Lord Ephes 6.1 2. Masters being just and merciful to their Servants Ephes 6.9 Servants and Subjects obeying their Superiors in the Lord 1 Pet. 2.13 25. 1 Thess 4.11 2 Thess 3 10 12 All studying to be quiet to work with their own hands and to mind their own business rendering to Caesar the things that are Caesars Mat. 22.21 and to God the things that are Gods that so we may adorn the Gospel of God our Saviour Titus 2.10 IV. We all Covenant to discharge our Duty to the whole Church jointly 1 Cor. 12.25.12 as a Body of Christ To be holy to the Lord in all manner of Conversation To stand together for the Defence of the Truth To keep the Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace To press forward in our Heavenly Course 1st 1 Pet. 1.15 2 Tim. 2.4 As a Body of Christ we shall be holy to the Lord in all manner of Conversation not intangling our selves with the Affairs of this Life Zeph. 3.9 Ephes 5.4 in Language seeking Purity avoiding all foolish Talking or Jesting which is not convenient having our Speech season'd with Salt Col. 4.6 that it may administer Grace to the Hearers And we being redeem'd from a vain Conversation 1 Pet. 1.14 18. shall not fashion our selves according to the former Lusts in our Ignorance but adorning our selves with modest Apparel becoming People professing Godliness 1 Tim. 2.9 Deut. 22.5 with 1 Cor. 11.1.16 Ezek. 44.20 Rev. 9.7 8. Zeph. 1.8 Isa 3.24 Jude 23. No Woman shall wear that which pertains to a Man nor any Man put on a Woman's Garment or Covering all that do so being an Abomination to the Lord who will punish all such who are cloath'd with strange Apparel strange to Nature or strange to Scripture therefore shall we hate even the Garment spotted with the Flesh Gen. 35.2 2 Cor. 6.14 Josh 23.12 13. Judg. 2.1.4 2 Chron. 19.2.20.35 37. Deut. 7.3 5. Ezra 9.14 10.3 5. Neb. 13.23 27 Mal. 2.11.15 Heb. 6.10 Levit. 18.30 Prov. 2.17 Mal. 2.14 Gen. 23. all Ruth 1.17 1 King 13.31 we will not unequally Yoke our selves with Unbelievers nor join in Affinity or make Leagues with such as are not in a visible relation to Christ in his Church nor yet shall we give our Daughters to their Sons nor take their Daughters to our Sons lest our Children learn their ways and we so mingle the Holy Seed that there be no Remnant of us or escaping Desiring also to be married as God's People were of old and not according to vain Customs all which are forbidden avoiding as much as in us lies being interr'd with Strangers so following the Example of the Saints who coveted
to be buried with their own People 2dly As a Body of Christ we will with one Shoulder stand together to uphold his Truth Zeph. 3.9 Margent Phil. 1.27 Gal. 2.5 and that the Gospel may continue with us and our Seed like David serving our Generation we profess to strive together for all Truth Act. 20.20 27. Psal 119.128 Deut. 12.32 Mat. 5.19 Gal. 4.18 Rev. 2.13 3.10 2 Cor. 10.4 7. Col. 1.18 counting nothing indifferent being always zealously affected for those Truths of Christ that are most oppos'd in our day resisting stedfastly by his Word and Spirit all Doctrines undermining the Dignity of our Lord Jesus Christ as King Prophet and Priest of his Church that in all things he might have the Preheminence More particularly First Isa 24.5 Matth. 2.14 Matth. 15.9 Gal. 5.1 1 Kin. 12.28 to the End Isa 33.22 Psal 45.11 We shall oppose ALL Doctrines leading to the Neglect of Christ's Ordinances or to the sinful imposing any Traditions Ceremonies Orders or Officers in the Church not instituted by Christ our only King Judge and Lawgiver who is our Lord and we will worship him Secondly Acts 13.45 46 with 3.22 We shall continue heartily to abhor ALL Doctrine contradicting and Blaspheming the Revelation of this our Prophet in his Written Word 1 Tim. 4.1 Chiefly those Doctrines of Devils which deny oppose or prevaricate about the Eternal Godhead of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit Joh. 10.30 38 Acts 5.3 4. 1 John 5.7 so blaspheming the ever blessed Trinity in Unity Or that Oppose Isa 9.6 7. Matth. 1.23 1 Tim. 3.16 or Equivocate about the Mysterious Union of the Divine and Humane Nature in the One Person of our glorious Mediator Jesus Christ Or that exalt the Light within Jer. 10.23 Matth. 6.23 John 1.4 9. with 8.12.9.5 6.27.40 or any other Creature above besides or with Jesus of Nazareth that was Born of the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem in Judea The Only True Light of the World and Seal'd Sent Saviour of Sinners Or that Eclipse the Sovereignty Rom. 9.11 end 11.5 7. Eph. 2. thro' out John 1.13 2 Tim. 1.9 Titus 3.5 7. Freeness and Efficacy of Divine Grace in Election Vocation and Justification all being only of Grace without any regard had to Good foreseen in or done or will'd by the Creature Or that make void the good old righteous Law of God Hosea 8.12 Mat. 5.17 19. Isa 42.21 Rom. 3.19 21. Gal. 6.16 1 Tim. 1.5 10. Psal 19.7 9. Rom. 7.12 22 as a Law under which all Men are born and as a Rule of Life to all the Called of God The Law given to Adam in Paradice and afterwards held forth summarily in the Ten Commandments explain'd by Christ his Apostles and Prophets containing all Duties whatsoever Faith and Repentance not excepted and forbidding all manner of sin Or that transform the Gospel of God's Grace into a new Remedial Law Acts 20.24 Luke 2.10 11. Acts 13.38 39 commanding Faith Repentance and sincere Obedience as the Terms and Conditions of our Justification the true Gospel being a Ministration of Grace Rom. 3.22 28. 5.1 2.10.4 freely tendring to poor sinners the Suretiship Righteousness of Christ to be relied upon by Faith and imputed to them for their full and free Justification before God Or that affirm Justification is only by the Death of Christ and consists only in Remission of Sin Rom. 5.10 19. 10.4 The Word assuring us that Justification is as well by Christ's perfect Obedience to the Law Heb. 5.8 9. Cant. 4.7 2 Cor. 5.21 Eph. 5.27 1 Joh. 3.7 as by his Death under its Curse and therein the Sinner is not only forgiven but accounted perfectly righteous Or that render the Elect less children of Wrath by Nature than others Ephes 2.3 12. Rom. 3.9 19. Mark 2.17 Gal. 3.22 23. 1 Thes 1.8 10. by asserting their actual Justification from Eternity or at any time before Faith the whole tenour of Scripture discovering that all are alike under sin shut up under the Law till Faith comes Gal. 2.16 Psal 86.13 by which Christ is apprehended to justifie and save even from the lowest Hell Or that give the least encouragement to sin Either by affirming Psal 89.31 33 Jer. 46.28 Amos 3.2 that the Iniquities of God's Children are not visited by Stripes consisting with the Father's loving-kindness Or By refusing to pray for the Pardon of Sin Luke 11.4 Psal 25.7 11 18. 2 Cor. 7.10 11 Jam. 2.14 ult Jude 4 v. Phil. 3.18 19. which our Lord in his Summary of Prayer hath made our daily Duty And by denying Repentance and Good Works to be the genuine Fruits of Faith so turning the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ into Lasciviousness and causing his Cross to be evil-spoken of These Doctrines shall we detest Pro. 2.6 to 15. Psal 17.4.19.7 2 Tim. 3.15.17 Together with all that question the Validity of any part or the sufficiency of the whole written Word for perfecting the Man of God in all things whatsoever so reproaching our faithful Prophet who hath seal'd the Vision Mal. 2.9 Heb. 3.5 6. Dan. 9.24 Jer. 8.8 9. and given us a Rule in every thing compleat Thirdly Continually shall we reject all Doctrines establishing Priesthoods Heb. 2.17.9.26.10.4 to 23. Masses Conditions or any Creature Qualifications and Confidences for Satisfaction Heb. 3.1 1 John 2.1 2. 1 Tim. 2.5 Mediation or Intercession with God Christ alone being our High-Priest Propitiation and Mediatour Therefore we will not give place by subjection Gal. 2.5 5.1 2 Tim. 2.1 Rev. 14.1 Gal. 2.11 Rev. 2.10.3.15 16. 1 King 18.21 Zech. 11.8 Psal 69.9.119.139 1 Cor. 4.3 Psal 69.7 Heb. 12.3 Psal 69.8 Gal. 4.16 Micah 7.1 7. Luke 14.26 to 33. no not for an hour to any that would bring us into Bondage but being strong in the Grace which is in Christ Jesus and shewing the Father's Mark in the Forehead we shall withstand them to the Face stedfastly resisting even to the Death Protesting against all coldness lukewarmness halting or indifferency in the Cause of Christ which things his Soul hates The Zeal of Christ's House having eaten us up for his sake therefore shall we gladly bear the unrighteous Judgments Reproaches and Contradictions of all sorts of sinners whether open Enemies false Brethren lukewarm Churches or Kindred according to the flesh professing to have counted the Cost and willingly to deny and forsake all Friends Relations Enjoyments and whatsoever is dear to us in this World Rev. 14.4 1 Cor. 4.9 13. Heb. 11.24 27 that we may follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth laying our Reputation Estate Liberty yea Life it self at the Feet of Jesus Christ Matth. 16.24 27. our Lord and Saviour 3dly As a Body of Christ Ephes 4.3 with Eze. 20.37 Gal. 5.1 we will keep the unity of the Spirit in the Bond or Covenant of peace Maintaining the Priviledges of
openly acknowledg'd by Christ shall be for ever with the Lord 1 Thess 4.17 The Sixth Lesson About the Law and the Gospel Question 1. HOW shall we know the whole Will of God that we may do it Answer Hos 8.12 Isa 8.20 Eph. 2.20 1 Tim. 4.7 Tit. 1.14 Gal. 6.16 2 Tim. 3.15.17 The whole Will of God is reveal'd in his written Word containing all the Books of the Old and New Testament the Apocrypha being to be rejected as profane Old Wives Fables which turn from the Truth This Word is the perfect Rule or Canon which is able to make even a Child wise unto Salvation through Faith which is in Jesus Christ Question 2. Why are the Scriptures call'd the Old and the New Testament Answer The Scriptures are call'd the Old and New Testament Isa 8.20 as they testifie of the whole Will of God both under the first Testament Heb. 8.6 to 13. or Church-Covenant before Christ came in the Flesh and since under the Second Testament or Church-Covenant enlarg'd and renew'd by Christ wherein 1st Col. 2.14 All the outward Levitical Ceremonies in the first Church-Covenant are taken away 2dly Rom. 15.8 Yet all their Spiritual Priviledges in that Covenant are confirm'd to us and our Seed 3dly 2 Cor. 3.7 11. And glorious Additions are made of Gospel-Grace to the Church Question 3. How shall we know the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the Word of God Answer Mat. 16.17 John 16.3 1 John 2.20 ch 5.6 Luke 24.32 1 Cor. 2.14 2 Pet. 1.19.21 The Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are only known aright to be the Word of God by the witnessing of the Spirit of God in the Heart to the Testimony which they give of their heavenly Majesty and undoubted Divinity Question 4. How shall we come to understand the Mind of God in his Word Answer 1 Tim. 4.13.15 Acts 37.11 John 5.39 Ps 119.9 18. Eph. 1.17 18. 1 Cor. 2.12 13. We shall come to a right Understanding of the Mind of God in his Word by diligent reading hearing searching and meditating therein with constant Prayer to God for Wisdom comparing Scripture with Scripture by the help of the Holy Spirit Question 5. But will not the Learning of Men help to understand the Word of God Answer A knowledge of the Hebrew and the Greek Tongues in which the Scriptures were first written may be of use to understand the Letter of them Col. 2.8 1 Cor. 8.1 2. ch 1.19 21. ch 2.4 10 11. Luke 24.45 but Philosophy and other Learning puffs up and leads from a dependance on the Spirit who only can open our Understanding in the Scriptures Question 6. What are the chief Parts of the Word of God Answer Isa 8.20 with 1 Cor. 2.1 Luke 24.27 with Act. 10.43 Gal. 3.8 10. Psal 119.96 The whole Word of God may be divided into Law and Gospel both which are to be found both in the Old Testament and in the New the Historical and every other part of the Word referring and having a respect some way or other either to Law or Gospel Question 7. What is the Law Answer Psal 119.96 1 Tim. 1.8 9 10. Gal. 3.10 Exod. 20. all Mat. 5 6 and 7 chap. The Law consists of all the Commands and Threatnings in all the Bible not only in the Old Testament but in the New also all which are briefly summ'd up in the Ten Commandments given by Moses and explained by Christ his Apostles and Prophets Question 8. What is the Summ of the Ten Commandments Answer Eccles 12.13 Deut. 10.12 13. with Mat. 22.37 38 39 40. Rom. 13.10 The Ten Commandments briefly summ up our Duty to God and Man all which are contained in these Words of our Saviour Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy Heart and with all thy Soul and with all thy Mind and with all thy Strength and thou shalt love thy Neighbour as thy self for Love is the fulfilling of the Law Question 9. How shall we aright understand the Ten Commandments Answer By knowing these three Things we may come to a good Understanding of the Commands 1st Psal 119.128 Deut. 6.13 with Lev. 26.1 That every Command for Duty forbids the contrary Sin and every Command which forbids Sin obliges to the contrary Duty 2. Rom. 7.5 7 8 14. Mat. 5.21 22 27 28. Prov. 24.9 Gen. 6.5 2 Cor. 10.5 By knowing that every Command reacheth the very Heart not only forbidding the outward Sin and commanding outward Obedience but even the Thoughts and Motions of Sin within us are forbidden and the Obedience of the Heart is required therein 3. 1 John 3.4 James 2.10 Mat. 23.23 By considering that any Transgression of the Law or the least want of whatsoever the Law requires is Sin Question 10. Can any Man obey the Commandments perfectly Answer Mat. 19 20. Rom. 7.9 10 11. Those that think the Law forbids only outward Sins and know not the Spirituality of it they think that they can perform all Jer. 4.14 Prov. 23.16 Rom. 3.10 20. Eccl. 7.20 but such as feel that the Command reacheth the very Heart forbidding every sinful Thought and commanding us even in our Spirit to fear God they know and are sure that no meer Man can perfectly keep the Law Question 11. Why then were the Commands given by Moses if no Man can perfectly obey them Answer Moses did not give the Law as a Covenant of Works that we should obey it for Life Gal. 3.24 but as a Schoolmaster for Three Ends 1st To shew us our miserable State by Nature Rom. 3.9 19. chap. 7.8 that we are all Sinners against the holy Law of God 2. To make us despair of Salvation in our selves Rom. 3.19 20. chap. 5.20 and to fly to Christ for help 3. The Law was given as a Rule of Life Psal 119.45 1â—5 133. to order all our Conversation by at all times And this is the only right Use of the Law 1 Tim. 1.8 Question 12. What is the Gospel Answer Luke 2.10 11. Acts 20.24 Rom. 10.15 with Isa 52.7 Acts 13.23 39. chap. 3.18 The Gospel is the Glad Tidings of Salvation by Jesus Christ containing all the free Promises and Invitations of Grace whether in the Old Testament or in the New Question 13. But are not Faith Repentance and Love the Commands of the Gospel Answer Acts 20.24 1 Tim. 1.5 10. Psal 19.7 8 9. Mat. 22.37 40. Mark 1.15 Gal. 3.24 The Gospel strictly taken for Glad Tidings of Salvation by Jesus Christ hath no Commands Faith Repentance Love and all Duties whatsoever being commanded by the Law yet in preaching the Gospel these Commands must be urg'd to lead to Christ Question 14. But is not the Gospel a new Law offering Salvation on the easier Terms of our sincere Obedience Answer Mat. 5.17 18 19 20. Luke 16.17 Phil. 3.9 Gal. 2.16 21. It