discover and learn to flye from all that false Antichristian light of superstitious Will-Worship of God by mens inventions contrary to the light of Christ in the light of his Word aqd this Law or commanding part of his will and word in particular Mat. 15.9 By this true light of Christ you may finde out the falshood of those blinding lights who set up the false light of natural reason corrupted since Adams fall without the enlightning of the spirit of Christ Rationis lumen quo Deus ns donavit ostendit non debere nec posso paenam corporalem quam unus debea ab alio persolvi Sociuus Tract de Salvatore above the light of Christ in the scripture as if it were no further to be believed then the sense can agree with the right reason as they call it of their darkned understanding by which as the wicked Arrians they question the Divinity of the Son of God and the All-sufficient satisfaction of Christ for poor sinners Isa 53.5 6. Ioh. 1.12 1 Cor. 2.14 a most abominable error odious to every true Christian whatsoever and most contrary to the light of Christ revealed in Scripture which is sometimes above not contrary to right Reason enlightned by the spirit of Christ By this light of Christ you may see evidently that odious hateful false light of the Mahometan Alcaron upheld by Turkish Tyranny to the miserable slavery and destruction of many thousands I may say the same of those false lights of the Councel of Trent Conc. Trident Decret 1. Sess 4. de Tradit Conc. Trid. de Interpret Script Decret â— Sess 4. making unwritten Traditions of equal Authority with the written Word of God and the Church of Rome the Judge of all Interpretations of Scripture as Cardinal Bellarmine maketh the Pope chief Iudge as being the Church vertual and having infallibility of spirit as he vainly pretends when as in truth his light is darknesse a blinde leader of the blinde to error and destruction I might name the Arminian false light that gilded Popery the Antinomian false light I mean not such Orthodox men who Preach Christ clearly a justifier and sanctifier and love the Law of God the commanding part of the will and word of God as Christ by his light holdeth it forth in Scripture But Antinomian enemies to the Law of God indeed their light is a false light easily discovered by the true light of Christ Others there are not worth the naming who go about like Guido Fauks with the dark Lanthern of Errors A Memento of Nov. 5. 1605. to blow up the Parliament house of the true light of Christ from the Saints if the Lord did not hold forth the light of Christ in grace to quicken them by his Spirit of truth unto glory I say no more of any these false lights but desire the true light Christ if it be his blessed will may bring them from darknesse to light and from the power of Satan unto God Acts 26.18 reconciled in Christ Iesus Again if Christ be such a light the true light Then how should every Christian soul highly prize this true light Christ above all false wandring uncertain dangerous light whaâ—soever new or old for this light Lux vera et sincara nil ficti habeus Christ and his light is true light without any counterfeit at all and who will not prise truth above fallehoodjts not a true precious Diamond far more valued then a counterfeite Is not pure Gold far more excellent then guilded Lead or Copper what woman will not prise a rich chaine of precious Pearle above any counterfeit Beads or Glasse or the like what hungry man will value a painted banquet above a solid feast was not the Land of Goshen where was light far more sweet and comfortable then Egypt where was darknesse that might be felt Exod. 10.23 even so is Chrâ—st and his light excelling the darknesse of all false lights in the world look upon the light of Christ it is pure cleare and Genuine as it hath not falsehood so it hath no obscurity in it It is Christs owne proper light as the light of the Sun not borrowed as the light of the Moone if it seem dark to men at any time it is because some Cloud or mist of ignorance or unbeliefe cometh between a soule and Christ Yea Christ is a full and perfect light the light of Christ it self admitteth no lessening no decrease the Moon the more it draweth from the Sun the more her light decreaseth But Christs light doth not diminish at all if any darknesse seem to be it is the weaknesse of our eyes not able to behold the glorious light of Christ as sick eyes cannot look upon the Sun in his glory If Iohn Baptist was a burning Iohn 5.35 Iohn 1.8 and a shining light who was not that true light how much more Christ who is the true light it self by whose brightnesse we may see the glory of a reconciled God 2 Cor. 4.6 as in the Face of Christ The light of Christ is full of vertue to drive away all darknesse from a soule The Land that sate in darknesse Mat. 4.13 c. and in the shâ—ddow of death unto them hath the light shined and then darknesse flieth away Christ shineth in the midle of darknesse He is truly a light to lighten the hearts and the glory or Gods people Israel Luke 2.31 32. He driveth away the darknesse of ignorance out of the minde and understanding and causeth light of Divine and heavenly knowledge to shine into the Soule as it is with the light of a candle brought into a dark Dungeon it expelleth darknesse and light shineth in the place So it is with the light of Christ when he cometh into a darkned soul he driveth out the darknesse of error and light of truth shineth in the place thereof He driveth out the darknesse of unbelief when a soul walketh in darknesse and seeth no light yet when the light of Christ cometh shining into a soul and revealing the light of Divine truth inclosed in the promises the sparks of faith which were as it were raked up in the Embers they are kindled and the flame of faith shineth as a light with joy and peace in believing yea Christ brings the light of joy to a troubled conscience Phil. 4.7 and peace of God which passeth all understanding And how then is the light of Christ precious How is it to be rested in as satisfactory above all other lights whatsoever And how should every soul that liveth and walketh in darknesse draw nigh to Christ for light for he lightneth every man that cometh into the world all that receive light they do and must receive it in and through Christ whether light of Justification or light of Sanctification or light of glory O then my soul come into Christ for increase of light come near to Christ and meet him often in his
their dayes Constantine the Great and other Christian Princes in later Ages Yea Isa 49.23 to be as Nursing Fathers and Nursing Mothers to Christs Church In the Primitive times the Church was exceeding vigilant for this duty of Catechizing they had their Catechumens Noble Theophilus was Catechized in the way of the Lord Luk. 1.4 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for so the Greek importeth That thou maist know the truth of those things in which thou hast been Catechized Acts 18.25 And Apollos was Catechized and many Catechumens were after in the Church therefore they had their Catechists or Catechizers also after the Apostles times Cyprian Epist 24. Eusebius Eccl. hist lib. 3 c. 12 their Docto◠s audientium as St. Cyprian calls them Teachers of the Catechumens such a one was Pantenus such was Origen Clemens Alexandrinus and others And for this end divers holy and learned men have both in Ancient and Modern times composed Catechisms as helps and furtherances for this excellent work Heb. 5.12 6.1 2 3. The Apostle to the Hebrews sets down a brief Catechism containing the first Principles of the Oracles of God Learned Hierom tells us there was a Catechism written by Cyril Bishop of Jerusalem and another by John Bishop of the same place Betulaeus Com. ad Lact. lib. 2. cap. 11. which Betulaeus mentioneth in his Commentaries upon Lactantius I passe many other in after Ages our late learned Writers Mr. Calvin Musculus Peter Martyr Ursinus Bucanus Beza Danaeus Zanchius Alstedius Mr. Virel Our English Mr. Nowel Mr. Perkins Mr. Egerton Mr. Dod Mr. Baal Mr. Downame Mr. Allen Dr. Twisse Dr. Majer and many other laborious workmen in the Lords Vineyard What are their sums of Divinity but Catechisms some larger some lesse and all witnesse as their desire so their approbation of this most necessary work of Catechizing Now the great benefit that I have found by experience in this way of Catechizing excellent light somtimes communicated to poor aged people as well as Children And my experience of the present necessity of all that true light which is or may be afforded by any of the Lords Servants Labourers in his Vine-yard the better to prevent Ignorant and Scandalous persons from approaching the blessed Sacrament and to remove dark ignorance and give light to heal the diseases of poor wandring souls hath moved me to cast my Mite into Christs Treasury Luk. 21.1 c. and to hold forth in this Catechism following what Light I have received from Christ to lead unto Christ on whom waiting in use of all good means a fulness of light may be communicated in Gods good time to poor hungry souls and that to their joy unspeakable and full of glory 1 Pet. 1.8 I most humbly present it to Your Honours not that I think any thing of mine in it is worthy of such an Honour but what is in it of the Lord Jesus Christ and his Spirit of Truth and Grace to whom all the Honour belongs Nor that I am not perswaded of Your Honorable and Religious care already for what is or may be fitting in this kinde Nor to prevent the learned and godly labours of any of my Reverend Brethren the Religious Assembly of Divines whose indefatigable endeavours I pray God to direct and blesse to his glory and the good of his Church but to be a light to those who stand in present need and want better directions And to conclude Luk. 2.32 Ioh. 1.9 that the true Light of Christ may more fully shine forth into darkned souls longing after Light Isa 8.20 and all false Lights daily and more duly be discovered that the true light Christ Jesus and his commands may be more fully followed Is 9.6 7. and all false light of Error or Heresie avoided that the light of the Sun of Righteousnesse may not only more richly enlighten Your Honours who are as so many glorious Stars in the firmament of the Common-wealth but may shine gloriously in all the dark corners of the Land Mat. 4.15 15. that as the glorious God hath so highly Honoured You already to begin and lay the foundation stone in the beautiful building of his House the blessed work of Reformation so he will Honour You further to lay the Top stone thereof Zac. 4.7 that all the Christian Princes and Churches in the world may with rejoycing cry Grace Grace unto it And all this by the strength of the great Jehovah For nor by might nor by power Zac. 4.6 but by my Spirit saith the Lord of Hosts That Your Excellencies may be enabled in Gods due time to take particular notice of the Thousands of Churches or Congregations in the Kingdom which want not only learned able faithful and honorable Pastors and Teachers to Preach and Catechize and hold forth the light of Christ unto them but want honorable and comfortable maintenance or encouragement fit for so honorable and great a work of the Lord Christs Ambassadors the faithful Ministers of the most high and mighty Prince the Lord Jesus Christ In a word that if it be the will of God our Soveraign Lord King Charls may be truly enlightned by the light of Christ to see the false light of all evil counsels either from his own heart or any others and may return fully convinced in conscience and rest fully satisfied by his evident experience of the mighty works of Jehovah the great God of Battel in the most faithful Counsels of thi◠High Honorable and Highly Honoured Parliament that He and His Posterity may love and Honour You and Yours from Generation to Generation as those who have been His best and most faithful Counsellors that Gods blessing may be upon all the three Kingdoms that Truth Peace Unity and Unanimity in the true light of the Lord Jesus with the God of Truth and Peace of Love Unity and Unanimity may dwell amongst us in Grace until that great King Christ shall come in the Clouds of Heaven and translate us all with all his Saints unto Eternity in Glory All which is and shall be the most humble faithful sincere and hearty Prayer of Your Honours most unworthy most humble daily Orator at the Highest Throne of Grace IMMANUEL BOURN London from my Study in Sepulchres May 1. 1646. To the Right Honorable Thomas Adams Lord Mayor The Right Worshipful Sir Nicholas Rainton Knight Isaac Pennington Sir John Wollaston Knight Thomas Atkin Sir John Cordel Sir Thomas Soam Sir Iohn Gayer Sir Iacob Gerrard Knights Iohn Warner Abraham Reynardson Sir George Garret Sir George Clark Knights Iohn Langham Thomas Andrews Iohn Fowke Iames Bunce William Gibbe Richard Chambers Thomas Cullum Simon Edmons Samuel Avery Iohn Bide George Witham Aldermen Thomas Foot and Iohn Kendrick Aldermen and Sheriffs of the Honorable City of London With the several Families of and within the said City and the Lives of Communication and especially the Beloved Congregation and particular Families of
Ioh. 8.58 Mat. 22.43 c. Prov. 8.22 to 30. he being the Alpha and the Omega the Beginning and the Ending the First and the Last yea without beginning of time or end of dayes before Abraham and David and all creatures whatsoever and therefore must needs be God Quest 24. What is a second Property witnessing the Divinity of the Son of God Mat. 28.20 Mat. 18.20 Isa 43.2 3. Exo. 3.2 Dan. 3.25 Rev. 2.1 Ans Omnipresency or Christ his being every where present with his Church in generall to the end of the world And wheresoever but two or three are gathered together his Name yea in all times of triall for the good of his Church and Children Christ is present and so he must needs be God Quest 25. What is a third Property Ans Christ his Omnisciency Iohn 2.24 25. Mark 2.7 8. Rev. 2.23 or his knowing all things the discerning the very thoughts and intentions of the heart and therefore he must needs be God Quest 26. What is a fourth Property Ans Christ his Omnipotency and Almighty power Ioh. 5.19 20 c. Isa 9.6 he can do whatsoever he pleaseth whatsoever the Father doth the Son doth and so he must necessarily be God Quest 27. What other evidence is there of the Divinity of Christ the Son of God Ans The works of the Son of God First the great work of Creation Gen. 1.1 2 7. Ioh. 1.1 2. Ioh. 14.11 Col. 1.15 16 17. God the Son creating the world together with the Father and the holy Ghost That Elohim or those strong ones created heaven and earth and made man Secondly the great work of preservation Heb. 1.2 3. upholding all things by the word of his Almighty power Quest 28. Have you any more grounds to evidence the Deity of the Son of God Ioh. 1.14 who took our nature upon him Ans I might give more Ioh. 3.16 Ioh. 14.1 Lev. 17.5 Acts 7. Mat. 28.21 I will name but one and this is the Divine worship and service to be given and due to the Son of God as to God the Father as to believe in him to pray to him to be Baptized in his Name and to yield obedience unto him Phil. 2.10 Ioh. 10.30 as to our Lord God and King for ever And from all these we may conclude that the Son of God is God and one with the Father Quest 29. Certainly these grounds do make it evident that the Son of God who is equall with God took our nature upon him 1 Ioh. 5.20 to be our Saviour yea truly God and eternall l fe But what profit is the knowledge of this to a poor soul Ans It is a comfort and joy unspeakable yea Eternall life to know and believe the Son of God to be God as well as man Ioh. 17.3 20.28 Isa 63.1 2. 2 Tim. 4 17 18. and my Lord and my God able and mighty to save his Church and children from all their enemies and to preserve me and them to his everlasting Kingdom Quest 30 You have evidenced fully the Deity of the Son of God Have you any such like grounds to evidence the Deity of the third Person in Trinity the holy Spirit of God Acts 5.3 4. Gen. 1.1 2 Psa 139.7 8 c. 1 Cor. 2.10 Ans Yes verely If we consider the Name of God ascribed in Scripture to the holy Ghost that the holy Spirit moved in the great work of Creation and is every where present and an All-searching and omnipotent spirit Psa 33.7 whose works are mighty and in whose Name we are all Baptized Mat. 28.19 as well as in the Name of God the Father and of God the Son These and more they may satisfie the believing soul that the blessed spirit is God and God equall with the Father and the Son to be blessed and glorified for ever Quest 31. What comfort can this be to the Saints Ans Iohn 14.16 17 18 26. Iohn 15.26 What greater comfort then that our Teacher Counsellor and Comforter is God able to advise us in our greatest straits and to give us consolation in saddest times of darknesse that he is our helper in our prayers every where present with us yea in the Saints Rom. 8.11 16 20. for their joy is ready to witnesse with our spirits that we are the Children of this blessed Trinity God the Father God the Son and God the holy Ghost blessed for ever The third Classis or Company of Questions 1 Question YOu say God is a Spirit or Spirituall substance What is a Spirit or Spirituall substance Gen. 2.7 Luk. 24.39 40. Prov. 20.27 Heb. 12.9 Iob. 11.7 8 9. Ans A Spirit is an invisible living or most pure substance more pure then the clear light or most pure Air or wind with life and motion not to be seen or felt with humane senses as the Air or wind or light or a body with flesh bones is yea a Divine spark candle or lamp intelligent and indued with wonderfull excellencies But God is the Father of Spirits whose infinite excellency cannot by searching be found out to perfection Quest 2. Do you believe that there is such a God Ans Yes For there is no Nation in the world but hath some way confessed that there is a God though multitudes do not know the true God And besides not only Gods word and works and spirit but the very consciences of men will witnesse that there is such a God Gen. 31.35 Jonah 1.5.6 Josh 24.15 Acts 11.13 14 c. 1 Kings 11.33 Acts 17.23 24. Gen. 1.1 2. and 14.19 20. Josh 1.1 2 3 4 5. Joh. 1.1 Gen 3.10 11 Dan 5.5 6. Acts 24.25 Quest 3. How doth it appear that there are such essentiall Properties and Divine Attributes in this great God Or that God is such a God Ans By an evident demonstration of all these Ps 19.1 Prov. 8.2 12 15. Rom. 1.19 20. held forth unto us in the word and works of God Quest 4. Wherein do these shine forth in Gods word and works Ans Iob 11.7 8 9. 26.6 7 8 c. Gen. 1.31 Rom. 1.19 20. 11.33 By the surpassing excellency of wisdom beauty power and infinite perfection of God which is to be seen in Gods word and works and firstly and fountainly in God himself Quest 5. What light is there held forth in the works and word of God to manifest this truth that there is a God and such a God of such infinite wisdom power and perfections Ans There is a threefold light First Of nature Secondly Of Grace Thirdly Of glory 1 Cor. 13.9 10. 1 Iob. 3.2 by which the excellency of this God is now in part and shall be more fully manifested to the children of God in glory Quest 6. Wherein doth the light of nature shine forth declaring this God Ans In the book of nature or of the works of God Quest 7. In what particular doth
unspeakable goodnes to the sons and daughters of men Exod. 18.11 2 King 5.14 2 Chron. 14.11 20.12 13. Luk. 19.6 c. Act. 2.22 and 9.1 c. 20 21. 1 Tim. 1.11 Eph. 1.17 c. 2 Cor. 6.9 10. Hebrews 11. the whole Chapter Quest 20. What Evidence is there from the light of glory Exo. 34.29 30. Isa 6.1 2 3 2 Cor. 12.3 4. 1 Cor. 13.9.10 Iohn 3.1 2 3. 1 Thes 4.17 Ans That beginning and part-part-light of glory which God hath caused to shine in or upon his Children in this life and the fulnesse of which the Lord assureth them they shall see and injoy in Heaven for ever Quest 21. What profit or comfort is this knowledge what God is and what a one he is to you Ans Great cause of rejoycing that Jehovah this Lord God Isa 43.1 2 3. Psa 52.1 2 10. Dan. 3.17 18 25. Ioh. 20.28 is my God in Christ infinite able and willing and wise and alwayes present to preserve protect and do me good in this life and that life to come even for ever and ever Amen The fourth Classis or Company of Questions 1 Question VVHat is the word of God Or what ought a Christian to know concerning the word and will of God Ans The word of God in the manifestation of Gods will and pleasure 1. Gen. 1. 2. 3. 17.2 7 22.16 17. Exod. 19.20 Isa 8.20 Luke 11.28 Rom. 10.27 Ioh. 5.39 2 Pet. 1.19 c. Either immediatly by himself as his word of command concerning the Creation of the world in generall and man in particular before the fall and the manifestation of his good pleasure after the fall to Adam Abraham and other Saints and Sons of men Or mediatly in Scripture by holy men as they were inspired by the holy Ghost Quest 2. Where is this revealed will and word of God written to be found Ans In the Canonicall Books of the Old and New Testament Ps 40.7 Mat. 1.1 Mar. 12.26 Dā 10.21 Mat. 21.42 Rom. 1.2 Ioh. 5.39 commonly called the Bible and Book of God and the holy Scriptures Quest 3. What is there to be known in the holy Scriptures concerning the will and pleasure of God Ans That the holy Scriptures are the most perfect rule of Faith and life above all other writings whatsoever and that they hold forth the good will of God by way of Covenant both in the Covenant of works to our first Parents before the fall and in the Covenant of Gods Free-grace in Christ since to and for the people of God to the end of the world Isa 8.20 2 Tim. 3.15 c. 1 Cor. 15.3 Joh. 5.39 Gen. 2.9.16 17. 3.15 17.7 Jer. 31.33 34. Matth. 17.5 John 3.16 Acts 2.28 22. Quest 4. Are the Scriptures the ancient and first written truths of God to be believed Ans Certainly they are most ancient of all written Divine truths preserved wonderfully so many hundred yea thousand years as witnesse them Divine and of most Divine Authority indeed Quest 5. By what means may you be assured that these Books of the holy Scriptures are the infallible truth of the most true God and that holy men writ them as they were inspired by the holy Ghost Mat. 4.4 22.29 30 c. Luk. 24.25 c. Mat 7.12 Ioh 15.35 17.17 Act. 2.17 17.11 24 14.2 Ans Not only by the witnesse of Christ the chief Prophet and of the Saints and Church of God and by Promises and Prophecies fulfilled by miracles and martyrdoms whereby the Doctrine hath been confirmed but by the Divine harmony perfection powerfull efficacy of the Scriptures themselves and the testimony of Gods Spirit in the souls of believers Quest 6. What necessity was there of the holy Scriptures and word of God written Ans The Lord did see it needfull to have his word written Isa 8.20 Rom. 15.4 Isa 59.20 21. Rom. 1.20 21. 2 Tim. 3.16 because men did not learn by the Book of Nature and work of Creation and government to keep God in their mindes but did run into Errors and fell to worship Creatures and false Gods and false Religions Therefore God gave Scriptures as a guide and rule of life and Doctrine to his Church Quest 7. But is the Old Testament needfull for Gods Children in the time of the Gospel Ans Yea certainly it is of excellent use for the Old Testament holdeth forth Christ and directs to Christ who is yesterday and to day and the same for ever And the whole Scripture is to be searched as profitable for Doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousnesse that the man of God may be perfect and throughly furnished to every good work Gen. 3.15 Isa 9.6 and 53.1 2 3 c. Zach. 13.1 Mal. 4.2 Heb. 13.8 Rev. 13.8 Joh. 5.39 and 8.5 6. Rom. 15.4 2 Tim. 2.16 17. Psal 119.105 Isa 8.20 Rom. 3.31 Matth. 5.17 18. Luk. 10.34 Heb. 8.10 11. Quest 8. In what languages were the holy Scriptures Originally written And whether may they be translated and read in our English and other tongues understood of the people Nehem. 8.8 1 Cor. 14.5 14.18 19 26 27. Ans The holy Scriptures of the Old Testament were chiefly written in the Hebrew tongue and the New Testament in the Greek as Originall copies evidence But they may be truly translated and read in other Languages and interpreted as the people of severall Nations may understand them for the perpetuall edification of the Church Quest 9. Are not the Scriptures subject to error Psa 19.7 8 c. Prov. 30.5 6. Ps 12.6 2 Pet 3.15 16. Ans No certainly the holy Scriptures are most true perfect and pure and free from error though some men not rightly understanding them have erred to their own destruction Quest 10. What rules may be observed for right understanding of the Scriptures Ans There are divers And first a competent knowledge in the Originall Languages and inspection into the fountains themselves Secondly Prayer for the assistance of Gods Spirit and to reveal truth Thirdly A deniall of self-opinion and Spirituall pride Quest 11. What is a fourth Rule Ans Fourthly a carefull observation of the chief scope of the holy Ghost Acts 8.20 Rom. 6.14 Eph. 1.16 c. 1 Cor. 12.10 Col. 3.6 1 Cor. 14.31 32. with the coherence and consequents of the Text and of proper and figurative speeches comparing of obscure and plain places together Fifthly a having respect to the Analogy of Faith and grounds of Divinity drawn out of Scripture Sixthly a humble submitting of the private Spirits to the Spirits of the Prophets Quest 12. What is a seventh Rule Ans To eye the chief Iudge of controversies namely the Spirit of God speaking in the Scriptures and by consent of plain places expounding the harder Quest 13. What is the principle knowledge to be learned out of the Scriptures Ans How to attain life Eternall by the true
knowledge and till the face of my soul shine and be glorified with those glorious apprehensions of God in the face of Jesus Christ which are accompanied with joy unspeakable and full of glory The three and twentieth Classis or company of Questions 1 Question HOw may a Christian man or woman enliven the knowledge of himself that he or she may come fitly to the holy Sacrament Ans Having in the same manner first made choice of fit time And secondly place or at the same time and place Thirdly he or she may by the power of Christ examine his knowledge of himself and mankinde Gen. 1.27 and 1.31 and 28. Eccl. 7.29 First in respect of his estate by creation righteous and good Secondly of his state of corruption sin and death by Adams fall Gen. 6.5 Eccl. 7.29 Eph. 2.1 2 3. Col. 1.12 13 14. and 2.6 7. Mat. 5.8 and 19.29 Luk. 22.9 22.30 Rev. 7.14 and his or her misery and bondage under it a woful estate Thirdly of his state of Grace and bringing some to God in Christ in his effectual vocation or calling from the thraldom of sin and death by the Gospel and spirit of Christ Fourthly of state of glory looked for in Heaven Quest 2. What is the fourth means or how in the next place is this knowledge of a mans self to be quickened Ans By meditation and thinking of this fourfold estate First of Creation Secondly of the Fall Thirdly of Grace And fourthly of glory until my heart be truly and rightly affected with the consideration of it by the power of Christ and his spirit First till I can lament my fall and losse of Gods Image in my soul Psal 51.1 c. Rom. 10.7 8. Eph. 2.1 2 3. Mat. 5 2 8 6 5 2 Secondly till I can see and feel in my heart my natural corruption and bondage under sin and Satan yea my subjection by sin to the wrath of God and damnation for sin and my extreme need of Christ both for my redemption and repair of the Image of God in my soul Thirdly Rom. 8.12 Phil. 4.11 c. Eph. 5. i 2. 1 Cor. 2.9 2 Thes 2.13 2 Cor. 5.1 c. Phil. 1.20 c. 2 Pet. 1.10 11. Gen 1.27 31. Eccl. 7.29 Eph. 2.3 Mark 9.44 till I be affected with the state of Grace as a happy condition being freed from the condemning and commanding power of sin and death and enjoying a lively power from Christ to walk thankfully in grace and holinesse towards glory Fourthly till my heart be affected and ravished with thoughts of Heaven longing and labouring for the assurance of that most glorious and blessed state of glory and all this not by any strength of my own but by the vertue and power of Christ in my soul Quest 3. What is the fifth means of enlivening this knowledge in your own soul in special for your joyful meeting Christ in this Ordinance Ans Application of my knowledge of every state and condition to my own soul in particular First that I was made holy and happy in Gods own Image very good Secondly that I lost that happy estate and became most miserable under the bondage of sin and Satan and subject to the wrath of God and Hell fire for ever Thirdly that I redeemed from this miserable bondage under sin and death by my Lord Iesus Christ 1 Pet. 1.18 19. Gal. 2.20 1 Pet. 1.3 c. Eph. 1.10 c. Phil. 1.20 c. Tim. 4.7 8. Mat. 25.34 who loved me and gave himself for me Fourthly that I am perswaded there is a glorious inheritance in Heaven which God hath prepared and Christ hath purchased for me and that when I have fought my fight and finished my course the Lord shall then give it me in my soul when I shall be dissolved and be with Christ which is far better and at the resurrection of the just and unjust I shall a rise and in soul and body possesse that Kingdom of Glory for ever Quest 4. How or by what means may your knowledge of Christ be enlivened Ans First in a time fitly chosen And secondly a place for this work Thirdly examine and catechize my soul in the knowledge of Christ as he is set forth unto me in this or the like catechism or as the Lord hath revealed this knowledge of Christ unto me First in his natures Divine and humane Secondly In this personal union of both natures in one person Thirdly In his offices of mediatorship Priest Prophet and King of his Church Fourthly Ioh. 1.14 Isa 9.6 Psa 110.1 Isa 61.1 2 3. Rom. 8.29 30. Luke 1.31 Gal. 4.2 3 4. in his benefits and graces communicated as of Election Redemption Calling Justification Sanctification and Adoption to glory and the like All proved and noted before Quest 5. What is a fourth help in which you may wait on Christ for your enlivening your divine knowledge of the Lord Iesus and what light from Christ for this Answer Meditation of Christ according to my knowledge in all these untill I see Christs glory and rejoyce in Christ Psal 104 33 34. Ioh. 8.56 Isa 61.10 Can. 5.1 2 3 4. Cant. 1.2 3 4. Cant. 1.1 2 3 4. Cant. 5.8 9 10. Iohn 20.27 28 29. Rom. 8.9 Rom. 9.38 39. Galat. 2.20 and fall in love and be ravished with divine longing after a more full union and enjoyment of Christ and his rich graces and benefits in my soul Fifthly in application of Christ and his vertue and efficacy of his grace in his whole office of mediatorship as high Priest Prophet and King untill I see I live and feel the life-blood of grace and vertue from Christ in assurance of Christs love springing in my soul as I sometimes feel my life-blood springing in my body Quest 6. What is a sixt and last help of enlivening the knowledge of Christ in you Answer Waiting upon God in faithfull and fervent prayers to God in the name of Christ untill I gain an answer of grace Psal 85.8 9. Gen. 41.16 Psal 42.1 2 3. and finde and feel life from Christ to quicken graces in me that I may come with more longing to meet Christ in the Sacrament walk with Christ in my life Quest 7. How or by what means may you enliven your knowledge of the Sacrament Answer By the same meanes I may wait upon Christ as before First choose a fit time Secondly a fit place Thirdly examine my knowledge of the Sacraments especially of the Lords Supper in the severall particulars as is expressed in the Catechisme before or in the Scripture of truth of author matter form and end and the like Quest 8. What is the fourth help Fourthly to meditate of the Sacrament and Christ communicating himselfe to prepared souls untill my heart be filled with spirituall hunger and longing to meet Christ in that holy ordinance as David to come into Gods presence Psal 63.1 2 3 4. 5. or as Israel longed
knowledge of God Ioh. 5.39 17.3 Rom. 15.14 and of Iesus Christ whom he hath sent Quest 14. What is the sum of the Scriptures held forth since the fall of Adam to this end that we may be happy for ever Ans First the Gospel or promising part holding forth Christ and Salvation in Christ by Faith Gen. 3.15 17.1 Exo. 20. Mat. 5. Iam. 7.2 Secondly The Law or commanding part manifesting that life and Rule of life in thankfulnesse by obedience Quest 15. Whence hath the holy Scriptures its Authority to require belief and obedience unto it Ans From God himself who did write part of it with his own finger Exod. 31.18 32.16 35.1 Deut. 9.10 2 Pet. 1.20 21. or by himself and his own power and the Prophets Apostles and Pen-men were the Pen-men of God the holy Ghost writing the Word of the Lord and what was directed by his holy Spirit for Gods glory and the good of his Church Quest 16. But doth not the Scriptures Authority depend upon the Authority of the Church and doth not the Churches Testimony prove the holy Scriptures to be the Word of God Ans Certainly although the Scripture may be believed with some kinde of Faith to be the Word of God by the Testimony of the Church especially by men out of the Church moved by the Churches testimony to receive the Scripture as Gods Word as holy Augustine did yet the Authority of the Scriptures depends upon God himself and the Saints are moved to believe it as by the excellency of the Scripture it self so by the testimony of the spirit witnessing unto their consciences that it is indeed the very Word of God Quest 17. How may this be illustrated further to us Ans By that Example of the Samaritans Iohn 4. they first believed on Christ for the testimony of the woman who said Christ had told her all things that ever she did But when they had heard Christ Ibid. now say they to the woman We do not believe on Christ for thy saying for we have heard him our selves and know indeed that this is very Christ So likewise at the first Augustine was and others may be drawn to believe the scriptures by the testimony of the Church but when once the minde is enlightned by the holy Spirit to see the Scriptures excellency Heb. 4.12 and the power of God in the word how it is quick and alive yea mighty in operation sharper then a two edged sword piercing even to the dividing asunder of the soul and the spirit and of the joynts and marrow of us and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart and that the Spirit of God is in the word 2 Cor. 3.8 and the Gospel is the Ministration of the Spirit Now the soul doth not believe and rest upon the witnesse of the Church for the truth and Authority of the Scripture but by the power of the Spirit of truth it self The childe of God seeth and knoweth that the holy Scriptures are the Scriptures of truth Iohn 16.13 and the very word of God himself and so to be believed and obeyed of all that look for Salvation Quest 18. But is not the Scriptures obscure and difficult to be understood and so dangerous to be read especially of ignorant and weak people Ans The holy Scriptures in respect of that Doctrine the knowledge of which is absolutely necessary to Salvation is not obscure but plain and easie by the assistance of the Spirit for every regenerate soul to understand the eyes of whose minde is enlightned Psa 119.105 yea it is a light to our feet and a lanthern to our pathes unto which we ought to give heed 2 Pet. 1.19 as unto a light that shineth in a dark place untill the day dawn and the day star and glory of the Gospel arise in our hearts But it is true it is dark and offensive to blinde eyes 1 Cor. 1.18 and to all that perish as in whom the God of this world hath blinded their mindes 2 Cor. 4.4 lâ—st the light of the glory of God should shine unto them and it is obscure and difficult to be understood in some parts even to Gods Children though not alwayes First that the Elect people of God might not trust to their own wisdom for understanding of the Scripture Eph. 1.18 19. but might be stirred up to pray for the help of the Spirit of Christ Luk. 24.45 Eph. 3.16 c and that Christ might dwell in their hearts by Faith and open their wills to understand that they may be able to comprehend with all Saints what is the height and length and depth and to know the love of God which passeth knowledge that they may be filled with the fulnesse of God Secondly That the Saints may be stirred up to diligent reading meditation and study of the Scriptures that so they may better gain the right understanding of places difficult and obscure Thirdly That the Saints may see that sometimes they stand in need of an Interpreter Iob 33.23 Acts 8.30 31. one of a thousand to understand the Scriptures As the Eunuch did stand in need of Philip and therefore might be taught to see the necessity and excellency of the speciall office of Christs Ministers 1 Cor. 4.1 2. 1 Tim. 5.17 and esteem of them and honour them as the Ministers of Christ unto whom the Lord in a more speciall manner hath given and communicated by his Spirit the speciall gift of understanding and Interpreting of the Scriptures 1 Cor. 12.28 c. Mal. 2.7 Nehem. 8.7 8. 1 Tim. 4.13 2 Tim. 3.15 16. and of opening the true sense of the holy Scriptures to the glory of God and good of Gods Church and verely the Scriptures may and ought to be read and searched of all sorts whose hearts God moveth to desire the knowledge of Christ for it hath been observed of old the Scripture is a Sea wherein the Elephant may swim and the Lamb may go on foot the greatest Doctors may finde work to understand and the poorest Saint may see and feel and finde comfort Quest 19. What or how manifold is the sense and meaning to be sought out in the holy Scriptures for our instruction Ans Howsoever the Scriptures in many places may be applied to our use and instruction by Typicall Tropologicall Figurative Analogicall and Parabolicall Interpretations Yet notwithstanding there is but one immediate literall genuine certain sense of a place of Scripture which is the true scope and intent of the holy Ghost in that place and this is to be sought out with all diligence as being the Grammaticall Historicall or positive meaning of the Spirit of God to be rested in as the truth of God Quest 20. But from whence must we seek the true interpretation of the Soripture Ans From the Spirit of Christ speaking not in the breast of the Pope falsly challenging
at his pleasure Quest 13. You have Answered comfortably concerning the Elect Now what is Gods Providence concerning evil Angels or Devils and what they are Iob 4.17 c. 1.9 c. Iude 6. Gen. 3.1 2 3. 1 Chron. 21.1 Zach. 3.1 2. Mat. 13.28 29. Eph. 2.12 2 Tim. 2.26 Ioh. 8 44. Ioh. 3.8 2 Pet. 2.4 Mat. 25.41 Rev. 20. Ans They are those Angels or Spirits in whom God found folly who kept not their first state but left their own habitation sinned against God their maker for which they were cast out of heaven and of glorious Angels became ugly Devils enemies to God and Saints tyrants over wicked men ruling in them as their God and drawing them to sin in this life for which the Devils are reserved in chains of darknesse and shall be tormented with the wicked in Hell fire for ever Quest 14. What power hath the Devil and his Angels to hurt the Saints Ans A limited power and retrained for the Devils are conquered by Christ and can go no further then God gives them leave for his own glory and the triall and good of his Saints Job 1.12 and 2.6 Hebrews 2.14 15. John 6.11 Colloss 2.14 15. Quest 15. What benefit can this knowledge bring to the Church and Children of God Ans Great joy and profit that Christ our Saviour hath broken the Serpents head and hath power of Devils Gen. 3.15 Rev. 12.10 c. Mat. 8.28 c. Luke 11.21 22. that they cannot hurt so much as a Swine much lesse one of his Children without leave and license from Christ our Lord and King who doth and can restrain the Devils and dispossesse them at his pleasure Quest 16. What other benefit have we Ans To teach Saints to be watchfull and take heed of Satans temptations to keep close to Christ who doth and will tread down Satan under our feet shortly Mat. 26.41 1 Pet. 5.8 9. Gen. 17.1 Joh. 14.20 21 22. Act. 24.15 16. Rom. 16.20 The seventh Classis or Company of Questions 1 Question YOu have declared Gods Providence concerning Spirits Angels and Devils Now what should a faithfull receiver known of the creation and of Gods Providence concerning man and concerning himself in particular Ans A fourfold knowledge is requisite to a comfortable meeting of Christ in the Sacrament Quest 2. What is this fourfold knowledge Ans First what we were by Creation before Adams fall Secondly what was our condition in nature corrupted after the fall Thirdly what it is in the state of Grace And fourthly what it shall be in the state of glory Quest 3. What was the state and condition of man by Creation Ans He was created in the Image of God his soul in some degrees like God in nature a Spirituall invisible living substance indued with understandings will and memory and immortality the whole man blessed with knowledâ—e righteousnesse and true holinesse graced with a communion with God as their Father with an outward Majesty and Dominion over all inferior creatures without all sin and misery having a freedome of will and a promise if he would obey to persevere in happinesse for ever Gen. 26.27 and 2.7 Eccles 12.7 Zach. 12.1 Luke 16.22 and 23.43 Heb. 12.9 Eccles 7.29 Psal 8.3 4 5.6 Eph. 4.23 24. Gen. 1.28 c. and 2.18 c. Quest 4. What ground of assurance was there that Adam might have continued in that happy estate if he would Ans Gods promise in that Covenant of works made with our first Parents before their fall Gen. 1.26 27. 2.16 17. assuring life upon condition of persevering in obedience and threatning death if they break the Covenant or that command of triall given them Quest 5. Should Adam have enjoyed heaven for the merit of of his works if he had continued obedient and kept the Covenant with God his Maker or fulfilled the pleasure of Gods will so revealed therein Gen. 2.17 1 Cor. 4.7 Ans Certainly no the creature could not merit any thing at the hand of the Creator having received both his being and well being from God but he was to live for ever and receive heaven by vertue of the free Covenant and Gods free Promise as the end and free reward of his obedience and faithfulnesse in the Covenant of God Quest 6. What Evidence is there of this truth Ans Besides what is rehearsed this hath been the judgement of holy men in the Church of God after the opinion of our Rabines of blessed Memory saith an Hebrew If Adam had not sinned he had never dyed but the breath which he was inspired with of the most high blessed God should have given life for ever and the good will of God which he had in his creation had cleaved unto him continually and kept him alive for evermore Quest 7. How was this Covenant held forth to our first Parents before their fall Ans By those two Sacraments as some call them of the Tree of Life and of the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil Gen. 2.9.17 Rom. 2.14 the first signifying and sealing life eternall if they kept the Covenant The second threatning death and the wofull knowledge of good and evil if they break that command of triall given and so walked contrary to the Morall Law or rule of life written in their hearts or that holy nature infused into them by God in their creation Quest 8. Did Adam and Eve keep that precept of tryall and Law written in their hearts Or walk according to that holy nature in which thty were Created Ans No Gen. 3.1 c. they did eat of the forbidden Tree and obeyed Satans temptations rather then the command of God their Maker Quest 9. What was the estate of Mankinde after this fall of our first Parents and their rebellion against God their Creator Ans Man lost the Image of God wherein he was made became a rebell like Satan in word and deed a slave to the world the flesh and the Devil polluted with Originall corruption and Actuall transgression liable to the wrath of God and all curses Spirituall and corporall in this life and eternall torments with the Devils in Hell fire for ever Eccles 7.29 Gen. 3.7 and 6.5 Psal 53.1 c. 2 Tim. 2.26 Luke 11.21 Joh. 3.36 Rom. 2.8 9 12 14. and 7.18 20. Gen. 17 18 19. Act. 28.27 Rom. 1.24 c. Psal 9.17 Isa 30.33 Mat. 25 41. Quest 10. Is every Childe of Adam in this wofull estate by nature Rom. 3.9 c. Eph. 2.1.2 3. Ans Yes There is none righteous no not one for all have sinned and are come short of the glory of God and were all by nature the children of wrath as well as others Quest 11. But how could the guilt of Adams sin and punishment be justly charged upon us their Posterity Rom. 5.12 c. 11.16 So contrary Luk. 13.26 27. Rev. 21.27 Gen. 3.22 c. Ans Because Adam and Eve sinned as the
their Judgement at that Day Ans Yes 1 Thes 4.14 c. 1 Cor. 15.51 52 none excepted or priviledged but when the Trumpet shall sound and the voyce of the Archangel shall call the dead shall arise incorruptible the living shall be changed Rev. 20.12 and all shall appear before the Lord Christ to receive their sentence according to their works Quest 21. How shall the unbelievers and all wicked impenitent ones who have been enemies to the Lord Christ and to his wisdom holinesse and government stand affected at that Day Ans They shall tremble with horror Mat. 24.33 Rev. 1.7 2 Pet. 3.10 Rev. 3. 12 c. amazement and unspeakable sorrows when they shall see the Son of man the Lord Christ come in such glorious and terrible Majesty and though they cry to the Mountains to fall on them and to hide them yet they shall not escape the wrath of the then angry Lamb. Quest 22. How shall believers and the Saints of the most High be affected at the presence of Christ Luke 21.28 Act. 3.19 Mat. 1.21 Rev. 1.5 Ans They shall be affected with joy unspeakable at that day of Resurrection when they shall behold him to be their Iudge who is their Lord and Saviour and who hath washed them from all their sin in his own Blood Quest 23. What are or ought to be the affections of Saints towards Christ coming to Judgement Rom. 5.2 Heb. 9.28 1 Thes 1.10 Ans They should rejoyce in hope and look and wait daily for Christ who hath saved us from wrath to come Quest 24. Are not Gods Children then in a most happy condition above all other in the world being freely delivered from this damnable estate of the wicked and made Heirs of the grace of life Eternall Ans Yes verily the righteous is more excellent then his Neighbour Prov. 12.23 Isa 64.4 i Cor. 2.9 as it is written for the eye hath not seen nor ear heard neither have entred into the hearts or men the things which God hath prepared for them that love him both in grace and glory Quest 25. By whom are we thus Redeemed from sin death and Eternall damnation and made partakers of life Eternall and to be Citizens in that Kingdom of glory Ans Only by Iesus Christ the Author and finisher of our Faith in whom God the Father is well pleased with us Acts 4.12 1 Pet. 1.11 19. Heb. 12. Matth. 17.5 The tenth Classis or Company of Questions 1 Question YOu have declared the knowledge of God and of our selves Now what should we know concerning Christ that we may draw near with comfort to this Sacrament of the Lords Supper And know more fully how the Lord doth govern us by Christ in Grace till he brings us to glory Ans We ought chiefly to know Christ First In his natures Ioh. 3.2 1 Cor. 2.2 Phil. 3.7 c. Divine and Humane Secondly In his Person and wonderfull union with our natures 1 Cor. 1.30 Iohn 1.16 2 Cor. 5 i9 c. Thirdly In his offices 1. Priest 2. Prophet 3. King exercised in Active and Passive obedience and application to both Fourthly In the glorious fruits and benefits which the Lord Iesus by his vertue and power as Mediator communicates to poor sinners for their everlasting Salvation Quest 2. How must Christ be known in respect of his nature Ans That he is perfect God and perfect Man both of a Divine and Humane nature that Immanuel God-man or God with us in our Humanity the Son of God and the Son of Man mighty to save full of grace and truth Isa 9.6 Joh. 1.14 Zach. 13.7 Isa 7.14 Joh. 3.16 Matth. 25.31 Isa 63.1 Mat. 1.21 Heb. 7.25 Iohn 1.16 Quest 3. How and when was Christ our Saviour God Ans He was God of God from all eternity not made but begotten of God the Father before all worlds and from everlasting very God of very God being of one substance with the Father by whom all things were made the unchangeable wisdom and essentiall Word of God abiding God for ever Joh. 1.1.14 11. 1 Ioh. 5.20 Ioh. 10.30 1 Ioh. 5.7 Joh. 1.2 3. Col. 1.15 c. Prov. 8.12 c. Tit. 1.3 Iude 23. Rev. 19.13 1 Tim. 1.16 17. Rev. 1.11 1 Tim. 6.14 15 16. Heb. 1.8 9. Quest 4. You say Christ the Son of God in his Divine nature was God of God How I pray you do you understand that the Son of God was God of God was it or is it in respect of his Divine Essence or in respect of his Person and his filiation or Sonship only Ans This is a great mystery as is the mystery of his Incarnation But I humbly conceive and believe that in respect of the Person of the Son or of his Sonship he was God of God the Father Iohn 8.42 and is said to be God of God Light of light very God of very God But in respect of his Divine Essence he is Auto-Theos God of himself Iohn 10.30 and by himself from all Eternity and one Essence with God the Father blessed for ever Quest 5. But how can the Son of God be said to be begotten of God the Father since God the Father is a Spirituall Essence and can one Spirit be said to beget another or how might this be Ans This is a great mystery more fit for Faith to believe then Reason to apprehend nor do I know any similitude can truly and fully expresse this mystery but the learned endeavoring to give some light of it have held forth the eternall generation of the Son of God in these and the like expressions First as the minde of a man when it thinketh of and understands it self by reflection upon it self doth form and beget in it self and as it were of it self some Image or likenesse of it self though not perfect or distinctly of it self subsisting So God the Father when as he fully knoweth and beholdeth himself in his Eternity and infinity After an unutterable manner he did beget in himself the most perfect Image and expresse likenesse of himself distinctly subsisting and yet wonderfully co-essentiall with himself from all eternity and to this effect Christ is called the brightnesse of Gods glory Heb. 1.3 and the expresse Image of his person Col. 1.15 and of the invisible God and the like in holy Scriptures Secondly As a word is the Image of the minde Iohn 1.1 2. and begotten of the minde so the essentiall word is the Image of God the Father Thirdly not far different from this others expresse it thus That as a man looking his naturall face in a glasse doth beget his own image or likenesse which so long as he looketh continueth as his own expresse image though that is not subsisting by it self So God the Father beholding himself from all Eternity in the eternall glasse of his own most glorious Essence he did eternally or from all eternity beget his own Son his own
weaknesse in knowledge Faith and other Grace But as Ministers of Christ Fathers or Brethren in all love humility and tendernesse of compassion to help and further our preparation to meet Christ with comfort in this blessed Sacrament Quest 5. What is a second help for the quickning of these graces to the glory of God in our lives and specially before we draw near to the Lords Table and what light from Christ for this to your soul Ans There may be a private lawful day or time of preparation in our Families or with some Christian friends joyning in conference and prayer and reading of the Scriptures so there be no neglect of publike places and times of worship nor disquiet of the state nor contempt of the lawful and good orders of the Church the better to fit us to meet Christ not resting on the thing done or the duty performed but waiting in these or the like duties until Christ be pleased to reveal Himself Zach. 12.10 c. Luk. 15.5 6 9. Act. 12.5.12 1 Pet. 3.7 Ier. 10.15 and communicate his vertue to our souls for our more comfortable enjoying of Christ in his holy Ordinance As we may call in neighbours to rejoyce and praise God with us So to pray with us Quest 6. What is the third help or means in which we should wait on Christ for his quickening vertue to honour God in his Ordinances and in our whole life what light from Christ for this end Ans This is a waiting on Christ in secret duties between God and our own souls And for this I conceive I may wait on Christ in six severall helps Quest 7. What are these several helps in particular Ans First I may set some time a part from all other imployments onely to attend Christ in secret for the obtaining of this grace as Isaac did Gen. 24.28 2. As day a of Atonement of old Lev. 23.27 28. 3. Or as Christ himself and Peter and other Saints Mat. 14.23 Acts 10.9 have set times apart for secret communion with God in Christ Iesus And so I may wait on Christ in a time convenient for this work Quest 8. What is a second help Ans To chuse a convenient place where I may be quiet in the sweet and secret soliloquies Mat. 6.6 14.23 Acts 10.9 or soul-conferences with God and my own heart and conscience Quest 9 What is a third Ans Examination of my self 1 Cor. ii 28 2 Cor. 13.5 and of the Graces before mentioned Knowledge Faith Repentance and Love Quest 10. What is a fourth help to this enlivening of Graces and preparation for the Sacrament by the vertue of Christ Ans Meditation both of God Luke 2.19 Psal 4.4 and my self and of Christ and the Sacrament and all these graces that they may be quickned to my own soul by the mighty power of Jesus Christ Quest 11. What is a fifth help in Christ for this renewing of grace Ans Application of all rightly to my self Ioh. 20.28 Iob. 10.25 26. Gal. â—2 20 Psal 110.1 by vertue of the life of Christ in my soul that all graces may be more enlivened in me and I may meet Christ with more cheerfulnesse and be enlivened by him for my more profitable enjoyment of Christ in the Ordinances Quest 12. What is a sixth help or means And what light further from Christ to strengthen and direct our souls in this particular Gen. 32.10 c. Ezek. 46.37 Luke 17.5 Rom. 8.26 27. Mark 9.24 Eph. 3.16 c. Acts 4.31 Ans Prayer to God in the name of Christ in which I may wait on God in Christ for the enlivening of the graces of God in me and right preparation to meet Christ in this Sacrament till God give a return of my prayer to my great joy in Christ Jesus as Jacob till an answer be given to my soul Quest 13. What is the first of these graces by these or the like helps to be enlivened by Christ and our spirit to our souls Ans Divine knowledge of God and of our selves and of Christ and of the Sacrament Quest 14. In what manner should we wait on Christ to enliven in us our knowledge of God Ans First Having set a fit time apart And Secondly Gen. 24.63 Gen. 32 2â— c. Dan 6.10 Mat. 14.23 Acts 1â— 9 2 Cor. 13.5 Mat. 13.51 16.13.15 Acts 8.30 1 Pet. 3.15 Made choice of a fit place to be separated from all worldly thoughts and to be devoted wholly to this work by the spirit of Christ that my soul may be in love with God Thirdly To Catechize and examine and question my self concerning my knowledge of God according as he is held forth unto me in this Catechism before or as far as I am enlightned with the knowledge of God what God is in himself in his excellent Nature Divine being and Essential properties perfections word and works especially the great work of mans salvation and I may examine my knowledge and see how able I am in Gods presence or before the Saints if need were to make a solemn profession of this my knowledge to the comfort of my self and edification of others Quest 14. How else should a Christian or you in particular wait on Christ to enliven this knowledge or have it enlivened by Christs spirit in his or her soul or in soul be fit to meet Christ Ans Fourthly As a Christian man or woman so I may meditate think ruminate and ponder of my knowledge of God in my heart Gen. 24.63 Psal 104.33 34. Luke 2.19 Psal 42.1 2 3 4. and endeavour to fix the eye of faith in my soul upon God in all these respects by the power of Christ until my soul be ravished with a glorious delight in God in his excellency fulnesse and all-sufficiency until that my soul and spirits by the spirit of Christ be drawn up into a holy and admirable union and communion of life with this blessed God now at one with me in Iesus Christ Quest 15. What or how thirdly may this be done Isa 64.7 2 Tim. 1.6 7. 2 Pet. 1.13 Ans Thirdly I may labour by the power of the spirit of Christ to improve my interest in this great and good God by stirring up and exercising the grace of Faith in the special application of God and his goodnesse as my God in Christ with joy and gladnesse to my own soul in particular So it is meet we stir up our selves and Graces in us Quest 16. What or in what manner lastly may you enliven this knowledge of God in your soul Ans In powring out of my soul by the strength of Christs spirit unto God in prayer to blesse this my seeking out of union and communion with God in Knowledge Sam. 1.15 Rom. 8.26 27. Phi. 30.8 9. Exo. 34.29 30. 2 Cor. 4.6 7. 1 Pet. 1.7 8. waiting on Christ till I finde the enlivening vertue of Christs spirit quickening and making alive my
to love Christ with her soul 3. Ezek. 36.3 Hos 14.8 And whether he hath made her willing and desirous to loath and dislike sin and to forsake her natural and sinful communion with sin the world the flesh and the Devil 4. Whether she be willing to take the Lord Christ for her Lord and Father 2 Cor. 6.17 18. and Heavenly husband and then no doubt she is one of the Elect of God the Lord is her Father and she is his daughter who is the Lord Almighty Quest 6. But what if she doubt still Ans Give her this one rule that she seek with an impartial eye First as not to flatter her self that she hath grace when she hath none So 2 Cor. 13.5 1 Cor. 10.11 c. 2 Tim. 1.12 4.7 8. Secondly on the other side not to deny that grace which the Lord of his Free-grace and love in Christ hath bestowed upon her soul as any measure or true knowledge of true faith of true repentance of true love of true hunger after the Word desire of assurance of the like graces Thus may she in Gods due time finde her self a dear Elect daughter in Christ and so in Christ an heir and fellow-heir of Eternall glory and in the end assurance may come Quest 7. This may be a means by the power of Christ to stay her soul from despair in that temptation But what do you say to her decay in grace What light have you from Christ to reveal any comfort to her soul in this respect Ans I say the Apostle gives a caveat to his Christian Thessalonians 1 Thes 5.19 to take heed of quenching the spirit and yet no doubt they had the spirit of grace in them but they must be careful not to quench the spirit Gods dear children may be in danger to quench the spirit for a time and may lose the acts and vigor of grace for a time as Peter did when he denied Christ Mat. 26. though not finally and totally therefore if your friend finde some decay of grace in her soul or want of holinesse she ought not to conclude presently she is none of Gods childe or exclude the favour of God in Christ from her For First as there is no wheat but there is some chaff groweth with it so the best of Gods children have some imperfections Phil. 3.12 13. Secondly In this life we are not like the Sun perfect in brightnesse and light but like the Moon receiving our light of grace from Christ as the Moon doth her light from the Sun and like the Moon 1 Iohn 1.8 we are subject to have some changes some decrease as well as increase some spots of darknesse in the center of our hearts And Thirdly take this for a certain rule as sight and sense of weaknesse of body is a sign of bodily life for a dead man feels nothing so a sight and sense of spiritual weaknesse Rom. 14.15 c. is an evident argument of spiritual life of grace in her soul as it was in blessed Paul Eph. 2.1 1 Tim. 5.9 Rev. 3.2 3. Isa 40.30 31. Fourthly A dead man cannot see nor feel his own weaknesse at all a dead man complains not of sicknesse and therefore your friend ought not to despair because of sight and sence of failings which is an evidence of the life of grace but wait on Christ for more light and life till the soul recover strength and what is ready to dye be quickned and she finde peace in the end Quest 8. But I have heard my friend complain that sometimes she neither feels any signes of life of grace nor doth she feel any want of life of grace she is dead â—nd senslesse no hunger after the Word or Sacraments or Prayer or to meet Christ in any good duty she is sometimes so far from resting in a duty or setting it up in stead of Christ that she is carelesse of any duty at all as if all were in vain as to her her faith is dead and without life her soul and life is dead in respect of grace or any sense of want of grace in her soul like those Isaiah 64.6 7. no stirring of life in her And what comfort can be given to one in such a condition Ans Your friend hath no cause to despair but to live by faith For First did she ever finde or feel any signes or sense of life of grace in her soul any sight and sense of her sin and misery by natural corruption any sweetnesse or delight in meeting Christ in the Word or Sacraments or Prayer any combating or stirring in her soul between the flesh and the spirit Then although now she be as dead to all these let her know that the state of the childe of God in this life and the life of grace may be sometimes 1. Like a childe in the Mothers Simile 1 womb alive though not felt to stir or to have any motions of life at all 2. Or like a man in a trance wherein Simile 2 his own sense being as it were without sence or understanding yea and in the judgement of others may seem to be dead and yet after revive and come to himself again and so may a dear childe of God in respect of the life of grace Assuredly David after his fall until Example 1 Nathan came to him he had little sense of life of grace little remorse for his sin especially while after his sin of Adultery with Bathsheba he went on to plot and procure the making of Vriah drunk and after to take away his life so addes sin to sin Exam ∣ ple 2 The like may be said of Peter between his first and third time of denying Christ until the Cock did crow and Christ cast a look of mercy 2 Sam. 11 12 c. Mat. 26.69 75. Psal 51.1 c. and pity and love upon his poor soul then indeed he went out and wept bitterly as David repented and bewayled his folly and sinful fall in the end and prayed earnestly to the Lord to restore unto him the joy of his salvation and to stablish him with his free spirit Quest 9. What other around of comfort Ans Let her consider that Gods childe doth not sin as the wicked do with full heart consent and freedom because his seed of grace remaineth in him 1 Iohn 3.8 9. but like a man in a crowd or throng sometimes carried forwards and sometimes backward 1. Carried forwards in grace willingly the will regenerate and sanctified striving together with one consent with the grace given and good motions of Gods spirit assisting as in Christ Iesus to presse on to perfection And 2. Sometimes carried backward by corruptions and the violence of Satans temptations as it were against our will Simile to an ebbing in grace as in the Tide the water runneth back as the Moon decreasing Rom. 7.23 c. as Peter sinking in the water of presumption senslesnesse or despair as
this light appear Ans First in the undersanding by that spark or light of reason left in the mindes of men and women since the fall of Adam Rom. 1.18 c. Acts 17.24 c. by which from the visible things which are and are seen and the natures order and government of them they may and have argued and attained to the knowledge of an invisible God which must of necessity be the being of beings the incomprehensible nature that gives nature to nature it self and is that first cause and ruler of all things and this light shining so far as to make all men without excuse Quest 8. If there be such a light of reason What was the cause then that divers naturall Heathen men did deny or doubt whether there was such a God Ans That ignorance and Atheisme did not arise from any principle in pure nature but from nature corrupted and that Idolatry and blinde superstition of the Gentiles who having lost the knowledge of true God Ier. 44.17 18. Rom. 2.15 Rom. 1.19 20. Rom. 1.19 c. Psal 14. Wisd 13. 14. c. wandred in the seeking out and setting up so many false Gods creatures and images and imaginations so that blinde men seeing the vanity and falshood of these were tempted and drawn like the foolish man to think in their hearts and sometimes to say there was no God at all Quest 9. How doth this appear further Ans Because however some particular men have doubted Exod. 31.30 33. Exo. 32.4 5. Deu. 7.4 2 Kin. 18.33 c. Acts 17.23 yet no Nation under heaven but have confessed a God though they did not lightly know the true God Quest 10. What other light is there from the book of nature Ans The world and creatures themselves which could not be from all Eternity but must have a beginning Rom. 1.10 Ps 19.1 2 102.25 26. pro. 16.4 Acts 17.18 Psal 8.1 2 c. Iob 38. 39. 40. nor could the creatures make themselves and besides nature order and use of the creatures in heaven and earth some without life as earth and light and heat and rain nourishing grasse and herbs which have a growing life and grasse and herbs nourishing beasts and cattell which have a sensitive life and all these serving men which have a reasonable life and whom should men serve and honour but their first maker who is the cause of all things and giveth life and being unto all and who must of necessity be God and none but God Quest 11. But doth not the preservation of the Creatures and right ordering of times and seasons Summer and Winter witnesse God Ans Yes verely If we consider First Acts 14.17 Deut. 32.39 Ier. 14.22 Psa 14 P. 1 2 c. 2 Kin. 5.6.7 Deu. 8.3 Mat. 5.45 6.25 c. 10.29 c. the wonderfull preservation of the Creatures in their kindes and the continuance of them in all Ages Secondly the variety of herbs and plants by vertue of the earth and rain and warmth of the Sun not as of themselves but from God Thirdly the admirable generation breeding and forming of the Bird in the egge of the silk worm and Phoenix and such like Fourthly the variety of the forms of men and beasts and the fashioning of man and all his parts before he is born Fifthly the giving of life and quickning power of life which man nor any Creature can give Sixthly the forming of the Spirit of man within him Zach. 12.1 Seventhly the giving vertue to our cloathes to warm us and our meat which is without life to nourish life in us All this must needs hold forth a Divine living being which must needs be God ordering all by his power and wise Providence Quest 12. What further testimony is there in the Book of Nature of the Divine being as of a great mighty everliving and powerfull God Ans Even the conscience of man within him which is an act of the whole soul reflecting upon it self First In the memory as a Register recording Rom. 2.14 15. and when God awakens accusing or excusing and witnessing thoughts words or actions good or evil Secondly In the understandinding Gen. 42.22 a Iudge giving sentence to condemne or to acquit according to that light rule or Law with which it is enlightned Thirdly In the hearts Gen. 4.13 14. Mat. 26.75 will and affections an Executioner to punish or reward with joy or grief with boldnesse or terror according to the nature of the fact or feeling of it Rom. 2.15 Gen. 42.21 22. Iudg. 1.7 Dan. 5.5.6 Ier. 10.4 Act. 24.15 GeÌ„ 4.14 Fourthly And all this with trembling in wicked men and joy in good As a Coroners inquest or verdict preparing for the Judge of Assize or Sessions so doth the conscience in reference to some higher power and divine Iudge to whom account must be given in the end which Iudge must needs be God Mat. 27.3 4 15. 2 Tim. 4.7 8. Quest 13. You have given good evidence from the light and book of nature What is there from the light of Grace and Book of the Scripture witnessing this Divine essence and Eternall being of such a God Ans There are many evidences revealed in Scripture of God and his Divine eternall infinite wisdom power and incomprehensible nature filling heaven and earth and in a wonderfull manner creating and governing all things Quest 14. What is the first Evidence Ans His wonderfull voice from heaven without beholding any similitude or likenesse at all Exod. 19.19 20.1 18 19. Heb. 11.18 19 c Deut. 4.12 15. 5.22 23 24. 1 King 19.8 to 18. Mat. 3.17 17.5 2 Pet. 1.16 17 18. Quest 15. What is the second evidence Ans His wonderfull Promises and Prophecies made so many hundred years before and fulfilled in time Gen. 3.15 Gal. 4.1 2 3. Gen. 15.13 14 15. Exod. 12.40 41. Ier. 25.11 12. Dan. 9.1 2. 2 Chron. 36.21 22 23. Ezra 8.31 32 c. Quest 16. What is the third Evidence Ans Gods dreadfull judgements upon wicked men for their sins Gen. 6.3 and 7.11 12 21. and 11.7 8. and 19.24 25. Dan. 6.24 Acts 12.23 Quest 17. What is the fourth Evidence Ans His miracles and miraculous deliverance of his Children in times of danger Exod. 14.21 to 31. Iosh 10.12 13. Isa 28.1 2 King 10.11 and 5.14 Dan. 3.24 and 6.22 23. and 4.33 34 35 36. Matth. 11.4 5 6. Quest 18. What is the fifth Evidence Ans Gods admirable revealing of secrets to the convincing even of Pagans themselves who knew not God Gen. 4.8.9 10. Iosh 7.18 19 c. 1 Sam. 23.11 12. 2 King 6.8 9 c. Dan. 2.46 47. Iosh 1.48 49. 1 Cor. 14.24 25. Heb. 2.4 12. Quest 19. What is the sixth Evidence Aâ—s The wonderfull conversion of men and women to believe and confesse a God to believe in Christ to repent and become new Creatures for the manifestation of Gods wisdom power and