Selected quad for the lemma: faith_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
faith_n	covenant_n	sacrament_n	seal_n	4,627	5	9.5821	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A64572	A preservative of piety in a quiet reasoning for those duties of religion, that are the means and helps appointed of God for the preserving and promoting of godliness. Namely, I. Of four Christian-duties, viz. 1. Reading the Scriptures. 2. Preparation for the Lords Supper. 3. Estimation of the ministry. 4. Sanctification of the Lords-day-Sabbath. II. Of four family-duties, viz. 1. Houshold-catechising. 2. Family-prayer. 3. Repeating of sermons. 4. Singing of Psalms. With an epistle prefixt, to inform and satisfie the Christian reader, concerning the whole treatise. By William Thomas, rector of the church at Ubley in the county of Somerset.	Thomas, William, 1593-1667.	1662 (1662)	Wing T988; ESTC R37887	203,614	274

benefits of this Redeemer Answ. Not so because Christ and his saving benefits are applyed and received only by faith which all have not but the elect only and which they that want are condemned already because they believe not in the Name of the only begotten Son of God 17. Quest. Is there not something also to be known and believed concerning the Church Answ. Yes we are to believe that there is an holy Catholick that is Universal Church or Congregation gathered out of all quarters of the world wherein forgiveness of sin in the Name of Christ is preached communion of Saints exercised and eternal life obtained 18. Quest. Is nothing required in Christians but faith Answ. Yes we are to know also that we are bound to lead a godly life that is a life ordered according to the Word of God in righteousness and holiness without which none shall see the Lord 19. Quest. But in many things we offend all What are we therefore to mind further in regard of our sin and manifold disobedience Answ. In regard of our sinful estate naturally and our f●ilings continually we are further to know that Repentance is necessarily required for without that we must perish And is to be still renewed for in that way we must look for pardon and yet ever come to Christ for procuring life Joh. 5.40 Mat. 11.28 20. Quest. What are we to know concerning our estate after death Answ. That the souls of the faithful do immediately after death live with Christ in blessedness but the souls of the wicked go immediately into Hell-torments 21. Quest. And what shall become of the bodies of both Answ. There shall be a resurrection of the bodies of the just and the unjust at the last day at which time all shall appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ in their own persons to receive the things done in their bodies according to that they have done whether it be good or bad 22. Quest. What doth the Scripture declare concerning the last and everlasting disposal of the persons of men at that day Answ. As they are and as they die so they shall be disposed of hereafter The wicked therefore and such as would do nothing for Christ shall go away into everlasting punishment but the righteous into life eternal Having spoken thus far concerning the General Doctrine of Scripture and the Main Points of Religion the knowledge whereof is more necessary to Salvation I shall now proceed to speak more particularly of the Sacraments and in special of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper of which I should have made mention and inserted them in the fore-going general Instructions but that I purposely reserved them to a peculiar and larger Explication in the now ensuing Questions and Answers An help for unlearned Christians that they may not be unworthy Receivers 1. Quest. What is mans chiefest happiness and only blessedness Answ. To approach unto God in and through Jesus Christ and to partake in a near acquaintance and fellowship with him Job 22.21 2. Quest. Why should all happiness be summ'd up in the enjoyment of God Answ. If they were blessed who continually stood before Solomon how much more they who enjoy the only wise God with Jesus Christ his Son and together with him all things also which are laid up in him which we shall have here as is needful from him and shall have for ever hereafter in all fulness with him 3. Quest. Who are they that are partakers of this blessedness Answ. They whom God is pleased to choose and to take into Covenant with himself not only as persons called but as persons chosen 4. Quest. What are the means whereby we are partakers of the benefit of the Covenant of Grace for our everlasting blessedness Answ. This is done by the Ordinance of God and more especially by the Word and the Sacraments 5. Quest. What difference is there between these two Ordinances Answ. The Word is the Writing reporting and declaring and the Sacraments are the Seals confirming and assuring the benefits of the Covenant unto us 6. Quest. Shew more fully what a Sacrament is Answ. It is a special Ordinance of God signifying and setting before our eyes sealing unto our hearts and conveying into our souls through the Spirit the singular and saving benefits of the Covenant of Grace 7. Quest. What be the parts of a Sacrament Answ. The outward sign which we see and the inward grace which we do not see unless by the eye of faith As in our bodily sustenance there is the food upon the Table which we see but the strength and life which that food gives us we see not but yet feel and find it afterward 8. Quest. How many Sacraments be there Answ. No more then Christ hath appointed for Sacraments that is to say Two only Baptism and the Lords Supper 9. Quest. What is the difference between these two Answ. By Baptism there is an ingrafting into Jesus Christ and a right solemnly manifested unto the Covenant and so the whole benefit thereof is in Gods good time enjoyed by every Infant that belongs to Him and by all them that keep the vow of their Baptism By the Sacrament of the Lords Supper the same Covenant is renewed and the good things thereof are more abundantly afforded to all that are by Baptism received into Christ and his Church for their spiritual nourishment and increasing with the increases of God 10. Quest. Since there is so much good continually coming in by the Sacrament of the Lords Supper What course is to be taken that we may enjoy it Answ. The course which God hath prescribed and which therefore shall certainly be blessed to make this Sacrament beneficial to us is this Let a man examine himself and so let him eat of that Bread and drink of that Cup 1 Cor. 11.28 11. Quest. What are the things belonging to this Examination Answ. We are to be taught and to learn these two things especially What we are to receive and how we are to receive it And then to examine whether those things be in us that are in worthy Receivers of so great mysteries 12. Quest. What is it that we do receive in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper Answ. We receive Bread and Wine as the outward signs and together with them if we receive as we ought the Body and Bloud of Christ as the thing signified 13. Quest. Since Christ's natural Body and Bloud are not to be looked for in the Sacrament shew more plainly what is meant when it is said We receive his Body and Bloud Answ. The meaning is that every worthy Communicant receiveth Jesus Christ with all his benefits He receiveth not only the benefits but

Cup For None are invited but the thirsty None can be thirsty but the knowing and None can know the gift of God but they will thirst and seek after it and in that way there is a promise they shall have it Joh. 4.10 28. Quest. What else is required of us when we come to the Lords Table Answ. Another and a special thing is Repentance For every sinner coming to the Lords Supper in his sin pollutes unto himself the Lords holy Table and provokes the Lord to abhor and plague him by that Sacrament-service wherein he expects he should approve and bless him 1 Cor. 11.29 30 31 32. 29. Quest. By what m●ans or in what way may this Repentance be attained Answ. By seeing what and how great our offences are by the Law and whom and how gracious a God we have offended by the Gospel whereupon ariseth through the grace of God for Repentance is his grant a true trouble and grief of heart for so great offences committed against so gracious a God look'd upon with the eye of faith which together with a real purpose of amendment for time to come is the sum of true Repentance 30. Quest. How shall I know that I do truly and in an acceptable measure mourn for my sin Answ. By three things First If I grieve for sin as I use to do for an outward cross or some lamentable loss Secondly if when I cannot reach that sorrow that I find in my self in outward afflictions I mourn over the hardness of my heart and am sorry that I can be no more sorrowful Thirdly if there be such a measure of sorrow as makes Christ precious and sin odious 31. Quest. How shall I know whether I do really and stedfastly purpose amendment of life Answ. I may know by this that I have stedfastly purposed to turn to God before the Sacrament if no perswasion be able to draw me away from God after the Sacrament or if there be any failing I find it to be extreamly bitter 32. Quest. What is further required in us when we come to partake in the Lords Supper Answ. A chief thing required is that excellent and necessary grace of Faith whereby being able upon good grounds to apply unto our selves the writing and promises of Gods Word summed up in Christ we may boldly come and take the Sacrament which is the Seal of the Promises that thereby we may be further assured and possessed of all the good things which God hath promised 33. Quest. What marks are there of this faith Answ. Faith when it is exercised about Gods Ordinances works in the Believer First a longing after them Secondly a purifying of the heart that he may be fit for them Thirdly a great rejoycing in them 34. Quest. Is there yet any other thing required that the Sacrament may be worthily received Answ. In regard of men there must be Charity that as we meet together in one House and at one Table and eat together of one Bread and Body and drink together into one Spirit so we may be all united together in love yea be of one heart and soul Act. 4.32 35. Quest. What special mark is there of this charity Answ. Prayer for all shews love to all In particular for those who have wronged us formerly it will be great proof of our love if when we come to the Sacrament we can pray for them heartily 36. Quest. What necessity is there of making it such a business to prepare for this Sacrament Answ. Because they who through neglect of Preparation eat and drink unworthily eat and drink judgement and without repentance damnation unto themselves 1 Cor. 11.29 And preparation is better then damnation 37. Quest. But what on the other side shall men gain by it if they do thus religiously prepare themselves Answ. Who so eateth the Flesh and drinketh the Bloud of the Son of God as in a spiritual manner every worthy and well-p●epared Receiver doth he shall have yea he hath that which every man so much desires to have even eternal life Joh. 6.54 CHAP. III. Of the Estimation due to the Ministers of Christ. COnsidering the great dishonour that hath been poured upon Ministers of late I mean not only a rude reproach of their Persons such as there hath ever been by profane men but a deliberate and studied contempt both of their Persons and their Calling not only vomitted as it was wont to be out of the Tavern or Alehouse but vented from the Pulpit and Press and that by men professing godliness there will therefore be need enough after I have spoken of the Word and Sacrament to write something to reduce and compose the mindes of Christians to that reverence that is due to the Lords Officers who are by his appointment and authority to preach the Word administer the Sacraments and generally the persons to whom the dispensation of Church-Ordinances is committed For which purpose my work shall be only to open and treat upon one Text of Scripture which fully and powerfully sets forth the honour due from the people of God unto the Ministry and in special such as labour amongst them The Text is 1 Th●ss 5 12 13 And we beseech you Brethren to know them which labour amongst you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you And to esteem them very highly in love for their works sake In which words we have set down both Ministers office and Peoples duty The Office of Ministers is described and set forth in three things 1. They are such as labour which is principally in the Word and Doctrine 2. They are over the people of God that is it is their office to rule over them to wit in the Lord which shews that it is by autho●ity from the Lord and that it must be acco●ding to Gods Word and Will unto which all their ruling power whether in Doctrine or Discipline is to be conformed and thereunto to be confined 3. They are to admonish to wit for the better speeding of their work in the two former parts of their office that is Preaching and Ruling For 1. Teaching shews the right and the good way and then admonition is as a goad and a nail to hasten the Travellour and fasten the Truth in the heart of the Hearer Teaching informs and Admonition forms the minds and manners of the people of God to what is taught them from God 2. Ruling chargeth and presseth upon People the command of Christ with presenting and inflicting if there be a necessity of it Church-censures Now in this case admonition is of use to prevent rigor as Parents warnings are to prevent correction or to sweeten severity if it be not prevented by letting men know the good and gain that is in it as the sweet words of parents

thine heart Psal. 37.4 2. Here is Preferment I will cause thee to ride on the High-Places which being applyed to the Jews seems to allude unto what God had already done for them in throwing down and making them by way of conquest to ride over the high places of the Earth and namely of Canaan the Cities whereof were walled up to Heaven But taking it as it stands here it doth withal assure them that God would cause them to do the like in times to come succeeding this Prophesie as Jer. 17.23 26. And yet the Jews found little of this in later times but rather for their sins among which we may put Sabbath-profanation as one principal one Neh. 13.18 they found and felt that Enemies did ride over their heads and high places Unto which we may adde that in Gospel-times wherein this promise is not useless or truth-less the Church oft finds little of these outward preheminencies and much of the contrary which considerations give just reason of reaching out further for the fulfilling and benefit of this promise and to make it common to others with the Jews by interpreting it thus Thou shalt overcome all that shall lie in thy way to hinder thy prosperity God will honour those who honour him and his holy day yea Why may not this be applyed to and verified in the subduing of spiritual Enemies and casting down strong holds like those of Canaan with every high thing that exalts it self against the knowledge of God especially since this is done by the Lords Ordinances eminently dispensed on the Lords-day and so is a reward sutable to the holy Observers thereof Nay why shall we not extend it yet further to make the promise fuller even to a treading at last on the necks of all Enemies and a resting and residing in Heaven that high and holy place whereof that Mountain-Countrey Canaan was a Type and where Sabbath is at last and everlastingly to be kept Heb. 4.9 I shall not for all this exclude but a little touch upon that outward and visible honour which is agreeable to the letter of the Text. This may be observed in two things 1. The advancing of that state wherein the Sabbath is best kept expressed by Kings and Princes sitting upon the Throne of David and riding in Charrets and ●n Horses No marvel for the well observing of the fourth Commandement is a great help to the keeping of all the rest unto the keeping whereof this promise is made The Lord shall make thee the head and not the tail and thou shalt be above only and thou shalt not be beneath Deut. 28.13 How hath this Nation flourished under the increase of Sabbath-Piety by the godly Laws of our religious Princes And how low have we lately faln upon the breaking forth afresh of Sabbath-prophaness followed with the saddest Civil War 2. In the adorning of those persons who reverence and carefully observe this day of God and so thrive in godliness and the fear of God There is no reason here to lay aside the Prophecy of Isaiah chap. 56.3 to v. 9. especially considering that it hath a respect to the times of the New-Testament wherein Gentile-strangers were received into the Church Now in that Prophesie the Lord saith to Strangers and Eunuchs that keep the Sabbath and chuse the things that please him and lay hold on his Covenant all which are like a golden Chain of divers links inseparable the one from the other the keeping of the Sabbath from the rest and the rest from that I say the Lord saith to such though they be strangers and have no name in the Church though they be Eunuchs and so can have no children to preserve their name nor be honoured by the name of Fathers Even unto them will I give in my House and within my Walls that is in the Church the House of the living God 1 Tim. 3.15 and within the wals of the spiritual Jerusalem Psal. 87.4 5. a name better then of sons and daughters that is better then that which ariseth from the begetting of sons and daughters For what is the name of Fathers of sons unto the name of sons of God of the Lord God Almighty yet Strangers and Eunuchs shall have this Name given them which is an everlasting name for a son of God once and a son of God ever Rom. 8.17 1 Joh. 3.1 and which gives in with it an everlasting fame and honour Psal. 112.6 Rev. 3.5 How honourable is the name of the Aethiopian Eunuch unto this day after that by believing he was made the son of God Act. 8.37 Joh. 1.12 yea such shall be glorified at the last day by Jesus Christ before hi● Father and the Angels 2 Thes. 1.10 12. I say again after the Explication of this Prophesie that there is no just reason to lay it aside in this argument of the Sabbath For as the Covenant mentioned there and the condition of that Covenant to wit laying hold of it by faith do still continue so albeit the Jews Sabbath be gone yet a Sabbath still remains wherein as the Spiritual duties of the old Sabbath are to be performed so the honou●s and priledges attending on and promised to tha● pe●formance may be expected I mean being interpreted a●cording to the spiritual state of the Gospel However it is a clear truth that honour and estimation still followeth the fear of God I say that fear of God which is learned and still better learned by Sabbath-Instructions and Exercises and it so far followeth it that every one that will be accounted a Citizen of Zion and heir of Heaven is bound to honour those in whom this fear of God is found As on the contrary a vile person which is a name that falls heavily on Sabbath-profaners and profane livers which two use to go together is and ought to be of all such contemned not so as to cast any reproach upon them or that any should be wanting in doing all right to them but so as that they cannot have such an honourable place in an holy mans heart as others have And if we look on the state of things amongst our selves it 's easie to observe that they have not taken a good course either for their comfort or honour Unto one and another of whom the Sabbath may say Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall but the Lord helped me yea they themselves from whom the Christian Sabbath hath received but hard measure yet confess it meet that Christians on the Lords day should abandon all worldly affairs and dedicate it wholly to the honour of God And again That they that are so piously affected on the Lords-day as to retire from secular business and ordinary pleasures and delights that they may more freely attend the service of Christ are to be commended and incouraged Whatever disputes therefore there be yet the Conclusion is that the holy

observation of the Lords-day now the weekly Sabbath-day is a commendable thing and redounds to the honour of those that so observe it And it will ever be the honour of the Nation and Church of England that there have been so many rel●gious Acts and actings for the holy and intire observation of the Lords-day It may be said I suppose truly and I hope in regard of this matter of the Sabbath inoffensively because other Churches may excel in other things I say it may be said of the Church of England Many Daughters of that Jerusalem which is the Mother of us all Gal. 4.29 have done vertuously but thou excellest them all Prov. 31.34 To come now to the last thing 3. Here is Profit and Provision I will feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy Father This refers plainly to the Jews whose Father Jacob was who while they observed Gods holy Sabbath and other of his Commandements well were well fed and fill'd and so if they had kept the Sabbath from polluting it and kept their hand from doing any evil might still have been but for want of that and by reason of their profaning the Sabbath among other sins Neh. 13.18 they did pine away for want of the fruits of the field Lam. 4.9 Thus it concerns the Jews properly But Abraham is our Father also Rom. 4.16 and by the same reason Jacob or Israel is so likewise for the same Covenant of Grace which was formerly theirs only is now for substance ours and we laying hold on it by faith have the same priviledges and promises albeit with some difference in regard of the diversity of the state of the Church under the Law and the Gospel so that we may claim being such as carefully observe the Sabbath and the Covenant on our parts the benefit even of this outward promise and the comfort of outward Provisions as far as they are needful or good for us Hence a learned Divine doth thus expound and enlarge this Promise As I have given to the seed of Jacob a very rich Inheritance so if thou be a godly observer of the Sabbath nothing shall be wanting unto thee of those things that are necessary for thee The same Author affirmeth that this and the like promise in Jeremy are understood also of spiritual gifts which Exposition suiteth well with Gospel-times wherein they that hunger and thirst after righteousness are called to hear the Word and so to eat that which is good and to let their soul delight it self in fatness Yea If we shall follow this promise further and take it in its utmost extent it may lead us into Heaven it self and the reward of inheritance there for otherwise how was Canaan the heritage of Abraham Isaac and Jacob as to their persons when it is said of Abraham that God gave him none Inheritance in it no not so much as to set his foot on and Isaac and Jacob sojourned with him in the land of Promise as in a strange Countrey and place of pilgrimage but they had the promise of it and their posterity possessed it when in the mean time they entered themselves into a better Countrey which they looked most at even the heavenly Canaan whereof the earthly Canaan was a Type Heb. 4 8 9. It 's a comfort to those that fear God and love any thing that hath his Name upon it that the Lords-day being dear to them in order to the upholding of godliness and Gods Kingdom being first sought other things shall be added and easily fall in Mat. 6.33 when they that steal away sacred time that stir and stickle on the Lords-day in their worldly affairs and designs for their own advantage get as Gehazi did a booty without a blessing for Is that a time to look after Olive-yards and Vine-yards and Sheep and Oxen 2 King 5.26 As it is said of the Sabbath of the Land enjoyned the Jews that it should be meat for them Lev. 25.6 because they might on that seventh year feed on the fruits which through Gods blessing grew of themselves so it may be said not without warrant from this Text and present promise which hath its truth still that the weekly Sabbath also shall be meat to them who in the fear of God and faith observe it for they that are willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land Isa. 1.19 And in the keeping of every Commandement of God there 's great reward Psal. 19.11 that is such shall find benefit and gain by their godl●ness one way or other and shall thrive in worldly things if God see it good for them Nor are profaners of the Sabbath any of the richest men But yet because in Gospel-times which excel in spiritual blessings God is pleas'd to keep his Servants short in things temporal and they have oft but little of the world of whom the world is not worthy therefore we must go on and look to that Land of rest and heavenly Canaan which yet remaineth to be enjoyed wherein when Christians poor in state but rich in grace shall keep Sabbath sitting and resting with Abraham Isaac and Jacob then shall they sure be fed with their heritage Then shall they eat and be for ever satisfied for they shall eat and drink with Christ at his Table in that his Kingdom Now It 's true that all these good things are promised to godliness but of that godliness which hath the promise the holy observation of the Lords-weekly-day is both a part and a promoter yea not only an effectual furtherer but a continual and constant maintainer as both reason and experience shews Mr. Perkins is herein very full giving this reason of his affirming that there is no fear of God where Sabbath-profanation reigneth for saith he the keeping of the Sabbath is the maintaining increasing and publishing of Religion Serm. of Repentance on Zeph. 2.12 Af●er all this I shall only add something in the close to prevail if it may be with Christians and with teachable and conscientious Christians I hope I shall prevail for the delightsom honourable and profitable observation of the Lords-day Oh that we that know our selves bound to give unto Caesar that which is Caesars would carry our selves so as that all men might see we account our selves bound to give unto God that which is Gods that is his appointed weekly-day I am very apprehensive of divers difficulties in this Sabbath-argument and therefore humbly submit all I have spoken to the search and censure of the learned and godly and desire nothing that I have said should be received but as it is found to agree with the Word of God and the general Doctrine of Religion as it hath a just influence into this particular Sabbath-subject But withal let it be observed that if a man will lean to his own understanding and entertain a conference with flesh and bloud with an accounting of the