are quickned to pray more feruently Zach. 8. 20 21 22. doe testifie our faith hope thankfulnes professe our selues to be the seruants of Christ and stirre vp others by our example Psal 95. 6. and 96. 1 2 7 8. And it is much to our comfort that what we aske is approoued and sought with common consent publique seruice beeing of more worth then priuate as a societie exceedeth the worthines of one man Psa 29. 9. and 87. 2. and 35. 18. and 111. 1. 46. Priuate prayer is that which is performed in a familie or by one alone Zach. 12. 12 13 14. In the familie praier is necessarie God by his commaundement binding parents and masters to see it performed Iosh 24. 15. Gen. 18 18. the faithful haue followed the Lords dirâ—ction herein Iob. 1. 5. hereby the affaires of the whole family are sanctified 1. Chro. 16. 43. Psal 127. 1. 1. Tim. 4. 5. and God will power downe a blessing vpon that family that ioyntly seeketh his fauour by hearty supplication Act. 1. 14. 15. and 12. 5. 6. Alone we must pray Gen. 24. 63. and 32. 9. 10. Luk. 11. 1. Matth. 6. 6. that we may be more fit to ioyne with others to our edification and haue comfort when we are alone Psal 30. 10. 11. 12. Also we haue priuate sins to confesse wants to bewaile crosses vnder which we should be humbled Psal 6. 2. 3. 6. 7. Matth. 14. 31. and fauours for which we should be thankefull Lam. 3. 23. Psa 71. 23 24. and 66. 19. 20. Q. What other meanes hath the Lord appointed to increase faith A. The due x Gen. 17. 9 10 11. Rom. 4. 11. administration and receiuing of the 1 Sacraments Expos 1. This word Sacrament did in auncient times signifie an oath wherby souldiers both bound themselues to be true to their captaine and the generall in like manner did bind himselfe to the souldiers but now it is vsed to signifie the seales of the couenant whereby the Lord doth bind himself in Christ Iesus to be mercifull to vs and we bind our selues to be true vnto Christ The Sacraments are speciall meanes to confirme faith because Christ is after a speciall manner represented and offered vnto all and effectually bestowed vpon euery worthy communicant Q. Who ought to administer the Sacraments A. Onely they that y Heb. 5. 4. are 2 lawfully called thereunto by the Church Expos 2. Such are lawfully called to administer the Sacraments who being furnished with the gifts of knowledge and holines are set apart for that office by the Church Deut. 33. 10. Mal. 2. 7. Mat. 5. 14 15 16. 1. Tim. 3. 2. 4 5 6 7. Tit. 1. 7 8 9. Matth. 24. 45. Rom. 1. 1. Tit. 1. 5. Q. What is a Sacrament A. A seale 3 of y Rom. 4. 11. the couenant 4 of grace Expos 3. Sacraments are appointed not onely to helpe the vnderstanding and the memory but also to perswade and assure the heart that Christ is ours 4. That couenant is sealed in the Sacrament which God of his meere grace and fauour made with vs in Iesus Christ being miserable sinners Gen. 17. 7. 9. 10. 11. c. Q. In what words is this couenant expressed in Scripture A. I will be 5 thy z Ier. 31. 33. God and thou shalt be my people Expos 5. In this couenant God doth promise to be our Sauiour King and Father to pardon our sinne sanctifie our nature bestowe all good things vpon vs and protect vs from euill Gen. 17. 1. 2. Leu. 26. 11. 12. 2. Cor. 6. 16 17 18. Heb. 8. 10. 11. 12. we promise to choose God to be our God trust on him loue and feare him and walke in obedience before him Ex. 15. 2. and 19. 18. and 24. 3. 7. Q. What are the parts of a Sacrament A. Two an 6 outward visible signe sanctified 7 to represent and seale another thing to the minde and heart and an inward 8 grace which is the thing signified Expos 6. Of a signe there must needes be two parts the vnderstanding thereby conceiuing one thing and the sense another Gen. 9. 11 12 13 14 15 16 17. Esa 38. 7 8. therefore of a Sacrament there must needes be two parts one inward another outward 7. A siigne sanctified is that which is appointed by the Lord himselfe to sigfie Exod. 40. 11. 13. and not by man vpon any conceited analogy or proportion 8. The inward grace is the free and spirituall gift which God bestoweth vpon the soule Gen. 17. 7. Matth. 26. 28. Q. Who is the Author of the Sacraments A. The Lord a Esa 7. 14. and 38. 7. onely 9 who made the couenant Expos 9. God is the onely Law-giuer of his Church Iam. 4. 12. Matth. 23. 8. 10. Act. 3. 22. to teach it by word and signe And as to forgiue sinnes and receiue vnto grace is proper to the Lord alone Mic. 7. 18. Hos 14. 1 2. so it is his peculiar to institute a signe and seale for the confirmation thereof Q. How many Sacraments be there A. In 10 the Newe Testament onely two b Io. 1. 26. Baptisme and the Lords c Luk. 22. 19. 20. supper Expos 10. In the old Testament the Iewes had many Sacraments some ordinary Gen. 17. 9. 11. 12. c. Exod. 12. 1. 2. 3. c. some extraordinarie 1. Cor. 10. 1. 2. 3. 4. but the Newe Testament hath onely two For there be no moe Sacraments of the newe Testament then Christ did institute and receiue before his death because it was necessarie that he should receiue both to sanctifie them in his owne person and to seale that communion which is betweene him and vs. The nature of a Sacrament agreeth not to the fiue forged Sacraments of the Papists either they are not proper to Church or are not instituted of God or consist not of an outward visible signe and an inward grace the couenant of grace is sealed in any of them These Sacraments of the Newe Testament are perpetuall and neuer to be abrogated Heb. 8. 13. Q. What is Baptisme A. A 12 Sacrament e Matt. 28. 19. Act. 8. 38. of our ingrafting into Christ communion with him and entrance into the Church Expos 12. The seed of Abraham Gal. 3. 7. or children of Christian Parents are within the couenant are Christians and members of the Church 1. Cor. 7. 14. Rom. 11. 16. Baptisme therfore doth not make them Christian soules but doth solemnly signifie and seale their ingrafting into Christ and that communion which the members of Christ haue with him their Head and doth confirme that they are acknowledged members of the Church and entred into it 1. Pet. 3. 21. Q. What is the outward signe A. Water f Act. 10. 47. wherewith the party baptized is g Matth. 3. 6. 11. 13. 16. Act. 16. 15. washed by dipping or sprinkling h Matth. 28. 19. into the 12 name of the Father Son and holy Ghost Expos
exactly agreeing with it selfe and with the whole Io. 5. 46. This may sufficiently appeare by comparing the prophesies of the old Testament touching Christ the calling of the Gentiles and reiection of the Iewes with the accomplishment of them declared in the Newe Gen. 3. 15. and 12. 4. and 49. 10. Numb 14. 17. Dan. 9. 25. Matth. 1. 18. Luk. 1. 55. and 24. 27. 44. Act. 26. 22. Deut. 32. 21. Mal. 1. 10. 11. Psal 2. 8. and 110. 2. Act. 11. 18. Psal 118. 22. 23. Matth. 21. 42. Such exact consent as here is to be found is impossible to be fained of men or Angels as the things foretold were remooued from their knowledge and finding out vntill they were reuealed These considerations giue strength to this argument 1. The length of time in which this writing continued viz. from Moses vntil Iohn which preuented all conceits of forgery since they were not written in one nor yet in many ages 2. The multitude of bookes that were written and of writers who were imployed in that seruice 3. The distance of place in which they were written which did hinder that the writers could not conferre together Ier. 2. 1. 2. and 36. 5. Ezeck 1. 1. 4. The silence of the aduersaries who in all that long space mentioned whiles the Scripture was in writing could neuer detect any thing in those bookes as false or erroneous whose silence is of great weight in this case because they were eie witnesses of those things which our Sauiour taught did and suffered according as it was prophesied of him so that they knowe the prophesies sauâ— the accomplishment of them and were acquainted with that which the Apostles had written If the Prophets or Apostles who wrote the same histories doe seeme to dissent in any circumstances this doth nothing derogate from their authority for in themselues they differ not the fault is our ignorance and apprehension by a right and iust interpretation they may easily be reconciled and the dissonancy which seemes to be amongst them in small things doth free them from all suspition of fraud and their sweet consent in all matters of importance doth conuince that they wrote by the guidance of the same Spirit If they had all written one thing they might seeme superfluous if each a new history there could appeare no steps of consent when they relate the same story with the same circumstances they haue their vse one sometimes speaking more plainely then the other and when they agree in matter but seeme to dissent in circumstance the truth is the more confirmed an argument of fuller credit may be drawne out of that dissent for as the Heathen man obserueth too exact diligence is neither approoued of al neither doth it want suspition To this sweete agreement of holy Scripture with it selfe it might be further added that it agreeth with all other truth whatsoeuer there is nothing true in diuinity which is false in Philosophie nothing in Phylosophie is repugnant to the truth in divinity but it may be ouerthrowne by the principles of right and true Phylosophie 15. The matter intreated of in holy Scripture is diuine and wonderfull It explicats vnto vs thâ— nature properties and high acts of God purely and holily It describs the person of Christ so fitly excellently and conueniently that if the mind of man consider it attentiuely of necessity it must acknowledge that it doth exceed the reach of a finite vnderstanding It discouers vnto vs the misery and corruption of man by nature incomprehensible loue of God in Iesus Christ towards man that happy reconciliation if we may so speake of his iustice and mercy by his infinite wisedom ordaining Iesus Christ to be our Mediator and it vnfolds the couenant of grace which God made with man after his fall all which can be drawn from no fountain but diuine reuelation 1. Cor. 2. 7. 8. Eph. 3. 4. 5. Col. 1. 26. The Scripture also containes the lawe of God which teacheth the dutie of man and that is wise and iust the Gentiles themselues being iudges Deu. 4. 5. 6. 7. In the precepts diuerse notes of diuinity may be obserued as 1. The surpassing excellencie of the act requiring that we should denie our selues and lead our liues according to the appointment of the Lord. Matth. 16. 24. 25. Rom. 8. 12. 13. 2. The wonderful equity that doth appeare in euery commaundement 3. The admirable strangenes of some acts which a naturall man would count foolishnes yet prescribed as necessary Io. 3. 36. and 8. 24. 4. The manner how obedience is required viz. that it proceed from a pure heart a good conscience and faith vnfained Deut. 6. 5. 1. Cor. 13. 2. 1. Tim. 1. 5. 5. And the perfection of the law commaunding and allowing all good but forbidding and condemning all sinne and wickednes of what kind soeuer Take a briefe veiwe of the ten commaundements are they not plaine pure briefe perfect iust extending to all binding the conscience and reaching to the very thoughts and doe not all these things commend vnto vs the iustice wisedome holines omnipotencie omniscience perfection and absolute soueraignty of the lawgiuer The promises and threatnings annexed to the law will suffer vs to acknowledge none other author of them but the Lord alone for none can make them but he he only can giue eternall life and inflict eternall condemnation Moreouer these are so set together with the commandements as they can mooue none but only the conscience of him who doth acknowledge the Commandements to be diuine 16. The ende of the Scripture is diuine viz. the glorie of God and the saluation of man not temporall but eternall The doctrines precepts prohibitions and narrations are all referred to the setting forth of Gods praise which shewes that they are from aboue Ioh. 7. 18. and 5. 41. and 8. 50. 54. Gal. 1. 10. And to speake truth what is more equal then that all things should returne thither whence thâ—y had their beginning This word also doth point out vnto man what true blessednes is and how he may be reconciled vnto God beeing lost by sinne which is a firme demonstration to prooue vnto vs the diuinitie thereof for what is more agreeable to the wisedom bountie mercy grace power of God then to restore man fallen and to make him partakers of eternall happinesse and who can shewe vnto man how hee may be admitted into Gods fauour hauing offended or direct lead him forward in the path of life but the Lord alone These arguments are of great force whether they bee seuerally or ioyntly considered and doe as strongly prooue that the Christian Religion is only true as any other reason can that there was is or ought to be any true religion 17. This testimonie of Scripture it selfe is most cleare certaine infallible publique and of it selfe worthy credit it beeing the testimonie of the Lord himselfe who is in all things to be beleeued But the external light of arguments and
the worke of our redemption he performed many diuine workes Heb. 2. 14. Ioh. 10. 18. as Mediatour hee is the King and Head of his Church Luk. 1. 33. Ioh. 3. 35. Act. 2. 36. Phil. 2. 9 10 11. Matth. 28. 18. Heb. 1. 6. and 2. 7. and the speciall offices of Christ our Mediatour doe necessarily require that the diuine and humane nature ioyntly doe concurre in the execution of them Ioh. 1. 18. Matth. 11. 27. Ioh. 3. 12 13. 2. Cor. 5. 18 19 20. Rom. 5. 10 11. Heb. 9. 14. 7. 25. This office is peculiar to Christ Ioh. 14. 6. 1. Tim. 2. 5 6. Heb. 7. 24. and neither in whole nor part can be transferred to any other Act. 4. 10 11 12. Heb. 4. 14. Ioh. 11. 42. 1. Ioh. 2. 1. Heb. 7. 25. Eph. 3. 12. Heb. 2. 14 15. Act. 10. 42 43. and 17. 31. In the decree of God Christ was a Mediatour from eternitie Eph. 1. 5 6. In the vertue and efficacie of his mediation he was giuen to be Mediator assoone as necessitie required Reu. 13. 8. Gen. 3. 15. In the fulnesse of time hee was manifested in the flesh Gal. 4. 4. 5. Q. How did he that A. By his w Matth. 3. 15. fulfilling 10 the law and by his 11 x Heb. 9. 15. Rom. 5. 12 13. sufferings Expos 10. It became him who was our faithfull high Priest to fulfil all righteousnesse 11. The iustice of God must be satisfied and the debt of sinne must be paied before God who is true iust and vnchangeable could be pleased with vs 1. Ioh. 2. 2. Heb. 9. 14 15. 1. Pet. 1. 18 19. Reu. 1. 5. Q. What vnderstand you by his sufferings A. His voluntary y Phil. 2. 5. 6 7 8. humiliation both in z Esa 53. 10. Matth. 26. 38. Heb. 9. 14. 12 soule and body his a Luk. 23. 33. crucifying b 1. Cor. 15. 3 4. 13 death buriall and c Act. 2. 27. abiding 13 vnder the dominion of death for a time Expos 12. Christ in his incarnation did assume our whole nature Luk. 2. 40. 52. Heb. 2. 6. Luk. 23. 46. 1. Tim. 2. 5. Luk. 19. 10. Matth. 26. 38. Mark 14. 34. Mat. 27. 16. Ioh. 19. 30. Heb. 10. 5. Matth. 26. 12. Heb. 2. 17. that by offering it vp a sacrifice for sinne hee might redeeme vs Heb. 8. 1 2 3. Heb. 9. 14. and 13. 10 11 12. In our nature he became our suretie Iob 19. 25. Heb. 7. 22. therefore he suffered properly in soule as well as in bodie Matth. 27. 46. Gal. 3. 13. Heb. 2. 9. 10. 14. which is set forth in the Lords Supper 1. Cor. 11. 25. and was signified by the sacrifices in the lawe Hebr. 9. 19 20 21. 22. 13. The death of Christ was the separation of his soule and bodie Matth. 27. 50. Luk. 23. 46. though they both continued still vnited to the Godhead Mat. 1. 23. Ioh. 1. 14. 1. Pet. 3. 18. 1. Cor. 2. 8. It was necessary that Christ should die that he might satisfie Gods iustice Heb. 9. 22. abolish and kill sinne Mat. 26. 28. Rom. 5. 10. Rom. 8. 3. Rom. 6. 10 11. 1. Ioh. 3. 8. destroy death and him that had the power of death that is the deuill Heb. 2. 14. 2. Tim. 1. 10. Ioh. 12. 31. Hos 13. 14. deliuer vs from the feare of both Heb. 2. 14. Luk. 1. 74. confirme the Testament or couenant of grace which hee made with vs Heb. 9. 16 17. and 13. 20. Zach. 9. 11. and obtaine for vs the spirit of grace Act. 2. 33. Gal. 3. 14. and 4. 4 5. Betwixt the death sufferings of Christ and of the Martyrs wee may obserue these differences 1. Christ his passion was an accursed punishment Gal. 3. 13. the sufferings of the Martyrs and holy men are onely chastisements or trials 2. Christs passion was a meritorious sacrifice Heb. 9. 14. the passions of the Martyrs are of no value to merit any thing Rom. 8. 18. 3. As the sinnes of the elect were laid vpon Christ Leu. 16. 21. Esa 53. 11. Heb. 9. 28. so was the punishment of their sinne for substance and kinde though not for circumstance of place or continuance Heb. 4. 15. and therefore he suffered both in soule bodie the wrath of God which was due vnto vs for sinne though he suffered not euery particular punishment of sinne which euerie particular sinner meeteth withall Rom 5. 19. Heb. 10. 14. But the Martyrs were not forsaken though they were not deliuered out of the hands of the persecutors 4. Christ was in himselfe pure and innocent but hee suffered for our sinnes 2. Cor. 5. 21. the Martyrs were not free from sinne neither did they suffer for the expiation of sinne 14. Vntill the third day death had power and dominion ouer Christ for so long death kept a sunder soule and bodie Luk. 24. 7. Matth. 17. 23. Act. 10. 40. Q. Did Christ alwayes abide vnder the power and dominion of death A. No for the power of death being y Act. 2. 31. subdued the third z 1. Cor. 15. 4. day hee 14 rose againe a Mark 16. 19. ascended into heauen and sitteth 15 at the right hand of the Father Expos 14. The resurrection of Christ is the first degree of his exaltation wherin his soule beeing ioyned to the same flesh that died he was raised vp to life 1. Cor. 15. 4. It was necessary that he should rise againe in regard of the excellency of his person Act. 2. 24. the couenant which he had made with the Father Psa 2. 6 7. Es 53. 10. the dignity of his high office of eternall mediation Psal 110. 6 7. Rom. 4. 25. and that the truth of those things which were foretold concerning the glory of the Messias might be fulfilled Christ by his diuine power rose againe from the dead Rom. 1. 4. 1. Pet. 3. 18. 1. Tim. 3. 16. Io. 5. 21. and 10. 17 18. Act. 2. 24. and 3. 15. Eph. 1. 17. 20. Rom. 8. 11. not as a priuate but as a publique person Rom. 5. 14. 19. 1. Cor. 15. 45. Heb. 10. 14. 1. Pet. 2. 20 21. thereby shewing that his satisfaction is fully absolute Rom 4. 25. and 6. 9 10. The ende of his resurrection was that he might prepare himselfe to the performance of the glorious functions of a Mediator and shew himselfe to be the conquerour of death and the Lord of quicke and dead Rom. 14. 9. Act. 17. 31. 15. To sit at the right hand is a manner of speech borrowed from earthly Princes who vse to set at their right hand such as they substitute to rule vnder them in their names 1. King 2. 19. And hereby is clearely noted that excellent glory power and dominion of Christ receiued of the Father whereby he doth execute his Kingly Priestly and Propheticall office in glorie Matth. 28. 18. Io. 17. 2. Phi. 2. 9 10. Psa 110. 1. Q. What are the speciall
Heb. 7. 1 2. Aaron and his successors were but Ministers but Christ is the author of saluation Heb. 5. 9. all which doe shewe the absolutenesse perfection and excellencie of Christ his Priesthood Q. What are the functions of his Priestly office A. Offering 19 vp g Heb. 5. 1. and 9. 26. and 7. 25. himselfe a sacrifice once for all and 20 making request for vs Expos 19. Christ thorough the eternal Spirit Heb. 9. 14. offered vp his soule and body as a sweete smelling sacrifice to the Father Eph. 5. 2. once for all Heb. 10. 12. whereby he was consecrated and did enter into heauen presenting himselfe before the Father for vs Heb. 9. 24. and 10. 20. 20. Christâ— intercession is his most gracious will feruently and vnmooueably desiring that all his members for the perpetuall vertue of his sacrifice may be accepted of the Father Rom. 8. 34. This is both vniuersall and particular heauenly and glorious euer effectuall no way reciprocall and tendered onely for the vertue of his sacrifice Q. Why was Christ a 20 King A. To 21 bridle h Psal 110. 1. Col. 2. 14. 1. Cor. 15. 28. 1. Ioh. 10. 16. Hag. 2. 7. and subdue all his enemies but i to 22 gather and k Ezek. 34. 23 24. gouerne 23 his elect and chosen Expos 20. The Kingly office of Christ is his spirituall eternall and absolute dominion Luk. 17. 20. Ioh. 18. 36. Dan. 2. 44. and 7. 14. Heb. 1. 8. Reu. 3. 7. whereby beeing appointed of the Father Psal 2. 6 7. and 45. 7. Psal 110. 2. Matth. 11. 27. Act. 2. 33. Lord of all things in heauen and earth Heb. 2. 7 8. and peculiarly King and Head of his Church Eph. 1. 21 22. he doth confound and destroy all his enemies but doth gather and goueâ—n his elect Hos 1. 7. Esa 33. 22. by his word and spirit for their saluation and the glorie of God Esa 32. 15. and 59. 21. 1. Thess 1. 5. 21. The enemies of Christ are Sathan and all his angels with all their workes to wit sinne and death Gen. 3. 15. Eph. 2. 2. 2. Cor. 4. 4. 2. Cor. 6. 15. to which we must adde all wicked men who bee the instruments of Sathan Ioh. 8. 44. 1. Ioh. 3. 8. amongst whom the Antichrist of Rome is cheife 2. Thess 2. 3. These enemies Christ hath alreadie ouercome in his owne person Eph. 4. 8. Col. 2. 14. Io. 12. 31. he doth daily bridle and represse by his wisedome power word and spirit Luk. 10. 18 19. Luk. 2. 34. Reu. 12. 5. and 2. 27. 2. Cor. 10. 4 5. and he will perfectly subdue at the day of iudgement 1. Cor. 15. 25. adiudging the deuill and all his partakers to eternall condemnation Mat. 25. 46. and vtterly abolishing sinne and death 1. Cor. 15. 26. Further is to be noted that Christ as Mediatour in the execution of his Kingly office doth outwardly call some wicked and vngodly men Mat. 22. 1. 14. and 20. 16. prescribe a law how they ought to walke Iam. 4. 12. bestowe many good things vpon them both spirituall and temporall though not such as accompanie saluation Heb. 6. 4 5. Mat. 13. 19 20 21. Luk. 8. 13 14. Iob 22. 18. and inflict diuerse punishments vpon them in this life and the life to come for their sinne and disobedience Matth. 13. 12. and 25. 28. Es 6. 10. 2. Thess 2. 10 11. Luk. 16. 23. 22. Christ doth not onely by his word call his elect to faith repentance and the participation of the couenant of grace Mark 1. 14 15. Matth. 11. 28. but he doth also effectually mooue them by his Spirit to repent and beleeue Ps 110. 3. 2. Thes 2. 13 14. Eph. 3. 16 17. 23. The functions of Christs Kingly office appertaining to the gouernement of his elect are 1. The prescription of lawes according to which his subiects ought to beleeue and liue which stands not onely in appointing the faithfull by the ministerie of his word to liue godly iustly and soberly but also in writing his lawe in their hearts by his holy Spirit and inabling them by the same Spirit to doe in some measure what hee requireth Tit. 2. 11 12. Ier. 31. 33. Ezeck 36. 27. Ioh. 1. 16. 2. The communication and bestowing of all good things vpon them appertaining to this or a better life so farre as he knowes it needfull or profitable vnder which we are to comprehend the remoouing of things hurtfull and the defending of his subiects against them Psa 68. 18. Iam. 1. 16 17. Ps 23. 1 2 3. 1. Cor. 12. 8 9 10 11. Eph. 1. 7. Act. 26. 18. Matth. 9. 6. Gal. 4. 4 5. Rom. 8. 15 16. 2. Cor. 12. 9. Phil. 4. 13. Luk. 22. 32. Ioh. 17. 11 12. 22. 23. 1. Ioh. 4. 4. Gen. 9. 26. 27. Psal 81. 13 14. Act. 4. 16. and 5. 13. Psal 34. 9 10. Tit. 1. 15. Rom. 14. 14 15. Esa 27. 7. Ier. 46. 28. 3. The receiuing of his elect vnto himselfe and the giuing of eternall life vnto them hauing pronounced sentence on their side Matth. 25. 46. Q. What benefits doe wee receiue by the death and resurrection of Christ A. We are redeemed from the 24 guilt l Col. 1. 14. punishment 25 and power m Luk. 2. 74. Tit. 2. 14. 1. Cor. 15. 13. of sinne shall be raised vp at the last day Expos 24. Christ hath paid our debts and answered whatsoeuer the lawe did require at our hands 1. Pet. 2. 21. 24. and laid downe his life according to the wil of his Father Ioh. 10. 15. so that the law hath nothing against vs Col. 2. 14. Christs death must needs bee acceptable Eph. 5. 2. and consequently wee are not bound ouer to punishment 25. Punishment is inflicted because of sinne Iob. 4. 8. Prou. 22. 8. and 28. 18. Hos 10. 13. and 14. 1. beeing freed from sinne we are not liable to iudgement 1. Sam. 12. 13. Ier. 4. 14. Ezeck 18. 32. It stands not with the iustice of God beeing once fully satisfied to require a second paiment at our hands Gen. 18. 25. Matth. 3. 17. neither will it stand with his glorious mercy the honour of Christ who is a perfect Redeemer Tit. 2. 14. the price of his blood 1. Cor. 6. 21. nor with our faith in praying for full pardon of all our debts Matth. 6. 12. or our peace with God Rom. 5. 1. nor yet with right reason that the guilt of sinne should be remooued and yet punishment for sinne inflicted Q. How are we redeemed from the guilt and punishment of sinne A. God the Father accepting the death of Christ as a full n Rom. 3. 24 25. Col. 1. 14. ransome and satisfaction to his iustice doth freely discharge and acquite vs from all our sinnes Q. How are we redeemed from the power and tyrannie of sinne A. Christ by 26 his o Rom. 6. 3. 4. death killeth sin in vs and by his 27 resurrection doth
quicken vs to newnesse of life Expos 26. Christ by his death did conquer sinne and the old man in vs is truely said to be crucified dead and buried in and with the body of Christ we beeing ingrafted into the similitude of his death Col. 2. 12. 20. 27. Hauing communion with Christ in his life we are raised vp to a spirituall life Rom. 8. 11. and haue our conuersation in heauen Phil. 3. 20. But this life is onely begun here and groweth by degrees beeing perfected in heauen Q What are the benefits of Christs ascention A. The leading p Eph. 4. 8. 11. of captiuitie captiue the giuing of gifts vnto men the powring q Act. 2. 16 17. his spirit vpon his people and preparing r Ioh. 14. 3. a place for them Q. What are the benefits of his intercession A. The persons of the faithfull do alwaies remaine iust and their works Å¿ 1. Pet. 2. 5. Gen. 4. 4. Exod. 28. 38. acceptable in the sight of God hereby also they are defended against the accusations of all their enemies Q. How wil the knowledge of these things worke in the heart of him whom God will saue A. It brings him to a serious t Ier. 8. 6 7. Luk 15. 17. consideration of his owne estate to u Act. 2. 37. grieue for sinne and the feare of Gods displeasure whereby w Act. 9 6. the heart is 28 broken and humbled Expos 28. The heart is broken and humbled when it is cast downe with the sight of sinne Psa 51. 17. bruised with the weight of Gods wrath and melted away for feare Psal 119. 120. 2. Kin. 22. 19. knowing that God hath aduantage against him and that he is worthy to be condemned Q. What else will this knowledge worke A. It will bring x Luk. 15. 18. a man 2â— to confesse his sinne highly to y Matth. 13. 44. prize Christ and hunger 30 after z Esa 55. 1. Ioh. 7. 37. him vntill he obtaine his desire Expos 29. He will acknowledge his sinnes to God as particularly as he can 1. Tim. 1. 13. and with sighes and grones for pardon and forgiuenes Rom. 8. 26. 30. Hunger after Christ must be feruent as a thirstie man longeth for drinke and continuall neuer giuing ouer till the desire be obtained With this desire there is alwaies ioyned an high prizing of Christ and an aduised willingnes to for goe all things for Christs sake Phi. 1. 22. 23. with 3. 7 8. Q. How are we made partakers of Christ with all his benefits A. By 1 faith a Io. 3. 16. and 1. 12. Act. 13. 39. alone Expos 1. By faith alone we are ingrafted into Christ Rom. 11. 20. receiue him Io. 6. 56. haue communion with him Reu. 3. 20. and so are made partakers of all his benefits Io. 3. 36. also faith is the condition of the couenant of grace Act. 16. 31. Io. 3. 18. Mar. 16. 19. Io. 9. 30. Rom. 4. 3. 5. Q. What is faith A. A 2 resisting b Psal 2. 12. Act. 16. 31. vpon Christ alone for saluation Expos 2. Bare assenting to the truth of Gods promises vpon the credit of the reuealer is not true and iustifying faith Matth. 21. 32. Io. 2. 23. Luk. 24. 25. Luk. 8. 13. but when the poore soule doth cast it selfe vpon the free promise of God made in Iesus Christ for pardon of sin it doth truely beleeue Act. 9. 42. Io. 14. 1. Io. 5. 24. with Rom. 4. 5. Es 28. 16. with Rom. 9. 33. Act. 18. 8. with Rom. 10. 10 11. This faith is certaine Mat. 16. 18. though mixed with many doubtings Luk. 1. 18. and 17. 5. Mar. 9. 24. and continuall Luk. 22. 31. 32. though often shaken Luk. 24. 21. A full perswasion seemes rather an effect of a strong faith Rom. 4. 21. then the nature of true faith Ioy is a fruite of faith 1. Pet. 1. 8. Act. 8. 6 7 8. Rom. 5. 4. but not an inseparable companion thereof a man may haue true faith and feele little or no comfort Psal 22. 1. and 31. 10. and 77. 2. Q. What is the ground of faith A. The free 3 promises of c Rom. 4. 18. Heb. 11. 11. God made in Christ concerning the forgiuenes of sinnes and eternall righteousnes Expos 3. Temporall blessings Eccl. 9. 12. ciuill vertues Luk. 18. 12 13. 14. a generall notice that Christ wil saue the elect Matth. 13. 20. 21. sense reason experience feeling Psal 10. 1. and 51. 12. are not the grounds of saith but only the promises which God of his grace hath made vnto vs in Christ which ought to be receiued because God that cannot lie hath spoken them Tit. 1. 2. 2. Tim. 2. 13. Q. How is faith wrought in vs A. Inwardly by d Act. 16. 14. the 4 spirit as the Author outwardly by the e Rom. 10. 14. Heb. 5. 11. 12. and 6. 12. preaching of the word and 5 Catechising as the instrument thereof Expos 4. Faith is the gift of God Ph. 1. 29. and a grace supernaturall a man of himselfe can no more beleeue then a corrupt fountaine can send forth sweete waters 1. Cor. 2. 14. 5. By Catechising vnderstand a pure plaine briefe and orderly instruction of the people in the cheife grounds of Christian religion 1. Cor. 2. 4. 1. Cor. 3. 1. 1. Pet. 3. 15. Heb. 6. 1 2. Rom. 6. 17. so that the people may clearely and manifestly see the way vnto saluation and may knowe how to make vse both of the Lawe and of the Gospel for their humiliation and comfort vnderstanding how one thing dependeth vpon another goeth before or followeth after Hereby Christians are inabled to referre that which they read to some head readily to apply what they heare to fit purpose try it and haue it in readines in the time of neede In a word to profite by the publique ministerie Heb. 5. 11 12. and to knowe how to goe forward in godlines in an holy methode To say nothing that Catechising is profitable to informe the iudgement reforme the affection and quicken both to the duties of a Godly life Q. How doth the word worke faith in vs A. By shewing vs f Rom. 7. 7. Gal. 3. 22. our miserie and the true g Gal. 4. 4 5. meanes of our recouerie encouraging vs h Matth. 11. 28. Es 61. 1 2 3. Reu. 22. 17. being 6 humbled to receiue the promises of the Gospel Expos 6. The word commaundeth the humbled to beleeue promiseth them comfort Matth. 9. 13. Luk. 15. 32. setteth forth the necessity and exellency of faith Io. 3. 18. 39. the danger of vnbeleife Mar. 16. 15. Io. 12. 48. Act. 13. 46. the tender mercies and compassions of the Lord Psal 103. 8. 12. and how he inuiteth perswadeth and intreateth him to beleeue 2. Cor. 5. 20. Q. How doth the Spirit worke by the word A. It doth teach vs wisedome i Ezek. 36. 37. 31. to apply things