she is holy though not in respect of the greatest part 3. Whatsoever corruption of Doctrine or manners spring up she reproves and censures not tollerates it 2. She is meek loving patient merciful c. Jam. 3.17 full of good fruits her weapons are prayers and tears not fire and faggot Fourthly By her marriage a good way to know one by is the head and the Church cannot be better known then by her head Jesus Christ whose wife she is by whom all the children of the Church are begotten by virtue of the eternal Covenant of Grace as in lawful wedlock Cant. 2.16 and 5.10 Fifthly By her carriage and behaviour 1. To her husband to whom in all her behaviour she expresses foure virtues 1. She is chast and faithful to him she forgets not the guide of her youth c. 2. She is subject to him in all things content to be tryed and ruled in all cases by his will revealed in his Word 3. She depends only on her husband for the meanes of her welfare and all needfull supplies will not seek to any other Advocates or Mediators c. 4. She honours her Husband onely and will give his honour to no other 2. To her children whom 1. She nurceth at her own breasts puts them not forth to such strange milke of Traditions Councils Decretals c. 2. She instructeth and teacheth them 3. Porvides for them she upholds the means of salvation to keep her children in good state Quest. Is the true Church of Christ alwayes visible Answ. The true Church is not alwaies conspicuous visible and glorious to the world but may be oppressed and hid So was the Church in Egypt thrust out into the wildernesse so in Elijahs time when he complained that he was left alone so in the Babylonish captivity therefore compared to dead and dry bones Ezek. 37.2 so Rev. 13.12 Quest. What reasons may be rendred for this Answ. First because the Church is a select company called out of the world a little flock Joh. 15.9 a garden enclosed Cant. 4.12 the blind world neither can nor will see the Church Secondly the Church is such a body as is not alwaies visible to mans eyes no not to good mens as as we see in Elias the foundation being in Gods election and the union spiritual Thirdly Sometimes the Church abusing peace and prosperity makes the Lord to strip her naked and bare and to â—end her into the wildernesse yea to make her as a wildernesse Hos. 2.3 Fourthly The Church provides for her safety sometimes by flying into the wildernesse she is like a Dove in the rocks Cant. 2.19 5ly The Churches Militant condition suffers her not alwaies to be visible being not tyed to any one estate or place therefore she is compared to the Moon being sâ—metimes in the full and sometimes hid Quest. What conclusions may be laid down concerning the visibility of the Church Answ. First By the Church which we hold invisible we mean the Catholick Church even the multitude of all the Elect which have been are or shall be which Church is holy and no wicked persons belong to it It s a communion of Saints only to which belongs remission of sins and life everlasting and this is invisible to the world and that 1. Because the ground and foundation of it Gods Election is invisible 2. The greatest part of the Elect are not subject to sence not the Saints in Heaven nor many on Earth some being not born others but new boâ—n 3. Visible things are not believed but things invisible Faith is of things not sâ—en and if we believe the holy Catholick Church we cannot see it Secondly concerning the Militant Church we hold 1. That God will alwaies have a part of his Catholick Church here on Earth that shall hold and maintain the true Faith in the several Ages to the Worlds end and this cannot faile upon Earth 2. This part of the Catholick Church consists of men that are visible and exercise visible Ordinances as the Word Sacraments c. and often in peaceable times appears glorious in many particular and visible Congregations 3. That these visible and particular Churches are not alwayes visible after the same manner neither is any part of the visible Church alwayes so necessarily visible but that it may disappear as the Church in the Old and New Testaments have some time done 4. This number of men in whom this part of the Church contsteth may come to be a few and by Tyranny and Heresie their profession may be so secret amongst themselves that the world cannot see them Though like the Sun she shines in her self yet she may be obscured from the sight of others 5. Though the Church cannot fail upon Earth yet the external government of it may faile for a time her Pastors may be interrupted her sheep scattered her Discipline hindered the external exercise of Religion may be suspended and the sincerity of Religion exceedingly corrupted so that the members of the Church are only visible amongst themselves Thirdly Though the Church of God be not alwaies seen yet she is alwayes safe and that 1. Because if she cannot be safe in the City she shall be safe in the Wildernesse where God will provide her a place as Rev. 12.14 2. Gods purpose for the safety of his Church cannot be altered by any enterprises of her Enemies Though Pharaoh slay all the infants yet Moses shall be preserved by his own daughter in his own bosome to be a deliverer Though Herod slay the infants he shall misse of him whom he seeks 3. God makes high account of his Church as the signet of his right hand the apple of his eye therefore he will provide for her safety 4. Gods wisdom makes it healthful for his Church sometimes to be hid that she may always be safe otherwise the world would destroy her Dr. Tailor on Rev. Quest. Are not all Christians bound to pray for the peace of the Church Answ. Yea 1. we must pray for the whole Church where ever dispersed 2. For the natural members and noble members especially the living stones those which are more instrumental and organicall such as are eminent in power and place in worth and in service 3. More particularly for our own Church to which we are related and to the principals of it as Cities and Vniversities 4. For the restoring of the people of God even for the Jews and for the setting up of the new Jerusalem as God hath promised in his Woâ—d 5. By the same reason we must pray against such as are against the Church Quest. But what must we pray for in the behalf of the Church Answ. First in general for all blessings for all that is good and useful and tends to the welfare of it as for the protection of it deliverance of those that are in danger preservation from danger to those that are free for the perfection of it that God will reâ—ore those Churches that are over-run
relation betwixt his sacred person and God the Father Christ is the Sonne of God and that not as Angels and men by Creation or regeneration but by eternal generation and the Father and the Sonne have the same individual substance The Father begets the Son without change or motion after a most glorious and wonderful manner within himself and essentially one with himself Yea this relation is coaeval with the essence as he is always God so he is alwayes Sonne Psal. 27. This day have I begotten thee this day is the day of Eternity Micah 5.2 the goings forth of him have been of old from everlasting For this reason he is said to be the proper Sonne of God Rom. 8.32 and God his proper Father John 5.18 He is called the only begotten Sonne of God John 1.18 and 3.16 1 John 4.9 then he is not created Hence he is called the first born of every creature Col. 1.15 As man he was a creature but as God he was before every creature He is called the image of his Fathers person Heb. 1.5 For as when we look our selves in a glasse our image like our selves is naturally produced So when God with the eye of his understanding beholds if we may so speak the glass of the divine nature from everlasting to everlasting there results the Son an essential image of himself So then he is the natural Son of God and by that divine way of the Fathers communicating of his divine essence by eternal generation as may be further proved by the titles that God the Father gives him by calling him his Son which is a title that advanceth Christ above all creatures and Christ calls himself the Son of God John 5.18 For which the Jewes charged him with blasphemy John 10.33 34. 5. Arg. We are enjoyned in Scripture to worship Christ with that religious adoration which is properly and solely due to the everliving God therefore he is God nor will the Lord give this his glory to any other Isa. 42.8 and 48.11 Hence John 5.23 He that honours not his Son which is sent honoureth not the Father which sent him There are divers honours which are Gods peculiars and they all belong to Christ as 1. Religious worship in Spirit which is the exhibiting of that reverence and worship which is due to the great God in all places at all times and in all things But this spiritual worship is to be exhibited to our Lord Christ Psal. 97.7 Worship him all ye gods and Rev. 1.6 Saint John ascribes to him Glory and Dominion for ever and ever So Rev. 5.13 and 14.7 and Rom. 9.5 He is over all God blessed for ever Again the high God alone is the object of Religious invocation Psal. 50.15 and they are idolaters which call on them that are not true gods Gal. 4.8 Yea religious invocation is Gods glory which he will give to none other Isa. 42.8 But it is to be given to Christ Acts 7.59 and 9.14 21. 1 Cor. 1.2 Rev. 22.20 Hence I argue That person that knows the hearts of all and hears the prayers of all in the world is the true God But Christ doth so therefore he is true God Again it s an honour peculiar to the true God to be the object of religious trust and confidence but Jesus Christ is the object of religious trust and confidence therefore he is the true God 6. Arg. To swear is a part of religious service when performed in truth in righteousnesse and in judgement which analogically is ascribed to Christ himself Hence the argument is That person that is the object of a religious Oath is God Deut. 6.13 Thou shalt swear by his name who is a most infallible witnesse judge and avenger of all perjured persons and such as use his name either rashly or falsly But Christ is the object of a religious oath because he hath no greater to swear by he sweareth by himself Isa. 45.23 I have sworn by my self that to me every knee shall bow Here Christ swears by himself and the words immediately foregoing v. 22. I am God and besides me there is none other Saint Paul expounds those words of Christ Rom. 14.10 Before whose tribunal every knee must bow and by bowing of every knee he proves that we must all stand before the tribunal of Christ therefore Christ is God 7. Arg. Divine service is only due to God Deut. 6.13 repeated by Christ Mat. 4.10 Inward and outward service which is absolute illimited and universal is to be performed only unto God But this honour is due to Christ as he is the great Lord whom even the greatest Kings are bound to serve Dan. 7.14 Psal. 2.10 11 12. and this was foretold Psal. 72.11 All Kings shall fall down before him and all Nations shall serve him Hence also Luke 19.27 and John 12.29 Yea the holy Angels are bound to serve him Dan. 7.10 Heb. 1.6 therefore he is God 8. Arg. The maker of heaven and earth and all things in them is the true God But Jesus Christ is the maker of heaven and earth c. therefore he is the true God Gen. 1.1 Isa. 48.12 Exod. 20.11 Jer. 10.11 12. Now that Christ is the maker of heaven and earth is proved Joh. 1.13 All things were made by him and ver 10. there was nothing that was not made by him Col. 1.16 All things were made by Christ things visible and invisible c. 9. Arg. He that is the preserver of all things is God But Christ is the preserver of all things therefore he is God For preservation is a work equivalent to the creation Neh. 9.5 without him all things would fall back to nothing Rom. 11.36 Of him and for him and to him are all things Now that this conservation is the work of our Lord Christ appears Heb. 1.2 3. and 6.5 and 2.5 Col. 1.17 with v. 15 16. Joh. 5.17 My Father worketh hitherto and I work 10. Arg. Infallible knowledge and prediction of future events which are meerly contingent and which in nature have no reason at all of their futurition is an argument of the Deity What is more contingent then to know our thoughts afar off but so doth God Ps. 139.2 Act. 15.18 Now that this is peculiar to God only appears Isa. 41.23 Hence he is called a God of Knowledge 1 Sam. 2.3 and infinite in understanding Psal. 147.5 But our Saviour Christ foreknew and foretold things to come Luk. 22.8 Mar. 2.8 Joh. 24.25 therefore he is God 11. Arg. He that works miracles by his own power is God But Christ wrought miracles by his own power therefore he is God Now that miracles are Gods royal prerogative appears Psal. 78.17 the Lord above doth wondrous works This is implied 2 Kin. 5.7 am I a God to kill and make alive That Christ wrought miracles when and where he pleased appears in very many instances the Apostles could not do so as appears Act. 8.28 2 Tim. 4.20 they could not raise their
wilful contempt and carelesse neglect of this Ordinance when it may conveniently be had is dangerous and damnable and to such that threat belongs Gen. 17.14 that soule shall be cut off Thirdly the grace and mercy of God is free and not tied to the outward elements Joh. 3.8 the winde blows where it listeth i. e. God gives grace when where and to whom he pleaseth Fourthly Infants borne of believing parents are holy before Baptisme and Baptisme is but a seale of that holinesse 1 Cor. 7.14 yea to them belongs the Kingdom of heaven Mark 10.14 Object They which are sanctified have faith which Infants have not Answ. God saith I will be thy God and the God of thy seed By virtue of which promise the Parent layes hold of the Covenant for himself and his children and the children believes because the Father believes Object Infants are borne in Original sinne and therefore cannot be holy Answ. Every beleeving Parent sustains a double person 1. As descending from Adam by corrupted seed and thus both himself and his children are corrupted 2. As he is a holy and believing man ingraffed by faith into Christ the second Adam and thus by his faith his children comes to be within the Covenant and partaker of the benefits and priviledges thereof and by the same faith he being a believer the guilt of original corruption in the Infant is not imputed to him to condemnation Object Others that would make it absolutely necessary object John 3.5 Except a man be born of water and the Holy Ghost he cannot enter into the Kingdom of Heaven Answ. First If this be meant of Baptism then the word may carry one of these two sences 1. Christ directs his speech principally to Nicodemus who was a timorous professor who remained ignorant and had long neglected his Baptisme 2. That the Kingdom of heaven is not here put for everlasting happinesse but to signifie the visible state of the Church under the New Testament and then the meaning is that none can be admitted into the Church and made a visible member thereof but by Baptisme nor can any be made a lively member of Christ but by the Spirit Secondly or this place is not be understood of Baptisme but of regeneration wherein Christ alludes to Exod. 35.26 which speaks of clean water and then the meaning is thou Nicodemus art a Pharisee and usest many outward washings but unlesse thou beest washed inwardly by clean water i. e. regenerated by the Holy Ghost thou canst not enter into heaven Thirdly or the necessity of salvation lies not in both but only in the New Birth by the Holy Ghost Quest. Whether are not witnesses commonly called God-fathers and God-mothers necessary Answ. No. First For in the Primitive times the Parents of children which were Heathens and newly converted to the Christian Religion were either ignorant and could not or carelesse and would not bring up their children according to the Word of God and true Religion which they newly professed therefore persons of good knowledge and life were called to witnesse Baptisme and promised to take care of the childrens education But now parents being better taught and qualified the other is not necessary Secondly Christ in his Word hath taught all things that are fit and necessary about Baptisme amongst all which he hath not appointed the use of Sureties Thirdly the whole Congregation present do present the childe to the Lord and are witnesses of his admission into the Church and therefore there needs no other Fourthly that which is required of them to promise and performe may and ought to be performed by the Parents of the Infant baptized who by Gods command ought to bring up their children in the knowledge and fear of God therefore the other are not necessary Quest. Whether have children of excommunicated persons right to Baptisme Answ. Before this question be answered some grounds must be laid down As 1. There are two texts principally about excommunication Mat. 18.17 1 Cor. 5.5 the scope of both which is to shew that the excommunicated person is debarred the Kingdome of heaven For he is not to be held a true member of the Church but as an Heathen and Publican 2. In excommunication there are three judgements to be considered 1. Of God 2. Of the Church 3. Again of God The first is when God holdeth any obstinate sinner guilty of the offence and consequently of condemnation except he repent The second is of the Church which follows Gods judgement pronouncing the party guilty and subject to condemnation which judgement is not to be given absolutely but with condition of repentance and so farre forth as man can judge by the fault committed as also by the Word which directs how to discern of the impenitency of the sinner The third again is Gods judgement whereby he confirms that in heaven which the Church hath done on earth So then the answer may be 1. That the persons excommunicate are in some respect no members of Christs body and in some other respects they are Quest. How are they not Answ. First in that they are cut off from the company of Beleevers by the sentence of excommunication and so have no participation with them in prayer hearing the Word or receiving the Sacraments and that because the action of the Church stands in force God ratifying that which his Church hath done Secondly because by their sinne they have as much as in them lies deprived themselves of the effectual power of Gods Spirit which should rule and govern them Quest. How are they members Answ. First some are members not actually and in present but in the eternal counsel of God and so shall be in time when they are called Hence Gal. 1.15 Paul saith God had separated him from the womb and called him by his grace So Rom. 5.20 when we were enemies we were reconciled to God by Christ. Secondly some are members onely in shew and appearance as hypocrites Thirdly some are lively members which are united to Christ by faith c. Rom. 8.14 Fourthly some are decayed members who though they belong to Gods Election and are truly ingraffed into Christ yet for the present have not a lively sense thereof like a member in the body that hath the dead palsie such are excommunicated persons For in regard of their ingraffing they are true members and cannot be quite cut off from the body of Christ John 10.28 Yet they are not holden so to be in three respects 1. In regard of men because they are excluded from communion with the faithful by the censure of the Church 2. In regard of God because what the Church rightly binds on earth he binds in heaven 3. In regard of themselves because for a time they want the power and efficacy of the Spirit till by true repentance they recover life again Now though in these respects they be not esteemed members yet in truth they are not wholly cut off from the society of the
respect of our new-birth whereby he begets us to a spiritual and everlasting life he owns us for children Isa. 53.10 Psal. 22.30 Heb. 2.13 and v. 14. The Apostle deduceth this conclusion For as much as the children are partakers of flesh and blood he himself likewise took part of the same He himself i. e. he who was God equal to the Father For none else could make this new creature but the same God that is the Creator of all things 2 Cor. 5.17 Eph. 2.10 Gal. 6.15 James 1.18 1 Pâ—t 1.3 1 John 5.1 Thâ—se new born babes being born of the Spirit none could send the spirit to beget them but the Father and the Sonne from whom he proceedeth the same blessed Spirit that framed Christs natural body in the womb being to fashion every member of this mystical body unto his similitude and likenesse Quest. How may this mystery be further opened to us Answ. In every peâ—fect generation the creature produced receives two things from him that begets it Life and Likenesse Now touching our spiritual death and life consider these texts 2 Corinth 5.14 15. Ephes. 2.4 5. Col. 2.13 Gal. 2.20 From which we may easily gather that if by the obedience and sufferings of a bare man though never so perfect the most soveraigne medicine that could have been thought upon should have been prepared for the curing of our wounds yet all would be to no purpose we being found dead when the medicine came to be applied Our Physician therefore must not onely be able to restore us to health but to life also which none but God the Father Son and holy Ghost could do Hence Job 5.26 and 6.57.51 Hence Christ is said to be a quickning spirit 1 Cor. 15.45 An Adam therefore and perfect man he must be that his flesh given for us on the Crosse might be made the conduit to convey life to the world and a quickning spirit he could not have been if he were not God able to make that flesh an effectual instâ—ument of life by the operation of his Spirit as John 6.63 As for the point of similitude and likenesse it 's said that Adam after his fall begat a son in his own likenesse Gen. 5.3 so saith Christ John 3.6 That that is born of the flesh is flâ—sh c. So 1 Cor. 15.48 49. Indeed ouâ— likenesse to Christ will be more perfected hereafter Phil. 3. ult yet in the mean time such a conformity is required in us to Christ Phil. 3.20 Ephes. 4.22 c. Rom. 8.29 God did not give the Spirit to Christ by measure and therefore though many millions of beleevers do continually receive this supply of the Spirit of Christ yet that fountain is not in the least exhausted nor that well-spring of grace diminished For Col. â— 19 and John 1.16 As in the natural generation there is a correspondence in all parts between the begetter and begotten though it be found in the begotten in a farre lesse proportion so in this spiritual for every grace that is eminently in Christ the like grace will appear in Gods children though in a farre inferiour degree Quest. What further is to be considered herein Answ. That Christ by enlivening and fashioning us according to his own image his purpose was not to raise a seed to himself dispersedly and scatteringly but to gather together in one the children of God c. John 11.58 yea and to bring all to one head by himself Eph. 1.10 So that the Church militant and triumphant though as farre distant as earth and heaven yet they make but one in Jesus Christ Ephes. 2.21 22. Quest. What are the bonds of this mystical union between Christ and us Answ. The quickning Spirit on his part which being in him as the Head is thence diffused to the spiritual animation of all his members and faith on our part which is the prime act of life wrought in those who are capable of understanding by the same spirit See both proved in these Texts John 6.63 1 Cor. 6.17 and 15.45 Phil. 2.1 Rom. 8.9 1 John 3.24 and 4.13 Gal. 2.20 and 5.5 and 3.11 Ephes. 3.17 Both of which are of so high a nature that none could possible by such ligatures knit up so admirable a body but he that was God Almighty As for Faith it s the operation of God Col. 2.12 wrought by the same power that raised Christ from the dead 2 Thes. 1.11 Hence Paul prays Ephes. 1.19 c. It was fit also that this Head should be of the same nature of the body that is knit to it Hence Ephes. 5.30 Iohn 6.53 56. shewing that by this mystical and supernatural union we are as truely conjoyned with him as the meat and drink we receive when it s converted into our own substance Secondly that this conjunction is immediately made with this humane nature Thirdly that Christ crucified hath by his death made his flesh broken and blood poured out for us to be fit food for the spiritual nourishment of our souls and the very well-spring from whence by the power of his God-head all life and grace is derived to us Hence Heb. 10.19 20 Quest. What are we further to consider in Christ Answ. That as in things concerning God the maine execution of our Saviours Priesthood doth consist so in things concerning man he exerciseth both his Prophetical office whereby he opens the Will of his Father to us and his Kingly whereby he rules and protects us It was indeed a part of the Priests office to instruct the people in the Law of God Deut. 33.10 Hag. 2.11 Mal. 2.7 yet were they distinguished from the Prophets Isa. 28.7 Jer. 6.13 and 8.10 and 14.18 and 23.11 33 34. Lam. 2.20 As in the New Testament Prophets and Apostles were a different degree from ordinary Pastors and Teachers who received not their doctrine by immediate inspiration from heaven Eph. 4.11 2 Pet. 1.21 Hence Heb. 1.1 God hath spoken to us by his Sonne called therefore the Apostle as well as the High-Priest of our profession Heb. 3.1 2. and therefore in the execution of his prophetical office he is in a more peculiar manner likned to Moses Deut. 18.15 c. Act 3.22 23. Our Prophet must therefore be a man raised up from amongst his brethren the Isralites Rom. 9.5 who was to perform to us what the father 's requested of Moses Exod. 20.19 Deut. 5.25.27 and this he daily affecteth by the power and Ministry of the Gospel instituted by the authority and seconded by the power of this our great Prophet whose transcendent excellency beyond Moses is set forth Heb. 3.3 4 5 6. which House of God is no other then the Church of God 1 Tim. 3.15 whereof as he is the only Lord so he is also properly the only builder Christ therefore being both the Lord and builder of his Church must be God as well as man Mat. 16.18 whence it is that we finde all the Mansions of this great house to be called indifferently
the Church of God and the Churches of Christ 2 Tim. 2.20 1 Cor. 11.16 Rom. 16.16 Indeed there are other Ministerial builders whom Christ imploys in that service which he bestowed upon his Church for that end Eph. 4.11 12. who receive their power from him Mat. 28.18 Such was Paul 1 Cor. 15.10 and 3.9 10. yet there he acknowledged that they were Gods building as well as Gods husbandry so v. 5.7 Two things therefore we find in our great Prophet that differences him from all the other prophets 1. That no man knows the Father save the Son and he to whom the Sonne will reveal him Mat. 11.27 John 1.18 Being in his Fathers bosome he knows his secrets and thereby is able to reveale the whole will of his Father to us whereas all other even Prophets and Apostles have their knowledge at the second hand according to the grace given them by the Spirit of Christ 1 Pet. 1.10 11. John 16.13 c. 2. All other Prophets and Apostles can do no more then plant and water but God onely gives the encrease they could not save one soul unlesse Christ were with them by the powerful presence of his Spirit John 5.25 Eph. 5.14 Psalme 13.3 without whose assistance we are altogether ignorant For 1 Cor. 2.14 wherefore Paul concludeth concerning himself and all his fellow-labourers that all is of God 2 Cor. 4.6 7. Our Mediatour therefore must not want the excellency of power whereby he may make us capable of this high knowledge of the things of God propounded to us by the Ministry of his servants and so must be God as well as man that he may save to the uttermost all that come to God by him Heb. 7.25 Quest. What are we to consider about Christs Kingly Office Answ. That he hath a Kingdome Isa. 9.7 Dan. 7.13 14. Luke 1.31 c. He is that new David our King which God hath raised up to his Israel Jer. 30.9 Hos. 3.5 Ezek. 34.23 and 37.24 who was in truth both the Sonne of man and the Sonne of the Highest that in one respect we may say to him as they did to David 2 Sam. 5.1 we are thy bone and flesh and in the other sing of him as David did Psalme 110.1 The Lord said to my Lord c. so that the promise made to our first parents Gen. 3.15 may well stand with Pauls saying Rom. 16.20 the God of peace shall bruise Satan under our feet For he came for this end 1 John 3.8 1 Tim. 3.16 and still that foundation of God remaines unshaken Isaiah 43.11 Hos. 13.4 besides me there is no Saviour Quest. What are the special branches of this Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Answ. First the one of grace whereby that part of the Church is governed which is here militant Secondly the other of glory belonging to that part which is triumphant in heaven Quest. How doth he work upon this on earth Answ. As by his Prophetical office he works upon our minde and understanding so by his Kingly office he rules our will and affections casting down imaginations c. 1 Cor. 10.5 working in us both to will and to do Phil. 2.13 That he sanctifieth us wholly 1 Thes. 5.23 we are taught likewise to believe that both he that sanctifieth and they that are sanctified are all of one i. e. of one and the same nature Heb. 2.11 that as their nature was tainted in the first Adam so it might be restored again in the second Adam and that as from the one a corrupt so from the other a pure and undefiled nature might be transmitted to the heirs of salvation Quest. How doth Christ exercise his Kingly Office towards the Church triumphant Answ. In that the same God that giveth grace is he also that giveth glory yet so that the streams of them must run to us through the golden pipe of our Saviours humanity For 1 Cor. 15.21 since by man came death it was fit that by man also should come the resurrection of the dead even by that man who hath said that he will raise us up at the last day John 6.54 who shall then come to be glorified in his Saints c. 2 Thes. 1.10 and shall fashion our vile bodies to his glorious body Phil. 3. ult See Dr. Ushers Incarnation of the Son of God Quest. When doth Christ first live in a Christians heart Answ. When the heart gives a firme assent to the gracious promises made in Christ for the pardoning of sinnes and acceptation to the favour of God and title and interest to life everlasting For as Christ was conceived in the womb of an humble and beleeving Virgin so if we will conceive Christ in our hearts we must be humble to deny our selves in all things and believing to go out of our selves to the promises of God in Christ. Quest. Why must our Saviour be Emanuel God with man Answ. First in regard of the greatnesse of the good which we are to have by him For 1. He is to be God and man together to satisfie the wrath of God to undergo the punishment due to sin as our Surety He must give us title to heaven and bring us thither which none can do but God 2. He must know our hearts wants griefs infirmities and must be every where to relieve us and none can do this but God Secondly in regard of the evils which we are to be freed from He is to defend us in the midst of our enemies and who is above the Devil and sin and the wrath of God and all the oppositions which stand between us and heaven but God He must be man For man had sinned and man must suffer for sinne and without blood there is no remission and then that he might be a merciful Saviour there must be a sutablenesse in the nature that there may be a sympathy Quest. Why must this God and man be one person Answ. Because if each nature were a distinct person then there would be two Christs and so the actions of the one could not be attributed to the other Quest. How doth Christ make us friends with God Answ. First by satisfaction taking away the wrath of God Secondly by the Spirit for God sends his Spirit into our hearts to fit us for friendship and communion with him when we have something of God in us Quest. How shall I know that this Emanuel is God with me Answ. If by the same spirit of his that sanctified his humane nature he works in me desires to be nearer and nearer to him to be liker to him If I am on his side If I be near him in my affections desires and understanding If I finde an inward desire to be more with him and like to him If outwardly in the place where I live I side with him and take part with his cause it s a sign I have an interest in him Quest. What benefits accrue to us by Gods taking our nature upon him Answ. First
of Christ wherein there are so many corrupt persons Answ. They may and are true Churches Look upon Jerusalâ—m Matth. 23.37 you shall see that the eleven Tribes were Apostates there were in it dumb dogs Isa. 56.10 there were Scribes and Pharisees Hypocrites they had corrupted the Doctrine of the Law with their false glosses the Temple was made a den of thieves yet the Evangelist calls it the holy City and that 1. Because there was the service of the true God in the Temple the Word preached Sacrifices offered the meetings of the Church of God 2. Because as yet they had not received a bill of divorcement So have not we the word of God preached the Sacraments truly administred c. and when did the Lord give us a bill of divorcement and therefore to encourage us against the cavills of the Separatists let us remember 1. That the word of truth is truely preached amongst us which appears by the conversion of thousands whereas never was any converted by a word of errour Jam. 1.18 2. That our Ministers are of God because by them so many are begotten to God Christ thought it a good reason when he said believe me that I came out from the Father for the works sake the blind man saw this Joh. 9.30 3. Our meetings are holy meetings For 1. Our people are outwardly called by an holy calling and to an holy end 2. They profess faith in Christ which is an holy profession and therefore in charity they are to be judged Saints 3. Congregations are called holy in Scripture from the better part not from the greater as an heap of wheat mingled with chaff is called an heap of wheat so 1 Cor. 6.11 with chap. 2.12 4. Mixt Congregations are holy in Gods acceptation who esteems them not as they are in themselves but as members of Christ Israel at the best was a stiffnecked people ye Balaam said that God saw no iniquity in them Numb 23.21 Quest. How is the Church Gods peculiar Answ. First Because Believers are the most precious of men even the most noble upon earth Hence Cant. 6.7 they are the sons of God brethren of Christ heirs of heaven Secondly In regard of God they are a peculiar people distinct from others by the grace of Election by which they are chosen out of the world and advanced in Gods favour above all others Hence they are called an holy Nations the Spouse of Christ the dauhgter of God the choice of God and Gods delight Thirdly in regard of their whole manner and condition of life Hence they are said to dwell alone and not to be numbred amongst the Nations Numb 23.9 as for instance 1. Their Original are not some few families coming out of some corner of the Earth but they sprung of Christ of whom all the families of Heaven and Earth are called 2. Their Countrey is not of the Earth here they are Pilgrims and strangers but Heaven is their home from which they look for their Saviour Ephe. 3.15 3. Their King is neither born nor created but the everlasting King of glory who rules not some one Countrey but from Sea to Sea c. and not for an age but for ever 4. Their Lawes are Spirituall reaching the Conscience as well as the outward man most perfect never changed nor abrogated as mens be 5. Their war and weapons are not carnall but Spiritual as their chiefest enemies be their Captain was never foiled nor can be and therefore they are sure of victory befoâ—e they strike a blow and as for their corporal enemies they overcome them non feriendo sed ferendo not by striking but sufring 6. Their Language is that of Canaan their Speech shews them to be Citizens of Heaven therefore called a people of a pure language c. Zeph. 3.9 7. Their garments are devised and put on by God himself even the garments of innocency long robes dyed in the blood of the Lamb Rev. 7.14 8. Their diet springeth not out of the Earth but descends from Heaven Jesus Christ the bread of life c. of whom whosoever feeds shall continue to eternal life Quest. Why is the Church compared to a woman Rev. 12.1 Answ. First as simply considered in her self and that for three causes 1. Because to the Woman was first made the promise of the blessed seed that should break the Serpents head and it s still made good to the Church under the same similitude for to her all the promises of God doe properly belong 2. Because she is feeble and weak as a woman without her Husband Joh. 15.5 3. Because she is a pure and chast virgin not defiled with Idolatry as the Romish strumpet is 2 Cor. 11.2 Secondly As she stands in relation to others and that 1. To God and in this relation she is the daughter of God Cant. 7.1 Psal. 45.10 2. To Christ in which relation she is the Spouse of Christ. 1. Contracted to him in his Incarnation So Cant 4.10 2 Married to him as his Bride and taken home in his second cominâ— to dwell with him for ever 3. To Christians and in this relation she is their Mother For a woman through the company of her husband brings forth children So the Church by her conjunction with Christ and the power of his word brings forth nurceth and brings up many children to God Quest. What duties doth this relation of a Spouse to Christ teach her Answ. First to cleave to her husband For God seeing that it was not good for Adam to be alone he made the woman of his rib being cast into a sleep and brought and married her unto him saying for this cause shall a man leave Father and Mother and cleave to his wife c. Gen. 2.24 So God seeing after the fall that it was much less good for man to be alone he institutes a second marriage with the second Adam whom he casts asleep by death and brings his Spouse out of his side pierced and marries the Church to him that renouncing all Loves and Lovers but him she might cleave undevidedly to him and this she must doe foure wayes 1. In person For as the wife delivers up her person to her husband alone So Believers must deliver up their souls and bodies to Jesus Christ. For 1 Cor. 6.19 20. we are no longer our own c. 2. A faithful Shouse is married but to one man 2 Cor. 11.2 So the Church 3. Christ our Husband communicates his whole person to us he gives his life for his sheep only prayes for no other 4. Christ as a faithful Husband leaves Father in Heaven and Mother on Earth and cleaves to his Wife 2. To cleave to Christ in faithful affection loving our Husband Christ as our selves nay better then our selves not loving our selves to the death for his sake seeing his love to us was stronger then death and more to us then to his own life 3. To cleave to him in affliction as a Wife takes her Husband
for better and worse A Kingdom is promised to such Luke 22.29 30. Secondly The Church must depend upon Christ her Husband as upon he head and that 1. For direction subjecting her self as owing obedience to all his commands Ephes. 5.24 and this she must doe seeing he is the true light the Sun of Righteousness the Pillar able to direct her 2. For protection Christ is the Saviour of his body the Church Ephes. 5.23 the only Phineas that turns away the wrath of God kindled against his Israel the onley Moses that stands in the gap where Gods wrath had made a breach 3. For provision None else but Jesus Christ can supply the Church with such things as she needs he can bestow pardon of Sin righteousness life and salvation He paies her debts both of obedience to the whole Law and satisfaction for the breach of it Thirdly She must rejoyce to honour her Husband even with her own dishonour For Christ rejoyced to honour her even with his own infinite dishonour the joy of Heaven pleased him not without her presence and fellowship in it Fourthly She must as a good Spouse doe all things to please her Husband thereby testifying her love to him This is to walk worthy the Lord c. Col. 1.10 Quest. How must she please her Husband Christ Answ. First She must not seek to please her self in any thing that is displeasing to him She must deny her self her own will reason affections and desires much more her sinnes and lusts to please him Rom. 15.1 2 3. Secondly she must not seek to please others for then she cannot please Christ Gal. 1.10 Thirdly she must labour for a conformity to him in manners and affections 1. Of vertues as humility innocency patience c. 2. In will willing holily what he willeth and nilling what he nilleth 3. In practice chearfully observing what he commands Fourthly She must deck and trim her self with graces Psal. 45.13 She must put on lowlinesse meeknesse c. so 1 Tim. 2.9 Fifthly She must shew her love to Christ by loving and gladly intertaining his friends Sixthly She must shew her delight in him in his presence and long after him in his absence Isa. 26.8 Rev. 22.20 crying Even so come Lord Jesus Quest. What priviledges hath the Church as the Spouse of Christ Answ. First Free election he hath made choice of her and not she of him Joh. 15.16 He was not bound any way to chuse her neither did he finde any reason in her as other young men doe no disposition no work of preparation no freewill no affections toward him neither is he bound to render a reason if he had passed by us as he hath many others Secondly Divine pacification By this marriage all hostility and enmity is removed betwixt God and the Church For Ephes. 2.14 15. He is our peace Col. 2.14 Hereby we have daily entrance and access unto God not as strangers or ordinary friends but as friends yea as children in prayers praises c. Ephes. 2.18 19. Thirdly Gracious assimulation and fitness between the Bridegrom and Bride For whereas 1. She was of base Parentage a daughter of the Earth her Father an Amorite c. Ezek. 16.3 now she is made a chosen generation the daughter of a Prince of near alliance to God 2. She was poor and needy had no worth no dowry to prefer her now by this contract she hath an estate made her fit for a Prince that as her Husband is heir of all things his love is so liberal that he hath made her a co-heir of his own heavenly inheritance Rom. 8.17 3. She was deformed without beauty or comelinesse she hath now attained perfect beauty in righteousness and the beauty of her husband makes her beauty perfect Ezek. 16.14 without wrinkle or spot Ephes. 5.27 4. She was naked covered with nothing but shame excepting a few rags and fig-leaves now her cloathing is of wrought gold Psal. 45.13 garments of salvation Isa. 61.10 Fourthly Free and liberal donation as young men give Jewels and Love-tokens For 1. What he Covenants and promises he also pledgeth with many graces shining as so many Jewels thereby testifying his bounty towards her 2. He bestows his person on her and by becoming hers she becomes his and so of twain they become one flesh 3. With his person he bestows his goods upon her i. e. all his merits and obedience all his sufferings all his glory all his prayers 4. He invests her not only into his goods but into his inheritance and in due time consummates the marriage bringing his Spouse home into his house of glory a mansion prepared for her putting her into possession of all the wealth of Heaven where she enjoyes his immediate presence Fifththly high and honourable exaltation and advancement as Ahashuerus made Esther a poor captive maid a sharer in all the honour of his Kingdom by marrying her Yea the Churches honour exceeds that of the greatest Queens For 1. They are matched with and laid in the bosoms of men but she is admitted into the bed with him that is God and Man Cant. 1.15 2. They are married to Kings but such as are mortal who often leave them miserable Widows But she to the King of glory who only hath immortality 3. They are married to consort in some one kingdom and part of the Earth But she to a King that rules from sea to sea to whom all Kings are subject and by whom they rule To a Kingdom unshaken that fades not away c. 1 Pet. 1.4 Sixthly Strong and eternal consolation in that by reason of this marriage a firm and constant happinesse is assured which all the contracts in earth cannot perform Quest. How may the true Church be known Answ. First By her face now the face of a true visible Church is discerned by 1. By the sincere preaching and professing of the Word of God 2. The due and true administration of the Sacraments according to that Word 3. The exercise of Discipline appointed in and by the Word The first is absolutely requisite to the face and being of a Church The two latter serve for the beauty and stability of it So Joh. 8.30 and 10.4 my sheep hear my voice c. where Christ is there is the Church but where two or three consent in his name there Christ is Matth. 18.20 Act. 2.42 Secondly By her voice she speaks the language of Canaan She enjoyns not nor commands in her family any thing but what she hath direction for from her husband revealing his will in the Scriptures and dares impose no yoke on her children where her husband hath left them free She conceives her self so the Spouse of Christ that yet she still remaines the handmaid of the Lord. Thirdly By her virtues or qualities as 1. She is holy in respect 1. of holinesse of the Doctrine which she teacheth what she receives from the Lord she teacheth 2. Of the better part of the visible Church
bound to joyne themselves to some particular Church or Congregation Answ. Yea they are in a special manner bound to it and that for these Reasons 1. In regard of Gods institution Mat. 18.17 wherein is contained a necessity both in regard of the precept and the means 2. In regard of the presence of God and Christ there Rev. 1.13 For if we will come to God we must come also to that assembly where God doth in a special manner manifest his presence and is found of those that seek him there 3. In regard of Gods glory which is much advanced publickly by this means For as God under the Law placed his name in Jerusalem so under the Gospel he doth it in these publick assemblies 4. In regard of the Covenant and promise of God For they which are members of the Church they are as it were directly under the promises and blessings of God to be poured out upon them Psal. 65.5 and 133.3 5. In regard of our profession because otherwise it cannot be that the beleevers should be distinguished from infidels 1 Cor. 5.12 6. In regard of mutual edification which follows from this combination of the godly amongst themselves Heb. 10.24 25. 1 Cor. 11.17 and 12.25 27. Rom. 1.12 Quest. What Church must we joyn our selves to Answ. First only to the true Church which professeth the true faith Secondly if we be uningaged we must as much as we may joyn our selves to the purest Church Thirdly though we may joyn our selves to that Church in which necessarily many defects are to be tollerated yet we may not joyne our selves to such a Church in which we must necessarily partake with her in her sins Eph. 5.11 neither must we fix our selves to any Church with a minde to favour her defects by our silence but so far as it may be done with edification we must assist in taking them away Quest. Are we to associate our selves with such a Church as tollerates the wicked and opposes the godly Answ. First to tollerate notorious wickednesse is a great sinne in a Church Revel 2.20 and in Its nature tends to the corrupting of the Church 1 Corinth 5.6 Secondly it defiles the communion to those wicked men that are tollerated and to those that are the cause of their tolleration Hag. 2.13 Thirdly all such partake in this pollution which do not what in them lies to remove such scandals 1 Cor. 5.13 Fourthly that mixture which ariseth from such a tolleration doth lessen the comfort and edification of the godly Fifthly yet it is not lawful presently to separate from such Churches where the wicked are tollerated and the godly discouraged 3 John 9 10 11. and that for these reasons 1. Because that errour may be but the infirmity of the Church 2. Because patience and forbearance must be exercised towards a particular offending brother Gal. 6.1 much more towards a society of brethren or a Church 3. By the rash departure of the godly a reformation of those evils is not promoted but hindred 4. Because we cannot remove from such a Church to a purer without grievous inconveniences which ought alwayes to be avoided as much as may be without sinne Amâ—s Cas. of Consc. Quest. Is it lawful to gather Churches out of true Churches Answ. It s a most unwarrantable practice of them that do so It s an uncharible and unscriptural practice there is neither precept nor precedent for it in al the book of God Indeed we read in Scripture of gathering Churches from amongst the Heathen Were England a land of Heathens and no Church planted amongst us it might be proper enough to gather Churches here but to put a planted constituted and settled Church into the condition of Heathens savours strongly of pride and censoriousnesse Besides gathering of Churches amongst us breeds woful divisions in families the husband going one way the wife another the child a third the servant a fourth c. and is a great impediment to their mutual edification Again they which gather Churches amongst us have their members oft-times living many miles asunder How then can such Pastors watch over their soules as those that must give an account thereof or how can such members partake of all Ordinances or perform such mutual duties each to other as they ought Moreover it s a kinde of Sacriledge thus to rob godly Ministers of the creame of their flocks and the crown of their Ministry of whom they have travelled in pain till Christ was formed in them and its hard measure in those who thus reap where they have not sown and enter into another mans labours Mr. Hall on Tim. Quest. Is it lawful to seperate from a true Church because of some errours or defects in it Answ. By no means and that for these Reasons 1. Because the root of such separation is bad and therefore the fruit cannot be good It springs from pride and censoriousnesse as in the Pharisees who were the great Seperatists and had their name from thence 2. Such are Schismaticks and probably will in a short time be Hereticks Schisme being the way to Heresie they make a rent in the Church whose peace should be very dear to us For though peace be not the being of a Church yet it tends much to the well being of it for as a Kingdom so a Church being divided cannot stand 3. The pretences of separation as the Crosse Surplisse c. being removed though separation even then for those things was unlawful it s now farre more vile and therefore God punisheth the Separatists of our time more severely by giving them up to viler opinions then formerly 4. It s a scandal and great wrong to a Church It s ill to forsake the society of one good man without a just cause how much more to unchurch a whole Church causelesly 5. Such cannot escape the revenging hand of God Though men may suffer them yet God will not One of the saddest judgements we read of in Scripture befell Schismatical Corah and his company Numb 6.16 they made a rent in the Congregation and the earth rent in sunder and devoured them when Caine seperated from the Church Genes 4.16 he became a vagabond Idem Quest. Who is the Head of the Church Answ. Christ only Col. 1.18 19. Quest. In what nature is Christ the Head of the Church Answ. According to both his natures For Col. 1.18 he is called the Head of the Church whom v. 15. the Apostle had said to be the Image of the invisible God but that image was the eternal Son of God the word incarnate therefore Christ as God-man is the Head of the Church for the Church ought to have such an head which had a conformity of nature with the rest of the members that were to be incorporated into it but this conformity agrees to Christ according to his humane nature where Christ and his Church are said to be one flesh Eph. 5.31 The Church also ought to have such an head which
care of the head to bring his members to perfect blessedness Joh. 17.12 where he is called the Saviour of his body Eph. 5.23 and this also is the scope of all Châ—ists members that together with their head they may participate of that blessedness As Paul Phil. 3.14 Thirdly the head and members have a continuity between themselves and all have their act and information from the same soul So this mystical head and all his members have a certain continuity between themselves and have their spiritual information and vivification from the same principle For between Châ—ist and his Members there is a certain conjunction by means of the holy Ghost who resting more fully in Christ our Head flows from thence into all the members giving life to all and uniting all Ephes. 4 16. Quest. What is that body whereof Christ is the head Answ. The Church in Latine Ecclesia ab evocando because its a company or multitude of called ones who are called out of the world by the Ministery of the Gospel and other means appointed by God to draw men out of the state of ignorance and misery and to bring them to a state of glory In which sence we call such a company of persons a Church as profess the doctrine and Religion of Christ under lawful Pastors Such were the seven Churches of Asia Such that at Rome Corinth c. These Congregations are called a Church and such as live in them members of the Church who also in the judgement of Charity are to be reputed members of the holy Catholick Church both because on Gods part they have offered unto them such means whereby men are brought to partake of eternall life and because that on their part in regard of the external action and profession these means are received and used to their salvation This body of the Church whereof Christ is the Head consists not of unbelieving and wicked members but only of holy and sanctified ones whom God hath pulled out of the power of darkness and hath translated them into the Kingdom of his dear Son So that it is not sufficient to salvation to be a visible member of any particular visible Church by the external profession of Faith except withall a man be a mystical member of the Catholick Church by true faith and the spirit dwelling in his heart Hence Cyprian faith Quid faciâ— in domo fidei pâ—rfidum pectus Quest. What else may we learn from hence Answ. First That Christians must not envy those which are endowed with more excellent gifts then themselves because they are members of the same body that therefore which is given to one that we ought to esteem as given to every one according to that of St. Austin Tolle invidiam tuum est quod habeo tolle invidiam meum est quod habes Take away envy and that which I have is thine Take away envy and that which thou hast is mine Secondly seeing Gods children are all members of the same body therefore they should be ready to serve one another in love and to be affected each with others weale or woe as if it were their own 1 Cor. 12.26 Dr. Davenant on Col. Quest. Whether may the Church faile Answ. Neither the Catholick Church nor any part or member of it can faile or perish Joh. 3.16 This Church Christ hath undertaken for to defend to the end Matth. 16.18 and 28.20 She is the first born whose names are written in Heaven Heb. 12.22 23. If it cannot be in one place or Kingdom it will in another The woman when persecuted had a place prepared in the wilderness to fly into But a particular Church may faile and die and come to nothing as we see in the seven famous Churches of Asia This may also be proved out of many places of Scripture Mat. 21.43 where Christ foretels that the Church of the Jews which had as great priviledges as any Church on earth ever had should cease Paul tells the Corinthians they may come to be no Church 2 Cor. 11.3 and the Church of Rome Rom. 11.20 21 22. the Church of Israel the ten Tribes were dischurched Hos. 1.9 Quest. What are the infallible marks of a true Church Answ. First the sincere preaching of the Gospel Hence a true Church is described by it Rom. 3.2 So Psal. 147.19 Act. 14.23 and where the Gospel ceaseth in the sincere preaching of it they are an undone people Prov. 29.18 Secondly True and sincere use of the Sacraments at least in the substance of them Hence the Church of Judah is called the Circumcision Rom. 3.1 and St. Paul defines the Church under the Gospel by the Sacraments Phil. 3.3 Thirdly A sincere profession of the word of God and true Christian Religion either in uprightness of heart or in the judgement of Charity So 1 Cor. 14.33 So Gal. 1.22 All particular Churches are Churches that are in Christ and Churches of visible Saints Fourthly True Discipline and a right use of the Censures of the Church But this is only necessary to the well-being not to the essence of a Church Censures may be wholly neglected yea perverted against the godly and yet the Church be a true Church as Joh. 9.22 So Rev. 2.18 20. Mr. Fenners Alarm second part CHAP. XXXI Questions and Cases of Conscience about Circumspection and circumspect walking Quest. WHat is it to walk circumspectly Ans The Greek word Ephes. 5.15 signifies exactly or precisely so that to walk circumspectly implies an accurate study and diligence throughout our lives that we offend none but by the light of faith and good works edifie all The course of Christianity is an exquisite course and strict walking Quest. In what other phrases is this circumspect course commended Answ. It s implied in the phrases of walking before God Gen. 17.1 Living honestly Heb. 13.18 walking worthy the Lord in all well-pleasing Col. 1.10 11. Quest. What things are required in circumspect walking Answ. First that it be exact and considerate according to the true and perfect rule of Gods word in every thing great and small so as to go to the utmost of them and to all the rules that God prescribes not turning aside either to the right hand or left Deut. 2.27 and 5.32 Prov. 4.27 2 Chron. 34.2 Isa. 30.21 Psal. 119.9 10. Secondly it must be full in all fruits of holinesse and justice going to the utmost of every command So casting our occasions that one duty justle not out another Fearing as to commit the least sinne so to neglect any duty of piety or mercy Deut. 5.32 Col. 1.10 Numb 14.24 and 32.11 12. Jos. 14.8 9 14. Such an one looks to the thriving of all his graces His moderation shall not damp his zeal nor his zeal outrun his knowledge His providence shall not lessen his faith nor his faith destroy his providence c. All his graces run in a circle move strengthen and quicken each other Thirdly it makes a man diligent to redeem seek