all occasions and yet he is here with us in his Majesty Headship Grace though not in his Body Joh 16.7 Joh 14.28 Our businesse lieth in Heaven with God and it is best that Christ be there Heb 4.14 Q. How doth this affect the Heart of the believer A. It comforts me in assurance that it shall not goe ill with the Church or any Member thereof as long as Christ is at Gods right hand Pull Christ from Gods right hand and then you may overthrow the Church and children of God Psal 110 1 2. Ro 8.34 Ioh 10.28 1 Pet 1.21 Heb 2.8 9. There in a course taken to put all things fully under him CAP XXI Of the last judgement From thence he shall come to judge Q. SHall this World ever have an end A. Yes and then Christ shall come in great glory to judge the World 2 Pet 3.10 11. 2 Tim 4.1 Mat 16.27 Mat. 26.64 Q. Who shall be Judge A. The same Chirst that was pierced Act. 17.31 Ioh 5.22 27. Zach 12.10 Q. Whom shall he judge A. The quick and the dead that is all men that ever were or shall be Q. Who be meant by the quick A. They that be found alive at the last day 1 Cor. 15.51 1 Thes 4 15. Q. Who by the dead A All that have departed this life from the beginning of the World they shall come againe with their owne bodies Rev 20.12 Joh. 5.28 29. Q Whereof shall they be judged A. All men shall give account of themselves as their workes and waies have been 2 Cor. 5.10 Rom. 2.5 6 12 16. 1. Cor. 4.5 Eccles 12.14 Q. What sentence shall be passed on the Godly A. A sentence of pardon and absolution for Christs sake Mat. 25.32 34. Eph. 5.23 27. Q. What on the wicked A. A sentence of condemnation for their own sakes And then shall be made an everlasting separation between men men betweene godly and wicked betweene chaffe and wheat the one to everlasting joy the other to everlasting punishment with the Divell and his Angels for evermore Mat 25.41 Mat. 24 40. Mat 13.30 38 41 49. Here we live together and work together and eate together and Pray and Heare together but then the separation shall be made the Godly shall be taken and the Wicked left and cast in to the furnace of fire Q. What followes of the true beliefe of this Article A. It makes me carefull so to order the matter that I may be found of Him in peace not willingly going on in any course in which I would be loath to be found at the last day I would not at that day stand and appear among Non-residents Usurers Swearers c. and therefore I hate those courses now 2 Pet. 3.11 14. 1 Pet. 1.17 2 Cor. 5.9 11 12. Mat. 24 46 so doing I believe in the Holy Ghost Q. Who is the Holy Ghost A. The third Person of the blessed Trinity equall and of the same substance with the Father and the Sonne proceeding from the Father and the Son 1 Ioh. 5.7 Mat. 28.19 Iohn 15.26 Ioh. 14.26 Ioh. 16.15 Gal. 4.6 Esa 48.16 with Rom 8.9 Q. What is the office and worke of the Holy Ghost in mans salvation A. It is to make us holy to sanctifie wash and renew our hearts and lives filling us with all spirituall graces and thereby sealing up the love of God unto our hearts Matth. 3.11 Ioh. 3.5 1 Cor. 6.11 Tit. 3.5 Rom. 8.16 2 Cor. 1.22 The work of the holy Ghost is to be a Sanctifier a Comforter Q. What doe you believe in this Article A. I believe that as Christ redeemed the Church so the Holy Ghost sanctifieth it and that through sanctification of the Spirit I shall receive the inheritance purchased by Christ or I depend upon him for sanctification and salvation our salvation being among those workes of God which are externall that is terminated in the creature it is the work of the whole Trinity Eph. 1.5 Act. 20.28 Rev. 1.4 5. only as there is an order in their subsistence so there is in their operations 2 Thes 2.13 Tit. 3.5 Q. How may it appeare that you believe in the Holy Ghost A. 1. Because my hope and confidence for mercy is not seperated from nor greater then is my care to be sanctified Triall of this faith or because I desire sanctification of the Spirit as well as justification by Christ Rom. 8.1.13 Psal 51.9 10. Q How else may this be known A. Because I will not grieve the holy Spirit of God but doe endeavour to follow and be led by the motions counsels and directions of the Spirit and not of the flect Rom. 8.14 Eph. 4.30 I beg the Spirit to do all my workes in me a spirit of revelation and renovation a spirit of consolation and confirmation c. CAP. XXII Of the Church of God I believe the holy Catholicke Church Q. THE gathering of the Church is a fruit of Christs death and exaltation Tell me what is meant by the Church of God A. The company of Gods Elect called and separated from the rest of mankind and united unto Christ their head by faith 1 Cor. 1.2 Gal. 1.15 1 Pet. 2.9 Heb. 12.23 Eph. 5.23 25 26. The rest are the Church by calling and profession only Q. From what are they called And unto what are they called A. From sinne and the power of darknesse unto Faith true Repentance from love of the world to the love of God from carelessenesse to conscience of pleasing God Col. 1.13 1 Thes 1.9 1 Thes 4.7 1 Pet. 1.14 15. Act. 26.18 Q. By what meanes are they called A. Outwardly by the Word preached which inwardly is made effectuall by the Holy Ghost to their conversion 1 Thes 1.5 Act. 16.14 1 Cor. 3.6 7 9. 2 Cor. 3.3 There is an outward calling and an outward joyning to the Church Mat. 20.16 1 Ioh. 2.19 Rom. 9.4 5. But this saveth none without the inward calling spirituall ingrafture into Christ Ioh. 15.2.19 Gal. 1.15 1 Pet. 2.5 Eph. 2.19 20 21. Col. 2.19 Q. These called ones How be they distinguished A. Part of them be in Heaven The Church Militant Triumphant what it is having a finished their blessed course and are called the Church triumphant And part is yet on Earth b combating and striving with corruptions fears and temptations from within and from Satan and are therefore called the Church Militant a Rev. 7.13 16 17. Rev 14 13. Heb. 12.23 2 Tim. 4.7 8. b Eph. 6.13 Q. Why is the Church called holy A. Because it is made holy by the Word and Spirit so that no ungodly person is of the Church though he be in the Church Rom. 2.29 Rom. 9.6 1 Ioh. 2.19 Q. Why is it called Catholick A. Because this company is gathered not out of one place or people but out of all Nations Languages and Peoples and in all ages of the world Rev. 7.9 Rev. 5.9 Q. What be the signes by which the societies
are set up and prevaile and are countenanced in any heart family Parish or Country Matth. 21.43 Rev. 2.5 13 14. Eph. 2.2 Gen. 20.11 Q. What do we pray for here A. That the Gospel of Christ may be set up in its power and purity in all hearts and in all places that God would protect and increase the number of the faithful till the time come that the Kingdom of grace here begun be finished in the Kingdome of glory 2 Thes 3 1. Col. 4.3 Psal 122.6 Rom. 10.1 Q. What doe we pray against A. We pray that God would destroy the kingdome of Sathan and all devices against his Church and Gospel and that all wickednesse may be beaten down more and more Till this Kingdome be finished in the glory of the Saints and finall destruction of the enemies ps 68 1 18. Rev. 12.10 11. We pray against the dominion power of the Divel the World and the flesh Rom 6.12 13 14. Q. What followes hereof A. Therefore they be Christs enemies they crosse their owne Prayers that submit not to the Gospell of Christ that discountenance or any wayes hinder the Preaching and spreading thereof or be friends and favourers of bad men and bad causes Such as the silencing and vexing of Godly quiet Ministers or depriving them of due maintenance preferring the unsound c. any inlet to prophanenesse setting up a Chaire for Sathan against the Pulpit of Christ these and the like persons doe pray for Christs Kingdome and fight for Sathans among swearing railing loose riotous persons families and Parishes whose Kingdome is there set up Christs or Sathans Luke 19.14 27. Acts 4.18 CAP. XLV The 3d Petition Thy will be done Q. WHat doe we pray for in this Petition A. Here we pray for grace and strength to obey Gods will in all things both in a doing and in b suffering Psal 143.10 Jam. 1.22 25. b Luke 22.42 Acts 20.24 Acts 21.14 Q. What is here meant by Gods will A. Gods will is that which God in the Scripture hath willed commanded us to do Mat. 7.21 Rom. 12.2 1 Thes 4.3 1 Pet 4.2 1 Pet. 3.17 Q. When is Gods will done A. When setting aside our own wills desires we apply our selves to doe the things which are pleasing unto him Joh. 14.21 1 Joh. 5.3 Mat. 21.29 31 Joh. 6.38 Heb. 10.7 We desire that Gods will may take place and that there may be but one will between God and us Q. When is it undone A. When setting aside the Commandement of God we fulfill the lusts of on own hearts or other mens carnal wils Eph. 2.3 1 Pet. 4.3 Iohn 8.44 Luke 12.47 Q In Earth as it is in Heaven What do we desire in that A. We desire that as farre as Earth is wide Gods will may take place and be obeyed with that cheerfulnesse and faithfulnesse as the Angels doe in heaven We desire a conformity of the Church militant to the Church triumphant Heb. 1.5 7. Psal 103.20 21. Es 6.2 3. Here be two things in this Petition 1. The matter of our obedience it must be the will of God revealed in the Scripture 2. The Maâ—ner of our obedience as the Angels in Heaven do it Q. What is the summe and substance of this petition A. We pray that whatsoever God requires of us in his Word he would give us hearts to obey it with cheerfulnesse and faithfulnesse submitting all our opposite wills to his will We pray that amidst all and above all Gods will may be fulfilled and obeyed and that all desires wills in us or others that be repugnant to his good pleasure may be subdued Mat. 20.39 1 Sam. 3 18. 2 Sam. 15.26 Ps 140. â— 1 Sam. 15 13 20 22. Q. What followes hereof A Therefore like hypocrites they crosse their own prayers who pray they may doe Gods will yet endeavour it not nay perhaps live in known sinnes against check of conscience setting up their own ends profits contentments above the wil of God Be honest else never pray it c. Mat. 19.22 Luke 16 11. Ezek. 14.7 Acts 8.23 Luke 12.47 The 4th Petition Give us this day Q. What is meant by bread A. All outward blessings needful for this present life Under one sort of temporal blessings we beg all the rest as raiment houses preservation from dangers c. Deut. 8.3 Q. What is meant by Daily bread A. Such a proportion of outward things as is fit for us agreeable to our places callings And if we have so much we have our daily Bread Pro. 3.8 Gen. 28.20 Luke 12.15 Q. This day or day by day Why are we to begge it every day and but for a day A. To teach us that as God keeps and feeds us a day by day And as every day we stand in need of new supplies from heaven so every day we b should depend on God for the same We do not receive all at once but as yesterday so this day and to morrow c. a 2 Cor. 8.15 Exod. 16.4 5 19. b Luke 12 19 20 28 29. 1 Pet. 5.7 Psal 104.21 Mat. 6.26 Q. What is called our Bread A. That which our heavenly Father assigneth to every one of us in our lawful vocation There is our bread and there is stolne bread Thess 3.12 Q. How is God said to give us our bread A. When he doth blesse our labours in our honest callings or otherwise raise up helps to bring the creatures to us for our support and comfort He gives gâ—asse â—eed and barnes and almes and power to eate he raiseth up friends he giveth and breaketh the staffe of bread Deut. 8.17 18. 2 Cor 9.10 Ier 37.21 Dan. 1.15 So the way be Gods way in which any help commeth whosoever is the instrument to convey it God is the giver Q. When is bread taken away A. When God doth curse the earth our labours that they shal not yeeld their increase or else doth curse his blessings to us that they shall dot doe us good as by taking away the staffe of bread by adding sorrow sinne discontent with our estates Hag. 1.6 9 11. Mal. 2.2 Numb 11.33 Ezeck 14.13 Hos 9.11 12. Q. What doe we pray for in this Petition A. That God would preserve us from outward miseries and wants so blesse the â—arth and our labours that we may have such a measure of outward things as is needfull for us that through his blessing they may be for our good and comfort Through Gods blessing it is that the creatures doe satisfie our natures content our minds or doe us any good 1 Kings 8 35 37. Prov. 10.22 Prov. 30.8 Ps 106.15 1 Kings 17.14 1 Chron. 29.12 Q. What learne you from this A. We must professe enjoy and use every outward thing as from God and unto God Our own prayers will condemn us if we be beholding to Satan for bread â—f we dare stretch out our hands farther then our prayers or if we shall use the
satisfaction the debt is never pâ—â—d Gods Justice is better contented in Christs sufferings for a time then in the creatures for evermore and for the sinnes of the Elect then for the sinnes of the damned Q. If God be satisfied then we are discharged from the curse of the Law and all our debt to Gods Justice A. We are soâ— because Christ our surety hath fully answered the Law for us so that nothing remaines to be charged on us Gal. 3.10 13. Rom. 8.33 34. Q. But how did Christ answer the Law for us A. By a bearing all that punishment which is due to breakers of God Law and by b fulfilling all that obedâ—ence which it requireth of us a Phil. 28. Ro. 5.19 b Mat. 5.17 Joh. 8.29 Mat. 3.15 Rom. 8.3 We that are sinners stand bound to God in a double debt 1. Of satisfaction for sins past 2. Of obedience for time coming This the Law requireth of us and thus much Christ hath performed for us Q. What is the second part of Christs Priestly office A. To make intercession for us Of Christs intercession Rom 8.34 Heb. 7.25 Q. What meane you by Christs intercession A. Christ stands between God and us he presents us and our prayers to God pleads his merits for our acceptance Christ appears in the presence of God for us as the high Priests did with the names the twelve Tribes in the Holy of Holies Heb. 9.24 1 Joh. 2.1 Rev. 8.2 3. Exod 28.28 29 38. Q. What then be the parts of Christs intercession A. They be two 1. To present and tender to his Father his owne bloud which he shed for our sins And 2ly To make requests for us Thus did the high Priest who was a Type of Christ enter into the Holy of Holies which was a figure of Heaven with the bloud of a Bullock a Goat which did signifie Christs bloud and with Incese which did signifie his prayers for the people Thus did the High Priest when he went into the Holy of Holies to make atonement and reconciliation for the people Lev. 16.5 12 13 14 15 16 19. And thus doth Christ our High Priest for us now in Heaven Rev. 8.2 3. Heb. 9.12 23 24. Christ carried his own bloud into Heaven Q. What is the effect and fruit of this part of Christs Priestly office 1 Pet. 2.5 Heb. 7.25 Heb. 9.14 A. By this applying and pleading of his sacrifice for us both our persons and our services are accepted with God Exod. 28 38. Q. What followes of all this A. Therefore we must go to God only by Christ and not by any Creature Saint or Angâ—ll 'T is Christs office not theirs to appeare in our behalfe before God Heb 4.14 16. with Heb. 5.4 5. Q. How doth it appeare that he is a Priest to you A. Because he gives me peace of conscience in his bloud and hath made me a Priest to offer up spirituall sacrifices to God by him Rev. 1.6 1 Pet 2.5 Rom. 12.1 CAP. XII Of Christs Kingly or Ruling office Propheticall Teaching office ALL the Benefits obtained by Christs Priestly Office are conveyed unto us by his Kingly and Propheticall office Q. Is Christ the King of the Church A. Yes 2. Of Christs Kingly office Christ is the only King over the Church It is such an Honour that God thinkes it fit for none but his Son Heb. 1.8 9. Col. 1.15 18. Christ is the first borne of every Creature He is the Head and Husband of the Church and therefore he alone is fit he alone is able to gather a Church to rule his Church and to deliver it from those mighty Principalities and Powers which fight against our soules Mat. 2.2 Rev. 19.16 1 Tim. 6.15 Rev. 15.3 Q. What kind of Kingdome or dominion hath Christ over the Church A. It is not of this world nor like the Kingdomes of earth But it is a spirituall Kingdome ordering the businesse of the soule and the affaires of Heaven Col. 1. 13. Rev 1.18 3.7 All things belonging to it are spirituall the means of gathering and governing it are spirituall the weapons of our warfare are spirituall the blessings and priviledges are spirituall the enemies of it are spirituall c. Q. What be the parts of this spirituall Kingly office of Christ A. They be foure 1 To deliver us out of the hands of our spirituall enemies to turne us from darknesse to light from the power of Satan unto God and so to translate us into the Kingdome of Jesus Christ Act 26 18. Col. 1.13 Luk. 1.74 Q. What be those spirituall enemies out of whose hands Christ doth deliver us A. Foure 1ª Sinne. 2 b Satan 3 c The curse of the Law And Lastly d Death All these be enemies to our salvation and over them all Christ doth give us the victory a 1 Pet 4.2 1 Joh 3.8 Mat 12.20 Rom 6.7 b Rom. 16.20 1 Ioh 4.4 c Rom 7.1.4 8.33 d 1 Cor. 15.55 57. Q. What is the second part of Christs Kingly office A. To give us Laws and Rules to order and governe us being thus gathered in the wayes of truth and righteousnesse Esay 9.6 7. Gal 6.16 Mat 28.20 Q. Then they wrong Christ in his Kingly office that challenge a power over the conscience to bind it with sin or duty A. They doe so because it is Christs prerogative to give Lawes to the conscience Esay 33.22 Mat. 23.8 10. Iam. 4.12 Men may order the outward man by their Lawes Col. 2.11.21 12. but the conscience is Christs peculiar they may not meddle with that to bind where Christ hath set free And where Christ hath bound no man can set us free 1 Cor. 7.24 2 Cor. 11.20 Gal. 5.1 Q. What is the third part of Christs Kingly office A. To subdue our lusts to rule in our hearts by his Word and Spirit and to keep us in obedience to his Lawes Psal 110.2 3. 45.5 2 Cor 10.4.5 Luk 19.14 27. Ezek 34.23 24. Q. What is the fourth part of Christs Kingly office A. To defend and preserve us amidst all tentations unto his Kingdome of glory Christ doth take order with the Enemies of his Church Kingdome he discovers and confounds their plots and devices He restraines their rage and sets bounds to their malice at last he casteth them into the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone Rev. 2.10 Luk. 18.7 8. Esa 43.2 Amos 9.9 Ezra 6.8 11 22. Esth 3.8 13. with Esth 6.1 6. with Esth 8.5 8 11. with Esth 9.1 22. Rev. 19.20 Q. By what means doth Christ gatheâ— him a Kingdome and carry on the Government thereof A. a Not by the arm of flesh b buâ— by spirituall weapons viz. His Word Sacraments and the exercise of the keyes which we call discipline a 2 Cor. 10.4 Esa 11.4 Eph. 6.11 12. b Joâ— 20.23 Mat. 18.17 18. Q. Then it is not lawfull for Christians by force of Armes to erect Christs Kingdome much lesse is it
of men professing the faith of Christ may be known to be the true Churches of Christ A. The true Church of God on earth is known by two markes 1. By the purity of Doctrine and Faith which they hold and teach 2. And by the purity of Worship preserved amongst them from pollutions of Idolatry and Superstition Pure faith and pure worship shew a true Church Jude vers 3. Acts 24.14 Hos 2.2 4 5. Papists call themselves Catholicks but falsely being both Heriticall in Doctrine Idolatrous in Worship a Catholicke is a right believer All true believers in the world make but one Catholick Church as there is but one Christ one Faith one Baptisme one Heaven and one way to life eternall Eph. 4.5 6. Heb. 11.40 Those people that maintaine Heresy or Idolatry are not the true Churches of Christ Col. 2.16 19. 2 Cor. 6.15 Rev. 18.4 Q. Doe you believe in the Church A. No there is no trust nor helpe in man for matters of salvation Ps 49.7 8 Mic. 6.7 Q. What then doe you believe A. I believe that God ever had and ever will have to the end of the world a company of faithfull people to serve him and that I am one of the number Q. How doe you know that you are one of the Church A. Because I am not of the world but have seperated my selfe from the evill manners and sinfull courses thereof and doe now heare and follow the voice of Christ Joh. 10.16 Gal. 1.4 Rom. 12.2 CAP. XXIII Of the Communion of Saints Q. WHat meane you by the communion of Saints A. I meane that this holy People have a spirituall fellowship with Christ their Head and one with another The members of the Church are coupled together with Christ their Head and one with another Eph. 4.4 6. 1 Joh. 1.3 Q. Wherein have they a fellowship with Christ their Head A. In all the priviledges riches which God hath bestowed on the man Christ as in his sufferings in his graces righteousnesse and Kingdome Christ is a Son so are we Christ is justified from our sinnes so are we As Christ the first borne is such are we in relation unto God Rom. 8.17 Joh. 14.19 Eph. 5.30 32. Joh. 17.24 Joh. 1.16 These places shew that the true believer hath a fellowship with Christ in his Sonship in his Life in his Graces in his Kingdome Q. By what bonds is this spirituall union betwixt Christ and your soule made up A. They be two one coming from Christ to us and that is his a Spirit whereby he doth apprehend and quicken us the other going from us to Christ and b that is our faith whereby we embrace hold him fast By these two we are knit unto Christ and so partake of all his riches a 1 Cor. 12.12 13. 1 Cor. 6.17 Rom. 8 9. b Eph. 3.17 Heb. 3.14 Rom. 11.20 Q. How doth it appear that you have communion with Christ the Head A. By this I know it because I have the same Spirit of Christ whereby I am conformed and made like unto him in all things his will and waies his friends and foes be mine even as if the same soule were in two bodies they would move alike and affect the same things Col. 2.19 1 Ioh. 4. 13. 1 Ioh. 1.6 Joh. 17.21 Rom. 8.14 Exek 10.17 Phil. 2.1 5. Q. Wherein have the Saints a fellowship one with another A. In faith and love Eph. 2.19.20 Q. In faith How A. They are all partakers of one Hope one Spirit one Faith one Baptisme and all goe one way to Heaven And are all confederate with Christ to serve him according to the covenant of faith and obedience against all sects heresies mis-believers and loose livers whatsoever 1 Cor. 10.1 4. 2 Pet. 1.1 Eph. 4.5 13. Phil. 1.27 Zeph. 3.9 Q. In love How A. By that one Spirit whereof all partake we are united together in love so that all the faithfull doe love a and esteeme each of other and b communicate each to other in all good things ever wishing well to the prosperity of Gods Church and cause in all the World a Philem. v. 16 17. 1 Ioh. 5.1 1 Pet. 2.17 b Act. 2 42 45 46. Act. 4.32 1 Cor. 12.13 25. Psal 137.6 Q. How are the members of the Church called Saints seeing in many things they sin A. Because they are made holy in part and are perfectly holy in Christ We must be Saints here else we shall never be Saints in Heaven Eph. 1.1 Heb. 12.14 CAP. XXIV Of forgivenesse of sinnes Q. WHat is sinne A. Any transgression of Gods Law 1 John 3.4 Gen. 3.11 Q. What is the punishment due to sinners A. Eternall death the curse of God for ever in Hell fire Rom. 6.21 23. Mat. 25.41 Q. Are you a sinner A. Yes I was borne in sinne and doe daily break Gods holy Lawes Psal 51.5 Rom. 5.14 There is sinne in Infants Q. Shall you then be damned in Hell fire A. I deserve damnation but I believe that through Christ my sinnes shall be forgiven me Rom 8.1 Q. Are sinnes forgiven in this life A. Yes now or never 1 Joh. 2.12 Col. 1.13 Mat. 9.2 Rev. 2.17 Rom. 5.5 The conscience is now absolved and it shall be hereafter declared solemnely before Men and Angels Act. 3.19 Q. What is forgivenesse of sinnes A. It is a free and full discharge of a sinner from the guilt punishment of sin so that in Gods sight they are as if they had never been Esa 43.25 Mic. 7.18 19. Rom. 8.33 34. The afflictions and miseries which the Godly endure in this World are not punishments for sin in a way of justice and satisfaction for sin as if they were the cause why sins are forgiven to us 1. Because Christ alone hath borne the chastisement of our peace and none of the people with him 2. Because the afflictions of the Godly are for the good of the party afflicted and not in a way of revenge to satisfie divine justice 3. And not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us Q. Who doth forgive sinnes A. God alone who is offended and dishonoured by them Mar. 2.7 9. Lu. 23.34 Men doe forgive one another the Trespasse but not the sin as it is sin Q. Why and for whose sake doth God forgive sinnes A. For Christs sake without respect to any thing that we can doe or suffer 1 Iob. 2 12. Act. 2.38 Eph. 4.32 Rom. 3.24 Q. Why for Christs sake A. Because he being surety of the New Covenant hath in my nature room and stead answered the Law pacified Gods wrath 2 Cor. 5.21 Heb. 7.22 Q To what manner of persons is remission of sins granted in the Gospell A. To them only that believe repent and amend their lives and turne from the evill of their doings Luk 13.3 Mar. 16.16 Ezek. 18.21 Esay 1.18 Act. 16.31 Joh. 5.24 Q. Do you think in your conscience that your sins in particular be forgiven A. Yes that is