him in the World through the Ignorance that is in Man and through the Power of their Sins Ephes 4.18 19. Q. Wherein doth this alienation from God appear A. In the love they have to their sins in their being loth to come to him in their pleading idle excuses for their sins and in their ignorance of the excellent mysteries of his blessed Gospel Ephes 2.2 3 11 12. Rom. 1.28 Ephes 4.18 19. Q. What is temporal death A. To have Body and Soul separate asunder the Body returning to the Dust as it was and the Spirit to God that gave it Gen. 3.19 Eccles 12.7 Q. What is Everlasting Death A. For Body and Soul to be separate for ever from God and to be cast into Hell-fire Luk. 13. Q. Do Men go Body and Soul to Hell so soon as they die A. The Body abideth in the Grave till the sound of the last Trump but the Soul if the Man dies wicked goes presently from the face of God into Hell as into a Prison there to be kept till the day of Judgment 1 Cor. 15.52 Isa 24.22 Luke 12.20 Q. Do we come into the World as upright as did our first Parent A. No He came into the World sinless being made so of God Almighty but we came into the World sinners being made so by his Pollution Q. How doth it appear that we came into the World polluted A. We are the fruit of an unclean thing are defiled in our very conception and are by nature the Children of wrath Job 14.4 Psal 51.5 Ephes 2.3 Q. Can you make further proof of this A. Yes It is said that by one Man came Sin Death Judgment and Condemnation upon all Men Rom. 5.12 15 16 17 18 19. Q. Do we then come sinners into the World A. Yes we are Transgressors from the Womb and go astray as soon as we are born speaking lies Isa 48.8 Psal 58.3 Q. But as Adam fell with us in him so did he not by faith rise with us in him for he had no 〈…〉 A. He fell as a publick person but believed the Promise as a single person Adam's faith saved not the World though Adam's sin overthrew it Q. But do not some hold that we are sinners only by imitation A. Yes being themselves deceived But God's Word saith we are Children of Wrath by Nature that is by Birth and Generation Q. Can you bring further proof of this A. Yes In that day that we were born we were polluted in our own Blood and cast out to the loathing of our persons Again the Children of old that were dedicated unto the Lord a Sacrifice was offered for them at a month old which was before they were sinners by imitation Ezek. 16.4 5 6 7 8 9. Num. 18.14 15 16. Q. Can you make this appear by experience A. Yes The first things that bloom and put forth themselves in Children shew their Ignorance of God their disobedience to Parents and their innate enmity to Holiness of life their inclinations naturally run to vanity Besides little Children die but that they could not were they not of God counted sinners for death is the wages of sin Rom. 6.23 Q. What is sin A. It is a transgression of the Law 1 John 3.4 Q. A transgression of what Law A. Of the Law of our Nature and of the Law of the Ten Commandments as written in the holy Scriptures Rom. 2.12 14 15. Exod. 20. Q. When doth one sin against the Law of Nature A. When you do any thing that your Conscience tells you is a transgression against God or Man Rom. 2.14 15. Q. When do we sin against the Law as written in the ten Commandments A. When you do any thing that they forbid although you be ignorant of it Psal 19.12 Q. How many ways are there to sin against this Law A. Three By sinful thoughts by sinful words and also by sinful actions Rom. 7.7 Mat. 5.28 chap. 12.37 Rom. 2.6 Q. What if we sin against but one of the Ten Commandments A. Whosoever shall keep the whole Law and yet offend in one point he is guilty of all for he that said do not commit adultery said also do not kill now if thou commit no adultery yet if thou kill thou art a transgressor of the Law Jam. 2.10 11. Q. Where will God punish sinners for their sins A. Both in this World and in that which is to come Gen 3.24 chap. 4.10 11 12. Job 21.30 Q. How are Men punished in this World for sin A. Many ways as with sickness losses crosses disappointments and the like sometimes also God giveth them up to their own hearts lusts to blindness of mind also and hardness of heart yea and sometimes to strong delusions that they might believe lies and be damned Lev. 26.15 16. Amos. 4.7 10. Rom. 1.24 28. Exod. 4.21 chap. 9.12 13 14. Zeph. 1.17 Rom. 11.7 8. 2 Thes 2.11 12. Q How are sinners punished in the World to come A. With a Worm that never dies and with a Fire that never shall be quenched Mar. 9.44 Q. Whither do sinners go to receive this punishment A. The wicked shall be turned into Hell and all the Nations that forget God Psal 9.27 Q. What is Hell A. It is a place and a state most fearful Luk. 16.28 Act. 1.25 Luk. 16.21 Q. Why do you call it a place A. Because in Hell shall all the damned be confined as in a Prison in their chains of darkness for ever Luk. 12.5 58. chap. 16.26 Jud. 6. Q What a place is Hell A. It is a dark bottomless burning lake of Fire large enough to hold all that perish Mat. 22.13 Rev. 20.1 15. Isa 30.33 Pro. 27.20 Q. What do you mean when you say it is a fearful state A. I mean that it is the lot of those that are cast in thither to be tormented in most fearful manner to wit with wrath and fiery indignation Rom. 2.9 Heb. 10.26 27. Q. In what parts shall they be thus fearfully tormented A. In Body and Soul for Hell-fire shall kindle upon both beyond what now can be thought Mat. 10.28 Luk. 16.24 Jam. 5.3 Q. How long shall they be in this condition A. These shall go away into everlasting punishment and the smoak of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever and they have no rest day nor night for they shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his Power Mat. 25.46 Rev. 14.11 2 Thes 1.9 Q. But why might not the ungodly be punished with this punishment in this world that we might have seen it and believe A. If the ungodly should with punishment have been rewarded in this World it would in all probability have overthrown the whole order that God hath settled here among Men. For who could have endured here to have seen the flames of Fire to have heard the groans and to have seen the tears perhaps of damned relations as Parents or Children Therefore as Tophet
INSTRUCTION FOR THE IGNORANT Being a Salve to cure that great want of Knowledg which so much reigns both in young and old Prepared and presented to them in a plain and easie Dialogue fitted to the Capacity of the weakest By JOHN BUNYAN Hos 4.6 My People perish for lack of Knowledg LONDON Printed for Francis Smith at the Elephant and Castle in Cornhil near the Royal-Exchange 1675. To the Church of Christ in and about Bedford walking in the Faith and Fellowship of the Gospel your affectionate Brother and Companion in the Kingdom and Patience of JESUS CHRIST wisheth all Grace and Mercy by Jesus Christ Amen HOly and beloved Although I have designed this little Treatise for publick and common benefit yet considering that I am to you a debtor not only in common Charity but by reason of special Bonds which the Lord hath laid upon me to you-ward I could do no less being driven from you in presence not affection but first present you with this little Book not for that you are wanting in the things contained herein but to put you again in remembrance of first things and to give you occasion to present something to your carnal relations that may be if God will for their awakening and conversion accept it therefore as a token of my Christian Remembrance of you Next I present it to all those unconverted old and young who have been at any time under my Preaching and yet remain in their sins And I entreat them also that they receive it as a token of my love to their immortal Souls yea I charge them as they will answer it in the day of the terrible judgment that they read ponder and receive this wholsom Medicine prepared for them Now the God of Blessing bless it to the awakening of many sinners and the salvation of their souls by faith in Jesus Christ Amen Yours to serve you by my Ministry when I can to your Edification and Consolation J. B. Instruction for the Ignorant c. Quest HOw many Gods are there Answ To the Christians there is but one God the Father of whom are all things and we of him 1 Cor. 8.9 Q. Why is not the God of the Christians the God of them that are no Christians A. He is their Maker and Preserver but they have not chosen him to be their God Acts 17.24 Psal 36.6 Judg. 10.14 Q. Is there then other gods besides the God of the Christians A. There is none other true God but He but because they want the grace of Christians therefore they chuse not Him but such gods as will suit with and countenance their lusts Joh. 8.44 Q. What gods are they that countenance the lusts of wicked men A. The Devil who is the god of this World the Belly that god of Gluttons Drunkards and riotous persons and idle pleasures and vanities which are for the most part the gods of the youth Job 8.44 2 Cor. 4.4 Phil. 3.19 Exod. 32.6 1 Cor. 10.7 2 Tim. 2.22 1 John 5.21 Q. Who is a Christian A. One that is born again a new creature one that sits at Jesus feet to hear his Word one that hath his heart purified and sanctified by Faith which is in Christ John 3.3 5 7. Act. 11.26 Act. 15.9 chap. 26.18 2 Cor. 5.17 Q. How do you distinguish the God of the Christians from the gods of other people A. He is a Spirit John 4.24 Q. Is there no other Spirit but the true God A. Yes there are many spirits 1 John 4.1 Q. What spirits are they A. The good Angels are Spirits the bad Angels are Spirits and the Souls of Men are Spirits Heb. 1.7.14 1 King 22.21 22. Rev. 16.13 14. Act. 7.59 Heb. 12.23 Q. How then is the true God distinguished from other Spirits A. Thus No Spirit is Eternal but he no Spirit is Almighty but he no Spirit is Incomprehensible and Unsearchable but he He is also most Merciful most Just most Holy Deut. 33.27 Gen. 17.1 Psal 145.3 Mich. 7.18 Job 34.17 1 Sam. 2.2 Q. Is this God being a Spirit to be known A. Yes and that by his Works of Creation by his Providences by the Judgments that he executeth and by his Word Q. Do you understand him by the Works of Creation A. The Heavens declare the Glory of God and the Firmament sheweth his handy-work so that the invisible things of him from the Creation of the World are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made even his Eternal Power and Godhead Psal 19.1 2. Rom. 1.20 Q. Doth his Works of Providence also declare him A. They must needs do it since through his Providence the whole Creation is kept in such harmony as it is and that in despite of Sin and Devils also if you consider that from an Angel to a Sparrow nothing falls to the ground without the Providence of our Heavenly Father Mat. 10.29 Q. Is he known by his Judgments A. God is known by his Judgments which he executeth the wicked is shared in the work of his own hands Psal 9.16 Q. Is he known by his Word A. Yes most clearly for by that he revealeth his Attributes his Decrees his Promises his way of Worship and how he is to be pleased by us Q. Of what did God make the World A. Things that are seen were not made of things that do appear Heb. 11.3 Q. How long was he in making the World A. In six days the Lord made Heaven and Earth the Sea and all that is in them and on the seventh day God ended all his works which he had made Exod. 20.11 Gen. 2.2 Q. Of what did God make Man A. The Lord God formed Man of the dust of the Ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of Life and Man became a living soul Gen. 2.7 Q. Why doth it say God breathed into him the breath of Life is Man's Soul of the very nature of the Godhead A. This doth not teach that the Soul is of the nature of the Godhead but sheweth that it is not of the same matter as his body which is dust Gen. 18.27 Q. Is not the Soul then of the nature of the Godhead A. No for God cannot sin but the Soul doth God cannot be destroyed in Hell but the Souls of the Impenitent shall Ezek. 18.4 Mat. 10.28 Q. How did God make man in the day of his first Creation A. God made Man upright In the Image of God created he him Eccl. 7.29 Gen. 1.27 Q. Did God when he made Man leave him withâ—◠〈…〉 A. No He gave him a Law in his nature and imposed upon him a positive Precept but he offered violence to them and brake them both Gen. 3.3 6. Q. What was the due desert of that Transgression A. Spiritual death in the day he did it Temporal Death afterwards and everlasting Death last of all Gen. 2.17 chap. 3.19 Mat. 25.46 Q What is it to be spiritually dead A. To be alienate from God and to live without
of old was without the City and as the Gallows and Gibbets are builded without the Towns so Christ hath ordered that they who are to be punished with this kind of Torment shall be taken away Take hm away saith he out of this World and cast him into utter darkness and let him have his punishment there there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth Besides Faith is not to be wrought by looking into Hell and seeing the damned tormented before our Eyes but by hearing the Word of God for he that shall not believe Moses and the Prophets will not be perswaded should one come from the dead yea should one come to them in flames to perswade them Mat. 22.13 Rom. 10.17 Luk. 16.27 28 29 30 31. Q. Are there degrees of torment in Hell A. Yes for God will reward every one according to their works Wo to the wicked it shall go ill with him for the reward of his hands shall be given him Isa 3.11 Q. Who are like to be most punished there Men or Children A. The punishment in Hell comes not upon sinners according to age but sin so that whether they be Men or Children the greater sin the greater punishment for there is no respect of persons with God Rom. 2.11 Q. How do you distinguish between great sins and little ones A. By their Nature and by the Circumstances that attend them Q. What do you mean by their Nature A. I mean when they are very gross in themselves 2 Chron. 33.2 Ezek. 16.42 Q. What kind of sins are the greatest A. Adultery Fornication Murder Theft Swearing Lying Covetousness Witchcraft Sedition Heresies or any the like 1 Cor. 6.9 10. Ephes 5.3 4 5 6. Col. 3.5 6. Gal. 5.19 20 21. Rev. 21.8 Q. What do you mean by Circumstances that attend sin A. I mean Light Knowledg the Preaching of the Word Godly Acquaintance timely Cautions c. Q. Will these make an alteration in the sin A. These things attending sinners will make little sins great yea greater than greater sins that are commited in grossest Ignorance Q. How do you prove that A. Sodom and Gomorrah wallowed in all or most of those gross Transgressions above-mentioned yea they were said to be sinners exceedingly they lived in such sins as may not be spoken of without blushing and yet God swears that Israel his Church had done worse than they and the Lord Jesus also seconds it in that Threatning of his I say unto you that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom than for thee Ezek. 16.48 Mat. 11.24 Luk. 10.12 Q. And was this the reason namely because they had such circumstances attending them as Sodom had not A. Yes as will plainly appear if you read the three Chapters above mentioned Q. When do I sin against Light and Knowledg A. When you sin against convictions of Conscience when you sin against a known Law of God when you sin against Counsels and disswasion of Friends then you sin against Light and Knowledg Rom. 1.32 Q. When do I sin against Preaching of the Word A. When you refuse to hear God's Ministers or hearing them refuse to follow their wholsome Doctrine 2 Chron 36.16 Jer. 25.4 7. chap. 35.15 Q. When else do I sin against the Preaching of the Word A. When you mock or despise or reproach the Ministers also when you raise lies and scandals of them or receive such lies or scandals raised you then also sin against the preaching of the Word when you Persecute them that Preach it or are secretly glad to see them so used 2 Chron. 30.1 10. Rom. 3.8 Jer. 20.10 1 Thes 2.15 16. Q. How will godly acquaintance greaten my sin A. When you sin against their Counsels Warnings or Perswasions to the contrary also when their lives and conversations are reproof to you and yet against all you will sin Thus sinned Ishmael Esau Eli's sons Absolom and Judas they had good Company good Counsels and a good life set before them by their godly Acquaintance but they sinned against all and their Judgment was the greater Ishmael was cast away Esau hated Eli's sons died suddenly Absolom and Judas were both strangely hanged Gen. 21.10 Gal. 4.30 Mal. 1.2 1 Sam. 2.20 25. 2 Sam. 16. Q. Are sins thus heightned distinguished from others by any special name A. Yes they are called Rebellion and are compared to the sin of Witchcraft they are called wilful sin they are called Briers and Thorns and they that bring them forth are nigh unto Cursing whose end is to be burned 1 Sam. 15.23 Heb. 10.26 chap 6.7 8. Q. Are there any other things that can make little sins great ones A. Yes As when you sin against the Judgments of God As for example you see the Judgments of God come upon some for their transgressions and you go on in their iniquities also when you sin against the Patience Long-suffering and Forbearance of God this will make little sins great ones Dan. 5. Q. Did ever God punish little Children for sin against him A. Yes When the Flood came he drowned all the little Children that were in the old World he also burned up all the little Children which were in Sodom and because upon a time the little Children at Bethel mocked the Prophet as he was a-going to worship God God let loose two she-Bears upon them which tore forty and two of them to pieces 2 King 2.22 23. Q. Alas What shall we little Children do A. Either go on in your sins or remember now your Creator in the days of your Youth before the evil dayes come Eccles 12.1 Q. Why do you mock us to bid us go on in our sins you had need pray for us that God would save us A. I do not mock you but as the wise-man doth and besides I pray for you and wish your Salvation Q. How doth the wise-man mock us A. Thus Rejoice O young man in thy Youth and let thy heart chear thee in the days of thy Youth and walk in the ways of thy heart and in the sight of thine Eyes but know thou that for all these things God will bring thee to Judgment Eccles 11.9 Q. What a kind of mocking is this A. Such an one as is mixed with the greatest seriousness as if he should say I do sinners go on in your sins if you dare do live in your vanities but God will have a time to judg you for them Q. Is not this just as when my Father bids me be naught if I will but if I be naught he will beat me for it A. Yes or like that saying of Joshua If it seem evil to you to serve the Lord chuse you this day whom you will serve serve your sins at your peril Josh 24.15 Q. Is it not best then for me to serve God A. Yes for they that serve the Devil must be where he is and they that serve God and Christ must be where they are Joh. 12.16 Mat. 25.41 Q. But when had I
42.5 Q. What is it for me to know my self A. Then thou knowest thy self when thou art in thine own eyes a lothsome polluted wretched miserable Sinner and that not any thing done by thee can pacifie God unto thee Job 42.5 Ezek. 20.43 44. Rom. 7.24 Of Confession of Sin Quest YOu have shewed me if I will indeed worship God I must first know him aright now then to the question in hand pray how must I worship him A. In confessing unto him Nehem. 9.1 2 3. Q. What must I confess A. Thou must confess thy transgressions unto the Lord Psal 32.5 Q. Was this the way of the godly of old A. Yes Nehemiah confessed his sins David confessed his sins Daniel confessed his sins and they that were Baptized by John in Jordan confessed their sins Nehem. 1.6 Psal 32.5 Dan. 9.4 Mat. 3.6 Q. What sins must I confess to God A. All sins whatsoever for he that covereth his sins shall not prosper but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall find Mercy Pro. 28.13 1 John 1.9 Q. But how if I do neither know nor remember all my sins A. Thou must then search and try thy ways by the holy Word of God Lam. 3.40 Psal 77.6 Q. But how if I do not make this search after my sins A. If thou dost not God will if thou dost not search them out and confess them God will search them out and charge them upon thee and tear thee in pieces for them Psal 50.21 22. Q. Where must I begin to confess my sins A. Where God beginneth to shew thee them Observe then where God beginneth with conviction for sin and there begin thou with confession of it Thus David began to confess thus Daniel began to confess 2 Sam. 12.7 8 9 10 11 12 13. Dan. 9.3 4 5 6 7 8. Q. What must I do when God hath shewed me any sin to make right Confession thereof A. Thou must follow that Conviction until it shall bring thee to the Original and Fountain of that sin which is thine own heart 1 King 8.38 Psal 51.5 Q. Is my heart then the Fountain and Original of sin A. Yes For from within out of the heart of Man proceedeth evil thoughts Adulteries Fornications Murders Thifts Covetousness Wickedness Deceit Lasciviousness an evil Eye Blasphemy Pride Foolishness All these evil things come from within and defile the Man Mar. 7.21 22 23. Q. When a Man sees this what will he think of himself A. Then he will not only think but conclude that he is an unclean thing that his heart hath deceived him that it is most desperate and wicked that it may not be trusted by any means that every imagination and thought of his heart naturally is only evil and that continually Isa 64.6 Prov. 28.26 Isa 44.20 Gen. 6.5 Q. You have given me a very bad character of the heart but how shall I know that it is so bad as you count it A. Both by the Text and by Experience Q. What do you mean by Experience A. Keep thine eyes upon thy heart and also upon Gods Word and thou shalt see with thine own eyes the desperate wickedness that is in thine heart for thou must know Sin by the Law that bidding thee do one thing and thy heart inclining to another Rom. 7.7 8.9 Q. May I thus then know my heart A. Yes that is something of it specially the Carnality of thy mind because the carnal mind is enmity against God for it is not subject to the Law of God neither indeed can be Rom. 8.7 Q. Can you particularize some few things wherein the wickedness of the heart of man shews it self A. Yes by its secret hankering after sin although the Word forbids it by its deferring of Repentance by its being weary of holy Duties by its aptness to forget God by its studying to lessen and hide Sin by its feigning it self to be better than it is by being glad when it can sin without being seen of Men by its hardening it self against the Threatnings and Judgments of God by its desperate inclinings to Unbeleif Atheism and the like Pro. 1.24 25 26. Isa 43.22 Mal. 1.12 13. Judg. 3.7 Jer. 2.32 Psal 106.21 Hos 2.13 Pro. 30.20 Jer. 2.25 Rom. 1.32 chap. 2.5 Zeph. 7.11 12 13. Q. Is there any thing else to be done in order to a right confession of sin A. Yes Let this Conviction sink down into thy heart that God sees much more wickedness in thee than thou canst see in thy self If thy heart condemn thee God is greater than thy heart and he knows all things besides be hath set thy secret sins in the light of his Countenance 1 Joh. 3.20 Psal 90.8 Q. Is there any thing else that must go to a right confession of sin A. Yes In thy confessions thou must greaten and aggravate thy sin by all just circumstances Q. How must I do that A. By considering against how much Light and Mercy thou hast sinned against how much Patience and Forbearance thou hast sinned also against what Warnings and Judgments thou hast sinned and against how many of thine own Vows Promises and Ingagements thou hast sinned these things heighten and aggravate sin Ezra 9.10 11 12 13 14 15. Q. But what need I confess my sins to God see 〈…〉 A. Confession of sin is necessary for many Reasons Q. Will you shew me some of those Reasons A. Yes One is by a sincere and hearty Confession of sin thou acknowledgest God to be thy Sovereign Lord and that he hath right to impose his Law upon thee Exod. 20. Q. Can you shew me another Reason A. Yes By confessing thy sin thou subscribest to his righteous Judgments that are pronounced against it Psal 51.3 4. Q. Can you shew me another Reason A. Yes By confession of sin thou shewest how little thou deservest the least Mercy from God Q. Have you yet another reason why I should confess my sins A. Yes By so doing thou shewest whether thy heart loves it or hates it He that heartily confesseth his Sin is like him who having a Thief or a Traitor in his house brings him out to condign punishment but he that forbears to confess is like him who hideth a Thief or Traitor against the Laws and Peace of our Lord the King Q. Give me one more reason why I should confess my sins to God A. He that confesseth his sin casteth himself at the feet of Gods Mercy utterly condemns and casts away his own righteousness concludeth there is no way to stand Just and acquit before God but by and through the righteousness of another whither God is resolved to bring thee if ever he saves thy Soul Psal 51.1 2 3. 1 Joh. 1.9 Phil. 3.6 7 8. Q. What frame of heart should I be in when I confess my sins A. Do it heartily and to the best of thy power thoroughly For to feign in this work is abominable to do it by the halves is wickedness to do it without sence of Sin cannot
Righteousness to justifie thee and the Spirit without measure to Sanctifie thee Isa 45.24 25. Dan. 9.24 Phil. 3.7 8. Joh. 3.34 Q. Is this made mine if I receive Christ A. Yes If thou receive him as God offereth him to thee John 3.16 Q. How doth God offer him to me A. Even as a rich Man freely offereth an Alms to a Begger and so must thou receive him John 6.32 33 34 35. Q. Hath he indeed made amends for sin and would he indeed have me accept of what he hath done A. That he hath made amends for sin 't is evident because God for Christs sake forgiveth thee and 't is as evident that he would have thee accept thereof because he offereth it to thee and hath sworn to give thee the utmost benefit to wit Eternal life if thou dost receive it yea and â—â—th threatned thee with eternal Damnation if after all this thou shalt neglect so great Salvation Ephes 5.1 Rom. 3.24 Mat. 28.19 Act. 13.32 33 38 39. Heb. 6.17 18. chap. 2.3 Mar. 16.16 Q. But how must I be qualified before I shall â—are to believe in Christ A. Come sensible of thy sins and of the Wrath of God due unto them for thus thou â—â—t bid to come Mat. 11.28 Q. Did ever any come thus to Christ A. David came thus Paul and the Jailer came thus also Christ's Murderers came thus Psal 51.1 2 3. Acts 9.6 Acts 16.30 31. Act. 2.37 Q. But doth it not seem most reasonable that we should first mend and be good A. The whole have no need of the Physitian but those that are sick Christ came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance Mar. 2.17 Q. But is it not the best way if one can to mend first A. This is just as if a sick man should say is it not best for me to be well before I go to the Physician or as if a wounded man should say when I am cured I will lay on the Plaister Q. But when a poor Creature sees its vileness it is afraid to come to Christ is it not A. Yes But without ground for he hath said say to them that are of a fearful heart be strong fear not and to this man will I look even to him that is poor and of a contrite Spirit and trembles at my word Isa 35.4 Chap. 66.2 Q. What incouragement can be given us thâ—â— to come A. The Prodigal came thus and his Father received him and fell upon his neck and kissed him Thus he received the Colossians and consequently all that are saved Luke 15. Colos 2.13 Q. Will you give me one more encouragement A. The Promises are so worded that they that are Scarlet-sinners Crimson-sinners Blasphemous sinners have incouragement to come to him with hopes of life Isa 1.18 Mar. 3.28 Joh. 6.36 Luk. 24.47 Act. 13.36 Q. Shall any one that believeth be saved A. If they believe as the Scriptures have said if the Scriptures be fulfilled in their believing Joh. 7.38 Jam. 2.23 Q. What do you mean by that A. When Faith which a Man saith he hath proveth it self to be of the right kind by its Acts and Operations in the mind of a poor sinner Jam. 2.19 20 21 22. Q. Why is there many kinds of Faith A. Yes There is a Faith that will stand with a heart as hard as a rock a short-winded Faith which dureth for a while and in time of temptation such fall away Luke 8.13 Q. Is there any other kind of Faith A. Yes There is a Faith that hath no more life in it than hath the body of a dead man Jam. 2.26 Q. Is there yet another of these unprofitable Faiths A. Yes there is a Faith that is of our selves and not of the special Grace of God Eph. 2.8 Q. Tell me if there be yet another A. There is a Faith that standeth in the Wisdom of men and not in the power of God 1 Cor. 2.5 Q. Is here all A. No there is a Faith that seems to be holy but it will not do because t is not the most holy Faith 2 Pet. 2.20 Jude 20. Q. Alas If there be so many kinds of Faith that will not profit to Salvation how easie is it for me to be deceived A. It is easie indeed and therefore the holy Ghost doth in this thing so often caution us be not deceived let no man deceive you and if a man thinketh himself to be something when he is nothing he deceiveth himself 1 Cor. 6.9 Eph. 5.6 Gal. 6.3 Q. But is there no way to distinguish the right Faith from that which is wrong A. Yes And that by the manner of its Coming and Operation Q. What do you mean by the manner of its Coming A. Nay you must make two questions of this one that is what is it for Faith to come and in what manner doth it come Q. Well then what is it for Faith to come A. This word Faith comes supposeth thou wert once without it it also supposeth that thou didst not fetch it whence it was it also supposeth it hath a way of coming Gal. 3.23 25. Q. That I was once without it you intimated before but must I take it without proof for granted A. I will give you a proof or two God hath concluded them all in unbelief and again it is said Faith comes And again the Holy Ghost insinuateth our estate to be dreadful before Faith come Rom. 11.32 Chap. 10.17 Gal. 3.23 Q. Why How is it with men before Faith comes A. Without Faith or before Faith comes it is impossible to please God for whether their actions be civil or religious they sin in all they do The Sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination and the plowing of the wicked is sin Prov. 21.4.27 Q. Is not this a very sad condition A. Yes But this is not all for their present unbelief bindeth them over to wrath by shutting them up to the Law it also draweth them away from God and will drown them in everlasting damnation if the grace of God prevent not Gal. 3.23 Heb. 3.17 18. John 3.36 Q. What if a man saw himself in this condition A. There are many see themselves in this Condition Q. How came they to see it A. By the preaching and hearing the Word of God Joh. 16.8 9. Q. And what do such think of themselves A. They do not only think but know that in this Condition they are without Christ without Hope and without God in the World Eph. 2.11 12. Q. Are not they happy that see not themselves in this Condition A. Yes If they have seen themselves delivered therefrom by a work of Faith in their Souls else not Q. How do you mean A. I mean if they have seen themselves delivered from this state by being by the Word and Spirit of God implanted into the Faith of Christ Rom. 11.17 18 19. Q. Are not they happy that are never troubled with this sad sight of their condition A. They are just
so happy as is that man who lieth fast asleep in his house while that is on fire about his ears Can a man be happy that is ignorant that he is without God and Christ and Hope Can a man be happy that is ignorant that he is hanging over Hell by the poor weak thread of an uncertain Life for this is the state of such an one Q. But may not Faith come to a man without he see himself to be first in this Condition A. It is Gods ordinary way to convince men of this their sad Condition before he revealeth to them the righteousness of Faith or work Faith in them to lay hold of that Righteousness Joh. 16.9 10 11. Gal. 3.23 25. Q. How then do you conclude of them that never saw themselves shut up by unbelief under sin and the curse of God A. I will not judg them for the future God may convert them before they die but at present their state is miserable for because they are shut up and held prisoners by the Law by their lusts and by the Devil and unbelief therefore they cannot so much as with their heart desire that God would have mercy upon them and bring them out of their Snares and Chains Q. Then do you count it better for a man to see his Condition by nature than to be ignorant thereof A. Better a thousand times to see it in the World than to see it in Hell-fire for he must see it there or here now if he sees it here this is the place of Prayer here is the preaching of the Word which is God's Ordinance to beget Faith Besides here God applyeth Promises of Mercy to the desolate and Christ also hath protested that he that cometh to him he will in no wiâ—â— cast out Joh. 6.37 Q. I am convinced that I was once without Faith and also that I cannot fetch it but pray teâ—â— me the way of its coming A. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God Rom. 10.17 Q. How by hearing A. God mixeth it with the Word when he absolutely intendeth the Salvation of the sinner Heb. 4.2 3. Act. 13.48 Q. And how do Men hear when Faith is mixed with the Word A. They hear the Word not as the word of Man but as it is in truth the Word of God which worketh effectually in them that believe Thes 2.13 Q. Pray tell me now the manner of its coming A. It comes through difficulty it comes gradually Q. What are the difficulties which oppose it 〈◊〉 its coming A. Sense of unworthiness guilt of Conscience natural Reason Unbelief and arguments forged in Hell and thence suggested by the Devil into the heart against it Luk. 5.8 Mar. 9.24 Isa 6.5 Rom. 4.18 19 20. Q. How doth Faith come gradually A. Perhaps at first it is but like a grain of Mustard-seed small and weak Mat. 17.20 Q. Will you explain it further A. Faith at first perhaps may have its excellency lie in view only that is in seeing where â—ustification and Salvation is after that it may â—â—ep a degree higher and be able to say it may be or who can tell but I may obtain this Saâ—vation again it may perhaps go yet a steâ— higher and arrive to some short and transier assurance Heb. 11.13 Joel 2.13 14. Zeph. 2.3 Psal 30.7 Q. But doth Faith come only by hearing A. It is usually begotten by the Word preached but after it is begotten it is increased several ways It is increased by Prayer it is increaâ—ed by Christian Conference it is increased bâ— Reading it is increased by Meditation it increased by the remembrance of former Experiences Luk. 17.5 Mar. 9.24 Rom. 1.12 chap. 1â— 25 26. 1 Tim. 4.12 13 14 15. Mat. 16.8 9. Q. What do these things teach us A. They teach us that the Men of this Worlâ— are very ignorant of and as much without desiâ—â— after Faith they neither Hear nor Pray Confer nor Read nor Meditate for the sake of Faith Q. But you said even now that this Faith wâ—â— distinguished from that which profiteth not to Salvation as by the manner of its coming so by iâ— operation pray what is its operation A. It causeth the Soul to see in the lighâ— thereof that there is no Righteousness in thâ— World that can save the sinner Isa 64.6 Q. How doth it give the Soul this Sight A. By giving him to understand the Law and his own inability to do it Gal. 2.15.16 Q. And doth it also show the Soul where Justâ— A. Yes It shews it that Justifying Righteousness is only to be found in the Lord Jesus Christ in what he hath done and suffered in the Flesh Isa 45.24 25. Phil. 3.3 4 5 6 7 8. Q. How doth Faith find this Righteousness in Christ A. By the Word which is therefore called the Word of Faith because Faith by that findeth sufficient Righteousness in him Rom. 10.6 7 8 9. Q. How else doth it operate in the Soul A. It applieth this Righteousness to the sinner and also helps him to embrace it Rom. 3.21 22. 1 Cor. 1.30 Gal. 2.20 Q. How else doth it operate A. By this application of Christ the Soul is quickned to Life Spiritualized and made Heavenly For right Faith quickneth to Spiritual Life Purifies and Sanctifies the Heart and worketh up the Man that hath it into the Image of Jesus Christ Col. 2.12 13. Act. 15.9 chap. 26.18 2 Cor. 3.18 Q. How else doth it operate A. It giveth the Soul peace with God through Jesus Christ Rom. 5.1 Q. Surely Christ is of great esteem with them that have this Faith in him is he not A. Yes Yes Unto them therefore which believe he is precious precious in his Person precious in his Undertakings precious in his Word 1 Pet. 2.7 chap 1.18 19. 2 Pet. 1.3 4. Q. Can these people then that have this Faith indure to have this Christ spoken against A. O! No! This is a sword in their bones and a burden that they cannot bear Psal 42.10 Zeph. 3.18 19. Q. Doth it not go near them when they see his ways and people discountenanced A. Yes And they also chuse rather to be despised and persecuted with them than to enjoy the pleasures of Sin for a season Heb. 11.24 25. Q. Do they not pray much for his second Coming A. Yes yes They would fain see him on this side the Clouds of Heaven their Conversation is in Heaven from whence they look for the Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ Phil. 3.20 Q. And do they live in this World as if he was to come presently A. Yes For his coming will be glorious and dreadful full of Mercy and Judgment The day of the Lord will come as a Thief in the night in which the Heavens shall pass away with a great noise and the Elements shall melt with servent heat the earth also and the works therein shall be burnt up seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved what manner of persons ought we
like to do this part of Gods Worship acceptably A. Yes He whose heart is set against sin as sin is like to deny himself acceptably Rom. 7.13 24. Q. Who else A. He that hath the sence and savour of forgiveness of sins upon his heart 2 Cor. 5.14 Q. Who else is like to deny himself well A. He that hath his affections set upon things above where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God Col. 3.1 2 3 4 5. Q. Who else is like to deny himself well for Christ A. He that seeth a greater treasure in Self-Denial than in self-seeking 2 Cor. 12.9 10 11. Heb. 11.24 25 26. Q Is there none other signs of one that is like to do this part of Gods worship acceptably A. Yes He that takes up his Cross daily and makes Christ's Doctrine his Example Luk. 6.47 48. Joh. 12.25 26. Q. But how do you discover a Man to be such a one A. He keepeth his heart with all diligence he had rather die than sin Ill carriages of professors break his heart nothing is so dear to him as the Glory of Christ Prov. 4.23 Numb 11.15 Phil. 3.18 Act. 20.24 Q. Pray can you give me some motive to Self-Denial A. Yes The Lord Jesus denied himself for thee what sayest thou to that Q. Wherein did Christ deny himself for me A. He left his Heaven for thee he denied for thy sake to have so much of this World as hath a Fox or a Bird and he spilt his most precious Blood for thee Joh. 6.38 Luk. 9.58 2 Cor. 8.9 Rev. 1.5 Q. Can you give another motive to Self-Denial A. Yes What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole World and lose his own Soul Luk. 8.36 Q. But why doth God require Self-Denial of them that will be saved A. God doth not require Self-Denial as the means to obtain Salvation but hath laid it down as proof of the truth of a mans affections to God and Christ Q. How is Self-Denial a proof of the truth of a mans affections to God A. In that for the sake of his service he leaveth all his injoyments in this World Thus he proved Abraham's affections thus he proved Peters affections and thus he proved their affections that you read of in the Gospel Gen. 22.12 Mat. 4.18 19 20 21 22. Luke 9.57 58 59 60 61 62. Q. What reason else can you produce why God requireth Self-Denial A. Self-Denial is one of the distinguishing Characters by which true Christians are manifested from the feigned ones for those that are feigned flatter God with their mouth but their hearts seek themselves but the sincere for the love that he hath to Christ forsaketh all that he hath for his sake Psal 78.36 37. Ezek. 33.31 32. Q. Is there yet another reason why God requireth Self-Denial of them that profess his name A. Yes because by Self-Denial the power and goodness of the Truths of God are made manifest to the incredulous World For they cannot see but by the Self-Denial of Gods people that there is such Power Glory Goodness and desirableness in Gods Truth as indeed there is Dan. 3.16 28. Phil. 1.12 13. Q. Have you another Reason why God requireth Self-Denial A. Yes because Self-Denial prepareth a man though not for the pardon of his sin yet for that far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory that is laid up only for them that deny all that they have for the Lord Jesus his name and cause in this World 2 Cor. 4.8 9 10 17. 2 Thes 1.5 6. Q. Before you conclude will you give me a few instances of the severity of God's hand upon some Professors that have not denied themselves when called thereto by him A. Yes Willingly Lot's Wife for but looking behind her towards Sodom when God called her from it was stricken from Heaven and turned into a Pillar of Salt therefore remember Lots Wife Gen. 19.17 26. Luk. 17.31 32. Q. Can you give me another instance A. Yes Esau for not denying himself of one morsel of Meat was denied a share in the Blessing and could never obtain it after though he sought it carefully with Tears Gen. 25.32 33 34. Heb 12.14 15. Q. Have you at hand another instance A. Yes Judas for not-denying himself lost Christ his Soul and Heaven and is continued the great Object of God's Wrath among all Damned Souls John 12.5 6. Luke 22.3 4 5 6. Mat. 26.14 15 16. Act. 1.25 Q. Will you give me one more instance and so conclude A. Yes Ananias and Sapphirah his Wife did for the want of Self Denial pull upon themselves such Wrath of God that he slew them while they stood in the midst before the Apostles Act. 5.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11. The Conclusion BEfore I wind up this discourse I would lay down these few things for you to consider of and meditate upon I. Consider That seeing every one by nature are accounted sinners 'T is no matter whether thy actual sins be little or great few or many thy sinful nature hath already laid thee under the curse of the Law II. Consider That therefore thou hast already ground for humiliation sins to repent of wrath to fly from or a Soul to be damned III. Consider That time staies not for thee and also that as time goes sin increaseth so that at last the end of thy time and the compleating of thy sin are like to come upon thee in one moment IV. Bring thy last day often to thy bed-side and ask thy heart if this morning thou wast to die if thou be ready to die or no. V. Know 't is a sad thing to lie a dying and to be afraid to die to lie a dying and not to know whither thou art a going to lie a dying and not to know whether good Angels or bad must conduct thee out of this miserable World VI. Be often remembring what a blessed thing it is to be saved to go to Heaven to be made like Angels and to dwell with God and Christ to all eternity VII Consider how sweet the thought of Salvation will be to thee when thou seest thy self in Heaven whilst others are roaring in Hell The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy Spirit THE END