Not from any natural efficacy it had to give knowledge but the Knowledge he should have by eating or not eating was experimental Knowledge i. â— Knowledge to his Sorrow Q. 2. VVhy did God forbid him this Tree A. First For the discovery of his dominion over man Secondly For the trial of his subjection and obedience Thirdly For the aggravation of his sin if he should eat Q. 3. VVhat evil was there in eating of it A. There was a twofold Evil the evil of Sin and the evil of Punishment both very great Q. 4. What was the Evil of Sin A. A threefold Evil of Sin First Against God called disobedience Rom. 5.19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners Secondly Against himself Soul Body and Estate Thirdly Against his Posterity Rom. 5.12 Wherefore as by one man sin entred into the world and death by sin and so death passed upon all men for that all have sinned Q 5. What was the Evil of Punishment First Loss of God's Image Secondly Horror of Conscience Thirdly Sorrow on the Female Sex Fourthly Curse on the Creature Fifthly Expulsion from Paradise Sixthly Death both of Body and Soul Q 6. What is the first Instruction from it A. To take heed of small beginnings of Temptations and resist it in the first motions Iam. 3.5 Behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth Q. 6. What is the second Inference A. Not to hold a parly with the tempter See 2 Cor. 11.3 But I fear lest by any means as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. Q. 8. What is the third Inference A. That Satan's policy lies much in the choice of his tempting instruments as Eve and Peter c. Q. 9. VVhat is the fourth Inference A. A necessity of keeping strong-guards on our Senses Isa. 33.15 That stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil he shall dwell on high his place of defence shall be the munition of rocks Q. 10. VVhat is the fifth Inference A That Covenant-breaking is a heinous sin which God will punish Hos. 8.1 He shall come as an Eagle against the house of the Lord because they have transgressed my covenant and trespassed against my laws Q. 11. VVhat is the last Inference A. That the corruption of our nature is much seen in desiring forbidden things Rom. 7.7 VVhat shall we say then Is the law sin God forbid Nay I had not known sin but by the law for I had not known lust except the law had said Thou shalt not covet Of the Fall of Adam and ours in him Quest. 16. DId all Mankind fall in Adam's first transgression A. The Covenant being made with Adam not only for himself but for his posterity all mankind descending from him by ordinary Generation sinned in him and fell with him in his first transgression Q. 1. Did no man ever escape the Sin of Adam A. Yes The man Christ Jesus did and he only Heb. 7.26 For such an high priest became us who is holy harmless undefiled separate from sinners Q. 2. Why was not Christ tainted with it A. Because he came into the world in an extraordinary way Mat. 1.18 Now the birth of Christ was on this wise when as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph before they came together she was found with child of the Holy Ghost Q. 3. How doth it appear all others are tainted with it A. It appears by Scripture-Testimony Rom. 5.12 Wherefore as by one man sin entred into the world and death by sin and so death passed upon all men for that all have sinned And experience of the best men Rom. 7.21 I find then a law that when I would do good evil is present with me Q. 4. How came all men to fall with Adam A. Because all were included in Adam 's Covenant as a Man's Covenant includes his Children before they be born or the treason of the father affects his posterity Q. 5. What infer you from hence A. The stupendious wisdom of God in sending Christ in our nature and yet without the sin and taint of it 1 Cor. 1.24 Christ the wisdom of God Q. 6. What is the second Inference A. Hence we learn the admirable love of Christ in taking our nature with all the sinless Infirmities thereof Rom. 8.3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh God sending his own son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin condemned sin in the flesh Q. 7. What is the third Inference A. The necessity of our Union with Christ in order to our participation of his Righteousness and Redemption 1 Cor. 15.22 For as in Adam all die so in Christ shall all be made alive Q. 8. What is the fourth Inference A. Hence we learn the malignant and mortal nature of sin in as much as our sin defiled and destroyed a whole world Q. 9. What is the fifth Inference A. That though all be not equally sensible of their need yet one sinner needs Christ as much as another Q. 10. What is the last Inference A. That no man hath any cause or reason to boast of the goodness of his nature since the best were by nature under the same sin and misery as the worst Eph. 2.3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lust of our flesh fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind and were by nature the children of wrath even as others Of Original Sin Quest. 17. INto what Estate did the Fall bring Mankind A. The Fall brought Mankind into an Estate of Sin and Misery Q. 18. Wherein consists the sinfulness of that Estatâ— whereinto Man fell A. The fulness of that Estate whereinto man fell consists in the guilt of Adamâ—s first Sin the want of original Righteousness and corruption of his â—â—ole Nature which is commonly called original Sin together with all actual Transgressions which proceed from sin Q. 1. How many sorts of Sin are all men under A. All men are guilty before God of two sorts of Sin of Original and Actual Psal. 51.5 Behold I was shapen in iniquity and in sin did my mother conceive me Eccles. 7.20 For there is not a just man upon earth that doth good and sinneth not Q. 2. How can we be guilty of Adam's first Sin A. We are guilty of it because Adam sinned not only as a single but also as a publick Person and representative of all Mankind Rom. 5.15 16 17. But not as the offence so also 〈◊〉 the free gift for if through the offence of one many be dead much more the grace of God and the gift by grace which is by one maâ— Iesus Christ hath abounded unto many and not as it was by one that sinned so is the gift for the judgment was by one to condemnation Q 3. How else came we under his guilt A. We are guilty of
sinned against me and I will pardon all their iniquities whereby they have sinned and whereby they have transgressed against me Hos. 14.2 Take away all iniquity and receive us graciously 2. Compleatly and perfectly Isa. 43.25 I even I am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for my own sake and will not remember thy sins Psal. 103.12 As far as the east is from the west so faâ— hath he removed our transgressions from us Mic. 7.19 He will subdue our iniquities and thou wilt cast all our sins into the depths of the sea Isa. 38.17 For thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back 3. Everlastingly Ier. 31.34 For I will forgive their iniquity and I will remember their sin no more Heb. 8.12 and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more Q. 7. But doth not God punish them afterward whom he haâ— justified and forgiven A. No not with a proper and vindictive punishment but he brings evil upon them for their sins as a Father chastises his Child and other sorts of afflictions for their spiritual good He may be angry as a Father with those he has pardoned but never hate them as a condemning Judge Psal. 89.28 My mercy will I keep for him for evermore and my covenant shall stand fast with him Ver. 34. My covenant will I not break nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips Q. 8. How can God be said freely to pardon all our sins when we pray it may be done for Christs sake does not that imply that Christ has satisfied God for our sins and deserved our remission A. Yes it does so for the Lord Christ by his Life and Death did satisfie Divine Justice and did merit our forgiveness but if he did so we did not so our sins cost him dear but their pardon cost us nothing our pardon is perfectly free to us though due to Christ for God gave Christ freely for us God accepts of his merits and applyes them to us freely Rom. 3.24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Iesus Christ. Q. 9. But is there nothing required from us as the condition of pardon and if so how can it be absolutely free A. There are required Repentance from Sin and Faith in the Lord Christ Luke 13.3 But except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish Joh. 3. ult And he that believeth not the son shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him This is required from us towards our pardon but yet 't is free 1. Because God freely ordains thus to pardon 2. Because both these are the free gifts of God Acts 11.18 Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life Eph. 2.8 For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of your selves it is the gift of God Q. 10. When then are our sins forgiven A. Just upon our closure with Christ by Faith in that very moment Rom. 5.1 Therefore being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Iesus Christ Rom. 8.1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus Q. 11. Why do we pray in the answer for the forgiveness of all our sins A. Because if the least guilt should remain upon us 't would exclude from Gods favour and lodge us in everlasting burnings Rom. 6. ult For the wages of sin is death Q. 12. What are the priviledges and blessings that accompany pardon A. Justification is accompanied with Adoption John 1.12 But as many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God even to them that believe on his name With the Spirit and Principle of all Grace and Holiness 1 Cor. 6.11 And such were some of you but ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Iesus and by the spirit of our God With an infallible title to Eternal Glory Iohn 3.16 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life Rom. 8.30 Whom he justified them he also glorified Q. 13. How may we know that we are pardoned and justified A. Ordinarily by our Sanctification by our loathing of Sin our contempt of the World our valuing of Christ our love and thankfulness to God c. 1 Cor. 6.11 But ye are sanctified Rom. 7.24 O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this death Gal. 6.14 By whom the world is crucified unto me and I unto the world 1 Pet. 2.7 Vnto you therefore which believe he is precious Luke 7.47 Her sins which are many are forgiven for she loved much Q. 14. What is meant by Our is it only such sins as we have personally and actually committed A. No but also Adams sin which is ours by imputation Rom. 5.19 By one mans disobedience many were made sinners And original sin which is ours by inhesion Psal. 51.5 Behold I was shapen in iniquity and in sin did my mother conceive me And other mens sins which we have made ours by exciting them to them not hindering of them silence at them and other ways 2 Sam. 12.9 Thou hast killed Vriah the Hittite with the sword and hast taken his wife to be thy wife and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon 1 Tim. 5.22 Neither be partaker of other mens sins Q. 15. Wherefore are sins called debts A. Because they are a non-payment of Gods dues a non-performance of our duty which makes us lyable to the arrest of Death and to the prison of Hell Q. 16. Why do we plead our own forgiveness of others A. Not as any merit of our own pardon but either as an incouragement to our selves to beg pardon seeing such evil envious and malignant persons are enabled to forgive others much more may we hope the good and gracious God will forgive us Or as a condition without which we can have no pardon and with which we shall Mat. 6.14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses your heavenly Father will also forgive you Q. 17. How do others trespass against us A. When they injure us either in our Persons or Names or Families or Estates or Souls c. 1 Sam. 2.25 If one man sin against another the judge shall judge him but if a man sin against the Lord who shall intreat for him Q. 18. Can we forgive our Neighbours freely fully and perfectly as God doth forgive us A. We cannot Q. 19. What then is the meaning of Gods forgiving us as we forgive others A. Not as to the quantity and perfection of forgiveness buâ— as to the sincerity and quality thereof Mat. 18. ult So likewisâ— shall my heavenly father do also unto you if ye from yoar hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses Q. 20. Are we always bound to manifest outwardly our love and forgiveness to all our enemies and to behave our selves towards them as friends A. No if we have experienced them to be
By Christ the only Redeemer Tit. 3.4 5 6. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour towards man appeared not by works of righteousness which we have done but according to his mercy he saved us by washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost which he shed on us abundantly through Iesus Christ our Saviour Q. 6. Is there no other way of Salvation but by Christ A. No no other way is revealed in Scripture Acts 4.12 Neither is there salvation in any other for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved Q 7. What learn you from God's Election A. What cause we have to admire Free-grace in our choice who were no better than others Eph. 2.3 And were by nature children of wrath even as others Q. 8. What is the second Instructâ—on A It teaches us humility we made not our selves to differ but the free grace of God made the difference 1 Cor. 4.7 For who maketh thee to differ from another Q. 9. What is the third Instruction A. It teaches us diligence to make our Election sure to our selves by our calling 2 Pet. 1.10 Wherefore the rather brethren give diligence to make your calling and election sure Q. 10. What is the fourth Instruction A. It is matter of comfort to God's Elect amidst all dangers in the world 2 Tim. 2.19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure having this seal The Lord knoweth them that are his Of the Covenant of Grace Quest. 1. WHat is the Covenant of Grace A. It is a new compact or agreement made with Sinners out of meer grace wherein God promiseth to be our God and that we shall be his people and to give everlasting life to all that believe in Christ. Ier. 31.33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days saith the Lord I will put my law in their inward parts and write it in their hearts and will be their God and thâ—y shall be my people Q 2. How doth this covenant differ from the Covenant of works A. They differ many ways but principally in three things First The Covenant of works had no Mediator the Covenant of Grace hath a Mediator Heb. 12.24 And to Iesus the Mediator of the new Covenant Secondly In the former no place was found for repentance In the Second God admits it Heb. 8.10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the House of Israel after those days saith the Lord I will put my laws in their minds and write them in their hearts and I will be to them a God and they shall be to me a people Ver. 12. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness and their sins will I remember no more Thirdly In their condition the former requires exact Obedience the latter Faith and sincere Obedience Mark 16.16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved Q. 3. May a Sinner that hath no worthiness at all of his own be taken into the Covenant of Grace A. Yes he may Isa. 43 25. I even I am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake and will not remember thy sins This Covenant is not of Works but of Grace Rom. 11.5 6. And if by grace then it is no more of works otherwise grace is no more grace but if it be of works then it is no more grace otherwise work is no more work Q 4. Is this Covenant changeable or an unchangeable Covenant A. No it is not changeable but everlasting and unchangeable forever Isa. 54.10 For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed but my kindness shall not depart from thee neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed saith the Lâ—rd that hath mercy on thee Q. 5. What are the principal things bestowed in this Covenant A. God himself and in and with him pardon and salvation Ier. 31.33 I will be their God and they shall be my people Q. 6. Can no Sin be forgiven out of this Covenant A. No God pardons none out of this Covenant Iob 3.18 But he that believeth not is condemned already Q. 7. What is the first Instruction hence A. Humbled and believing Sinners have singular support from this New Covenant 1 Iohn 2.12 I write unto you little children because your sins are forgiven you for his name sake Q. 8. What is the second Instruction from hence A. That 't is the great concern of all men to examine whether they be in this Covenant or no. 2 Cor. 13.5 Examine your selves whether ye be in the faith prove your own selves know ye not your own selves how that Iesus Christ is in you except yâ— be reprobates Q. 9. What is the third Instruction A. See here the miserable State of the wicked which have no interest in it Psal. 50.16 But unto the wicked God saith What hast thou to do to declare my Statutes or that thou shouldst take my covenant in thy mouth Q. 10. What is the last Instruction A. That Christians are obliged to walk as people in Covenant with God 1 Pet. 2.9 But ye are a chosen generation a royal priesthood an holy nation a peculiar people that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light Of the only Redeemer Quest. 21. WHo is the Redeemer of God's Elect A. The only Redeemer of God's Elect is the Lord Iesus Christ who being the Eternal Son of God became man and so was and continueth to be God and Man in two distinct natures and one person for ever Q. 1. What doth the name Redeemer signify A. It signifies one that frees another out of Captivity and Bondage as Christ did Matt. 20.28 And to give his life a ransome for many Q. 2. What was the misery from which Christ delivered us A. A twofold misery vis Sin and Hell First Sin Mat. 1.21 Thou shalt call his name Iesus for he shall save his people from their sins Secondly Hell 1 Thes. 1.10 Even Iesus who delivered us from the wrath to come Q. 3. How did Christ deliver us from this Misery A. First By Price Secâ—udly By Power By Price 1 Pet. 1.18 19. Ye are not redeemed with silver and gold from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers but with the precious blood of Christ as of a lamb without blemish and without spot By power Col. 1.13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness and hath translated us into the Kingdom of his dear son Q. 4. When was the Redemption wrought by Christ A. It was decreed from Eternity it was actually wrought on the Cross. Col. 1.20 And having made peace through the blood of his cross by him to reconcile all things unto him self by him I say whether they be things in earth or things in heaven Q. 5. How then could they be redeemed that died before A. Though Christ's Blood was actually shed after
sins against the greater is his sin Rom. 2.4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and long-suffering not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance And especially when 't is against Spiritual Mercies and Means of Salvation Heb. 2.3 How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation c. Q. 9. Are heinous and crying sins capable of forgiveness A. Yes great and heinous sins are capable of forgiveness upon true Repentance Isa. 1.18 Tho' your sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow though they be red like crimson they shall be as wooll Q. 10. From what fountains doth the pardon of all sins both great and small flow A. They all flow from the Free Grace of God Luk. 7.41 42. And when they had nothing to pay he frankly forgave them both And through the Meritorious satisfying Blood of Christ Eph. 1.7 In whom we have redemption through his blood the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace Q. 11. What 's the first Inference hence A. Though some sins are more heinous than others yet no Sinner should absolutely despair of Mercy for the vilest have been pardoned 1 Cor. 6.11 And such were some of you but ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are justified c. Q. 12. What 's the second inference hence A. That there are different degrees of torments in Hell proportioned to the different degrees of sins on earth Matth. 11.21 22. Wo unto thee Chorazin wo unto thee Bethsaida for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes But I say unto you it shall be more tollerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment than for you Q. 13. What 's the third Inference hence A. That great Sinners when pardoned and received to Mercy should excel all others in love to Christ Luke 7.42 43. Which of them will love him most Simon answered and said I suppose that he to whom he forgave most And he said unto him thou hast rightly judged Q. 14. What 's the last Inference hence A. Let no Man neglect Christ because his Sins are not so heinous as others because the least Sin without Christ is damning Rom. 6.23 For the wages of sin is death c. And greater Sinners are often called when lesser are not Matth. 21.31 32. The publicans and harlots go into the kingdom of God before you Of the demerit of Sin Quest. 84. WHat doth every Sin deserve A. Every Sin deserveth Gods Wrath and Curse both in this Life and that which is to come Q. 1. Wherein doth the evil of Sin principalâ—y consist A. It consists principally in the offence it gives and the wrong it doth to God Psal. 51.4 Against thee thee only have I sinned and done this evil in thy sight Q. 2. What 's the first offence and wrong Sin doth to God A. It consists in its enmity to God Rom. 8.7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God c. Exprest in Scripture by walking contrary to him Levit. 26.40 They have also walked contrary to me Fighting against God Acts 5.39 Lest haply ye be even found to fight against God And resisting his Spirit Acts 7.51 Ye do alwayes resist the Holy Ghost Q. 3. Wherein is its enmity to God â—urther discovered in Scripture A. It 's discovered under the names and notions of hatred of God Rom. 1.30 Back-biters haters of God c. Rebellion against God 1 Sam. 15.23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft c. And despising the Commandment of God 2 Sam. 12.9 Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the Lord Q. 4. What are the Attributes of God that Sin wrongs A. It wrongs all his Attributes for it slights his Sovereignty Exod. 5.2 And Pharaoh said who is the Lord that I should obey his voice to let Israel go Resists his Power 1 Cor. 10.22 Are we stranger than be Despiseth his Goodness Rom. 2.4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness c. Taxeth his Iustice Ezek. 18.25 Yet ye say the way of the Lord is not equal c. And clouds his Holiness Jam. 2.7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called Q. 5. What doth Sin deserve in the course of Iustice from God A. It deserves all temporal and eternal effects of Gods Wrath on the Souls and Bodies of Sinners all which in Scripture go under the name of Death Rom. 6.23 For the wages of sin is death c. Q. 6. Can these sufferings satisfie God for all this wrong A. No they cannot and therefore they must and shall be eternal on the damned Matth. 5.26 Verily I say unto thee Thou shalt by no means come out thence till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing Mark 9.44 Where their worm dyeth not and the fire is not quenched Q. 7. Shall all Sinners hear the desert of their Sins A No all that are out of Christ shall but Christ hath freed Believers from it Iohn 3.18 He that believeth on him is not condemned c. Q. 8. But is it not hard that Sinners should suffer eternally for the sins of a few years A. No it is not for the evil of Sin is not to be measured by the time in which but by the object against which it is committed Psal. 51.4 5. Against thee thee only have I sinned and done this evil in thy sight c. Q. 9. What learn we from hence A. Hence in the first place we learn the impossibility of satisfying Gods Justice for the least Sin that ever we committed Iob 7.20 I have sinned what shall I do unto thee c. Psal. 130.3 If thou Lord shouldst mark iniquity O Lord who shall stand Q. 10. What 's the second Instruction hence A. Hence we see the necessity of a Mediatour betwixt God and us Psal. 40.6 7. Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire c. Then said I lo I come in the volume of the book it is written of me Q. 11. What 's the third Instruction hence A. That the greatest suffering is rather to be chosen than the least sin Heb. 11.25 Chusing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season Q. 12. What 's the fourth Instruction hence A. It teacheth us what an invaluable Mercy the full free and fiâ—al remission of Sin is Psal. 32.1 2. Blessed is he whose wickedness is forgiven and whose sin is covered c. Q. 13. What 's the fifth Instruction hence A. It vindicates God in his severest strokes on Sinners Hos. 6.5 Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets I have slain them by the words of my mouth and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth Q. 14. What 's the last Instruction A. Hence we learn the infinite nature of Christs sufferings Rom. 8.32 He that spared not his own son but