publickly for the proof of which 1. That the Priests and Levites in the Iewish Church were trusted with the publick reading of the Word as is proved Deut. 31 9 10 11. Neh. 8. 1 2 and 13. 2. That the Ministers of the Gospel have as ample a Charge and Commission to dispence the Word as well as other Ordinances as the Priests and Levites had under the Law proved Isa 66. 21. Mat. 23 34. where our Saviour intituleth the Officers of the New Testament whom he will send forth by the same names of the Teachers of the Old Which Propositions prove that therefore the duty being of a moral nature it followeth by just consequence that the publick reading of the Scriptures belongeth to the Pastors Office To feed the Flock by Preaching of the Word according to which he is to teach convince reprove exhort and comfort 1 Tim. 3. 2. 2 Tim. 3. 16 17. Tit. 19. To Chatechise which is a plain laying down the Principles of the Oracles of God Heb. 5. 12. or of the Doctrine of Christ and is a part of Preaching To dispence other divine Mysteries 1 Cor. 4 1 2. To administer the Sacraments Mat. 28 19 20. Mark 16. 15 16. 1 Cor. 11 23 24 25. compareth with 1 Cor. 10. 16. To bless the People from God Num. 6. 23 24 25 26. compared with Rev 14. 5 where the same blessings and Persons from whom they come are expresly mentioned Isai 66. 21. Where under the names of Priests and Levites to be continued under the Gospel are meant Evangelicall Pastors who therefore are by Office to bless the People Deut. 10. 8. 2 Cor. 13 14. Eph. 1. 2. To take care of the Poor Acts 1â— 30. 4. 34 35 36 37. 6. 2 3 4. 1 Cor. 16. 1 2 3 4. Gal. 2 9 10. And he hath also a ruling power over the Flock as a Pastor 1 Tim. 5. 17. Acts 20. 17. and 28. 1 Thes 5 12. Heb. 13. 7. 17. Teacher or Doctor THe Scripture doth hold out the name and title of Teacher as well as of the Pastor 1 Cor. 12. verse 28. Ephes 4. verse 11. Who is also a Minister of the Word as well as the Pastor and hath power of administration of the Sacraments The Lord having given different gifts and divers excercises according to these gifts in the Ministry of the Word Rom. 12. 6 7 8. 1 Cor. 12 1 4 5 6 7. Though these different gifts may meet in and accordingly be exercised by one and the same Minister 1 Cor. 14. 3. 2 Tim. 4. 2. Tit. 1. 9 yet where be several Ministers in the same Congregation they may be designed to several imployments according to the different gifts in which each of them doth most excel Rom 12. 6 7 8. 1 Pet. 4. 10 11. And he that doth more excel in exposition of Scripture in teaching sound Doctrine and in convincing gain sayers then he doth in application and is accordingly imployed therein may be called a Teacher or Doctor the places alledged by the Notation of the Word doth prove the Proposition Nevertheless where is but one Minister in a particular Congregation he is to perform so far as he is able the whole work of the Ministry as appeareth in the 2 Tim. 4. 2. Tit. 1 9 before alledged 1 Tim. 6 2. A Teacher or Doctor is of most excellent use in Schools and Universities as of old in the Schools of the Prophets and at Jerusalem where Gamaliel and others taught as Doctors Oâ—her Church-Governors AS there were in the Jewish Church Elders of the People joyned with the Priests and Levites in the Government of the Church as appeareth in the 2 Chron. 19. 8 9 10. So Christ who hath instituted a Government and Governors Ecclesiastical in the Church hath furnished some in his Church beside the Ministers of the Word with gifts for Government and with commission to execute the same when called thereunto who are to joyn with the Minister in the Government of the Church Rom. 12. 7 8. 1 Cor. 12. 28. which Officers reformed Churches commonly call Elders Deacons THe Scripture doth hold out Deacons as distinct Officers in the Church Phil 1. 1. 1 Tim. 3. 8. whose Office is perpetual 1 Tim. 3. 8. to verse 15. Acts 6. 1 2 3 4. To whose Office it belongs not to preach the Word or administer the Sacraments but to take special care in distributing to the necessities of the poor Acts 6. 1 2 3 4. and the verses following Of particular Congregations IT is lawful and expedient that there be fixed Congregations that is a certain company of Christians to meet in one Assembly ordinarily for publique Worship When Beleevers multiply to such a number that they cannot conveniently meet in one place it is lawful and expedient that they should be divided into distinct and fixed Congregations for the better administration of such Ordinances as belong unto them and the discharge of mutual duties 1 Cor. 14. 26. Let all things be done unto edifying and verses 33. 40. The ordinary way of dividing Christians into distinct Congregations and most expedient for edification is by the respective bounds of their dwellings First Because they who dwell together being bound to all kind of Moral duties Deut. 15 7 11 one to another have the better opportunity thereby to discharge them which Mat. 22. 39 Mat. 5 17 Moral tye is perpetual for Christ came not to destroy the Law but to fulfil it Secondly The Communion of Saints must be so ordered as may stand with the most convenient use of the Ordinances and discharge of Moral duties without respect of persons 1 Cor. 14 26. Let all things be done unto edifying Heb. 10 24 25. James 2. 1 2. Thirdly The Pastor and People must so nearly co-habite together as that they may mutually perform their duties each to other with most conveniency In this company some must be set apart to bear Office Of the Officers of a particular Congregation FOr Officers in a single Congregation there ought to be one at the least both to labour in the Word and Doctrine and to rule Prov. 29 18. 1 Tim. 5 17. Heb 13 7. It is also requisite that there should be others to joyn in Government 1 Cor. 12 28. And likewise it is requisite that there be others to take special care for the relief of the poor Acts 6 2 3. The number of each of which is to be proportioned according to the condition of the Congregation These Officers are to meet together at convenient and set times for the well-ordering of the affairs of that Congregation each according to his Office It is most expedient that in these meetings one whose Office is to labour in the Word and Doctrine do moderate in their proceedings 1 Tim. 5 17. Of the Ordinance in a particular Congregation THe Ordinances in a single Congregation are Prayer Thanksgiving and singing of Psalms 1 Tim. 2 ver 1. 1 Cor. 14 15 16. The Word
love him in sincerity endeavouring to walk in all good conscience before him may in this life be certainly assured that they are in the state of grace c 1 Ioh. 2. 3 1 Ioh. 3. 14 18 19 22 24 1 Ioh 5. 13. and may rejoyce in the hope of the glory of God which hope shall never make them ashamed d Rom. 5. 2 5 II. This certainty is not a bare conjecturall and probable perswasion grounded upon a fallible hope e Heb. 6. 11 19. but an infallible assurance of faith founded upon the divine truth of the promises of salvation f Heb. 6. 17 18. the inward evidence of those graces unto which these promises are made g 2 Pet. 1. 4 5 10 11. 1 Ioh. 2. 3. 1 Ioh 3. 14 2 Cor. 1. 12 the testimony of the Spirit of Adoption witnessing with our spirits that we are the children of God h Rom. 8. 15 16 which Spirit is the earnest of our inheritance whereby we are sealed to the day of redemption i Eph. 3. 13 14. Eph. 4. 30. 2. Cor. 1. 21. 22. III. This infallible assurance doth not so belong to the essence of faith but that a true beleever may wait long and conflict with many difficulties before he be partaker of it k 1 Iohn 5. 13. Isa 50. 10 Mark 9. 24. Psal 8â— throughout Psal 77. to verse 12. yet being inabled by the Spirit to know the things which are freely given him of God he may without extraordinary revelation in the right use of ordinary meanes attain thereunto l 1 Cor 2. 12 1 Ioh. 4. 13 He 6. 11 12 Eph. 3. 17 18 19. And therefore it is the duty of every one to give all diligence to make his calling and election sure m 2 Pet. 1. 10. that thereby his heart may be inlarged in peace joy in the holy Ghost in love and thankfulnes to God and in strength and cheerfulnes in the duties of obedience the proper fruits of this assurance n Rom. 5. 1 1 2 5. Rom. 14. 7. Ro. 15. 3. Eph. 1. 3. 4 Psal 4. 6 7 Psal 119. 32 so far is it from inclining men to loosnesse o 1 Ioh. 2. 1 2 Rom. 6. 1 2. Tit. 2. 11 12 14. 2 Cor. 7. 1. Rom. 8. 1 12 1 Iohn 3. 2. 3 Psal 1 30. 4. 1 Iohn 1. 6 7. IV. True beleevers may have the assurance of their salvation divers wayes shaken diminished and intermitted as by negligence in preserving of it by falling into some speciall sin which woundeth the conscience and grieveth the spirit by some sudden or vehement temptation by Gods withdrawing the light of his countenance and suffering even such as fear him to walk in darknesse and to have no light p Can. 5. 2 3 6 Ps 5. 1 6 12 14. Eph. 4. 30 31. Psa â—â— 1 to 10. Mat. 26. 69 70 71 72. Psal 31. 22. Psal 88. throughout Esa 5. 10. yet are they never utterly destitute of that seed of God and life of faith that love of Christ and the brethren that sincerity of heart and conscience of duty out of which by the operation of the Spirit this assurance may in due time be revived q 1 Ioh. 3. 9 Luke 22. 32 Iob 13. 15 Psaim 73. 15 Psal 51. 8 12 and by the which in the mean time they are supported from utter despair r Mich. â— 7 8 9. Ier. 52. 40. Isa 54. 7 8 9 10. Psalme 22. 1. Psalme 88. throughout CHAP. XIX Of the Law of God GOD gave to Adam a Law as a Covenant of Works by which he bound him and all his posterity to personall entire exact and perpetuall obedience promised life upon the fulfilling and threatened death upon the breach of it and indued him with power and ability to keep it a Gen. 1. 26 27 with Gen. 2. 17 Rom 2 14 15 Rom. 10. 5 Rom. 5. 12. 19. Gal. 3 10 12. Eccles 7. 29 Iob 28. 20 II. This Law after his fall continued to be a perfect rule of righteousnesse and as such was delivered by God upon Mount Sinai in Ten Commandements and written in two Tables b Iam. 1. 25 Iam 2. 8 10 11 12. Rom. 13. 8 9 Deut. 5. 32 Deut. 10. 4 Exod. 34. 1 the foure first Commandements containing our duty towards God and the other six our duty to man c Mat. 22 37 38 39 40. III. Beside this Law commonly called Morall God was pleased to give to the people of Israel as a Church under age Ceremoniall Laws containing severall typicall Ordinances partly of Worship prefiguring Christ his graces actions sufferings and benefits d Heb 9. chap Heb. 10. 1 Gal. 4. 1 2 3. Col. 2. 17. and partly holding forth divers instructions of morall duties e 1 Cor. 5. 7 2 Cor. 6. 17 Iude ver 23 All which Ceremoniall Laws are now abrogated under the new Testament f Col. 2. 14 16 17. Dan. 9. 27 Eâ—h 2. 15 16. IV. To them also as a body Politique he gave sundry Iudiciall Laws which expired together with the State of that people not obliging any other now further than the generall equity thereof may require g Exod. 21 Chapter Exod. 22. 1 to 29 Gen 49. 10 with 1 Pet. 2. 13 14 Mat. 5. 17 with ver 38 39. 1 Cor. 9. 8 9 10. V. The Morall Law doth for ever bind all as well justified persons as others to the obedience thereof h Rom. 13. 8 9 10. Eph. 6. 2 1 Iohn 2. 3 4 7 8 and that not only in regard of the matter contained in it but also in respect of the authority of God the Creatour who gave it i Iam. 2. 10. 1â— Neither doth Christ in the Gospell any way dissolve but much strengthen this obligation k Mat. 5. 17 18 19. Iam. 2. 8. Rom 3. 31. VI. Although true Believers be not under the Law as a Covenant of works to be thereby justified or condemned l Rom. 6. 14 Gala. 2. 16 Gala. 3. 13 Gala. 4. 4 5 Acts 13. 39 Rom. 8. 1 yet is it of great use to them as well as to others in that as a rule of life informing them of the will of God and their duty it directs and binds them to walk accordingly m Rom. 7 12 22 25. Psal 119. 4 5 6. 1 Cor. 7. 19 Gal. 5. 14 16 18 19 20 21 22 23. discovering also the sinfull pollutions of their nature hearts lives n Rom. 7. 7 Rom. 3. 20 so as examining themselves thereby they may come to further conviction of humiliation for and hatred against sin o Iam. 1. 23 24 25. Rom. 7. 9 14 24. together with a clearer sight of the need they have of Christ and the perfection of his obedience p Gal. 3. 24 Rom. 7. 24 25. Rom. 8 3. 4. It is likewise of use to the Regenerate to restrain their corruptions in that it forbids sin q
from the Morall Law as a Covenant of works f Rom. 6. 14 Rom 7. 4. 6 Gal. 4. 4 5 so as thereby they are neither justified g Rom. 3 20 nor condemned h Gal. 5. 23 Rom. 8. 1 yet beside the generall uses thereof common to them with all men it is of speciall use to shew them how much they are bound to Christ for his fulfilling it and enduring the curse thereof in their stead and for their good i Rom. 7. 24 25 Gal. 3. 13 14 Rom. 8. 3 4 and thereby to provoke them to more thankfulness k Luk. 1. 68 69 74 75 Col. 1 12 13 14 and to expresse the same in their greater care to conform themselves thereunto as the rule of their obedience l Rom. 7. 22 Rom. 12. 2 Tit. 1. 11. 12 13 14 Q. Where is the Morall Law summarily comprehended A. The Morall Law is summarily comprehended in the ten Commandements which were delivered by the voyce of God upon mount Sinai and written by him in two Tables of stone m Deut. 10 4. Exod 34. 1 2 3 4 and are recorded in the twentieth Chapter of Exodus the four first Commandements containing our duty to God and the other six our duty to man n Mat. 22 37 38 39 40 Q. What rules are to be observed for the right understanding of the ten Commandements A. For the right understanding of the Commandements these rules are to be observed That the Law is perfect and bindeth every one to ful conformity in the whole man unto the righteousnes therof unto intire obedience for ever so as to require the utmost perfectioÌ„ of every duty to forbid the least degree of every sin o Psal 19. 7 Iam. â— 10 Mat. 5. 21 to the end That it is spirituall and so reacheth the Vnderstanding Will Affections and all other powers of the soul as well as words works and gestures p Rom. 7. 14 Deut 6. 5 with Mat. 22 37 38 39 Mat. 5. 21 22 27 28 36 to the end That one and the same thing in divers respects is required or forbidden in severall Commandements q Col. 3 5 Amos 8. 5 Prov. 1. 19 1 Tim. 6. 10 That as where a duty is commanded the contrary sin is forbidden r Isa 58. 13 Deu. 6. 13 with Mat. 4 9 10 Mat 15. 4 5 6 and where a sin is forbidden the contrary duty is commanded Å¿ Mat. 5. 21 22 23 24 25 Eph. 4. 28 so where a promise is annexed the contrary threatning is included t Exo. 10. 12 with Prov. 30 17 and where a threatning is annexed the contrary promise is included u Ier. 18. 7 8 Exod 20. 7 with Ps 15 1 4 5 Psal 24. 4 5 That what God forbids is at no time to be done w Iob 13. â— â— Rom. 3. 8 Iob 36 21 Heb 11. 25 what he commands is alwayes our duty x Deut. 4. 8. 9 yet every particular duty is not to be done at all times y Mat. 12. 7 That under one sin or duty all of the same kind are forbidden or commanded together with all the causes meanes occasions and appearances thereof and provocations thereunto z Mat. 5. 21 22 27 28 Mat. 15 4 5. 6 Heb. 10 24 25 1 Thes 5. 22 Iude v. 13 Gal. 5. 16 Col. 3. 21 That what is foâ—bidden or commanded to our selves we are bound according to our places to endeavour that it may be avoyded or performed by others according to the duty of their places a Exod. 20 10 Lev. 19. 17 Gen. 18. 19 Iosh 24. 15 Deut. 6. 6 7 That in what is commanded to others we are bound according to our places and callings to bee helpfull to them b 2 Cor. 1. 24 and to take heed of partaking with thers in what is forbidden them c 1 Tim. 5. 22 Eph. 5. 11 Q. What speciall things are we to consider in the ten Commandements A. We are to consider in the Commandements the Preface the substance of the Commandements themselves and severall Reasons annexed to some of them the more to enfore them Q. What is the Preface to the Commandements A. The Preface to the Commandements is contained in these words I am the Lord thy God which have brought thee out of the Land of Egypt out of the houâ—e of Bondage d Exod. 20. 2 wherein God manifesteth his Soâ—eraignty as being Iehovah the eternall immutable and almighty God e Isa 44. 6 having his Beâ—ng in and of himself f Exod. 3. 14. giving being to all his words g Exod. â— 3 works h Act. 17. 24. 28. and that he is a God in Coâ—enaâ—t as with Israel of old so with all his people i Gen. 17. 7 with Rom. 3. 29 who as he brought them out of their bondage in Aegypt so he delivereth us from our spirâ—tuall thraldom k Luk â— 74. 75 and that therefore we are bound to take him for our God alone and to keep all his Commandemnets l 1 Pet. â— 1â— 16 17 18 Lev 18. 30 Lev. 19. 31 Q. What is the summe of the foure Commandements which containe our duty to God A. The sum of the four Commandments containing our duty to God is to love the Lord our God with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our strength and with all our minde m Luk. 10. 27 Q Which is the first Commandement A. The first Commandement is Thou shalt have no other Gods before me n Exod. 20. 3 Q. What are the duties required in the first Commandement A. The duties required in the first Commandment are the knowing acknowledging of God to be the only true God and our God o 1 Chr. 28. 9 Deut. 26. 17 Isai 43. 10 Ier. 14. 22 and to worship glorifie him accordingly p Psal 95. 6 7 Mat. 4. 10 Psal 29. 2 by thinking q Mal. 3. 16 meditating r Psal 63. 6 remembring Å¿ Eccles 12. 1 highly esteeming t Psal 71. 19 honouring u Mal. 1. 6 adoring w Isa 45. 23 chusing x Iosh 24 15 22 loving y Deut. 6. 5 desiring z Psal 73. 25 fearing of him a Isai 8. 13 believing him b Exod. 14 31 trusting c Isai 26. 4 hoping d Psal 130. 7 delighting e Psal 37. 4 rejoycing in him f Psal 32. 11 being zealous for him g Rom. 12. 11 with Num. 25. 11 calling upon him giving all praise and thanks h Phil. 4. 6 and yeelding all obedience and submission to him with the whole man i Ier 7. 23 Iam. 4. 7. being carefull in all things to please him k 1 Ioh. 3. 22 and sorrowfull when in any thing he is offended l Ier. 31. 18 Psal 119. 15 and walking humbly with him m Mich. 6. 8 Q. What are the sins forbidden in
Iohn 16. 2 1 Sam. 15. 21 22 23 II. These good works done in obedience to Gods Commandements are the fruits and evidences of a true and lively faith c Iam. 2. 18 22. and by them believers manifest their thankfulnesse d Psal 1 16 12 13 1 Pet. 2. 9 strengthen their assurance e 1 Iohn 2 3. 5 2 Pet. 1 5 6 7 8 9. 10 edifie their Brethren f 2 Cor. 9. 2 Mat. 5 16 adorn the profession of the Gospel g Tit. 2. 5 9 10 11 12. 2 Tim 6. 1 stop the mouths of the adversaries h 1 Pet. 2. 15 and glorifie God i 1 Pet. 2. 12 Phil. 1. 11 Iohn 15. 8 whose workmanship they are created in Christ Iesus thereunto k Eph. 2. 10 that having their fruit unto holinesse they may have the end eternall life l Rom 6. 22 III. Their ability to do good works is not at all of themselves but wholly from the Spirit of Christ m Iohn 15 4. 5 Ezek. 36. 26 27 And that they may be inabled thereunto besides the graces they have already received there is required an actuall influence of the same holy Spirit to work in them to will and to do of his good pleasure n Phil 2. 15. Phil. 4 13 2 Cor. 3. 5 yet are they not hereupon to grow negligent as if they were not bound to perform any duty unlesse upon a speciall motion of the Spirit but they ought to be diligent in stirring up the grace of God that is in them o Phil. 2. 12 Heb. 6. 11 12 2 Pet. 1 3 5 10 11. Isa 64. 7 2 Tim. 1 6 Acts 26. 6 7. Iude v. 20. 21 IV. They who in their obedience attain to the greatest heigth which is possible in this life are so far from being able to supererogate and to doe more then God requires as that they fall short of much which in duty they are bound to doe p Luk 17. 10 Neh. 13. 22 Iob 9 2 3 Gal. 5. 17 V. We cannot by our best Works merit pardon of sin or eternal life at the hand of God by reason of the great disproportion that is between them the glory to come and the infinit distance that is between us and God whom by them we can neither profit nor satisfie for the debt of our former sins q Rom. 3. 20 Rom. 4. 2. 4 6 Eph 2 8 9 Tit. 3. 5 6 7 Rom. 8 18 Psal 16 2 Iob 22 2 3 Iob 35. 7 8 but when we have done all we can we have done but our duty and are unprofitable servants r Luk. 17. 10 and because as they are good they proceed from his Spirit Å¿ Gal. 5. 22 23 and as they are wrought by us they are defiled and mixed with so much weaknesse and imperfection that they cannot endure the severity of Gods judgement t Isa 64. 6. Gal. 5. 17 Rom 7. 15 18. Psal 143 2. Psal 130. 3 VI. Yet notwithstanding the Persons of Believers being accepted through Christ their good works also are accepted in him u Eph. 1. 6 1 Pet 2. 5 Exod 28. 38 Gen. 4. 4 with Heb. 14. not as though they were in this life wholly unblamable and unreproveable in GODS sight w Iob 9. 20 Psal 143. 2 but that hee looking upon them in his Son is pleased to accept and reward that which is sincere although accompanied with many weaknesses and imperfections x Heb. 13. 20 21. 2 Cor. 18 12. Heb. 16 10. Mat. 25 21 23 VII Works done by unregenerate men although for the matter of them they may bee things which God commands and of good use both to themselves and others y 2 Kings 20. 30 31 1 Kings 21 27. 29 Phil. 1. 15 16 18 yet because they proceed not from an heart purified by faith z Gen. 4. 5 with Heb. 11 4. Heb. 11. 6 nor are done in a right manner according to the Word a 1 Cor. 13 3 Isa 1. 12 nor to a right end the glory of God b Mat. 6. 2 5 16. they are therefore sinfull and cannot please God or make a man meet to receive grace from God c Hag. 2. 14 Tit. 1. 15. Amos 5. 21 22. Hos 1. 4. Rom. 9. 16. Titus 3. 5. And yet their neglect of them is more sinful and displeasing unto God d Psal 14. 4. Psal 36. Iob 21. 14. 15. Mat. 25. 41 42 43 45. Mat. 23. 23. CHAP. XVII Of the Perseverance of the Saints THey whom God hath accepted in his Beloved effectually called and sanctified by his Spirit can neither totally nor finally fell away from the stare of Grace but shall certainly persevere therein to the end and be eternally saved a Phil. 1. 6 2 Pet. 1. 10 Iohn 10 28 29. 1 Iohn 3. 9. 1 Pet. 1. 5. 9 II. This perseverance of the Saints depends not upon their own free-will but upon the immutability of the Decree of Election flowing from the free and unchangable love of God the Father b 2 Tim. 2. 28 19 Ier. 31. 3. upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Iesus Christ c Heb. 10. 10 14. Heb. 13 20 21. Heb. 9. 12 13 14 15 Rom. 8. 33 to the end Ioh. 17. 11 24. Lu. 22. 32 Heb. 7. 25. the abiding of the Spirit and of the seed of God within them d Iohn 14. 16 17. 1 Ioh. 2. 27. 1 Iohn 3. 9. and the nature of the Covenant of Grace e Ier. 32. 40. from all which ariseth also the certainty and infallibility thereof f Ioh. 10. 28 2 Thes 3. 3. 1 Ioh. 2. 19. III Neverthelesse they may through the temptations of Satan and of the World the prevalency of corruption remaining in them and the neglect of the means of their preservation fall into grievous sins g Mat. 26. 70 72 74. and for a time continue therin h Psal 51 title and verse 14. 1 Isa 64. 1 7 9. 2 Sam. 11. 27 whereby they incur Gods displeasure i and grieve his holy Spirit k Eph. 4. 30. come to be deprived of some measure of their graces and comforts l Psal 51. 8 10. 12. Rev. 2. 4. Cant 5. 23 4. 6. have their hearts hardened m Isa 36. 17. Mark 6. 52. Mark 16. 14. and their consciences wounded n Isal 32 3. 4. Psal 51. 8. hurt and scandalize others o 2 Sam 12. 14. and bring temporall judgments upon themselves p Psal 89. 31 32. 1 Cor 11. 31. CHAP. XVIII Of the assurance of Grace and Salvation ALthough hypoctites and other unregenerate men may vainly deceive themselves with false hopes and carnall presumptions of being in the favour of God and estate of Salvation a Iob 8 13 14. Mich. 3 11 Deut. 29 19. Iohn 8 41. which hope of theirs shall perish b Mat. 7. 22 23. yet such as truly beleeve in the Lord Iesus and
although made to hereticks or infidels m Ezek 17 16 18 19 Iâ—sh 9. 18. 19 with 2 Sam. 21 â— V. A Vow is of the like nature with a Promissary Oath and ought to be made with the like Religious care and to be performed with the like faithfulnesse n Isai 19. 11 Eccles 5. 4 5 6. Psal 61. 8 Psal 66. 13 14 VI. It is not to be made to any Creature but to God alone o Psal 76. 11 Ier. 44. 25 26. and that it may be accepted it is to made voluntarily out of Faith and conscience of Duty in way of Thankfulnesse for mercy received or for the obtaining of what we want whereby we more strictly binde ourselves to necessary duties or to other things so far and so long as they may fitly conduce thereunto p Deut. 23. 21 22 23 Psal 50. 14 Gen. 28. 20 21 22 1 Sam. 1. 11 Psal 66. 13 14. Psal 132 2 3 4 5. VII No man may Vow to do any thing forbidden in the Word of God or what would hinder any duty therein commanded or which is not in his own power and for the performance whereof he hath no promise of ability from God q Acts 23. 12 14 Mark 6. 26 Numb 30. 5 8. 12 13. In which respects Popish Monasticall Vows of perpetuall single life professed Poverty Regular Obedience are so far from being degrees of higher Perfection that they are superstitious and sinfull snares in which no Christian may intangle himself r Mat. 19. 11 12 1 Cor. 7. 2. 9 Eph. 4. 28 1 Pet. 4. 2 1 Cor. 7. 23 CHAP. XXIII Of the Civill Magistrate GOD the supream Lord and King of all the World hath Ordained Civill Magistrates to be under him over the people for his own Glory and and the publike good and to this end hath armed them with the Power of the sword for the defence and incouragement of them that are good and for the punishment of evill doers a Rom. 13. 1 2 3 4 1 Pet. 2 13 14. II. It is lawfull for Christians to accept and execute the Office of a Magistrate when called thereunto b Pro. 8. 15. 16 Rom. 13 1 2 4 in the managing whereof as they ought especially to maintain Piety justice Peace according to the wholsom Laws of each Commonwealth c Psal 2. 10 11 12 1 Tim. 2. 2 Psal 82. 3 4 2 Sam. 23. 3 1 Pet. 2. 1â— so for that end they may lawfully now under the New Testament wage War upon just and necessary occasion d Luke 3. 14 Rom. 13. â—4 Mat. 8. 9 10 Acts 10. 1 2 Rev. 17. 14 III. The Civill Magistrate may not assume to himselfe the administration of the Word and Sacraments or the power of the Keys of the Kingdom of heaven e 2 Chro. 26 18 with Mat. 18. 17 Mat. 16 19 and 1 Cor. 12. 28 29 Eph. 4. 11 12. 1 Cor. 4. 1 2. Rom. 10 15. Heb 5. 4. yet he hath Authority and it is his duty to take order that Vnity and Peace be preserved in the Church that the Truth of God be kept pure and intire that all Blasphemies and Heresies be suppressed all corruptions and abuses in Worship and discipline prevented or reformed and all the Ordinances of God duely setled administred and observed f Isa 49. 23 Psal 22. 9 Ezra â— 23 25 26 27 28 Levit. 24. 15 Deut. 13. 5 6. 12 2 Kings 18. 4 1 Chro. 13 1 to 9. 2 Kings 23. to 26 2 Chro. 34. 33. 2 Chron. 15. 12. 13. For the better effecting whereof he hath power to call Synods to be present at them and to provide that whatsoever is transacted in them be according to the mind of God g 2 Chro. 9 8 9 10 11 2 Chron. 29 30. Chapters Mat. 2. 4 5 IV. It is the duety of People to pray for Magistrates h 1 Tim. 2. 1 2 to honour their persons i 1 Pet 2 1â— to pay them tribute and other dues k Rom. 13. 6 7. to obey their lawfull commands and to be subject to their Authority for consciencesake l Rom. 13. 5 Tit. 1. 3 Infidelity or difference in Religion doth not make void the Magistrates just and legâ—ll Authority not free the people from their due obedience to him m 1 Pet. 2. 13 14 16 from which Ecclesiasticall persons are not exempted n Rom. 13 16. Kings 2 35. Acts 25 9 10 11 2 Pet. 2. 1 10. 11 Iude ver 8 9 10 11 much lesse hath the Pope any power and jurisdiction over them in their Dominions or over any of their people and least of all to deprive them of their Dominions or lives if he shall judge them to be Hereticks or upon any other pretence whatsoever o 2 Thes 2. 4 Rev. 13. 15 16 17. CHAP. XXIV Of Marriage and Divorce MArriage is to be between one Man and one Woman neither is it lawfull for any man to have more then one Wife nor for any Woman to have more then one Husband at the same time a Gen. 2. 24 Mat. 19. 5 6 Pro. 2. 17 II. Marriage was ordained for the mutuall help of Husband and Wife b Gen. 2 18 for the increase of man-kinde with a legitimate issue and of the Church with an holy seed c Mal. 2. 15 and for preventing of uncleannesse d 1 Cor. 7 29 III. It is lawfull for all sorts of people to marry who are able with judgement to give their consent e Heb 13 4 1 Tim 4. 3 1 Cor. 36 37 38 Gen 24. 57 5â— Yet is it the duty of Christians to marry only in the Lord f 1 Cor. 7. 39 And therfore such as professe the true reformed Religion should not marry with Infidels Papists or other Idolaters Neither should suâ—h as are godly be unequally yoked by marrying with such as are notoriously wicked in their life or maintain damnable Heresies g Gen. 34. 14 Exod. 3â— 16 Deut. â— 3 4 1 Kings 11 4. Neh. 13. 25 26 27. Mal. 2 1â— 12 2 Cor. 6. 14 IV. Mariage ought not to be within the degrees of Consanguinity or Affinity forbidden in the Word h â—evit 18 Chapter 1 Cor. 5. 1 Amo. 2. 7. Nor can such incestuous marriages ever be made lawfull by any Law of man or consent of Parties so as those persons may live together as man and wife i Mark 6. 18 Lev. 18. 24 25 26 27 28. The man may not marry any of his wives kindred nearer in bloud then he may of his own nor the woman of her husbands kinred nearer in bloud then of her own k Levit. 20 19 20 21. V. Adultery or fornication committed after a Contract being detected before marriage giveth just occasion to the innocent party to dissolve that contract l Mat. 1. 18 19 20. In the case of Adultery after marriage it is lawfull for the Innocent party to