unregenerate persons all that be out of Christ be under the Law and must answer for themselves for all the world by the Law of their creation are bound to be holy and perfect as God made them at first and must be judged according to that Covenant unlesse they come to be in Christ Gal. 4.5 Rom. 3.9.19 Joh. 16.9 Rom. 2.12 Eph. 2.12 Q. Then all that have not Christ be in an ill case A. They be so they have nothing to plead for themselves before the judgement seat of God nothing to stand between the justice of God and their sins Eph. 2.12 Acts 17.30 CAP. II. Of the fall of man and his sinfull state Second head of Christian doctrine Q. HOw came sin into the World seeing God made man upright A. By the first sinne of Adam and Eve who being deceived by the Serpent did eat of the forbidden fruit 2 Cor. 11.3 Gen. 3.3 4. Rom. 5.12 19. Q. How did sin come upon all by that one mans sin A. Two manner of waies First by imputation the Lord in justice imputing the guilt of that first sinne to all his posterity Rom. 5.14 15 18 19. 1 Cor. 15.22 By one mans disobedience many were made sinners as soone as he sinned that first Covenant was broken and the state of Adam and all mankind in him was changed into a state of sin and misery In Adam all die i the sentence of death was passed on all in Adam when as yet there were no more men in the World 1 Cor. 15.45 47. There were two head men by whom all fall and rise Adam was the head of the Covenant of Nature if he had stood none of us had fallen And so Christ is the head of the Covenant of Grace if he were not risen we cānot rise we rise or fall with him vers 16 17. As the Righteousnesse of Christ is imputed to them that be of Christ by spirituall regeneration Esay 53.10 So is the sinne of Adam imputed to all that come of him by naturall generation For as all the Elect are justified first in Christ their Head as in a common person surety when he rose againe from death and thereby received as it were Gods acquittance in full discharge of our debts 1 Tim. 3.16 And 2ly the◠are justified in their own Persons when as they come by Faith actually to be members of Christ In like manner all mankind was condemned in Adam as a common person representing all mankind and as a radicall person containing all that Nature which was to be derived to all generations of men Act. 17.26 Every one of us would have done as Adam did if we had been in his place And we are in our own Persōs liable to that sentence of death so soon as we exsist and have our sowre sinfull being from that poysoned root Q. But doth it stand with the justice of God to impute unto us Adams sinne A. Yes because Adam was the head and root of all mankind we were in his loyns when we sinned we were part of Adam in him and of him As the Children of bondmen are bondmen the Children of a Traitor are tainted in blood till they be restored in bloud so it was with us our Father became a slave sold under sinne and such are we his children till Christ make us free Adams sinne was the sinne of mankind he stained and corrupted our Nature Rom. 5.12 Hos 2.2 If adulterous Brats complaine why they are cast out the Lord bids them plead with their mother so we must plead with Adam This is just in our Law Q. How secondly did sin enter upon all by that one sin A. By propagation the lump and root of mankind being corrupted so are the branches Rom. 11.16 Gen. 5.3 Job 14 4. with our nature Adam propagated sin and corruption God made Angels all at once and therefore the fall of some of them did not draw all into the same condemnation But God made all mankind in one man to be multiplied by generation and so that root dying and being poysoned all that come of him are likewise dead poysoned We were in Adam two manner of waies 1. Legally as Parties contracting with God in that first Covenant and so were to stand or fall with our Head 2. Naturally we were in his loynes so that whatsoever befell the humane Nature it is Common to us of which nature we are a part All the seed of man was in Adam and therefore all that seed being corrupted in Adam we that come of him must needs be corrupted also we are a generation of vipers Mat. 3.7 a seed of evill doers Es 1.4 and young Serpents are worthy to dye because of their kind and the poyson somnesse that is in them Who can bring a cleane thing out of an unclean Job 14.4 Q. What then is the state of every one that is borne into the world A. Very miserable in no wise to be rested in if ever we meane to be happy Eph. 4.18 Q. Why so A. By reason of sin and wrath whereunto from the birth we are all subjected That which is of nature is common to the whole kind if thou be a man it is so with thee Eph 2.3 Q. How long does a man continue in that sinfull and cursed estate A. Untill he be regenerate and borne againe and made a member of Christ Joh 3.3 Q. What is there in sinne that makes one thus miserable A. Two things First the stain of sin 2ly The guilt of sinne The one makes us ugly creatures 1. Sinne it selfe the other accursed Q. What mean you by the stain of sin A. It is that filthinesse whereby the pretious soule being turned from God is defiled and become uncleane Math. 15.20 2 Cor. 7.1.1 Jam. 1 21. Every sin leaves a spot upon the soule even those sinnes which men think they get credit by as the Pox or Leprosy doth upon the body therefore sinners are compared to Vipers to Dogs and Swine c. Q. Is it such a matter to be a sinner if there were no punishment to follow A. Yes for two reasons 1. Because the wretched soule hath lost his excellency being deprived of the favour of God and of supernaturall Graces Reason is mans excellency and Grace a Christians which is the greatest losse of all When the soule is become a filthy stye then God departs It 's worse to be a theese or a mad-man then to be in prison to be Nebuchadnezzar amōgst beasts then Daniel in the lions den the privation of supernaturall good is a supernaturall misery Esa 64.6 Levit. 26.30 Q. Why Secondly A. Because the sinner can doe nothing that is pleasing to God the best things he doth God abhors them all Esa 1.10 15. Hag. 2.13 14 Rom. 8.8 Esay 66.3 Prov. 15.8 Tit. 1.15 Every thing is marred and defiled by them being dead in sins Q. What is the guilt of sin A. It is that quality in sin 2. Guilt and punishment
instrument whereby the soule layeth hold on Christ 'T is the object of faith that saveth us God gives Christ and thou must receive him and the hand to take him is faith Heb. 10.10 Rom. 9.32 with Rom. 10.3 4. Joh 6.35 Joh. 1.12 1 Joh. 5 11 12. Col. 1.20 Rom. 4.5 6 7 16. The righteousnesse of Christ is the onely righteousnesse by which we stand justified before God and Faith is the onely Meanes by which Christs righteousnesse is made ours and this faith doth justify not as it acteth upon our heartâ— to subdue lusts but as it acteth upon Christ's bloud as the meat that is eateâ—â— doth feed the medicine received doth cure the disease even so he that eateth me shall live by me saith Christ Joh. 6 57. Q. You say that you cannot be save by the Law What then is the onely way left to inherit eternall life A. Christ is the way the truth and thâ— life He was made sinne for us that wâ— might be made the righteousnesse of Goâ— in him John 14.6 2 Cor. 5.21 1 Cor. 1 3â— This is the Covenant of Grace this 〈◊〉 the Word of eternall life Joh. 6.68 Q. When was this Covenant first madâ— with mankind A In a Paradise immediately afteâ— the fall of Adam and it was renued bâ— with Abraham declared by Moses c anâ— the Prophets till at last it was confirme by the death of Christ the promiser anâ— testator a Heb. 11.4 Gen. 3.14 b Gen 17.4 11. c Exod. 24.8 Heb. 9.19 20. Gaâ— 3.16 17. Q. Were the Fathers before the comeing of Christ saved by faith in him A. Yes we and they doe all drink of the same Spirituall Rock which is Christ being all children of faith and of the promise 1 Cor. 10.1 2 3. Rom. 4.12 Rom. 9.8 Gal. 3.29 Heb. 11.4 Heb. 9.15 Rom. 1.1 2. with 1 Pet. 3.18 19. 1 Pet. 4.6 Q. Then the Old and New Testament be all one for substance A. They are so Christ is the substance of both and they are but severall waies of setting down the Covenant of Grace the one teaching to believe in Christ that was to come the other shewing more clearly all things fulfilled in Christ now come according as was promised and prefigured Q. By this it appeares that the Covenant of Grace is a most free Covenant not grounded upon any condition on our parts not upon any thing that we can doe or suffer A. It is a most free and gratious Covenant all the promises be made good to us in Christ Eph. 3.12 2 Cor. 1â— 20 2 Tim. 1. â— and we have nothing to doe but to embrace Christ and that grace also God promiseth to worke in us The Covenant of workes was conditionall grounded on mans owne obedience This New Covenant whereby we are restored againe into Gods favour is called a Covenant of Grace because the remission of sins the favour of God and life everlasting are the free gift of God given us in Christ not for any thing in us or done by us but for the onely obedience oâ— Jesus Christ the Mediator Eph 2.8 Ro. 5.21 WheÌ„ once we have Christ by Faith we are made New Creatures to bring forth fruit unto God Eph. 2.10 Rom 7.4 But we can challenge nothing of justification and life as a debt or as from the hand of justice but onely as as meer gift of grace Goâ— doth performe all things to us not for anything is us but for his Christ And thoâ— conditionall expressions If ye mortify thâ— deed of the flesh ye shall live c. such promises doe tell us who shall live not why they shall live Lastly that first Covenant is mended Christ the Mediator oâ— the New Covenant makes it good by enabling us to performe the condition thereof which Moses could not doe he gave the Law but could not give graceâ— c. Jer. 31.33 Heb. 8.9 10. Deut. 5.27 29. Heb 7.22 CAP. VII Of promises to Christ the Mediator the Head of the Covenant of Grace IN the Covenant of Grace there be three parties contracting and covenanting 1. God the party offended 2ly Man the party offending and to be reconciled 3ly Christ the reconciler and peace-maker between them both Q. The first party contracting in this New Covenant is God himselfe The first Party in the New Covenant What hath he done for Mankind A. The Lord hath done three gratious Acts for us His goodnesse and love towards us appeareth in three things Q. 1. What is the first gratious act of God in this Covenant of peace A. It is the free giving of his Son to take our nature that he might redeem us It was the Fathers will he should have a body and the Sons willingnesse to undertake it Heb. 5.4 5. Heb. 10.5 7 9. Joh. 3.16 Esa 9.6 Q. 2. What is the second gratious Act of God in this New Covenant A. God hath established the Covenant of our Redemption in and with his Son Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 5.19 God in Christ reconciling c. God did not send his Son empty into the world but furnished him with Testimonies promises of his favour for the comfort of Christ himselfe and oâ— us his people Joh. 10.36 Heb. 1.6 Therâ— was a Covenant betwixt God and Chriâ—â— our head touching the work of Redemption the Lord promising some things â— Christ and requiring some things oâ— Christ 1 Tim. 3.16 Gal 3.16 19. Geâ— 12.3 Q. How many sorts of promises there in the New Covenant A. Two sorts some be made to Chriâ—â— the Mediator and some unto all sucâ— persons as doe or shall embrace Chriâ—â— offered unto them Q. What things did God promiseâ— Christ Himselfe Of Gods promises to Christ as our Head and Mediâ—tor A. Three things 1. God promised to â— to him a Father to fill him with the Holy Ghost and with power to goe througâ— with the work of our redemption Heb. 5 6. Act. 10.38 Ep 1.22 Esa 11.2 Esa 49. Q. What 2ly doth God promise to him A. 2. God promiseth him acceptance victâ—ry and successe in all his undertakings 〈◊〉 man Mat. 3.17 Ioh. 5.20 21. Esay 42.6 53.11 Act. 2.27 Q. In what particulars shall Christ have successe and power to blesse his people A. In five particulars I God sayes to him Thou shalt a teach them 1. Conversion 2. Adoption 3. Sanctification and turne them to the Lord. 2ly Thou b shalt make them my sonnes and doughters 3ly And thou c shalt have the spirit to bestow on them a Mal 4.6 Luk. 1.16 17. Ioh 6.45 Esay 61 1 2. b Ioh 6.40 1.12 c 15.26 Luk. 24.49 Q. In what else shall Christ have successe A. 4ly Thou shalt a give them peace whilst they live in this world 4. Peace in our justification 5. Glorification 5 yl And b raise them up at the last day to eternall glory a Ioh 10.16 28 29. 14.27 16.33 b Ioh. 6.37 40. Rom 8.11 Q These are Gods promises to his Son What
Word and Spirit of God a 1 Ioh. 1 9 b Rom. 8.13 14. Eph. 2.2 Ier. 44.17.6 And if the blind lead the blind they both fall into the ditch a Blind rule is a blind guide Q. How thirdly may it be knowne A. Because they were never converted neither doe they see why or from what such as be borne and bred up in the true ReligioÌ„ should be converted such people are yet in their naturall state Ioh. 8.33 34.36 Ioh 3.4 7. Luk. 15.7 Act. 3.19 Q How fourthly may people be convinced to be under sinne and without grace A. Because sin is no burthen to to them they were never pricked in their hearts not soundly humbled under their naturall condition A man may finde many faults in himselfe by coÌ„mon grace but to feel and bewaile the rotteÌ„nesse sink of iniquity that is in our hearts the contrarieties that be in our nature against God and the workings of corruption this we cannot discover but by the sanctifying Spirit of God Rom. 7.7 9. Q. How fiftly doth it appeare that men want Grace A. Because they discerns not betweene pretious and vile as between the state of Nature the state of Grace between civill honesty saving Grace Let them tell what the differences be Num. 16.3 Eze. 22.26 Esa 5.20 Joh. 3.4 1 Cor. 2.13 14. Spirituall things must be spiritually discerned you must not heare a Sermon as you would heare a speech c. Q. How sixtly may this be proved A. Because they cannot bring you one promise out of the Scripture nor one mark of a saved one of which they can say this doth belong to me But the lesse they know of the Word of God the better they thinke of themselves and the lesse they search their owne hearts the greater is their assurance These are deluded ones Sound Christians can bring promises and evidences that they are in the state of Grace such as these Rom. 8.1 2 13. 1 Joh. 3.14 1 Joh. 5.1 2. 1 Thes 5.5 6. Q. How lastly may a carnall person be convinced to be under sin A. Because they are not in Christ this you must know that it is not enough for a man to doe his best and what he can but if he be not in Christ the Law layeth hold on him he is under the curse No body is safe by doing his best Eph. 2.12 1 Thes 1.10 the Law is a cruell Master it lookes not what we can doe it accepts not of repentings c. but unless we be in Christ Jesus it curseth all our imperfections Gal. 3.10 1 Joh. 5.11 12. Q. This is the case of man by nature and of all the sons of Adam What must we doe to escape wrath A. We must get into the Covenant of Grace made to us in Christ the promised seed Gal. 3.13 26. Rom. 10.4 Gal. 4.4 5. CAP. VI. Of the Covenant of Grace and our Redemption by Christ Third head of Christian doctrine Q WHat is the Covenant of Grace A. It is Gods free Charter and Grant wherein he bestoweth remission of sinnes and the Kingdome of Heaven in and for the death of Christ Jesus or it is a contract betweene God and man concerning reconciliation and life everlasting to be given and received by faith in Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 5.19 Gen. 17.4 7. There is Gospell in that Rom. 4.16 17. Gal. 3.8 Deu. 26.17 18. The matter covenanted is life and reconciliation the conveyance it is a gift by Christ the instrument and mean to receive it is faith all our right and title to Heaven comes this way from the love of the Father through the merit of the Son made ours by faith Eph. 15. Rom. 5.21 Rom. 3.22 24 Eph. 2.8 Q. What is the true difference between the Covenant of Workes and the Covenant of Grace A. The Law or Covenant of Workes offereth salvation to them that keepe it perfectly in their own persons that is to them that be without sinne and have a righteousnesse of their owne a personall perfect perpetuall Obedience Rom. 10.5 Luk. 10.28 Q. Explaine that farther A. The Law considers not what we can doe now neither doth it accept of sorrowes for doing amisse but it is satisfied only with a full and compleat obedience If thou say I doe my best c. that is no content to the Law the Law requires that all our works be holy without any touch of the flesh Rom. 7.14 2 Cor. 3.7 9. Gal. 3.10 It curseth every failing Q. How doth the Gospel offerus salvation A. By the righteousnesse of Christ thâ— Mediator so that the humbled soule resting on Christ by faith is justified and â— peace with God though we be not perfectly holy Rom. 3.25 26 27. Gal. 2.1 2 Cor. 5.19 Rom. 4.16 1 Tim. 1.15 This the priviledge of the Gospell that wheâ— we faile yet if we repent and turnet God God accepts our persons and thâ— greatest sin shall not condemne us thâ— Law knowes no such thing Gal. 3.12 Of justification by faith in Christ Jesus Q. 1. Then Christ doth not justify us â— giving grace and ability to keep the Law A. No for then Justification wereaâ— works and not of Grace besides there no such b ability given to any living Grace is given whereby we subdue or corruptions The Covenant with Adam was of workes though all he had was given him and strive to please God bâ— not to fulfill the Law perfectly a Eph. 7 8 9 10. b 1 Joh. 1.8 9. Act. 5.31 Acâ— 15.11 That which I fetch with my penâ—â— is not a gift but our righteousnesse is 〈◊〉 gift Rom. 5.17 Q. 2. Doth he save us by joyning 〈◊〉 merits to our workes as if we were justified partly by workes and partly by faiâ—â— in Christ A. No we are justified by faith without the deeds of the Law and Christ will not have any to bejoyned with him in that businesse Rom. 3.21 27 28. Rom. 11.6 Esa 64.6 Jer. 23.6 Esa 63.3 Rom. 4 5 6. Heb. 7.25 Heb. 9.26 Gal. 5.4 To a sinners justification Christ is all in all or none at all Q. 3. Doth the New Covenant save as by changing the condition of workes into faith and sincere obedience as if the act of believing and obeying should be in stead of perfect obedience to the Law A. By no meanes The righteousnesse by which we are justified is 1. The righteousnesse of a God 2. Imputed to us residing in the person of Christ 3. Every way able to answer the Law See Phil. 39 2 Cor. 5.21 Ro 3.21 22 26. But our faith and sincere obedience is 1. But the righteousnesse of a man 2. Inherent noâ— imputed 3. No way able to answer the Law The New Covenant doth not change workes into workes workes perfect incompleat iâ—to workes imperfect But it changeth workes of our own performing into workes performed for us by Christ for faith doth not justifie as it is a grace wrought in us working in us but as it is an