appointed to be the weekly Sabbath A. From the beginning of the World to the Resurrection of Christ God hath appointed the seventh day of the week to be the weekly Sabbath and the first day of the week ever since to continue to the end of the World which is the Christian Sabbath Q. 1. What special marks of honour hath God set upon this fourth Commandment A. God hath set four peculiar marks of honour on it 1. It is the largest of all the Commands 2. It hath a solemn Memento prefixed to it 3. It is delivered both positively and negatively which the rest are not And 4. It is enforced with more Arguments to strengthen the Command on us than any other Q. 2. Wâ—y will God have a Sabbath observed on Earth A. God will have a Sabbath on Earth to give us therein an Emblem of that Eternal Sabbath in Heaven wherein his people shall be serving him and praising him without interruption or mixture of any other business throughout Eternity Hâ—b 4.9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God Q 3. For what other Reasons will God have a Sabbath A. He will have a Sabbath for the honour of his name Isa. 58.13 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath from doing thy pâ—easure on my holy day and call the sabbath a delight the holy of the Lord honourable and shalt honour him not doing thine own ways nor finding thine own pleasure nor speaking thine own words For the good of Mens Souls Mark 2.27 And he said unto them the sabbath was made for man not man for the sabbath And in mercy to the Bodies of Men and Beasts Q. 4. Is this Commandment Moral and Perpetual or Ceremonial and Temporary A. It is and must needs be Moral and not Ceremonial because all the Reasons that enforce it are perpetual and the Sabbath continued when the Ceremonial Law ceased and was vanished Matth. 24.20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter neither on the sabbath day Q. 5. What day of the seven is the Christian Sabbath A. The first day of the Week is our Sabbath since the Resurrection of Christ. This is the day which was foretold to be our Sabbath Psal. 118.24 This is the day which the Lord hath made we will rejoyce and be glad in it The Lord hath marked it for himself by setting his own Name on it Rev. 1.10 I was in the Spirit on the Lords day And the Apostles and Primitive Church constantly set it apart to Religious uses and ends Acts 20.7 And upon the first day of the week when the disciples came together to break bread Paul preached unto them c. 1 Cor. 16.2 Vpon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store as God hath prospered him that there be no gatherings when I come Q. 6. When doth the Christian Sabbath begin A. It appears that this day is not to be reckoned from evening to evening but from morning to morning because the Christian Sabbath must begin when the Jewish Sabbath ended but that ended towards the morning Matth. 28.1 In the end of the sabbath as it began to dawn towards the first day of the week came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre Q. 7. What is the ground of changing the day A. The solemn commemoration of our Redemption by the Resurrection of Christ from the dead is the ground of translating the Sabbath from the seventh to the first day of the Week Psal. 118.24 This is the day which the Lord hath made we will rejoyce and be glad in it Mark 16.9 Now when Iesus was risen early the first day of the week he appeared first to Mary Magdalene out of whom he had cast seven devils Q. 8. Is it the whole day or only some hours of the day that are set apart for God A. Not a part but the whole day is the Lords and it is as dangerous to halve it with God in point of time as it was for Annanias and Sapphira to halve their dedicated Goods and bring in but a part Remember that thou keep holy the sabbath day is the Command Q. 9. Is there any other day holy besides this A. No day but this is holy by Institution of the Lord yet dayes of Humiliation and Thanksgiving may be lawfully set apart by men on a Call of Providence but Popish Holy-dayes are not warrantable nor to be observed Gal. 4.10 Ye observe dayes and months and times and years Q. 10. But seeing every day should be a Sabbath to a Christian what needs any other set time A. Though Christians must walk every day with God yet every day cannot be a Sabbath because God calls us to other Duties on those dayes but will have this to be a solemn and entire day to himself Q. 11. But if a man scruple the change of the Sabbath may he not keep both dayes weekly A. No for then by doing more than God requires he breaks a plain Command Six days shalt thou labour Q. 12. At what time should Christians be up and at their Duties on the Lords day A. As early in the morning as their strength will permit to prepare by private for publick Duties yet the publick are not to be entrenched on by private Duties Acts 10.33 Now therefore are we all here present before God to hear all things that are commanded thee of God Of the Sabbath Quest. 60. HOw is the Sabbath to be Sanctified A. The Sabbath is to be Sanctified by an holy reâ—ting all that day even from such worldly employments and recreations as are lawful on other days and spending the whole time in the publick and private exercises of Gods Worship except so much as is to be taken up in the works of necessity and mercy Quest. 61. What are the Sins forbidden in the fourth Commandment A. The fourth Commandment forbiddeth the omission or careless performance of the Duties required and the profaning the day by Idleness or doing that which is in it self sinful or by unnecessary thoughts words or works about our worldly employments or recreations Quest. 62. What are the Reasons annexed to the fourth Commandment A. The Reasons annexed to the fourth Commandment are Gods allowing us six days of the week for our own employment his challenging a special propriety in the seventh his own example and his blessing the Sabbath day Q. 1. VVhat is the Rest which God requires on the Sabbath A. It is not a meer natural or civil but an holy rest resembling the rest in Heaven wherein the Mind is most active and busie in the work of God though the Body be at rest and the Spirit not wearied with its work Rev. 4.8 And the four beaâ—â—s had each of them six wings about him and they were full of eyes within and they rest not day and night saying holy holy holy Lord God Almighty which was and is and is to come Q. 2. May
not any works of our civil Calling be ordinarily done on that day A. No it is sinful to put our hands ordinarily to our Callings on that day and God usually punishes it Neh. 13.15 16 17 18. In those dayes saw I in Iudah some treading wine-presses on the sabbath and bringing in sheaves and lading asses as also wine grapes and figs and all manner of burdens which they brought into Ierusalem on the sabbath day and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals There dwelt men of Tyre also therein which brought fish and all manner of ware and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Iudah and in Ierusalem Then I contended with the nobles of Iudah and said unto them What evil thing is this that ye do and profane the sabbath day Did not your fathers thus and did not our God bring all this evil upon us and upon this city yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath Q. 3. May we not refresh our Bodies by Recreations or our Minds by thoughts of Earthly Business or Discourses on that day A. Recreations of the Body which are lawful on other days are sinful on this day and all the Recreations of the Mind allowed on this day are Spiritual and Heavenly Isa. 58.13 14. If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath from doing thy pleasure on my holy day and call the sabbath a delight the holy of the Lord honourable and shalt honour him not doing thine own ways nor finding thine own pleasure nor speaking thine own words Then shalt thou delight thy self in the Lord and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth and feed thee with the heritage of Iacob thy father for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it Q. 4. What works may lawfully be done on that day A. Christs example warrants works of necessity and works of mercy but no other Matth. 12.3 4. But he said unto them have ye not read what David did when he was an hungred and they that were with him How he entered into the house of God and did eat the shew-bread which was not lawful for him to eat neither for them which were with him but only for the priests And ver 7. But if ye had known what this meaneth I will have mercy and not sacrifice c. Q. 5. What are the holy Duties of the Sabbath A. The publick Worship of God in reading and hearing the Word preached Isa. 66.23 And it shall come to pass that from one new moon to another and from one sabbath to another shall all flesh come to worship before me saith the Lord. Luke 4.16 And as his custom was he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day and stood up for to read And Prayer Acts 16.13 14. And on the sabbath day we went out of the city by a river side where prayer was wont to be made c. And receiving the Sacrament Acts 20.7 And upon the first day of the week when the disciples came together to break bread Paul preached unto them c. Q. 6. At private Duties in our Families required as well as publick on the Sabbath A. Yes it is not enough to sanctifie the Sabbath in publick Ordinances but God requires it to be sanctified in Family and private Duties Lev. 23.3 But the seventh day is the sabbath of rest an holy convocation ye shall do no work therein it is the sabbath of the Lord in all your dwellings Q. 7. With what frame of Spirit are all Sabbath duties both publick and private to be performed A. They are to be performed with Spiritual delight Isa. 58.13 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath from doing thy pleasure on my holy day and call the sabbath a delight c. And all grudging at and weariness of Spiritual exercises is a sin forbidden Mal. 1.13 Ye said also behold what a weariness is it and ye have snuffed at it saith the Lord of hosts and ye brought that which was torn and the lame and the sick thus ye brought an offering should I accept this of your hand saith the Lord Amos 8.5 When will the new moon be gone that we may sell corn and the sabbath that we may set foâ—th wheat c. Q. 8. What is the first Reason annexed to this Command A. The first Reason is the sufficient and large allowance of time God hath given us for our civil Callings and earthly business Six days in the week is a large allowance Q. 9. What is the second Reason annexed to this fourth Command A. The second Reason is Gods sanctifying and separating this day by a special Command and Institution for his service so that to profane this time is to sin against an express Divine Statute Q. 10. What 's the third Reason annexed to this Command A. The third Reason is Gods own Example who rested the seventh day from all his works and blessed this day by vertue of which Blessing we are encouraged to sanctifie it Q. 11. Is it not enough to sanctifie this day in our own persons A. No if God hath put any under our Authority their profaning the Sabbath will become our sin though we be never so strict in the observation of it our selves Q. 12. May we continue our civil Employments to the last moment of our common time A. Except Necessity or Mercy urge us we ought to break off before and allow some time to prepare for the Sabbath Luke 23.54 And that day was the preparation and the sabbath drew on Q. 13. What is the first Inference fâ—om hence A. That we have all great cause to be humbled for our Sabbath transgressions either in our unpreparedness for it our want of delight and spirituality in it or the due government of our Families as God requires Q. 14. What is the second Inference from hence A. That Christians on the Sabbath day have a fair occasion and help to realâ—ize to themselves the Heavenly state in which they are to live abstract from the World and God is to be all in all to them Of the fifth Commandment Quest. 63. WHich is the fifth Commandment A. The fifth Commandment is Honour thy Father and thy Mother that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee Quest. 64. What is required in the fifth Commandment A. The fifth Commandment requireth the preserving the Honour and performing the Duties belonging to every one in their several places and relations as superiors inferiors or equals Quest. 65. What is forbidden in the fifth Commandment A. The fifth Commandment forbiddeth the neglecting of or doing any thing against the honour and duty which belongeth to every one in their several places and relations Quest. 66. What is the Reason annexed to the fifth Commandment A. The Reason annexed to the fifth Commandment is a promise of long life and prosperity as far as it shall serve for Gods glory and their own
6. HOW many Persons are there in the Godhead A. There are three Persons in the Godhead the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost and these three are one God the same in substance equal in Power and Glory Q. 1. VVhat mean you by the word Godhead A. It is the Nature Essence or Being of God as the Apostle speaks Acts 17.29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold or silver or stone graven by art and mans device Q. 2. VVhat is a Person in the Godhead A. It is the Godhead distinguished by personal Properties each person having his distinct personal Properties Heb. 1.3 VVho being the brightness of his glory and the express image of his person upholding all things by the word of his power Q. 3. How doth it appear there are three persons and no more A. First From Christ's Baptism Matt. 3.16 17. And Iesus when he was baptized went up straitway out of the water and Io the heavens were opened unto him and he saw the spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting upon him and lo a voice from heaven saying This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased Q. 4. How else in the second place doth it appear A. From the Institution of our Baptism Mat. 28.19 Go ye therefore teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the father of the son and of the holy ghost Q. 5. VVhat is the third Proof from Scripture A. From the Apostolical Benediction 2 Cor. 13.14 The grace of our Lord Iesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all Amen Where three distinct blessings are wisht from the three divine persons in the Godhead Grace from Christ Love from the Father and Communion with the Spirit Q. 7. What farther evidence is there of it in the Scripture A. From plain positive assertions of the Scripture asserting First A Trinity of Persons Secondly A Unity of Essence 1 Ioh. 5.7 For there are three that bear record in heaven the father the word and the holy Ghost and these three are one Q. 7. VVhat is the first Instruction from the Trinity A. That the Doctrine of the Gospel concerning Christ is fully confirmed and ratified by three witnesses from Heaven who are above all exceptions 1 Ioh. 5.7 For there are three that bear record in heaven the father the word and the Holy Ghost Q. 8. What is the second Instruction from the Trinity A. Hence we learn the true order and manner of worshipping God in the Son Ioh. 16.23 Whatsoever ye shall ask the father in my name he will give it you And by the Spirit Eph. 6.18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit Q. 9. What is the third Instruction from the Trinity A. That the Covenant of Grace conveys a rich portion to Believers in making over all three persons to them Ier. 31.33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days saith the Lord I will put my law in their inward parts and write it in their hearts and I will be their God and they shall be my people Q. 10. What is the fourth Instruction from the Trinity A. That as it is the duty of all the Saints to give distinct glory to the three persons in the Godhead so it will be a special part of their blessedness in Heaven to contemplate the distinct benefits received from them all Rev. 1.5 And from Iesus Christ who is the faithful witness and the first begotten of the dead and the Prince of the Kings of the Earth unto him that loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood Of God's Decrees Quest. 7. WHat are the Decrees of God A. The Decrees of God are his eternal purpose according to the counsel of his will whereby for his own glory he hath fore-ordained whatsoever comes to pass Q. 1. What things are Decreed of God A. All things whatsoever come to pass even the smallest Eph. 1.11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all thing after the counsel of his own will Q. 2. What is the End of God's Decrees A. The Glory of his own Name Eph. 1.11 12. Who worketh all things according to the counsel of his own will that we should be to the praise of his glory who first trusted in Christ. Q. 3. But there are some evil things done in the World do they fall under God's Decree A. Though God doth neither approve them nor necessitate men to commit them yet he doth permit and suffer them to be done and will turn them to his own Glory Acts 4.27 28. For of a truth against thy holy child Iesus whom thou hast anointed both Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and the people of Israel are gathered together for to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done Q. 4. Who are the Objects of God's Special Decrees A. Angels and Men are the Objects of God's Special Decrees 1 Tim. 5.21 I charge thee before God and the Lord Iesus Christ and the elect angels that thou observe these things c. Rom. 8.33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect Q. 5. What is the First Property of God's Decrees A. That they are most wise Acts of God laid in the depth of Wisdom and Counsel Rom. 11.33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments and his ways past finding out Q. 6. What is the Second Property of God's Decrees A. The Decrees of God are most free all flowing from the meer pleasure of his Will Rom. 9.18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy and whom he will he hardeneth Q 7. What is the Third Property of God's Decrees A. They are most firm and stable 2 Tim. 2.19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure having this seal the Lord knoweth them that are his Zech. 6.1 Q. 8. What is the fourth Property of God's Decrees A. They are eternal and before all time Acts 15.18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world Q. 9. VVhat is th Fifth Property of God's Decrees A. They are most pure and altogether unspotted of sin 1 John 1.5 This is the message which we have heard of him and declare unto you That God ie light and in him is no darkness at all Q. 10. VVhat is the First Instruction from God's Decrees A. That we ought to ascribe nothing to Chance but to the appointment or providence of God Prov. 16.33 The lot is cast into the lap but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Q. 11. VVhat is the Second Instruction from God's Decrees A. That God's hand is to be acknowledged in the greatest Afflictions that befalls us 2 Sam. 16.11
the body of Christ. Q. 2. Cannot false or seeming Grace grow A. It may spring up and seem to flourish for a time but comes not to perfection Luke 8.14 And that which fell among thorns are they which when they have heard go forth and are choaked with cares and riches and pleasures of this tife and bring no fruit to perfection Q. 3. What is the first respect in which Grace grows A. It grows by deeper rooting it self in the Soul Eph. 3.17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith that ye being rooted and grounded in love may be able c. Q. 4. What is the manner of its growth A. It grows in respect of its greater fitness and readiness for acts of Obedience Col. 1.11 Strengthened with all might according to his glorious power unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness Q. 5. What is the third respect or manner of its growth A. It grows in respect of its abilities to fix the mind more steadily on spiritual things Hence grown Christians are called spiritual men Gal. 6.1 Ye which are spiritual restore such an one in the spirit of meekness Q. 6. Why must all true Grace grow A. Because there is a Stature to which Christians are appointed Eph. 4.12 13. Till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. Q. 7. What are the causes of a Christians growth A. Union with Christ. Iohn 15.4 As the branch cannot bear fruit of it self except it abide in the vine no more can ye except ye abide in me And his Blessings on the Ordinances Isa. 55.10 11. For as the rain cometh down and the snow from heaven and returneth not thither but watereth the earth and maketh it bring forth and bud that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater So shall my word be that goeth out of my mouth it shall not return unto me void but it shall accomplish that which I please and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it And Providences Phil. 1 19. For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayers and the supply of the spirit of Iesus Christ. Q 8. May not true Grace sometimes decay A. Yes it may Rev. 2.4 Neversheless I have somewhat against thee Because thou hast left thy first love But not utterly 1 Iohn 3.9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin for his seed remaineth in him Q. 9. What is the first Inâ—erence from hence A. To bless God for Gospel Ordinances Psal. 92.13 14. Those that be planted in the House of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God they shall still bring forth fruit in old age they shall be fat and flourishing Q. 10. What is the second Inference A. Hence we see the miserable state of them that grow worse and worse Iude Verse 12 These are spots in your feasts of charity when they feasâ— with you feeding themselves without fear Clouds they are without water carried about of winds Trees whose fruit withereth without fruit twice dead pluckt up by the root Q. 11. What is the third Inference A. Christians should not be discouraged at their weakness in Grace for they have a merciful Christ. Isa. 42.3 A bruised reed shall he not break and the smoaking flax shall he not quench he shall bring forth judgment unto truth And a sure Promise Iob 17.9 The righteous also shall hold on his way and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger Q. 12. What is the last Inference A. That all true Christians draw daily nearer and nearer to the heavenly and perfect State 2 Cor. 4.16 For which cause we faint not but though our outward man perish yet the inward man is renewed day by day Rom. 13.11 Now is our salvation nearer than when we believed Of Perseverance Quest. 1. WHAT is Perseverance to the End A. It is the steady and constant continuance of Christians in the ways of Duty and Obedience amidst all Temptations and Discouragements to the contrary Col. 1.23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and setled and be not moved away from the hope of the Gospel which ye have heard and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven whereof I Paul am made a minister Q. 2. Do all that profess Christ continue in him A. No many that at first zealously profess him afterwards fall away Iohn 6.66 From that time many of his Disciples went back and walked no more with him Q. 3. Why do not all Persevere A. Because all Professors have not a good root and foundation Matt. 13.20 21. But he that received the seed in stony places the same is he that heareth the word and anon with joy receiveth it yet hath he not root in himself but endureth for a while for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word by and by he is offended Q. 4. What is the First ground of the Saints Perseverance A. God's electing love in which they are given to Christ. Iohn 10.29 My father which gave them me is greater than all and no man is able to pluck them out of my father's hand Q 5. What is the second ground of Perseverance A. The immortal nature of Sanctifying grace Iohn 4.14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life 1 John 3.9 For is seed remaineth in him Q. 6. What is the third ground of it A. The Covenant of Grace Ier. 32.40 I will make an everlasting covenant with them That I will not turn away from them to do them good but I will put my fear in their hearts that they shall not deparâ— from me Q. 7. What is the fourth ground of it A. Christ's effectual Intercession Luke 22.32 But I have prayed for thee that thy faith may fail not Q. 8. Are there no declinings of grace in the saints A. Yes there are Rev. 2.4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee because thou hast left thy first love Yet Grace cannot be totally or finally lost For the seed of God remaineth in the sanctified 1 Iohn 3.9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin for his seed remaineth in him and he cannot sin because he is born of God Q 9. Is there no hope of Salvation for final Apâ—states A No the Gospel gives none Heb. 10.38 But if any man draw back my soul shall have no pleasure in him Q. 10. What is the first Instruction hence A. It warns all men to lay a good foundation lest the buildings of hope be overturned when the storm comes Mat. 7.24 25. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them I will liken him to a wise man which built his house upon a rock and the rain
the doing of this Will of Providence in Heaven A. 1. As 't is done by the Sun Moon and Stars Psal. 119.89 Thy word is setled in heaven Vers 91. They continue this day according to thine ordinances Psal. 19.6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven and his circuit unto the ends of it and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof 2. As 't is done by Angels Psal. 104.4 Who maketh the angels spirits his ministers a flaming fire Heb. 1. ult Are they not all ministring spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation Q. 4. How do these perform the Will of Gods Providence A. 1. The Heavenly bodies do it evenly constantly and unweariedly Psal. 104.19 He appointeth the moon for seasons the sun knoweth his going down 2. The Angels do speedily voluntarily chearfully and so knowingly Psal. 103.21 Ye ministers of his that do his pleasure Q. 5. Must we be agents in this Providential Will A. Yes we must Acts 13.36 For David after he had served his generation by the will of God fell on sleep Q. 6. How must we do it A. By imploying our abilities faculties and interests in the Duties of our particular Callings and by moving constantly prudently and vigorously in our own sphere and so imitate those in Heaven Q. 7. Why do we pray that Gods Will of Providence may be done by us A. Because we are his Creatures and the most noble instruments of the inferiour World and therefore we should be willing to be acted by him and active for him and because this Will of Providence is alwayes just good and true and for his own Glory Psal. 145.17 The Lord is righteous in all his wayes and holy in all his works Psal. 119.89 For ever O Lord thy word is setled in heaven Ver. 91. They continue this day according to thine ordinances for all are thy servants Q. 8. What other Will of God is here meant A. The Will of his Precepts and this is chiefly intended Q. 9. And how is this Will of God done in Heaven A. By the Angels 't is done universally chearfully constantly humbly thankfully loyally readily Psal. 103.20 Bless the Lord ye his angels that excel in strength that do his commandments hearkening unto the voice of his word And so 't is done by the Saints in Heaven Rev. 7.15 Therefore are they before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple And 22.3 And his servants shall serve him Q. 10. Do we pray then that we may thus do the Will of God A. Yes for though we cannot perfectly without sin do it yet that is our Duty Matth. 5. ult Be ye therefore perfect even as your father which is in heaven is perfect And in all other particulars we may and we must imitate them herein Psal. 119.6 Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all thy commandments Ver. 14. I have rejoyced in the way of thy testimonies as much as in all riches Ver. 60. I made hasâ—e and delayed not to keep thy commandments Ver. 112. c. I have inclined my heart to perform thy statutes alway even unto the end Q. 11. How must we know Gods Will A. Not notionally and rationally only but spiritually also 1 Cor. 2.14 They are spiritually discerned Q. 12. Why is knowing Gods will placed here before doing it c. A. Because the Understanding is the leading Faculty without which 't is impossible there should be any Obedience Prov. 19.2 Also that the soul be without knowledge it is not good Jer. 5.4 Therefore I said surely these are poor they are foolish for they know not the way of the Lord nor the judgment of their God Q. 13. Why pray we to God for this knowledge can we not know it of our selves A. No 't is the special gift and grace of God Gal. 1.15 16. But when it pleased God who separated me from my mothers womb and called me by his grace to reveal his son in me that I might preach him among the heathen immediateâ—y I conferred not with flesh and blood Eph. 1.17 19. That the God of our Lord Iesus Christ the father of glory may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us ward who believe according to the working of his mighty power Eph. 5.8 For ye were sometimes darkness but now are ye light in the Lord. Q. 14. Why do we pray that we may obey can we not do it of our own free will when we know it A. No for our Wills are stubborn and rebellious against Gods Commands as well as our Minds ignorant of them Rom. 8.7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God for it is not subject to the law of God neither indeed can be Ezek. 36.25 26. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you and ye shall be clean from all your filthiness and from all your idols will I cleanse you A new heart also will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and I will give you an heart of flesh Phil. 2.13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure Q. 15. What is meant by submitting to Gods Will A. 1. Either a voluntary subjection of Soul and a preparedness actually to do his Will Or 2. a voluntary and silent submission to his Will of Providence in affliction but in this particular we cannot imitate those in Heaven because no cross ever befals them Q. 16. Why is Will added in all things A. Because partial Obedience is no Obedience he that does not obey God in every thing obeys him in nothing Iam. 2.10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law and yet offend in one point he is guilty of all Q. 17. Why do we pray that God by his Grace would work this Will in us and by us A. Because 't is Free-grace that determines it 2 Tim. 1.9 Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Iesus before the world began And efficacious Grace that works it in us and enables us to do it Eph. 5.8 For ye were sometimes darkness but now are ye light in the Lord. Ver. 10. Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. Q. 18. What is the first Inference from hence A. That 't is Mans glory and felicity to be conformed to the Will of God Prov. 12.26 The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour Psal. 19.10 11. More to be desired are they than gold yea then much fine gold sweeter also then honey and the honey-comb Moreover by them is thy servant warned and in keeping of them there is great reward Q. 19. What is the second Inference A. That we must mortifie