Saints or any other creature d Col. 2. 18 Rev. 19. 10 Rom. 1. 25 and since the Fall not without a Mediator nor in the mediation of any other but of Christ alone e Iohn 14. 6 1 Tim. 2. 5. Eph. 7. 18 Col. 3. 17 III. Prayer with thanksgiving being one speciall part of Religious Worship f Phil. 4. 6 is by GOD required of all men g Psal 65 2 and that it may be accepted it is to be made in the Name of the Son h Iohn 14. 13. 14. 1 Pet. 2. 5 by the help of his Spirit i Rom. 8. 26. according to his Will k Ioh. 5. 14 with understanding reverence humility fervency faith love and perseverance l Psal 47. 7 Eccles 5. 1 2 Heb. 12. 28 Gen. 18. 27 Iames 5. 16. Iam. 1 6 7 Mark 11. 24. Mar 6. 12. 14. 15. Col 4. 2. Ep. 6. 18 and if vocall in a known tongue m Cor. 14. 14 IV. Prayer is to be made for things lawfull n 1 Ioh 5 14 and for all sorts of men living or that shall live hereafter o 1 Tim. 2. 1 2 Ioh. 17 20 2. Sa. 7. 29 Ruth 4. 12 but not for the dead p 2 Sam. 12 21 22. 23. with Luk. 16. 25 26 Rev. 14 3 nor for those of whom it may be known that they have sinned the sin unto death q 1 Ioh. 5. â—6 V. The reading of the Scriptures with godly fear r Act. 15. 21 Rev. 1. 3 the sound Preaching Å¿ 2. Tim. 4. 2 and conscionable hearing of the Word in obedience to God with understanding faith and reverence t Iam. 1. 22 Acts 10. â—5 Mat. 13. 19. He 4. 2. Isa 66. 2 singing of Psalms with grace in the heart u Col. 3. 16 Ephes 5. 19 Iam. 5. 13 as also the due administration worthy receiving of the Sacraments instituted by Christ are all parts of the ordinary Religious Worship of God w Mat. 28. 19 1 Cor. 11. 13 to 29. Acts 2. 42 Beside Religious Oaths x Deut. 6. 13 with Neh. 10. 29. Vows y Isa 19. 21 with Eccl. 5. 4 5 Solemn Fastings z Ioel 2 12 Esther 4. 16 Mat. 9. 15 1 Cor. 7. 5 and Thanksgivings upon special occasions a Psal 107 throughout Ester 9. 22 which are in their severall times and seasons to be used in an holy and religious manner b Heb. 11. 28 VI. Neither Prayer nor any other part of Religious Worship is now under the Gospel either tyed unto or made more acceptable by any place in which it is performed or towards which it is directed c Iohn 4. 21 but God is to be worshipped every where d Mal. 1. 11 1 Tim. 2. 8 in Spirit and Truth e Iohn 4 23 24 as in private Families f Ier. 10. 25 Deut. 6. 6 7 Iob 1. 5 2 Sam. 6. 18 20. 1 Pet. 3 7. Acts 10. 2 daily g Mat. 6. 11 and in secret each one by himselâ— h Mat. 6. 6 Eph. â— 18 so more solâ—mnly in the publique Assemblies which are not carelessy or wilfully to be neglected or forsaken when God by his Word or Providence calleth thereunto i Isa 56. 7 Heb. 10 25 Prov. 1. 20 21 24 Prov. 8. 34 Acts 13 42 Luk. 4. 16 Acts 2. 42 VII As it is of the Law of Nature that in general a due proportion of time be set a part for the Worship of God so in his Word by a positive Morall and perpetuall Commandment binding all men in all ages he hath particularly appointed one day in seven for a Sabbath to be kept holy unto him k Exod. 20 8 0 11 Isa 56. 2 4 6 7. which from the beginning of the World to the resurrection of Christ was the last Day of the week and from the Resurrection of Christ was changed into the first Day of the week l Gen. 2. 2 3 1 Cor. 16. 1 2 Acts 20. 7 which in Scripture is called the LORDS Day m Rev. 1. 10 and is to be continued to the end of the World as the Christian Sabbath n Exod. 20. 8. 10. with Mat. 5 17 18 VIII This Sabbath is then kept holy unto the Lord when men after a due preparing of their hearts ordering of their common affairs before-hand do not only observe an holy rest all the Day from their own works words and thoughts about their worldly imployments and recreations o Exod. 20. 8 Exod. 16. 23 25 26 29 30 Ex. 31. 15 16 17 Isa 58. 13. Nehem. 131 16 17 18 19 21 22 but also are taken up the whole time in the publique and private Exercises of his Worship in the duties of necessity and mercy p Isa 58. 13 Mat. 12. 2 to 13 CHAP. XXII Of lawfull Oaths and Vows A Lawfull Oath is a part of Religious Worship a Deut. 12 20 wherein upon just occasion the person swearing solemnly calleth God to witnesse what he asserteth or promiseth and to judge him according to the truth or falshood of what he sweareth b Exod. 20. 7 Levit. 19. 12 2 Cor. 1. 23 2 Chron. 6 22 23 II. The Name of God only is that by which men ought to sweare and therein it is to be used with all holy fear and reverence c Deut. 6. 13 Therefore to swear vainly or rashly by that glorious and dreadfull Name or to swear at all by any other thing is sinfull and to be abhorred d Exod 10. â— Ier. 1. 7 Mat 5. 34 37 Iam. 5. 12 Yet as in matters of weight and moment an Oath is warranted by the Word of God under the New Testament as well as under the Old e Heb. 6. 16 2 Cor. 1. 2â— Isaâ— 6â— 1â— so a lawfull Oath being imposed by lawfull Authority in such matters ought to be taken f 1 Kings â— 31. Neh 13 25. Ezra 10 5. III. Whosoever taketh an Oath ought duely to consider the weightinesse of so solemn an Act and therein to avouch nothing but what he is fully perswaded is the truth g Exod. 20. 7 Ier 4. 2 Neither maâ— any man binde himself by Oath to any thing but what is good and just and what he believeth so to be and what he iâ— able and resolved to perform h Gen 24. 2 3 5 6. 8 9. Yet is it a sin to refuse an Oath touching any thing that is good and just being imposeâ— by lawfull Authority i Num. 5. 19 21 Neh. 5 12. Exâ—d 22 7 8 9 10 11 IV. An Oath is to be taken in the plain and common sense of the words without equivocation or mentall reservation k Ier. 4. 2 Psal 24. 4 It cannot oblige to sin but in any thing not sinfull being taken it binds to performance although to a mans own hurt l 1 Sam. 25 22. â—2 33 34 Psal 15. 4 nor is it to be violated
love him in sincerity endeavouring to walk in all good conscience before him may in this life be certainly assured that they are in the state of grace c 1 Ioh. 2. 3 1 Ioh. 3. 14 18 19 22 24 1 Ioh 5. 13. and may rejoyce in the hope of the glory of God which hope shall never make them ashamed d Rom. 5. 2 5 II. This certainty is not a bare conjecturall and probable perswasion grounded upon a fallible hope e Heb. 6. 11 19. but an infallible assurance of faith founded upon the divine truth of the promises of salvation f Heb. 6. 17 18. the inward evidence of those graces unto which these promises are made g 2 Pet. 1. 4 5 10 11. 1 Ioh. 2. 3. 1 Ioh 3. 14 2 Cor. 1. 12 the testimony of the Spirit of Adoption witnessing with our spirits that we are the children of God h Rom. 8. 15 16 which Spirit is the earnest of our inheritance whereby we are sealed to the day of redemption i Eph. 3. 13 14. Eph. 4. 30. 2. Cor. 1. 21. 22. III. This infallible assurance doth not so belong to the essence of faith but that a true beleever may wait long and conflict with many difficulties before he be partaker of it k 1 Iohn 5. 13. Isa 50. 10 Mark 9. 24. Psal 8â— throughout Psal 77. to verse 12. yet being inabled by the Spirit to know the things which are freely given him of God he may without extraordinary revelation in the right use of ordinary meanes attain thereunto l 1 Cor 2. 12 1 Ioh. 4. 13 He 6. 11 12 Eph. 3. 17 18 19. And therefore it is the duty of every one to give all diligence to make his calling and election sure m 2 Pet. 1. 10. that thereby his heart may be inlarged in peace joy in the holy Ghost in love and thankfulnes to God and in strength and cheerfulnes in the duties of obedience the proper fruits of this assurance n Rom. 5. 1 1 2 5. Rom. 14. 7. Ro. 15. 3. Eph. 1. 3. 4 Psal 4. 6 7 Psal 119. 32 so far is it from inclining men to loosnesse o 1 Ioh. 2. 1 2 Rom. 6. 1 2. Tit. 2. 11 12 14. 2 Cor. 7. 1. Rom. 8. 1 12 1 Iohn 3. 2. 3 Psal 1 30. 4. 1 Iohn 1. 6 7. IV. True beleevers may have the assurance of their salvation divers wayes shaken diminished and intermitted as by negligence in preserving of it by falling into some speciall sin which woundeth the conscience and grieveth the spirit by some sudden or vehement temptation by Gods withdrawing the light of his countenance and suffering even such as fear him to walk in darknesse and to have no light p Can. 5. 2 3 6 Ps 5. 1 6 12 14. Eph. 4. 30 31. Psa â—â— 1 to 10. Mat. 26. 69 70 71 72. Psal 31. 22. Psal 88. throughout Esa 5. 10. yet are they never utterly destitute of that seed of God and life of faith that love of Christ and the brethren that sincerity of heart and conscience of duty out of which by the operation of the Spirit this assurance may in due time be revived q 1 Ioh. 3. 9 Luke 22. 32 Iob 13. 15 Psaim 73. 15 Psal 51. 8 12 and by the which in the mean time they are supported from utter despair r Mich. â— 7 8 9. Ier. 52. 40. Isa 54. 7 8 9 10. Psalme 22. 1. Psalme 88. throughout CHAP. XIX Of the Law of God GOD gave to Adam a Law as a Covenant of Works by which he bound him and all his posterity to personall entire exact and perpetuall obedience promised life upon the fulfilling and threatened death upon the breach of it and indued him with power and ability to keep it a Gen. 1. 26 27 with Gen. 2. 17 Rom 2 14 15 Rom. 10. 5 Rom. 5. 12. 19. Gal. 3 10 12. Eccles 7. 29 Iob 28. 20 II. This Law after his fall continued to be a perfect rule of righteousnesse and as such was delivered by God upon Mount Sinai in Ten Commandements and written in two Tables b Iam. 1. 25 Iam 2. 8 10 11 12. Rom. 13. 8 9 Deut. 5. 32 Deut. 10. 4 Exod. 34. 1 the foure first Commandements containing our duty towards God and the other six our duty to man c Mat. 22 37 38 39 40. III. Beside this Law commonly called Morall God was pleased to give to the people of Israel as a Church under age Ceremoniall Laws containing severall typicall Ordinances partly of Worship prefiguring Christ his graces actions sufferings and benefits d Heb 9. chap Heb. 10. 1 Gal. 4. 1 2 3. Col. 2. 17. and partly holding forth divers instructions of morall duties e 1 Cor. 5. 7 2 Cor. 6. 17 Iude ver 23 All which Ceremoniall Laws are now abrogated under the new Testament f Col. 2. 14 16 17. Dan. 9. 27 Eâ—h 2. 15 16. IV. To them also as a body Politique he gave sundry Iudiciall Laws which expired together with the State of that people not obliging any other now further than the generall equity thereof may require g Exod. 21 Chapter Exod. 22. 1 to 29 Gen 49. 10 with 1 Pet. 2. 13 14 Mat. 5. 17 with ver 38 39. 1 Cor. 9. 8 9 10. V. The Morall Law doth for ever bind all as well justified persons as others to the obedience thereof h Rom. 13. 8 9 10. Eph. 6. 2 1 Iohn 2. 3 4 7 8 and that not only in regard of the matter contained in it but also in respect of the authority of God the Creatour who gave it i Iam. 2. 10. 1â— Neither doth Christ in the Gospell any way dissolve but much strengthen this obligation k Mat. 5. 17 18 19. Iam. 2. 8. Rom 3. 31. VI. Although true Believers be not under the Law as a Covenant of works to be thereby justified or condemned l Rom. 6. 14 Gala. 2. 16 Gala. 3. 13 Gala. 4. 4 5 Acts 13. 39 Rom. 8. 1 yet is it of great use to them as well as to others in that as a rule of life informing them of the will of God and their duty it directs and binds them to walk accordingly m Rom. 7 12 22 25. Psal 119. 4 5 6. 1 Cor. 7. 19 Gal. 5. 14 16 18 19 20 21 22 23. discovering also the sinfull pollutions of their nature hearts lives n Rom. 7. 7 Rom. 3. 20 so as examining themselves thereby they may come to further conviction of humiliation for and hatred against sin o Iam. 1. 23 24 25. Rom. 7. 9 14 24. together with a clearer sight of the need they have of Christ and the perfection of his obedience p Gal. 3. 24 Rom. 7. 24 25. Rom. 8 3. 4. It is likewise of use to the Regenerate to restrain their corruptions in that it forbids sin q
Iam. 2. 11 Psal 119 101 104 28. and the threatnings of it serve to shew what even their sins deserve and what afflictions in this life they may expect for them although freed from the curse thereof threatned in the Law r Ezra 9. 13 14. Psal 89 30 31 32 33 34. The promises of it in like manner shew them Gods approbarion of obedience and what blessings they may expect upon the performance thereof Å¿ Levit. 26. 1 to 14. with 2 Cor. 6. 16 Eph. 6. 2. 3 Psal 37. 11 with Mat. 5 5. Psal 19 11. although not as due to them by the Law as a Covenant of Works t Gal. 2. 16 Luke 17. 10 So as a mans doing good and refraining from evill because the Law encourageth to the one and deterreth from the other is no evidence of his being under the Law and not under grace u Rom. 6 12 14. 1 Pet. 3. 8 9 10 11 12 with Psa 34 12 13 14 15 16 Heb. 12. 28 29. VII Neither are the forementioned Vses of the Law contrary to the grace of the Gospel but do sweetly comply with it w Gal. 3. 21 the Spirit of Christ subduing and inabling the will of man to do that freely and chearfully which the will of God revealed in the Law requireth to be done x Eze. 36. 27 Heb. 8. 10 with Ier. 31 33. CHAP. XX. Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience THe Liberty which Christ hath purchased for Beleevers under the Gospel consists in their freedom from the guilt of sin the condemning Wâ—ath of God the Curse of the Morall Law a Tit. 2. 14 1 Thes 1. 10 Gal. 3. 13 and in their being delivered from this present evil world bondage to Satan and Dominion of sin b Gal. 1. 4 Col. â— 13 Acts 26. 18 Rom. 6. â—4 from the evill of afflictions the sting of death the victory of the grave and everlasting damnation c Rom. 8. 28 Psal 119. 71 1 Cor. 15. 55 55 56. 57 Rom. 8. 1 as also in their free accesse to God d Rom. 5 1 2 and their yeelding obedience unto him not out of slavish fear but a child like love and willing minde e Rom. 8 14 15 1 Iohn 4 18. All which were common also to Beleevers under the Law f Gal. 3. 9 14. But under the New Testament the liberty of Christians is further inlarged in their freedom from the yoke of the Ceremonial Law to which the Iewish Church was subjected g Gal. 4. 1 2 3 6 7 Gal. 5. 1 Acts 15. 10 11. and in greater boldnesse of accesse to the Throne of Grace h Heb. 4. 14 16. Heb. 10 19 20. 21 22 and in fuller communications of the free Spirit of God than Beleevers under the Law did ordinarily partake of i 1 Iohn 7 38 39 2 Cor. 3. 13 17 19 II. God alone is Lord of the Conscience k Iam. 4. 12 Rom. 14. 4. and hath left it free from the Doctrines and Commandments of men which are in any thing contrary to his Word or beside it if matters of Faith or Worship l Acts 4. 19 Acts 5. 29 1 Cor. 7. 25 Mat 23. 8. 9 10. 2 Cor. 1 24. Mat. 15. 9 So thaâ— to beleeve such Doctrines or to obey such commands out of conscience is to betray true liberty of conscience m Col. 2. 20 22. 23. Gal. 1 10. Gal. 2. 14 5. Psal 5. 1 and the requiring of an implicit faith and an absolute aâ—d blinde obedience is to destroy lâ—berty of conscience and reason also n Rom. 10 17. Rom 14 23 Isa 8. 20 Acts 17. 11 Iohn 4. â—â— Hos 5. 11 Revel 13. â—â— 16 17 Ier. 8. 9 III. They who upon pretence of Christian Liberty do practise any sin or cherish any lust do thereby destroy the end of Christian Liberty which is that being delivered out of the hands of our Enemies we might serve the Lord without fear in holinesse and righteousnesse before him all the dayes of our life o Gal. 5. 13 â— Pet 2. 16 2 Pet. 2 19 Iohn 8. 34 Luke 1. 74. 75. IV. And because the Powers which God hath ordained and the Liberty which Christ hath purchased are not intended by God to destroy but mutually to uphold preserve one another They who upon pretence of Christian Liberty shall oppose any lawfull Power or the lawfull exercise of it whether it be Civill or Ecclesiasticall resist the Ordinance of GOD p Mat. 12. 25 1 Pet. 2. 13 14 16 Rom. 13. 1 10 8. Heb 13. 17. And for their publishing of such Opinions or maintaining of such Practises as are contrary to the light of Nature or to the known Principles of Christianity whethe concerning Faith Worship or Conversation or to the Power of Godlinesse or such erroneous Opinions or Practises as either in their own nature or in the manner of publishing or maintaining them are destructive to the externall Peace and Order which Christ hath established in the Church they may lawfully be called to account and proceeded against by the Censures of the Church q Rom. 1. 32 with 1 Cor 5. 1 5 11 13. 2 Iohnver 10. 11. and 2 Thes 3. 14. and 1 Tim. 6 3 4 5. and Tit. 1. 10 11 13. Tit. 3. 10. with Mat. 18. 15 16. 17. 1 Tim. 1. 19 20. Reve. 2. 2 14 15 20. Rev. 3. 9. and by the Power of the Civill Magistrate r Deut. 13. 6 to 12. Rom. 13. Rom. 13. 3 4. with 2 Iohn ver 10 11. Ezra 7. 23 25 26 27 28. Revel 17. 12 16 17. Nehem. 13. 15 17 21 22 25 30. 2 Kings 23. 5 6 9 20 21. 2 Chron. 34. 33. 2 Chron. 15. 12 13 16. Dan. 3. 29. 1 Tim. 2. 2. Isa 49. 23. Zec. 13 2 3. CHAP. XXI Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath-day THe light of Nature sheweth that there is a GOD who hath Lordship and Soveraignty over all is good and doth good unto all and is therefore to be feared loved praised called upon trusted in served with all the heart and with all the soul and the might a Rom 1. 20 Acts 17. 24 Psal 119. 68 Ier. 10. 7 Psal 13. 23 Psal 18. â— Rom. 10. 12 Psal 6. 2. 8 Ios 24. 14. Mark 12. 33 But the acceptable way of Worshipping the true GOD is instituted by Himself and so limited by his own revealed Will that he may not be worshipped according to the imaginations and devices of men or the suggestions of Satan under any visible representation or any other way not prescribed in the holy Scripture b Deut. 12. 32. Mat. 1â— 9. Acts 17. 25. Mat. 4 9. 10. Deu. 4. 15. 10 20. Exo. 20. 4 5 6. Col. 2. 23 II. Religious Worship is to be given to GOD the Father the Son and Holy Ghost and to him alone c Mat. 4. 10. with Ioh. 5. 23 2. 2 Cor. 13. 14 not to Angels
God in light and glory n 1 Ioh 3. 2 1 Cor. 13. 12 waiting for the full redemption of their bodies o Rom. 8. 23 Psal 19. 6 which even in death continue united to Christ p 1 Thes 4 14 and rest in their graves as in their beds q Isai 57. 2 till at the last day they he again united to their souls r Iob 19. 26 27 whereas the souls of the wicked are at death cast into hell where they remain in torments and utter darknesse and their bodies kept in their graves as in their prisons till the resurrection and judgement of the great day Å¿ Luk. 16. 23 24 Acts 1. 25 Iude v. 6 7 Q. What are we to believe concerning the Resurrection A. We are to believe that at the last day there shal be a generall resurrection of the dead both of the just unjust t Acts 24. 15 when they that are then found alive shall in a moment be changed and the self-same bodies of the dead which were laid in the grave being then again united to their souls for ever shall be raised up by the power of Christ u 1 Cor. 15 51 52 53 1 Thes 4. 15 16 17 Ioh. 5. 28 29 the bodies of the just by the Spirit of Christ and by vertue of his resurrection as their head shall be raised in power spiritual incorruptible and made like to his glorious body w 1 Cor. 15 21 22 23 24 43 44 Phil. 3. 31 and the bodies of the wicked shall be raised up in dishonour by him as an offended Iudge x Ioh. 5. 27 28 29 Mat. 25. 33 Q. What shall immediately follow after the resurrection A. Immediately after the resurrection shall follow the generall and final judgment of Angels and men y 2 Pet. 2. 4 Iude v. 6 7 14 15 Mat 25 46 the day and hour whereof no man knoweth that all may wacth and pray and be ever ready for the comming of the Lord z Mat. 24. 36 42 44 Luke 21. 35 36 Q. What shall be done to the wicked at the day of Judgement A. At the day of Iudgment the wicked shal be set on Christs left hand a Mat. 25. 33 and upon clear evidence and full conviction of their own consciences b Rom. 2. 15 16 shall have the fearfull but just sentence of condemnation pronounced against them c Mat. 25. 41 42 43 and thereupon shall be cast out from the favourable presence of God and the glorious fellowship with Christ his Saints and all his holy Angels into hell to be punished with unspeakable torments both of body and soul with the devill and his Angels for ever d Luk. 16. 26 2 Thes 1 8 9 Q. What shall be done to the righteous at the day of Iudgement A. At the day of Iudgement the righteous being caught up to Christ in the clouds e 1 Thes 4 17 shall be set on his right hand there openly acknowledged and acquitted f Mat. 25. 3â— Mat. 10 32 shall joyn with him in the judging of reprobate Angels and men g 1 Cor. 6 2 3 and shal be received into heaven h Mat. 25. 34 46 where they shal be fully and for ever freed from all sinne and misery i Eph 5. 27 Rev. 14. 13 filled with unconceivable joyes k Psal 16. 11 made perfectly holy and happy both in body soul in the company of innumerable Saints and holy Angels l Heb. 12. 22 23 but especially in the immediate vision and fruition of God the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ and of the holy Spirit to aâ—l eterniâ—y m 1 Ioh. 3. 2 1 Cor. 13. 12 1 Thes 4. 17 18 and this is perfect and full communion which the members of the invisible Church shall enjoy with Christ in glory at the resurrection and day of Iudgement Having seen what the Scriptures principally teach us to beleeve concerning God it followes to consider what they require as the duty of man Q. WHat is the duty that God requireth of man A. The duty which God requireth of man is obedience to his revealed will n Rom. 12 1 2 Mic 6. 8 1 Sam. 15. 22 Q. What did God at first reveal unto man as the rule of his obedience A. The rule of obedience revealed to Adam in the estate of innocency and to all mankinde in him beside a speciall command not to eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was the Morall Law o Gen. 1. â—6 2â— Rom. 2. 14 15 Rom. 10. 5 Gen. 2. 17 Q. What is the Morall Law A. The Morall Law is the declaration of the will of God to mankinde directing and binding every one to personall perfect and perpetuall conformity and obedience thereunto in the frame and disposition of the whole man soul and body p Deut. 5 1 21 32 33 Luk. 10. 26 27 Gal 3. 10 1 Thes â— 13 and in performance of all those duties of holinesse and righteousnesse which he oweth to God and man q â—uk 1 75 Acts 14. 16 promising life upon the fulfilling and threatning death upon the breach of it r Rom. 10. 5 Gal. 3. 10 12 Q. Is there any use of the Morall Law to man since the fall A. Although no man since the fall can attain to righteousnesse and life by the Morall Law Å¿ Rom. 8. 3 Gal. 2. 16 yet there is great use thereof as well common to all men as peculiar either to the unregenerate or the regenerate t 1 Tim. 1. 8 Q. Of what use is the Morall Law to all men A. The Morall Law is of use to all men to enfoâ—m them of the holy nature and will of God u Lev. 11. 44 45 Lev. 20. 7 8 Rom. 7. 12 of their duty binding them to walk accordingly w Mic. 6. 8 Tim. 2. 10 11 to convince them of their disability to keep it and of the sinfull pollution of their nature hearts and lives x Psal 19 11 12 Rom. 3. 10 Rom. 7. 7 to humble them in sense of their sin and misery y Rom. 3. 9 23 and thereby help them to a clearer sight of the need they have of Christ z Gal. 3. 21 22 and of the perfection of his obedience a Rom. 10. 4 Q. What particular use is there of the Morall Law to unregenerate men A. The Morall Law is of use to unregenerate men to awaken their consciences to fly from wrath to come b 1 Tim. 1. 9 10 and to drive them to Christ c Gal. 1. 24 or upon their continuance in the estate and way of sin to leave them inexcusable d Rom. 1. 20 with Rom. 2. 15 Gal. 3. 10. and under the curse thereof e. Q. What speciall use is there of the Morall Law to the regenerate A. Although they that are regenerate and believe in Christ be delivered
from the Morall Law as a Covenant of works f Rom. 6. 14 Rom 7. 4. 6 Gal. 4. 4 5 so as thereby they are neither justified g Rom. 3 20 nor condemned h Gal. 5. 23 Rom. 8. 1 yet beside the generall uses thereof common to them with all men it is of speciall use to shew them how much they are bound to Christ for his fulfilling it and enduring the curse thereof in their stead and for their good i Rom. 7. 24 25 Gal. 3. 13 14 Rom. 8. 3 4 and thereby to provoke them to more thankfulness k Luk. 1. 68 69 74 75 Col. 1 12 13 14 and to expresse the same in their greater care to conform themselves thereunto as the rule of their obedience l Rom. 7. 22 Rom. 12. 2 Tit. 1. 11. 12 13 14 Q. Where is the Morall Law summarily comprehended A. The Morall Law is summarily comprehended in the ten Commandements which were delivered by the voyce of God upon mount Sinai and written by him in two Tables of stone m Deut. 10 4. Exod 34. 1 2 3 4 and are recorded in the twentieth Chapter of Exodus the four first Commandements containing our duty to God and the other six our duty to man n Mat. 22 37 38 39 40 Q. What rules are to be observed for the right understanding of the ten Commandements A. For the right understanding of the Commandements these rules are to be observed That the Law is perfect and bindeth every one to ful conformity in the whole man unto the righteousnes therof unto intire obedience for ever so as to require the utmost perfectioÌ„ of every duty to forbid the least degree of every sin o Psal 19. 7 Iam. â— 10 Mat. 5. 21 to the end That it is spirituall and so reacheth the Vnderstanding Will Affections and all other powers of the soul as well as words works and gestures p Rom. 7. 14 Deut 6. 5 with Mat. 22 37 38 39 Mat. 5. 21 22 27 28 36 to the end That one and the same thing in divers respects is required or forbidden in severall Commandements q Col. 3 5 Amos 8. 5 Prov. 1. 19 1 Tim. 6. 10 That as where a duty is commanded the contrary sin is forbidden r Isa 58. 13 Deu. 6. 13 with Mat. 4 9 10 Mat 15. 4 5 6 and where a sin is forbidden the contrary duty is commanded Å¿ Mat. 5. 21 22 23 24 25 Eph. 4. 28 so where a promise is annexed the contrary threatning is included t Exo. 10. 12 with Prov. 30 17 and where a threatning is annexed the contrary promise is included u Ier. 18. 7 8 Exod 20. 7 with Ps 15 1 4 5 Psal 24. 4 5 That what God forbids is at no time to be done w Iob 13. â— â— Rom. 3. 8 Iob 36 21 Heb 11. 25 what he commands is alwayes our duty x Deut. 4. 8. 9 yet every particular duty is not to be done at all times y Mat. 12. 7 That under one sin or duty all of the same kind are forbidden or commanded together with all the causes meanes occasions and appearances thereof and provocations thereunto z Mat. 5. 21 22 27 28 Mat. 15 4 5. 6 Heb. 10 24 25 1 Thes 5. 22 Iude v. 13 Gal. 5. 16 Col. 3. 21 That what is foâ—bidden or commanded to our selves we are bound according to our places to endeavour that it may be avoyded or performed by others according to the duty of their places a Exod. 20 10 Lev. 19. 17 Gen. 18. 19 Iosh 24. 15 Deut. 6. 6 7 That in what is commanded to others we are bound according to our places and callings to bee helpfull to them b 2 Cor. 1. 24 and to take heed of partaking with thers in what is forbidden them c 1 Tim. 5. 22 Eph. 5. 11 Q. What speciall things are we to consider in the ten Commandements A. We are to consider in the Commandements the Preface the substance of the Commandements themselves and severall Reasons annexed to some of them the more to enfore them Q. What is the Preface to the Commandements A. The Preface to the Commandements is contained in these words I am the Lord thy God which have brought thee out of the Land of Egypt out of the houâ—e of Bondage d Exod. 20. 2 wherein God manifesteth his Soâ—eraignty as being Iehovah the eternall immutable and almighty God e Isa 44. 6 having his Beâ—ng in and of himself f Exod. 3. 14. giving being to all his words g Exod. â— 3 works h Act. 17. 24. 28. and that he is a God in Coâ—enaâ—t as with Israel of old so with all his people i Gen. 17. 7 with Rom. 3. 29 who as he brought them out of their bondage in Aegypt so he delivereth us from our spirâ—tuall thraldom k Luk â— 74. 75 and that therefore we are bound to take him for our God alone and to keep all his Commandemnets l 1 Pet. â— 1â— 16 17 18 Lev 18. 30 Lev. 19. 31 Q. What is the summe of the foure Commandements which containe our duty to God A. The sum of the four Commandments containing our duty to God is to love the Lord our God with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our strength and with all our minde m Luk. 10. 27 Q Which is the first Commandement A. The first Commandement is Thou shalt have no other Gods before me n Exod. 20. 3 Q. What are the duties required in the first Commandement A. The duties required in the first Commandment are the knowing acknowledging of God to be the only true God and our God o 1 Chr. 28. 9 Deut. 26. 17 Isai 43. 10 Ier. 14. 22 and to worship glorifie him accordingly p Psal 95. 6 7 Mat. 4. 10 Psal 29. 2 by thinking q Mal. 3. 16 meditating r Psal 63. 6 remembring Å¿ Eccles 12. 1 highly esteeming t Psal 71. 19 honouring u Mal. 1. 6 adoring w Isa 45. 23 chusing x Iosh 24 15 22 loving y Deut. 6. 5 desiring z Psal 73. 25 fearing of him a Isai 8. 13 believing him b Exod. 14 31 trusting c Isai 26. 4 hoping d Psal 130. 7 delighting e Psal 37. 4 rejoycing in him f Psal 32. 11 being zealous for him g Rom. 12. 11 with Num. 25. 11 calling upon him giving all praise and thanks h Phil. 4. 6 and yeelding all obedience and submission to him with the whole man i Ier 7. 23 Iam. 4. 7. being carefull in all things to please him k 1 Ioh. 3. 22 and sorrowfull when in any thing he is offended l Ier. 31. 18 Psal 119. 15 and walking humbly with him m Mich. 6. 8 Q. What are the sins forbidden in
an act of Gods free grace g 1 Io. 3. 1 whereby we are received into the number and have a right to all the priviledges of the Sons of God h Ioh. 1. 12 Rom. 8. 17 Q. VVhat is Sanctification A. Sanctification is the work of Gods free grace i 2 Thes 2 13 whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God k Eph. 4. 23 24 and are inabled more and more to dye unto sin and live unto righteousness l Rom 6 4 Q. VVhat are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from Justification Adoption and Sanctification A. The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from Justification Adoption and Sanctification are assurance of Gods love peace of Conscience m Rom. 5 1 2 5 joy in the holy Ghost n Rom. 14 17 increase of grace o Pro 4 18 and perseverance therein to the end p 1 Io. 5. 13 1 Pet. 1. 5 Q. VVhat benefiâ—s do Beleevers receive from Christ at death A. The souls of Beleevers are at their death made perfect in holiness q Heb. 12 23 do immediately pass into glory r 2 Cor. 5 1 6 8 Phil. 1. 23 Luk. 23. 43 and their bodies being still united to Christ s 1 Thes 4 14 do rest in their graves t Isa 57. 2 till the Resurrection u Iob 19. 26 27 Q. VVhat benefits do Beleevers receive from Christ at the Resurrection A. At the Resurrection Beleevers being raised up in glory w i Cor 15 43 shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the day of Judgment x Mat. 25 23. 10. 32 and made perfectly blessed in full injoying of God y 1 Joh. 3. 2 1 Cor. 13. 2 to all eternity z 1 Thes 4 17 18 Q VVhat is the duty which God requireth of man A. The Duty which God requireth of man is obedience to his revealed will a Mic. 6. 8 1 Sam. 15 22 Q. What did God at first reveal to man for the rule of his Obedience A. The rule which God at first revealed to man for his Obedience was the Moral Law b Rom. 2 14 15. and 10. 5 Q Where is the Moral Law summarily comprehended A. The Moral Law is summarily comprehended in the Ten Commandments c Deu. 10. 4 Q. What is the sum of the Ten Commandments A. The sum of the Ten Commandments is to love the Lord our God with all our heart with all our soul with all our strength and with all our mind and our Neighbor as our selves d Mat. 22 37 38 39 40 Q. VVhat is the Preface to the Ten Commandments A. The Preface to the Ten Commandments is in these words I am the Lord thy God which have brought thee out of the Land of Egypt out of the house of bondage e Exod. 20 Q What doth the Preface to the Ten Commandments teaâ—h us A The Preface to the Ten Commandments teacheth us that because God is the Lord and our God and Redeemer therefore we are bound to keep all his Commandments f Luk. 1 74 75. 1 Pet. 1 15 16 17 18 19 Q. Which is the first Commandment A. The first Commandment is Thou shalt hâ—ve no other Gods before me g Exod. 20 3 Q. VVhat is required in the first Commandment A. The first Commandment requireth us to know and acknowledg God to be the only true God and our God h 1 Chro. 28. 9. Deut 26. 17 and to worship and glorifie him accordingly i Mat 4 10 Psa 29. 2 Q. What is forbidden in the first Commandment A The first Commandment forbiddeth the denying k Psa 14. 1 or not worshiping and glorifying the true God as God l Ro. 1 21 and our God m Psa 81 10 11 and the giving that worship and glory to any other which is due to him alone n Rom. 1. 25 26 Q. What are we specially taught by these words Before me in the first Commandment A These words Before me in the first Commandment teach us that God who seeth all things taketh notice of and is much displeased with the sin of having any other God o Ezek. 8. 5 to the end Q. Which is the second Commandment A. The second Commandment is Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above or that is in the earth beneath or that is in the water under the earth thou shalt not bow down thy self to them nor serve them for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God visiting the iniquity of the Fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my Commandments p Exod. 20 4 5 6 Q. What is required in the second Commandment A. The second Commandment requireth the receiving observing and keeping pure and intire all such religious Worship and Ordinances as God hath appointed in his Word q Deut 32 46. Mat. 28. 20 Act. 2. 42. Q. What is forbidden in the second Commandment A. The second Commandment forbiddeth the worshiping of God by Images r Deut. 4. 15 16 17 18 19 Exod. 32. 5 8 or any other way not appointed in his Word Å¿ Deut. 12 31 32 Q. What are the Reasons annexed to the second Commandment A. The Reasons annexed to the second Commandment are Gods Soveraignty over us t Psa 95. 2 3 6 his propriety in us u Ps 45. 11 and the zeal he hath to his own Worship w Exod 34 13 14 Q. Which is the third Commandment A. The third Commandment is Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his Name in vain x Ex. 20. 7 Q. What is required in the third Commandment A. The third Commandment requireth the holy and reverent use of Gods Names y Mat. 6. 9 Deu. 28. 58 Titles z Ps 68. 4 Attributes a Rev. 15 3 4 Ordinances b Mal. 1 11 14 Words c Psa 138 1 2 and Works d Iob 36 24 Q What is forbidden in the third Commandment A. The third Commandment forbideth all profaning or abusing of any thing whereby God makes himself known c Mal. 1. 6 â— 12. 2 â— 3. 14 Q. What is the Reason annexed to the third Commandment A. The Reason annexed to the third Commandment is that however the breakers of this Commandment may escape punishment from men yet the Lord our God will not suffer them to escape his righteous judgment f 1 Sam. 2 12 17 22 29. 1 Sam 3. 13. Deut 28. 58 59 Q. Which is the fourth Commandment A. The fourth Commandment is Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy Six days shall thou labour and do all thy work
publickly for the proof of which 1. That the Priests and Levites in the Iewish Church were trusted with the publick reading of the Word as is proved Deut. 31 9 10 11. Neh. 8. 1 2 and 13. 2. That the Ministers of the Gospel have as ample a Charge and Commission to dispence the Word as well as other Ordinances as the Priests and Levites had under the Law proved Isa 66. 21. Mat. 23 34. where our Saviour intituleth the Officers of the New Testament whom he will send forth by the same names of the Teachers of the Old Which Propositions prove that therefore the duty being of a moral nature it followeth by just consequence that the publick reading of the Scriptures belongeth to the Pastors Office To feed the Flock by Preaching of the Word according to which he is to teach convince reprove exhort and comfort 1 Tim. 3. 2. 2 Tim. 3. 16 17. Tit. 19. To Chatechise which is a plain laying down the Principles of the Oracles of God Heb. 5. 12. or of the Doctrine of Christ and is a part of Preaching To dispence other divine Mysteries 1 Cor. 4 1 2. To administer the Sacraments Mat. 28 19 20. Mark 16. 15 16. 1 Cor. 11 23 24 25. compareth with 1 Cor. 10. 16. To bless the People from God Num. 6. 23 24 25 26. compared with Rev 14. 5 where the same blessings and Persons from whom they come are expresly mentioned Isai 66. 21. Where under the names of Priests and Levites to be continued under the Gospel are meant Evangelicall Pastors who therefore are by Office to bless the People Deut. 10. 8. 2 Cor. 13 14. Eph. 1. 2. To take care of the Poor Acts 1â— 30. 4. 34 35 36 37. 6. 2 3 4. 1 Cor. 16. 1 2 3 4. Gal. 2 9 10. And he hath also a ruling power over the Flock as a Pastor 1 Tim. 5. 17. Acts 20. 17. and 28. 1 Thes 5 12. Heb. 13. 7. 17. Teacher or Doctor THe Scripture doth hold out the name and title of Teacher as well as of the Pastor 1 Cor. 12. verse 28. Ephes 4. verse 11. Who is also a Minister of the Word as well as the Pastor and hath power of administration of the Sacraments The Lord having given different gifts and divers excercises according to these gifts in the Ministry of the Word Rom. 12. 6 7 8. 1 Cor. 12 1 4 5 6 7. Though these different gifts may meet in and accordingly be exercised by one and the same Minister 1 Cor. 14. 3. 2 Tim. 4. 2. Tit. 1. 9 yet where be several Ministers in the same Congregation they may be designed to several imployments according to the different gifts in which each of them doth most excel Rom 12. 6 7 8. 1 Pet. 4. 10 11. And he that doth more excel in exposition of Scripture in teaching sound Doctrine and in convincing gain sayers then he doth in application and is accordingly imployed therein may be called a Teacher or Doctor the places alledged by the Notation of the Word doth prove the Proposition Nevertheless where is but one Minister in a particular Congregation he is to perform so far as he is able the whole work of the Ministry as appeareth in the 2 Tim. 4. 2. Tit. 1 9 before alledged 1 Tim. 6 2. A Teacher or Doctor is of most excellent use in Schools and Universities as of old in the Schools of the Prophets and at Jerusalem where Gamaliel and others taught as Doctors Oâ—her Church-Governors AS there were in the Jewish Church Elders of the People joyned with the Priests and Levites in the Government of the Church as appeareth in the 2 Chron. 19. 8 9 10. So Christ who hath instituted a Government and Governors Ecclesiastical in the Church hath furnished some in his Church beside the Ministers of the Word with gifts for Government and with commission to execute the same when called thereunto who are to joyn with the Minister in the Government of the Church Rom. 12. 7 8. 1 Cor. 12. 28. which Officers reformed Churches commonly call Elders Deacons THe Scripture doth hold out Deacons as distinct Officers in the Church Phil 1. 1. 1 Tim. 3. 8. whose Office is perpetual 1 Tim. 3. 8. to verse 15. Acts 6. 1 2 3 4. To whose Office it belongs not to preach the Word or administer the Sacraments but to take special care in distributing to the necessities of the poor Acts 6. 1 2 3 4. and the verses following Of particular Congregations IT is lawful and expedient that there be fixed Congregations that is a certain company of Christians to meet in one Assembly ordinarily for publique Worship When Beleevers multiply to such a number that they cannot conveniently meet in one place it is lawful and expedient that they should be divided into distinct and fixed Congregations for the better administration of such Ordinances as belong unto them and the discharge of mutual duties 1 Cor. 14. 26. Let all things be done unto edifying and verses 33. 40. The ordinary way of dividing Christians into distinct Congregations and most expedient for edification is by the respective bounds of their dwellings First Because they who dwell together being bound to all kind of Moral duties Deut. 15 7 11 one to another have the better opportunity thereby to discharge them which Mat. 22. 39 Mat. 5 17 Moral tye is perpetual for Christ came not to destroy the Law but to fulfil it Secondly The Communion of Saints must be so ordered as may stand with the most convenient use of the Ordinances and discharge of Moral duties without respect of persons 1 Cor. 14 26. Let all things be done unto edifying Heb. 10 24 25. James 2. 1 2. Thirdly The Pastor and People must so nearly co-habite together as that they may mutually perform their duties each to other with most conveniency In this company some must be set apart to bear Office Of the Officers of a particular Congregation FOr Officers in a single Congregation there ought to be one at the least both to labour in the Word and Doctrine and to rule Prov. 29 18. 1 Tim. 5 17. Heb 13 7. It is also requisite that there should be others to joyn in Government 1 Cor. 12 28. And likewise it is requisite that there be others to take special care for the relief of the poor Acts 6 2 3. The number of each of which is to be proportioned according to the condition of the Congregation These Officers are to meet together at convenient and set times for the well-ordering of the affairs of that Congregation each according to his Office It is most expedient that in these meetings one whose Office is to labour in the Word and Doctrine do moderate in their proceedings 1 Tim. 5 17. Of the Ordinance in a particular Congregation THe Ordinances in a single Congregation are Prayer Thanksgiving and singing of Psalms 1 Tim. 2 ver 1. 1 Cor. 14 15 16. The Word