to save himself or make a right use of those means of grace which tend to Salvation Ans Yea Eccles 7.29 Gen. 1.27 3.3 4 5. certainly there is great difference between the Covenant of works the Covenant of grace for in the first Covenant although God gave our first Parents a holy nature and ability if they would Isa 42.6 7. Acts 5.31 Ier. 31.33 Heb. 8.10 2 Cor. 3.8 to keep the Covenant and be happy Yet did not God give them a grace and confirmed will to persevere in that holinesse or be preserved from falling But in the Covenant of Grace the Lord gives Christ for a Covenant and in and by Christ his Spirit knowledge Faith Repentance love a new heart freedom from dominion and damning power of sin and perseverance in grace and all things that pertain to life and godlinesse God writes the Law not in Tables of stone as on Mount Sinai but in the heart and as he requireth Faith as with an empty hand to receive Christ so he giveth Faith Phil. 1.29 1 Pet. 1.3 4. and works it by his word and Spirit keeping the Saints by his power through Faith unto Salvation Gen. 3.15 17.17 Isa 5.3 Gen. 2.17 18. Ma. 1.21 Luke 2.10 c. Ioh. 1.14 1 Ioh. 3.14 c. Mat. 17.5 1 Tim. 1.1 5. Quest 14. What is the Covenant of grace Ans The Covenant of grace is that Covenant which God made with our first Parents in Paradice after their fall promising Christ the seed of the woman to break the Serpents head and in Christ life Eternall freely This Covenant renewed to Abraham held forth before Christ more darkly in Types and Figures but more fully since Christ in the glorious and clear Sun-shine of the Gospel Quest 15. You have explained what man was in the state of Creation and how miserable by nature after the fall Now what is mans condition by Grace and in the state of Grace when God hath drawn him to come into Christ and to seek Christ alone for Salvation by vertue of this Covenant Ans Man who could destroy Hos 13.9.14 1 Pet. 1.18 19. 2 Cor. 5.18 19. Phil. 1.29 Act. 5.31 Rom. 5.1 8.30 8.17 Gal. 5.4 5. but not save himself nor be Redeemed by silver and gold or by any other creature is now according to this Covenant of grace a Redeemed one by Christ reconciled to God in Christ called enabled to believe and Repent Iustified Sanctified Adopted to be a childe of God and in Christ an Heir of glory Quest 16. Are all men in this happy condition who live under the Gospel and hear the Preaching of this Covenant of Grace by Gods faithfull Ministers Ans No certainly not any in the ordinary way who are of years of discretion but only those who first waiting on Christ in his Ordinances in some measure by his Word and Spirit according to the working of Gods mighty power have their eyes opened Secondly Are made sensible of sin and misery by sin Thirdly Enabled to deny themselves Fourthly And by faith to apprehend apply Christ as their surety and redeemer Fifthly To rest on Christ alone for Salvation And Sixthly Declare their thankfulnesse by serving God in righteousnesse and true holinesse all the dayes of their lives 2 Chron. 34.19 c. Isa 66.2 Acts 2.37 38. and 16.17 18. Eph. 1.17 c. Rom. 7.23 24. Mat. 16.24 John 1.11 12. Mat. 11.28 29. Rom. 12.1 2. Luke 1.73 c. Quest 17. You have held forth and professed what you believe concerning the Providence of God in the state of man by Creation and his most miserable condition by the fall and declared in part what Gods Children are in the state of grace Now let me hear in brief what you believe concerning the Children of God in the state of glory And what is Gods works of Providence and government in the Heavenly Kingdom Ans First For the present Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord even so faith the Spirit they rest from their labours their immortall souls return to God that gave them and being dissolved from their bodies they are with their thâ—ir heavenly husband Christ Iesus in glory Revelation 14.13 Ecclesiastes 12.7 Phil. 1.21 c. Luke 23.43 Rev. 19.6 c. Secondly At the day of Iudgement their bodies being raised from the dead 1 Cor. 15.19 c. Mar. 25.34 Rev. 21.4 Mat. 5.8 1 Iohn 3.1 2 3. 17.20 c. 1 Thes 4 13. to 18. Ioh. 10.27 to 30. Mat. 25.46 Rev. 4.8 c. 5.11 c. 7.10 c. their souls and bodies re-united by the power of Christ the sentence of blessednesse shall be pronounced to them And Thirdly there shall be no more death but all tears shall be wiped away from their eyes God shall be all in all to them Fourthly They shall enjoy the vision of God in glory and by union and communion with God in Christ remain happy with the Lord in that Kingdom of glory in life everlasting praising and glorifying of God for ever and ever Quest 18. What shall become of unbelievers impenitent and wicked men and women who neglect Christ and Salvation tendred in the Gospel of grace and follow the course of this world and their own sinfull lusts ignorantly or presumptuously to their ends What is Gods government concerning them Ans When they die their souls desend presently to misery and the bodies shall be raised again at the last day by the power of God and appear before the Iudgement seat of Christ to receive that direfull sentence of condemnation Go ye cursed and be excluded Heaven and cast into the fire of Hell to be tormented with the Devil and his Angels in darknesse for evermore Luke 16.22 23. Heb. 2.2 3. Joh. 3.18 19 30. John 4.28 29. and 12.48 Acts 13.46 and 18.5 6. Rom. 2.8 9 12. 1 Cor. 6.9 Gal 5.19 c. Eph. 5.24 36. Phil. 3.18 19. Mat. 22.12 13. and 25.41 Rev. 21.15 Quest 19. But who shall be Judge of believers and unbelievers at that great Day to separate the precious from the vile the Wheat from the Tares the righteous from the wicked and to reward every man and woman according to their works Ioh. 1.12 Mat. 24.30 Iohn 5.22 23. Act. 10.42 Mat. 25.31 c. 1 Thes 1.9 c. Ans The Lord Iesus Christ who is the only begotten Son of God who stiled himselfe also as he is the Son of Man to whom God the Father hath committed all Iudgement and ordained him to be the Iudge of quick and dead He shall come in glory of his Father with his Angels and shall separate the sheep from the goats believers from unbelievers and pronounce the sentence of blessednesse to the one and of the curse and damnation to the other according to their works and the just rule of truth and righteousnesse Quest 20. But shall all both quick and dead good and bad be brought before Christ to receive
be of Abrahams Family by professing themselves covenanters and to have the Lord for their God and by accepting of and submitting unto circumcision that signe and seal of the Covenant as Abraham did But for children of Abraham and of other Proselytes believers who had entred Covenant for themselves Abraham and such Parents did in all appearance Covenant that they would instruct and teach their children the Covenant of God which the Lord witnesseth of Abraham Gen. 18.18 19. that he did know Abraham would do according to his duty and Covenant that they might fear the Lord which is certain was no more then what Abraham had engaged himself unto by his Covenant accepting the Lord for his God and the God of his seed And the Infants themselves did only passively enter Covenant if I may so speak by receiving circumcision the signe and seal of the Covenant which they were actually to enter by solemn profession when they came to be of knowledge and understanding as those children of the Israelites did of which we read Nehemiah the tenth Neh. 10.28 29. When they were instructed and catechized in the knowledge of the mystery and Sacrament of circumcision as the Israelites children were commanded to be instructed in the mystery or Sacrament of the Passeover Law of God Exo. 12.26 27. Deut. 6.6 7. from generation to generation Exodus 12. Quest 21. Then it seemeth that circumcision did not give Infants at eight dayes old a compleat and perfect admission into the Church or a perfection of membership with visible professors compleat Ans I conceive they had a true and compleat Infant admission as far as they were capable of and passively received the signe of circumcision as a signe and seal of that Covenant made with Abraham their Father to distinguish them from the children of all Pagans and Idolaters such as were not of the Church and to intitle them to other rights and priviledges which they should be capable of when they came to knowledge and understanding to professe and by profession actually to enter Covenant themselves But they were not fully and compleatly taken as such visible members as might joyn in Covenant and other Ordinances until they were of knowledge and understanding as is noted in Nehemiah before For I do not conceive it certain that children were admitted to eat the Passeover until they were of some understanding if that be true which is related by the Hebrews that every one both of men and women was bound to drink that night four cups of wine without fail every cup containing a log as much as an egge and half and to blesse God at every cup especially at the last cup As Master Ainsworth out of Maimon relates to which the Apostle alludes in the cup of blessing besides they were to be of that understanding to ask their Parents the reason of that service Exo. 12. 1 Cor. 10.16 and to conceive their instruction given them as appeareth from that 12 of Exod. noted before Therefore more then Infant-circumcision was necessary to a compleat grown up visible member of the Church before Christ Quest 22. You have shewed in part the admission of Abraham and men of ripe years of Abrahams posterity or children were admitted as members now in what manner were the Proselytes admitted when they were received as of the Church Ans It is recorded in Scripture that one Ordinance was to be for the Congregation and for the stranger that sojourned with them as they were so were the strangers to be before the Lord by an Ordinance for ever Num. 15.15 But we read further as it is related out of the Hebrew Doctors That if an Hebrew receive of the Heathens a servant grown in yearâ— and the servant be not willing to be circumcised he dealeth with him a whole twelve moneth more then that it is not lawful to keep him being uncircumcised he must sell him again to the Heathens so that every Heathen might be admitted to the Church and people of God if he would but if he would be admitted then he must be admitted and enter into Covenant as the Hebrews did like as the Hebrew Doctors say by three things did Israel enter into Covenant namely by circumcision and baptism and sacrifice First circumcision was in Egypt as it is written Exo. 12.48 1 Cor. 10.22 Exo. 10.8 9 10. no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof Secondly Baptism was in the wildernesse before the Law not only typically in the Red-sea But at the foot of Mount Sinai as it is written The Lord said to Moses go unto the people and sanctifie them to day and to morrow and let them wash their cloaths and be ready against the third day this was their entring Covenant as in the 5 6 7 8. verses a fore going in that Chapter is evident Thirdly by sacrifice as it is written he sent young men of the sons of Israel which offered burnt offerings and this at entring into a confirming of the Covenant For Moses took the Book of the Covenant and read in the audience of the people Exo. 24.5 6 7 8. and they said all that the Lord hath spoken we will do and be obedient here was a submission to the Covenant and Moses confirmed it by sprinkling the blood on the people and said Behold the blood of the Covenant which the Lord hath made with you concerning all these6 words And so in all ages when an Ethnick or Heathen was willing to enter into the Covenant and gather himself under the wings of the Majesty of God and take upon him the yoak of the Law he must be circumcised and baptized and bring a sacrifice and if it be a woman she must be baptized and bring a sacrifice and as the Israelite so was the admission of a stranger also by way of Covenant profession and seal of Covenant as is held forth by these evidences Quest 23. There is one question more I desire to be resolved in before you come to shew the admission of converts or children of belivers in the time of the Gospel and this is concerning what you said of circumcision that it was to Abraham a signe and seal of the righteousnesse of Faith and of the Covenant of Grace I have heard some are of opinion that circumcision appointed to Abraham was not a seal of Faith and Covenant of Grace but a seal of the Covenant of works do and live and of the righteousnesse of works by doing and not believing and that Abraham by circumcision was bound to perform perfect obedience to the whole Law upon pain of eternal damnation and that the Covenant was onely a corporal covenant and that there was as much difference between circumcision and baptism as between Mount Sinai which gendreth to bondage Gal. 4. and Ierusalem which is free between Hagar and Sara which are most contrary and then the manner of admission of Saints in the Old Testament can have no agreement
with this in the New and so all this is to no purpose which is spoken Ans For mens opinions no assertion is therefore true because some men affirm it but it must have ground in the Word of God Now for circumcision it is evident by the Apostle that it is not a seal of the Covenant of works but of Faith and the righteousnesse of Faith Rom. 4.11 Rom. 11.6 and therefore not of works For Faith and works in respect of the Covenâ—nâ— and justification of life are opposite and contrary the one to the other if of works then not of grace And Mr. Ainsworth well observes upon that place that the word Covenant is thirteen times named in that Chapter Gen. 17.21 and hereby is meant the promise of Christ â—nd salvation in him and that the promise was not onely of corporal but of spiritual and heavenly things As Saint Luke testifieth Luk. 1.72 73 c. Chapter the first To perform this mercy promised to our fore-Fathers and to remember his holy Covenant the Oath which he swear unto our Father Abraham which was an Oath and Covenant of spiritual things as you may reade at large And so circumcision a seal of that Covenant must needs be not a seal of the Covenant of works but of grace Not of Mount Sinai gendring to bondage but of Mount Sion and of Jerusalem which is free the Mother of us all of all the free born children of faithful Abraham free born not by a natural but by a spiritual new birth Ioh. 1.12 not of the will of the flesh or of man but of God Quest 24. Gal. 5. But what say you to that place of the Apostle he that is circumcised is bound to keep the whole Law doth not this evidence that circumcision did bind a man to legal obedience and then how could it be a seal of the Covenant of Grace Ans I Answer the Apostle in this Chapter concludeth his disputation concerning justification by the merit of Christ and not by the observation of the works of the Law or of circumcision appointed to Abraham before the holding forth of the Law of Moses Gal. 2.3 c. or by any of Moses his Ceremonies Iustification before God being onely by Christ received by Faith and Christs righteousnesse as he had proved by divers Arguments in the former Chapters For the Iewish Doctors which came to the Galathians had preached a false Doctrine Act. 15.1 2 c. that except they were circumcised they could not be saved As those did at Antioch against which the Councel at Jerusalem made a Decree that no such burden as circumcision should be laid upon the Church Acts. i5 24 28. and this Doctrine of justification by circumcision the Apostle vehemently opposeth Not as if circumcision indeed had been ordained by Moses or was any Sacrament or seal of the Covenant of works or so esteemed by the Apostle For it was appointed by God Himself to Abraham a believer in Christ Ioh. 8.56 Gal. 3.17 four hundred yeers before that dispensation of the Law by Moses or matter of the Covenant of works by Moses and the same Apostle himself had held it forth not as a seal of the Covenant of works but of the righteousnesse of Faith in Christ Rom. 4.11 12. as is noted before Therefore the Apostle doth not speak against circumcision as it was an Ordinance of God to Abraham continued until Christ or as if it ever was a seal of the Covenant of works but as it was falsly abused by the false glosses of the Pharisees and Iewish legal Doctors who came and disturbed the pure Doctrine of the Gospel amongst the believing Galatians contrary to the Apostle and Churches Decree at Jerusalem and truth of Christ taught the Galathians by the Apostle Saint Paul himself for otherwise he speaketh of Circumcision as indifferent in the times of the Churches respect to the Jews whom they desired to convert as he made it evident in his own circumcising of Timothy which he would not have done if Circumcision had been a Seal of the Covenant of Works B. Arce in Gal. 5. Observa de circumcisione hic agi respectu abusus quem in ducebant falsi Doctores Alibi Circumcisionem tulit ut rem mediam in Timotheo alibi ut figillum justitiae commendavit in Abrahamo c. or subjected Timothy to perform the whole Law or could have caused that Timothy should have received no profit by Christ as here he speaketh of Circumcision to the Galathians when the false Doctors taught Justification by Circumcision which Errour the Apostle here so strongly contradicts as most contrary to Christ and the Doctrine of Faith in Jesus And to this effect both blessed Luther Benedictus Aretius and others expound that place And so it is a most clear truth that Circumcision was never a Seal to Abraham or to any other of the Covenant of Works of onely of temporal Benefits or that there is any such difference between Circumcision and Baptism as between Hagar and Sarah or between Mount Sina in Arabia gendering to bondage and Mount Sion or Jerusalem between Law and Gospel as some Antipoedobaptists have affirmed And therefore it is not unprofitable to hold forth the manner of entrance into the Church declared and appointed by God to Abraham for his posterity for Proselytes converted and the Church untill Christ as is noted before Quest 25. You have satisfied me in this trouble now I pray you what was or is the manner of outward admission into the Church since Christ in the time of the Gospel Answ For outward admission into the visible Church of Christ since Christs Ascention This was and is by way of Covenant also though in a different manner of dispensation as it respects divers persons and times of admission or at least of approbations of persons admission as visible compleat members of the Church and fellowship of the Saints fit to partake and communicate in al Ordinances and Acts of fellowship especially in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper And this in several ages and practises of the Church Quest 26. What was the first way or practice of the Church in the new Testament according to the Ordinance of Christ Ans First Inwardly men of ripe yeers Jews or Gentiles converted or professing themselves to be converted by the preaching of the Gospel to beleeve in Christ were admitted as members of the Church and into or for this admission there was First As there was or should have been a beleeving or faith in Christ true and sincere or at least temporary in which the soul did close or seem to close with Christ and Covenant and agree to receive Christ for a Saviour Act 8.13 and 8 37 Psa 27.8 according to the promise and tender of the Gospel And this was a kinde of union agreement and secret covenanting with Christ 1. The Lord Christ speaking inwardly to the soul in kindnesse O poor
they and every of you making your Calling and Election sure you may gain a sweet entrance here and in the end a full possession and fruition of that everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ which to further is the earnest desire and endeavour of Yours ever to serve you in Christ Iesus IMMANUEL BOURN May 2. 1646. TO THE READER A Briefe Table and Catalogue of the chiefe Questions Cases of Conscience and Divine Truths handled in this light from Christ or Jewell of Christian Divinity With a direction to make use both of the greater and lesser Catechismes in private Families or secret Closets or in publike Congregations if any please to make tryall of them These according to the severall Classes wherein they are primarily expressed or where more fully they are explained Classis 1. WHether all be bound in conscience to declare their knowledge and professe Qu. 1. p. 1 2 2. their faith in Christ when to whom and for what end this ought to bee done Quest 2. page 3. 4. Whether the use of Catechizing bee ancient in the Church with the necessity and benefit of it and the lamentable ignorance in the Kingdom Qu. 3. p. 7 8 c. Whether all Baptized persons bee true Christians and to be admitted to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper Qu. 4. p. 14. c. Whether all who are to be admitted to the preaching of the word may also be received to the Sacrament Qu. 5. p. 21. c. Whether in mixt congregations the sins of unworthy Receivers can hinder grace from the worthy and how such communion is lawfull how not Qu. 6. p. 24 c. What requisite graces are in the wedding garment to meet Christ in the Sacracrament antecedent antepresent present acting and subsequent graces Qu. 7. p. 27 28. What kinde of knowledge faith Repentance and Charity are to be enlivened in preparation Classis 2. Qu. 1 p. 27 28 c. WHether a fourefold knowledge of God 2 of our selves 3 of Christ 4 of the Sacrament be requisite in a Receiver what these are and wherefore necessary What God is in his nature Qu. 2. p. 29 c. and in his attributes communicable and incommunicable to the creatures Whether there be three distinct persons of the Divine Essence Qu. 3. p. 33 34 c. and the properties evidencing the Divinity of the Son of God of the Spirit as of God the Father and the Son Classis 3. WHether there be any such spirituall Essence Qu. 1. p. 38 c. and this proved by evidences of light from the Booke of nature and of Scripture of grace and of glory Classis 4. WHether the holy Scriptures be the revealed will and infallible word of God what is the antiquity Qu. 1. p. 47 48 c. necessity and authority of them How to know the right sence Qu. 2. p. 50 51 c. and understanding of the Scriptures and whether the authority of Scriptures depend upon the Church with the excellent use of them Cassis 5. Qu. 1. p. 58 c. WHat are the foure great works of God revealed in Scripture namely his eternall decree his worke of creation his work of providence here and worke of glory hereafter Qu. 2. p. 62 63 c. Whether the whole Trinity did create the world and how God made the body and soule of man Whether the soules of men or women be immortall with divers arguments to prove the immortality of the soule Classis 6. Qu. 1. p. 70. 71 c. VVHether God governeth the world by his providence and in particular Angells and men and of the nature of Angells good and evill and their service to the glory of God and benefit of his Church Classis 7. VVHether a fourefold knowledge of a man or womans selfe be requisite Qu. 1. p. 76 77 c. what hee or shee was by creation what by the fall of Adam what in and by Christ in grace and what he or she shall be in state of glory Classis 8. VVHether men or women have free will Qu. 1. p. 84 c. and what it was in the state of creation 2 Of nature corrupted after the fall 3 what it was in the state of grace and 4 what it shall be in the state of glory Whether a naturall man or woman can desire their own salvation and how far Qu. 2. p. 89. 90. and whether they be bound to waite upon God in the use of the means for salvation Classis 9. VVHether the Lord did hold forth the Law or commanding part of Gods word in mount Sinai Qu. 1. p. 91 c. as a covenant of workes or to what end and wherefore Christ and his Apostles doe interpret the mind of God in the commmanding part of his word and what is the use of it in the Church of Christ in preaching of the Gospell Qu. 2. p. 98 c. Qu. 3. p. 100 101 c. What is the covenant of grace and state of Gods children under the Gospel What shall be the condition and state of Gods children and of the wicked in death at the day of judgement and for every afterwards Classis 10. Qu. 1. p. 105 106 c. WHat is to be knowne of Christ in respect of his natures divines and humane and of his hypostaticall or personall union of both natures and the necessity of his being both God and man for our salvation How there is a communication of the Jdioms or Phrases and properties of both natures each to other Qu. 2.114 115 c. with particular instances of the same Classis 11. Qu. 1. p. 116 c. WHat is the threefold office of Christ in particular of his Priestly office and of the two chiefe parts of it First satisfactitn to Gods Justices Secondly intercession for us Whether the whole satisfaction and sufferings for our sinnes was fulfilled by Christ Qu. 2. p. 118 c. and for what end Gods is pleased to afflict and suffer his children to be afflicted in this life Classis 12. WHat is the propheticall office of Christ Qu. 1. p. 12 122 c. how and when he did and doth exercise it and to what end and how by his Gospell-ministrey and spirit he encourageth and draweth poore sinners to come unto him Believe Repent and he saved What is the kingly office of Christ Qu. 2. p. 139 130. when and how hee did and doth manifest his conquering calling power with his speciall calling and ordination of Ministers for the benefit of his Church Whether every man may take upon him the office of Preaching with the manner of callings necessity Qu. 3. p. 130 131 c. and excellency of the Ministeriall office and the sad miseries would follow in the Church if it were abolished Classis 13. Qu. 1. p. 134 135 c. VVHether Christ hath procured excellent graces
and benefits for his Church and children and what they are in particular Election Redemption Vocation and the excellent priviledge of Justification for comfort of Saints Classis 14. Quest 1. p. 142. 143 c. VVHat is the great blessing and benefit of adoption the difference betweene a naturall and an adopted Sonne and Daughter and how we may know we are the adopted children of God in Christ Jesus and heires with Christ of glory Qu. 2. p. 144 c. What is the great benefit of the new creation and how a man or woman may know they are now creatures Qu. 3 p 146 147 c. What is the benefit of the presence of Christs Spirit and what other particular graces Christ communicates to his Church Qu. 4.149 150 c. What a true Church of Christ is who are the members how manifold it is what are the markes of it and whether there bee so many Independent Churches as there are particular Congregations of Porfessors in the world Whether there may be a separation from a true Church for some corruption in Doctrine or manners and how far Qu. 5. p. 154 c. Whether the Church of Christ may erre in Fundamentalls totally and finally P. 206 297. Qu. 6. p. 157 158 c. with the grounds of preseverance and whether this doctrine of assurance doth open a way to libertinisme Classis 15. VVHat knowledge of the Sacraments is necessary for a comfortable partaking of the Lords Supper Qu. 1. p. 160 c. what kinde of mystery a Sacrament is How it is a signifying and sealing action and the Covenant of Grace which is sealed How many Sacraments there are of Christs institution Qu. 2. p. 164 c. what difference between those before and since the comming of Christ who may administer and what are the outward and inward matter and forme of the Sacraments in generall with the union between the signe and the thing signifyed Classis 16. Qu. 1. p. 170 c p. 290. VVHo are the subjects or persons to be Baptized according to the institution of Christ and whether Infant Children of believing Parents and what evidence and light from Christ to prove this against the adversaries of Poedobaptisme Qu. 2. p. 194 c. What meanes to difference the Church from the world without Rebaptization of men and women professing their faith with the profit of Baptisme if Infants in the Church Classis 17. Qu. 1. p. 210 c. VVHat the Sacrament of the Lords Supper is by whom instituted and when what are the outward things signified and sealed and what kind of body of Christ the receiver doth partake of or hath communion and union with in the Ordinance the naturall or Sacramentall or spiriticall or Mysticall Body of Christ and how and in what manner each or any of these is in the Sacrament What are the outward and inward form in the Sacrament Qu. 2. p. 217 c. and what the Analogy and agreement betweene the signes and the things signified and in particular betweene the Bread and the Body of Christ Classis 18. VVHat is the Analogy and similitude between the Wine in the Sacrament and the bloud of Christ Qu. 1. p. 221 222 c. and how the things signified are present with the outward signes to a faithfull communicant if neither by transsubstantiation as Papists nor by consubstantiation as others whether by a locall presence or Sacramentall or spirituall or virtuall and what every of these kind of presence are and how to he understood What are the ends why the Lords Supper was ordained Q. 2. p. 22â— c. and the sweet union and communion we have with Christ and the Saints for our strengthening in thâ—â— sacred Ordinance Classis 19. Qu. 1. p. 229 230 c. VVHat is fit to be knowne concerning the outward circumstances of time place and gestures in giving or receiving the Sacrament whether Christian churches and particular members may not use liberty of conscience in these particularly in standing kneeling or sitting and upon what grounds Qu. 2. p. 23â— c. VVhether it be necessary that the Minister deliver the Bread and Wine to every communicant in particular and whether Christ did so whether all ought not to endevour a uniformity with the Directory and practice of that church of which hee or shee is a member and what hath beene the practice of antiquity in things indifferent as seeking Vnity and Peace in the Church Classis 20. VVHat the grace of Faith is Qu. 1. p. 241 c. the severall acceptations of faith in Scripture what justifying faith is and when a man or woman is rightly disposed by Christ and his Spirit to believe and receive Christ for salvation Who is the principall worker of faith Qu. 2 p. 244 c. who the instrumentall what is the matter and forme of faith what are the lively effects of it what the ends of it namely the glory of God and salvaiion of our soules Classis 21. VVHat the grace of Evangelicall Repentance Qu. 1. pag. 249. and conversion to God is with the author or meanes and manner of working the subject matter the whole Man or Women soule and body The forme mortification of the old man and vivification of the new and the end of it the glory of God the edification of our Neighbour and assurance of our eternall salvation Qu. 2. p. 255 c. What the necessary grace of Christian love and charity is wherein and with whom it is to be exâ—rcised in the Church namely to every one that is our Neighbour but especially the household of faith and our fellow Saints in the church of Christ Q. 3. p. 258 c. How we may know who are of the household of Faith and rightly admitted to be fellow Saints or Members of the church and of the twofold entrance and admission into the Church the first inward and spirituall the second outward corporall and visible with the severall degrees of spirituall entrance into church-fellowship or christianity not almost but altogether And how the church may be sayd to be universall nationall provinciall or congregationall Q. 4. p. 264 c. How manifold the outward corporall on visible entrance and admission is into the visible church namely but one in substance yet diversly acted in the church both in men and woemen of ripe yeares and children before Christ and of the Jnfant â—dmission of children into the Church and Proselytes in and after Abrahams time Q 5 p 273 c. Whether circumcision was unto Abraham a seale of the covenant of workes or of the covenant of grace and how that place is to bee understood Galat. 5. hee that is circumcised is bound to keepe the whole Law What was the outward manner of admission into the Church since Christs time for men of ripe yeares Q. 6. p. 278 c. and
the description of a visible Church and whether Christ or his Apostles did unchurch a church for some failings and whether it be lawfull for others to do so Whether children of Believers Baptized have an infant membership in the church Q 7 p. 290 c p. 170. and of their more full admission and entring into covenant when they come to make profession of faith and are admitted to the Lords Supper Whether any of our mixt congregations in England and London in particular Q. 8. p. 296 297 c. c 154. be true Churches for matter and forme as the Churches of Corinth Galatia Pergamus and others in the Primitive times and whether all Separatists doe not sinne in separating from us and unchurching of us contrary to the practice of Christ and his Apostles VVhether our Ministers bee true Ministers or Antichristian Q. 9. p. 315 316 c. and whether their Ordination and calling bee lawfull to particular Congregations Qu. 10. p. 322.323 c. Whether our Churches be rightly constituted in respect of a formall union of members and rightly ordered for discipline admission unto or suspending from the Lords Supper and whether some failings in discipline can make our Churches to be no true churches of Christ but Antichristian and to be separated from and whether our Church reforming be as a house pulled down and no church untill it be builded up againe Classis 22. Qu. 1 332 c. HOw all these graces of knowledge Faith Repentance and Love are to bee enlivened and particularly our knowledge of God with particular helpes and directions herein Classis 23. Qu. 1. p. 341 c. HOw a man or woman may waite on Christ to enliven this knowledge of themselves of Christ and of the Sacraments and how they may waite on Christ to enliven their Faith their Repentance and their charity that they may come more comfortably to the Lords Table Classis 24 25. VVHat are the foure immediate preparatory graces to bee quickened Qu. 1. p. 357 c. and acted before we draw neer to the Sacrament sorowfull humblenesse sacred hunger heavenly joyfulnesse and covenant renewing How men or women may know whether they have life of grace Qu. 2. p. 363 364 c. and be Gods children or not with divers particular examples of the manner of converting of men and women to God and speciall comforts to doubting Christians with a direction how to live by faith Classis 26. VVHerefore God suffers doubtings to be in his children Qu. 1. p. 385 c. with helps to keepe from dispaire comforts against decay in grace and directions to live by faith untill Christ bring out of darkenesse and bring light of comfort to a poor fearfull soule Classis 27 28. Qu. 1. p. 408 c. VVHat are the present acting graces Sacramentall actions and operations or exercises both of bodily and spirituall senses in the time of celebration of the Lords Supper for refreshing of our soules at the Lords Table Classis 29. Qu. 1. p. 450 c. VVHat graces are to be exercised imediately after receiving before wee depart and how wee should goe home rejoycing and feast with sweete Meditations of Christ and the Sacrament every night when we go to bed and Morning when we awake with the rich graces and benefits are sealed and wee may finde in a dayly communion with Christ in our soules Q. 2. p. 456 c What those subsequent graces are to be exercised and practized for or in the manifestating of our thankefulnesse in the whole course of our lives particularly the Root Grace of Love manifested in our obedience First in believing what is to be believed according to the Word of God and ancient Creeds agreeing to and with the Scriptures Classis 30. THe manifestation of our love and our obedience in walking Qu. 1. p. 472 c. and the Ten Commandements held forth as a light from â—hrist to leade us unto Christ and a directory for our comfortable walking with Christ in the whole course of our lives in particular the explication of the first Commandement The 2 Section of the 30 Classis VVHat is the second Commandement with the explication of it Qu. 1. p. 493 c. and in the use a light from Christ How to discover all false lights and false worships in the world contrary to the light of Christ that they may be avoyded and the true light followed The 3 Section of the 30 Classis WHat the Third Commandement is with the duties required Q. 1. p. 534 c. and sinne forbidden and the use of it as a light from Christ to lead unto Christ both as a justifyer and sanctifyer that we may walke comfortably with Christ in our lives The 31 Classis Qu. 1. p. 545 c. VVHat the fourth Commandement is with the explication of it and how it is a light from Christ to lead us unto Christ as a justifyer and sanctifyer with the benefit and end of the Commandement for the comfort of Christs church The 32 Classis Q. 2. p. 575 VVHat are the Commandements of the second Table and in particular the first Commandement with the duties commanded and the sinnes forbidden as they concerne superiours and inferiours in generall both in respect of commutative and distributive justice The 33 Classis Q. 1. p. 597. c. WHat are the particular duties of superiours and inferiours according to their severall Relations first in the oeconomicall or household estate of Husbands and Wives Parents and children Masters and servants with directions how to get strength to performe them Secondly in the state Ecclesiasticall Ministers and People page 634. c. and in particular whether Ministers have any maintenance due to them in the New Testament by Ordinance of Christ Page 639. c. or are to live onely of almes and charity of the people And what the office of Rulers and Elders is in the church Page 632. Thirdly in the State politicall the duties of Magistrates and people Page 654 c. with light from Christ to leade to Christ in the use and practice of them The 33 Classis 2 Section WHat are the sixt last Commandemens in their Order with the sinns forbidden and duties commanded Q. 1. p. 657 c. with light from Christ to direct the children of God not to rest in any duties or performances of duties but on Christ for justification and yet to glorifie God in and for and by every grace given to us in Christ Jesus Whether a bare forme or saying of prayer be sufficient Q. 2. p. 679 c. in what manner we ought to pray and praiâ—â— God with directions how to attaine the gift of Prayer 〈◊〉 helpe of Christs Spirit Page 681. c. and an example of a man who could not Read yet learned to pray for the comfort of himselfe and encouragement of others Quest
the Churches of Christ to the end of the world Quest 11. Was there not a fourth Order of Christians Ans Yes There is mention made of the Penitents who were such believers as after profession of their Faith and partaking of the Sacrament did fall into some open notorious scandalous sin and were put back into the number and place of the Catechumens Hospin de Templis page 88. and kept from the Sacrament untill upon true signes of Repentance D. August Hom. 49. de verbis Apostol Eph. 6.20 and satisfaction to the Church they were received again into their former order and re-admitted unto the Lords Supper And so it is evident all were not promiscuously suffered to receive the Sacrament who had been baptized or were formerly received But they were and might be kept back by the Church and such as had right Authority of Government in the Church yea and be excommunicate upon lawfull and just cause given by notorious and scandalous offences 1 Cor. 5.3 4 5. 2 Cor. 2.5 6 7 8. Iustellus in notis cod can Eccl. citat per Godwin de Excom untill God gave them Repentance and they were restored again to the communion of Saints till when in some places they might not come into the Church but stand weeping without desiring with tears those that entred to pray for them Quest 12. Thus you have shewed the practice of the Church for men of ripe yeers converted to the Faith and for such as were Communicants once received But what say you of Children of believing Parents born in the Church and received by Baptisme as outward visible members of the Church had they any such priviledge that when they came to years they might be admitted to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper without Catechizing Examination and making profession of their Faith and the graces of God in them Ans Children of believing Parents have a priviledge to be baptized as the children of Faithfull Abraham had to be circumcised Gen. 17.12 1 Cor. 7.14 and so to be distinguished from Children of Pagans steemed in the judgement of charity as members of the Church untill by wickednes scandalous lives or some other wayes they declared the contrary but yet as the children of the faithfull Israelites were by Gods speciall command to be instructed and Catechized in the knowledge of the Lord Deut. 6.6 7 8 9. Exod. 12.24 25 26 27. 2 Tim. 1.5 2 Tim. 3.15 of his will and works and in particular of the Sacrament and the reason of it So without doubt the Children of believing Parents are to be catechized and instructed in the knowledge of God and of themselves and of Christ and of the Sacrament be able to make profession of their Faith before they be admitted to the Lords Table D. Pet. Martyr locor com Class 3. c. 8. S. 14. And hence I conceive was that decree and order in the Church that Children of Believers Baptized in Infancy when they came to years of discretion Cum tincti fuerunt homines in infantia nec fidei confessionem edidorunt decretum est ut cum venissent ad maturiorem a tatem vocarentur ad Episcopum publicè fidem suam profiterentur Heb. 5.11 c. were Catechized and sufficiently instructed they should be called to make profession of their faith in publike and prayers put up unto God for their perseverance in the Faith to the end This after was called Confirmation so much abused since by the Romish Synagogue and by the Papists and Popish Bishops the good use of which according to the first institution as a policy of the Church might well have been continued and may be profitable in the Church of Christ that men so Baptized in Infancy might be approved for right knowledge and holy conversation before they be entertained at this Feast of the Lord And so Catechizing is a necessary duty in the Church of Christ Quest 13. But doth not the Sacrament hold forth Christ crucified to the eyes as well as Preaching of the Gospel doth to the eares And may not a man be converted to the faith of Christ by the Sacrament as well as by the Word Preached And if so Wherefore then may not all ignorant and scandalous and impenitent men and women be admitted to the Sacrament as well as to hear the Gospel Preached Ans First I will not deny but the Sacrament doth hold forth Christ crucified to a believing eye that by the eye of faith can look upon the Body of Christ broken with torments and blood of Christ shed to the death for sin whilest the eye of the Body doth behold the Bread broken and the Wine powred out in this Sacrament And Secondly I do acknowledge that the Lord may can if he please convert a wicked blinde ignorant prophane man or woman by seeing the Bread broken and the Wine powred out and especially by those manifestations of Christs Death and Passion and those Dehortations and Admonitions of Ignorant and prophane scandalous men and women to withdraw and not presume to come to the Lords Table untill God give them Repentance And by those invitations of believing humble hungry repenting souls to draw nigh to meet Christ and feast with him at his Table and this by the power of the Spirit of Christ bringing all home to the soul But it is the preaching of the Gospel in another manner then at the Sacrament that is the common and ordinary way of conversion in which men and women ought to wait upon Christ for Repentance and Remission of sins Acts 5.31 Rom. 10.14 15 16 17. Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God and this by Preaching as the Apostle Saint Paul publisheth Secondly the Sacrament hath properly another end namely as Circumcision of old was a sign of the Covenant between God and Abraham Gen. 17.7 8 c. Rom. 4.11 and and a seal and pledge not of a corporall Covenant but of that Covenant of Grace in Christ and of that Righteousnesse of Faith or of Christ received by Faith and which Abraham enjoyed by believing and Saints by our ingrafting into Christ And as the Passeover or Paschall Lamb and sprinckling of the Blood upon the two side-posts Exod. i2 22 and upon the lintell of the door of the house was a sign and seal and pledge to confirm the Faith of Israel That God would passe over their houses when the Angel destroyed the first-born of Egypt and that God would sprinckle their souls with the Bloud of Christ Heb. 12.24 that blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things then did the bloud of Abell so this Sacrament was properly instituted to confirme and strengthen the Disciples Faith Mat. 26.26 c. and so the faith of all Beleevers and to seale and assure unto them the Covenant of Grace 1 Cor. ii 23 c. Christ and his benefits promised And it was not insitituted for Pagans
suffice Quest 2. What is the first Ans First The old carnall Israelites part of the Posterity of Abraham in Aegypt as all naturall men in whom the spark of conscience or light of the Law of nature accusing or excusing is awakened had is still such have some thoughts of saving themselves by the way of the first Covenant Gal. 2.16 Acts. 13.39 Rom 10. â— or Rule of life to Adam in Paradise Do and live Therefore God repeats the matter of the Law as to shew sin so as a rule of a Christians life not to justifie but to convince them of their error and shew they could not have life or justification by any works of the Law as such Pharisees dream Quest 3. But how can this be since the Lord declares himself to be their Lord and God in Christ who had brought them by Christ from the Aegypt of sin as he had brought them by Moses out of Egypts Bondage Ans Though God did this yet he delivers the Articles or matter of the Law Rom. 10.1 c. 2.14 15. Exod. 19.1 to 25. 20.1 c. Gal. 3.17 c. or rule of life written in the heart of Adam in Creation and blotted by the fall and now written again in the tables of stone and delivered with Thunders and Lightnings and terrors which they were not able to abide not to hold forth life in that way or to renew the Covenant of works but that they might see their own sin weaknes and misery and seek out for a Mediator Christ to come as they did for Moses then present that so the Law or Rule of doing might be their Schoolmaster revealing sin and misery to bring them unto Christ and to seek Salvation in the Gospel the Rule of Faith Quest 4. But how doth it appear that the Lord did declare himself to them as their God in Christ Or in the Wildernesse hold forth Christ and the Covenant of grace to his people Ans This is evident Exo. 20.1 2 3. 12. Lev. 16.7 c. as by the Preface of the ten Commandments of the Morall Law or Rule of manners and obedience I am the Lord thy God in Christ So by the Ceremoniall Law clearly in which by their Sacrifices Num. 21.6 c. Gal. 2.24 and Types and Figures of the Paschall Lamb the scape Goat the Brazen Serpent and other mysteries Christ was sweetly Preached and held forth as the only Way and means of Salvation This Ceremoniall Law in this respect as well as the Morall Law in another noted before being also a School-master to bring them to Christ Quest 5. But wherefore doth Christ and his Apostles in the New Testament hold forth the Law or Covenant of works if there be no Iustification by the Law nor Salvation by a mans own works Ans The Lord Christ and his Apostles do not hold forth the Law Iohn 14.6 or speak of it to renew the Covenant of works or set it up as a way of Iustification and life for he declares himself the way the truth and the life But Christ repeats and expounds the Law for divers other uses Quest 6. What is the first Ans First To shew what man could not do by the Law that is not be Iustified by it rather then that he could keep the Law Luk. 17.7 c. or gain life and Salvation by his own power or by any works of the Law Quest 7. What is a second Ans Secondly Mat. 5.1 c. 5.17 c. to vindicate the Law from the false glosses of the Scribes and Pharisees who Interpreted the Law according to the Letter only and outward acts of obedience and as if it had been a way of life Christ holding forth that strictnesse of obedience which man is not able to perform Quest 8. What is a third Ans To shew the inward and perfect obedience which the Law requireth Mat. 5.17 c. 19.16 c. Gal. 2.17 Iam. 2.8 c. if a man do bat look upon a woman to lust after her he hath committed Adultery with her in his heart if he be but angry with his Brother unadvisedly he is a Murderer if he break the Law but in one point he is guilty of all so no life or Salvation but in Christ Quest 9. What is a fourth Ans That men being enlightned by the Spirit of Christ in the Word Rom. 7.7 Ioh. 16.7 c. Rom. 8.15 Acts 2.37 16.29 c. to see their own weaknes and inability to keep the Law or be saved by it they may be convinced of their sin and misery finde their bondage despair in themselves as not knowing what to do and be drawn by the Gospel and same spirit of Christ to come into Christ believe and receive Christ and be saved Quest 10. But will not the Gospel shew mans misery without the Law Ans Yes The Gospel doth shew our misery implicitely by way of inference as 2 Cor. 5.14 15. But Gods Spirit is pleased to make use of both at his pleasure and both Law and Gospel may be Preached in the Church in a true and right manner as Luke 10.34 So Law and Gospel 1 Thes 1.8 Acts 2.37 c. and 13. Quest 13. But is there no other use of the Law Psal 119.1 c. Mat. 5.16 Isa 8.20 Iohn 14.21 c. 15.12 c. Phil. 31.27 3.17 c. 4.8 2. Ans Yes The Law Commandment or Iudgement Statute Testimony Precept Word or way of God for it hath all these names and such like in Scripture as it was so it is and may be held forth as a rule and way of our life and conversation in which through Faith and the power and vertue of Christ and his quickning and sanctifying Spirit the Children of God may and ought to walk offering up themselves and all their endeavors fruitfully in all good works as Spirituall Sacrifices of Praise acceptable to God in Christ as we shall shew further in the last part Quest 12. What profit is it to know so much of mans naturall condition weaknesse and misery since Adams fall Ans That men and women may be throughly convinced of their death in sin and misery in a naturall condition Eph. 2.1 Acts 28.23 c. Mat. 16.24 Rom. 1.4 5. Phil. 3.4 c. and inability to believe or repent and be wholly brought to deny themselves their own wisdom righteousnesse and strength to recover and so truly and more earnestly seek out to be saved by another even by Iesus Christ and prize Christ Iesus in whom alone there is hope of Salvation for poor sinners Quest 13. But if a man can do nothing of himself neither repent nor believe the Gospel and that without Faith and Repentance there is no Salvation to any man or woman then what difference or what profit is there in the New Covenant more then in the Old since in neither man hath power of himself
God is said to purchase the Church with his own blood which blood was ascribed to Christ-God not as God but as the Son of Man Thus you see the properties of both natures are ascribed each to other by this union Thirdly So in the 1 Tim. 2.5 there is one God and one Mediator between God and Man the Man Christ Iesus That office of Mediatorship is ascribed to the Manhood which is common to both natures God and Man The eleventh Classis or Company of Questions 1 Question YOu have Answered concerning the natures and Person of Christ Now what is to be known concerning Christs Offices that we may come with more comfort to the Lords Table Heb. 12.24 1 Tim. 2.5 Psal 110.1 2. Deut. 18.18 19. Psal 2.6 Luk. 1.32 33. Rev. 19.16 Ans That the Lord Christ is the Mediator of the new Covenant the eternall high Priest the eternall high Prophet and the eternall King of his Church Quest 2. What are the principle parts or acts of Christs Priestly office Ans Chiefly two First as a holy and perfect Mediator Advocate and High Priest of God not only Originally in his holy nature and Actually in his life to keep the whole Law and fulfill all righteousnesse but passively in his death and passion as our surety to satisfie the wrath of God and drink the bitter Cup for our Redemption Heb. 12.24 and 3.1 Luke 1.35 1 John 2.1 2. Mat. 5.17 and 3.15 Isa 53.5 6. 1 Pet. 2.21 c. Mat. 26.38 39. Col. 1.23 Gal. 3.13 Rom. 5.10 Quest 3. But how could Christ dye and as a surety and by his death and passion make satisfaction to Gods Iustice for our sins since he was God and man in one Person and God cannot dye Rom. 13.4 4.25 Heb. 2 1 c. Ans As he was Man he dyed for our sins and by the power of his Godhead he rose again for our Justification Quest 4. But since Christs death and passion were temporall only and but for a short time How could that satisfie the Iustice of God due to our sins and free us from torments both of soul and body which should have been Eternall Ans The sufferings of Christ in his death ahd passion Isa 53.2 c. 63.2 3 Lam. 1.12 Gal. 3.13 14. 1 Pet. 2.23 24. Mat. 26.38 39. 26.48 42. 6.74 75. 27.20 c. Luk. 22.41 c. 23.46 Acts 20.28 Mat. 17.5 1 Thes 1.10 were not only great and bitter none like as in bearing the heavy burden of our sins both in his body and soul with the anguish of Spirit in sense of the wrath of God and curse due to our sins witnessed in his Agony his bloody sweat his desire that bitter Cup might passe from him and that dolefull cry of Gods forsaking him But above all the dignity of his Person being God and Man united by a Personall union this made his merit of so unmeasurable a vertue that it was price sufficient to satisfie for a world of sinners to please God the Father free them from wrath to come and procure for them Eternall life Quest 5. But is not Christ then inferior to the Father being thus united to our humane nature and subject to such a passion for us to be our Mediator Ans Though Christ be Gods fellow and one with the Father as he is God the second Person in Trinity yet as Man Zac. 13.7 Ioh. 10.30 and Mediator between God and Men thus humbling himself Ioh. 14.28 Phil. 3.6 and suffering for our sin he is inferior to his Father though he be Mediator as God and Man Quest 6. Are Christs sufferings so great and of such value that we need not further to satisfie Gods Iustice for our sins neither in this life nor after our death and departure hence Ans The whole sufferings and satisfaction for our sins was performed and endured and finished by Christ perfectly in his death and passion once for all so that there is no more for Gods Children to suffer to satisfie the Iustice of God either in this life or after God the Father being fully well pleased in Christ and his blood cleansing us from all our sins Heb. 10.7 c. Ioh. 19.28 c. Col. 2.13 Mat. 3.7 Rom. 8.12 1 Ioh. 5.8 9 10. and 1.7 Luke 16.23 and 23.43 Rev. 14.13 Quest 7. If Christ hath satisfied fully Wherefore then are Gods faithfull servants subject to so many sufferings and miseries both inward and outward in this life Acts 14 22. 1 Cor. 15.19 2 Cor. 6.4 5 6. 1 Cor. 4.9 c. 2 Cor. 11.24 c. Isa 53.10 11. Dan. 9.24 Eph. 2.8 Ans Of all the sufferings of the Saints not any for satisfaction of Gods Iustice for sin for that is satisfied fully already in Christ and God is well pleased Mat. 17.5 Heb. 10.4 c. Tit. 3.5 Rom. 3.24 25. 1 Pet. 2.24 Rom. 8.18 nor are all the sufferings of this life worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed But the Lord afflicts and suffers his Children to be afflicted for other ends Quest 8. For what ends or causes doth the Lord afflict or cause his Children to be afflicted or suffer them many times to lose their estates and lives by tyrants and wicked persecutors as Rom. 8.35 36 37 Ans First God doth this sometimes that his Children may be Martyrs and witnesses to testifie the truth of God and the Gospel for the greater condemnation of the wicked and the glory of the Saints which God freely giveth them whom he pleaseth to honour with the Crown of Martyrdome Thus Abel the first Martyr before Christ Gen. 4.8 Thus Steven that great Martyr after Christ Acts 7.55 c. and 5.41 and 22.17 c. Quest 9. What is the second end why God suffers his Chrildren to be oppressed Ans Sometimes God doth let wicked tyrants and ungodly men go on in oppression 1 Kings 21.29 Rom. 2.17 Mat. 23.34 c. Rev. 6.10 c. for the greater manifestation of his Iustice in requiring all the blood of his servants by some fearfull Iudgements upon such bloody men and women Quest 10. What is the third end why God afflicts or suffers his Children to be afflicted since their sins are satisfied for by Christ Micah 6.8 9 Deut. 1.23 Gen. 35.1 2 3. Iudg. 2.21 22. Iob. 1.42 Gen. 27.24 28. Psal 119.71 Heb. 12.11 2 Cor. 15.14.15 Rom. 8.28 8.17 1 Pet. 4.13 Ans Sometimes God doth it to teach his Children to walk more humbly with God or more carefully and circumspectly in his wayes or to renew our Covenant of Reformation or for exercise and tryall of Fair and Patience or other graces or to fit and prepare them better for other conditions of life for which he intends them or to make them more sensible of punishment which sin deserveth or which Christ hath suffered for their sins that they may prize and love Christ more but alwayes afflictions
and these tryalls are for the good of Gods Children all being sweetned to them even death it self by the death and passion and merits of Christ Quest 11. What is the fruit or benefit of this knowledge of the sufferings of Christ and of Gods Children Luke 22.42 Phil. 4.12 13. 1 Pet. 2 â—0 21. Ans To teach us in all afflictions to learn and labour by strength from Christ to submit our will to the will of God patiently to abide Gods pleasure and to wait upon God in all good and lawfull means Mat. 19.29 Heb 10.32 c. Luke 18.6 7 8. Rev. 6.9 10 11. till the Lord be pleased to repair the losses and avenge the blood of his servants that is shed upon the face of the earth Quest 12. What is the second part of Christs Priestly office Ans To be for ever at the right hand of God and as a holy High Priest and Mediator to make intercession for us to his Father and our Father and to his God and our God for the eternall good of his Church Rom. 8.34 Iohn 20.17 and 14.13 14. and 16.23 c. and 17.9 c. Heb. 7.25 26 and 9.24 c. The twelfth Classis or Company of Questions 1 Question VVHat is the work or act of Christs Propheticall office Ans That in which Christ as the great Prophet Doctor Deut. 18.15 Act. 3.22 Mat. 23.8 Heb. 3.1 2. Isa 61.1 2 3. and Apostle of our Profession he doth reveal God the Father and his good will unto poor sinners whom he hath purchased with his own blood and to instruct them in the way of the new Covenant Mat. 11.25 c. Luke 4.18 Ioh. 1.18 Mat. 13.10 11. 28.29 30. Thes 2.13 how to come in to Christ for Iustification and how to walk in and by Christ in Sanctification unto Eternall happinesse Quest 2. When and how doth the Lord Christ execute his Propheticall office or practise this revealing of his will unto Adam or his Posterity Ans No doubt the Lord Christ as he was first God the second Person in sacred Trinity did at the first together with God the Father and God the holy Spirit reveal to our first Parents the Covenant of grace in Paradise after the fall And Secondly Christ the second Person did again in his Spirit in Noah Preach to the old world before the flood many of them then in the Prison of their sins and many of them now in the Prison of Hell Thirdly And as by himself so by his Spirit enlighten the Patriarchs and Prophets after the flood who writ the holy Scripture by his direction Fourthly And the Apostles and Evangelists since Christs Ascension But Christ did immediatly as God and Man in one Person exercise this his office when he lived upon the earth before and after his Resurrection Gen. 1.27 and 3.9 c. John 1.1 Prov. 8.12 c. The works without themselves are common to all the three Persons 1 Pet. 3.19 c. and 1.10 c. Gen. 9.8 c. and 28.12 c. and 22.15 c. Mal. 3.1 Psal 105.7 8 9 10. Christ the Angel of the Covenant spake to Abraham Jacob as Gen. 32. 28 c. Luke 11.49 Mat. 23.34 Exod. 3.2 c. 2 Pet. 1.19 c. Quest 3. What incouragements doth Christ hold forth as he is the chief Prophet for poor sinners to come in to him and believe and finde Eternall Salvation by his merits Ans The Lord Christ giveth divers motives to draw sinners to believe and repent and be saved Quest 4. What is the first Ans First Isa 55.1 2 3. Rev. 22.17 He invites them graciously to come and buy freely the wine and milk of the Gospel the water of life Christs righteousnesse and grace without money or money worth without any righteousnesse or merits of their own Quest 5. What is a second Ans Secondly Mar. 15.15 Mat. 9.13 11 3. He commands the Gospel to be Preached to every creature to all sinners without exception manifesting himself to be come Luke 19.10 Not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance yea to seek and to save that which was lost Quest 6. What is the third Encouragement Mat. 11.28 29. Ans Thirdly He calleth poor sinners sensible of sins burden to come unto him and promiseth to give them rest Quest 7. What is the fourth Motive or Encouragement to come in to Christ Ans Fourthly He holdeth forth to us in Scripture and since the Apostles times Examples of great sinners converted and drawn in to Christ and made Saints and Heirs of glory according to Gods counsell by Christ his Righteousnesse and merits Quest 8. With what Examples or similitudes doth Christ illustrate this truth 2 Chron. 33.21 c. Ier. 31.18 19. Mtt. 10.3 Luk. 19.2 c. 15. Acts 9.1 c. 1 Tim. 1.12 c. Ans Of Manasseh Ephraim Matthew Mary Magdalen Zacheus the Prodigall Son and Saul the persecutor afterwards a glorious Apostle of Iesus Christ Quest 9. But what shall such poor sinners do as finde by experience that truth verified That man by naturall power can neither believe nor repent How shall these obtain remission of sins or be Converted to God Ans These may yet wait upon Christ in his Ordinanceâ— Isa 8.17 25.6 7 8 9. 51.4 5 6. Hab. 2.3 Luk. 23.51 Cant. 1.4 Ioh. 5.1 c. Isa 42.6 Act. 5.31 untill he draw them that they run after him For God hath given Christ himself for a Covenant and exalted Christ as a Prince and a Saviour to give repentance to Israel and remission of sins As Job in another sense Job 14.14 So wait on Christ Quest 10. But how doth Christ this great Prophet of his Church reveal God the Father and his good will to poor sinners that they may know God and Christ and believe and be converted and be saved Ans Christ in the ordinary way Isa 6i 1 2 3. Luke 4.18 c. Acts 16.14 2.36 c. Rom. 19.6 c. 2 Cor. 3.8 Ioh. 16.7 c. 14.26 Eph. 1.17 c. He. 8.10 Ioh. 16.7 c. Rom. 3.20 Iohn 3.18 c. doth reveal this outwardly by the Preaching of the Word and Catechizing and inwardly by the Spirit communicated in the Gospel teaching and writing the truth of God according to his Covenant of grace in the hearts of his children Quest 11. In what wanner doth Christ thus proceed by his Word and Spirit to reveal God to man and man to himself and the will of God to men concerning mans Salvation Ans The Lord doth this divers wayes in respect of particular persons but commonly by the Spirit of Christ in the word First Revealing sin bondage and misery in sin sometimes by the Law or commanding part of the Word or otherwise at his pleasure sometimes by the Gospel and promising part Secondly Revealing Christ and his righteousnesse and Free-grace drawing the poor humbled soul to desire
Christ to your soul knowing that whom Christ loveth he loveth to the end And consider Gods promises and so live by faith in grace depending upon God until he bring you unto eternal glory The fifteenth Classis or Company of Questions 1. Question YOu have answered concerning the knowledge of God and the knowledge of our selves and the knowledge of Christ Now what is fit for a Communicant to know concerning the Sacrament that he or she may come with more comfort and profit to the Lords Table Answ There are divers things to be known concerning the Sacrament both in general and particular and first What a Sacrament is or what is meant by a Sacrament Quest 2. I pray you tell me then what you conceive a Sacrament to be Answ First Revel 2.17 Matth. 26.27 28. Matth. 28.19 A Sacrament is not a bare and naked substance single or compounded as Water Bread or Wine or the like but such a thing or substance instituted appointed and applied to a Mystery to hold forth Christ and the Mystery of Christ and spiritual things in a spiritual manner to the soul as Bread and Wine in the Sacraments do hold forth the Body and Blood of Christ spiritually to beleevers Quest 3. Is every secret or hidden Mystery in nature a Sacrament Answ No Every natural mystery or hidden thing as the secrets of nature the vertues of herbs to heal of the Load-stone to draw Iron to it and the like nor an artificial mystery or secret of Trades or the like is not a Sacrament But a Sacrament is a spiritual mystery a mystery of godlinesse 1 Tim. 3.16 as the Apostle calls the Mystery and History of Christ Quest 4. Thirdly But is every spiritual mystery or mystery of godlinesse a Sacrament Matth. 13.11 1 Tim. 3.9 Answ No every spiritual mystery is not a Sacrament But a spiritual mystery holding forth Christ as the Mysteries of Gods Kingdom or the mysteries of Faith are mysteries holding forth Christ Quest 5. Are these or every spiritual mystery holding forth Christ a Sacrament Levit. 16.21 22. Numb 21.9 Ephes 5.29 30 31 32. Ans No not properly neither these nor divers others of like nature for the Scape-Goats and the Brasen-Serpent were Mysteries holding forth Christ And marriage is a great mystery representing the spiritual union between Christ and his Church and yet none of these are properly Sacraments although they signifie and reveal excellent truths of Christ to beleevers Quest 6. But if none of these be properly Sacraments what then is a Sacrament Gen. 17.7 8 c. Answ A Sacrament is a sacred action or an outward symbole or badge signifying and sealing by way of Pledge or Bond or Covenant between two parties to assure performance of conditions on both sides Quest 7. Is every signifying or sealing Action by way of covenant a Sacrament Answ No Gen. 31.44 45 46. 1 Sam. 20.8 18. c. For that action of Jacob and Labans setting up stones as a witnesse was a signifying and sealing of peace between them as was Jonathans shooting Arrows according to agreement between him and David of Sauls intentions and as divers civil actions of like nature yet these are none of those Sacraments which Christ hath left to his Church Quest 8. What kinde of signifying and sealing action then is a Sacrament Answ A Sacrament is a sacred Ordinance or Action Gen. 17.11 c. Gen. 21.4 Exod. 12.48 Num. 9.13 Rom. 4.11 acted with a sacred minde or divinely instituted by a sacred person in which by outward visible signes and seals and pledges and instruments in outward elements words and actions the inward invisible freegraces of God in Christ is held forth signified sealed and assured from God in Christ to beleeving souls according to the Covenant of Grace and the mutual promise of love duty obedience faithfulnesse and thankfulnesse of beleevers is entered into or renewed and sealed to God again according to the same Covenant Quest 9. What in brief is the substance of this Covenant of Grace thus sealed in the Sacraments Exod. 19.4 5 c. Iere. 32.37 38. and 30.21 22. 2 Cor 6.17 18. Ans We have set forth the Covenant of Grace before But in brief the Sacrament Seals the Promise of God to take his Church to be his people his sons and daughters in Jesus Christ and of the Church to receive the Lord for their God and Father in the same Christ and to glorifie him accordingly Quest 10. How many such Sacraments hath Christ instituted and ordained to and for the benefit of his Church Matth. 28.19 Gal. 3.27 1 Cor. 11.26 27. and 10.16 Ans Onely two properly so called and no more ordinarily The first a Sacrament of our initiation enterance inrolling consecrating unto or ingrafting into Christ and his Church as visible Members thereof and of the Covenant to that end The second a Sacrament of confirmation and renewing of the same Covenant with God in and by Christ from God to his people and from Gods people to God again Quest 11. What was the first of these Sacraments ordained by God in Christ for this initiation enrolement entrance and ingrafting into Christ for the benefit of Christs Church and Children Ans In the Old Testament the first was the ordinary Sacrament of Circumcision the Seal of the Covenant of Grace and of the Righteousnesse of Faith in Christ the Messiah then to come into the world to be born for us Rom. 4.11 Gal. 5.1 2 3. But in the New Testament the Sacrament of Baptism instituted by Christ instead of Circumcision as a Seal of the Covenant of Grace and Righteousnesse of Faith in Christ the Messiah that is come already Quest 12. What was the second Sacrament appointed as a pledge of Christs love for comfort of Gods people as a Seal for confirmation and continuance of his Covenant and of Gods Grace with his Church Ans In the Old Testament the Sacrament of the Passeover or Paschall Lamb Exod. 12.43 c. hold forth Christ and his benefits to the Saints waiting for Christ the consolation of Israel 1 Cor. 11.26 c. in his first coming But in the New Testament the Sacrament of the Lords Supper that Love-token of Christ to be celebrated by such as are rightly prepared in remembrance of Christ who hath perfected the Work of Redemption to be communicated to all those who by Faith waite for his second coming at the last day Quest 13. Are not Sacraments of the Old Testament contrary to the Sacraments of the New and so different that there may rather be said to be four Sacraments then onely two Rom. 4.11 Col. 2.16 17. 1 Cor. 10.3 4. Heb. 13.18 Rev. 13.8 1 Cor. 10.2 3 4. Ans The Sacraments of the Old and New Testament they are both Sacraments of the Covenant of Grace not contrary one to another but agreeing in the matter and substance of them and although they differ in
outward signes and circumstances yet the internal Grace held forth signed and sealed in both is Christ and his Benefits who is yesterday and to day and the same for ever and so though there were divers figures and types yet here are not four properly in substance but two Sacraments in the Church ordinarily for the Baptizing in the Red Sea was extraordinary Quest 14. Who hath authority as the spiritual Efficient and Author to institute and ordain such a holy Sacrament Ans None but God Gen. 17.10 11. Exod. 12.1 29. Matth. 28.19 Mark 14.22 23. the whole Trinity in common and Christ God and man in particular who is the Angel of the Covenant and of whose last Will and Testament a Sacrament is a Seal to and for the good of the Church Quest 15. Who hath authority and power as an instrument to administer such a Sacrament Answ None but the Ministers of Christ lawfully Matth. 28.19 20. Heb. 5.4 Ephes 4.7 8 c. and rightly called and authorised thereto by Christ and his Church Quest 16. what is the external matter or material cause and outward signe in the first of these Sacraments the Sacrament of Baptism Ans The external signe Matth. 3.6 Acts 8.38 Mark 7.4 1 Cor. 10.4 and seal of Baptism is the Element of Water wherewith men of ripe yeers converted to the Faith of Christ and children of beleeving Parents within the Covenant of Grace have been are and may be Baptized or washed by diving under dipping or sprinkling Heb. 12.24 and washing with water sacramentally and according to the Ordinance of Christ Quest 17. What is the internal material thing signified in this Sacrament of Baptism Iohn 3.3 5. Heb. 12.24 1 Cor. 12.13 Rom. 6.4 5 6. Gal. 3.27 1 Ioh 1.7 Rev. 1.5 Acts 22.16 2 Cor. 5.17 Titus 3.5 6 7. Matth. 28.19 Acts 14.3 4 5. Ans Christ himself and his spirit and the vertue of Christ his blood the blood of sprinkling applyed by the Spirit washing and clearsing us from our sins makeing the baptized partakers of the vertue of Christs death and Resurrection and of the Grace of Regeneration and new Creation of union and engrafting whom God the Father pleaseth into Christ in this Sacrament of Baptism Quest 18. What is the outward form of this Sacrament of Baptism Ans The outward form of Baptism on Gods part and ours is the word of Promise in the institution of the Sacrament and action and profession of Faith and manner of baptizing by dipping or sprinkling or baptizing in or into the Name of the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost Quest 19. What is the inward form of this Sacrament of Baptism Answ That mystical and sacramental union that is between the outward signes of the Sacrament Gen. 17.10 Rom. 2.29 Col. 2.11 12. Tit. 3 5. Acts 2.38 39. and 10. 47 48. and 22.16 and inward Graces of the Covenant set forth and sealed in the Sacrament by vertue of which union as the signes are attributed to the things signified and these agree with the signes so the things signified and sealed are really communicated not by vertue of the work done and to every person baptized as the Papists dream but when God seeth good to those persons that are Gods elect children and have right unto and rightly partake of this Sacrament it sealeth their Iustification Regeneration and Salvation in Christ Quest 20. What kinde of union is this between the outward signe and the thing signified in the Sacrament Ans Not a Corporall Physical or Local nor yet an imaginary union onely but a true and real union yet so as the inward Grace is not communicated to all by vertue of the work done but to Saints in Covenant by vertue of the Covenant to whom and when God pleaseth Simon Magus he wanted Acts 8.13 20. and 8.36 39. and the Eunuch enjoyed spiritual Grace and joy in beleeving when he received Baptism as the outward signe and seal of inward Regeneration of the heart so that the outward signe and inward grace are not always united together but when and to whom God please he giveth grace and sealeth it to the joy of the soul The sixteenth Classis or Company Questions 1 Question VVHo are the subjects or persons to be made partakers of this Sacrament of Baptism Matt. 28.19 29. Mark 16.16 Acts 2.38 and 8.38 Answ All that are within the Covenant of Grace are first men or women of ripe yeers embracing the Gospel and converted to beleeve in Christ repent of their sins and be new Creatures yea able and willing to make profession of the faith and graces of God in them And secondly the custome of the Church for many hundred yeers hath practised Baptizing of Infants especially of beleevers in the Church Quest 2. What grounds or proof of this do you finde that have or may be produced from Scripture that children of beleevers should be admitted to Baptism Ans Divers Reasons have been observed by Divines But first this Rule is noted by Divines That whatsoever is or may be found a command or Institution of Christ in the Old Testament or in the New either in expresse words and terms or by good and necessary consequence not upon supposition onely but true foundation in the Book of God either for moral or for positive Duty It hath sufficient authority to be commended as a Truth of Christ for the benefit of Christs Church and may hold good for substance in the New Testament as well as in the Old although in a different manner of dispensation And therefore those who cast off a Truth of Christ plainly set forth in the Old Testament because it is not in so many words held forth or expressed in the New I conceive do much derogate from Christ who was the glorious Prophet of his Church as truly in the Old Testament as in the New The same Spirit of Christ preaching to 1 Pet. 3.19 20. and in the Patriarks and by the Prophets in the Old Testament as in the New and both Moses the Prophets and Apostles being all the Amanuenses and Pen-men of the Holy Ghost The whole Scripture being written by the Inspiration the Holy Ghost not by any private Interpretation and so the whole Scripture or any part of it in the Old Testament or in the New 2 Pet. 1.19 20 21. either in expresse words or evident consequence is a sufficient ground to prove Infants Baptism or any Truth of God whatsoever Quest 3. Although this be granted yet vvhat Arguments do you finde dravvn either from the Old Testament or the Nevv for Pedobaptism or the practise of Infants Baptism in the Church Ans First you may take notice of this which followeth Whatsoever was a positive rule and institution of Christ to a beleever as a beleever either concerning himself or his children as children of a beleever for assurance of salvation by Faith in Christ and inward Circumcision of the heart according to
the Covenant of Grace in the Old Testament which is ho way revoked in the New That is still a positive rule and institution of Christ virtually and in the substance of it to a beleever as a beleever and to or concerning the children of a beleever as children of a beleever and to be continued now in the New Testament as a duty by vertue of that Institution of Christ as well as in the Old or before the coming of Christ in the flesh But a signe and seal of the righteousnesse of faith and salvation in Christ and of Circumcision made without hands or of Spiritual Regeneration of the heart and life and assurance of these was a positive command and institution of Christ to a beleever as a beleever and to or concerning the children of a beleever as children of a beleever according to the covenant of Grace in the Old Testament and is no way forbidden in the New Testament and therefore a signe and seal of the righteousnesse of faith and of salvation in Christ and regeneration or inward circumcision of the heart according to the covenant of Grace is still a positive rule and institution of Christ vertually in or for the substance of it to a beleever as to a beleever and to or concerning the children of a beleever as children of a beleever and to be continued now in the New Testament as a duty by vertue of that Institution of Christ as well as it was in the Old or before the coming of Christ in the flesh Quest 4. Hovv prove you the major or first proposition Ans For the first Proposition it may be confirmed from this ground Revel 13.8 Heb. 13.8 That Christ is the same Lamb slain from the foundation of the World and Jesus Christ the same yesterday and to day and for ever First The same Saviour and Mediator High Priest Prophet and King of his Church Secondly The same Revealer of the Covenant of Grace as Prophet and in the same manner in respect of the substance of it 1 Cor. 10.1 2 3 4. Salvation by Christ and signes and seals of it as signifying and sealing the same inward Graces in the Old Testament and in the New although by different signes and seals And therefore what was instituted by Christ then to a beleever as a beleever and no way forbidden or revoked in the New Testament expresly nor by good consequence may be continued to beleevers and children of beleevers in the New Testament as well as in the Old Quest 5. How prove you the minor Ans Again for the second the minor Proposition or Assumption First That a signe and seal of the Righteousnesse of Faith and inward Circumcision or Regeneration of the heart was instituted by Christ to a beleever as a beleever and to children of a beleever as children of a beleever I conceive this is evident in that example of beleeving Abraham In the renewing of the Covenant of Grace to beleeving Abraham Gen. 19.3 4 c. Rom. 4.11 and his spiritual Seed and Christs appointing of circumcision not onely to Abraham himself as a seal of the covenant of Grace and Righteousnesse of Faith but to his children at eight dayes old And a signe and seal was still appointed to beleevers in the New Testament though not the same signe of circumcision yet Baptism And although Infants Matth. 28.19 20. Matth. 26. 1 Cor. 11.26 27. children of beleevers are not named in the Institution in the New Testament as they were in the Old to Abraham yet they are not prohibited and may virtually be included in the general Institution of baptism as well as women not named are virtually included in the Institution of the Lords Supper And so children of beleevers nay be baptized now in their infancy as well as children were circumcised then at eight dayes old by Christs his Institution and appointment to Abraham a beleever Quest 6. But how doth it appear that the Lord did renew the Covenant of Grace to Abraham a beleever as a beleever and appointed a circumcision a signe and seal of the Righteousnesse of Faith and inward circumcision of the heart to Abraham as a beleever and to Abrahams children as children of a beleever Otherwise the Argument will not hold that beleevers and their children should be baptized now as well as beleevers and their children were circumcised then Ans Whatsoever by vertue of Christs Institution did agree to and might be practised by all beleevers and professors of Religion and onely to beleevers and children of beleevers at all time after that Institution of Christ in the Old Testament that was appointed by Christ to a beleever as a beleever and to the children of beleevers as children of beleevers as being proper to them But circumcision that signe and seal of the righteousnesse of Faith and inward circumcision of the heart did agree to and might be practised by all beleevers and professors of themselves to be beleevers of the true Religion and onely beleevers and professors of themselves to beleevers And all times ordinarily to beleevers and professors of the true Religion and to their children and therefore circumcision that signe and seal of the righteousnesse of Faith was instituted by Christ to Abraham a beleever as a beleever and to the children of beleeving Abraham as children of a beleever And so it may still follow that a signe and seal of the righteousnesse of Faith though not circumcision yet baptism doth and may agree to beleevers converted and to children of beleevers as children of beleevers now as well as before the coming of Christ Quest 7. How is the first manifest or the second evident it is good Answ For the first Proprium quod convenit omni soli semper ejusdem specici Iosh 5.7 the Proposition that is evident from the right of property which agreeth to all beleevers and onely to beleevers as at all times to beleevers in the ordinary way except it be obstructed by extraordinary causes as Circumcision was in the Wildernesse And for the second the Assumption that will appear because all beleevers or professors of the Faith and true Religion were or might be circumcised if they would though they were not of Abrahams family Gen. 17.12 c. Here is no prohibition of them but a command if they were of Abrahams family whether children born in the house or strangers bought with money of any stranger though not of Abrahams Seed yet he must be circumcised if he come into Abrahams family and so become a professor of the true Religion and worshipper of the true God for which the Lord did know that Abraham would instruct his houshold after him All these must be circumcised as beleevers or professors of beleef in God and of the true Religion and hope of etâ—rnal life in Christ the Messiah to come But unbeleevers and such as did not nor would come in and be true beleevers in the true God and professors
of the Faith in Christ the Messiah to come they had no right to circumcision nor to any signe and seal of the covenant of Grace and therefore the Assumption is true that Christ did institute Circumcision that signe and seal of the covenant to beleevers as beleevers and to children of beleevers as children of beleevers And so a signe and seal may still continue to beleevers and their children as well as beleevers and their children as well as before the coming of Christ and this not Circumcision which is abolished and therefore baptism which succeeds circumcision as the Apostle intimates to us Col. 2. Co. 2.11 12 13. making circumcision and baptism all one in the respect of the inward Grace Circumcision made without hands and burying with Christ by baptism both intimating our putting off the Old man in our burying with Christ as being made partakers of his death and rising again in putting on the New man as partaking of Christs Resurrection both signed land sealed in circumcision in the Old Rom. 4.16 and Baptism in the New Testament to beleevers and the elect children the seed of Abraham the father of us all Quest 8. But wherefore was not Melchisedech and Lot circumcised and Job and his friends and other beleevers and worshippers of the true God out of Abrahams family if circumcision was to beleevers as beleevers Ans First in Melchisedech Lot Iob and the rest we have no certain evidence that they were or were not circumcised nor is it material For it is certain neither circumcision before Christ nor baptism since or any outward Sacrament was or is or can be rightly said to be absolutely necessary to Salvation else Noah and other Patriarks before Abraham might have been circumcised or have had some other signe and seal which we had not and children dying before the eight day of circumcision or before they were baptized could not be saved which a Popish Doctrine well worthy to be exploded out of the Church Secondly it may be answered That God did renew the covenant and institute circumcision as a signe and seal of the covenant with Abraham and the Church in his house which was then the Church of God chiefly visible at that time in the world consisting of above three hundred souls Gen. 14.18 and then set forth by God as a Type of the Church of the faithful in all ages who were to have the covenant of Grace published and thâ— seals of the covenant communicated to them in the Gospel And so this Objection doth not hinder but that circumcision that signe and seal of the righteousnesse of Faith was instituted to Abraham as a beleever and to Abrahams children and family as the children and family of a beleever Men of ripe yeers professors of the true Faith and Religion and children as children of beleevers and professors And so the like signe and seal baptism may in like manner be continued in the New Testament as well as in the Old for any light that yet appeareth to be held forth from Christ to the contrary Quest 9. But is not Infants Baptism forbidden by Christ in the New Testament either expresly or by consequence in that Christ doth not name children in the institution of baptism as he did in the institution of circumcision Answ Certainly there is no expresse prohibition of Infant baptism in the New Testament yea the Lord Christ is so far from forbidding of Infants any Grace and favours they are capable of Mark 10.13 14. that he reproveth his Disciples for hindering their bringing unto him though it was not in particular to be baptized yet to receive a blessing from Christ for which cause their beleeving parents or friends did present them unto Christ that Christ might take them in his arms and put his hands upon them and blesse them as beleeving parents do now present them to Christ in baptism Mark 10.13 And Christ receiveth them and giveth for a reason a high approbation of children expressed in several Evangelists Suffer little children to come to me and forbid them not for of such is the Kingdom of God True not onely of such who in some respects are qualified like children but of such persons also even of little children And true both of the Kingdom of Grace and Glory for all elect children of Jews and Gentiles of all Nations And if the Kingdom of God belong to children then why not this Seal of the Kingdom Baptism of which Infants are capable now as well children at eight dayes old were capable of circumcision before the coming of Christ It is evident there is no expresse prohibition of Infants Baptism which may hinder their presenting unto Christ to be blessed in that Ordinance Quest 10. But what say you to the second is not Infant Baptism denyed by consequence in that they are not named in the words of Institution go Disciple all Nations or make them Disciple by Teaching and Baptizing them Ans The Answer is First it is evident that Christ in that Institution of Baptism intends principally men and women of ripe yeers Jews and Gentiles to be converted to the Faith of Christ who were capable of teaching and first to be discipled by teaching and then baptized as the Proselytes that came in to Abrahams House Gen. 18.18 c. no doubt were first taught before they were circumcised and yet their children were circumcised at eight dayes old before they were taught or made Disciples by teaching of which they were not capable It is true Iere. 1.4 5. Luke 1.13 14 15. they might be made Disciples by Covenant and inward teaching and sanctification Of the Holy Gospel as all the spiritual Seed were and so may children now that Christ holds forth why not baptized now as well as children were circumsed then by vertue of Christs Institution Secondly There is another answer That if a signe and seal of the Righteousnesse of Faith and Regeneration or inward Circumcision of the heart be due to Infants of beleevers and to be communicated to them as to children of beleevers by vertue of Christs institution of a seal to beleeving Abraham and his children as is before held forth Then it must be either circumcision or baptism or some other signe and seal appointed by Christ for this end but it cannot be circumcision for that is virtually abolished by Christs institution of baptism nor is there any other signe or seal appointed by Christ for children of beleevers Iews or Gentiles and therefore it must needs be baptism And so Christ doth not forbid but rather virtually appoint baptism for Infants in the new as he did appoint circumcision for Infants in the Old Testament Gen. 17. For the not naming doth not imply a negation when as they may be included in the institution in general setting up baptism instead of circumcision as women not named are not denyed but included in the institution of the Lords Supper in the place of the
Passeover and may partake of that Ordinance being rightly prepared although not named in the institution Quest 11. You have answered concerning the spiritual Seed of Abraham the elect children of beleevers that they may be Disciples by way of Covenant and by right of Election and so may have a right and interest to Baptism the seal of the Covenant which is not denied by some chief adversaries of Pedobaptism if they could be known to be such But now what say you for other children of beleevers which it may be are none of Gods elect nor disciples by way of that internal Covenant of Grace nor inward sanctification of the Spirit What right or title can such Infants have to baptism in infancy or until they be discipled by publike Teaching and Declaration or profession of themselves to be beleevers and converted to the Faith of Christ and such to be admitted by vertue of Christs Institution Go Disciple all Nations and Baptize as is opened before Ans I answer for all children of beleeving Parents though they be none of Gods Elect yet I conceive they may have as good a priviledge now and be under outward Administrations as Ishmael and Esau had if these were not elected or as any of the beleevers children before Christ had not being elected by way of priviledge as children of beleevers to partake of outward Ordinances and priviledges as children of the faithful especially when as it is not known of us who are elected and who are not Why may it not be that Esau was made partaker of this outward priviledge for Jacob and Abrahams sake And for the elect childrens sake all in general who are children of beleevers in the Church of God might and may have this outward badge of Christianity as a note of distinction between children of Iews Turks and Pagans who deny and reject Christ and children of such faithful who beleeve and embrace Christ and the Gospel in truth and sincerity And thus you have one ground of Scripture opened and applyed for Pedobaptism which may evidence That it is not a meer humane invention and absolute will-worship as some have affirmed whom I dare not for this one opinion against Infants baptism utterly condemn excommunicate and cast out of the Churches of Christ as enemies to Christ and the Gospel but rather look upon some of them as weak Brethren to be drawn in by bands of Love and cords of Amity by all means seeking to inform them and reveal that light the Lord hath opened in the Cannonical Books of the Old and New Testament praying God that every Saint may joyn in love and humility in prayer to God every day more and more to reveal and settle Truth in his Churches that God may be glorified and truth and peace established in Christ Jesus Quest 12. I am of your minde not to condemn all as utter enemies to Christ who are adversaries to childrens baptism But yet their Divisions and Separations they have made in the Church their unchurching of the Churches of Christ their contempt of Christs Ministers for difference of Opinion in things of lesser importance with divers such like cannot be answered or justified I think before God or men as being contrary to that Christian love and unity required by Christ in and amongst all that professe the Name of the Lord Jesus But tell me I pray you what other grounds of Scripture have you to prove the lawfulnesse of childrens Baptism Ans There are divers Grounds of Scripture discussed and handled at large by several learned men I will onely name a few and leave the more full opening of them to those who have undertaken the controversie in their larger Treatises And first That encouragement which the Apostle giveth to those Converts Acts 2.38 39. to repent and be baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ for remission of sins because the Promise is to them and to their children and not to them onely and their children but to as many as are afar off even as many as the Lord our God should call that is to the faith of Christ or to be beleevers in Christ and why not to their children also as being children of beleevers as well as to the former whether they were far off of the Iews or far off of the Gentiles who should be or are since brought in to beleeve on Christ and so their children have an encouragement to be baptized as well as other If you ask what the promise here spoken of was I cannot see why it should not be that promise made to Abraham and to beleevers in him as being in some respect the Father of the Faithful I will be thy God and the God of thy Seed and then as circumcision was especially the seal of that spiritual Covenant to Abraham and his spiritual Seed so virtually to beleevers and their spiritual children is there a signe and seal belonging And this is not circumcision which is vertually forbidden in that Institution of Baptism by Christ in the Gospel as Baptism is Matth. 28.19 20. and may be vertually commanded to children of beleevers though not expressed by Name in that Institution of Baptism aforesaid In like manner as women are not expressed by Name in the Institution of the Lords Supper and yet are vertually by Christs Ordinance to be admitted and made partakers of that holy Sacrament Quest 13. But may not there be the same Arguments for the Sacrament of the Lords Supper to be given to children of beleevers now as for the Sacrament of Baptism since the children of the Israelites are conceived to eat the Passeover Exod. 12. as well as they were circumcised Ans I conceive there is not the same Reason of Baptism and the Lords Supper For in the Act of Baptism both men of ripe yeers and children are meer patients suffering themselves to be baptized which a childe is capable of and may suffer as well as a man of ripe yeers But in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper there is action not onely of eating and drinking for that a childe may do But of eating and drinking in remembrance of Christ of shewing the Lords death until he come of offering up an Eucharistical Sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving for the death and passion and Resurrection and Assention of Christ and all benefits thereby and an Act of renewing our Covenant with God in Christ at the Sacrament which an Infant cannot do Nâ—â—â— 10 2â— as not being of knowledge and understanding and so an Infant may not he be capable of the Lords Supper though he be capable of Baptism or inchoate admission into the Church of Christ But this is discussed at large by others therefore I passe to the next Quest 14. What is that third ground you finde produced for childrens Baptism Ans That priviledge of the children of beleevers in Christ above the children of Turks Pagans and Infidels unto whom I perceive there are divers priviledges and
Baptism that as you have said even now although it had been abolished as circumcision was which it was not yet it might be continued untill mens mindes were enlightned as circumcision was continued for a time and much more now be practised in the Church since it cannot be proved to be any where forbidden by Christ but rather approved and since there are such different and doubtful opinions of it in such as profess to be Saints how should Saints behave themselves one to another in the Church of Christ Ans Truly this may be a light from Christ to lead us unto Christ and learn from Christ and his Apostles not to un-Church the Churches of Christ Reformed and yet reforming for this difference of Poedobaptism and such like as some virulent and unchristianlike Adversaries to Infant-baptism have done and yet endeavour to do But to labour for Reformation rather then unlawful Schism and Separation from the Church Thus shall we declare our selves to be Christians indeed not seeking division but in a Christian Brotherly way endeavouring Union and Unity and Peace in the Church each one labouring for a true and pure Reformation 1 Cor. 13.11 rather then a separation one from another in the profession of the Gospel of peace that peace and the God of peace may dwell amongst us The seventeenth Classis or Company of Questions 1 Question VErily I like well of your Christian conclusion for Peace and Vnity amongst Saints though there be some differences in opinion in lesser matters when as we all hold the Head Christ And since you have declared your knowledge and faith concerning the Sacrament of Baptism Now what do you know and believe concerning the Sacrament of the Lords Supper and by whom and when was that instituted and what light is there from Christ to lead us to Christ therein 1 Cor. 10.16 Mat. 26. Mark 14. Luke 22. 1 Cor. 11.23 c. Ans This Sacrament of the communion of the Body and Blood of Christ was instituted by the Lord Jesus Christ himself in the same night that he endured his bitter Agony and also sweat drops of blood before he was betrayed by Judas and apprehended by the Officers of the High Priests and Elders to be condemned and put to death that cursed death of the Crosse which he suffered for our Redemption Quest 2. What is the outward visible sign seal or external material thing of the Lords Supper or of that Sacrament of the confirmation of our Faith and renewing of our Covenant again with God in Christ Ans The external or outward thing Mat. 26.27 c. 14.22 c. Luke 22.19 20. 1 Cor. 11.23 c. sign seal badge or pledge in a Sacrament is that which being sanctified holdeth forth another thing to the inward ear or eye or hand or mouth of the soul which is Faith then it doth to the outward ear or eye or hand or mouth of the body and seals and assures another thing to the soul then that which the body partakes of and in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper this outward sign seal pledge and Symbol is the bread and wine consecrated or blessed and the bread broken and wine powred out the bread and wine given and received eaten and drunk of the faithful together with the whole Sacramental action according to the institution of Christ Quest 3. What is the inwrrd or internal grace and material thing in this Sacrament so signified sealed and communicated by Christ to every true and faithful receiver of these holy mysteries in this holy Ordinance Mat. 26.26 t. Iohn 6.55 c. 10.15 c. 1 cor 10.16 Eph. 5.25 c. Rom. 4.24 c. Heb. 9.25 c. 10.12 c. 1 Thes 1.10 Rom. 6.23 Ans The inward grace or inward material thing is Christ himself given for his Church with his body and blood spiritually received by Faith and all Christs merits with the graces procured by Christ in his death passion and Resurrection Ascention and all he hath done for our good both for this and a better life all which are lively represented sealed and communicated to the faithful in their souls according to the Covenant of grace held forth and confirmed in this communion of the body and blood of Christ Quest 4. But since Christ saith of the bread in the Sacrament This is my Body and of the wine This is my Blood do not the faithful receive corporally and carnally the Body and Blood of Christ in this Sacrament Ans No verily the Body and Blood of Christ cannot be received corporally and carnally with the hand and mouth of our bodies wratsoever the Capernaites of old or the Papists or any other since have imagined Quest 5. How then is the Body and Blood of Christ received in the Lords Supper Ans To understand this we must know that a body is divers wayes ascribed to Christ or Christ may be said to have a body in a fourfold respect or a fourfold body and spiritually and by faith the children of God do receive and partake of union and communion with Christ and Christs body in all these kindes Quest 6. What is the first kinde of body and how do the faithful receive and partake of that body of Christ in this Sacrament Ans The first was the Natural body of Christ Luke 1.15 Iohn 1.14 Mat. 27.21 c. 25.31.32 28.6 Acts 3.20 21. which was conceived and born of the blessed Virgin Mary crucified dead and buried and rose again for us and our salvation and ascended into Heaven and there is glorified and sits at the right hand of God the Father in power and glory where he shall remain making intercession for his Church till the day of Iudgement when he shall come with his glorious Angels in power to judge both the quick and the dead Quest 7. But how do we who are the Saints receive and partake of this Natural crucified and glorified body of Christ Ans We may be said to receive and partake of this natural body of Christ really and truly though not corporally and carnally by eating or receiving it by the hand or mouth of the body But 1 cor 10.16 First Spiritually and by Faith believing on Christ as our Lord and Saviour who gave his Natural body to be crucified and his Blood to be shed for our sins Gal. 2.20 Secondly Applying Christ and all his merits by Faith to our souls Iohn 6.5 6. Thirdly Receiving Christ to dwell in us and so having an union and communion with Christ as with our Lord and Head into whom we are ingrafted by Faith Fourthly To partake of Christ even the Divine Nature by our union and communion with Christ which is sealed in the Sacrament John 6.63 6.33 c. 10.18 Eph. 1.17 c. 3.16 c. 1 Cor. 12.12 c. 10.16 c. 2 Pet. 1.3 Quest 8. What is the second kinde of body which
is ascribed to Christ Ans A Sacramental body and so the bread and wine in the Sacrament Mat. 26.26 c. 1 Cor. 12.24 c. are the body of Christ which doth signifie represent and seal the vertue of the Natural body and blood of Christ crucified not to all but to all true Believers and this outward visible Sacramental body is received by the bodily outward hands and mouth of all communicants true Believers and Hypocrites who come to the Lords Table Quest 9. But is this Sacramental body the Bread and Wine in the Sacrament any thing available for their goods who come unprepared and receive that and no more Ans No certainly this is not profitable but hurtful to the souls 1 Cor. 11.28 c. Mat 22.11 c. because they want the Wedding-Garment and eat and drink Iudgement to themselves not being able to examine themselues or to discern rightly or partake Spiritually of the Natural or Spiritual body of Christ Quest 10. How can you call a body Spiritual Ans The Apostle calls the glorified body of the Saints Spiritual bodyes because they are endued with Spiritual qualities of glory 1 Cor. 15.44 Rom. 6.6 7.24 Col. 2.16 17. mortality as sin and death is compated to a body in respect of Natural corruption or sinful qualities and mortality so likewise the rich graces and spiritual benefits of the life of Christ communicated and sealed in the Sacrament may be called a Spiritual body as a whole body of spiritual heavenly graces bestowed upon faithful receivers thus Christ and his graces are a body of grace received by the faithful Quest 11. What do you call a spritual body of Christ Ans This is the third kinde of body a vertual or spiritual body comprehending all the power life vertue merits and benefits which do arise from the passion crucifying of the natural body shedding of the natural blood of Christ with his Resurrection and Ascention for the good and benefit of Gods Church and people held forth sealed and exhibited in the Lords Supper and received not by the hand and mouth of the body but of the soul and enjoyed only by the faithful communicant and such as are rightly prepared for this sacred feast of the Lord 1 Cor. 10.3 4 16. Phil. 3.10 11. Gal. 2.20 3.1 Christ held forth in the Word and Sacraments as crucified before our eyes and Spiritually communicated 1 Cor. 10.16 Quest 12. What is the fourth and last kinde of body attributed to Christ and how do the Saints partake of or receive an union or communion with that or assurance of it in this Sacrament Ans This fourth and last is the mystical body of Christ Rom. 12.45 1 Cor. 12 13 c. 10.16 17. Eph. 2.16 3.4 5. 4.12 Col. 3.14 15. Heb. 12.22 c. 1 Ioh. 1.3 7. the Church and people of God the Members of that body of which Christ is the head And a more full union and communion with which body the Saints do receive and partake of when in the Sacrament as in a communion of Saints rightly and spiritually not by mouth of the body but by faith they partake of Christ and have this union and communion of Saints sealed and assured in this Sacrament Quest 13. You have declared your knowledge concerning the author and matter of this Sacrament Now what is the form of it Ans The form of communicating in this Sacrament is likewise twofold outward and inward Quest 14. What is the outward form or manner of celebrating or partaking of and in this Sacrament of the Lords Supper Ans The external or outward form in this Sacrament Mat. 26.26 27. 1 Cor. 10.16 11.23 c. Isa 42.3 c. 53.10 c. is first the whole Sacramental word of Christs Institution the blessing or consecrating of the bread and wine the command of receiving eating and drinking of the outward Elements and especially the Promise and Covenant of Grace Christ and all his benefits promised held forth and sealed to the faithful in this Sacrament Quest 15. What it the second part of the outward form or manner of celebration to be observed Ans The Sacramental actions of breaking bread Mat. 26.26 Luke 22. powring out of wine the distribution of bread and wine to and for the communicants and their receiving of of them by the hand eating of them by the body as Sacramental signifying sealing exhibiting communicating and applying signs and symbols of all inward grace given to the faithful and received by them in this Sacrament Quest 16. What is the inward form of or in this Sacrament of the Lords Supper Ans The internal or inward form is the analogy union and presence not local but vertual Sacramental and Spiritual of the outward signes and the things signifi'd the one representing and answering the other as the face doth answer a face in a glasse the outward signes being exhibited by the Minister of Christ and the things signifieth the light and warmth and soul-cherished vertue and nourishment of the life of grace from Christ given and communicated and applyed by that Sun of righteousnesse Christ and Christ his spirit at the same time to the faithful in the Sacrament as the Sun in the firmament doth its vertue of light and warmth to us or as the outward Elements of bread and wine do their vertue and refreshing 1 Cor. 10.16 to nourish the life of nature in man or woman that receive them in the Sacrament Quest 17. What Analogy proportion likenesse or agreement is there between the signes and the things signified First between the Bread and the Body of Christ to set forth and seal the benefits unto us Ans First as the bread corn of wheat is threshed with a flail or beaten with a staffe bruised ground in the Mill and baked in an oven with fire to make bread for our bodyes Isa 28.28 53.5 6 1 Cor. 9.10 so was Christ threshed with a flail and beaten with a staffe and ground in the Mill and baked in the fiery oven of his passion and of the wrath of God that he by his vertue and merits might be heavenly bread for our souls and bodyes to nourish us to life Eternal Quest 18. What is a second resemblance Ans Secondly as the bread is comfortable strength and nourishment for a hungry body for life of nature Psa 104.15 Ioh. 6.48 c. so the body of Christ and vertue of his merits in sweet nourishment for hungry true believers to nourish the life of grace in them to life Eternal Quest 19. What is a third agreement or resemblance 1 Cor. i0 16 Ans As the bread in the Sacrament is made of many corns and one bread is distributed to many and many partake of one bread so doth it set forth our union and communion with Christ and one with another we that are many are one body in Christ and all partake of that one
heavenly bread Christ for our everlasting comfort The eighteenth Classis or Company of Questions 1 Question VVHat analogy resemblance or similitude and fitnesse of agreement is there between the wine and the blood of Christ in the Sacrament Ans First Gen. 49.11 Deut. 32.14 Isa 63.2 c. Iohn 15.1 5. Luke 22.42 c. Mat. 27.24 c. as the wine is made of the blood of Grapes pressed and strained in the winepresse for the benefit of men and women so the blood of Christ was pressed out in the winepresse of the wrath of God which Christ did endure in his most bitter agony and passion for our Redemption Quest 2. What is a second resemblance and analogy between Wine and the Blood of Christ Ans As wine when it is drunken doth â—â—rm the stomack Psal 104.15 Prov. 3.6 Psal 119.13 Ier. 16.7 Mat. 26.27 c. Acts 10.28 Col. 1.10 Heb. 12.24 Iohn 1.7 Rev. 1.5 6. 5.8 c. chear up the spirits and make glad the hearts of men and women in times of sorrow as a cup of consolation of old time yea doth quicken and strengthen to labour and duty so likewise the blood of Christ received and drunken by faith doth by Christs vertue and merits warm the life of grace in the soul in assuring remission of sins purchased with his blood cherish comfort and quiet the soul and make it able and ready to every good work to the glory of God in Christ good of his Church and joy of our own hearts Quest 3. What is a third analogy or simulitude between Wine and the Blood of Christ 1. Cor. 10.3 Mat. 26.27 1 Cor. 12.4 Gal. 3.27 28. Eph. 4.3 c. Ans As many Grapes pressed together make but one wine and all that receive the Sacrament drink of one and the same blood and juice of the Grape as of the cup so all the vertue of the passion of Christ his active and passive obedience to his Fathers will for us makes one cup of precious blood for the faithful to drink and all the faithful drink of the same blood of Christ as of one cup of love to signifie and seal our union and communion with Christ and one with another in love as all made one in Christ Iesus Quest 4. Now what kinde of union and presence is this between the signes and the things signified if it be not a corporal and local union and presence Ans First for the union between the signes and the things signified though there he not a corporal or local or place union yet it is not an imaginary but a true Spiritual relation and union by vertue of which and of the Covenant of Grace in Christ the things signified are really and truly communicated to all them that lawfully and rightly partake of the outward signes in this Sacrament 1 Cor. 10.16 Quest 5. How is there a presence of the thing signified with the signes if there be not a local presence or that the things signified be not present in place with the outward signes either by way of Transubstantiation the Bread and Wine turned into the Natural Body of Christ as Papists or of Consubstantiation or of the Natural body in or under Bread and Wine as some others have imagined Ans There is a fourfold manner of presence in and by which one thing may be said to be present with another which being rightly observed a man may easily see how Christ and things signified are and may be said to be united and present to the outward signes in the Sacrament and to Believers that partake of them Quest 6. What is the first of these Heb. 2.14 Luke 24.38 c. Mat. 28.6 Acts 3.20 21. 1 Cor. 8.17 12.13 27. Ans The first a local or place-presence a bodily presence in a place as a man is present in a house as Christ was in the Temple or the Sun in the Firmament or the like and with this presence Christ may be said to be present not bodily but in respect of his Divine Person and Spirit by which he is alwayes present with his to the end of the world yet not by the presence of his Natural body either by Transubstantiation or turning the bread and wine by vertue of the Priests words of consecration into the Natural body and blood of Christ as the Papists or by Consubstantiation as if in or under the bread and wine the Natural body and blood of Christ were contained as some Lutherans have affirmed Christs Natural body though glorified being finite like ours and cannot be in multitudes of places and persons at the same moment of time But indeed is in heaven and there to continue till the day of Iudgement yet present by spiritual union with us as we are Members of his Body Quest 7. What is the second manner in which one thing may be said to be present in or with another Ans By a Sacramental sâ—mbolical Gal. 13.1 1 Cor. â—0 16 or figurative presence when a thing is represented to the minde of a man by some outward signe as a thing is represented by a word or a voyce or a man to the sight by a Picture And thus Sacramentally Christs true natural body and bloud are present as represented to the eye of the soul the minde of a believer by the outward signe of Bread and Wine in the Sacrament Quest 8. What is the third manner of presence Ans The third is a spiritual presence Heb 11 i 1 Cor. 10.3 4 5. Ioh. 8.56 when we represent a spiritual thing not present as present to and with us by Faith as faithful Abraham by the eye of Faith did see Christ day many hundred yeers before Christ was born or as by a prospective Glasse we do bring the body of the Sun or Moon or of a Star far off to be neer and as it were present to the eies of our bodies and thus Christs natural Body and Blood his passion death resurrection ascension and all his benefits are present to our souls and bodies by Faith to our joy and comfort Quest 9. What is the fourth kinde of presence in and by which one thing may be said to be present in or with another Ans This is a virtual presence when that which is distant and far off in place Mat. 28.20 Mat. 18.20 1 Cor. 10.16 is by the virtue power and efficacie present to and with us for our comfort and nourishment as the Sun in the firmament is far off in place and yet the vertue the light and warm'th of the Sun is present with us here on the earth to direct revive quicken nourish and cherish the creatures yea men and women whom experience teacheth to be refreshed by it And thus vertually Christ is present yea his natural Body and Blood whole Christ and his vertue present for the nourishment of true believers and their assurance of eternal salvation by Christ sealed in this Sacrament Quest 10.
You have explained and held forth the Author Matter and Form of the Sacrament now what is your knowledge concerning the Vse Benefit and End of the Sacrament to faithful and right Communicants Ans The Ends Use and Benefits of this Sacrament are divers for the unspeakable benefit of faithful receivers Quest 11. What is a first End Ans First to seal and confirm the Covenant and promise of Gods free Grace in Christ Mat. 26.26 27. 1 Cor. 11.23 c. to our souls with Christs vertue and merits and all the benefits which Christ hath procured for us in his Passion Death Resurrection Ascention yea his whole active and passive obedience to his Fathers will as our Surety with his whole Humiliation and Glorification as mediator between God and us all sealed in this Sacrament Quest 12. What is a second End Ans On our part to renew and seal our mutual Covenant of thankfulnesse Rom. 12.1.2 2 Cor. 5.14 15. Psal 116.12 Psal 119.105 and obedience to our God and Father again in and by the vertue and power of Christ to be manifested in our lives according to that light of his will revealed by his Word and Spirit to our souls from Christ our chief Prophet and director in the way to happinesse Quest 13. What is a third End of this Sacrament of the Lords Supper Ans To hold forth Christ by remembring and shewing the Lords death until he come for the strengthening of our Faith and refreshing of our souls in the lively representation of Christs love to us Ioh. 15.13 1 Cor. 11.24 c. giving his body to be crucified and his blood to be shed for our sins evidently held forth in the sacramental breaking of the Bread powring out of the Wine seen by the eye of the body as the inward graces are by the faithful eye of the soul in every Communicant Quest 14. What is the fourth End and Benefit of this Sacrament Ans It is a sealing and confirming 2 Cor. 8.9 Eph. 3.8 Ioh. 6.56 1 Cor. 1.9 Ioh. 17.20 Eph. 3.8 16 c. 1 Cor. 6.15 Col. 3.2 3. 1 Cor. 12.12 13. First of our union and communion with God in Christ and of our right and title to all the riches and treasures of Christs Kingdom of Grace and glory And secondly of our union and communion one with another in Christ and with the whole Church of God as fellow members of the same mystical body of which Christ our Lord and Saviour is the head for the comfort and benefit of his Church Quest 15. Are there no other Ends of this Sacrament Ans Yes their are divers other ends and uses As Acts 2.46 47. First the profession of our Faith that we are Christians not Iews Turks or Infidels Secondly the profession of our love unity Acts 2.46 47. and charity one towards and with one another Thirdly 1 Cor. 11.17 18. Ephes 9.3 4 5. the conservation of our fellowship and communion with Saints Fourthly Our strengthening of all graces in us by participation and meditation of Christ held forth in this Ordinance in all times of temptations and divers other ends and uses but the former are principle in this Sacrament John 6.32 33 34 35 50 51. The ninteenth Classis or Company of Questions 1 Question YOu have declared your knowledge concerning the Author matter form and end of this Sacrament now what do you know concerning the outward circumstances of partaking of this Sacrament time place and gestures What light have you from Christ for these Answ I do not finde that the Lord Christ hath directly and expresly commanded any set time place or gesture when where and in what manner of gesture sitting or kneeling or standing we should receive the Sacrament But the Spirit of Christ in his holy Apostle Paul hath held forth two general Rules 1 Cor. 14.40 and 11.34 Col. 2.5 Rom. 14.17 18 19. 1 Cor. 10.23 and 14.25 Rom. 14.1 2 c. and 15.1 2. First That all things should be done according to decency and order And secondly That all be done to edification Quest 2. But may not the consciences of Gods children be ordered and bound up to particulars in these things Ans I am perswaded that no Law or Rule ought to be made to binde the tender conscience of any man or woman where the Lord Christ the chief teacher doth not binde nor ought any liberty of conscience be given where the Lord Iesus Christ giveth no liberty But all Churches ought to be content if they cannot agree in circumstance and ceremony yet lovingly to agree in matters of substance which Christ hath plainly holden forth unto his Church in the holy Scriptures Quest 3. But may not Christian liberty be used in these things which are onely circumstantial in this Sacrament Ans Yes Christian liberty may be used in these things Rom. 14.1 2 c. and 15.1 2 3. Gal. 6.1 2 3. and the stronger ought not to tyrannize over the conscience of the weaker brother or sister but to bear one anothers burden and so fulfil the Law of Christ yea the stronger brethren and the Elders of the Church ought in all love and tendernesse to endevour the instruction of the weaker and to inform the judgement rather then by force upon the outward man to compel the conscience Quest 4. But may not the weak Christians absolutely and peremptorily use what circumstances they please Ans The weak ought in all humility to seek information of judgement and satisfaction in scrupulous or tender doubtful cases of conscience that if it be possible he or she may conform to the Directory of that particular Church Eph. 4.1 2 3. Psal 133.1 c. of which he or she is a member or if not to behave themselves humbly peaceably and Christian like rather then to break or endanger the breaking of the bond of unity amity and uniformity in that Church wherein God in his providence calls them to partake in this holy Ordinance Quest 5. Verily I do desire to conform my self to the Order and Directory of that Church and Congregation where I live and I long often to meet Christ in this holy Ordinance But I have some doubts trouble me in the present Directory for giving and receiving the bread and wine at the Lords Table And first I am not satisfied upon what ground the gesture of kneeling so much pressed formerly as if it had been a matter of absolute necessity is now changed into a Table gesture of sitting about or at the Lords Table Ans To satisfie you in this I desire you first to consider that the gesture of kneeling at the Sacrament hath no example much lesse any command either in Old or New Testament Search the Scriptures and you can finde none and so no binding necessity can presse the continuance of it The real presence bodily advanced by Pope Innocent about 1215. Secondly If you read all the History of the Church
of their hands to receive the Bread from me and so the hand by which the hand of Faith is remembred was made of no use in the action which you will say ought not to be in this Sacrament For the hand of Faith receives Christ the Lord of our souls for the spiritual refreshing as the hand of the body receives the Bread and Wine Thirdly If you rightly observe the sacramenâ—al action or act or ministration you shâ—ll finde and see the Minister of Christ having broken the Bread according to the institution command and example of Christ to take the Bread in a Silver or other Charger or Dish in which it is broken and present and give it to all in general at the Table with Christs invitation take and eat and so the cup take and drink ye all of this which doth imply every particular man or woman at the Table So our taking the Bread all out of one dish doth sweetly hold forth reaching out of a living hand of Faith a Christian union and communion in Christ as the Apostle intimates 1 Cor. 10.17 And thus I hope I have satisfied your doubts so that you may come with comfort to the Lords Table Quest 9. But what if a tender conscience cannot be satisfied about circumstances may not Saints agree to meet Christ in the Sacrament and receive the outward Elements in divers gestures of the body some sitting some standing or the like as well as they agree daily to hear the Word preached as they please or can be fitted without any such asking question for conscience Ans These Ceremonies I conceive are not worth contending for 1 Cor. 11.16 if men cannot agree or a tender conscience not satified nor ought to be excommunicated or delivered over â—o Satan for these things yet it is good yea a duty for all to study to be all of one minde and in one manner to meet Christ if it were possible according to the Directory of that Church wherein they live Quest 10. But have you any antiquity of your opinion herein Dan. 7.8 Psa 122.6 Eph. 4.3 4 5 6. Eusebius l. 5. c. 26. Anselm Epi. 327. of Ireneus to Victor and others Ans Yes the ancient of dayes God himself holdeth forth this in the Scriptures That Gods people should endeavor unity and the Saints in former ages have been of the same judgement in that controversie between the Eâ—stern and Western Church about the celebration of Easter though they differed in opinion in circumstance yet they agreed in substance and received the Sacrament together and so in the d fferent manner of celebrating the Lords â—upper and the like when the unity of charity was observed in the substantial matters of Faith divers customes in circumstance did not nor ought to separare but Saints ought to unite in love as the reformed Churches do at this day The twentieth Classis or company of Questions 1 Question YOu have answered concerning the first grace in the Wedding Garment namely knowledge first of God secondly of our selves thirdly of Christ and fourthly of the Sacrament Now what light is there from Christ to manifest Faith the second grace to be examined and enlivened before we come to the Lords Table Ans To know what Faith is we must understand that the Word is diversly held forth by Christ in holy Scriptures First Gal. 1.23 Rom. 10.6.8 1 Tim. 1.16 1 Tim. 3.9 1 Tim. 4.1 Iames 2.17 c. for the Doctrine or Word of Faith which is preached and believed by the Church of Christ Secondly Faith is taken for historical Faith only when assent is given to the truth of the Word without application or fruit it is a dead Faith Thirdly Faith is taken for a temporary Faith which hath not only assent to the truth of the Gospel but profession with a kinde of joy and delight for a time Mat. 13.20 21. Mat. 13.22 Mat. 17.19 20. 1 Cor. 13.2 till temptation and tribulation cometh because of the Word and then it dieth and withereth Fourthly Faith is taken for the Faith of working miracles a special Faith given in the Primitive times to the Saints for confirmation of the truth of the Gospel Rom. 3.3 Mat. 13.23 Fifthly Faith is taken for faithfulnesse truth and constancy in word and promises as the Faith and promise of God to his people and of men to men Rom. 5.1 Tit. 1.1 2 Pet. 1.1 Acts 13.48 Isai 53.1 2. Phil. 1.29 Rom. 13.6 c. Rom. 8.1.5.10 2 Cor 4.13 Mat. 13.11 Ioh. 17.3 Sixthly and lastly Faith is taken for a true lively justifying faith the proper and pretious Faith of Gods Elect. Quest 2. What is this pretious justifying Faith of Gods Elect Answ This Faith is an admirable peculiar and special Grace and free gift of God by which a man or woman rightly prepared by the power of the Word and Spirit of Christ First doth know assent unto and embrace and trust to God in Christ in the free promises of the Gospel or Covenant of Grace Secondly know desire earnestly single out and make choyce of Christ the rich treasure and pearl held forth in the Gospel and Gospel promises as his onely Surety Redeemer Advocate and Mediator between God and him Thirdly lively believe receive apprehend take and apply Christ to himself as his Saviour and acquiesce or rest on Christ and Christs merits and righteousnesse alone for salvation Ioh. 3.14 c. Romans 1.1 c. and. 4.16 Gal. 3.16 c. Ioh. 17.3 1 Cor. 2.2 Phil. 3.7 c. Heb. 1.22 and. 8.6 c. and. 12.14 Ioh. 3.36 and. 1.12 Phil. 3.12 Mat. 11.28 29. Gal. 2.20 and 3.14 2 Chr. 14.11 2 Tim. 1.12 Rev. 5.11 12 13 14. Act. 4.12 2 Thes 2.13 14. Act. 13.37 38 39. Quest 3. How or in what sence do you call this Faith a justifying Faith Ans Not vertually and meritoriously of it self 1 Tim. 1.9 10. Titus 3.4 c. as it is a work or act of our understanding to know and of our will sanctified to elect and embrace Christ but instrumentally as it doth apprehend and apply Christ to the soul It is not the act of our Faith receiving but the object of our Faith Christ and his merits and righteousnesse received which meritoriously justifieth poor sinners before God as not the hand which applieth but the plaister and vertue of that which cures the wound to which it is applied Quest 4. When is a man or woman rightly prepared or his heart by the power and spirit of Christ disposed to believe and thus to receive and embrace Christ for his salvation Ans When by the strength and mighty power of Christ and his spirit in the word a man or woman is in some measure First enlightened with the knowledge of God and Christ and himself by the good pleasure of God held forth in the Word of God in general and in the promises of the Gospel in particular And Rom. 8.15 Secondly Inabled by
the spirit of Christ to know believe and feel and be affected in his heart and conscience with his own self guiltinesse of sin original and actual and of bondage under sin and misery due to sin yea of his subjection to the wrath of God to death and damnation eternal for sin Thirdly with the sence of his utter inability to save himself Fourthly of his extreme need of Christ in some sence Eph. i. 16 c. Heb. 4.12 13. 1 Thes 1.4 5 6. 2 Tim. 3.15 c. Ier. 31.34 2 Cor. 5.16 Ps 57 i.2 3. Rom. 3.20 and 7.17 Eph. 16.28 c. Gen. 30. 1 Mar. 5.25 c. Phi. 1.29 Act. 16.14 and 13.48 2 Pet. 1.1 2 3. Eph. 1 i6 17 c. Rom. 10.17 Gen. 18.18 19. Mat. 16.13 c. Eph. 1.19 2 Cor. 3.8 and 4.5 Gal. 4.15 6. and 5.4 5 6. Luk. 24.25 c. Prov. 30.5 Isai 5.20 Ioh. 5.39 Rom. 15.4 act 17.11 12. and 24.14 c. and 2.19 Eph. 1.13 1 Tim. 1.5 c. act 20.24 Rom. 10.10 2 Tim. 1.12 act 15.9 Gal. 5.6 as Rachel did of children give me Christ or else I die then is the soul fit and ready to receive Christ with his precious justifying living Faith Quest 5. Who and what is the principal worker or efficient cause of our Faith Ans The principal efficient cause is God himself the Father Son and blessed Spirit or God the Father in the Son by the Spirit which great God by his Grace and in his free love hath elected and doth call his children to Faith and Glory in the Gospel and worketh Faith in them by the spirit of Faith and working of his mighty power in the world Quest 6. What is the instrumental efficient or working cause of Faith the means by which or by whom we believe Ans This is two fold outward and inward and the outward is ordinarily the Word of God in the preaching of the Gospel and catechizing inwardly the spirit of Christ called the spirit of Faith Quest 7. What is the material cause ground or object of Faith Ans The whole Word of God in general and the rich promises of Grace and Covenant of Gods free love or Gospel of the Grace of God in particular Quest 8. What is the form or nature of this Faith this precious Faith of Gods Elect Ans The form of this Faith First is not onely a light of knowledge in the understanding and assent to the truth of the Word of God as an historical Faith is Secondly Nor some temporary joy in the word as in temporal Faith Thirdly but it is this knowledge and assent joyned with a firm confidence and affiancy in the heart and will to rest on Christ and Christ his merits and righteousnesse and to trust in Christ alone for salvation As the vegetative or growing life and the sensitive or life of sence is joyned with the reasonable faculty or reasonable life in the soul in man which distinguisheth men and women from all brute creatures even so is this confidence and assured rest on Christ in this Faith joyned with knowledge and assent and sweet fruits in Faith which distinguisheth it from all false faith whatsoever Quest 9. But hath this true Faith allwayes joyned with it this confidence and assured rest on Christ Ans This Faith when it is a stronge well grown Faith 1 Cor. 7.5 Mat. 8.26 and 14.31 Isai 42.3 Psal 1.6 Heb. 12.2 it hath this blessed confidence and assured rest on Christ though not alwayes free from temptations to doubt But a weak Faith though it be a true Faith is often subject to fears and doubtings yet so as God in Christ inables the soul to stand and adhere to Christ and preserved from final despaire in greatest times of tryal for the comfort of weak Christians Quest 10. What are the effects and fruits of this true lively Faith Ans The effects of this true lively Faith in a believer or of Christ in the soul Christ thus truely apprehended and rested on by Faith in apprehending of Christs righteousnesse are divers And First justification by Christs righteousnesse and merits Rom. 5.1 act 13.39 Secondly sanctification and purity of heart 1 Cor. 1.1 2 3. Thirdly Christian liberty from the condemning and commanding power of sin Rom. 8.12 Rom. 5.1 Fourthly peace of conscience which passeth all understanding 2 Cor. 5.14 Rom. 8.35 36 37 38. Iohn 8. 5 6. Rom. 5.4.5 and 15.13 1 Pet. 1.3 4 5 6. 2 Pet. 1.10 11. Heb. 11.1 1 Pet. 1.8 Fifthly Love of Christ and a longing desire to walk in the wayes of Grace inseparable against all persecution Sixthly Joy in the love and sight of Christ and in the comfortable assurance of perseverance in grace and lively hope of Heaven Seventhly A kinde of entrance into eternal glory Faith making that as present to the eye of our souls which is not seen or present to the eyes of our bodies and yet affecting a beleevers heart with joy unspeakable and full of glory Qâ—est 11. What is the end of this true lively justifying faith this precious faith of Saints Ans The end of this faith or Christs benefits received and enjoyed by Faith is Ephes 1.5 6 7. 2 Thes 1.10 Eph. 3.16 c. 1 Thes 5.23 24. 1 Pet. 1.9 Rom. 8.30 First and principally the glory of God in Christ Secondly the preservation comforting and strengthning of our souls in the Kingdom of Grace with our everlasting salvation in the Kingdom of glory for evermore The twenty one Classis or company of Questions Question 1. YOu have made profession of your knowledge concerning the Grace of Faith Now what is you knowledge concerning the Third Grace the Grace of Evangelical Repentance to be examined renewed and enlivened of every Communicant men and women before the approach to the Lords Table What light have we from Christ concerning this Grace Ans By what I have learned from Christ I conceive Evangelical Repentance Renovation Regeneration new Creation and Conversion unto God is a Grace of God reconciled to us in Christ by which a poor soul enlightned by the Spirits working in or by the Word of God First With a true knowledge sight Rom. 3.20 and 7.7 Luke 15.17 and sence of sin original and actual Secondly Of the misery and bondage under sin Thirdly Terrour of the wrath of God due to sin Fourthly With tidings of Christ a Saviour Acts 5.31 Exalted to give Repentance and Remission of sin Iere. 31.18 Acts 2.36 37. Gen. 4.13 1 Sam. 31.4 2 Sam. 17.23 Mat. 27.4 5. Acts 2.37 38. and 16.28 29 30. Iere. 31.19 First Is troubled stinged pricked and wounded in conscience sorrowful broken-hearted and humbled under Gods hand bemoaning himself for sin as Ephraim of old Secondly Brought to a kinde of despair though not final or a despair of Gods mercy in Christ as Cain Saul Achitophel and Judas yet with a despair of themselves or of any power in themselves to save themselves
from hell and damnation Thirdly A being affected by the power of Christ with recipiscence or beginning to be wise again with a shame and confusion of soul for sins past Hos 14.1 2 c. Fourthly with a renewing of spirit and change of minde and judgement of heart will affections desires and whole man and all by the powerful vertue of Christ and the Holy Spirit of the Father and the Son Ezek. 36.31 Fifthly A dislike and loathing of sin and former evil courses as contrary to the nature of God and new nature of grace in the soul Sixthly Acts 11.18 2 Cor. 7.10 Rom. 12.2 Ioh. 3.5 2 Cor. 5.17 Psal 51.14 Luke 22.32 2 Cor. 5.19 20. Rom. 8.15 Psal 51.1 2 3 c. Luke 22.61 62. 2 Cor. 7. as 2 Kin. 23.2 3. It is inabled by Christ unto an aversion and turning from all sin and Satans Kingdom in thought word and deed and a conversion unto God and all goodnesse with a love unto and a delight in righteousnesse and true holinesse And this not onely in our first conversion or repentance as a work of grace begun in us But all the dayes of our lives perfecting holinesse by the vertue of our Saviour to the glory of God good of our neighbours and comfort of our own souls in Christ Jesus especially in the renewing of our Covenant when we meet Christ in the holy Sacrament Quest 2. You have given a large discription of Repentance to give in the substance of what repentance is in fewer words as you understand and conceive of it in your minde Ans Repentance is a grace Act. 5.31 Iere. 31.19 1 Sam. 7.2 Iob 34.32 Hos 14.8 and free gift of God in Christ by which a poor sinner upon sight and sence of sin and misery and bondage revealed by the spirit is affected with true sorrow and shame for his original and actual transgression and though he despair in himself yet by faith resting on Gods free love in Christ Zach. 12.10 11. Prov. 28.13 2 Thes 2.13 Eph. 4.20 c. 1 Thes 5.23 is drawn to a hatred of sin that crucified Christ and is converted by Christs vertue from all sin to God forsaking of all sin daily more and more and the Image of God daily renewed in him more and more that he may glorifie God in grace on earth till Christ bring him to glory in Heaven Quest 3. Who is the author and efficient cause of this Evangelical Repentance Regeneration Renovation and Conversion from sin to God in Christ Rom. 1.7 and 1.4 1 Thes 5 23. 2 Thes 2 13 14. 2 Cor. 5.10 Ans The whole Trinity in common and in special the Holy Spirit that Spirit of sanctification sent of God the Father and the Son with the Word into the mindes and hearts of poor sinners to this end that they may repent be born again converted and changed from glory to glory by the vertue of Christ Quest 4. What is the internal moving cause of this Repentance and Regeneration and Conversion of poor sinners unto God Titus 3.4 5. Iohn 1.12 13. Ephes 2.4 5 c. Ans The free-grace and good will of God in Christ giving and working this grace of his own goodnesse in the hearts of his children Quest 5. What is the internal principle meritorious vvorking cause by vertue vvhereof this change is vvrought in our souls Ans This is Christ himself Eph. 5.25 26 27. Revel 1.5 6. and his merits and blood by which we are cleansed sanctified and changed that we may be presented blamelesse before God Quest 6. What is the instrumental outvvard cause of this Repentance Regeneration and Conversion or turning unto God in Christ Ans Ordinarily the Word of God Exod. 19.18 20. Acts 2.36 37 38 39. Luke 3.9 10. Rom. 3.20 Acts 9.1 2 c. 1 Pet. 1.23 Acts 16.25 c. both Law Gospel brought home to the soul in the powerful preaching of it by the work of Christs spirit and sometimes extraordinary means as thunders lightnings judgements of God afflictions fears terrors and such like with which God worketh as he pleaseth to this end Quest 7. What is the subject matter of this Repentance and nevv birth and sanctification and turning unto God or that vvhich is thus converted to God in Christ Ans The whole man all the powers and faculties of the soul understanding will memory affections conscience and all the parts 1 Thes 5.23 24 Rom. 6.19 20 21. Rom. 12.1 2. Acts 15.9 1 Cor. 10.32 and 6.15 c. Rom. 6.3 4 c. Ephes 2.1 2 c. Isai 1.16 17 c. Eph. 4.21 c. Isai 5.7 Col. 3.9 10. Gal. 2.20 and members of the body eyes ears hands feet heart all purified and sanctified to glorifie God by Christ Iesus Quest 8. What is the form or manner of this Repentance Regeneration and Renovation unto nevvnesse of life or vvherein doth this form consist Ans In the mortification of the old man and the vivification or quickning of the new man the old man or old Adam being crucified and the body of sin destroyed and the new man created and enlived by Christ living in the soul and so an aversion from all evil and a turning or conversion unto good by the vertue of Christ Quest 9. What is the end of this grace of Repentance Renovation and Conversion to God in Christ Ans The cheif end is the glory of God the edification of our neighbour and the assurance and enjoynment of our own eternal salvation 2 Tim. 2.21 2 Thes 1.11 12. Matth. 5.16 Gal. 1.22 23 24. 2 Pet. 7.8 9 10 11. 2 Thes 2.13 Quest 10. You have made profession of your knowledge and of the grace of Faith and concerning Evangelical repentance now what light hath Christ revealed to you concerning the fourth and last Grace we noted in the wedding Garment to be examined and enlivened before we come to the Lords Supper Ans The grace of Christian love and charity is a necessary Garment to be worn as at all times so especially when we meet Christ in the Ordinance of the Lords Table Quest 11. What is this grace or affection of love and charity as you have learned from Christ Ans First in general love is an affection of the soul moving in the heart of a man or woman to embrace some known good thing First with a desire of union with it Secondly a Sympathy or good will of beneficence or well doing to it Thirdly an acquiescence 1 Sam. 17. 1 Sam. 18.1 2 3. or rest in the fruition or enjoyment of it as under God the chief present joy and satisfying delight of the soul as the love of Ionathan to David of husband and wife parents and children or the like First Ionathan observed David and knew him to be a valiant good man 1 Sam. 19.4 1 Sam. 20.4 2 Sam. 9.1 2 c. Secondly in his heart desiredd union and was knit to Davids heart
in the Primitive times truly believers and converted to Christ before they were baptized 1 Cor. 12.13 Rom. 8.11 and indeed all the Saints in the world make but one body or Church of Christ quickened by Christs spirit to life eternal This godly Mr. Perkins excellently sets forth by a similitude which I shall expresse in this order Mr. Perkins on the creed Suppose a man as high as heaven his legs standing one in Asia the other in America his hands spred out one over Europe the other over Africa his toes and fingers in England France Germany and other parts of the world many hundred miles distant asunder and all quickened by one and the same soul This distance of place doth not hinder the union of every part of the body to the head and of each part to the fellow members or the truth of any part in particular There is and may be a sweet union and communion of one part with another though far distant in places and Countries Kingdoms Cities and Common wealths where they live and a truth of each part though not all beautiful alike one excelling in graces above another In the same manner the Head of the mystical Body and Church of Christ is now in heaven the Lord Christ himself our Lord and Saviour and some of his members in heaven with him and some in earth and of these some part in England some in Scotland some in Germany some in divers other Kingdoms Nations Provinces Cities Parishes and Congregations of men in several places of the world many hundred ye thousand miles some parts distant from the other and the spirit of God is as it were the soul of this body which giveth spiritual life unto all the members and all united by this one and the same spirit by whom we are all baptizâ—d into one body as we noted before And so first you see how the Church may be said to be Catholike or Universal as it comprehendeth all the members of the body scattered in divers Countries Secondly how it is and may be called national as it is a company called of God to believe repent and professe subjection to the Faith and Gospel-holinesse living and preserved in England Scotland or other Nations Thirdly how it was or might be called a Church provincial in the Province or Countrey of Galatia in the Cities of Ephesus Corinth Geneva London or other Cities and Provinces greater or lesse whatsoever Lastly how the same Church of Christ is and may be called particular or congregational as it relates to persons called professing Faith and holinesse admitted to Church communion and united together in a holy profession and participation of Word Sacraments and other ordinances of Christ Iesus in one parochial or congregational Assembly all as particular true members of the Catholike or Universal Church of Christ Quest 17. What or how manifold is that outward corporal or visible entrance into the visible Church of Christ and fellowship of the Saints Ans As the inward entrance is but one in substance Eph. 1.5 2 Tim. 1.9 1 Cor. 6.11 Ioh. 10.7 Ioh. 14.6 and thus in and by Christ we are elected and chosen of God the Father but it is in and by Christ and so we are inwardly called and justified and sanctified but it is in and by the same spirit of Christ The Lord Christ is the onely way and door of entrance into the Church Millitant and Church triumphant and so likewise there is but one outward entrance and admission into the Church of Christ for the substance and principal matter of it and this was by way of Covenant and seal of the Covenant as an Ordinance of Christ although there have been divers manners and wayes in the practise of the Churches and amongst the Saints of the most High yet all I conceive by a charitable and Christian construction may be referred to and for substance ageee with the Ordinance and institution of Christ Quest 18. What is or was the first of these wayes of admission and entrance into the Church or Church-fellowship and communion of Saints before Christ coming in our humane nature Ans To omit former times and what was the practise of the Church then and Gods Ordinance the footsteps thereof not being easily to be found I look upon that Ordinance and Institution of Christ with Abraham and the practise of the Church in Abrahams family and Generation Rom. 4.16 17. Abraham being in some respect the Father of the Faithful and the Church in his house a Type if I may so call it of the Church of Christ since the coming of Christ and of the household of Faith Quest 19. Gen. 17.2 3 c. Isai 56.6 7. Num. 15. Exo. 12.48 Gen. 17. What was the Institution of Christ and Direction to Abraham for admission and entrance into the Church Ans This Ordinance of Christ to Abraham was by way of Covenant between God and Abraham and Abrahams Seed the Faithful or beleevers and compleated by a signe and seal of this Covenant in Abraham and his children and all that should come in to be of Abrahams family and so members of the Church and to their children at eight dayes old as to Isaac and all Abrahams posterity This signe and seal was Circumcision as we may reade Gen. 17. Quest 20. But howsoever there was and might be a Covenant between God and Abraham and so between men of ripe yeers and the Lord mutually Yet how could there be a Covenant between God and Abrahams young children or the children of other beleevers when they were circumcised Whereas they were but eight dayes old and Circumcision in the ordinary way to be deferred no longer And how were these admitted into the Church by Covenant and Circumcision the signe and seal of the Covenant of Grace between God and Abraham Ans First The Covenant or Promise on Gods part or by the Lord was with Abraham himself and in and with Abraham to and with the children and beleeving posterity of Abraham And all Proselytes whom the Lord should convert and draw in to beleeve and to be of Abrahams Family or of the Church by Faith and Profession manifested by submitting unto and accepting of Circumcision Gen. 17. that signe and seal of the Covenant appointed by the Lord to Abraham and to and for Abrahams posterity and all such converted Proselytes and their children whatsoever Secondly As on Abrahams part Gen. 12. Gen. 17. Rom. 4.11 the Covenant was mutually made with God by himself in taking the Lord for his God as he had done before by beleeving the Promise That in him that is in his Seed Christ should all the nations of the Earth be blessed renewed here again as expressed more fully in and by acceptance of and submitting unto circumcision the signe and seal of the Covenant of Grace and of the righteousnesse of Faith in Christ the Messiah to come and so by men of ripe years Proselytes converted to
soul wilt thou seek my face and have me for thy Lord and Husband and Saviour Behold I have loved thee Gal. 2.20 and given my self for thee 2. The soul answering again as by consent and agreement Lord 1 Tim. 15. I know thou haste loved me to come into the World to save sinners of which I am cheif Behold thy face will I seek and I Will have yea I do receive and take thee for my Lord and my Husband and my onely Saviour Hosea 2.14 19. upon whom alone I rest for salvation and life eternal here I say is a kinde of secret covenanting and a preparation for admission as I noted before in part in the internal entrance before specified Secondly Outwardly there was first an inchoation or degree of entrance and admission into Church fellowship by desiring of Baptism the Seal of the Covenant with Christ and the Members of Christ Acts 8.16 the head of his Church as the Eunuch did desire to be baptized Secondly There was an open profession of this Faith and internal Covenant and union with Christ the Head of his Church by beleeving and so inwardly or by that inward bond of the spirit and saith with all Christs members and an open Declaration and holding forth of this Faith of Christ and beleef of it before the Church or those who had authority from Christ to admit and receive into Church fellowship as visible membership in the Church Acts 8.37 This Philip requireth of the Eunuch when he demanded or desired Baptism First Here is water saith the Eunuch what letteth but that I may be baptized Secondly Philip Answereth if thou believest with all thy heart thou mayst Thirdly the Eunuch replieth Act. 8.16 17. I believe that Iesus Christ is the Son of God I believe that Iesus Christ of whom I have read in the 53 of Isaiah and whom then Philip had preached unto him and namely Christ the Saviour Here was two things first a holding forth of the truth of the Gospel Secondly of his belief and assent thereunto and so a receiving of Christ and a hearty-covenant with Christ which moved him to desire Baptism as the seal and Sacrament of the Covenant and of admission into the Church and of Communion with the Saints Thirdly In this profession of Faith and declaration of a willingnesse to and desire of Baptism the signe and seal of the Covenant of Grace in Christ as circumcision was before is implied a Declaration that we have and do actually Covenant with Christ And as it was foretold by the Prophet Zachary as the Lord sayes ye are my people Zac. 13.9 so Gods people also say the Lord is our God First Christ saith to the soul thou art my spouse Secondly and the soul saith to Christ thou art my Lord my loving Husband And so though not in so many words outwardly yet in substance in this belief in the heart and profession or confession of Faith with the mouth and willingnesse to be baptized is an entrance by way of Covenant or witnessing that the party desiring Baptism hath entred Covenant with God in Christ which he now desired to be sealed and his admission to be compleated in Baptism 4ly A Covenant is entred and sealed in Baptism with the Head Christ and all the members of his mystical Body the party thus confessing and professing Faith and Covenant when the Church or persons authorized by it that did finde that according to Christs institution Act. 10.47 he or she had jus adrem a right unto Church-fellowship and to Baptism the seal of admission yea a kinde of inward right in the Communion and spiritual membership of Saints in Christ the Head as far as in judgement of charity they could discern thus admitted by Christ this professor of the Faith I say was baptized and so outwardly compleated and entertained as a Church member not only to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper and breaking of bread Act. 2.46 but also to all other Acts of Church fellowship which agree to a member by the Ordinance of Christs sealing in Baptism both his Covenant with God in Christ and with all the members of Christs mystical Body And thus you see how men of ripe years converted from Iudaism or Paganism to the Faith and holinesse of the Gospel had their outward admission into the Church and Communion of the Saints with Christ their Head and one with another And so far you may behold the Scripture way of admission into or making up the Body or Church of Christ Thus there were dayly added to the Church such as should be saved Act. 2.47 1 Cor. 12.27 Eph. 1.22 23. men and women converts and professors being made visible members of the Church And all particular members making up one Body of which Christ is the Head and so Saints to and with whom we must exercise our Christian love and charity Quest 26. How then may a visible Church of Christ be described by this that you have held forth Answ I conceive a true visible Church of Christ to be a company or Act. 8.17 18 c. society of professours of the true Faith of Christ and holinesse of the Gospel 2 Cor. â—â— 13 and of their belief obedience and subjection thereunto united and joyned by Covenant and Covenant union unto one with Christ their Head and in Christ and with another both sealed in the Sacrament of Baptism rightly admitted and compleated according to the Scriptures by and in which they are admitted and received and approved as visible members of the Church and Body of Christ Quest 27. I like of this description if you make the matter of a visible Church to be visible Saints as you seem to intimate Rom. 1.7 Ans The matter of a visible Church certainly ought to be visible Saints if you mean Saints by profession of true Faith and true holinesse and such as desire and endeavour to walk not after the flesh Rom. 8.1 2. but after the spirit so as the Church can discern Quest 28. But what if any admitted prove offensive Ans If any declare themselves otherwise in their walkings or common course of life after their admission the Church and those in authority by Christ may and ought to cast them out upon due proofs and convictions in a due and right exercise of the Keys and power of Christ though not for every failing Matth. 18.17 1 Cor. 5. and not before other means used according to the custome and practise of the Churches of Christ Quest 29. But if this Discipline be wanting Ans For want of this although the Lord Christ hath not used in any Scripture example to un-Church a Church for any personal corruption of particular members or for the Churches neglect in this particular Revel 2.10 11 c. yet Christ hath reproved the particular Churches for this fault and that sharpely as the Scripture holdeth forth evidently unto us Quest 30. But
after the Lord 1 Sam. 7.1 2. Quest 9. What is the fifth help Answ Application of the Sacrament to my self as a seal of the covenant of grace 1 Cor. 10 16 17. Rom. 4.11 Gal. 2.20 Rom. 9.23 24. and of my confirmation in the faith and love of God to me as my God and Father reconciled to me in Christ untill I prize it as a rich treasure and part of the riches of Christs kingdome of grace for my preparing to glory Quest 10. What is the sixth and last help Answ Prayer to God with faith in the name of Christ zeal and constancy and humble waiting untill I can understand by the help of Christs Spirit Ios 16.23 Iam. 1.6 Iam. 5.16 1 Cor. 10 1 2 3 4. 1 Cor. 10 16 Cant. 5.8 Gâ—n 30.1 Esther 5.13 Luke 22.20 1 Cor. 11 25. the excellency of this ordinance and that glorious union and communion which a prepared humble faithfull soul enjoyes with Christ feeding on Christ spiâ—itually and feasting with him at the Lords Table and untill my soul be so far sick of love for Christ that I can truly say as Rachel did of children O my God give me the holy Sacrament and to feast with Christ in it or else I dye Or as Haman did of all his riches and honours and of Hesters banquet in another kinde what is all this so long as I enjoy not Christ and banquet not with Christ at the Supper of my Lord. Quest 11. You have declared how you conceive the grace of knowledge both of God and of our selves and of Christ and of the Sacrament may be enlivened waiting on Christ in these or the like helps now how do you conceive the grace of faith may be enlivened by the power of Christ so as you may come with greater comfort to the Lords Table What light from Christ to enlighten in this work of grace Answ First time and secondly place being observed as before Thirdly I conceive I may wait on Christ in a serious examination of my faith as it is held forth before in this catechisme First distinguishing this lively faith from all other kindes Secondly examining and trying my faith 1. In the nature of it an entertaining receiving applying faith 2. In the means disposing my heart to believe 3. In the heavenly author or efficient and instrumentall causes of faith the word of promise and spirit of Christ 2 Cor. 4.13 4. In the matter and object of faith 5. In the form and life of faith 6. In the effects and fruits of faith all proved and set forth already Fourthly I may enliven my faith by waiting upon Christ in self-application of all those rules of tryall to my own heart to see how the truth of this grace is in my soul Fifthly I may wait on Christ in a solid and devout meditation of the grace of saith in my heart of the promises of Free-grace in Christ and especially the sacramentall promises now to be looked upon in the Sacrament This is my body Mat. 26.26 27. this is my blood which is given which is shed for you untill my soul findes and feeleth that it believes more firmely receiveth and rests on Christ for salvation more fully Sixthly wait on Christ in prayer to God the Father in the name of Christ Isa 11.10 Isa 66.11 1 Cor. 10 21. That I may suck and be satisfied with the breasts of consolation and feed with joy at the Lords Table Quest 12. How or in what manner may you wait on Christ to quicken and renew your Evangelical Repentance or daily turning more and more from sin to God in minde will affection and conversation that you may with more comfort come to the Lords Supper What light is there from Christ to lead you to Christ in this grace and duty Ans First Time Secondly Place observed as before Thirdly I am to set my self as in Gods presence and examine Ier. 31.18 19. First My first conversion to God to finde evidence of the truth of that by considering 1. The meritorious cause Christ 2. The Nature 3. Author And 4. Means of working this grace in my soul as far as I can discern 5. The matter of it the whole man soul and body 6. The manner And 7. The end and effects of this conversion and repentance as in this Catechism is held forth or a I finde in other Catethisms or word from Christ Ezek. 36.31 Psal 51.10 Mat. 26.57 Secondly To examine the progresse and growth of it daily in my soule not only loathing but turning from sinne to God and lamenting my fâ—â—ling with sorrow if I have fallen as David Peter or other Saints of God and ungratefully forgotten the love of my Saviouâ— Fourthly meditating of my sinnes and vile ingratitude against so good a God to me in Christ Fifthly a right application all to my own soul in particular Psa 51.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Isa 2.1 2 3. Psal 122 1 2 3 4. Cant. 1.7 8. And lastly prayer to God in the name of Christ untill I finde an increase of power over my sinfull corruptions and a more ful assurance of my pardon new heart and spirit-restored joy which that it may better be communicated from Christ to my soule I long to meet Christ in his ordinances Quest 13. But what help and light from Christ have you to finde out not only your originall sin and sinfull nature in generall before your repentance and conversion to God but you daily actuall sals an A failings by which you do dishonour God grieve the Spirit of Christ and wound your own conscience and make your self more unfit to come to the holy Sacrament Answ I conceive I may wait on Christ and his Spirit looking for light from Christ into a threefold glasse or book which reveils sins to my soul by the power and light of Christs Spirit Quest 14. What is the first Answ The first is the book of the law or commanding part of Gods will or Word revealed by Christ held forth in the ten Commandements in particular Isa 8.21 and in the whole Scriptures of God in generall Quest 15. What is the second glasse Ioh. 3.17 18 19 20. Ioh. 16 8 9. Hebr. 2.2 3. Mat. 22.1 2 3 4 5 6. 9 10 11 12. Mat. 25.19 c. Answ Secondly the book ot the Gospel or gracious promising part of Gods Word against which I have sinned by unbelief too little regard of the tender of grace to improve my talent of faith other graces communicated to Saints and to my soul in and by Christ Iesus Quest 16. What is the third glasse or light from Christ to see this truth Answ The book of my own conscience enlightned which as Register recordeth my sins and will upon search by the help of Christs Spirit and light from Christ set my sins before my face with the circumstances Rom. 2.14 15. Rom. 9.1 2. Gen.
6.8 Ephes 4. â—0 Answ First by the power of Christ dwelling in my soul I may endeavour to stir up and be affected with a holy reverence godly sorrow and humblenesse of spirit in my heart quickned in or by a serious meditation or thinking 1. Of my great unthankfulnesse to God my Father in Christ for his Free grace and love to my soul in the Lord Iesus 1 Cor. 3.1 c. Heb. 5.12 who loved me and gave himselfe for me that I have grieved his Spirit by whom I am seal'd to the day of redemptioÌ„ 2. By meditation or thinking of my great unprofitablenesse in my former partaking of Christ in this and other sacred ordinances what small growth in knowledge faith love power over sin fruitfulnesse in good works and other graces 3. In meditating and thinking of my own weaknesse unworthiness and unfitnesse now to meet Christ Gen. 28. 26 17. Isa 6.5 6 7. 1 Cor. 11 28 29. Gal. 3.1 Luk. 2.19 Hest 5.2 Mark 5.27 c. my inability to examine my selfe or discerne the Lords body or by the eye of faith to see Christ crucified for me and meditate untill I be truly affected with a holy reverence and childe-like fear of offending my God in not comming rightly fitted for the Lords presence in this sacred Ordinance so that I durst not approach if I did not hope that in Christ the golden Scepter of grace shall be holden forth unto me for my comfort therefore presse to come to Christ for vertue from Christ to strengthen grace in my soul 4. In meditating and thinking of my former breach of covenant with my God and Father which I have renued time after time in this sacred Ordinance and too often broken againe for all which I should endeavour by the power of Christ and his Spirit to wait on Christ in meditation and prayer untill I finde my selfe affected with a holy godly sorrow and humblenesse of spirit for that I have in the least measure offended my God and loving Father in Jesus Christ so that as I may so I can confesse truly with the Centurion Lord I am not worthy thou shouldest come under the roofe of the house of my heart Gen. 32.24 c. Hos 12.4 Rom. 8.26 27. Iudg. 10.15 16. Mat. 15.27 28. speak but the word and thy servant shall be healed Matth. 8.8 Or with the poor Publican stand a far off as scarce daring to look up to heaven had I not Christ my Mediator and smiting my breast say as the repenting Publican God be mercifull to me a sinner Luke 18.13 Lord once again seal the assurance of my pardon in and by Christ to my own soul Quest 3. What is a second immediate preparatory grace or gracious affection or sanctified act or motion of the soul as a preparative for the quickning of which you should wait on Christ immediately before you draw near to the Lords Table Answ I may and ought to wait on Christ and look up to Christ untill I finde by the power of Christs Spirit in my soul in sense and feeling of my great need of Christ A holy hunger and spirituall thirst-desiring-desire and earnest longing after Christ and his soul-cherisbing vertue and spirituall nourishment which my soul wants First to seal my assurance of Christs unchangeable love to me And secondly to strengthen and nourish in me my life of grace and my love and obedience to my God and my Father in the Lord Iesus Christ Psal 63.1 c. Ps 107.9 Ier. 44.3 Ier. 31.3 Mal. 3.6 Iohn 13.1 Phil. 4.13 Rom. 16.26 Gal. 2.20 my Lord and my Redeemer who loved me and gave himself for mee and will enliven me according to the rich promises of Christ in the Gospel as Psal 42.1 2 c. Luk. 22.15 as Christ so a Christian to meet Christ Quest 4. What is a third immediate preparatory grace or gracious affection of the soule for the quickning of which you must and ought to look up unto and wait on Christ and endeavour to enliven and exercise immediately before you draw near to the Lords table are invited by Christs Ministers to partake of that bread and drink that Cap in the holy Sacrament of the Lords Supper what light from Christ to reveal him unto you Answ I may and ought by strength from Christ to meditate of Christs gracious invitation of me 1. As a poor humbled sinner to come in to him and finde rest and refreshing to my soul as Mat. 11.22 2. Inviting me as one of his believing sons or daughters to come to his feast and to partake of his Supper as Cantic 5.1 Isa 55.1 2 c. Luke 14.17.24 Rev. 19 9 Mat. 22.1 c. 2 Chro. 30.18 c. 3. To meditate of this invitation untill by the spirit of Christ my heart be affected with joyfulnesse that I may come and have liberty to come with joy and rejoycing to the Lords Table as to a most free and rich mariage feast in which I hope to have a sweet union and communion with Christ my Lord the heavenly husband of my soul Quest 5. What is the fourth preparatory grace or gracious affection resolution or act of the soul to be renewed quickned and enlivened immediately before you are coming to the Lords Table Answ As the Lord is pleased in this holy Sacrament to seal and confirme his Covenant of free grace in Christ and of the communion and union of Christ with me and my soul so first by the power from Christ when I draw near to this blessed Sacrament I do not only resolve by the grace of God to renew out actually by his grace I do renew my Covenant vows protestations to with the Lord my God 2. And as the Lord doth take avouch and acknowledge me to be one of his people in Christ so I doe avouch witnesse and vow that the Lord is and shall be my God and Father in Christ Iesus by the same power and grace of Christ 3. And that I do and will renounce all my former sins and failings and all sinfull union and communion with those spirituall enemies Deut. 26.27 the World the Flesh and the Devill 4. And freely and fully offer up and render my self wholeman soul and body to do and suffer the will of God in every condition and state of life untill I be dissolved and be with Christ Psal 50.4 c. to live with him in glory and to do the will of God for ever Gather my Saints to me who have renewed a covenant with me as in the Sacrament Quest 6. Is there nothing further necessary that a poor soul may be assured he or she may with comfort meet Christ and feast with him at his Table Answ Yes the resolution of a great question by the light and strength of Christs Spirit to look into the glasse of Gods Word and of my own heart and soul comparing them together to see and examine and know 1. What
14.22 23. the bodily ears must hear the bodily hand must receive and the bodily mouth must eat and feed on the outward Elements of Bread and Wine in the Sacrament And secondly the acts or operations of the soul or of the inward man The spiritual eye of the soul must see the ear of faith must hear the hand of faith must receive and apply Christ the mouth of faith must feed on Christ So you see there are two sorts of eyes the eys of the body the eys of the soul And two sorts of ears the ears of the body and the ears of the soul And two sorts of hands the hands of the body and the hands of the soul And two sorts of mouthes the mouth of the body and the mouth of the soul Rom. 10.6 c. Iohn 6.54 c. And so all the objects and Sacramental acts or actions at the Lords Table So by faith we spiritually feed on Christ Quest 3. Are there not two sorts of objects about which these bodily and spiritual senses are to be exercised Ans Yes there are first outward visible objects of Bread and Wine with all the audible and visible acts and operations of Christs Ministers Mat. 26.26 c. and Christs people in the several Sacramental actions and branches of the Lords Supper Secondly Inward invisible and heavenly acts of Christ and graces from Christ in the institution of this Sacrament and participation thereof presented and communicated to faithful receivers at the Lords Table and each of these corporal and spiritual answering one another in every particular object branch or Sacramental action in this sacred Ordinance in and about which the acts and operations of the soul and body and inward man are to be chiefly exercised in time of this solemn feast with the Lord Jesus Quest 4. What are these acts and operations of the soul and body thus to be exercised at the Lords Table Ans There are chiefly these three First diligent Observation of every Sacramental action and object of the soul or body The second Divine Meditation of every of them Thirdly spiritual and faithful Application of all to my own soul for my joy and comfort in this holy Ordinance Quest 5. What or how many are the Sacramental actions or objects of senses corporal or spiritual in which these senses and operations of the soul and body are to be exercised and these acts of the soul to be busied at the Lords Table Ans There are divers but chiefly these ten which follow First a Sacramental preparation of Bread and Wine on the Lords Table Secondly a Sacramental invitation to draw near to the Lords Table with eyes of body or soul when we are come rightly prepared Thirdly Sacramental Consecration first of the Bread to be received and after of the Wine to be drunk at the Lords Table Fourthly Sacramental Representation of Christs Death and Passion by breaking of the Bread and powring out of the Wine upon the Lords Table to shew the Lords death till he come Fifthly Sacramental Commemoration and doing this in memory of Christ with a thankful remembrance of Christs Death for my sins and for my salvation Sixthly Sacramental Congratulations or Christs welcom to his guests at his Table Take eat Take drink Seventhly Sacramental Foederation or Covenant-promises held forth by Christ when he took the Bread and said This is my Body and took the Cup and said This Cup is the New Testament in my Blood shed for many for remission of sins Eigthly Sacramental Participation by the mouth of the body of the outward Elements and by the mouth of faith feeding on Christ himself and his benefits to my soul Ninthly Sacramental Vnion and Communion with Christ and all his merits and benefits with my head and with the Saints as my fellow-members of the same mystical body of Christ with whom I do partake and have communion at the Lords Table Tenthly Sacramental Obsignation or sealing and communication of this spiritual union and communion with Christ and of all graces from Christ to my believing-Covenanting-soul renewing my general and particular Vows and Protestations to God in Christ as Christ reneweth and re-confirms his Covenant of grace and love to my soul in this Sacrament at the Lords Table Matthew 22.1 2 3 4. and 26.26 c. 1 Cor. 11.25 26. and 10.16 17. Quest 6 What is the first Sacramental action word or object of your bodily or spiritual sences about which the acts and operations of the soul or body are to be exercised when you are to draw near to the Lords Table Ans Sacramental invitation when the voyce of the Minister of Christ having expressed 1. The inestimable benefits communicated to the Saints in this Sacrament 2. The Author 3. The Institution 4. The ends 5. The use of it to Believers 6. The profit of it 7. The great preparation required And 8. The danger of coming unprepared 9. The solemn Admonition and Dehortation to all ignorant scandalous and prophane persons that they stand back and presume not to approach the Lords Table least they eat judgement to themselves and drink their own damnation as 1 Cor. 11.19 And 10. Invitation calling and embracing and emboldening me with all Saints truly prepared to draw neer and partake of that blessed feast which according to the institution example and command of Christ is there prepared for me and them at the Lords Table as Matthew 22.4 Quest 7. What must you do when you hear this voyce of the Minister of Christ sounding to the ears of your body and inviting you to draw near to the Lords Table Ans I should be careful by the power of Christ to wait on Christ in these three acts noted before 1. Rightly to observe and consider what is spoken by the Minister of Christ in this invitation 2. To meditate and think by the power of Christs spirit what this invitation is and what a joyful thing it is to be invited to the Table of the Lord Jesu 3. To labour by the same power of Christs spirit Psa 104.34 to apply this invitation to my own soul as to one believing and longing for refreshing from Christ to the joy and comfort of my soul and the reviving of my spirit in Christ Jesus Quest 8. How must you exercise the ear of your faith Ans In attention as if I heard the voyce of Christ from heaven Cant. 5.1 calling me spiritually to feast with him at his Table Quest 9. What is the second object or Sacramental action or object which answereth your corporal sence of Seeing in the Celebration of this holy Sacrament Ans The Sacramental preparation of the outward Elements of Bread and Wine which I see set upon the Table or made ready to be consecrated Mark 14.22 23. and set apart for that holy Ordnance when I am come to the Lords Table Quest 10. What is that spiritual sense and spiritual object which answereth the spiritual sense of
world to come Quest 9. What it the seventh Sacramental act or object held forth as from Christ by his Ministers on which your corporal and spiritual sences acts and operations of soul and body are to be exercised by the power of Christ Ans Sacramental Foederation or Covenant-promises held forth by Christ to his Disciples the night before his Passion 1 Cor. 11.23 c. when he did Institute this Sacrament and held forth now to my soul in this Sacrament of the Lords Supper Quest 10. Wherein doth this Sacramental Foederation or Covenant consist Ans In those promising words of Christ to his Disciples the same night he was betrayed First when he took bread and brake it and said This is my Body which is given for you as is recorded Luke 22.22 or which is broken for you as blessed Paul expressed 1 Cor. 11.24 that is this Bread which I thus take in my hand and give to you is my Sacramental body by which another thing is meant for this Bread thus broken and given signifieth and sealeth and communicateth to you and assureth you of this my natural body which is now with you which you now see with your bodily eyes as well as you do this Bread which I break and give unto you Matthew 26.26 27. Quest 11. Wherein further doth this promise appear Ans And secondly in that it is as much as if the Lord had said further as verily as I do now give you this Bread broken as my Sacramental Body so verily I do now promise to give you this my natural body to be crucified and broken with torments for you and for many and this my promise and Covenant I do seal to you in giving you this Sacramental body of mine this Bread so blessed and broken yea behold the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the Table this night will Judas betray me with a kisse and the servants of the High-Priest shall take me and shall lead me to be accused and condemned and crucified not for any sins of my own but for your sins Ioh. 10.15 I say and not for yours only but for all my sheep for whom I do willingly lay down my life and do by this Sacramental Covenant and Promises engage my self to lay down my life for yours and their salvation and I do appoint this Sacrament that you may never forget my love thus witnessed by my death and thus held forth and sealed to you And this is my promise which you shall see performed after few dayes read Matthew 26 and 27 Chapters and Luke 22 and 23 Chapters 1 Cor. 11.23 24. Quest 12. But doth not the words of Christ in blessing and giving of the Wine hold forth the same Sacramental promise Ans Yes verily for at the same time he took the cup and gave thanks and gave to them saying Drink ye all of this and then he giveth them the same promises as a reason why they should drink of that cup for saith he This is my blood of the New Testament which is sealed for you and for many for remission of sins as Mat. 26.27 21. and in Luke 22.22 compared may appear this is my blood of the New Testament or of the New Covenant the Covenant of Grace to your souls not that the Bread broken is my natural body which shall be crucified for you or that the Wine in the cup which I now give unto you is my natural blood which shall be shed for you But these are my Sacramental body blood signifying and sealing this promise for as verily as I do now give you this cup this Wine to drink which I call my blood of the New Covenant because it is a seal and pledge and earnest of my blood which I do now this night promise shall be shed for you within few dayes and as sure as I now give you my Disciples this Wine to drink so verily do I now give you my blood to be shed for you Mat. 26.27 28. and for many for remission of sins and this my promise shall be speedily verified and fulfilled For that as if Christ had said this night when as anon we shall go out to the Mount of Olives according to our trust 1. Some of you shall see that my Agony and bitter Passion will begin Ioh. 1.19 when in sense of the heavy burden of sins which the Lord my Father hath laid upon me and which as a Lamb of God I take away even the sins of the world and which I have most willingly undertaken to bear for you and for all my people whom I will save from all their sins Mat. 1.21 the burden of which are so great that I shall desire if it were my Fathers will this cup of wrath so bitter might passe from me 2. You shall see my Agony will be so vehement and grievous that I shall sweat even great drops of blood 3. And you shall see it more when being crowned with thorns and crucified with Nails in my hands and feet and my side pierced with a spear my blood my hearts blood shall flow in abundance for your sakes This I promise Isa 53. Mat. 26.27 Luk. 22.23 Mat. 1.21 1 Cor. 11.24 c. and this you shall see performed even with your own eyes and that within three dayes this I conceive humbly to hold forth plainly the Sacramental promises of Christ in this Sacrament as by comparing the Prophets and Evangelists and the Apostle Paul you may finde evident Quest 13. This indeed may hold forth that promise that Christ made at his last Supper and the institution of this Sacrament before his Passion and which he did promise and fulfil when he died for us But how can the same words be a Sacramental pnomise to you who desire to come to the Lords Table Ans Yea verily the same promise of Christ continueth in force in respect of the vertue truth power and efficacy of it to my believing soul and to all Believers to the end of the world Quest 14. How can this appear and upon what grounds Heb. 13.8 Ans First Christ Jesus is the same yesterday for the benefit of his Church yesterday and to day 1 Cor. 10.2 3. and for ever And as the Patriarks before Christ did all eat of the same spiritual meat drink the same spiritual drink and drunk of the spiritual Rock that followed them and that Rock was Christ believing the promises they fed on Christ the Messiah then to come by vertue of the promise Secondly As the Apostles in the first Institution and participation of the Sacrament did by faith feed on Christs body 1 Cor. 12.24 c. which was then promised to be given to be crucified for them and drink of his blood which was then promised to be shed for them and of which they were assured by that word of Christs promise even so likewise I now being a believing humbled hungry soul do now by
and fellow-heirs with you and with Christ of Eternal glory Ans I may follow the former direction and wait on Christ First in observation of this union and communion that is between Christ and my soul in this Sacrament as in part is set forth before this Catechism and so observe and consider what an union there is between the ouward signs of Bread and Wine and the inward thing signified and sealed the body and blood of Christ namely a mutual union and relation and this according to the nature of the signs and the thing signified is spiritual and invisible now it cannot be seen with bodily eyes and so there is a spiritual and secret union and yet a speedy present union and as there is a secret spiritual union and relation between the bread and wine and the body and blood of Christ represented to my soul to the eye of faith in me and conveyed to the hand and mouth of faith in me So there is a spiritual and speedy present union between the body and the blood of Christ and my believing soul and a speedy and present communion and union of vertue and spiritual refreshment unto my soul partaking by faith of this refreshing for as the word is no sooner spoken and is united to the outward ear but the thing signified thereby is present and united to the understanding and ear of my minde so it is here and so I do observe a divine and spiritual union and communion betwixt Christ and my soul Mat. 28.20 Rev. 2.1.17 for my more full refreshing at this sweet spiritual and reviving banquet hidden Manna of grace in this holy Ordinance Quest 22. What is a second act or operation of your soul to be exercised for your more full comfort in this sweet and spiritual union and communion with Christ at the Lords Supper Ans Divine meditation when I think and seriously ruminate and meditate again and again How I do exercise two kinde of eyes and two kinde of hands and two kinde of mouthes in this Sacrament and how and in what manner Christ is present as with the signs by relation and representation so with me by present enjoyment how as soon as by the eye of my body I behold the consecrated Elements of bread and wine and these are present to the eye of my body so speedily do I see the body of Christ crucified and the blood of Christ shed for my sins with the eyes of faith and they are present to the eyes of my soul and so I have a union and communion with them immediatly Secondly 1 Cor. 10.16 so speedily as I do with the hands of my body take the bread and the wine prepared and presented upon the Table for me to take but presently with faith the hand of my soul I do apprehend and take the body and blood of Christ presented to be taken and received spiritually and by faith at the Lords Table Thirdly I may meditate That so speedily as with the mouth of my body I do eat and feed on the bread 1 Kin. 19.7 8. Psal 63.1 c. and drink the wine in the Sacrament at the same instant with the mouth of faith or my believing soul I do feed on Christs body and blood and the vertue and merits of Christ are present with me and I have a sweet communion with them and in these or like meditations my soul is fatted with heavenly Manna as with marrow and fatnesse nourishing me in the wildernesse of this world to the Canaan of heaven Quest 23. What is the third principal thing to be exercised concerning this union and communion with Christ and his soul-reviving comforts and benefits in this Sacrament Wherein hath light of Christ appeared unto you for duty in this Iohn 6.56 Gal. 2.20 Ans Spiritual and faithful application of Christ and his benefits to my soul that now as verily as the bread and wine which I have eaten and drunken in this feast are mine and the vertue of them is united to me and I to it so verily the body and blood of Christ is mine and the vertue and benefits of Christs body and blood is become mine and I am united to Christ and Christ to me to my joy everlasting so that I may say with confidence and rejoycing Christ loved me and gave himself for me Quest 24. What is the tenth principal Sacramental act or action which is or may be the object of your corporal or spiritual senses or operations of soul or hody in the right observation meditation and application of which you may wait on Christ the Lord Prince with more full rejoycing in or after your meeting of Christ at the Table of the Lord Ans Sacramental obsignation or sealing in communication of this spiritual union and communion with Christ and enjoyment of Christ and all the benefits of his Death Passion Resurrection Ascention and Intercession yea of his Priestly Prophetical and Kingly Office and of the assurance of all these benefits of Election Redemption Vocation Justification Sanctification Freedom from the condemning and commanding power of sin from Death and Hell with all graces needful in this life and immortal glory when this Mortal life is ended all which are sealed and grounds of assurance of all communicated to Saints in this seal and Sacrament of the Covenant of grace the Lords Supper as Rom. 4.1 Quest 25. In what acts or operations of your soul may you wait on Christ for improvement of this Sacramental obsignation and sealing of this union and communion with Christ and the Saints of God and the assurance of all graces and benefits of Christ to his Church and children in this holy Ordinance Ans In those three before mentioned First In a serious consideration of this sealing by the word of promise and work of Christs spirit and Sacrament or this seal of confirmation of my faith and of all Gods promises of this sealing Ordinance the Sacrament of this body and blood of Christ and of Christs Death held forth unto me in the Lords Supper that as verily as I do partake of the outward Elements of bread and wine so verily the Lord Christ hath and doth communicate unto me the vertue and merits of his body and blood and all the benefits he hath procured to and for the benefits of his Church and children and for my soul in particular Gal. 2.20 for I know he loved me and give himself for me as he did for blessed Paul Quâ—st 26. What is a second operation or act of the soul enlightned and sanctified by the spirit of Christ in and by which you may wait on Christ for improvement of this obsignation or sealing of the Covenant of Grace and all those fruits and benefits Christ doth assure his Church and his Children in his Sacrament Ans Divine meditation by the help and power of Christs spirit to think meditate and ruminate or as it were chew the cud again and again in
meditation of this great and inestimable love of God in Christ and most free love of Christ to my soul God the Father not onely loving me to give Christ his Son for me and the Lord Christ so loving me as to give himself for me and to give the Gospel of grace to manifest this his invaluable love but also to give the Sacraments and this Sacrament of the Lords Supper in particular to seal this wonderful surpassing love of God in Christ to my soul manifested in his death and passion for me and God the holy Ghost to witnesse this to me and in this meditation to be perswaded and assured by the strength of Christs spirit that I have a most sure right title and interest to Christ to his Death Passion Resurrection and Ascention and Intercession and to all the fruits and benefits of all these to my soul and that all these are most surely and firmly sealed and confirmed to me in this Sacrament to the glorious strengthning of my faith and rejoycing of my soul in Christ Iesus having loved me and given himself for me Gal. 2.20 Quest 27. What is the third act orr operation of the soul in which by the power of Christs spirit you may improve this Sacramental obsignation to your self to your joy and comfort Ans A spiritual and faithful application First of this blessed Sacrament as appointed and instituted by Christ as a seal to confirm my faith and an application of Christ and his glorious benefits sealed and assured to my soul and sealed to all Saints who have a holy union and communion with me in this Sacrament and a communion in and with Christ held forth and communicated in this Ordinance Reason For the bread broken is the communion of the body of Christ and the cup which is blessed is the communion of the blood of Christ 1 Cor. 10.16 17. and we that are many are one bread and one body for we are all partaker of that one bread and so I have both union and communion with Christ and with the Saints both sealed to me in this Sacrament Simile For as a Princes Broad or commonseal annexed to an Evidence confirmeth or sealeth up to the party to whom the Deed or Evidence is made the truth of all those Promises and Covenants which are contained in that Deed or Evidence or Letters or Patents So this Sacrament of the body and blood of Christ being as it were great Broad Seal of the Prince of Heaven and Earth Christ Iesus it sealeth to my soul all the promises and covenants in that great Charter the Covenant of Grace for my confirmation and establishment in Christ and Christs righteousnesse received by faith As circumcision of old Simile and Baptism in the time since Christs Ascention seals my entrance into Christ and clothing upon with Christ and his righteousnesse and ingrafting into Christ for nourishing vertue to life eternal So that I may still conclude with the Apostle certainly Christ loved me and gave himself for me Romans 4.11 Isaiah 61.10 Galathians 3.27 1 Peter 1.4 5. Galathians 2.20 The twenty ninth Classis or company of Questions 1 Question YOu have made profession of your faith and knowledge of all those present acting concomitant graces and gracious acts and operations of your soul which are to be exercised at the Lords Table in every Sacramental act and object of your senses corporal and spiritual to your refreshing and strengthning in the Lord Jesus by vertue from Christ the heavenly husband of your soul Now what light from Christ have you for those subsequent graces or gracious following acts or operations of soul or body in the inner man which are to be exercised and acted by you after the partaking of Christ in this holy Ordinance that a Christian may walk comfortably with Christ in the whole course of his or her life And what light have you received from Christ to lead you to Christ in this respect Ans There are two kindes of graces or gracious acts some to be put in practise presently and immediatly before we depart from the Ordinance and some after in the whole course of our lives and callings general and special Quest 2. What are those to be acted and put in execution in and upon the act of receiving before you depart from this holy Sacrament in which you may wait on Christ for a sweet and full assurance of Christs love unto you and of all those rich and invaluable benefits which the Lord Christ doth communicate and seal to your soul at the Lords Table Ans The first is a spiritual repletion Sacramental satisfaction glorious rest and full contentment in this rich Banquet at the Lords Table not in the action alone as resting in the thing done but having now fully fed on Christ Psal 63.1 c. and being satisfed with Christs sweetnesse as with marrow and fatnesse Quest 3. How are your affections now bent towards Christ Ans I desire now heavenly dainties and resolve by the power of Christ to feed no more at the Table of Devils upon the prodigals husks of sinful profits and pleasures Hos 14.8 Luke 15.16 221 30. 1 Cor 10. Ier. 50.4 5. Psa 65.4 but to keep my Covenant with my God in Christ for ever and to meet Christ upon all opportunities in his Ordinances that I may feed on Christ often at his Table of grace till I come to feast with him at his Table of glory Quest 4. In what manner or how may you wait on Christ in those three acts of your soul and inward man viz. 1. Serious observation 2. Divine meditation And 3. Faithful application for improvement of this rest satisfaction and spiritual content in this heavenly refreshing by Christ at the Lords Table What light from Christ for this duty 1 Pet. 2.3 Ans First for observation I may mark diligently divers particulars First what refreshings I finde in the ordinance Ioh. 13. Secondly what sign of Christ and his love to my soul in dying for my sins Thirdly how my affections are wrought upon with grief and godly sorrow in my soul 1. That my sins have crucified Christ 2. That I have been so unthankful and so often forgetful of this inestimable love to me Fourthly how I am cheered up with a joyful assurance that yet God accepteth me in Christ and that the pardon of my sins is now sealed to my soul in this Sacrament Quest 5. What assurance is gained from these Ans That Christ will make me strong in time to come 1. To resist all sin in thought word nnd deed And 2. More able to honour God in all estates and conditions 3. And more enlivened to delight in Christs presence of grace then ever before Cant. 5. Quest 6. What further grace way be observed Ans That in Christ I am more hungry after the Word of God 4. More longing to feast wit Christ in this Sacrament Acts 14.22 Luk.
Sacrament Ans First I am to joyn with the Minister of Christ 2 Cor. 2.14 Col. 1.12 13. and the congregation of Saints in solemn thanksgiving unto God the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost for the inestimable gift of the Lord Iesus Christ for his taking our humane Nature upon him that he might be a fit Mediator betwixt God and my soul to reconcile me to God for his Passion Death Resurrection Ascention and Intercession and all his rich merits and benefits of my Redemption Vocation Iustification Sanctification and Glorification so gloriously set forth and sealed and so graciously communicated in this Sacrament to my soul and to all Saints with me at the Lords Table Secondly Humbly and faithfully to joyn in Petition for assurance that all failings and infirmities in my performances are pardoned in Christ my pardon sealed my person whole service accepted with the sweet merits and incense of Christs righteousness upon the golden Altar with a continual influence of power and vertue from Christ that all the congregation of Saints may keep covenant with the Lord and declare our thankfulnesse by our fruitfulnesse in all good works as becometh the people of God who have received so great ahd assuring plesges of the love of God to us in Christ and of our eternal salvation in and by the Lord Iesus Quest 21. What is the fourth and last thing to be acted or joyned in with the Congregation Ans Divers particulars 1. After the example of Christ to glorifie God in a holy Hymn or Psalm if it be thought fit praising the Lord for his goodnesse to his Church in Christ Iesus and to his congregation present in his Ordinance And secondly waiting for the blessing giving in and with which the congregation is dismissed according to the practise of Christ the Apostles and Churches of Christ as of old to leave the people of God with a blessing as Numb 6.22 c. 2 Sam. 6.17,18 1 Kings 8.55 c. Luke 22.50 51. And the blessing which the Apostle gave when they took leave of the Church in several Epistles as Rom 16.24 c. 2 Corinthians 3.15 And thirdly I should return home with rejoycing as the Eunuch did after he was baptized or the two Disciples who met with Christ as they went to Emmaus and take notice my self and tell others how my heart burned within me and how my souls was affected 1. With grief for my sins And 2. With joy in my Saviour while I heard Christ talking with me 1. Outwardly by the voyce of his Minister 2. Inwardly by the voyce of his spirit at his Table and how it was declared out of the Scriptures that Christ ought to suffer that his most bitter Passion and cursed Death for my sins and to rise again for my Iustification and so to enter into his glory And 3. How Christ was known to me in the breaking of the Bread in the powring out of the Wine and in Christs giving and my receiving of those soul-reviving and soul-cherishing refreshing which I enjoyed at his Table And 4. And lastly by the strength of Christ and this refreshing from Christ I am resolved with the assistance of the spirit of God the Father and God the Son and of God the holy Ghost daily to keep in memory that feast of the Lord with that sweet welcom I had at the Lords Table and in this or the like manner to bespeak my soul every morning O my soul thou hast this night received a sweet refreshing from the Lord for thy body praised be the Name of thy God and Father in Christ who is the keeper of Israel who never slumbreth not sleepeth who hath kept thee from the dangers of this night past and brought thee to the light of this day who hath awakened thee out of sleep and given thee a kinde of Resurrection from the dead Quest 22. How may I stir my soul to this Ans In this or the like manner Now O my soul be thou awakened and break thy fast with Christ and call to minde the sweet refreshing the Lord did give thee the last Sacrament at his Table and in what thou didst see and hear 1. His invitation to draw near and partake of the feast that he hath prepared 2. Didst thou not see Bread and Wine set upon the Table and with the eye of faith didst thou not behold Christ himself prepared for thy spiritual refreshing 3. Didst thou not hear the Minister of Christ consecrate those Elements to that holy use and with the ear of faith hear how God the Father had consecrated and sealed his beloved Son Iesus for thy Redemption 4. Didst thou not see the Bread broken and Wine powred out and by the eye of faith see Christs body broken with torments and his blood shed to the death for thy sins to Redeem thee from Hell and death eternal 5. Didst thou not hear Christ bidding thee welcom Take eat this is my body Drink this is my blood which is shed for thee and for many for remission of sins Mat. 26.26 27 c. 6. Didst thou not observe and believe those Sacramental promises assuring that Christ loved thee and gave himself for thee and as verily as Christs Minister having blessed and broken the Sacramental Bread and blessed and powred out the Sacramental Wine did present and give them unto thee to eat and to drink so verily hath Christ given and did Christ present and give and reach out himself for a spiritual and heavenly refreshing to thee to nourish thee to life eternal according the the Govenant of Grace 7. O my soul didst thou not take and eat the Bread and take and drink the Wine and so spiritually feed on the body and blood of Christ that in strenght thereof thou mightest walk thy great journey of this life not as Elijah fourty dayes and fourty nights to Horeb the Mount of God but to Heaven Gods Kingdom of glory 8. O my soul didst thou not actually renew thy Covenant with the Lord as God in giâ—ing and thou in actual receiving and partaking of these seals and pledges of his love consider thy self what hast thou now to do any more with sin and Satan with the World the Flesh or the Devil with any sin of omission or commission that may grieve the spirit of life Remember thy Covenant thy Promises thy Vow thy Protestations to thy God and be conscientious by the power of Christ to keep them all the dayes of thy life 9. O my soul was there not a soul-satisfying feast set before thee at that time never to let thee to return to the feast of sin again 10. And was it not the command of Christ to celebrate that Sacrament in remembrance of him Acts 8.39 Luk. 14.13 Phil. 4.11 c. 2 Tim. 4.7,8 and what he hath done for thee O then remember that holy feast every morning when thou awakest every evening when thou goest to bed Thus thou maist feed daily on
Christ by faith O my soul and rightly endeavour to declare thy thankfulnes to God in Christ again and shew forth my thankfulness to my Lord Jesus in daily remembring of him until he translate thee to eternal glory Quest 23. What are the subsequent graces to be acted and duties to be exercised and practised in manifestation of your thankfulnesse to your God in Christ all the dayes of your life And what light from Christ have you received for direction herein Gal. 2. 20. 2 Cor. 5. 14 .. Mat. 22.37 .. Gal. 5. 13 14. Eph. 4.1 c. Ans There is one root-grace flowing into my soul from Christ and Christs wonderful love to me Christ loving me and giving himself for me And this is the grace of love that love of Christ with a holy gracious power as a precious Loadstone doth draw my soul to my God in Christ and sweetly constrain me to love Christ again who loved me first moving me powerfully to live henceforth not to my self but to him that dyed for me and role again and the fruits of this love are to be made evident by the power of Christ dwelling in me 1. Towards God the Father in Christ 2. Towards my self in true charity 3. Towards my Neighbour in love and unity all the dayes of my life all comprehended in one Grace Love And all this as fulfilling the Law of Christ Gal. 6.1 2. Iohn 13.34 25. and 15. 12 c. and because I finde God hath loved me first in the Lord Iesus John 4.19 Quest 24. What is the fruit that spring from this root Grace of your Christian Walking the free love of God to you in Christ assured by the spirit and faith and the reflex of that love as the eccho of love in your souls answering love again Ans The manifestation of my thankfulnesse or thankful remembrance of Christ of Christ Ioh. 4.9 c. love held forth to me in this Sacrament by a conltant and continued acting and exerciting of that grace of love wrought in me by the power of Christs spirit in my soul 1. Towards God my Father Iohn 20.17 2. Towards my self as to a childe of God in Christ Luke 10.17 3. Towards my Neighbour and especially towards the Houshold of saith the Church and Saints of the most High God and my fellow-members in Christ Iesus Gal. 6.10 Quest 25. Wherein ought you to declare your thankfulnesse and exercise your love towards God and your Neighbour in Christ Ans In yielding obedience to the will of God as my Father in Christ Iohn 5.39 6.68 First in believing whatsoever truth the Lord my God holdeth forth to be believed in the Scriptures Secondly Iohn 14.21 in doing or suffering whatsoever is by the will and pleasure of God my Father to be done or suffered by me according to his will Thirdly in praying to or praising God all the dayes of my life Quest 26. What light from Christ or what directory or rule is there of your faith or of tbose truths in which you are to declare in thankfulnesse your love and duty to God your Father by believing Ans The holy Scripture or whole Word of God recorded in Gods Book Ioh. 5.32 2 Pet. 1.19 20. Gen. 3.15 22. Isa 53. Ioh. 3.16 the holy Bible is my light but that which is especially for my comfort is the promises of the Gospel or Covenant of grace held forth unto me in the Old and New Testament by the Lord himself or by men of God as they were inspired by the holy Ghost Quest 27. What brief or sum is there to be believed of that which is taught at large as the Doctrine of faith in the holy Scriptures Ans Those twelve Articles in that symbole of faith or brief sum commonly called the Apostles Creed explained further in those other ancient Creeds received in the Church of Christ and known by the Names of Nicene Creed and Athanasius Creed Quest 28. Which call you the Apostles Creed Ans That which begins thus I believe in God the Father Almighty maker of Heaven and Earth And in Iesus Christ his onely Son our Lord c. as is expressed at large in my lesser Catechism Quest 29. Which call you the Nicene Creed Ans That Creed which beginneth as followeth I believe in one God the Father Almighty maker of Heaven and Earth and of all shings visible and invisible and in one Lord Iesus Christ the onely begotten Son of God begotten of his Father before all Worlds God of God Light of Light very God of very God begotten not made c. Quest 30. Which call you Athanasius Creed Ans That Creed which begins and follows thus Whosoever will be saved before all things it is necessary that he hold the Catholike Faith Which Faith except every one do keep whole and undâ—filed without doubt he shall perish everlastingly And the Catholike Faith is this That we worship one God in Trinity and Trinity in Vnity Neither confounding the Persons nor dividing the Substance For there is one Person of the Father another of the Son and another of the Holy Ghost But the Godhead of the Father of the Son and of the Holy Ghost is one The glory equal the Majesty co-eternal c. as is also Printed at large in my lesser Catechism Quest 31. But are these Creeds the ground or rule of Faith 2 Pet. 1.19 2. Iohn 5.39 Ans The holy Scripture is the most proper ground of Faith and most perfect rule for judging all Controversies But these Creeds as they are grounded on the Scriptures and holy Wod of God are and may be an objâ—ct and directory of our faith and so they have been and are yet received in the Church of Christ and are very profitable for our help and furtherance in the knowledge and remembrance of the Doctrine of Faith Iohn 5.39 Romans 15.4 2 Timothy 3.15 16 17. 2 Peter 2.19 20. The thirtieth Classis or company of Questions 1 Question VVHat directory or rule is there of your thankfulnesse and declaration thereof in doing or suffering the will of God as your God and loving Father in Iesus Christ What light from Christ for instruction in our Christian walking with God all our life long Deut. 4.1 c 6.1 c. Psa 119.105 Isa 8.20 Matthew 5 6 7 c. Ans The will and command of God my God and Father held forth to his Church and to me in the Decalogue or ten Commandments and the Explication and meaning of them by Moses and the Prophets in the Old Testament and by Christ and his Apostles in the New Testament as is evident by many places of Scripture in the Book of God Quest 2. What light is there from Christ Or what is that directory or rule of the Decalogue or ten Commandments held forth as a light to older our obedience and thankfulnesse is unto God as to our Father who hath brought us out of the
not onely the tongue and the hand or our works and actions which humane Laws take notice of Acts 24.14 15 16. but it bindes our very souls and consciences thoughts intentions and motions of the heart to do good and not to think or act evil for God is a spirit Iohn 4.24 Ier. 17.10 and they that Worship him must Worship him in spirit and in truth and he is a searcher of the heart and a tryer of the reins Quest 10. I am glad to hear your knowledge of these Rules in general Now I pray you what order or method should or may I use to know and finde out the particular or special sins forbidden and duties required in every Commandment And first in the first Commandment I am the Lord thy God which brought thee out of the Land of Aegypt out of the house of Bondage thou shalt have no other Gods but me Ans All this is not the first Commandment for properly the first words I am the Lord thy God which brought thee out of the Land of Aegypt out of the house of Bondage are rather a Preface or entrance into the Commandment then a command it self Quest 11. But wherefore doth God set a Preface or Portal or Entrance before his ten Commandments Ans To gard them from contempt and to strike men with an awful reverence of God the Law-giver when they begin to hear Exo 19. or hear or think of Gods Commandments as the people were at Mount Sinai Quest 12. What doth the Lord hold forth by way of Preface to work this consideration in the hearts of his people Ans Three things especially First setting forth Majesty by his great Name Iehovah challenging to himself Lordship and Dominioâ— over all whereby he may compel and hath just right to require and command obedience I am the Lord. Secondly Exo. 19.56 Deut. 10.14 e. 2 Cor. 5.19 he puts them in minde of his being in Covenant with them by a Covenant of Grace and special favour as his chosen people in Christ I am the Lord thy God which must needs be in Christ in whom God had reconciled them to himself Thirdly he puts them in minde of the great benefit he had bestowed upon them The benefit of Redemption from Aegyptian Bondage by which they might minde their Redemption promised in Christ and in both be stirred up to be sensible of Christ and declare their thankfulnesse by willing and sincere obedience to God Law Qâ—est 13. You have given good reason of the Preface Now what is the first Commandment Ans It followeth in the next words Thou shalt have no other Gods but me Quest 14. How then may you finde out your particular sins or duties Ans Although this is a Negative precept and therefore I might 1. Consider the general sin forbidden And 2. The general duty required in this Commandment as contrary to the sin forbidden And 3. Observe the particular duty required and the particular sins forbidden in this first Commandment and might observe the like method in the rest Yet I shall first hold forth the general duty required Quest 15. What is the general Duty required in this first Commandment Isa 43.3 Exo 20.23 Deut. 26.17 GeÌ„ 17.1 Psa 16.8 Act. 2.25 Ans I am commanded to have Jehovah the Lord for my God and for my God alone to chuse and set the Lord alwayes before me as my God Quest 16. What is the general sin forbidden in this prohibition Deu. 4.34 Exo. 34.14 Isa 44.8 1 Cor. 8.4 5. Phil. 3.10 Ans To make to our selves set up or have any other God or Gods or any creature thing or likenesse of thing to be God or in stead of God unto us Quest 17. What are the particular duties reqoired and sins forbidden in this first Commandment Ans There are many particular duties required and sins forbidden in other places of Scripture expresly and here required or forbidden in the general I will name but these few the rest you may observe as you read the holy Scriptures and refer them to this Commandment As I have spoken first of the general duty required and after of the sin forbidden So I conceive in the particulars it is best to begin first with the duties required and so with the Affirmative part that we may first see that holy Nature and Righteousnesse we had by creation and lost by the fall And Secondly the sin forbidden that we may see the sinfulnesse of our Nature and miserable condition since the fall And thirdly I shall oppose particular sins against particular duties as light is opposite to darknesse And Fourthly set down in brief the blessing promised to the obedient and curse threatned to the rebellious that we may more clearly see our extreme need of Christ both as a Justifier and Sanctifier without whom there is no salvation and who is made of God unto his people wisdom righteousnesse 1 Cor. 1.30 Mat. 1.21 sanctification and Redemption Quest 18. Tell me then what is the first particular duty you conceive fit to be observed in this first of Gods Commandments Deu. 7.9 Ans That as it is a duty to have the Lord the true God for my God so it is my duty Rom. 10.13 14. Acts 17.23 2 Kings 26.27 1. To know this God that is my God that I may know how to do him acceptable service in Jesus Christ for how can I worship rightly an unknown God 2. To acknowledge this God to be my God and to be honoured of me and all men whatsoever Quest 19. I conceive you answer right that knowledge of God is a particular duty required in the general duty of having the Lord our God But is there any places of Scripture of which the Lord doth expresly command to know him what he is or what a one he is or hath declared himself to be Deut. 4.39 7.9 Ier. 24.7 Hos 6.6 2 Chron. 28.9 Ps 9.10 Col. 1.10 Ar. f There are divers places of Scripture which hold forth this duty you may search and consult with these noted in the Margin and refer them and the like places to this duty as Explications of this Commandment Quest 20. What is the sin forbidden contrary to this duty of knowing God Hos 4.1.6 Ier. 9 6.24 â— 25 Ans Ignorance of God or not knowing God this is a sin contrary to the duty of knowledge and contrary to this Commandment as is evident in divers Scriptures wherein God disalloweth of ignorance as a sin Quest 21. What second sin is forbidden Ans Atheism to live without God Eph. 2.12 or to deny him in our hearts words or actions as in Atheism Quest 22. What is the blessing of those who know God aright Ans It is life eternal with which those are blessed who know God to be the onely true God Ioh. 17.3 and whom he hath sent Iesus Christ Quest 23. What is the curse or misery threatned to those who
Ordinances that thou mayst be more and more enlightned by Christs presence power and grace And shall not a poor soul fall in love with this true light of the Lord Iesus O be it far from thee my soul to hate this light Iohn 3.19 20. as those who love it not because their deeds are evil Light is comfortable to sinners and so is Christ to a live pure-seeing soul who by a lively faith can look on Christ though the eye of Faith be never so weak sighted Christs light is a healing light which fills the soul wich life in the end enabling a poor Saint to follow this light of grace until it brings the soul to life ana light eternal And thus by light from Christ we may see the use of the second Commandment and the many errors of wandring false light leading to false worship and the true light of Christ direcing to serve God in spirit and in truth O my soul let this lighc of Christ be a light to thy feet Psa 119.105 and lanthern to thy paths in all Ordinances of Word Sacraments Prayer and life to life everlasting And my soul Christ ac Scripturarum lucifuga lament those Christ and Scripture-light-flyers who cannot away with the light of Christ and of the Scriptures but love darknesse rather then lights because their deeds are evil Iohn 3.19 20. The light of Christ in this or other Commandments might teach them how to finde not their many sins against God against his true spiritual worship against the honour of his Name his Sabbath his Sacrament the seals of the Covenant of Grace which so many multitudes in the world do prophane by coming blindly unto them never examining whether they have any light or authority from Christ to come to that sacred Banquet or whether they be drawn by the light of custom or formality only 2 Tim. 3.5 to do as their Neighbours do and their fore-fathers have done never considering whether their desire after the Sacrament be a holy hunger after Christ spiritually Iohn 6.56 57. to eat the flesh of Christ and drink his blood that Christ may dwell in them and they in Christ that they may live by Christ the life of grace here and glory hereafter They never look to this light of Christ 1 Cor. 11.28 29. whether they have light of knowledge and be able to examine themselves or whether they walk in darknesse and are ignorant and blinde not able to discern the Lords body and so eat and drink unworthily are guilty of the body and blood of Christ and eat and drink their own Judgement or Damnation 1 Cor. 11.28 c. if the Lord deal in judgement with them They never examine by any true and impartial light from Christ whether they be prophane and scandalous in their lives common swearers c. To conclude they never question their own souls whether they have found by any light from Christ that they have the life of grace spiritual eyes to see and hands to receive and mouth to feed on Christ that they may finde refreshing indeed at the Lords Table and spiritual feet and affections of their souls to walk with Christ in their lives But O my soul do thou with the Saints of God most high daily look after this true light of Christ that thou lose not Christs presence but travel with Christ and in his light held forth in this Commandment and all other commanding parts of Gods word by faith in all the promises of Grace through the wildernesse of this word to the Canaan of Heaven Quest 40. You have given the use of the Commandement in generally but now what doe you conceive of the Reason of the Commandement which followeth in particular in the next words For I the Lord thy God am a jealous God visiting the iniquity of the Fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth Generation of them that hate we and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my Commandements Answ I conceive the Lord holdeth forth in this Reason principally two things First Ex. 34.6 7 Deut. 6.13 14 15 Deut. 7.4 Deut. 29.19 20 21 Ezekel 18 13 14 15 16 17. Canticles 8.6 a threatening of severe punishment to wicked Idolaters and all others who corrupt the service of God to them and to their posterity if they go on to hate the Lord and continue in their Fathers sins and to terrifie men the more from this sinne The Lord declares himselfe to be a jealous God and one that will not hold the wicked innocent Quest 41. What is the second that the Lord holds forth to perswade to obedience and what light from Christ herein Ans Eccl. 8.13 Isaias 3.11 Jer. 32.18 A gratious promise of his owne free mercy and goodnesse though man can merit nothing but when hee hath done be can he may and must say he is an unprofitable servant Luk. 17.10 yet the Lord of his own free love wil manifest his goodnesse to them that low him and keepe his Commandements Gen. 17.7 Prov. 20.7 Psal 112.1 2. and to their Posterity to thousands of Generations so abundant is the Lord in his goodnesse to his children in Christ Jesus Quest 42. What should the meditation of this threatning and promise by Christ spirit worke in the hearts of men what light from Christ to direct in this duty Answ First sinners should take notice of their misery Ezek. 18.21 22 23. and as they tender their owne happinesse or the happinesse of their poore children waite in the meanes of Grace on Christ till Christ convert them 2 Tim 2.25 26. Ezek. 18.14 Num. 16.31 32. Gen. 9.25 and direct them to repentance that they and their children after them repenting may enjoy sweet freedome from Gods Terrible Visitation which is sure to fall upon the wicked and impenitent and their children Secondly for Saints to instruct them to waite on Christ for power to glorifie God Gen. 18.19 Joshua 24.11 and to teach their children also to serve him in a right manner in Spirit and Truth Deut. 3.29 knowing this that in and for Christ it shall goe well with them and with their children for ever The third Section of the thirteth Classis The third Commandment Quest 1. YOu have now unfolded the second Commandement J pray you which is the third Ans Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vaine for the Lord will not hold him guiltlesse that taketh his name in vaine Quest 2. What is considerable in this command Ans Theve are two things considerable First the prohibition Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vaine Secondly the reason For the Lord wil not hold him guiltlesse that taketh his name in vaine Quest 3. What do you understand is meant by the Name of God Ans Whatsoever the Lord hath manifested himself to be known by Deut. 12.5 as men are