Rev. 2.10 2 Tim. 4.8 c. Mat. 16.16 c. an acceptation of our person and all our services in this life and an assurance of the crown of Righteousnesse and glory in heaven with perseverance in grace and protection from men and Devils here and preservation to that heavenly Kingdom and Salvation These and many more are the rich blessings Christ hath purchased and God the Father given to his Church in Christ Jesus Quest 25. But what is this Church and people for whom the Lord Christ hath procured and to whom he communicates so many excellent benefits both of grace and glory Ans * Eph 1.4 5 6 7. Act. 20.28 Mat. 1 21. Rom. 8.29 30. 1 Pet. 1.4 5. 2 Tim. 4.7 8 18. 2 Cor. 5.1 2 8. Phil 1.23 Rev. 14.13 1 Thes 4.16 17. The Church of God is that company of people who are Gods chosen ones whom Christ hath purchased with his own blood saved from their sins in time calleth justifieth sanctifieth and preserveth here in grace in a condition Militant and in the end translateth to glory in and to an estate Triumphant in the heavens for ever Quest 26. Is there a communion of Saints or of this Church and people of God 1 Cor. 12.12 c. 1 Ioh. 1.3 Eph 4.3 c. Gal. 3.27 c. Ans Yes certainly true believers are united as one Body in Christ their Head and have a sweet union and communion with God the Father and with the Lord Jesus Christ and one with another in Christ in all these rich benefits procured by Christ for their souls and bodies and their happinesse for ever Quest 27. Who is the Head of the Church Ans The Lord Christ himself who was exalted up on high Eph. 1.20 c. Phil. 2.9 10. Eph. 4.15 16. Mat. 28.18 when he was raised from the Dead by the working of Gods mighty power and set at Gods right hand far above all principalities and power and every name in heaven and earth and appointed him to be the Head over all things to the Church all power being given unto Christ in heaven and in earth Quest 28. Is there but one Head of the Church 1 Cor. 12.12 27. 1 Thes 2.3 4 Ans Certainly no as Christs Church is one mystical Body so it hath but one mystical Head Christ himself to have two Heads ascribed to the Church were to make it a Monster Therefore the Pope or whosoever taketh upon him to be Head of the Church is not a friend of Christ but Antichrist Quest 29. Rev. 17.14 1 Cor. 12.27 c. Eph. 4.12 Heb. 1.1 c. Eph. 1.22 23. Heb. 12.22 Re 19.10 Who are the Members of Christs Church Ans All who are truly called and chosen and faithful believers and children of believers Elected in Christ yea the Elect Angels themselves in some respect are the Members of this Church of Christ he being exalted to be Head both of Angels and Men. Quest 30. How manifold is the Church of Christ Ans The Church of Christ is one Body of which Christ is the Head Gal. 3.28 Eph. 4 4. Can 6.8 Ioh. 10.16 one Dove one Flock as there is one Shepheard the Lord Jesus But in divers respects it hath divers names ascribed unto it 1. It is called Catholike or Universal Gal. 3.28 Heb. 12.23 Rev. 2. 3. as it relates to the children of God in all Ages and places of the world yea in heaven as well as in earth 2. It is called Particular as it relates to particular Countreys and Congregations believing in Christ and professing the Gospel Act. 2.41 2 Tim. 2.19 Eph. 6.11 Mat. 25.34 3. It is called visible as it relates to the open professors of the Faith 4. It is called invisible as it respects the Elect chiefly known to God himself 5. It is called Militanâ— as it is warring on Earth And 6. Triumphant as they are conquerours in the Kingdom of Heaven Quest 31. What are the marks of the Church Mat. 28.19 20. Act. 2.42 1 Cor. 11.23 c. 2 Thes 2.13 Ans First the outward marks are two The pure Preaching of the Word of God and right Administration of the Sacraments Secondly the inward are Faith and holinesse as the way to happinesse Quest 32. How are the keys of Jurisdiction or Discipline to be ordered in the Church Mat. 16.19 Ioh. 20.23 Mat. 18.15 c. 1 Cor. 5.5 16.22 2 Cor. 2.7 8 Ans According as Christ hath set down in the Scriptures to Gods glory and good of his Church Quest 33. You have briefly spoken of the true Church and true Members of the Church Gods Elect known to God But doth every visible National or particular Congregation of men professing themselves to be a Church of Christ consist only of such true Members without Hypocrites or false Christians in name not in truth Ans Certainly we do not read of any National Church visible but had or might seem to have some Hypocrites in it some false Brethren some who after they were admitted or taken as Members in the judgement of the Church proved erroneous in judgement and fell to Errors and Heresies or scandalous in life and fell to prophanenesse until they were discovered and Excommunicated or Schismatically rent themselves from that true Church and Congregation wherein they were as the Churches of Corinth Rev. 2.12 c. 1 Ioh. 2.18 19. of Galatia Ephesus Pergamos and other Churches since the Apostles times and History of Churches witnesse at large Quest 34. Are there so many absolute independent Churches of Christ as there are particular Churches or Congregations truly professing Christ and enjoying the Word and Sacraments in truth throughout the Christian World Ans Verely the Church of Christ is but one as we proved before Eph. 4.2 3 4. 4.1 5 16. and this one Catholique or Universal Church is depending upon Christ the Head whose Body the Church is and every particular true Church called Congregational Classical Provincial or National or by any other name is a Member of this Universal Church or Mystical body of Christ the Head 1 Cor. 12.21 c. and as no Member of the Body of man or woman is absolute and independent of itself but all the Members stand in need one of another are to submit one to another in love and duty and to be helpful one to another for the good of the whole Body So I humbly conceive it is and ought to be with the Churches of Christ 1 Cor. 12.20 Eph. 5.25 26 Act. 20.28 who are many Members yet but one Church which he hath loved and given himself for and purchased with his own blood and as no Church ought to be tyrannical or have a tyrannical power over another so no particular Member Church is or ought to be so independent 1 Cor. 12.25 c. but that the Member Churches should have the same care one for another that there be no Schisme
this light appear Ans First in the undersanding by that spark or light of reason left in the mindes of men and women since the fall of Adam Rom. 1.18 c. Acts 17.24 c. by which from the visible things which are and are seen and the natures order and government of them they may and have argued and attained to the knowledge of an invisible God which must of necessity be the being of beings the incomprehensible nature that gives nature to nature it self and is that first cause and ruler of all things and this light shining so far as to make all men without excuse Quest 8. If there be such a light of reason What was the cause then that divers naturall Heathen men did deny or doubt whether there was such a God Ans That ignorance and Atheisme did not arise from any principle in pure nature but from nature corrupted and that Idolatry and blinde superstition of the Gentiles who having lost the knowledge of true God Ier. 44.17 18. Rom. 2.15 Rom. 1.19 20. Rom. 1.19 c. Psal 14. Wisd 13. 14. c. wandred in the seeking out and setting up so many false Gods creatures and images and imaginations so that blinde men seeing the vanity and falshood of these were tempted and drawn like the foolish man to think in their hearts and sometimes to say there was no God at all Quest 9. How doth this appear further Ans Because however some particular men have doubted Exod. 31.30 33. Exo. 32.4 5. Deu. 7.4 2 Kin. 18.33 c. Acts 17.23 yet no Nation under heaven but have confessed a God though they did not lightly know the true God Quest 10. What other light is there from the book of nature Ans The world and creatures themselves which could not be from all Eternity but must have a beginning Rom. 1.10 Ps 19.1 2 102.25 26. pro. 16.4 Acts 17.18 Psal 8.1 2 c. Iob 38. 39. 40. nor could the creatures make themselves and besides nature order and use of the creatures in heaven and earth some without life as earth and light and heat and rain nourishing grasse and herbs which have a growing life and grasse and herbs nourishing beasts and cattell which have a sensitive life and all these serving men which have a reasonable life and whom should men serve and honour but their first maker who is the cause of all things and giveth life and being unto all and who must of necessity be God and none but God Quest 11. But doth not the preservation of the Creatures and right ordering of times and seasons Summer and Winter witnesse God Ans Yes verely If we consider First Acts 14.17 Deut. 32.39 Ier. 14.22 Psa 14 P. 1 2 c. 2 Kin. 5.6.7 Deu. 8.3 Mat. 5.45 6.25 c. 10.29 c. the wonderfull preservation of the Creatures in their kindes and the continuance of them in all Ages Secondly the variety of herbs and plants by vertue of the earth and rain and warmth of the Sun not as of themselves but from God Thirdly the admirable generation breeding and forming of the Bird in the egge of the silk worm and Phoenix and such like Fourthly the variety of the forms of men and beasts and the fashioning of man and all his parts before he is born Fifthly the giving of life and quickning power of life which man nor any Creature can give Sixthly the forming of the Spirit of man within him Zach. 12.1 Seventhly the giving vertue to our cloathes to warm us and our meat which is without life to nourish life in us All this must needs hold forth a Divine living being which must needs be God ordering all by his power and wise Providence Quest 12. What further testimony is there in the Book of Nature of the Divine being as of a great mighty everliving and powerfull God Ans Even the conscience of man within him which is an act of the whole soul reflecting upon it self First In the memory as a Register recording Rom. 2.14 15. and when God awakens accusing or excusing and witnessing thoughts words or actions good or evil Secondly In the understandinding Gen. 42.22 a Iudge giving sentence to condemne or to acquit according to that light rule or Law with which it is enlightned Thirdly In the hearts Gen. 4.13 14. Mat. 26.75 will and affections an Executioner to punish or reward with joy or grief with boldnesse or terror according to the nature of the fact or feeling of it Rom. 2.15 Gen. 42.21 22. Iudg. 1.7 Dan. 5.5.6 Ier. 10.4 Act. 24.15 GeÌ„ 4.14 Fourthly And all this with trembling in wicked men and joy in good As a Coroners inquest or verdict preparing for the Judge of Assize or Sessions so doth the conscience in reference to some higher power and divine Iudge to whom account must be given in the end which Iudge must needs be God Mat. 27.3 4 15. 2 Tim. 4.7 8. Quest 13. You have given good evidence from the light and book of nature What is there from the light of Grace and Book of the Scripture witnessing this Divine essence and Eternall being of such a God Ans There are many evidences revealed in Scripture of God and his Divine eternall infinite wisdom power and incomprehensible nature filling heaven and earth and in a wonderfull manner creating and governing all things Quest 14. What is the first Evidence Ans His wonderfull voice from heaven without beholding any similitude or likenesse at all Exod. 19.19 20.1 18 19. Heb. 11.18 19 c Deut. 4.12 15. 5.22 23 24. 1 King 19.8 to 18. Mat. 3.17 17.5 2 Pet. 1.16 17 18. Quest 15. What is the second evidence Ans His wonderfull Promises and Prophecies made so many hundred years before and fulfilled in time Gen. 3.15 Gal. 4.1 2 3. Gen. 15.13 14 15. Exod. 12.40 41. Ier. 25.11 12. Dan. 9.1 2. 2 Chron. 36.21 22 23. Ezra 8.31 32 c. Quest 16. What is the third Evidence Ans Gods dreadfull judgements upon wicked men for their sins Gen. 6.3 and 7.11 12 21. and 11.7 8. and 19.24 25. Dan. 6.24 Acts 12.23 Quest 17. What is the fourth Evidence Ans His miracles and miraculous deliverance of his Children in times of danger Exod. 14.21 to 31. Iosh 10.12 13. Isa 28.1 2 King 10.11 and 5.14 Dan. 3.24 and 6.22 23. and 4.33 34 35 36. Matth. 11.4 5 6. Quest 18. What is the fifth Evidence Ans Gods admirable revealing of secrets to the convincing even of Pagans themselves who knew not God Gen. 4.8.9 10. Iosh 7.18 19 c. 1 Sam. 23.11 12. 2 King 6.8 9 c. Dan. 2.46 47. Iosh 1.48 49. 1 Cor. 14.24 25. Heb. 2.4 12. Quest 19. What is the sixth Evidence Aâ—s The wonderfull conversion of men and women to believe and confesse a God to believe in Christ to repent and become new Creatures for the manifestation of Gods wisdom power and
from hell and damnation Thirdly A being affected by the power of Christ with recipiscence or beginning to be wise again with a shame and confusion of soul for sins past Hos 14.1 2 c. Fourthly with a renewing of spirit and change of minde and judgement of heart will affections desires and whole man and all by the powerful vertue of Christ and the Holy Spirit of the Father and the Son Ezek. 36.31 Fifthly A dislike and loathing of sin and former evil courses as contrary to the nature of God and new nature of grace in the soul Sixthly Acts 11.18 2 Cor. 7.10 Rom. 12.2 Ioh. 3.5 2 Cor. 5.17 Psal 51.14 Luke 22.32 2 Cor. 5.19 20. Rom. 8.15 Psal 51.1 2 3 c. Luke 22.61 62. 2 Cor. 7. as 2 Kin. 23.2 3. It is inabled by Christ unto an aversion and turning from all sin and Satans Kingdom in thought word and deed and a conversion unto God and all goodnesse with a love unto and a delight in righteousnesse and true holinesse And this not onely in our first conversion or repentance as a work of grace begun in us But all the dayes of our lives perfecting holinesse by the vertue of our Saviour to the glory of God good of our neighbours and comfort of our own souls in Christ Jesus especially in the renewing of our Covenant when we meet Christ in the holy Sacrament Quest 2. You have given a large discription of Repentance to give in the substance of what repentance is in fewer words as you understand and conceive of it in your minde Ans Repentance is a grace Act. 5.31 Iere. 31.19 1 Sam. 7.2 Iob 34.32 Hos 14.8 and free gift of God in Christ by which a poor sinner upon sight and sence of sin and misery and bondage revealed by the spirit is affected with true sorrow and shame for his original and actual transgression and though he despair in himself yet by faith resting on Gods free love in Christ Zach. 12.10 11. Prov. 28.13 2 Thes 2.13 Eph. 4.20 c. 1 Thes 5.23 is drawn to a hatred of sin that crucified Christ and is converted by Christs vertue from all sin to God forsaking of all sin daily more and more and the Image of God daily renewed in him more and more that he may glorifie God in grace on earth till Christ bring him to glory in Heaven Quest 3. Who is the author and efficient cause of this Evangelical Repentance Regeneration Renovation and Conversion from sin to God in Christ Rom. 1.7 and 1.4 1 Thes 5 23. 2 Thes 2 13 14. 2 Cor. 5.10 Ans The whole Trinity in common and in special the Holy Spirit that Spirit of sanctification sent of God the Father and the Son with the Word into the mindes and hearts of poor sinners to this end that they may repent be born again converted and changed from glory to glory by the vertue of Christ Quest 4. What is the internal moving cause of this Repentance and Regeneration and Conversion of poor sinners unto God Titus 3.4 5. Iohn 1.12 13. Ephes 2.4 5 c. Ans The free-grace and good will of God in Christ giving and working this grace of his own goodnesse in the hearts of his children Quest 5. What is the internal principle meritorious vvorking cause by vertue vvhereof this change is vvrought in our souls Ans This is Christ himself Eph. 5.25 26 27. Revel 1.5 6. and his merits and blood by which we are cleansed sanctified and changed that we may be presented blamelesse before God Quest 6. What is the instrumental outvvard cause of this Repentance Regeneration and Conversion or turning unto God in Christ Ans Ordinarily the Word of God Exod. 19.18 20. Acts 2.36 37 38 39. Luke 3.9 10. Rom. 3.20 Acts 9.1 2 c. 1 Pet. 1.23 Acts 16.25 c. both Law Gospel brought home to the soul in the powerful preaching of it by the work of Christs spirit and sometimes extraordinary means as thunders lightnings judgements of God afflictions fears terrors and such like with which God worketh as he pleaseth to this end Quest 7. What is the subject matter of this Repentance and nevv birth and sanctification and turning unto God or that vvhich is thus converted to God in Christ Ans The whole man all the powers and faculties of the soul understanding will memory affections conscience and all the parts 1 Thes 5.23 24 Rom. 6.19 20 21. Rom. 12.1 2. Acts 15.9 1 Cor. 10.32 and 6.15 c. Rom. 6.3 4 c. Ephes 2.1 2 c. Isai 1.16 17 c. Eph. 4.21 c. Isai 5.7 Col. 3.9 10. Gal. 2.20 and members of the body eyes ears hands feet heart all purified and sanctified to glorifie God by Christ Iesus Quest 8. What is the form or manner of this Repentance Regeneration and Renovation unto nevvnesse of life or vvherein doth this form consist Ans In the mortification of the old man and the vivification or quickning of the new man the old man or old Adam being crucified and the body of sin destroyed and the new man created and enlived by Christ living in the soul and so an aversion from all evil and a turning or conversion unto good by the vertue of Christ Quest 9. What is the end of this grace of Repentance Renovation and Conversion to God in Christ Ans The cheif end is the glory of God the edification of our neighbour and the assurance and enjoynment of our own eternal salvation 2 Tim. 2.21 2 Thes 1.11 12. Matth. 5.16 Gal. 1.22 23 24. 2 Pet. 7.8 9 10 11. 2 Thes 2.13 Quest 10. You have made profession of your knowledge and of the grace of Faith and concerning Evangelical repentance now what light hath Christ revealed to you concerning the fourth and last Grace we noted in the wedding Garment to be examined and enlivened before we come to the Lords Supper Ans The grace of Christian love and charity is a necessary Garment to be worn as at all times so especially when we meet Christ in the Ordinance of the Lords Table Quest 11. What is this grace or affection of love and charity as you have learned from Christ Ans First in general love is an affection of the soul moving in the heart of a man or woman to embrace some known good thing First with a desire of union with it Secondly a Sympathy or good will of beneficence or well doing to it Thirdly an acquiescence 1 Sam. 17. 1 Sam. 18.1 2 3. or rest in the fruition or enjoyment of it as under God the chief present joy and satisfying delight of the soul as the love of Ionathan to David of husband and wife parents and children or the like First Ionathan observed David and knew him to be a valiant good man 1 Sam. 19.4 1 Sam. 20.4 2 Sam. 9.1 2 c. Secondly in his heart desiredd union and was knit to Davids heart
Christ by faith O my soul and rightly endeavour to declare thy thankfulnes to God in Christ again and shew forth my thankfulness to my Lord Jesus in daily remembring of him until he translate thee to eternal glory Quest 23. What are the subsequent graces to be acted and duties to be exercised and practised in manifestation of your thankfulnesse to your God in Christ all the dayes of your life And what light from Christ have you received for direction herein Gal. 2. 20. 2 Cor. 5. 14 .. Mat. 22.37 .. Gal. 5. 13 14. Eph. 4.1 c. Ans There is one root-grace flowing into my soul from Christ and Christs wonderful love to me Christ loving me and giving himself for me And this is the grace of love that love of Christ with a holy gracious power as a precious Loadstone doth draw my soul to my God in Christ and sweetly constrain me to love Christ again who loved me first moving me powerfully to live henceforth not to my self but to him that dyed for me and role again and the fruits of this love are to be made evident by the power of Christ dwelling in me 1. Towards God the Father in Christ 2. Towards my self in true charity 3. Towards my Neighbour in love and unity all the dayes of my life all comprehended in one Grace Love And all this as fulfilling the Law of Christ Gal. 6.1 2. Iohn 13.34 25. and 15. 12 c. and because I finde God hath loved me first in the Lord Iesus John 4.19 Quest 24. What is the fruit that spring from this root Grace of your Christian Walking the free love of God to you in Christ assured by the spirit and faith and the reflex of that love as the eccho of love in your souls answering love again Ans The manifestation of my thankfulnesse or thankful remembrance of Christ of Christ Ioh. 4.9 c. love held forth to me in this Sacrament by a conltant and continued acting and exerciting of that grace of love wrought in me by the power of Christs spirit in my soul 1. Towards God my Father Iohn 20.17 2. Towards my self as to a childe of God in Christ Luke 10.17 3. Towards my Neighbour and especially towards the Houshold of saith the Church and Saints of the most High God and my fellow-members in Christ Iesus Gal. 6.10 Quest 25. Wherein ought you to declare your thankfulnesse and exercise your love towards God and your Neighbour in Christ Ans In yielding obedience to the will of God as my Father in Christ Iohn 5.39 6.68 First in believing whatsoever truth the Lord my God holdeth forth to be believed in the Scriptures Secondly Iohn 14.21 in doing or suffering whatsoever is by the will and pleasure of God my Father to be done or suffered by me according to his will Thirdly in praying to or praising God all the dayes of my life Quest 26. What light from Christ or what directory or rule is there of your faith or of tbose truths in which you are to declare in thankfulnesse your love and duty to God your Father by believing Ans The holy Scripture or whole Word of God recorded in Gods Book Ioh. 5.32 2 Pet. 1.19 20. Gen. 3.15 22. Isa 53. Ioh. 3.16 the holy Bible is my light but that which is especially for my comfort is the promises of the Gospel or Covenant of grace held forth unto me in the Old and New Testament by the Lord himself or by men of God as they were inspired by the holy Ghost Quest 27. What brief or sum is there to be believed of that which is taught at large as the Doctrine of faith in the holy Scriptures Ans Those twelve Articles in that symbole of faith or brief sum commonly called the Apostles Creed explained further in those other ancient Creeds received in the Church of Christ and known by the Names of Nicene Creed and Athanasius Creed Quest 28. Which call you the Apostles Creed Ans That which begins thus I believe in God the Father Almighty maker of Heaven and Earth And in Iesus Christ his onely Son our Lord c. as is expressed at large in my lesser Catechism Quest 29. Which call you the Nicene Creed Ans That Creed which beginneth as followeth I believe in one God the Father Almighty maker of Heaven and Earth and of all shings visible and invisible and in one Lord Iesus Christ the onely begotten Son of God begotten of his Father before all Worlds God of God Light of Light very God of very God begotten not made c. Quest 30. Which call you Athanasius Creed Ans That Creed which begins and follows thus Whosoever will be saved before all things it is necessary that he hold the Catholike Faith Which Faith except every one do keep whole and undâ—filed without doubt he shall perish everlastingly And the Catholike Faith is this That we worship one God in Trinity and Trinity in Vnity Neither confounding the Persons nor dividing the Substance For there is one Person of the Father another of the Son and another of the Holy Ghost But the Godhead of the Father of the Son and of the Holy Ghost is one The glory equal the Majesty co-eternal c. as is also Printed at large in my lesser Catechism Quest 31. But are these Creeds the ground or rule of Faith 2 Pet. 1.19 2. Iohn 5.39 Ans The holy Scripture is the most proper ground of Faith and most perfect rule for judging all Controversies But these Creeds as they are grounded on the Scriptures and holy Wod of God are and may be an objâ—ct and directory of our faith and so they have been and are yet received in the Church of Christ and are very profitable for our help and furtherance in the knowledge and remembrance of the Doctrine of Faith Iohn 5.39 Romans 15.4 2 Timothy 3.15 16 17. 2 Peter 2.19 20. The thirtieth Classis or company of Questions 1 Question VVHat directory or rule is there of your thankfulnesse and declaration thereof in doing or suffering the will of God as your God and loving Father in Iesus Christ What light from Christ for instruction in our Christian walking with God all our life long Deut. 4.1 c 6.1 c. Psa 119.105 Isa 8.20 Matthew 5 6 7 c. Ans The will and command of God my God and Father held forth to his Church and to me in the Decalogue or ten Commandments and the Explication and meaning of them by Moses and the Prophets in the Old Testament and by Christ and his Apostles in the New Testament as is evident by many places of Scripture in the Book of God Quest 2. What light is there from Christ Or what is that directory or rule of the Decalogue or ten Commandments held forth as a light to older our obedience and thankfulnesse is unto God as to our Father who hath brought us out of the
a comfortable walking with God in Christ in the whole course of our lives or for terrour of wicked and ungodly men Answ First for wicked and ungodly men out of Christ 2 Tim. 3.5 Mat. 5.20 Phil. 3.5 6 7. this declares their damnable condition be they never so civilly righteous or formally and outwardly because the very sinnefull thoughts and lusts and imaginations of their hearts Gen. 6.5 6 Gen 7. are enough to drowne them in the bottomlesse Sea of Gods wrath for ever as the wicked of the old World were drowned in the floud of waters Mark 9.44 yea to drowne them in a Sea of fire in hell where the Worme never dieth and the fire never goeth out Iohn 6.44 45. except God in time open their eyes to see their misery and not onely reveale but draw them to Christ that they may believe and repent and bee saved Secondly for Gods children who are Christ's and in Christ Rom. 7.7 Rom. 7.23 24 25. this by light from Christ may bee a glasse to see their many failings even in their thoughts Phil. 3.7 8 9 10. and teach them first to love and prize Christ more who hath freed them from condemnation and curse of this Law Christ himselfe being made a curse for them that they might be blessed secondly to presse dayly to meet Christ in his ordinances publike Mat. 18.20 and secret and that by his strength their hearts may be more and more purified in believing Acts 15.5 and that by Christs vertue this Law may be written in their hearts Isai 61.3 that they bring forth and abound in all fruits of Righteousnesse that God may be glorified by their walking as a people in covenant with God in Christ Jesus Quest 16. You have declared what a Christian should doe and what use to make of this Rule of a Christian life in respect of his failings and inability to keept this Law But what if the child of God finde himselfe inabled by Christ evangelically to walke after the commandements so as hee believes as his person Gen. 4.1 2 3 4. Heb. 11.4 so his actions and services and performances are accepted with God in Christ how now ought a Christian to behave himselfe Ans To rejoyce in all thankfulnesse in Christ Jesus 2 Cor. 2.12 Phil. 4.4.13 1 Tim. 1.12 13 14. that hee is enabled by Christ in any measure to obey his Fathers will and to walke in those steps of holinesse wherin Christ walked in any the least degree in sincerity Isai 26.8.9 and endevour though not in perfection 2 Cor. 12.9 1 Cor. 4.4 Luke 17.9 1â— Titus 3.5 6.7 1 Cor. 1.30 Isai 11.10 Coloss 1.2 2 Pet. 3.18 19. But yet not to rest on our selves or in any or all his duties services or performances for justification before God or peace of conscience but to eye Christ in all as a justifyer and a sanctifyer and to rest in Christ as his peacemaker whose rest is a glorious rest dayly waiting on and seeking unto Christ for vertue and power to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in faith and holinesse praising God in all good workes of piety and charity Galat. 6.16 and by dayly light from Christ walking comfortably with Christ and all the Saints in grace according to Christs Rule untill hee or shee shall be translated to enjoy that full Communion with all the Saints yea with God the Father Sonne and blessed Spirt in Glory for ever Quest 17. Is there any further directory or light Christ for the attaining of power from Christ for this end both in my generall calling as a christian and in my speciall calling and particular relation wherein it hath pleased God to place mee Ans Certainly the best directory is to waite upon the Lord Jesus Christ who is both the way the truth and the life both for direction and power and this dayly as in private Reading Meditation Prayer and Christian conference and Chatechiseing or building up one another in our most holy faith improving our Christian Communion and society to this end for Gods glory and good edification one of another so in the publike ordinance of Christ as oft as may bee in the Preaching of the Word the administration of the Sacraments godly discipline and Prayer that all meanes may bee effectuall in and by Christs vertue to our soules for Gods glory and the good of Gods Church and children Iohn 14.6 Iohn 5.39 Coloss 3.16 as 1 Tim. 4.31 Iude. 2.15 Quest 17. What is the chiefe end of all Ans In all these the glory of God and Kingdome of the Lord Jesus is to be set up both in our hearts and lives untill wee come to Christs Kingdome of glory in the Heavens for ever And in these there are also many doubts questions and cases of conscience to bee resolved which may bee resolved in time if the Lord permit 1 Cor. 16.7 Quest 18. I shall desire the resolution but of a very few questions more and study to declare my thankefullnesse to God and you for what J am instructed in already What I pray you is the best directory for Prayer and Thanksgiving to God that J may receive all graces needfull from God in Christ and abilities to glorifie my God in every state and condition of life into which it shall please the Lord to call mee what light from Christ for this grace Ans First for the matter of Prayer in generall the Directory is that briefe forme which our Saviour himselfe taught his Disciples as it is recorded by the blessed Evangelist Mat. 6. and the 9.10 11 12 13. verses and in these words according to our English translation After this manner pray yee Our Father which art in Heaven hallowed by thy Name thy Kingdome come thy will bee done in Earth as it is in Heaven give us this day our dayly Bread and forgive us our debts as wee forgive our debtors and leade us not into temptation but deliver us from evill for thine is the Kingdom the power and the glory for ever Amen Quest 19. Js this sufficient direction for matter of Prayer Ans Yes certainly if the severall petitions in the Lords Prayer be rightly understood here is an excellent direction for a Christian to ground First his confession of sinne to God Secondly his petition for graces wanting And thirdly thanksgiving for grace received and to make his requests knowne to God upon all occasions both for attaining of good and avoyding of evill according to the Apostles direction Phil. 4.6 7. Quest 20. But doe you thinke that the repeating or saying of this or other Prayers as commonly people have used to doe to bee a sufficient manner of Prayer unto God Ans Certainely Prayer is not only a speaking of words with the mouth 1 Sam. 1.15 but a powering out of the heart and soule to God Zach. 12.10 and that by the strength