hand of God by reason of the great disproportion that is between them and the glory to come the infinite distance that is between us God whom by them we can neither profit not satisfie for the debt of our former sins but when we have done all we can we have done but our duty and are unprofitable servants and because as they are good they proceed from his spirit and as they are wrought by us they are defiled and mixed with so much weakness imperfection that they cannot endure the severity of Gods judgment VI. Yet notwithstanding the Persons of believers being accepted through Christ their good works also are accepted in him not as though they were in this life wholly unblamable and unreprovable in Gods sight but that he looking upon them in his Son is pleased to accept and reward that which is sincere though accompanied with many weaknesses and imperfections VII Works done by unregenerate men although for the mater of them they may be things which God commands and of good use both to themselves and others yet because they proceed not from an heart purified by faith nor are done in a right manner according to the word nor to a right end the glory of God they are therefore sinful and cannot please God or make a man meet to receive grace from God And yet their neglect of them is more sinful and displeasing unto God CHAP. XVII Of Perseverance THey whom God hath accepted in his â—eloved effectually called aâ—d sanctified by hiâ— Spirit can neither toâ—ally nor finally fall away from the state of grace but shall certainly persevere â—herein to the end and be eternally saved 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 unchâ—ngeable love of God the Father upon the eâ—ficacy of the merit and inâ—ercession of Jesus Chriâ—â— the abiding of the spirit of the seed of God within them and the nature of the Covenant of Grace from all which ariseth also the certainty infalliâ—ility thereof III. Nevertheless they may through the temptations of â—atan of the world the prevalency of corruption remaining in them and the neglect of the means of their preservation fall into grievous sins and for a time continue therein whereby they incur Gods displeasure and grieve his holy spirit come to be dâ—prived of some measure of their graces and comforts have their hearts hardened and their consciences wounded hurt and scandalize others and bring temporal judgments upon themselves CHAP. XVIII Of the assurance of Grace and Salvation ALthough hypocrites and other unregenerate men may vainly deceive themselves with false hopes and carnal presumptions of being in the favour of God and estate of Salvation which hope of theirs shall perish yet such as truly believe in the Lord Jesus and 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 and may rejoyce in the hope of the glory of god which hope shall never make them ashamed II. This certainty is not a bare conjectural and probable perswasion grounded upon a fallible hope but an infallible assurance of faith founded upon the divine truth of the promises of salvation the inward evidence of those graces unto which these promises are made the testimony of the spirit oâ— adoption witnessing with ouâ— spirits that we are the children of God which spirit is the earnest of inheritance whereby we are sealed to the day of redemption III. This infallible assurance doth not so belong to the essence of faith but that a true believer may wait long and conflict with many difficulties before he be partaker of it yea being enabled 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 means attain thereunto And therefore it is the duty of every one to give all diligence to make his calling and election sure that thereby his heart may be enlarged in peace joy in the holy Ghost in love thankfulness to God in strength and chearfulness in the duties of obedience the proper fruits of this assurance so far is it from inclining men to looseness IV. True believers may have the assurance of their Salvation divers ways shaken diminished and intermitted as by negligence in preserving of it by falling into some special sin which woundeth the conscience grieveth the spirit by some sudden or vehement temptation by Gods withdrawing the light of his countenance suffering even such as fear him to walk in darkness and to have no light yet are they never utterly destitute of that seed of God 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 spiriâ— this assurance may in due time be revived and by the which in the mean time their supported from utter despair CHAP. XIX Of the Law of God GOD gave to Adam a Law as a Covenant of Works by which he bound him all his posterity to personal entire exact and perpetual obedience promised life upon the fulfilling and threatned death upon the breach of it and indued him with power and ability to keep it II. This Law after his fall continued to be a perfect rule of righteousness as such was delivered by God upon Mount Sinai in ten Commandments and written in two Tables the four first Commandments containing our duty towards God and the other six our duty to man III. Beside this Law commonly called Moral God was pleased to give to the people of Isâ—ael as a Church under age Ceremonial Laws containing several typical Ordiâ—ances partly of worship prefiguring Christ his graces actions sufferingâ— and benefits and partly holdâ—ng forth divers instructions of Moral duties All which Ceremonial Laws are now abrogated under the new Testament IV. To them also as a body Politic he gave sundry Judicial Laws which expired together with the state of that people not obligeing any other now further than the general equity thereof may require V. The Moral Law doth for ever bind all as well justified persons as others to the obedience thereof and that not only in regard of the â—atter contained in it but also in respect of the Authority of God the Creator who gave it Neither doth Christ in the Gospel any way dissolve but much strengthen this obligation VI. Although true believer be not under the Law as a Covenant of works to be thereby justified or condemned yet it is of great use
of the invisible Church have with Christ A. The communion in glory which the members of the invisible Church have with Christ is in this life immediately after death and at last perfected at the Resurrection and day of Judgment Q. 83. What is the Communion in glory with Christ which the members of the invisible Church enjoy in this life A. The members of the invisible Church have communicated to them in this life the first fruits of glory with Christ as they are members of him their head so in him are interested in that glory which he is fully possessed of and as an earnest thereof enjoy the sense of Gods love peace of conscience joy in the holy Ghost hope of glory as on the contrary the sense of Gods revenging wrath horror of conscience and a fearful expectation of judgment are to the wicked the beginning of their torments which they shall endure after death Q. 84. Shall all men die A. Death being threatned as the wages of sin it is appointed unto all men once to die for that all have sinned Q. 85. Death being the wages of sin why are not the righteous delivered from death seeing all their sins are forgiven in Christ A. The righteous shall be delivered from death it self at the last day even in death are delivered from the sting curse of it so that although they die yet it is out of Gods love to free them perfectly from sin and misery to make then capable of further communion with Christ in glory which they then enter upon Q. 89. What is the Communion in glory with Christ which the members of the invisible Church enjoy immediately after death A. The communion in glory with Christ which the members of the invisible Church enjoy immediately after death is in that their souls are then made perfect in hoâ—iness and received into the highest heavens wheâ—e they behold the face of God in light and glory waâ—ting for the fâ—ll redemption of their bodies which even in death continue united to Christ and rest in their Graves as in their Beds till at the last day they be again united to their souls whereas the souls of the wicked are at death cast into hel where they remain in torments and utter darkness and their bodies kept in their graves as in their Prisons till the great day Q. 87. What are we to believe concerning the Resurrection A. We are to believe that at the last day there shall be a general Resurrection of the dead both of the just and unjust when they that are then found alive shall in a moment be changed the self same bodies of the dead which were laid in the grave being then again united to their souls forever shall be raised up by the power of Christ the bodies of the just by the Spirit of Christ by vertue of his resurrection as their head shall be raised in power spiritual incorruptible and made like to his glorious body and the bodies of the wicked shall be raised up in dishonour by him as an offended Judge Q. 88. What shall immediately follow after the Resurrection A. Immediately after the resurrection shall follow the general and final judgment of Angels and men the day hour whereof no man knows that all may watch pray be ever ready for the coming of the Lord Q. 89. What shall be done to the wicked at the day of Iudgment A. At the day of judgment the wicked shall be set on Christs left hand and upon clear evidence full conviction of their own consciences shall have the fearful but just sentence of condemnation pronounced against them and thereupon shall be cast out from the favourable Presence of God the glorious fellowship with Christ his Saints and all his holy Angels into hell to be punished with unspeakable torments both of body and soul with the Devil and his Angels for ever Q. 90. What shall be done to the Righteous at the day of Iudgment A. At the day of judgment the righteous being caught up to Christ in the clouds shall be set on his right hand there openly acknowledged and acquitted shall joyn with him in the judging of reprobate Angels and men and shall be received into heaven where they shall be fully and for ever freed from all sin and misery i filled with unconceivable joyes made perfectly holy and happy both in body and soul in the company of innumerable saints and holy Angels but especially in the immediate vision and fruition of God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and of the holy Spirit to all eternity this is the perfect and full communion which the members of the invisible Church shall enjoy with Christ in glory at the resurrection and day of Judgment Having seen what the Scriptures principally teach us to believe concerning God it follows to consider what they require as the duty of man Q. 91. WHat is the duty that God requireth of man A. The duty which God requireth of man is obedience to his revealed will Q. 92. What did God at first reveal unto man as the rule of his obedience A. The rule of obedience revealed to Adam in the state of innocency and to all mankind in him beside a special command not to eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was the moral Law Q. 93. What is the Moral Law A. The Moral Law is the declaration of the will of God to mankind directing and binding every one to personal perfeect and perpetual conformity and obedience thereunto in the fruits dispositions of the whole man soul and body and in performance of all those duties of holiness and righteousness which he oweth to God and man promising life upon the fulfilling and threatning death upon the breach of it Q. 94. Is there any use of the Moral Law to man since the fall A. Although no man since the fall can attain to righteousness and life by the Moral Law yet there is great use thereof as well common to all men as peculiar either to the unregenerate or regenerate Q. 95. Of what use is the Moral Law to all men A. The Moral Law is of use to all men to inform them of the holy nature and will of God of their duty binding them to walk accorddingly to convince them of their disability to keep it of the sinful pollution of their nature hearts lives to humble them in sense of their sin and misery and there by help them to a clear sight of the need they have of Christ and of the perfection of his obedience Q. 96. What particular use is there of the Moral Law to unregenerate
with Adam not only for himself but for his posterity all mankind descending from him by ordinary generation sinned in him fell with him in his first transgression Q. 17. Into what estate did thâ— fall bring mankind A. The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery Q. 18. Wherein consists the sinfuâ—â—ness of that estate whereinto man fell A. The sinfulness of that estatâ— whereinto man fell consists in thâ— guilt of Adams first sin the want 〈◊〉 Original righteousness and the corâ—ruption of his whole nature which 〈◊〉 commonly called Original sin togâ—ther with all actual transgressions which proceed from it Q. 19. What is the misery of that estate whereinto man fell A. All mankind by their fall lost communion with God are under his wrath curse so made liable to all miseries in this life to death it self to the pains of Hell for ever Q. 29. Did God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery A. God having out of his meer good pleasure from all eternity elected some to everlasting life did enter into a Covenant of grace to deliver them out of the estate of sin misery and to bring them into an estate of Salvation by a Redeemer Q. 21. Who is the Redeemer of Gods elect A. The only Redeemer of Gods elect is the Lord Jesus Christ who being the eternal Son of God became man and so was and continueth to be God man in two distinct natures one person for ever Q. 22. How did Christ being the Son of God become man A. Christ the Son of God became man by taking to himself a true body and a reasonable soul being conceived by the power of the holy Ghost in the womb of the Virgin Mary born of her yet without sin Q. 23. What Offices doth Christ execute as our Redeemer A. Christ as our redeemer executeth the Offices of a Prophet of a Priest and of a King both in his estate of humiliation exaltation Q. 24. How doth Christ execute the Office of a Prophet A. Christ executeth the Office of a Prophet in revealing to us by his Word and Spirit the will of God for our salvation Q. 25. How doth Christ execute the Office of a Priest A. Christ executeth the Office of a Priest in his once offering up of himself a sacrifice to satisfie divine justice and reconcile us to God and in making continual intercession for us Q. 26. How doth Christ exâ—pute the Office of a King A. Christ executeth the Office of a King in subduing us to himself in râ—ling and defending us and in restraining and conquering all his and our enemies Q. 27. Wherein did Christs Hâ—miliation consist A. Christs humiliation consisted in his being born and that in a low condition made under the Law undergoing the miseries of this life the wrath of God and the cursed death of the Cross in being buried and continuing under the power of death for a time Q. 28. Wherein consisteth Christs Exaltation A. Christs exaltation consisteth in his rising again from the dead on the third day in ascending up into Heaven in sitting at the right hand of God the Father and coming to judge the world at the last day Q. 29. How are we made partakers of the Redemption purchased by Christ A. We are made partakers of the Redemption purchased by Christ by the effectual application of it to us by his holy Spirit Q. 30. How doth the Spirit apply to us the Redemption purchased by Christ A The Spirit applyeth to us the Redemption purchased by Christ by working faith in us and thereby uniting us to Christ in our Effectual Calling Q. 31. What is effectual calling A. Effectual calling is the work of Gods Spirit whereby â—â—nvincing us of our sin misery inlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ and renewing our wills he doth perswade and inable us to imbrace Jesus Christ freely offered to us in the Gospel Q. 32. What benefits do they that are effectually called partake of in this life A. They that are effectually called do in this life partake of Justification Adoption Sanctification the several benefits which in this life do either accompany or flow from them Q. 33. What is Iustification A. Justification is an act of Gods frâ—e grace wherein he pardoneth all our sins and accepteth us as righteous in his sight only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us and received by faith alone Q. 34. What is Adoption A. Adoption is an act of Gods free grace whereby we are received into the number have a right to aâ—l the priviledges of the Sons of God Q. 35. What is Sanctification A. Sanctification is the work of Godâ— free grace whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the Image of God and are inabled more and more to die unto sin and live unto righteousness Q. 36. What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from Iustification adoption sanctification A. The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from Justification Adoption and Sanctification are assurance of Gods love peace of conscience joy in the Holy Ghost increase of grace and perseverance therein to the end Q. 37. What benefits do Believers receive from Christ at death A. The Souls of Believers are at their death made perfect in holiness do immediately pass into glory r and their bodies being still united to Christ do rest in their graves till the Resurrection Q. 38 VVhat benefits do Believers receive from Christ at the resurrection A. At the resurrection believers being raised up in glory shall be openly acknowledged acquitted in the day of judgment and made perfectly blessed in full enjoying of God to all eternity Q. 39. What is the duty which God requireth of man A. The duty which God requireth of man is obedience to his revealed will Q. 40. What did God at first reveal to man for the rule of his obedience A. The rule which God at first revealed to man for his obedience was the Moral Law Q. 41. Where is the Moral Law summarily comprehended A. The Moral Law is summarily comprehended in the Ten Commandments Q. 42. What is the Sum of the Ten Commandments A. The sum of the Ten Commandments is to love the Lord our God with all our heart with all our soul wiâ—h all our strength and with all our mind and our neighbour as our selves Q. 43. What is the Preface to the Ten Commandments A. The Preface to the Ten Commandments is in these words I am the Lord thy God Which have brought thee out of
saving Faith But I may the weak believer say in the sense of my own sinfulness and fear of Gods wrath am fled to Iesus Christ the only remedy of sin and misery and have ingaged my heart to the obedience of the Law of Love Therefore my faith is not a presumtuous and dead faith but true and saving faith The fourth warrant and specâ—al motive to believe in Christ is much assurance of life given in case men shall obey the command of believing and a fearful certification of destruction in case they obey not holden forth Ioh. 3.35 THe Father loveth the Son and hath given all things into his hand ver 36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him Wherein are holden forth to us these five following Doctrines 1. That the Father is well satisfied with the undertakings of the Son entered Redeemer and Surety to pay the ransom of believers and to perfect them in holiness and salvation The Father loveth the Son saith he viz. As he standeth Mediator in our name undertaking to perfect our Redemption in all points The Father loveth him that is doth heartily accept his offer to do the work and is well pleased with him his soul delighteth in him and resteth upon him and maketh him in this his Office the receptacle of love and grace and good will to be conveyed by him to believers in him 2. That for fulfilling of the Covenant of Redemption the Father hath given to the Son as he standeth in the capacity of the Mediator or as he is God incarnate the word made flesh all authority in Heaven and Earth all furniture of the riches of grace and of spirit and life with all power and ability which the Union of the Divine Nature with the Humane or which the fulness of the Godhead dwelling substantially in his Humane Nature or which the indivisible all-sufficiency and omnipoteâ—â—y of the inseparable every where present Triniâ—â— doâ—h import or the work of Redeâ—ption caâ—â—equire the Father saith he hath given alâ—â—hiâ—gs into the Sons hand to wit for accoâ—plâ—â—hing his work 3. 〈◊〉 assurance of life is holden forth to all who shall heartily receive Christ and the offer of the Covenant of grace and reconciliation through him he that believeth on the Son saith he hath everlasting life for it is made fast unto him 1. In Gods purpose and irrevocable decree as the believer is a man elected to life 2. By effectual calling of him unto life by God who as he is faithful so will he do it 3. By promise and everlasting Covenant sworn by God to give the believer strong consolation in life and death upon immutable grounds 4. By a pawn and infestment under the great Seal of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper so oft as the believer shall come to receive the symbols and pledges of life 5. In Christ the fountain and head of life who is entred in a possession as atturney for believers in whom our life is so laid up that it cannot be taken away 6. By begun possession of spiritual life and regeneration and a Kingdom consisting in righteousness peace and joy in the Holy Ghost erected within the believer as arles of the full possession of everlasting life 4. A fearful certification is given if a man receive not the Doctrine concerning righteousness and eternal life to be had by Jesus Christ he that believes not the Son shall not see life that is not so much as understand what it meaneth 5. He further certifieth that if a man receive not the Doctrine of the Son of God he shall be burdened twice with the wrath of God once as a born rebel by nature he shall bear the curse of the Law or the Covenant of Works and next he shall endure a greater condemnation in respect that light being come into the world and offered to him he hath rejected it and loveth darkness rather than light and this double wrath shall be fastned and fixed immoveably upon him so long as he remaineth in the condition of misbelief the wrath of God abideth on him saith he Hence may the weak believer strengthen his faith by reasoning from this ground after this manner Whosoever believeth the Doctrine delivered by the Son of God and findeth himself partly drawn powerfully to believe him by the sight of life in â—im and partly driven by the fear of Gods wrath to adhere unto him may be sure of right and interest to life eternal through him But sinful and unworthy I may the weak believer say do believe the Doctrine delivered by the Son of God and do feel my self partly drawn powerfully to believe in him by the sight of life in him and partly driven by the fear of Gods wrath to adhere unto him Therefore I may be sure of my right and interest unto eternal life through him The evidences of true Faith SO much for the laying the grounds of faith and warrants to believe now for evidencing of true faith by fruits these four things are requisite 1. That the believer be soundly convinced in his judgment of this obligation to keep the whole moral Law all the days of his life And that not the less but so much the more as he is delivered by Christ from the Covenant of Works and curse of the Law 2. That he endeavour to grow in the exercise and daily practice of Godliness and righteousness 3. That the course of his new obedience run in the right channel that is through faith in Christ and through a good conscience to all the duties of love toward God and man 4. That he keep strait communion with the fountain Christ Jesus from whom grace must run along for furnishing of good fruits For the first viz. To convince the believer in his judgement of his obligation to keep the Moral Law among many passages take Matth. 5.16 LEt your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorifie your Father which is in Heaven ver 17. Think not that I am come to destroy the Law or the Prophets I am not come to destroy but to fulfil ver 18. For verily I say unto you till Heaven and Earth pass one jot or one title shall in no wise pass from the Law till all be fulfiâ—led ver 19. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least Commandments and shall teach men so he shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven but whosoever shall do and teach them the same shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven ver 20. For I say unto you that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees ye shall in no case enter into the Kingdom of Heaven Wherein our Lord 1. Giveth commandment to believers justified by faith to give evidence of the grace of God in them before men by doing good works Let your light so shine
proportion of time be set apart for the Worship of God so in his word by a positive moral and perpetual Commandment binding all men in all Ages he hath particularly appointed one day in seven for a Sabbath to be kept holy unto him which from the beginning of the World to the resurrection of Christ was the last day of the week and from the resurrection of Christ was changed into the first day of the Week which in Scripture is called the Lords Day and is to be continued to the end of the World as the Christian Sabbath VIII This Sabbath is then kept holy unto the Lord when men after a due preparing of their hearts and ordering of their common affairs beforehand do not only observe an holy rest all the day from their own works words thoughts about their worldly imployments and recreations but also are taken up the whole time in the publick and private exercises of his Worship and in the duties of necessity and mercy CHAP. XXII Of Lawful Oaths and Vows A Lawful Oath is a part of religious Worship wherein upon just occasion the person swearing solemnly calleth God to witness what he asserteth or promiseth and to judge him according to the truth or falshood of what he sweareth II. The Name of God only is that by which men ought to swear therein it is to be used with all holy fear and reverence Therefore to swear vainly or rashly by that glorious and dreadful Name or to swear at all by any other thing is sinful and to be abhorred Yet as in matters of weight and moment an Oath is warranted by the word of God under the New Testament as well as under the Old so a lawful Oath being imposed by lawful Authority in such matters ought to be taken III. Whosoever taketh an Oath ought duly to consider the weightiness of so solemn an act and therein to avouch nothing but what he is fully perswaded is the Truth Neither may any man bind himself by Oath to any thing but what is good and just and what he believeth so to be and what he is able and resolved to perform Yet it is a sin to refuse an Oath touching any thing that is good and just being imposed by lawful Authority IV. An Oath is to be taken in the plain and common sense of the words without equivocation or mental reservation It cannot oblige to sin but in any thing not sinful being taken it binds to performance although to a mans own hart Nor is it to be vioâ—ated although made to Hereticks oâ— Infidels V. A Vow is of the like nature with a Promissary Oâ—th and ought to be made with the like Religious care and to be performed with the like faithfulness VI. It is not to be made to any Creature but to God aâ—one and that it may be accepted it is to be made voluntarily out of Faith and conscience of Duty in way of thankfulness for mercy received or of the obtaining of what we want whereby we more strictly bind our selves to necessary duties or to other things so far and so long as they may fitly conduce thereunto 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 In which respect Popish Monastical Vows of perpetual single life professed Poverty and Regular Obedience are so far from being degrees of higher Perfection that they are superstitious and sinful snares in which no Christian may intangle himself CHAP. XXIII Of the Civil Magistrate GOD the Supream Lord and King of all the world hath ordained Civil Magistrates to be under him over the people for his own Glory and the publick good and to this end hath armed them with the power of the sword for the defence and encouragement of them that are good and for the punishment of evil doers II. It is Lawful for Christians to accept and execute the Office of a Magistrate when called thereunto in the managing whereof as they ought especially to maintain Piety Justice and Peace according to the wholsome Laws of each Common-wealth so for that end they may lawfully now under the New Testament wage War upon just and necessary occasion III. The Civil Magistrate may not assume to himself the administration of the Word Sacraments or the power of the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven yet he hath Authority and it is his duty to take order that Unity and peace be preserved in the Church that the truth of God be kept pure and entire that all blasphemies and heresies be suppressed all corruptions and abuses in worship discipline prevented or reformed and all the Ordinances of God duly settled administred and observed 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 IV. It is the duty of people to pray for Magistrates to honour their persons to pay them tribute other dues to obey their lawful Commands and to be subject to their Authority for conscience sake Infidelity or indifference in Religion doth not make void the Magistrates just and legal Authority nor free the people from their due obedience to him From which Ecclesiastical persons are not exempted much less hath the Pope any power or 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 CHAP. XXIV Of Marriage and Divorce MArriage is to be between one Man and one Woman neither is it lawful for any Man to have more than one Wife nor for any Woman to have more than one Husband at the same time II. Marriage was ordained for the mutual help of Husband and Wife for the increase of Mankind with a legitimate issue and of the Church with an holy seed and for preventing of uncleanness III. It is lawful for all sorts of people to marry who are able with judgment to give their consent Yet is it the duty of Christians to marry only in the Lord And therefore such as profess the true reformed Religion should not marry with Infidels Papists or other Idolaters Neither should such as are godly be unequally yoked by marrying with such as are notoriously wicked in their life or maintain damnable heresies IV. Marriage ought not to be within the degrees of Consanguinity or Affinity forbidden in the Word Nâ—r can such incestâ—oâ—s Marriages ever be made lawful by any Law of man or consent of Parties so as those Perâ—ons
that are baptized are undoubtedly regenerated VI. The efficacy of Baptism is not â—yed to that moment of time wherein it is administred yet notwithstanding by the right use of this Ordinance the grace promised is not only offered but really exhibited confer'd by the Holy Ghost to such whether of age or infants as that grace belongeth unto according to the Council of Gods own Will in his appointed time VII The Sacrament of Baptism is but once to be administred to any person CHAP. XXIX Of the LORDS Supper OUr Lord Jesus in the night wherein he was betrayed instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood called the Lords Supper to be observed in his Church unto the end of the world for the perpetual Remembrance of the Sacrifice of himself in his Death the sealing all benefits thereof unto true Believers their spiritual nourishment and growth in him their further engagement in and to all duties whiâ—h they ow unto him and to be a Bond and Pledge of their Communion with him and with each other as Members of his Mystical Body II. In this Sacrament Christ is not offered up to his Father nor any real Sacrifice made at all for remission of sâ—n of the quick or dead but only a commemoration of that one offering up of himself by himself upon the Cross once for all and a spiritual oblation of all possible praise unto God for the same So that the Popish Sacrifice of the Mass as they call it is most abominably injurious to Christs one only Sacrifice the only propitiation for all the sins of the elect III. The Lord Jesus hath in this Ordinance appointed his Ministerâ— to declare his word of institution to the People to pray and bless the Elements of Bread and Wine and thereby to set them apart from a common to a holy use and to take and break the Bread to take the Cup and they communicating also themselves to give both to the Communicants but to none who are not then present in the Congregation IV. Private Masses or receiving this Sacrament by a Priest or any other alone as likewise the denyal of the Cup to the People worshipping the Elements the lifting them up or carrying them about for adoration and the reserving them for any pretended religious use are all contrary to the nature of this Sacrament and to the institution of Christ V. The outward Elements in this Sacrament duly set apart to the uses ordained by Christ have such relation to him crucified as that truly yet Sacramentally only they are sometimes called by the name of the things they represent to wit the Body and Blood of Christ albeit in substance and nature they still remain truly and only Bread and Wine as they were before VI. That Doctrine which maintains a change of the substance of Bread and Wine into the substance of Christs Body and blood commonly called Transubstantiation by Consecration of a Priest or by any other way is repugnant not to Scripture alone but even to common sense and reason overthroweth the nature of the Sacrament hath been and is the cause of manifold superstitions yea of gross Idolatries VII Worthy receivers outwardly partaking of the visible Elements in this Sacrament do then also inwardly by faith really indeed yet not carnally corporally but spiritually receive feed upon Christ crucified all benefits of his death The Body Blood of Christ being then nor corporally or carnally in with or under the bread and Wine yet as really but spiritually present to the faith of believers in that ordinance as the Elements themselves are to their outward senses VIII Although ignorant and wicked men receive the outward elements in this Sacrament yet they receive not the thing signified thereby but by their unworthy coming thereunto are guilty of the body blood of the Lord to their own damnation Wherefore all ignorant and ungodly persons as they are unfit to enjoy Communion with him so are they unworthy of the Lords Taâ—le and cannot without great sin against Christ while they remain such partake of these holy Mysteries or be admitted thereunto CHAP. XXX Of Church Censures THe Lord Jesus as King and Head of his Church hath therein appointed a Government in the hand of Church Officers distinct from the Civil Magistrate II. To these Officers the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven are committed by vertue whereof they have power respectively to retain and remit sins to shut that Kingdom against the impenitent both by the word and Censures and to open it unto penitent sinners by the Ministry of the Gospel and by absolution from Censures as occasion shaâ—l require III. Church Censures are necessary for the â—eclaiming and gaining of offending Brethren for deterring of othâ—â—s from the like offences for puâ—ging out of that Leaven which might infect the whole Lump for vâ—â—dicating the honour of Christ 〈◊〉 the holy profession of the Gosâ—â—l for preventing the wrath of God which might iustly fall upon the Church if they should suffer his Covenant and â—he Seals thereof to be â—rofaned by notorious and obstinate offenders IV. For the better attaining of these ends the officers of the Church are to proceed by Admonition suspension from the Sacrament of the Lords Supper for a season and by Excommunication from the Church according to the nature of the crime and demerit of the person CHAP. XXXI Of Synods and Councils FOr the better Government and further edification of the Church there ought to be such Assemblies as are commonly called Synods or Councils II. As Magistrates may lawfully call a Synod of Ministers and other fit persons to consult and advise with about matters of Religion So if Magistrates be open Enemies to the Church the Ministers of Christ of themselves by vertue of their Office or they with other fit persons upon delegation from their Churches may meet together in such assemblies III. It belongeth to Synods and Councils Ministerially to determine Controversies of Faith and cases of Conscience to set down rules and Directions for the better ordering of the publick worship oâ— God and Government of his Church to receive complaints in cases of malice administration and authoritatively to determine the same which Decrees and Determinations if consonant to the word of God are to be received with reverence and submission not only for their agreement with the word but also for the power whereby they are made as being an Ordinance of God appointed thereunto in his Word IV. All Synods or Councils since the Apostles times whether general or particular may erre and many have erred Therefore they are not to be made the rule of Faith or practice but to be used as an help in both V. Synods and Councils are to handle or conclude nothing but that which is Ecclesiastical and are not to