the great God That the Lord will blesse and honour them that honour him 1 Sam. 2.30 and extoll them who seeke in Christ to give God the praises due unto his name Quest 28. What may the diligent observation of all these duties commanded and sinnes forbidden with the threatning and promises annexed hold forth unto the sonnes of men or what may this instruct Ans First to wicked and prophane men this holds forth and may teach them to take notice of their miserable condition living in a continuall prophanation of Gods name either in his Titles Word Ordinance or workes of Mercy or Judgement and so of a continuall subjection to the curse of God spirituall and temporall here and to an everlasting curse hereafter Quest 29. What further may such wicked men who are out of Christ learne from hence Ans Not to give sleepe to their eyes with quiet nor take delight in any creature-comfort but waite on Christ in all the meanes of Grace untill Christ make them by his Spirit sensible of their sinne and misery and give them faith and repentance that closing with Christ they may be freed from the guilt and punishment of their sinnes Quest 30. What may the Saints of God learn from hence by light from Christ for instruction 1 Cor. 13.9 Phil. 3.12 13 Ans To see the perfection of this holy Law of God and their owne imperfection and seeke daily to Christ as for assurance of Justification and Pardon of sin so for assured power of Sanctification and increase of strength from Christ that they may be inabled more and more to honour and glorifie the most holy Name of their most blessed Lord God and tender Father in Christ Jesus and that one day they shal glorifie this sacred Name in Heaven with Saints and Angels for evermore The thirty one Classis or company of Questions Question 1. YOu have answered concerning the Third now what is the fourth Commandement Ans Remember the Sabbath day to keepe it holy Six dayes shalt thou labour and do all thy work But the Seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt not doe any worke Thou nor thy Son nor thy Daughter thy Man-Servant nor thy Maide-servant nor thy Cattell nor thy Stranger that is within thy gates For in six dayes the Lord made Heaven and Earth the Sea and all that in them is and rested the Seventh day wherefore the Lord blessed the Seventh day and hallowed it Quest 2. What doe you principally observe and consider in this Fourth Commandement Ans First I observed the substance o◠sum of the Commandement set down in the first words Remember the Sabbath day to Sanctifie it or to keep it holy Secondly the explication or further Declaration of Gods will and pleasure in the next words that follow Six dayes shalt thou labour and do all that thou hast to doe or all thy worke but the Seventh day is the Sabboth of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt not do any worke thou nor thy Son nor thy Daughter thy Man-servant nor thy Maid-servant nor thy Cattell nor thy Stranger that is within thy gates Thirdly I observe the grand or chiefe reason and ground of this Commandement in the last words For in Six dayes the Lord made Heaven and Earth the Sea and all that in them is and nested the Seventh day wherefore the Lord blessed the Seventh day and hallowed it Quest 3. What doe you consider in the first of these the substance or sum of the Commandement in the first words Answ I consider three things First the memento Remember as holding forth a duty of Minding Deut. 5.15 Genes 2.1 2 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Shabath rest Remembring and Observing the Sabbath day before it come for preparation as a day holy to the Lord by his appointment of old even in Paradise before the Fall and as too much forgotten and neglected and therefore he requireth his peple to remember the day with greater observation Heb. 4.10 Secondly I consider the day the Sabbath day or day of Rest the Rest-day a day of ceasing from our owne works as God did from his Thirdly I consider another duty namely the end to remember the sanctification of this Rest day or separating and setting it apart from common and ordinary workes which concerne this present naturall life and a Consecrating of it unto God and to holy spirituall workes such as concerne our spirituall life and these things amongst other I observe considerable in the first expression of the Lord in this Commandement Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy Quest 4. What do you consider in the second part Ans First a permission and in this the equity of this Commandement as a strong reason or motive to obedience six dayes shalt thou labour and do all thy worke Secondly a Commission or Commandement to worke for since God made all the seven dayes as he did all the Trees of the Garden Gen. 2.16 17. and as hee might have forbid our first Parents halfe the Trees or all but on e if he had pleased and that without any wrong to them yet did forbid them but one Tree of the Garden So the Lord might have forbidden us to worke in three or foure of the dayes or more yea in all but one day And therefore since hee reserveth but one whole day of Seven for his solemne worship Great cause we should yeild most willing obedience to this Commandement and be carefull to keepe this in a holy rest to the Lord. and yet not mispend the six dayes but worke in our lawfull callings Secondly I consider a declaration of of the Lords right in this as being the Lords own separated day in a speciall manner and therefore a strong reason that man should not prophane this day but keepe it holy This in the next words But the Seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God Thirdly I consider a more generall and full prohibition of all manner of work In it thou shalt do no manner of worke that is of thy own workes for which I have allowed thee six dayes to labour in Fourthly I consider the persons who are prohibited from working in particular held forth in these seven expressions First Thou Secondly nor thy Son Thirdly nor thy Daughter Fourthly nor thy Man-servant Fifthly nor thy Made servant Sixtly nor thy Cattell Seventhly nor the Stranger that is within thy Gates or that is within or under thy power jurisdiction protection or command whatsoever Thou shalt not prophane the Sabbath thy self nor suffer any other in thy power to sin in this respect Quest 5. What do you consider in the third and last part you obsorved the principall reason of the Commandement Ans Frst the Lords owne example in the great work of Creation held forth for our imitation For in six dayes the Lord made Heaven and Earth The Sea and all that in them is and so the Lord
Church of God requires Quest 24. What is a second duty in publike Ans To joyne devoutly and understandingly with the Minister and Congregation in Prayer not onely attending with the eare to every confession of sinne petition for grace and all the powrings out of the Ministers soule in Prayer but with thy minde and heart to goe along with the Minister of Christ and to pour out thy soule with him and all the rest of the Congregation in every confession request or giving of thankes to God saying Amen in thy soule Psal 85.8 Phil. 4.13 Rom. 8.26 27. and in faith expecting a gratious returne of your prayers in Gods due time and this not in thy owne strength but by the assistance and strength of Christ and the spirit of Christ helping our infirmities and inabling the soule to wrastle with God in prayer Gen. 32. Quest 25. What is the sinne contrary to this duty declared Ans Not to attend diligently with our eares or to wander and be distracted in our mindes and hearts in time of Prayer or not to goe along with the Minister of God and heartily joyne with him in Prayer according to the Word of God and rule of Christ or to do this in a dead manner without any affection or life in Prayer or not to pray in faith and in faith expect an answer and gracious returne of our petitions put up rightly in matter and manner in the name of Christ John 19.23 Quest 26. What is a third duty in publike for sanctification of this blessed Sabbath and rest day of the Lord Ans This concerneth both the Ministers and People of God Ezra 7.10 Nehe. 8.8 Ezek. 3.17 Acts 20.20 21. And first the Ministers duty is to Reade Expound Catechize and Preach the Word of God without respect of persons in faithfulnesse sincerity and godly wisedome not with intising words of mans wisdome but in evidence of the spirit and of power and as becomes the Ministers of Christ Quest 27. What is the Ministers sin contrary to this duty Ans To neglect Expounding and Preaching of the Word or Catechizing or to doe it unfaithfully with entising words of mans wisdome and otherwise then becommeth the Gospell of Christ Quest 28. What is the peoples duty in this particular and what light from Christ for this Ans To attend diligently in the hearing of the Word or Catechizing to the voyce of Gods Ministers Acts 15.14 15. or to the Word of God as it is indeed the Word of God and not of man and that without wandring or sleeping with hunger after the mind of Christ in the Word and with faith and obedience as becommeth the children of God to the wil of their Heavenly Father Heb. 4.2 Quest 29. What is the sin contrary to this duty of the people Ans To neglect hearing of Gods Word or Catechizing or to heare it carelessely without devotion Faith Love or Obedience unprofitably either in respect of Gods glory or our owne salvation Quest 30. What is a fourth particular duty in which this rest-day or Lords day is to be sanctified Ans In a right communicating and partaking of the blessed Sacrament according to Christs institution Gods people being clothed upon with the wedding Garment as is declared at large in the former part of the Catechisme Quest 31. What is the contrary sinne to this duty Ans To neglect the Sacrament 2 Chron. 30. As 1 Chron. 15.13 1 Cor. 11.28 29 30. or not to receive it in a due and as right order to Gods glory and our own refreshing in Christ Jesus Quest 32. What are the duties to be performed in private in our Familes after the publike Ordinances are ended Ans Repetition and conference one with another of what we have heard Parents taking account of their children and Masters of their servants what they have remembred searching the Scriptures and examing by the Word what hath been delivered by the Minister of Christ Acts 17.11 12. in Catechizing those under our charge meditation and earnest Prayer unto God for a blessing upon the Word and Sacraments received and strength from Christ to bring forth fruits as Trees of righteousnesse Isaia 61.3 the planting of the Lord that hee may be glorified Quest 33. What is the sinne contrary to this duty Ans A meer resting in the outward hearing of the Word or partaking of the Sacrament and publike ordinance without any care of profiting our selves or Families by Repetition Conference searching the Scripture Catechizing or Prayer in our Family oâ— closets for a blessing endeavouring by the power of Christ to practice in our lives what we have heard and learned as the truth is in Jesus the neglect of any of which is sin Quest 34. This is a strict rest indeed and a strict sanctification of this rest is there any more required Ans Yes a giving of Almes and performing workes of charity and Mercy 1 Cor. 16 2. Nehe. 8.12 and that freely and liberally according to our ability and as the necessities of the Saints require Quest 35. What is the sin contrary unto this duty of Charity Ans To give no Almes and neglect workes of charity and mercy though God hath given us ability to helpe the afflicted brethren in their time of neede Quest 36. Here are many outward acts of duty to bee performed are there noâ— some inward and spirituall required also Ans Yes it is required that the childdren of God should make the Sabbath his delight and keepe a spirituall rest from sinne of omission or commission and so keepe a spirituall and holy restj indeed Heb. 4.9.10 11 c. Isai 58.13.14 as all the dayes of our lives from sinne so especially on the Lords day a preperation to that eternall Sabbath and rest from all sinne and misery which we shall enjoy for ever in the Kingdome of Heaven Quest 37 What is the sinne contrary to this duty of delight in the Sabbath and spirituall rest from sin Ans To be weary of the Sabbath or Lords Day to say or thinke as those in Amos when will the Sabbath be gone Amos 8.5 Isaia 1.12 13 14. when will the Sabbath be gone And not to rest from sin but to doe the Devills worke on Gods Day to swear to drinke tipling and distempering themselves to Whore Amos 5.21 or keepe company with Harlots Jer. 5.7 or abuse Gods Day in any wickednesse whatsoever and so to make even our outward performances odious to God and to all good men Luke 13.25 26. endangerinâ— the soule and body to a restlesse condition in Hell fire for ever Luke 16.24 Quest 38. This is a most perfect Law indeed that requireth all this in one of the Ten Commandements but J pray you who is bound to performe this duty Answ The Commandement it selfe holdeth forth this in the next words Thou thy Sonne thy Daughter thy Man-servant thy Maide-servant nor thy Ox nor thy Asse nor
22.30 and more inabled to powre out my soul in prayer more assured that although I may passe through many aafflictions yet I shall one day feast with Christ in the Kingdom of glory Quest 7. What further may you stir up in your soul Ans To observe how I am delighted and fully satisfied with this heavenly and joyful feast yea that I am so satisfied as never any more to feast at Satans Table or to have the least communion with the Devil the World or the Flesh or any sinful feast of sinful profits or pleasures whatsoever Isa 55.3 Iohn 6.34 35. as being now fully contented with Christs presence in this life and with assurance of Christs presence in that life eternal which is to come Quest 8. How may you wait on Christ in the second of these Divine meditations Gantâ— 2.3 c. Ans In fixing the eye of my soul so fully upon Christ in this feast I may meditate by the power of Christs spirit so exactly upon every particular dainty which my soul meeteth with at the Lords Table Quest 9. What else mayyou meditate upon Ans Upon those glorious refreshings and strengthnings of my soul in grace by the lively holding forth of Christ and my so near union and communion with Christ and with all the Saints until my soul say Cant. 2.1 c. It is enough Lord I desire no more but still to enjoy thee the delight of my soul and most thankfully to remember thy love above all the delights and loves of the world for ever Quest 10. How may you wait on Christ in the third and last faithful application of all to your own soul in particular Ans By the power of Christs spirit and faith I now by secret medication in faith may and do apply Christ and the love of Christ in all this rich feast to my own soul Quest 11. What benefits do you enjoy by this Ans First now by the eye of faith I see evidently that God my Father so loved me that he gave his Son for me that I now believing shall not perish Iohn 3.16 but have everlasting life Quest 12. What is a second Ans Secondly I now see by the eye of faith that my Lord Christ loved me and gave himself for me thar he is now become the Author and finisher of my faith yea Gal. 2.20 Heb. 12.2 the Author of eternal life to and for me to whom he hath given power to obey him in and by believing Quest 13. What is a third Ans Thirdly I now see by the eye of faith that all this great feast was prepared for me and lor my refreshing and souls contentment and is a sure and infallible sign Mat. 22.1 c. Iob 19.25 26. and seal and pledge of God my Fathers love to me in the Lord Christ who is my strength and my Redeemer Quest 14. What is a fourth Acts 3.20 21. Psa 24.7 Can. 5 1. Luk. 22.23 c Ans Fourthly I now see that although my Lord and Saviour my great King of glory who hath entred into the everlasting door of my soul keep his residence in his most glorious Court of heaven yet he hath been present with my soul in this rich feast of grace he hath fed me with his delicates he hath cheered up my spirits with his wines of joyes O the sweet meats of comforts that have made my soul fat this day I am filled with the loves of my Lord my heavenly husband who hath married me to himself for ever and made me sit with him at his Table Quest 15. What may I consider further Ans Fifthly How great was my unworthinesse and how invaluable was his love and Free-grace to my soul when he saw me in my blood and said live yea when I was in my blood dead in my sinful blood he gave me life when I was an Infant new born Exek 16.3 4. cast out to the loathing my person when my Father an Amorice and my Mother was an Hittite could not relieve me then my Christ my Lord did graciously succour me he cherished me he bred me up while I was grown in grace he cast his skirt of love over me and I became his and he made me glorious in grace through the comelinesse that he hath put upon me Quest 16. what is the sixth grace or benefit Ans Surely as I may so I will greatly rejoyce in my Lord and my soul shall be joyful in my God for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation Isa 61.10 and he hath covered me with the robes of righteousnesse as a Bridegroom decketh himself with Ornaments and as a Bride adorneth her self with Jewels Quest 17. What is the seventh benefit Answ Seventhly when I was in danger of my life through the plots and conspiracies of bloody enemies the World the Flesh and the Devil I drew near into the presence of my Lord with a true heart in full assurance of faith Est 5.2 Heb. 10.22 Can. 4.6 having my heart sprinkled from an evil conscience and my body washed with pure water my Lord held forth his golden Scepter of grace and revived my spirits which formerly hid been fainting for want of his gracious presence Quest 18. What may you conclade from these Ans Now I may truly and assuredly conclude I am my Beloveds and my Beloved is mine I will hold fast the profession of my faith without wavering Can. 6.4 Heb. 10.23 c. 1 Thes 4.16 c. Luk. 22.36 Ioh. 17.24 for he is faithful that promised I will consider my brethren and sisters in Christ to provoke unto love and to good works and I will not forsake the assembling of our selves together to meet our Lord at his Table as the manner of some is but exhort one another while it is called to day because the day approacheth when our Lord and King Jesus will call us all by his last Trumpet to feast at his Table in heaven where we shall be with him and see his glory for ever and ever Amen Quest 19. What is a second grace or gracious action to be put in present execution before your departure from the congregation and communion of Saints in this sacred feast Ans A present manifestation of my thankfulnesse and love to Christ my Lord and Saviour again in the work of charity Neh. 8.8 Acts 20.7 2.46 1 Cor. 16.1 2 3. 2. Tim. 1.16 3. Ioh. 5 6 7 8. 2 Cor. 9.4 c. Ioh. 2.34 c. according to my ability to the poor Saints my fellow-members of the same body of which Christ my Lord is the Head that I may refresh their hungry bodies as the Lord Christ hath refreshed my hungry soul with plentiful refreshings at his Table Quest 21. What is the third grace or gracious action to be acted and exercised by the power of Christ to Gods glory and your own comfort before the Congregation be dismissed after partaking this
12. What sins are contrary to these duties concerning hearing or believing and obeying Gods word Ans To come to Gods house without a due preparation of the heart and minde and memory before we come 1. By examination of our knowledge or want of knowledge or by meditation of Christ and his Prophetical Office to teach us that we may learn of Christ or prayer for Gods Ministers or for our selves for our profiting in the Ordinance Mic. 7.16 Mat. 13.15 2 Tim 1.4.3 2. To be present without serious attentions with gazing eyes deaf dull itching prejudicate ears or wandring hearts Ier. 6.10 3. To hear with hypocritical prophane or uncircumcised hearts oâ— ears without love towards Gods Word 4. To hear with wilful hard impenitent hearts Acts 28.27 28. 17.11 or disobedient forgetful mindes without care to remember or confer of Gods Word after or prayer to God for a blessing upon it to our selves or those who have heard it Quest 13. What danger or judgement are such evil hearers subject unto Or how doth doth God punish such wicked and carelesse hearers of his word Prov. 28.9 Mat. 13.14 15. 2 Thes 2.10 c. 1 Cor. 1.18 c. Ans He that turneth away his ear from hearing of Gods Word his prayer is abominable and God many times gives them up to blindenesse of minde and hardnesse of heart to strong delusions to believe lyes and perish for ever Quest 14. What may these sins and dangers teach such wicked men Ans To come in betimes to wait on Christ for hearing ears Pro. 20.12 Mat. 13.16 and seeing eyes that they may hear and believe on and receive Christ and be justified and saved Quest 15. What way this teach Gods Children Ans To wait daily on Christ for more strength Ioh. 15.5 to prepare more conscionably to hearken more attentively to believe and follow Christ more fully until they come to glory Quest 16. You have answered concerning the first part of Gods worship the Prceaching of the word Now what is required in this command concerning Gods Ministers and their duty in this solemn worship Ans 2 Tim. 4.12 3 4. Deu. 33.9 2 Cor. 5.20 1 Cor. 5.20 2 5 6. The Ministers of Christ rightly called to this great Ministerial Office they are to Preach the Word of God in season and out of season with all faithfulnesse long-suffering and patience as for God and in Christs stead in godly sincerity boldnesse and zâ—al for Gods glory and the salvation of souls And this with Divine authority and holy wisdom and in demonstration of the spirit and of power Quest 17. What are the sins of Ministers contrary to this Ans To Preach Lyes in Hypocrisie 1 Tim. 4.1 2. Gal. 1.8 9. 1 Tim. 1.3 4. 6.3 c. or any Doctrine contrary to the word of God or Gospel of Christ or unprofitable for the people to whom they Preach Secondly to Preach the word of God corruptly 2 Cor. 2.17 Ier. 23.28 1 Pet. 5. 1 c. or not of a ready minde but for filthy Lucre sake or with Lording over Gods heritage Thirdly to Preach the Word flatteringly to please men sowing pillows under mens Elbows Ier. 23.18 Ezek. 22.28 or not as the Servant of Christ Fourthly not to Preach or to be negligent Ministers in their Ministerial Office Exo. 34.2 3. Quest 18. What it the penalty of such Ministers who Preach or people Who hear the word of God in such a sinful manner Mat. 7.21 c. Luk. 13.24 c. Ans The Lord Christ will not know or own them to be any of his at the day of Judgement but shut them out of heaven Quest 19. What should he the consideration of this work in these mens mindes as Ioh. 5.1 c. to want ordinances Acts 8.21 c. 2 Tim. 2 25 26. 1 Thes 1.10 Ans It should teach them in time to wait on Christ in his Ordinances to see if God will give them true faith in Christ and true Repentance and forgivenesse of their sinful speaking or hearing of Gods Word that they may be delivered from wrath to come Quest 20. You have answered concerning the first outward part of Gods worship the Preaching and hearing of Gods word Now what are the duties commanded or the sins forbidden in relation to the second part of Gods outward worship the blessed Sacraments Ans They are already declared in the former part of this Catechism in the 26 27 28 Classis where you may finde divers directions of duties to be practised for right preparation and participation for the blessed Sacrament And divers sins are or may be observed contrary to those duties with the danger of unworthy receiving 1 Cor. 11.27 both intimated by the Apostle and the Doctrine of the Sacraments are opened at large in the Classes aforesaid Quest 21. What are the duties commanded and sins forbidden in the third publike Ordinance or part of Gods worship offering up the spiritual sacrifices of prayer and praises unto God And first for prayer Ans It is a general duty for all to pray to God in the Name of Christ for all things lawful and necessary for themselves or others Ioh. 16.23 1 Tim. 2.1 2. for Gods glory and good of Christs Church Quest 22. What is the general sin contrary unto this duty of prayer unto God in the Name of Christ Isa 46.6 7. 57.8 Ans First to put up our prayers to any other god then to the true God or to any other as to God or to any Idol Image or similitude of the true or any false God or to any Mediator as Mediator either Angels or Saints departed or the Image of any of them 1 Sam. 22.23 Iob. 15.4 Secondly to neglect prayer for our selves or not to pray for another and for the Churches of Christ Militant upon Earth Quest 23. What are the particular duties required in Prayer Ans There are many particular duties you may observe these in brief 1 Cor. 14.15 1. We must pray with knowledge and understanding both to whom in whose Name and for what we pray Iam. 1.5 2. We must pray with Faith and in Christs Name having an eye to Gods promises of those things for which we pray 3. We must pray with repentance that our sins separate betwixt God and us Iohn 16.23 to keep good things from us 4. We must pray with reverend Devotion having our hearts and mindes firmly fixed on God to whom we pray Acts 10.1 2. 5. In sincerity powring out our hearts unto God 1 Sam. 1.13 15. 6. With humility or humblenesse of spirit Isa 57.15 Ps 51.17 Luk. 22.41 42. submitting our wills to the will of God 7. With fortitude even wrestling by faith with our God in prayer until we conquer Gen. 32.24 c. Hos 12. 8. With fervency and zeal of spirit for the grace we do pray for even with tears
appointed us to labour six dayes Secondly the Lords own example in Resting also from worke the seventh day and Rested the seventh day Thirdly the Lords institution and appointment of the seventh day to be a holy Rest for his service wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it Quest 6. But is there no worke to be done upon the Sabbath day nor by any manner of persons Answ I answer yes first workes of piety may be done by all in their severall places and in particular by the Ministers of Christ as of old time the Priests did performe their workes upon the Sabbath day Mat. 12.5 and were blamelesse and as men went a Sabbath dayes jorney to the Prophets Acts 1.12 2 Kings 4 22 23. and places appointed for Gods publike worship Secondly workes of Mercy and Charity may be done upon the Sabbath day without blame as being acceptable to God at all times in Christ Jesus Acts 20.9 1 Cor. 16.2 Luke 14.5 and not condemned on that day but appointed Thirdly workes of necessity which require present helpe and could not have been done the day before nor stay untill the day following Mark 2.23 24 25 26 27. Mat. 12.11 12. Luke 13.15 15 16. these workes may also bee done upon the Sabbath day as necessary provision of meate for man or beast the necessary worke of the Phisitian or others for a sick or disseased person or of a Chyrurgeon for the wounded or a Midwife or others for Women in travell all such workes of necessity in truth and without hypocrisie may be done upon the Sabbath day But other Workes which are neither workes of piety of Charity nor of true necessity I believe ought not to be done upon that day Quest But is not the Sabbath day ceremoniall and so to be abolished Colos 2.16 17. or at least to be left at liberty now in the time of the Gospell since the Apostle seemeth to hold forth a Sabbath as a ceremony in that Epistle to the Collossians and before to the Galatians he blameth them for observing dayes and moneths and yeares Gala. 4.10 Is not the Sabbath day then abolished by the Comming of Christ Ans First I answer it is certaine there were diverse Sabbaths which the Jewes were required to sanctifie Levit. 23.38 39 c. Ezek. 20.21 and not to prophane or pollute as is evident by that of the Prophet Ezekiel they polluted my Sabbaths then I said I will poure out my fury upon them Thus in this sence the name Sabbath was applied to all those Ceremoniall Levit. 23.26 27 28 29 30 31 32. Feastivalls yea and daies of Fastings which were to be kept without doing any worke on those dayes as a Sabbath or Rest of the Lord. Levit. 23.15 16. Levit. 25.2 3. Lâ—vit 25.8 9. Againe there was a Sabbath of Sabbaths and a Sabbath of yeares when was the yeare of Jubile and these were Ceremoniall Types indeed and Shadowes with the Sacrifices and services herein And of these I conceive the Apostle speakes as abolished and in which the children of God in the Gospell are not to be condemned Colos 2.17 because Christ who is the body figured by all these is come But he doth not speake of this Sabbath which the Lord commanded to be sanctified in the Decalogue or Ten Commandements at least in no wise of the substance of the Commandement that a Seventh day is to be sanctified as holy to the Lord. Quest 8. But wherefore then is not the Seventh day from the Creation kept as a Sabbath day or by what authority is this Seventh day now sanctified and kept as a Sabbath called in Scripture the Lords Day Ans First Isai 56.2 3 4 5. the keeping of a seventh day for a Sabbath is absolutely morall and perpetuall instituted in Paradise before the fall and in the Decalogue or Ten Commandements given on Mount Sinai and that Commandement bindes to a seventh day for ever Secondly although there be not an absolute command in the New Testament to change the day evidently held forth unto us yet there is Divine Authority sufficient in the constant practize of the Apostles and Saints to meete on this seventh day Acts 2.46 Acts 20.7 8 c 1 Cor. 16.1 2. being then called the first day of the weeke to performe the duties of the Sabbath on this day in Preaching and Hearing of the word and receiving of the Sacrament called breaking of bread and in Prayer and giving Almes and the like as being the Lords owne day as the day of the Lords Resurrection and to be sanctified as the Lords day to meet Christ in all his Ordinances of the Sabbath Revel 1.10 as John the 〈◊〉 Divine was ravished in the spirit and met Christ on that day for the great comfort of himselfe and the Churches of Christ that day then called and esteemed and reckoned to be the Lords own day and so to be kept as the Lords day by the Churches of Christ Quest 9. What is the generall duty required in this fourth Commandement and what light from Christ for this duty Ans To be mindefull of and remember the Sabbath Isai 58.13 Heb. 4.9.10 Mark 1.35 39. or Lords day to keep it as a day of Rest from our own works and bodily labour and as a spirituall rest from the sinfull workes of our soules and bodies and to sanctifie it as a holy Rest in the performance of the Lords Workes of holinesse and his holy service to glorifie the Lord of Sabbath in a speciall manner on that Day Quest 10. What is the generall sinne forbidden in this Commandement Ans All prophanation of the Sabbath or Lords day Isaia 58.13 by ommission of Gods workes or performing of our owne workes or worldly businesse of this life outward in our bodies except in case of true extraordinary necessity or performing of any our owne workes of sinne in bodies or soules as all other dayes so especially onâ— the Lords day or the day of Gods Rest Heb. 4.9.10 and Sabbath Day Quest 11. What are the particular duties required for the sanctification of the Christian Sabbath or Lords day what light from Christ for these Ans They are diverse wee may remember these especiall First a preparation for the right sanctification of this day by minding of it before it come that we may be more fit to serve the Lord in it when it is come and by rising early in the morning as bodily health will suffer that wee may have time to exercise preparative duties before wee come to the publike Ordinances Quest 12. What is the sinne contrary unto this Ans To forget the Lords Day or be so unmindfull of it as either in our own persons or by compelling or suffering our children or servants so long to labour Ex. 12.3.6 Exo. 3.5 Ex. 19.10.15 Deut. 33.3 Mat 27.62 As Amos 4.12 so here and over-wearie our bodies or spirits on
and Iudgement to come These evidence plainly an immortality of the soul whatsoever foolish vain man can think or imagine to the contrary Quest 21. What is a last Reason you please to produce from Scripture to prove the souls immortality Ans The longings of the Saints to be dissolved and to be with Christ as blessed Paul did Phil. 1.23 I desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ which is far better This certainly the Apostle did intend of this being with Christ in his soul when his body was dead and therefore did verily believe the immortality of the soul and a hope of happinesse when this life is ended Rev. 14.13 1 Cor. 15.19 otherwise Gods people were of all men most miserable when as the holy Ghost pronounceth them blessed that die in the Lord Therefore without doubt our souls are immortall Quest 22. What use is to be made of all this Ans To teach all men to prize their immortall souls above all the world Mat. 16.26 For what is a man profited if he shall win the whole world and lose his own soul Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul And who will not most willingly wait upon Christ in the Gospel that he may be drawn in to receive Christ for the Eternall salvation of his soul The sixth Classis or Company of Questions 1 Question VVHat is the work of Gods Providence as of the world in generall so of Angels and men in particular Ans That excellent government by which God doth wisely justly and graciously preserve rule and order the world provides for all and disposeth of all things therein even the afflictions of his own people for his own glory and the good of his Children Gen. 22.8.13 45.5 1 King 17.1 c. Iob 48.41 Psal 36.6 7. Prov. 15.3 Mat. 10.29 30 31. 1 Tim. 4.10 Rom. 8.28 Psal 119.67 71. Heb. 12.6 7 8. Quest 2. What is the work of Gods Providence concerning Angels or their service in respect to his Children or to the wicked Ps 104.4 Heb. 1.14 Ps 34.8 91.10 11. 2 Kings 6.16 17 19.35 Ans They are all ministring Spirits sent forth for their sakes that are heires of Salvation yea for preservation of Saints destruction of the wicked both in this life and at the day of Iudgement Luk. 24.23 Mat. 13.41 42. 25.30.31 Quest 3. What else is the office of the Elect Angels Ans They are glorious attendants on Gods Majesty in heaven Dan. 7.9 Luk. 2.13 14. Rev. 5.11 12. Psa 103.20 2 Pet 2.11 Isa 6.23 delightfully singing forth his praises and readily waiting at all times to do his pleasure Quest 4. How long have the Angels been provided to do God service Or when did God make them for his ministration Ans The certain day of their Creation is not expressed in the holy Scriptures Gen. 1.2 3. Iob 38.4 5 6 7. Mat. 24.30 But it is most likely they were Created the first day when the Heavens were made wherein they dwell the Angels being witnesses at the Creation of the earth and rejoycing at the excellency of Gods works at the beginning Quest 5. How many Angels did God make for this service in the beginning Ans The certain number is not revealed in Scriptures Dan. 7.10 Mat. 26.53 Heb. 12.22 but it is evidently held forth that God hath Thousand thousands of Angels and Ten thousand times ten thousand legions and miriades yea an innumerable company to attend upon his Majesty and do him service Quest 6. In what state and condition did God create the Angels Ans They were all very good Gen. 1.31 perfect in holinesse and righteousnesse Lu. 9.26 Iob 1.8 Act. 6.15 2 Cor. 11.14 Iob 39 7. Heb. 12.9 pure and glorious Spirits Angels of light after the likenesse of God their Father Quest 7. Are the Angels all alike in nature Ans In respect of their nature they are all alike holy Spirits Mar 4.11 Iude v. 9. Isa 6.2 Ezek. 10.1 2. Col. 1.16 c. Eph. 1.20 c. Mal. 3.1 2 3. but in respect of their offices objects and services about which they are conversant they are held forth in Scripture by divers names titles and degrees as Angels Archangels Seraphins Cherubims and the like but the head of all is Christ the Angel of the Covenant Quest 8. How is the Lord Christ the head of the Angels Hâ— 8.12.22 c. Iohn 1.1 2 3. 1 Cor. 8.6 Col. 1.16 c. Eph. 1.20 c. Phil. 2. 1 Tim. 5.21 Heb. 1.2 c. Ans Not as a head as Mediator of or by Redemption as he is to men for the Elect Angels never fell But as head or supreme by Creation Conservation and Confirmation in that state of happinesse and purity in which they were first Created Christ the Eternall Son of God upholding all things and being highly exâ—lted above all things as head of the Church and of all the Sons of God Angels and men Quest 9. Have the Angels any care of or respect unto men in particular Ans They are ready at Gods charge for preservation of Saints they desire their good and rejoyce at the conversion of a sinner and delightfully look into the mystery of mans Redemption being ready to oppose the Devils and all enemies and to carry the souls of Saints departing into Abrahams bosome that Paradise of heaven to be with Christ for ever Psal 91.11 12. Dan. 10.13 21. Zach. 1.12 13. Joh. 5.4 Luke 15.10 1 Pet. 1.10 c. Eph. 3.8 9 10. Zach. 3.1.2 Acts 12.7 8. Rev. 12.7 c. Gen. 32.2 Mat. 18.10 Luke 26.22 and 23.43 Quest 10. Are Angels to be worshipped or prayed unto Ans No by no means Iudg. 13.16 Zac. 13.7 Rev. 19.20 22.1 9. Heb. 1.4 c. It is a sacrifice and service which belongeth to God himself and to that God-man Christ the Angel of the Covenant who is Gods fellow and this worship is an honour which the Angels themselves have refused to accept Quest 11. Mat. 33.1 2 3. Gen. 19.1.20 31 11 c. 34.24 c. 48.15 16. But did not the Patriarchs bow and pray to Angels and Iacob in particular Gen. 48.16 Ans That was the Angel of the Covenant the Lord Christ the second Person in Trinity who appeared to Jacob and other Patriarchs Heb. 11.18 Isa 41.8 Col. 2.18 and so worship was and is due to him but not to any Created Angel whatsoever Quest 12. What profit is this knowledge of Angels to the Saints and Servants of God Gen. 31.2 2 King 6.16 19.35 Mat. 26.53 44. Psal 68.17 Ans Of great profit and comfort that we may know the greatnesse of Gods love and care for his Church that if all the wicked men and Devils in the world do conspire against Gods Children yet besides Gods own infinite power God hath created Armies of mighty Angels to preserve his Saints and to destroy the wicked
to save himself or make a right use of those means of grace which tend to Salvation Ans Yea Eccles 7.29 Gen. 1.27 3.3 4 5. certainly there is great difference between the Covenant of works the Covenant of grace for in the first Covenant although God gave our first Parents a holy nature and ability if they would Isa 42.6 7. Acts 5.31 Ier. 31.33 Heb. 8.10 2 Cor. 3.8 to keep the Covenant and be happy Yet did not God give them a grace and confirmed will to persevere in that holinesse or be preserved from falling But in the Covenant of Grace the Lord gives Christ for a Covenant and in and by Christ his Spirit knowledge Faith Repentance love a new heart freedom from dominion and damning power of sin and perseverance in grace and all things that pertain to life and godlinesse God writes the Law not in Tables of stone as on Mount Sinai but in the heart and as he requireth Faith as with an empty hand to receive Christ so he giveth Faith Phil. 1.29 1 Pet. 1.3 4. and works it by his word and Spirit keeping the Saints by his power through Faith unto Salvation Gen. 3.15 17.17 Isa 5.3 Gen. 2.17 18. Ma. 1.21 Luke 2.10 c. Ioh. 1.14 1 Ioh. 3.14 c. Mat. 17.5 1 Tim. 1.1 5. Quest 14. What is the Covenant of grace Ans The Covenant of grace is that Covenant which God made with our first Parents in Paradice after their fall promising Christ the seed of the woman to break the Serpents head and in Christ life Eternall freely This Covenant renewed to Abraham held forth before Christ more darkly in Types and Figures but more fully since Christ in the glorious and clear Sun-shine of the Gospel Quest 15. You have explained what man was in the state of Creation and how miserable by nature after the fall Now what is mans condition by Grace and in the state of Grace when God hath drawn him to come into Christ and to seek Christ alone for Salvation by vertue of this Covenant Ans Man who could destroy Hos 13.9.14 1 Pet. 1.18 19. 2 Cor. 5.18 19. Phil. 1.29 Act. 5.31 Rom. 5.1 8.30 8.17 Gal. 5.4 5. but not save himself nor be Redeemed by silver and gold or by any other creature is now according to this Covenant of grace a Redeemed one by Christ reconciled to God in Christ called enabled to believe and Repent Iustified Sanctified Adopted to be a childe of God and in Christ an Heir of glory Quest 16. Are all men in this happy condition who live under the Gospel and hear the Preaching of this Covenant of Grace by Gods faithfull Ministers Ans No certainly not any in the ordinary way who are of years of discretion but only those who first waiting on Christ in his Ordinances in some measure by his Word and Spirit according to the working of Gods mighty power have their eyes opened Secondly Are made sensible of sin and misery by sin Thirdly Enabled to deny themselves Fourthly And by faith to apprehend apply Christ as their surety and redeemer Fifthly To rest on Christ alone for Salvation And Sixthly Declare their thankfulnesse by serving God in righteousnesse and true holinesse all the dayes of their lives 2 Chron. 34.19 c. Isa 66.2 Acts 2.37 38. and 16.17 18. Eph. 1.17 c. Rom. 7.23 24. Mat. 16.24 John 1.11 12. Mat. 11.28 29. Rom. 12.1 2. Luke 1.73 c. Quest 17. You have held forth and professed what you believe concerning the Providence of God in the state of man by Creation and his most miserable condition by the fall and declared in part what Gods Children are in the state of grace Now let me hear in brief what you believe concerning the Children of God in the state of glory And what is Gods works of Providence and government in the Heavenly Kingdom Ans First For the present Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord even so faith the Spirit they rest from their labours their immortall souls return to God that gave them and being dissolved from their bodies they are with their thâ—ir heavenly husband Christ Iesus in glory Revelation 14.13 Ecclesiastes 12.7 Phil. 1.21 c. Luke 23.43 Rev. 19.6 c. Secondly At the day of Iudgement their bodies being raised from the dead 1 Cor. 15.19 c. Mar. 25.34 Rev. 21.4 Mat. 5.8 1 Iohn 3.1 2 3. 17.20 c. 1 Thes 4 13. to 18. Ioh. 10.27 to 30. Mat. 25.46 Rev. 4.8 c. 5.11 c. 7.10 c. their souls and bodies re-united by the power of Christ the sentence of blessednesse shall be pronounced to them And Thirdly there shall be no more death but all tears shall be wiped away from their eyes God shall be all in all to them Fourthly They shall enjoy the vision of God in glory and by union and communion with God in Christ remain happy with the Lord in that Kingdom of glory in life everlasting praising and glorifying of God for ever and ever Quest 18. What shall become of unbelievers impenitent and wicked men and women who neglect Christ and Salvation tendred in the Gospel of grace and follow the course of this world and their own sinfull lusts ignorantly or presumptuously to their ends What is Gods government concerning them Ans When they die their souls desend presently to misery and the bodies shall be raised again at the last day by the power of God and appear before the Iudgement seat of Christ to receive that direfull sentence of condemnation Go ye cursed and be excluded Heaven and cast into the fire of Hell to be tormented with the Devil and his Angels in darknesse for evermore Luke 16.22 23. Heb. 2.2 3. Joh. 3.18 19 30. John 4.28 29. and 12.48 Acts 13.46 and 18.5 6. Rom. 2.8 9 12. 1 Cor. 6.9 Gal 5.19 c. Eph. 5.24 36. Phil. 3.18 19. Mat. 22.12 13. and 25.41 Rev. 21.15 Quest 19. But who shall be Judge of believers and unbelievers at that great Day to separate the precious from the vile the Wheat from the Tares the righteous from the wicked and to reward every man and woman according to their works Ioh. 1.12 Mat. 24.30 Iohn 5.22 23. Act. 10.42 Mat. 25.31 c. 1 Thes 1.9 c. Ans The Lord Iesus Christ who is the only begotten Son of God who stiled himselfe also as he is the Son of Man to whom God the Father hath committed all Iudgement and ordained him to be the Iudge of quick and dead He shall come in glory of his Father with his Angels and shall separate the sheep from the goats believers from unbelievers and pronounce the sentence of blessednesse to the one and of the curse and damnation to the other according to their works and the just rule of truth and righteousnesse Quest 20. But shall all both quick and dead good and bad be brought before Christ to receive
sence of seeing both bodily by eyes of your body and spiritually by eyes of faith Ans I must still by the power of Christ exercise these three spiritual acts or actions of my soul to be exercised in every particular sacramental action 1. Diligent observation 2. Divine meditation 3. Faithful application and appropriation of all to my own soul Quest 21. How must observation be exercised by you What light shineth from Christ for your direction Ans I ought diligently by the spirit of Christ to observe the sacramental action of breaking bread Luk. 22.17 c. or powring out or giving of the wine according to the institution of Christ as it is a sacramentâ—l actâ—on for the end for which Christ appointed it Qâ— st 22. How ought you to exercise medi ation Ans By help of Christ I ought so to meditate and think of the breaking bread and powring out of the wine as to meditate of Christ crucified his body broken with torments as before noted and his blood shed for my sins Gal. 3.1 Qâ—est 23. How ought you to exercise spiritual and faithful Application and appropriation of all to your self Ans By the strength of Christ and Christs spirit strengthning and communicating strength of life from Christ to my soul I ought to apply by faith and appropriate all this that Christ hath done or suffered as done and suffered by Christ for me and my Redemption and as loving me and giving himself for me his soul to be made an offering for my sin his body to be broken with torments and his blood to be shed to the death for my eternal Redemption and salvation Isaiah 53.10 Galathians 2.20 Heb. 9.12 The twenty eighth Classis or company of Questions 1 Question VVHat is the fifth Sacramental action or objâ—ct of your sences corporal or spiritual Or upon which your sences or acts of life in your soul and body are to be exercised when you are at this holy Sacrament Ans Sacramental commemoration of the death and passsion of the Lord Iesus Christ Luk. 22.19 20. 1 Cor. 11.23 c. and of his Institucion of this blessed Sacrament the same night in whâ—ch he was betrayed his passion crucifying and death so lively set before my eyes in the celebration of this Sacrament and by Christs command to be commemorated and remembred as it is shewed forth until he come Quest 2. What are you to do in this act of commemoration Ans To exercise those three acts before specified 1. Diligently to observe how this Sacrament doth remember me of that sacrifice of the death of Christ of his inestimable love in dying for me and of the most glorious benefits that I am made partaker of in a right meeting of Christ at the Lords Table Quest. 3. What is the second 1 Ioan 4. Divine meditation I ought by the power of Christs spirit 19. Ioh. 17.20 21. to think of this memorial of Christs Death Passion and Resurrection and benefits till I be so affected with it as to rejoyce with it and never to forget this love of Christ but to be delighted with his love as to love Christ again until I come to glory with Christ Quest 4. What is the third Ans By the power of the spirit of Christ and by faith to apply the memorial of this action and passion of Christ unto my soul that it may be engraven upon my heart to be recorded and set before my eyes for ever that evening and morning and mid-day I may remember what Christ hath done for my soul and Christs love may for ever be in my heart and I may say as the Apostle Gal. 2.20 Christ loved me and gave himself for me Qâ—est 5. What is a sixth Sacramental action object or act on Christs part or on yours which is the object of your senses corporal or spiritual or in which these senses operations or actions of the soul and body are to be exercised in this holy Ordinance of Christ Ans Christs congratulation or Sacramental welcom he gives to his faithful prepared guests Take eat Take drink yea all of this and thus bidding them welcom 1. As in the Institution of Christ is evidently set forth unto us Mat. 26.26 27 28. Luke 22.19 20. 2. As Christ invited his Spouse his Church and children Canticles 5.1 Eat friends and drink abundantly O beloved that is eat abundantly not of the outward bread and drink abundantly not of the outward Wine but eat spiritually of the body of Christ by faith and the merits of Christ crucified for me and drink abundantly of the vertue of Christs blood which was shed for me For Christs flesh is meat indeed and Christs blood is drink indeed Ioh. 6.51 c. If I thus eat of Christs flesh and drink of Christs blood I shall live for ever Quest 6. What is to be acted by you And how are your corporal and spiritual sences to be exercised in this congratulation or heavenly welcom which Christ gives your soul at this Table Ans First a diligent observation of this welcom when I hear it with the ears of my body from the voyce of Christs Minister speaking comfortably cheerfully to me from Christ as to a prepared believing penitent humble hungry communicant Take and eat Take and drink in the Name of Christ bidding me welcom to Christs Table as Mat. 26. Luke 22. Quest 7. What is a second thing to be acted Answ A Divine meditation as if by the ears of my soul I did at the same time hear the voyce of Christ as once he spake to his Disciples at his last Supper so now speaking to my soul from heaven and bidding me welcom Eat my friend and drink my beloved I have loved thee I have given my self for thee I have given thee my body crucified my bloodshed for thee and for many for remission of sins feast and refresh thy soul with abundance of assurance of my love to thee at my Table O poor believing hungry and humble soul thou art welcom here in and amongst my congregation of Saints at my Table of grace and thou shalt one day be welcom and eat and drink heavenly and gloriously with me at my Table of glory in the Kingdom of heaven for ever Matthew 22. Luke 22.19 Quest 8. What is the third Ioh. 4.14 15. 6.33 c. Answ A sweet and short ejaculation or ejaculatory and darting prayer to this or this like in effect Even so Lord Iesus I blesse thy name for this sweet assurance of being welcom to thy Table strengthen my faith enliven mine eyes and hand and mouth of faith that I may see and discern thy body and thy blood I may so receive and feed on thy body and blood that I may finde and feel and enjoy such an everlasting vertue and sap and juyce of life from thee my Saviour which may enliven and strengthen thy life of grace in me here in this life to life everlasting in the
Sacrament Ans First I am to joyn with the Minister of Christ 2 Cor. 2.14 Col. 1.12 13. and the congregation of Saints in solemn thanksgiving unto God the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost for the inestimable gift of the Lord Iesus Christ for his taking our humane Nature upon him that he might be a fit Mediator betwixt God and my soul to reconcile me to God for his Passion Death Resurrection Ascention and Intercession and all his rich merits and benefits of my Redemption Vocation Iustification Sanctification and Glorification so gloriously set forth and sealed and so graciously communicated in this Sacrament to my soul and to all Saints with me at the Lords Table Secondly Humbly and faithfully to joyn in Petition for assurance that all failings and infirmities in my performances are pardoned in Christ my pardon sealed my person whole service accepted with the sweet merits and incense of Christs righteousness upon the golden Altar with a continual influence of power and vertue from Christ that all the congregation of Saints may keep covenant with the Lord and declare our thankfulnesse by our fruitfulnesse in all good works as becometh the people of God who have received so great ahd assuring plesges of the love of God to us in Christ and of our eternal salvation in and by the Lord Iesus Quest 21. What is the fourth and last thing to be acted or joyned in with the Congregation Ans Divers particulars 1. After the example of Christ to glorifie God in a holy Hymn or Psalm if it be thought fit praising the Lord for his goodnesse to his Church in Christ Iesus and to his congregation present in his Ordinance And secondly waiting for the blessing giving in and with which the congregation is dismissed according to the practise of Christ the Apostles and Churches of Christ as of old to leave the people of God with a blessing as Numb 6.22 c. 2 Sam. 6.17,18 1 Kings 8.55 c. Luke 22.50 51. And the blessing which the Apostle gave when they took leave of the Church in several Epistles as Rom 16.24 c. 2 Corinthians 3.15 And thirdly I should return home with rejoycing as the Eunuch did after he was baptized or the two Disciples who met with Christ as they went to Emmaus and take notice my self and tell others how my heart burned within me and how my souls was affected 1. With grief for my sins And 2. With joy in my Saviour while I heard Christ talking with me 1. Outwardly by the voyce of his Minister 2. Inwardly by the voyce of his spirit at his Table and how it was declared out of the Scriptures that Christ ought to suffer that his most bitter Passion and cursed Death for my sins and to rise again for my Iustification and so to enter into his glory And 3. How Christ was known to me in the breaking of the Bread in the powring out of the Wine and in Christs giving and my receiving of those soul-reviving and soul-cherishing refreshing which I enjoyed at his Table And 4. And lastly by the strength of Christ and this refreshing from Christ I am resolved with the assistance of the spirit of God the Father and God the Son and of God the holy Ghost daily to keep in memory that feast of the Lord with that sweet welcom I had at the Lords Table and in this or the like manner to bespeak my soul every morning O my soul thou hast this night received a sweet refreshing from the Lord for thy body praised be the Name of thy God and Father in Christ who is the keeper of Israel who never slumbreth not sleepeth who hath kept thee from the dangers of this night past and brought thee to the light of this day who hath awakened thee out of sleep and given thee a kinde of Resurrection from the dead Quest 22. How may I stir my soul to this Ans In this or the like manner Now O my soul be thou awakened and break thy fast with Christ and call to minde the sweet refreshing the Lord did give thee the last Sacrament at his Table and in what thou didst see and hear 1. His invitation to draw near and partake of the feast that he hath prepared 2. Didst thou not see Bread and Wine set upon the Table and with the eye of faith didst thou not behold Christ himself prepared for thy spiritual refreshing 3. Didst thou not hear the Minister of Christ consecrate those Elements to that holy use and with the ear of faith hear how God the Father had consecrated and sealed his beloved Son Iesus for thy Redemption 4. Didst thou not see the Bread broken and Wine powred out and by the eye of faith see Christs body broken with torments and his blood shed to the death for thy sins to Redeem thee from Hell and death eternal 5. Didst thou not hear Christ bidding thee welcom Take eat this is my body Drink this is my blood which is shed for thee and for many for remission of sins Mat. 26.26 27 c. 6. Didst thou not observe and believe those Sacramental promises assuring that Christ loved thee and gave himself for thee and as verily as Christs Minister having blessed and broken the Sacramental Bread and blessed and powred out the Sacramental Wine did present and give them unto thee to eat and to drink so verily hath Christ given and did Christ present and give and reach out himself for a spiritual and heavenly refreshing to thee to nourish thee to life eternal according the the Govenant of Grace 7. O my soul didst thou not take and eat the Bread and take and drink the Wine and so spiritually feed on the body and blood of Christ that in strenght thereof thou mightest walk thy great journey of this life not as Elijah fourty dayes and fourty nights to Horeb the Mount of God but to Heaven Gods Kingdom of glory 8. O my soul didst thou not actually renew thy Covenant with the Lord as God in giâ—ing and thou in actual receiving and partaking of these seals and pledges of his love consider thy self what hast thou now to do any more with sin and Satan with the World the Flesh or the Devil with any sin of omission or commission that may grieve the spirit of life Remember thy Covenant thy Promises thy Vow thy Protestations to thy God and be conscientious by the power of Christ to keep them all the dayes of thy life 9. O my soul was there not a soul-satisfying feast set before thee at that time never to let thee to return to the feast of sin again 10. And was it not the command of Christ to celebrate that Sacrament in remembrance of him Acts 8.39 Luk. 14.13 Phil. 4.11 c. 2 Tim. 4.7,8 and what he hath done for thee O then remember that holy feast every morning when thou awakest every evening when thou goest to bed Thus thou maist feed daily on
the Stranger that is within thy Gates That is thou and all that are in thy power without exception Quest 39. But wherefore doth the Lord give this speciall command and direction to his people not onely for themselves but for all under their command Ans That Gods children being carefull and dutifull themselves and diligently performing their duties to all that are under their charge they might not be partakers of other Mens sins Quest 40. But how may one man be guilty of another mans sinne what light have you from Christ to reveile this Ans One may be guilty of another mans sin divers wayes First when a superior commands an inferior to commit a sinne and the sinne be committed of this the superior is guilty as Saul was of killing the Lords Priests 1 Sam. 22.18 2 Sam. 11.15 when hee commanded Doeg to do it and wicked Doeg did it accordingly David kild Vrias by Joab and the sword of the children of AmmoÌ„ And so Iezabell was guilty of that sin of the sons of Belial 1 Kings 21 10. who did beare false witns against Naboth for his Vineyard and thus Magistrates or masters or parents are guilty when they command their subjects or children or servants to prophane the Lords Sabbath Quest 41. What is a second way of being guilty Answ When superiors have power and doe not hinder but suffer inferiors to commit sinne 1 Sam. 3.13 as old Eli suffered his sonnes and did not punish them nor restraine them as hee ought and so when Parents suffer their children or Masters their servants to prophane the Lords Day They are guilty of their childrens sinne and servants sinne Quest 42. What is a third manner how one man may be guilty of another mans sinnes have you any light from Christ for this Ans Wen one man giveth another wicked councell to commit sinne as when Ahitophet counselled Absolom to commit wickednesse with his Fathers concubines 2 Sam. 16 21. or Herodias counselled her Daughter to aske the head of John Baptists Mark 6.24 or when a Master or Father adviseth or counselleth his sonne or servants or any under his charge to prophane the Sabbath Quest 43. What is a fourth manner Ans When Minister or people man or woman doth consent to sinne in others Acts 8.1 Eze. 3.18 or not reprove sin as Saul before his conversion consented to the death of blessed Stephen the Martyr of Christ and for Prophets not to warn the wicked Levit. 19.17 so when Parents or Masters consent to their childrens and servants prophanation of the Lords Day when as they should not suffer sin to lie upon them but reprove them rather So when unworthy Receivers are suffered without any admonition or reproofe Quest 44. What is a fift manner of being guilty Ans When one Man or Woman provokes and stirreth up another to sinne 1 Kings 21 25. as Jezabell provoked Ahab to commit wickednesse and Jobs Wife her Husband to curse God and die Job 2.9 And so when Parents or Masters provoke and stirre up their children or servants by Labour or Pastimes to prophane the Sabbath Quest 45. What is a sixt manner of becomming guilty of other mens sins Ans When men grow to such a height of impudency as to defend other mens sinnes Who call good evill and evill good Isai 5.20 1 Kings 22 6.11.24 1 Sam. 15.22 as wicked Zedechiah defended wicked Ahab in his sinfull course and Saul defended the peoples sin as Lawers plead in unjust causes or when Parents or Masters or any other will plead for Baal and defend the sinnes of their children or servants or Neighbours when they prophane the Lords Day all these ways at least may men be guilty of other mens sins Quest 46. Most certaine the Lord is a most holy God and is Law a most holy Law and perfect rule of holinesse which holdeth forth to us so many duties and so many sinnes in one Commandement of the Sabbath day and sanctification of the rest what use therefore my the knowledged of this truth be of unto the sons of men Ans First concerning wicked men out of Christ the many duties commanded Jer. 17.27 Gâ—lat 3.24 Acts 8.21 22. and sinns forbidden may cause them to tremble for feare of the curse and wrath of God due to them for their prophanation of the Lords day and so be a Schoolemaster to bring them to Christ to see if they may finde pardon and escape the curse and damnation Acts 13.38 39 1 Thess 10 Secondly concerning saints in Christ the Meditation of these things may likewise minde them of Christ First Christ as a justifyer without whose Righteousnesse and Merits they could not be saved 1 Cor. 1.30 and in whom salvation is their portion 2 Cor. 5.17 Secondly Christ as a sanctifyer in whom there is holinesse and power to sanctifie this holy rest this blessed Sabbath as the Lords day in all holinesse and righteousnesse to Gods glory and good of our own soules Quest 47. What benefit is this to the Church that the Lord hath ordained Mat. 28.6 9.17 18. and by his Resurrection and appearing to his Disciples so often one that day consecrated this holy Sabbath Mark 1â— 12 Luk. 24.13 as a day to and for himselfe and for his speciall service and ordinances wherein he now appeareth to his Church Ans A speciall cause of joy that the Saints may once a weeke be as it were in Heaven with Christ meeting Christ in his glorious Ordinances Luke 24.33 34.36 1 Cor. 16.1.2 Mat. 18.20 Ex. 25.21 22. Isai 66.11 John 15.4 5 6. Heb. 4.9 Revel 14.13 and sucking the brests of consolation in all his gracious promises so receiving the sweet juyce and sappe of the life of grace to nourish us in this time of trouble to that Kingdom of glory that eternall Sabbath of rest and peace for ever Quest 48. What is the principall motive or moving cause to stir up and draw the heart of a child of God and your soule in particular to desire and labour in all sincerity and faithfullnesse to glorifie God in a full obedience to every duty commanded and in a full avoyding of every sinne forbidden in these foure Commandemmts or first Table of the Law of God Ans The free love of God in Christ to my soule John 3.16 in the free gift of his onely begotten Sonne and the free love of God the Sonne John 10.15 the Lord Christ himselfe in giving himself and laying down his Life for mee 1 Cor. 5.14 15. to reconcile mee to God and to procure for mee grace and glory this doth constraine mee with a kind of holy and sweet violence or rather powerfull attractive or loadstone of love to love my God againe and to declare my love in a loving Isai 16.9 Psal 119.6 ready willing faithfull and cheerfull obedience yea sincere desire and endevour to fullfill every one of the
assistance of the spirit of Prayer and this rightly Rom. 8.26 in a right manner in the name of Christ and to a right end otherwise our Prayers are not right nor acceptable before God nor can we expect to be heard at Gods hand when we call upon him in Prayer Quest 21. J see then that a bare forme of Prayer is not sufficient to rest in but I must have the spirit of God inabling of mee to pray with the spirit or inner man as well as with the mouth and my soule must bee disposed in a right manner in Prayer and enabled by the Spirit of Christ but what graces are requisite in this dutie Ans Faith Repentance Humility Devotion See Classis 30. 2 Sect. in 2 Commandement pag. 502. 503 504. Zeale Fervency Perseverance and such like Graces and all in the name of Christ else all is nothing And therefore hee or shee prayeth best who hath the spirit of Prayer and can powre out his or her heart and soule to God in Prayer as Jacob and Hannab and other Saints of God have done and have beene heard in their Prayers with a gratious returne 1 Cor. 14.15 Iames 1.6 Isa 1.15 16. Acts. 10.2 Hosea 12.4 James 5.16 Psal 51.17 Iere. 50.4 5. 1 Thess 5.17 John 16.23 Quest 22. But how shall a man get the spirit of Prayer and ability to powre out his soule to God Ans I answer you must not rest in your Prayers nor in any duty you performe to God as if that did satisfie the Lord for your sins or meritoriously procured your peace with God but you must rest on Christ both for your acceptation of your selfe and your prayers upon the Golden Altar with the incense of Christs merits Revel 8.3.4 Quest 23. In what else must J wait for the spirit Ans Secondly you must waite upon God in Christ in all the meanes of grace till hee powre out the spirit of Prayer into your heart and soule that you may cry Abba Father and be heard as a child of God in Christ Gal. 4.6 Quest 24. What further direction can you give Ans Thirdly and lastly for your better enablement to expresse the desires and groans of your soule to the Lord aske your soule but these or the like foure questions to this or the like effect as speaking to your selfe Quest 25. What is the first Ans First Oh my soule to whom or to what glorious Majesty oughtest thou to direct thy Prayers at Morning or Evening or Noone day or whensoever in publike or private or secret thou desirest to gaine a blessing from the highest Heavens Psal 55.17 Quest 26. What shall I answer to this demand Ans Let thy soule answer and it will tell thee it is to the most high God the Possessor of Heaven and Earth the searcher of all hearts and the hearer of Prayer presented to him in the name and by the mediation of the Lord Jesus Christ Ps 38.13 Psal 65.2 Psal 77.1 Iohn 16.23 Quest 27. What directions Ans Endeavour in all fear and humility to begin thy Prayer with the best expressions of the most glorious Name Nature Persons Properties of this great and glorious Lord God with the acknowledgement of his Truth Power and Majesty in his Words and Workes held forth in Scripture and of thy unworthinesse which may affect thy heart by the helpe of Christs Spirit with a right temper to powre out thy soule to God in Prayer 1 Chron. 29.11 2 Chron. 30.18.19 Ezra 9.6 Nehe. 9.32 and this in the best words thou canst but chiefly have regard to thy heart which the Lord hath a speciall eye unto And so begin thy Prayer as Exod. 15.11 12.13 Exodus 34.6 7. 1 Kings 8.23.27 or in the like manner Quest 28. What is second question Answ Secondly aske thy soule a second question to this or the like effect Oh! my soule Ezra 9.5 6 7. Prov. 28.13 Dan. 9.4.5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13. wherein hast thou offended this great God to whom thou desirest to lift up thy selfe in Prayer that thou mayst acknowledge thine offences and seeke for further assurance of pardon before thou beg any other favour at the Lords hand as 2 Chron. 6.36 Quest 29. What direction here Ans Let thy soule first looke into the glasse of thy owne conscience Rom. 2.14 15. Acts 24.16 Rom. 3.20 Iohn 3.19 20.36 1 Iohn 3.23 Rom. 7.18 19 20. and secondly into the glasse of the Word of God both the commanding and promising part both Law and Gospell and finde out thy sinnes and accuse and condemne thy selfe for thy ingratitude for so many former mercies yea confesse and labour to be humble for thy fall in Adam for thy originall and actuall transgressions in state of nature but especially thy unthankefulnesse in dayes of grace Ephes 4.30 either in thought word or deede wereby thou hast grieved the spirit of God by whom thou art sealed to the day of Redemption and this in as good words as God makes thee able As Hannah 1 Sam. 1.17 and with the exercise of all those graces the Lord hath given thee to this end thou hast here a large field to powre out thy soule to God in if thou canst finde out thy manifold sinnes against God or the sinnes of others which thou desirest to confesse and bewaile before God thy Lord as Daniel and other Saints have done Daniel 9.7 8 9 10 11. Quest 30. What is the third question Ans Thirdly aske thy soule a third question to this or the like effect Oh my soule what dost thou want or what is thy request and the desire of thy heart to obtaine at the hands of thy God and loving Father in Christ Quest 31. And what wants may I expresse Ans Thy soule will tell thee thou wantest in the first place the assurance or more full assurance of the forgivenesse of all thy sinnes and of Gods free grace and love unto thee in the Lord Jesus thou wantest many favours from God for thy body for thy soule for this for a better life for thy wife thy husband for Parents children servants kindred accquaintance thy Neighbours thy friends thy enemies for the Kings Majesty for the Parliament the Kingdom the City and Country for Peace and Truth and a happy union and communion one with another and with the whole Church of Christ and here expresse thy minde as well as thou canst by the power of Christ the Lord careth not so much for fine words as for an honest sincere contrite heart sanctifyed by the spirit of Christ Isai 66.2 Quest 32 What is the fourth question Ans Lastly aske thy soule a fourth question to this or the like effect Oh my soule what hast thou received from this great and good God for which thou art bond to render him thankes and praise in the Name of the Lord Jesus Quest 33. What rule is there to finde this out Ans Let thy soule call to minde all or as many as thou canst of those unspeakable favours the Lord hath bestowed upon thee reckon them up imparticular out of the catalogue of Gods mercies both upon thy owne soule in particular and the Church in generall to thy selfe to thine to the people of God and what a sea of mercy mayst thou swim in and enlarge thy thankfulnesse above all for Gods free love in the Lord Jesus as Psalme 116.12 13. Quest 34. But did you ever know any man thus learne to pray Ans Yes did I know a Christian who could reade never a word upon the Booke and yet after hee had received these directions puting them carefully and constantly in practise in a secret place before God the onely searcher of hearts and the Teacher of the ignorant hee did in a short time attaine an excellent habit in Prayer and was inabled to pray dayly in his Family in a sweet comfortable manner and assuredly the Lord is the same God still to all his children in Christ and will be so to all who diligently waite on him in the use of the meanes I conclude with the Apostle now to him that is able to keepe you from falling and to present you blamelesse before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy Jude 24.25 to the onely wise God our Saviour be Glory and Majesty Dominion and Power now and ever Amen FINIS COurteous Reader there are some few Errata which the ingenuous may easily find and amend with their Pen.