respect of our new-birth whereby he begets us to a spiritual and everlasting life he owns us for children Isa. 53.10 Psal. 22.30 Heb. 2.13 and v. 14. The Apostle deduceth this conclusion For as much as the children are partakers of flesh and blood he himself likewise took part of the same He himself i. e. he who was God equal to the Father For none else could make this new creature but the same God that is the Creator of all things 2 Cor. 5.17 Eph. 2.10 Gal. 6.15 James 1.18 1 Pâ—t 1.3 1 John 5.1 Thâ—se new born babes being born of the Spirit none could send the spirit to beget them but the Father and the Sonne from whom he proceedeth the same blessed Spirit that framed Christs natural body in the womb being to fashion every member of this mystical body unto his similitude and likenesse Quest. How may this mystery be further opened to us Answ. In every peâ—fect generation the creature produced receives two things from him that begets it Life and Likenesse Now touching our spiritual death and life consider these texts 2 Corinth 5.14 15. Ephes. 2.4 5. Col. 2.13 Gal. 2.20 From which we may easily gather that if by the obedience and sufferings of a bare man though never so perfect the most soveraigne medicine that could have been thought upon should have been prepared for the curing of our wounds yet all would be to no purpose we being found dead when the medicine came to be applied Our Physician therefore must not onely be able to restore us to health but to life also which none but God the Father Son and holy Ghost could do Hence Job 5.26 and 6.57.51 Hence Christ is said to be a quickning spirit 1 Cor. 15.45 An Adam therefore and perfect man he must be that his flesh given for us on the Crosse might be made the conduit to convey life to the world and a quickning spirit he could not have been if he were not God able to make that flesh an effectual instâ—ument of life by the operation of his Spirit as John 6.63 As for the point of similitude and likenesse it 's said that Adam after his fall begat a son in his own likenesse Gen. 5.3 so saith Christ John 3.6 That that is born of the flesh is flâ—sh c. So 1 Cor. 15.48 49. Indeed ouâ— likenesse to Christ will be more perfected hereafter Phil. 3. ult yet in the mean time such a conformity is required in us to Christ Phil. 3.20 Ephes. 4.22 c. Rom. 8.29 God did not give the Spirit to Christ by measure and therefore though many millions of beleevers do continually receive this supply of the Spirit of Christ yet that fountain is not in the least exhausted nor that well-spring of grace diminished For Col. â— 19 and John 1.16 As in the natural generation there is a correspondence in all parts between the begetter and begotten though it be found in the begotten in a farre lesse proportion so in this spiritual for every grace that is eminently in Christ the like grace will appear in Gods children though in a farre inferiour degree Quest. What further is to be considered herein Answ. That Christ by enlivening and fashioning us according to his own image his purpose was not to raise a seed to himself dispersedly and scatteringly but to gather together in one the children of God c. John 11.58 yea and to bring all to one head by himself Eph. 1.10 So that the Church militant and triumphant though as farre distant as earth and heaven yet they make but one in Jesus Christ Ephes. 2.21 22. Quest. What are the bonds of this mystical union between Christ and us Answ. The quickning Spirit on his part which being in him as the Head is thence diffused to the spiritual animation of all his members and faith on our part which is the prime act of life wrought in those who are capable of understanding by the same spirit See both proved in these Texts John 6.63 1 Cor. 6.17 and 15.45 Phil. 2.1 Rom. 8.9 1 John 3.24 and 4.13 Gal. 2.20 and 5.5 and 3.11 Ephes. 3.17 Both of which are of so high a nature that none could possible by such ligatures knit up so admirable a body but he that was God Almighty As for Faith it s the operation of God Col. 2.12 wrought by the same power that raised Christ from the dead 2 Thes. 1.11 Hence Paul prays Ephes. 1.19 c. It was fit also that this Head should be of the same nature of the body that is knit to it Hence Ephes. 5.30 Iohn 6.53 56. shewing that by this mystical and supernatural union we are as truely conjoyned with him as the meat and drink we receive when it s converted into our own substance Secondly that this conjunction is immediately made with this humane nature Thirdly that Christ crucified hath by his death made his flesh broken and blood poured out for us to be fit food for the spiritual nourishment of our souls and the very well-spring from whence by the power of his God-head all life and grace is derived to us Hence Heb. 10.19 20 Quest. What are we further to consider in Christ Answ. That as in things concerning God the maine execution of our Saviours Priesthood doth consist so in things concerning man he exerciseth both his Prophetical office whereby he opens the Will of his Father to us and his Kingly whereby he rules and protects us It was indeed a part of the Priests office to instruct the people in the Law of God Deut. 33.10 Hag. 2.11 Mal. 2.7 yet were they distinguished from the Prophets Isa. 28.7 Jer. 6.13 and 8.10 and 14.18 and 23.11 33 34. Lam. 2.20 As in the New Testament Prophets and Apostles were a different degree from ordinary Pastors and Teachers who received not their doctrine by immediate inspiration from heaven Eph. 4.11 2 Pet. 1.21 Hence Heb. 1.1 God hath spoken to us by his Sonne called therefore the Apostle as well as the High-Priest of our profession Heb. 3.1 2. and therefore in the execution of his prophetical office he is in a more peculiar manner likned to Moses Deut. 18.15 c. Act 3.22 23. Our Prophet must therefore be a man raised up from amongst his brethren the Isralites Rom. 9.5 who was to perform to us what the father 's requested of Moses Exod. 20.19 Deut. 5.25.27 and this he daily affecteth by the power and Ministry of the Gospel instituted by the authority and seconded by the power of this our great Prophet whose transcendent excellency beyond Moses is set forth Heb. 3.3 4 5 6. which House of God is no other then the Church of God 1 Tim. 3.15 whereof as he is the only Lord so he is also properly the only builder Christ therefore being both the Lord and builder of his Church must be God as well as man Mat. 16.18 whence it is that we finde all the Mansions of this great house to be called indifferently
she is holy though not in respect of the greatest part 3. Whatsoever corruption of Doctrine or manners spring up she reproves and censures not tollerates it 2. She is meek loving patient merciful c. Jam. 3.17 full of good fruits her weapons are prayers and tears not fire and faggot Fourthly By her marriage a good way to know one by is the head and the Church cannot be better known then by her head Jesus Christ whose wife she is by whom all the children of the Church are begotten by virtue of the eternal Covenant of Grace as in lawful wedlock Cant. 2.16 and 5.10 Fifthly By her carriage and behaviour 1. To her husband to whom in all her behaviour she expresses foure virtues 1. She is chast and faithful to him she forgets not the guide of her youth c. 2. She is subject to him in all things content to be tryed and ruled in all cases by his will revealed in his Word 3. She depends only on her husband for the meanes of her welfare and all needfull supplies will not seek to any other Advocates or Mediators c. 4. She honours her Husband onely and will give his honour to no other 2. To her children whom 1. She nurceth at her own breasts puts them not forth to such strange milke of Traditions Councils Decretals c. 2. She instructeth and teacheth them 3. Porvides for them she upholds the means of salvation to keep her children in good state Quest. Is the true Church of Christ alwayes visible Answ. The true Church is not alwaies conspicuous visible and glorious to the world but may be oppressed and hid So was the Church in Egypt thrust out into the wildernesse so in Elijahs time when he complained that he was left alone so in the Babylonish captivity therefore compared to dead and dry bones Ezek. 37.2 so Rev. 13.12 Quest. What reasons may be rendred for this Answ. First because the Church is a select company called out of the world a little flock Joh. 15.9 a garden enclosed Cant. 4.12 the blind world neither can nor will see the Church Secondly the Church is such a body as is not alwaies visible to mans eyes no not to good mens as as we see in Elias the foundation being in Gods election and the union spiritual Thirdly Sometimes the Church abusing peace and prosperity makes the Lord to strip her naked and bare and to â—end her into the wildernesse yea to make her as a wildernesse Hos. 2.3 Fourthly The Church provides for her safety sometimes by flying into the wildernesse she is like a Dove in the rocks Cant. 2.19 5ly The Churches Militant condition suffers her not alwaies to be visible being not tyed to any one estate or place therefore she is compared to the Moon being sâ—metimes in the full and sometimes hid Quest. What conclusions may be laid down concerning the visibility of the Church Answ. First By the Church which we hold invisible we mean the Catholick Church even the multitude of all the Elect which have been are or shall be which Church is holy and no wicked persons belong to it It s a communion of Saints only to which belongs remission of sins and life everlasting and this is invisible to the world and that 1. Because the ground and foundation of it Gods Election is invisible 2. The greatest part of the Elect are not subject to sence not the Saints in Heaven nor many on Earth some being not born others but new boâ—n 3. Visible things are not believed but things invisible Faith is of things not sâ—en and if we believe the holy Catholick Church we cannot see it Secondly concerning the Militant Church we hold 1. That God will alwaies have a part of his Catholick Church here on Earth that shall hold and maintain the true Faith in the several Ages to the Worlds end and this cannot faile upon Earth 2. This part of the Catholick Church consists of men that are visible and exercise visible Ordinances as the Word Sacraments c. and often in peaceable times appears glorious in many particular and visible Congregations 3. That these visible and particular Churches are not alwayes visible after the same manner neither is any part of the visible Church alwayes so necessarily visible but that it may disappear as the Church in the Old and New Testaments have some time done 4. This number of men in whom this part of the Church contsteth may come to be a few and by Tyranny and Heresie their profession may be so secret amongst themselves that the world cannot see them Though like the Sun she shines in her self yet she may be obscured from the sight of others 5. Though the Church cannot fail upon Earth yet the external government of it may faile for a time her Pastors may be interrupted her sheep scattered her Discipline hindered the external exercise of Religion may be suspended and the sincerity of Religion exceedingly corrupted so that the members of the Church are only visible amongst themselves Thirdly Though the Church of God be not alwaies seen yet she is alwayes safe and that 1. Because if she cannot be safe in the City she shall be safe in the Wildernesse where God will provide her a place as Rev. 12.14 2. Gods purpose for the safety of his Church cannot be altered by any enterprises of her Enemies Though Pharaoh slay all the infants yet Moses shall be preserved by his own daughter in his own bosome to be a deliverer Though Herod slay the infants he shall misse of him whom he seeks 3. God makes high account of his Church as the signet of his right hand the apple of his eye therefore he will provide for her safety 4. Gods wisdom makes it healthful for his Church sometimes to be hid that she may always be safe otherwise the world would destroy her Dr. Tailor on Rev. Quest. Are not all Christians bound to pray for the peace of the Church Answ. Yea 1. we must pray for the whole Church where ever dispersed 2. For the natural members and noble members especially the living stones those which are more instrumental and organicall such as are eminent in power and place in worth and in service 3. More particularly for our own Church to which we are related and to the principals of it as Cities and Vniversities 4. For the restoring of the people of God even for the Jews and for the setting up of the new Jerusalem as God hath promised in his Woâ—d 5. By the same reason we must pray against such as are against the Church Quest. But what must we pray for in the behalf of the Church Answ. First in general for all blessings for all that is good and useful and tends to the welfare of it as for the protection of it deliverance of those that are in danger preservation from danger to those that are free for the perfection of it that God will reâ—ore those Churches that are over-run
wilful contempt and carelesse neglect of this Ordinance when it may conveniently be had is dangerous and damnable and to such that threat belongs Gen. 17.14 that soule shall be cut off Thirdly the grace and mercy of God is free and not tied to the outward elements Joh. 3.8 the winde blows where it listeth i. e. God gives grace when where and to whom he pleaseth Fourthly Infants borne of believing parents are holy before Baptisme and Baptisme is but a seale of that holinesse 1 Cor. 7.14 yea to them belongs the Kingdom of heaven Mark 10.14 Object They which are sanctified have faith which Infants have not Answ. God saith I will be thy God and the God of thy seed By virtue of which promise the Parent layes hold of the Covenant for himself and his children and the children believes because the Father believes Object Infants are borne in Original sinne and therefore cannot be holy Answ. Every beleeving Parent sustains a double person 1. As descending from Adam by corrupted seed and thus both himself and his children are corrupted 2. As he is a holy and believing man ingraffed by faith into Christ the second Adam and thus by his faith his children comes to be within the Covenant and partaker of the benefits and priviledges thereof and by the same faith he being a believer the guilt of original corruption in the Infant is not imputed to him to condemnation Object Others that would make it absolutely necessary object John 3.5 Except a man be born of water and the Holy Ghost he cannot enter into the Kingdom of Heaven Answ. First If this be meant of Baptism then the word may carry one of these two sences 1. Christ directs his speech principally to Nicodemus who was a timorous professor who remained ignorant and had long neglected his Baptisme 2. That the Kingdom of heaven is not here put for everlasting happinesse but to signifie the visible state of the Church under the New Testament and then the meaning is that none can be admitted into the Church and made a visible member thereof but by Baptisme nor can any be made a lively member of Christ but by the Spirit Secondly or this place is not be understood of Baptisme but of regeneration wherein Christ alludes to Exod. 35.26 which speaks of clean water and then the meaning is thou Nicodemus art a Pharisee and usest many outward washings but unlesse thou beest washed inwardly by clean water i. e. regenerated by the Holy Ghost thou canst not enter into heaven Thirdly or the necessity of salvation lies not in both but only in the New Birth by the Holy Ghost Quest. Whether are not witnesses commonly called God-fathers and God-mothers necessary Answ. No. First For in the Primitive times the Parents of children which were Heathens and newly converted to the Christian Religion were either ignorant and could not or carelesse and would not bring up their children according to the Word of God and true Religion which they newly professed therefore persons of good knowledge and life were called to witnesse Baptisme and promised to take care of the childrens education But now parents being better taught and qualified the other is not necessary Secondly Christ in his Word hath taught all things that are fit and necessary about Baptisme amongst all which he hath not appointed the use of Sureties Thirdly the whole Congregation present do present the childe to the Lord and are witnesses of his admission into the Church and therefore there needs no other Fourthly that which is required of them to promise and performe may and ought to be performed by the Parents of the Infant baptized who by Gods command ought to bring up their children in the knowledge and fear of God therefore the other are not necessary Quest. Whether have children of excommunicated persons right to Baptisme Answ. Before this question be answered some grounds must be laid down As 1. There are two texts principally about excommunication Mat. 18.17 1 Cor. 5.5 the scope of both which is to shew that the excommunicated person is debarred the Kingdome of heaven For he is not to be held a true member of the Church but as an Heathen and Publican 2. In excommunication there are three judgements to be considered 1. Of God 2. Of the Church 3. Again of God The first is when God holdeth any obstinate sinner guilty of the offence and consequently of condemnation except he repent The second is of the Church which follows Gods judgement pronouncing the party guilty and subject to condemnation which judgement is not to be given absolutely but with condition of repentance and so farre forth as man can judge by the fault committed as also by the Word which directs how to discern of the impenitency of the sinner The third again is Gods judgement whereby he confirms that in heaven which the Church hath done on earth So then the answer may be 1. That the persons excommunicate are in some respect no members of Christs body and in some other respects they are Quest. How are they not Answ. First in that they are cut off from the company of Beleevers by the sentence of excommunication and so have no participation with them in prayer hearing the Word or receiving the Sacraments and that because the action of the Church stands in force God ratifying that which his Church hath done Secondly because by their sinne they have as much as in them lies deprived themselves of the effectual power of Gods Spirit which should rule and govern them Quest. How are they members Answ. First some are members not actually and in present but in the eternal counsel of God and so shall be in time when they are called Hence Gal. 1.15 Paul saith God had separated him from the womb and called him by his grace So Rom. 5.20 when we were enemies we were reconciled to God by Christ. Secondly some are members onely in shew and appearance as hypocrites Thirdly some are lively members which are united to Christ by faith c. Rom. 8.14 Fourthly some are decayed members who though they belong to Gods Election and are truly ingraffed into Christ yet for the present have not a lively sense thereof like a member in the body that hath the dead palsie such are excommunicated persons For in regard of their ingraffing they are true members and cannot be quite cut off from the body of Christ John 10.28 Yet they are not holden so to be in three respects 1. In regard of men because they are excluded from communion with the faithful by the censure of the Church 2. In regard of God because what the Church rightly binds on earth he binds in heaven 3. In regard of themselves because for a time they want the power and efficacy of the Spirit till by true repentance they recover life again Now though in these respects they be not esteemed members yet in truth they are not wholly cut off from the society of the
of Christ wherein there are so many corrupt persons Answ. They may and are true Churches Look upon Jerusalâ—m Matth. 23.37 you shall see that the eleven Tribes were Apostates there were in it dumb dogs Isa. 56.10 there were Scribes and Pharisees Hypocrites they had corrupted the Doctrine of the Law with their false glosses the Temple was made a den of thieves yet the Evangelist calls it the holy City and that 1. Because there was the service of the true God in the Temple the Word preached Sacrifices offered the meetings of the Church of God 2. Because as yet they had not received a bill of divorcement So have not we the word of God preached the Sacraments truly administred c. and when did the Lord give us a bill of divorcement and therefore to encourage us against the cavills of the Separatists let us remember 1. That the word of truth is truely preached amongst us which appears by the conversion of thousands whereas never was any converted by a word of errour Jam. 1.18 2. That our Ministers are of God because by them so many are begotten to God Christ thought it a good reason when he said believe me that I came out from the Father for the works sake the blind man saw this Joh. 9.30 3. Our meetings are holy meetings For 1. Our people are outwardly called by an holy calling and to an holy end 2. They profess faith in Christ which is an holy profession and therefore in charity they are to be judged Saints 3. Congregations are called holy in Scripture from the better part not from the greater as an heap of wheat mingled with chaff is called an heap of wheat so 1 Cor. 6.11 with chap. 2.12 4. Mixt Congregations are holy in Gods acceptation who esteems them not as they are in themselves but as members of Christ Israel at the best was a stiffnecked people ye Balaam said that God saw no iniquity in them Numb 23.21 Quest. How is the Church Gods peculiar Answ. First Because Believers are the most precious of men even the most noble upon earth Hence Cant. 6.7 they are the sons of God brethren of Christ heirs of heaven Secondly In regard of God they are a peculiar people distinct from others by the grace of Election by which they are chosen out of the world and advanced in Gods favour above all others Hence they are called an holy Nations the Spouse of Christ the dauhgter of God the choice of God and Gods delight Thirdly in regard of their whole manner and condition of life Hence they are said to dwell alone and not to be numbred amongst the Nations Numb 23.9 as for instance 1. Their Original are not some few families coming out of some corner of the Earth but they sprung of Christ of whom all the families of Heaven and Earth are called 2. Their Countrey is not of the Earth here they are Pilgrims and strangers but Heaven is their home from which they look for their Saviour Ephe. 3.15 3. Their King is neither born nor created but the everlasting King of glory who rules not some one Countrey but from Sea to Sea c. and not for an age but for ever 4. Their Lawes are Spirituall reaching the Conscience as well as the outward man most perfect never changed nor abrogated as mens be 5. Their war and weapons are not carnall but Spiritual as their chiefest enemies be their Captain was never foiled nor can be and therefore they are sure of victory befoâ—e they strike a blow and as for their corporal enemies they overcome them non feriendo sed ferendo not by striking but sufring 6. Their Language is that of Canaan their Speech shews them to be Citizens of Heaven therefore called a people of a pure language c. Zeph. 3.9 7. Their garments are devised and put on by God himself even the garments of innocency long robes dyed in the blood of the Lamb Rev. 7.14 8. Their diet springeth not out of the Earth but descends from Heaven Jesus Christ the bread of life c. of whom whosoever feeds shall continue to eternal life Quest. Why is the Church compared to a woman Rev. 12.1 Answ. First as simply considered in her self and that for three causes 1. Because to the Woman was first made the promise of the blessed seed that should break the Serpents head and it s still made good to the Church under the same similitude for to her all the promises of God doe properly belong 2. Because she is feeble and weak as a woman without her Husband Joh. 15.5 3. Because she is a pure and chast virgin not defiled with Idolatry as the Romish strumpet is 2 Cor. 11.2 Secondly As she stands in relation to others and that 1. To God and in this relation she is the daughter of God Cant. 7.1 Psal. 45.10 2. To Christ in which relation she is the Spouse of Christ. 1. Contracted to him in his Incarnation So Cant 4.10 2 Married to him as his Bride and taken home in his second cominâ— to dwell with him for ever 3. To Christians and in this relation she is their Mother For a woman through the company of her husband brings forth children So the Church by her conjunction with Christ and the power of his word brings forth nurceth and brings up many children to God Quest. What duties doth this relation of a Spouse to Christ teach her Answ. First to cleave to her husband For God seeing that it was not good for Adam to be alone he made the woman of his rib being cast into a sleep and brought and married her unto him saying for this cause shall a man leave Father and Mother and cleave to his wife c. Gen. 2.24 So God seeing after the fall that it was much less good for man to be alone he institutes a second marriage with the second Adam whom he casts asleep by death and brings his Spouse out of his side pierced and marries the Church to him that renouncing all Loves and Lovers but him she might cleave undevidedly to him and this she must doe foure wayes 1. In person For as the wife delivers up her person to her husband alone So Believers must deliver up their souls and bodies to Jesus Christ. For 1 Cor. 6.19 20. we are no longer our own c. 2. A faithful Shouse is married but to one man 2 Cor. 11.2 So the Church 3. Christ our Husband communicates his whole person to us he gives his life for his sheep only prayes for no other 4. Christ as a faithful Husband leaves Father in Heaven and Mother on Earth and cleaves to his Wife 2. To cleave to Christ in faithful affection loving our Husband Christ as our selves nay better then our selves not loving our selves to the death for his sake seeing his love to us was stronger then death and more to us then to his own life 3. To cleave to him in affliction as a Wife takes her Husband
heart chews the cud and ruminates upon its own actions Try thy graces by a Scripture Sun-beame Compel thy thoughts to come in that they may drink sweetnesse out of their own fountaine and that they may be satisfied as with marrow and fatnesse Assurance consists in a reflex act and by such workings it is maintained Secondly be diligent in prayer Assurance comes not with weak wishes and vellieties that are so frequent in the mouths of many O that I were sure of heaven and happinesse c. But this great blessing deserves a fervent prayer The white stone is given to none but conquerours As assurance doth mightily enliven prayer so prayer cherishes and maintaines assurance Go then to God Be importunate with him beg a smile a beame of his face Desire him to take all thy worldly things again unlesse he will sweeten them with his love Tell him thou canst live no longer on husks and therfore desire him to give thee something that its fit for a soul to live on Thirdly be diligent and fervent in communion with thy God sweet and familiar entercourse with God puts thee into the number of his friends and friendship brings assurance surely he would not kiss thee with the kisses of his mouth if he did not love thee He would not tell thee so much of his mind if his heart were not with thee He would not accept of thy prayers thy spiritual sacrifices if he meant to destroy thee Communion with God is that which gives an heavenly and eternal Plerophory Quest. Why doth assurance deserve our best diligence Answ. First hereby the soul is provided for eternity Thou mayest then say Thy lot is fallen unto thee in â— good ground thou hast a pleasant heritage Thou canst desire no more then to be assured that thou shalt be for ever happy What would the damned in Hell give for a possibility of happiness What would some wounded spirits give but for hopes and probabilities of it Secondly it will sweeten all present conditions to us We may eat our bread with joy and drink our wine with a merry heart when we know God accepts our person and smells a sweet odour in our sacrifice We may lay claim to all the pearles in the Gospel and to all its priviledges If God bestow temporals upon us we may know that he first dips them in love yea thou hast a happy protection in all thy ways For 1. Thou art secure against the frowns of the world for heaven smiles upon thee Thou mayest laugh at the slanders and reproaches of men For when the world brands thee the Spirit seals thee c. 2. Thou art secure in times of judgement For judgements are intended for the sweeping away of Spiders webs not for the sweeping away of Gods own jewels Or if thou beest involved in the common calamity yet how is this pill rowled up in sweetnesse to thee when others can tast nothing but gall and wormwood Thy body may be tossed in the world but thy soul lies safe at Anchor 3. Thou art secure in the houre of death Thou knowest that providence onely means to break the shell that it may have the kernel Let such tremble at the approaches of death that know not what shall become of their precious souls but thou mayest safely trample upon the Adder c. This made the Martyrs embrace the flames c. Assurance of the love of God in Christ and nothing else pulls out the sting of death Indeed death hath lost its sting in respect of all that are in Christ but yet such as know not that they are in Christ fear death still as if it had a sting Only an assured Christian triumphs over it and saith with Saint Paul O death where is thy sting 1 Cor. 15.55 4. Assurance fills the soul with praise and thankfulness The real presence of a mercy is not enough there must be the appearance of a mercy and the sense of it before it fill thy heart with joy and thy mouth with praise A doubting Christian is like a bird in a snare the soul hath not its comfort nor God his praise An assured Christian is like a bird at liberty that flies aloft and sings chearfully c. See Mr. Culverwels White-stone and Dr. Taylor Quest. How may it be proved by Scripture that a man may be assured of his salvation Answ. First By Rom. 8.16 The Spirit of God testifies with our spirits that we are the sons of God Quest. But how can Gods Spirit give witnesse seeing now there are no revelations Answ. First indeed extraordinary revelations are ceased yet Gods Spirit may and doth in and by the Word reveal some things to men whence he is called the spirit of revelation Eph. 3.5 Secondly Gods Spirit gives testimony by applying the promises for the remission of sins and life everlasting by Christ particularly to the hearts of man when it s generally propounded in the Ministry of the Word and this witness of the Spirit may be discerned from presumption by 1. The means For it 's ordinarily wrought by hearing reading meditation prayer c. but presumption ariseth in the brain either without such means or if by them yet with want of Gods blessing concurring with them 2. The effects and fruits of the Spirit For it stirs up the heart to prayer Zach. 12.10 and that with sighs and groans Rom. 8.26 arising from the sense of our miserable condition The second testimony is our spirit i. e. our conscience sanctified and renewed by the Holy Ghost and this is known 1. By a grief of heart for offending God called godly sorrow 1 Cor. 7.10 2. By a resolution and full purpose and endeavour to obey God in all things 3. By savouring the things of the Spirit Rom. 8.5 i. e. by doing the works of the Spirit with joy and chearfulnesse of heart as in the presence of God Quest. But what if both these testimonies are wanting what must we do then Answ. Have recourse to the first beginnings of sanctification which are these 1. To feel our inward corruptions 2. To be displeased with our selves for them 3. To begin to hate sin 4. To grieve so oft as by sin we offend God 5. To avoid the occasions of sin 6. To endeavour to do our duty and to use good means diligently 7. To desire to sin no more 8. To pray to God for his grace Secondly by Psal. 15.1 c. where the question is propounded who of the members of the Church shall have his habitation in heaven and the answer is He that walks uprightly before God deals justly with men speaks the truth from his heart c. Thirdly by 1 Joh. 5.13 where three things are evinced 1. That he that hath communion and fellowship with God in Christ may be undoubtedly assured of his salvation which the apostle tells was the end of preaching the Gospel to them chap. 1.3 4. where also he gives foure infallible notes of salvation 1. By
Divining Astrology the Devil did at first lend his secret assistance and at length by degrees if God prevented not entise them into a contract Quest. But who may be said to practise this unlawful Art Answ. First all such as calculate mens nativities and thereby divine what their condition shall be whether good or bad such also as by the stars take upon them to foretel the successe of particular enterprises such also as erect figures to find out things lost And such Almanack-makers as take upon them to foretel future contingents as what weather it will be every day c. Quest. Who be the countenancers of this unlawful Art Answ. First such as go to them to have their Nativities calculated to know their Fortunes as they call it or that seek to them for things lost c. Secondly such as buy or read their books unlesse it be with a purpose to confute them This is to go a whoring after them forbidden Lev. 20.6 Thirdly such as believe their predictions and are affected with joy or sorrow as they prognosticate good or bad Fourthly such as talk of their predictions as things that have something in them and that they are not to be contemned Fifthly by applauding their predictions and applying them to other events Quest. How and when are Astrologers tollerated Answ. First when their books are licensed or not prohibited when they are suffered to go abroad and not suppressed Secondly when the Astrologers themselves are suffered to go unpunished who do so cheat and delude the people When Ministers hold their tongues and preach not against them nor confute their lying vanities and when Magistrates hold their hands and punish them not Or when there are no Laws made against them or if made yet not executed Gerees Astrologo-mastix Quest. How many sorts of foretelling things are there Answ. Three 1. Divine such as are by God himself or by the Prophets inspired by him Secondly humane and natural which are from natural causes to their natural effects Thus the Astronomer may foretel the eclipses The Phisician the effects of some diseases Of which sort are politick predictions which wise men can sometimes presage about Common wealths Though indeed these are but conjectures Thirdly Diabolical which are by Gods just judgement suffered to be upon a people and these are either by the Devil or by his Instruments as Witches Sorcâ—rers Astrologers c. Quest. Are these diabolical predictions lawful Answ. No. For 1. It is only the property of God and of the Scriptures to foretell things to come and therefore such Astrologers as take upon them to foretell things not natural but voluntary and such as are meerly subject to mens wills do not only undertake a vain rash and false thing but that also which is very abominable and wicked Secondly it hath been the Devils way always to disturb the Church and to endeavour the damnation of many mens souls by making them credulous in these things And as Christ hath set in his Church Pastors and Teachers to instruct them in the way to heaven So the Devil hath raised his Witches Sorcerers Sooth-sayers and Astrologers to seduce the world out of the right way As Cardan who rose to that height of impiety as to calculate Christs birth and made his power to work miracles to flow from the influence of the stars under which he was borne Others have been bad though not so bad as Petrus de Aliaco who thought that the time of Christs birth might have been foretold by the stars and Kepler contends that those Wise-men by the Rules of Astrology might have presaged not only some strange event but the birth of some great Monarch As if Christ were not born after an extraordinary and miraculous manner I deny not but that the Heavens have influences upon mens bodies hence that man possessed with a Devil was said to be Lunatick probably because the Devill took the opportunity at that time of the Moone wherein humours do most abound then to disturb and distract him but the Heavens were never made for books to reveal what should come to passe Thirdly Witches Sorcerers and Astrologers are oft condemned in Scripture as Lev. 19.26 and 20.27 Deut. 10.11 c. Isa. 45.12 c. Besides all the Fathers speak with much vehemency against them Many Counsels have condemned them yea divers of the wiser sort of Heathens have cried out upon them Ptolomy himself acknowledgeth that no certain truth can be foretold by them Tully wrote several books de Divinatione condemning such Diviners Instancing that before a great battel the Mice had gnawen the buckler of a souldier whereupon the Soothsayer concluded that that war should be fatal and unlucky as if faith Tully because mice did gnaw some books that I have of Plato's De Republica therefore I should conclude that our Common-wealth shall be destroyed And we reade Acts 19.19 of many who being converted brought their books about such curious Arts and burnt them We may reade more hereof in Pererius Spanhemius Zanchy and others Fourthly if the Heavens were true and proper causes or necessary signes yet no man could certainly prognosticate any thing by them because no man knows the number nor the vertue and efficacie of the stars The Scripture makes it peculiar to God only to know the stars and to call them by their names but if any man could certainly divine by the stars he must know their number activity and influence yea and the degree of their activity without which they cannot but grossely erre Fifthly if the Heavens be causes yet they are only universal causes now from a universal indeterminate cause there cannot be any special particular effect foretold For besides universal causes all particular inferiour causes which are many and uncertain must be known also Sixthly if Astrological Predictions were allowed it would bring in a contempt of God and flat Atheisme into the world The Scripture carries us out to God in all things to his Wisdom Power Justice c. But these would binde us to the Planets yea by this means also the Scripture would be despised and laid aside and all prophanenesse would be introduced thereby yea and every one would excuse his vices with How could I help it seeing I am borne under such a starre As Saint Augustine tells us of a servant of a certain Astroloâ—er who having robbed his Master his Master went about to correct him for it wherupon he cried out that he could not help it for that he was borne under Mercury and the Astrologers say that such as are borne under that Planet are given to stealing and thus he silenced his Master by the Rules of his owne Art Ob. But we see that many times they foretel the truth Answ. First and many more prove false and untrue and if one thing fall out true it s more observed then a hundred things that prove false Besides when they foretel many things its hard if some one at least prove not
the Church of God and the Churches of Christ 2 Tim. 2.20 1 Cor. 11.16 Rom. 16.16 Indeed there are other Ministerial builders whom Christ imploys in that service which he bestowed upon his Church for that end Eph. 4.11 12. who receive their power from him Mat. 28.18 Such was Paul 1 Cor. 15.10 and 3.9 10. yet there he acknowledged that they were Gods building as well as Gods husbandry so v. 5.7 Two things therefore we find in our great Prophet that differences him from all the other prophets 1. That no man knows the Father save the Son and he to whom the Sonne will reveal him Mat. 11.27 John 1.18 Being in his Fathers bosome he knows his secrets and thereby is able to reveale the whole will of his Father to us whereas all other even Prophets and Apostles have their knowledge at the second hand according to the grace given them by the Spirit of Christ 1 Pet. 1.10 11. John 16.13 c. 2. All other Prophets and Apostles can do no more then plant and water but God onely gives the encrease they could not save one soul unlesse Christ were with them by the powerful presence of his Spirit John 5.25 Eph. 5.14 Psalme 13.3 without whose assistance we are altogether ignorant For 1 Cor. 2.14 wherefore Paul concludeth concerning himself and all his fellow-labourers that all is of God 2 Cor. 4.6 7. Our Mediatour therefore must not want the excellency of power whereby he may make us capable of this high knowledge of the things of God propounded to us by the Ministry of his servants and so must be God as well as man that he may save to the uttermost all that come to God by him Heb. 7.25 Quest. What are we to consider about Christs Kingly Office Answ. That he hath a Kingdome Isa. 9.7 Dan. 7.13 14. Luke 1.31 c. He is that new David our King which God hath raised up to his Israel Jer. 30.9 Hos. 3.5 Ezek. 34.23 and 37.24 who was in truth both the Sonne of man and the Sonne of the Highest that in one respect we may say to him as they did to David 2 Sam. 5.1 we are thy bone and flesh and in the other sing of him as David did Psalme 110.1 The Lord said to my Lord c. so that the promise made to our first parents Gen. 3.15 may well stand with Pauls saying Rom. 16.20 the God of peace shall bruise Satan under our feet For he came for this end 1 John 3.8 1 Tim. 3.16 and still that foundation of God remaines unshaken Isaiah 43.11 Hos. 13.4 besides me there is no Saviour Quest. What are the special branches of this Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Answ. First the one of grace whereby that part of the Church is governed which is here militant Secondly the other of glory belonging to that part which is triumphant in heaven Quest. How doth he work upon this on earth Answ. As by his Prophetical office he works upon our minde and understanding so by his Kingly office he rules our will and affections casting down imaginations c. 1 Cor. 10.5 working in us both to will and to do Phil. 2.13 That he sanctifieth us wholly 1 Thes. 5.23 we are taught likewise to believe that both he that sanctifieth and they that are sanctified are all of one i. e. of one and the same nature Heb. 2.11 that as their nature was tainted in the first Adam so it might be restored again in the second Adam and that as from the one a corrupt so from the other a pure and undefiled nature might be transmitted to the heirs of salvation Quest. How doth Christ exercise his Kingly Office towards the Church triumphant Answ. In that the same God that giveth grace is he also that giveth glory yet so that the streams of them must run to us through the golden pipe of our Saviours humanity For 1 Cor. 15.21 since by man came death it was fit that by man also should come the resurrection of the dead even by that man who hath said that he will raise us up at the last day John 6.54 who shall then come to be glorified in his Saints c. 2 Thes. 1.10 and shall fashion our vile bodies to his glorious body Phil. 3. ult See Dr. Ushers Incarnation of the Son of God Quest. When doth Christ first live in a Christians heart Answ. When the heart gives a firme assent to the gracious promises made in Christ for the pardoning of sinnes and acceptation to the favour of God and title and interest to life everlasting For as Christ was conceived in the womb of an humble and beleeving Virgin so if we will conceive Christ in our hearts we must be humble to deny our selves in all things and believing to go out of our selves to the promises of God in Christ. Quest. Why must our Saviour be Emanuel God with man Answ. First in regard of the greatnesse of the good which we are to have by him For 1. He is to be God and man together to satisfie the wrath of God to undergo the punishment due to sin as our Surety He must give us title to heaven and bring us thither which none can do but God 2. He must know our hearts wants griefs infirmities and must be every where to relieve us and none can do this but God Secondly in regard of the evils which we are to be freed from He is to defend us in the midst of our enemies and who is above the Devil and sin and the wrath of God and all the oppositions which stand between us and heaven but God He must be man For man had sinned and man must suffer for sinne and without blood there is no remission and then that he might be a merciful Saviour there must be a sutablenesse in the nature that there may be a sympathy Quest. Why must this God and man be one person Answ. Because if each nature were a distinct person then there would be two Christs and so the actions of the one could not be attributed to the other Quest. How doth Christ make us friends with God Answ. First by satisfaction taking away the wrath of God Secondly by the Spirit for God sends his Spirit into our hearts to fit us for friendship and communion with him when we have something of God in us Quest. How shall I know that this Emanuel is God with me Answ. If by the same spirit of his that sanctified his humane nature he works in me desires to be nearer and nearer to him to be liker to him If I am on his side If I be near him in my affections desires and understanding If I finde an inward desire to be more with him and like to him If outwardly in the place where I live I side with him and take part with his cause it s a sign I have an interest in him Quest. What benefits accrue to us by Gods taking our nature upon him Answ. First
he hath hereby dignified and raised our natures above the Angels Oh what a mercy is this that the great God of heaven and earth should take dust into the unity of his person and marry such a poor nature as ours is Secondly for the great God of heauen and earth before whom the Angels cover their faces the mountains tremble and the earth quakes to take our flesh to save sinful man to free him from such misery and enemies and then to advance him to so great happinesse this indeed is admirable Thirdly hereby we are made one with God shall God then be God with us in our nature in heaven and shall we defile our natures that God hath so dignified shall we live like beasts whom God hath raised above Angels c. Fourthly as he hath thus advanced our natures so he hath put all the riches of grace into our nature in Christ and this for our good Fifthly our nature being ingraffed into the God-head therefore what was done in our nature was of wonderful extention force and dignity which answers all objections As 1. Object How could the death of one man satisfie for many millions Answ. Because it was the death of Christ whose humane nature was graffed into the second person in the Trinity and being but one person what the humane nature did or suffered God did it Quest. But how doth friendship between God and us arise from hence Answ. First because sinne which caused the division is hereby taken away and sinne being taken away God is mercy it selfe and mercy will have a current Secondly Christ is a fit person to knit God and us together because our nature is pure in Christ and therefore in Christ God loves us Thirdly Christ being our head of influence conveyeth the same spirit that is in him to all his members and by that Spirit by little and little purges his Church and makes her fit for communion with himself making us partakers of the Divine nature Quest. How shall we know that we have any ground of comfort in this Emanuel Answ. We may know that we have benefit by the first coming of Emanuel if we have a serious desire of his second coming and to be with him where he is If as he came to us in love we desire to be with him in his Ordinances as much as may be and in humble resignation at the houre of death desiring to be dissolved and to be with Christ praying Come Lord Jesus Revel 22.20 Secondly whereas he took our nature upon him that he might take our persons to make up mystical Christ he married our nature to marry our persons this is a ground of comfort that our persons shall be near Christ as well as our nature For as Christ hath two natures in one person so many persons make up one mystical Christ the wife is not nearer the husband the members are not nearer the head the building is not nearer the foundation then Christ and his Church are near one another which affords comfort in that 1. As he sanctified his naturall body by the Holy Ghost so he will sanctifie us by the same Spirit there being the same Spirit in the Head and members 2. As he loves his natural body so as never to lay it aside to eternity so he loves his mystical body in some sort more for he gave his natural body to death for his mystical body therefore he will never lay aside his Church nor any member of it 3. As he rose to glory in his natural body and ascended to heaven so he will raise his mystical body that it shall ascend as he ascended Doctor Sibs his Emanuel 4. Christ being in heaven and having all authority put into his hands Psal. 2.9 10. he will not suffer any member of his body to suffer more then is fit Object If all the power that Christ hath be given him as it is John 17.2 then he is Deus constitutus Deus creatus datus not Deus natus made and created God how then can he be of the same nature with God who hath all he hath given him in time Answ. First If Christ speaks there of his Divine Nature then though not as God yet as the second Person he is of the Father and so not in time but from all eternity he had all those divine properties communicated to him for he is therefore called the Son because begotten of the Father Secondly if the Text speak not of this Nature but the Office or reward rather of his Mediatorship then that Power and glory which is here said to be given him may well be understood of that Mediatory power and honour which God vouchsafed to him and though by reason of the personal union all honour and glory was due to him yet God had so ordered it that he should not have the manifestation of it till he had suffered and run through the whole course of his active and passive obedience In Scripture language aliquid dicitur fieri quando incipit patefieri a thing is said to be done when it manifesteth it self as Act. 13.33 This day have I begotten thee speaking of Christs resurrection because he was then truly manifested to be the Son of God Quest. Wherein consists the power of Christ Answ. First In that its universal in Heaven Earth and Hell Phil. 2. 10 11. Secondly That though he hath all power yet the administration of it is by his Spirit which therefore is called the Spirit of Christ. Hence Joh. 15.26 Thirdly That this power of Christ extends not only to the bodies and externals of men but it reacheth to their hearts and consciences also By it their mindes are enlightened their hearts changed their lusts subdued and they are made new creatures whence Christ saith He is the way the truth and the life Joh. 14.6 Fourthly As its the heart of man that this power of Christ reacheth to so the main and chief effects of this power are spiritual and such as tend to salvation as to give Faith and Repentance to men Joh. 12.32 To save that which was lost to dissolve the works of the Divel c. Fifthly This power of Christ must needs be infinite if we consider the ends for which it was given him For it s to gather and save a people out of the world to justifie their persons to sanctifie their natures and to judge all men at the last day But he cannot judge all mens lives yea and their secret sins without infinite knowledge and though Christs humane Nature be not capable of infinity and omnisciency yet the person that is the Judge must be so qualified Sixthly His power is arbitrary in the use of it He opens own mans heart and leaves another shut He cures one blind eye and leaves another in darkness Matt. 11.27 Quest. What are the remarkable particulars wherein Christs dominion over all flesh especially the Church doth appear Answ. First in appointing a Ministery for the conversion and saving
mens souls Matt. 28.18 19. Ephes. 4.11 Secondly In blessing and giving success to his Ministery 1 Cor. 3.6 7. Thirdly In convincing and inlightning mens understandings so far as to see their sinful and damnable estate as also the absolute necessity of a remedy through Christ. Fourthly in that he is the Author and Fountain of all the grace that the godly have Joh. 1.16 In Christ there is plenitude fontis the fulness of a Fountain In Angels and Adam only plenitude vasis the fulness of a vessel Now this fulness of Christ is for communication and our participation of it Joh. 15.3 hence 1 Tim. 6. 15. He is King of Kings c. Fifthly He not only gives grace but is able to bestow all the glory and happiness which the Scriptures promise Now the reward or fruit of grace is either the niward peace and joy of heart here or eternal happiness hereafter both which are in Christs power and munificence Isa. 9.6 He is called the Prince of peace and our peace Ephes. 2.14 and Heb. 5 9. the authour of eternal salvation Sixthly In that he can forgive and pardon sin which is only in Gods power Mar. 2.7 For nemo potest remittere de jure alieno Seventhly In giving Laws and prescribing duties to all according to which they should live therefore he calls them his Commandments Is stiled a King and a Kingdom is attributed to him Eightly In inabling and strenthening his children in all their afflictions so that they do not only bear them but triumph therein with joy unspeakable and full of glory hence Phil. 4.13 2 Cor. 12.5 Ninthly In that he is appointed to judge the whole world where two things do manifest his exceeding great power 1. The immediate preparation to it For Christ by his power shall raise up all out of their graves 1 Cor. 15.22 the godly shall rise because they are members and he their Head and the godly shall be raised by him as a Judge 2. His solemn coming to judgement with Power and Majesty 2 Thes. 1.7 8. Tenthly By over-ruling conquering and subduing his enemies Christ though in heaven yet hath his enemies even all that are enemies to his Church and children Acts 9.4 they oppose Christ who oppose his Members If you hurt the feet the head in heaven feels it but Christ will reign in despite of all his enemies Psal. 2.2 Hence Rev. 2.27 Christ rules the Nations with a rod of iron c. Object But why then is the power of the Turk and Pope still lifted up against him Answ. The Apostle tells us 1 Cor. 15. and Heb. 2. All things are not yet in subjection to him he hath a Kingdom and power but as yet he is only Rex pugnans vincens then he will be Rex triumphans He will put down all power and principalities there will be nothing but Christs power Quest. Why is Christ so frequently in Scripture called a head Answ. First In regard of his eminency and dignity For he is exalted above every name i. e. any thing that hath the greatest fame and dignity either in this world or that to come hence Col. 1.18 that he might have the preheminence in all things Secondly In regard of his spiritual influence and powerful communication of his grace and strength to those that are his members Col. 2.19 As the Head is the Fountain of all life and motion and from it every member hath its proper nourishment so it is with the Church of God Thirdly This relation of a head implieth a neer union and conjunction and such there is between Christ and the godly which must needs also prove the perseverance of the godly for Christ will not loose any one of his members Fourthly In respect of Government and direction He is the King of Saints and the King of Nations he hath a rod of iron to bruise his enemies only this Government though it be in the world yet it is not in a worldly manner the best and choisest part of it is in preparing and setting those whom the Father hath given him to eternal life Quest. Is all mankind given by God the Father to Christ to be redeemed by him Answ. Though Christ hath a sufficiency and fulness in him to obtain salvation for all yet some only are given to him intentionally by Gods decree to be their actual Saviour and Mediatour Joh. 17.2 For if all were given to him then all must be saved Joh. 10.28 29. and 6.37 39. Object But Joh. 17.12 it s said of those that thou gavest me there is none lost but the son of perdition therefore some may be lost Answ. The Apostles are said to be given to Christ in a two fold respect 1. Of Sanctification and Glorification and so Judas was not 2. In respect of their Office and Calling as Joh. 6.10 So then there is a two fold giving of some to Christ the one of justification to eternal life the other of Office and service and that this is meant here is plain because he is called the son of perdition Quest. Whether did Christ fully finish the work that the Father gave him to doe Answ. Yea he did fully and perfectly finish it Joh. 17.4 concerning which observe these particulars 1. Christ might have come into the world as a glorious Lord and Law-giver only to rule and give Laws but coming as a Mediatour and surety it behoved him to be under a Law and to discharge that work he undertook and this appears because he was not necessitated to be incarnate but it was wholly at his own good pleasure Phil. 2.7 8. 2. There was an holy and admirable agreement between God the Father and the Son to be a Mediatour for those which his Father had given him For though the Covenant of Grace be made with believers yet there was a previous and an Antecedent Covenant made between the Father and the Son to be a Mediatour which argreement was that if Christ would lay down his life for such then the Father would give them to him as his seed and glorifie them and also reward him with all honour and glory hence Isa. 53.11 3. From this Covenant and agreement it is that Christs work is truly and properly obedience and such and obedience as hath a reward annexed to it and Joh. 10.8 Christ calls it the commandment which he had received from his Father hence also Rom. 5.19 4. That it was not meerly obedience but a meriting obedience there was an intrinsecal worth and excellency in Christs obedience answering to our salvation Hence though we have justification and salvation of meere grace yet in respect of Christ it was of justice and debt so that in Christ the Covenant of Works was fulfilled though in us the Covenant of Grace 5. This work Christ was to do was in its self very heavy and grievous though his readiness made it easie For to obey the Law of God and to suffer all the wrath that was due for
refine and purifie those that stand For the propagation of it that God will stretch the bounâ—s and enlarge the borders of it that he will bring more subjects under the Kingdom of Christ. Secondly In particular we must pray for a three fold Peace of the Church 1. A peace with God in causing the Churches to keep their peace with him in walking in purity and power of his Ordinance without which though they were in peace with all the world it will come to nothing all other blessings will be soon gone except we have something to soder us with God which can be nothing but our exact walking with him in his Ordinances 2. Peace amongst the Members of the Church that they may be free from dissentions divisions that they may think the same thing go the same way and unanimously minde the glory of God 3. A Forreign peace also from all opposition without that there may be no invasion by forraign Enemies upon the Church of God Quest. What is further included in our praying for the Church Answ. First one thing is implyed inwardly that our hearts should work towards the Church our desires and wishes should be for the welfare of it Secondly another outwardly that we should endeavour to attain what we pray for our counsels should be for the welfare of the Church Our examples should be patterns to others to provoke them to good works such as are in authority should exercise it for the setling and furthering the peace of the Church yea we should not onely pray our selves but should stir up others to doe the like Quest. But how must all this be done Answ. First Sincerely not out of by-respects Secondly Earnestly and frequently putting all our strength to it Thirdly Constantly not by fits only Quest. Who are bound to do all this Answ. Every Christian in what station soever he is as 1. Magistrates in their places whom it pâ—incipally concerns to pray for and promote it 2. Ministers in their places must be leading persons in these duties and provoke others to it 3. Yea all in every condition learned and unlearned men and women c. Examples and Scriptures for all these are that of Moses Exod. 32.32 So Judg. 5.23 1 Sam. 4.19 2 Sam. 11.11 Psal. 20.5 and 51.18 and 53.6 and 102.13 Isa. 62.1 Rom. 9.3 2 Cor. 11.28 Phil. 1.18 Col. 2.5 Quest. But why must we thus pray for the peace of the Church Answ. First consider what the Church is and that 1. In relation to God it s his house the Spouse of Christ and there cannot be a dearer relation to put a deeper ingagement upon us then this 2. In that relation that she hath to us She is the Mother of us all and therefore we should sympathize in her weale and woe Secondly Consider that peace is the summe of all blessings Hence the Ancients painted peace with a horne of plenty For 1. Peace nourisheth all Arts Sciences Trades c. 2. It s a very careful and useful nurce to cherish Religion Acts 9.31 there is no hearing of the Law of God nor the Law of Justice when men have their swords in their hands Arma silent Lâ—ges Thirdly consider the nature of prayer both in the efficacy and necessity of it 1. It s a most efficacious Engine the summe of all Policies for a Christan to work by for Peace Its God that rules all the world hath all hearts in his hands can make a mans enemies yea the very stones to be at peace with him and prayer rules God he suffers himself to be overcome by it Leâ— me alone saith God Exod. 32.10 2. It s of great necessity also For God will not bestow blessings till we seek and sue to him for them and the reason is because otherwise he shall have liâ—tle honour by it If it come without seeking to God for it we should ascribe it to other means and things Fourthly consider the nature of a Christian and we shall see that its the most proper work for him For 1. He is the Son of the Church and it becomes him at least to pray hard for his Mother as Craesus his dumb son did for his Father 2. He is a Son of Peace a Son of the God of Peace a Sonne of the Gospel of peace and the Spirit given him is a spirit of Peace 3. He is a Son of prayer It should be the element in which he draws his breath to run towards God and towards Heaven in a way of peace besides he is enabled to pray when others cannot he is sensible of the condition of the Church which others are not Quest. But how may we so pray for the peace of the Church as to be sure to prevail Answ. First we must pray in Faith believing Gods Word and his promises made to his Church Secondly In sincere charity in a true genuine love to the Church Thirdly In repentance lifting up pure hands to God God will not hear our prayers if we will not hear his commands Fourthly Pray with servency and earnestness of spirit A fearfull begger teaches how to give a denial God loves a kind of violence to dash our prayers against Heaven and the throne of grace with an holy zeal of spirit which prevailes much with God we must make our prayers fat with fasting saith Tertullian which are ordinarily starved with formality Fifthly Pray constantly though God seem not to regard our Prayers yet we must not give over but hold out and wait upon him Quest. What meanes may we use to help us in the serious performance of this duty Answ. We must lay aside all our carnal security and lay things to heart observe the state of the Church and lay it to heart Let not the world as the Ivy deals with the Oake twist about thy heart which will make Christianity dye within thee Be not too busie with worldly affairs least they choke all thoughts about bettr matters Dr. Stoughton Quest. Why is the Church called a mother Gal. 4.26 Answ. Because the word of God is committed to the keeping of the Church which word is seed 1 Pet. 1.23 Milk 1 Cor. 3.2 strong meat Heb. 5.14 and the Church is a mother which by the Ministry of the word brings forth children unto God and when they are born feeds them with milk out of the two breasts of the Old and New Testaments Quest. Where are we to seek for our mother the Church Answ. She is to be sought for and found in the true visible Churches the certain marks whereof are three 1. The preaching of the word out of the writings of the Prophets and Apostles with obedience Joh. 10.28 Eph. 2.20 2. True invocation of God the Father in the only name of Christ by the assistance of the Spirit Act. 9.14 1 Cor. 1.2 3. The right use of the Sacraments Baptisme and the Lords Supper Matth. 28.18 and by these we shall finde the true Church of God in England c. Quest. Are all Christians
could communicate spiritual life to it but this is only in the power of God whence God is called both the husband and head of the Church Psal. 45.11 therefore Christ as God was the head of the Church also Object But Christ could not thus be the head of the old Church because he was not then incarnate For it is the part of an head to communicate and impart its good to the body but the humanity of Christ could not profit the Church before his incarnation and therefore he was not the head of the Church of the Jews according to his humanity Answ. Though Christ had not then actually conjoyned the humanity to himself yet according to the divine decree of his future incarnation and passion according to the eternal efficacy of it and according to the lively faith of the Patriarchs even Christs humane nature and those things which he was to do and suffer in the same did much benefit the ancient Church when as yet they were not in act From the beginning of the world they were chosen in Christ and by Christ all the adopted sons of God Ephes. 1.4 5. Christ was the Lamb of God slaine from the beginning of the world and therefore from the beginning of the world he was the lively head of his Church For those things are present to God and faith which are not yet come Hence Aquinas saith truly Christum fuisse secundum humanitatem caput ecclesiae ante incarnationem per operationem fidei quae illum in carnandum apprehendebat sic beneficium justificationis consequebatur Object But Christ is not the Head of his Church according to his divine nature because that hath no conformity of nature with the rest of the members neither according to his humane nature because according to that he cannot communicate spiritual life to his members therefore he is no way the head of the Church Answ. I answer in general If there be found in Christ the perfect resemblance and reason of an head this is enough to make him truly called an Head though the conditions of an Head be not found in either of the natures apart As for that which is objected that the humane nature of Christ doth not communicate life and spiritual motion to the members I answer by distinguishing The life of grace is infused into the members either by the principal agent who creates grace in the soul by the way of authority and in this sense the influx of grace is from God alone or else from the instrument joyned with the principal agent and so the humane nature of Christ instrumentally is said to communicate grace and spiritual life As it nothing derogates from the natural head that it communicates life and motion to the other members not immediately from it self but by the means of its latent virtue So neither doth it derogate from the dignity of this mystical Head that it communicates life and grace not principally from its self but by reason of the Divinity dwelling in it Christ therefore notwithstanding these objections is the head of his Church according to both his natures Quest. What may we learn from the consideration hereof Answ. First In that God is the head of the Church we may thence conclude that she shall be perpetual and that the gates of Hell shall not prevaile against her For if God be with us what shall be against us and truly if the head of the Church were less then God she would never be safe having all the Devils of Hell and all the wicked of the world against her Secondly If God be the head of the Church then all the Members of it ought to obey this their head in all things with reverence and godly fear For there is an infinite obligation upon every Creature to obey God but if it could be there is more then an infinite obligation upon the Church that is redeemed and sanctified to obey her God her mistical and life-giving head Thirdly If God be the head of the Church then Christs ascention into heaven hath not deprived her of her head yea he is present and ever will be present with his Catholick Church by the presence and power of his Divinity though he be not present to the eyes of our flesh according to his promise Matth. 28. ult Loe I am with you alwaies even to the end of the world therefore the Pope is a superfluous head Fourthly Is our head man also then by vertue of his kindred to our nature we may assure our selves that he loves us dearly that he is very sensible of our miseries and ready to relieve us Heb. 2.17 18. Fifthly is our head man this may comfort us in that the Divel hath no cause of triumphing over us Indeed he overcame the first Adam who was the head and fountain of all mankind but the second Adam the head of his Church hath overcome him yea in Christ we overcome him being his members equally as we were overcome in Adam the conquest of our head hath made us conquerors Quest. Wherein consists the similitude betwixt Christ and a head and betwixt the Church and a body Answ. The natural head must be considered in a double respect to its membes 1. Of difference 2. Of agreement and so must this mysticall head also Quest. Wherein consists the discrepancy betwixt the head and members Answ. First in respect of its eminency and dignity For the head doth more fully and perfectly enjoy all the sences then the members which are under it So Christ our mystical Head doth possesse all spiritual grace much more abundantly then all men and Angels â—oyned in one Joh. 3.34 Secondly in respect of its Government For the head directs and governs and all the members are directed and governed in their operations by it So Christ doth rule and govern his Church and she hearkens to his commands and submits to them Epes 5.22.23 Thirdly In respect of its causality and influence For the head imparts and communicates sence and motion to all the members so that they would want sence and motion if they should be separated from the head So Christ infuseth spiritual life and motion into his members otherwise they would be stupid and dead and destitute of all spiritual motion Joh. 15.5 Hence Phil. 4.13 Quest. Wherein consists the agreement between the head and members Answ. First In that the natural head hath conformity of nature with the members For it would be a monstrous thing if a mans body should have a horses head So between the Church and her mystical head there is an agreement of nature Heb. 2.16 Secondly The head and members have an agreement in order to the same end viz. the safety and preservation of the whole person So Christ and his members which are one person are ordained to attaine one and the same end viz. eternall glory and happiness and for the attaining of this end both the head and the members do daily co-operate This is the
care of the head to bring his members to perfect blessedness Joh. 17.12 where he is called the Saviour of his body Eph. 5.23 and this also is the scope of all Châ—ists members that together with their head they may participate of that blessedness As Paul Phil. 3.14 Thirdly the head and members have a continuity between themselves and all have their act and information from the same soul So this mystical head and all his members have a certain continuity between themselves and have their spiritual information and vivification from the same principle For between Châ—ist and his Members there is a certain conjunction by means of the holy Ghost who resting more fully in Christ our Head flows from thence into all the members giving life to all and uniting all Ephes. 4 16. Quest. What is that body whereof Christ is the head Answ. The Church in Latine Ecclesia ab evocando because its a company or multitude of called ones who are called out of the world by the Ministery of the Gospel and other means appointed by God to draw men out of the state of ignorance and misery and to bring them to a state of glory In which sence we call such a company of persons a Church as profess the doctrine and Religion of Christ under lawful Pastors Such were the seven Churches of Asia Such that at Rome Corinth c. These Congregations are called a Church and such as live in them members of the Church who also in the judgement of Charity are to be reputed members of the holy Catholick Church both because on Gods part they have offered unto them such means whereby men are brought to partake of eternall life and because that on their part in regard of the external action and profession these means are received and used to their salvation This body of the Church whereof Christ is the Head consists not of unbelieving and wicked members but only of holy and sanctified ones whom God hath pulled out of the power of darkness and hath translated them into the Kingdom of his dear Son So that it is not sufficient to salvation to be a visible member of any particular visible Church by the external profession of Faith except withall a man be a mystical member of the Catholick Church by true faith and the spirit dwelling in his heart Hence Cyprian faith Quid faciâ— in domo fidei pâ—rfidum pectus Quest. What else may we learn from hence Answ. First That Christians must not envy those which are endowed with more excellent gifts then themselves because they are members of the same body that therefore which is given to one that we ought to esteem as given to every one according to that of St. Austin Tolle invidiam tuum est quod habeo tolle invidiam meum est quod habes Take away envy and that which I have is thine Take away envy and that which thou hast is mine Secondly seeing Gods children are all members of the same body therefore they should be ready to serve one another in love and to be affected each with others weale or woe as if it were their own 1 Cor. 12.26 Dr. Davenant on Col. Quest. Whether may the Church faile Answ. Neither the Catholick Church nor any part or member of it can faile or perish Joh. 3.16 This Church Christ hath undertaken for to defend to the end Matth. 16.18 and 28.20 She is the first born whose names are written in Heaven Heb. 12.22 23. If it cannot be in one place or Kingdom it will in another The woman when persecuted had a place prepared in the wilderness to fly into But a particular Church may faile and die and come to nothing as we see in the seven famous Churches of Asia This may also be proved out of many places of Scripture Mat. 21.43 where Christ foretels that the Church of the Jews which had as great priviledges as any Church on earth ever had should cease Paul tells the Corinthians they may come to be no Church 2 Cor. 11.3 and the Church of Rome Rom. 11.20 21 22. the Church of Israel the ten Tribes were dischurched Hos. 1.9 Quest. What are the infallible marks of a true Church Answ. First the sincere preaching of the Gospel Hence a true Church is described by it Rom. 3.2 So Psal. 147.19 Act. 14.23 and where the Gospel ceaseth in the sincere preaching of it they are an undone people Prov. 29.18 Secondly True and sincere use of the Sacraments at least in the substance of them Hence the Church of Judah is called the Circumcision Rom. 3.1 and St. Paul defines the Church under the Gospel by the Sacraments Phil. 3.3 Thirdly A sincere profession of the word of God and true Christian Religion either in uprightness of heart or in the judgement of Charity So 1 Cor. 14.33 So Gal. 1.22 All particular Churches are Churches that are in Christ and Churches of visible Saints Fourthly True Discipline and a right use of the Censures of the Church But this is only necessary to the well-being not to the essence of a Church Censures may be wholly neglected yea perverted against the godly and yet the Church be a true Church as Joh. 9.22 So Rev. 2.18 20. Mr. Fenners Alarm second part CHAP. XXXI Questions and Cases of Conscience about Circumspection and circumspect walking Quest. WHat is it to walk circumspectly Ans The Greek word Ephes. 5.15 signifies exactly or precisely so that to walk circumspectly implies an accurate study and diligence throughout our lives that we offend none but by the light of faith and good works edifie all The course of Christianity is an exquisite course and strict walking Quest. In what other phrases is this circumspect course commended Answ. It s implied in the phrases of walking before God Gen. 17.1 Living honestly Heb. 13.18 walking worthy the Lord in all well-pleasing Col. 1.10 11. Quest. What things are required in circumspect walking Answ. First that it be exact and considerate according to the true and perfect rule of Gods word in every thing great and small so as to go to the utmost of them and to all the rules that God prescribes not turning aside either to the right hand or left Deut. 2.27 and 5.32 Prov. 4.27 2 Chron. 34.2 Isa. 30.21 Psal. 119.9 10. Secondly it must be full in all fruits of holinesse and justice going to the utmost of every command So casting our occasions that one duty justle not out another Fearing as to commit the least sinne so to neglect any duty of piety or mercy Deut. 5.32 Col. 1.10 Numb 14.24 and 32.11 12. Jos. 14.8 9 14. Such an one looks to the thriving of all his graces His moderation shall not damp his zeal nor his zeal outrun his knowledge His providence shall not lessen his faith nor his faith destroy his providence c. All his graces run in a circle move strengthen and quicken each other Thirdly it makes a man diligent to redeem seek
21.34 which temperance must extend not onely to meats and drinks to carnal pleasures and delights but it must reach also to the right ordering of our minds in the use of all temporal blessings in a due manner and measure so that they may be helps not hindrances to us in all the duties of a godly life Secondly we must nourish in our hearts the true fear of God not a servile fear which wil make every slave to watch for fear of the whip but a child-like fear which will cause us to do nothing that may displease our heavenly Father who so loves us and whom we so love but to do all things so as God may be well pleased in us and we in him Psal. 130.4 This fear is promised Jer. 32.42 This causes us to depart from evil Prov. 14.16 and 16.6 Hence David Psal. 4.4 Stand in awe and sin not the want of it is the cause of all evil Gen. 20.11 Ps. 36.1 Rom. 3.18 19 20. Thirdly we must often call to remembrance Gods fearful judgements executed on sinners especially on such as continue securely in sin neglecting to keep this watch So Mat. 24.38 Isa. 47.8 9. Rev. 3.3 Hence Paul minds us of them 1 Cor. 10.5 to 12. Fourthly we must continually remember the day of our death not as though it were far off but near approaching even at our doors Our lives are momentany and this short time so uncertain that we have no assurance to live till another day no not so much as the next minute when we go abroad we know not whether we shall return home when we go to bed whether we shall rise c. many are suddenly taken away and that which befals one may befal any therefore it s our wisdom to stand continually upon our watch that we may be found in readinesse whensoever the Master comes Fifthly we must often meditate upon that great and terrible day of the Lord when he will come with thousands of Angels to judge both the quick and the dead 2 Cor. 5.10 of which day because its uncertain when it will come we should always keep our spiritual watch that when Christ comes we may be found ready This Christ himself teaches us Mar. 13.32 33. so 1 Pet. 4.7 Blessed are all that do so Mat. 24.45 46. Mr. Downams Guide to godlinesse CHAP. XXXII Questions and Cases of Conscience about the comforts of Gods people Quest. HAve Gods people alwayes comfort in their souls Answ. God may hide his comforts from them for a time but at length they shall shine out upon them again Psal. 34.19 Quest. Why doth God sometimes hide comfort from them Answ. First To shew forth his wisdome and power the Lord knows how to enlighten their darkness Psal. 112.4 To turn all things to the best Rom. 8.28 Secondly It s the godly mans priviledge above all others to finde God sweet to their souls either in afflictions or by deliverance out of them and that 1. Because their persons are accepted with God whereas others are rejected 2. They are sealed with the earnest of Gods Spirit and can goe to God in fervent prayer which others cannot Psal. 18.41 3. They have the grace of repentance which removes sin that caused God to hide his face 4. They have patience which supports them till God returns with comfort Thirdly It s one end of Gods much humbling and afflicting his Children not to sink or forsake them but that at last his powerfull work may be shewed upon them for his glory and their comfort Deut. 8.16 Job 23.10 1 Pet. 1.7 Fourthly God manifesteth hereby his care and faithfulness in his promises whereby he hath engaged himself not to leave them comfortless Dr. Taylor on Temp. Quest. What is the onely way to finde comfort in the time of Spirituall distresse Answ. To fly unto God and seek it of him Psal. 51.1 2. and 120.1 and 73.25 c. So did Paul 2 Cor. 12.8 Quest. Why must we do thus Answ. First because there is a command for it Psal. 50 15· Secondly There is a promise of success Isa. 65.24 Thirdly There is ability in Cod to give a gracious issue to all our distresses Pro. 18.8 Eph. 3.20 Fourthly He is ready to be found and to afford that which is desired Mercy pleaseth him Mich. 7.18 He is near to all that call upon him Psalm 145.18 So Psal. 46.1 Fifthly Because he would have all his to seek to him he furnishes them with the Spirit of prayer For this end Gal. 4.6 Rom. 8.26 Hieron on Psal. 51. Quest. But hath God comforts wherewith to support his children in any fears and straits Answ. Yea he hath such consolations as will make a man sleep without a bed live almost without a soul they will make one bold in danger quiet in trouble and to live in the jaws of death Nehem. 8.10 Act. 16.24 Psal. 3.5 6. and 94.19 Quest. But whence comes their strength Answ. First Because they be Gods joys the joyes of the Spirit derived immediately from the Fountain and things be purest and strongest there Secondly Because they are spiritual and as spirits are more active then bodies so spiritual things then bodily and natural Thirdly This comfort is most certain and lasting they for the present ouertop and for the future overcome and survive all other both crosses and comforts Fourthly It is independant and in a sort all-sufficient borrowing no help from the creatures Nature and Art work with instruments and by means they cannot support without meat strengthen without sleep give sleep without warmth nor warmth without a bed c. But God can beyond means without means work comfort make one see in the darke live in death Quest. But what be these comforts of God Answ. First Precious promises applyed by God in due season and brought home to the heart which revive the spirits more then any Balm Secondly Strengthening graces God powers the Spirit of Faith patience power courage into his in due time and they raise the hearr as wine the fainting spirits every saving grace is healing strengthening and establishing Thirdly Hourly experience of Gods care and providence As the childe never sees the love of a Mother so much as when he is sick So Gods children never finde God to be so good as in their miseries and that makes them pluck up their feet with Jacob and to say with Paul I know whom I have trusted and with the Church Thou wilt guide us unto the death and after receive us unto glory Fourthly Special peace of conscience and joy of the holy Ghost by new expressions of Gods favour and ravishments of heaven Then God opens heauen and they see their life and Crowns and so are carried over all Quest. When doth God thus comfort his Answ. First when they most need it as then the Mother brings out her Cordials when the childe is sick when they be most humbled and empty of themselves After greatest humiliations come greatest consolations Secondly But