the Churches of Christ to the end of the world Quest 11. Was there not a fourth Order of Christians Ans Yes There is mention made of the Penitents who were such believers as after profession of their Faith and partaking of the Sacrament did fall into some open notorious scandalous sin and were put back into the number and place of the Catechumens Hospin de Templis page 88. and kept from the Sacrament untill upon true signes of Repentance D. August Hom. 49. de verbis Apostol Eph. 6.20 and satisfaction to the Church they were received again into their former order and re-admitted unto the Lords Supper And so it is evident all were not promiscuously suffered to receive the Sacrament who had been baptized or were formerly received But they were and might be kept back by the Church and such as had right Authority of Government in the Church yea and be excommunicate upon lawfull and just cause given by notorious and scandalous offences 1 Cor. 5.3 4 5. 2 Cor. 2.5 6 7 8. Iustellus in notis cod can Eccl. citat per Godwin de Excom untill God gave them Repentance and they were restored again to the communion of Saints till when in some places they might not come into the Church but stand weeping without desiring with tears those that entred to pray for them Quest 12. Thus you have shewed the practice of the Church for men of ripe yeers converted to the Faith and for such as were Communicants once received But what say you of Children of believing Parents born in the Church and received by Baptisme as outward visible members of the Church had they any such priviledge that when they came to years they might be admitted to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper without Catechizing Examination and making profession of their Faith and the graces of God in them Ans Children of believing Parents have a priviledge to be baptized as the children of Faithfull Abraham had to be circumcised Gen. 17.12 1 Cor. 7.14 and so to be distinguished from Children of Pagans steemed in the judgement of charity as members of the Church untill by wickednes scandalous lives or some other wayes they declared the contrary but yet as the children of the faithfull Israelites were by Gods speciall command to be instructed and Catechized in the knowledge of the Lord Deut. 6.6 7 8 9. Exod. 12.24 25 26 27. 2 Tim. 1.5 2 Tim. 3.15 of his will and works and in particular of the Sacrament and the reason of it So without doubt the Children of believing Parents are to be catechized and instructed in the knowledge of God and of themselves and of Christ and of the Sacrament be able to make profession of their Faith before they be admitted to the Lords Table D. Pet. Martyr locor com Class 3. c. 8. S. 14. And hence I conceive was that decree and order in the Church that Children of Believers Baptized in Infancy when they came to years of discretion Cum tincti fuerunt homines in infantia nec fidei confessionem edidorunt decretum est ut cum venissent ad maturiorem a tatem vocarentur ad Episcopum publicè fidem suam profiterentur Heb. 5.11 c. were Catechized and sufficiently instructed they should be called to make profession of their faith in publike and prayers put up unto God for their perseverance in the Faith to the end This after was called Confirmation so much abused since by the Romish Synagogue and by the Papists and Popish Bishops the good use of which according to the first institution as a policy of the Church might well have been continued and may be profitable in the Church of Christ that men so Baptized in Infancy might be approved for right knowledge and holy conversation before they be entertained at this Feast of the Lord And so Catechizing is a necessary duty in the Church of Christ Quest 13. But doth not the Sacrament hold forth Christ crucified to the eyes as well as Preaching of the Gospel doth to the eares And may not a man be converted to the faith of Christ by the Sacrament as well as by the Word Preached And if so Wherefore then may not all ignorant and scandalous and impenitent men and women be admitted to the Sacrament as well as to hear the Gospel Preached Ans First I will not deny but the Sacrament doth hold forth Christ crucified to a believing eye that by the eye of faith can look upon the Body of Christ broken with torments and blood of Christ shed to the death for sin whilest the eye of the Body doth behold the Bread broken and the Wine powred out in this Sacrament And Secondly I do acknowledge that the Lord may can if he please convert a wicked blinde ignorant prophane man or woman by seeing the Bread broken and the Wine powred out and especially by those manifestations of Christs Death and Passion and those Dehortations and Admonitions of Ignorant and prophane scandalous men and women to withdraw and not presume to come to the Lords Table untill God give them Repentance And by those invitations of believing humble hungry repenting souls to draw nigh to meet Christ and feast with him at his Table and this by the power of the Spirit of Christ bringing all home to the soul But it is the preaching of the Gospel in another manner then at the Sacrament that is the common and ordinary way of conversion in which men and women ought to wait upon Christ for Repentance and Remission of sins Acts 5.31 Rom. 10.14 15 16 17. Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God and this by Preaching as the Apostle Saint Paul publisheth Secondly the Sacrament hath properly another end namely as Circumcision of old was a sign of the Covenant between God and Abraham Gen. 17.7 8 c. Rom. 4.11 and and a seal and pledge not of a corporall Covenant but of that Covenant of Grace in Christ and of that Righteousnesse of Faith or of Christ received by Faith and which Abraham enjoyed by believing and Saints by our ingrafting into Christ And as the Passeover or Paschall Lamb and sprinckling of the Blood upon the two side-posts Exod. i2 22 and upon the lintell of the door of the house was a sign and seal and pledge to confirm the Faith of Israel That God would passe over their houses when the Angel destroyed the first-born of Egypt and that God would sprinckle their souls with the Bloud of Christ Heb. 12.24 that blood of sprinkling that speaketh better things then did the bloud of Abell so this Sacrament was properly instituted to confirme and strengthen the Disciples Faith Mat. 26.26 c. and so the faith of all Beleevers and to seale and assure unto them the Covenant of Grace 1 Cor. ii 23 c. Christ and his benefits promised And it was not insitituted for Pagans
Baptism that as you have said even now although it had been abolished as circumcision was which it was not yet it might be continued untill mens mindes were enlightned as circumcision was continued for a time and much more now be practised in the Church since it cannot be proved to be any where forbidden by Christ but rather approved and since there are such different and doubtful opinions of it in such as profess to be Saints how should Saints behave themselves one to another in the Church of Christ Ans Truly this may be a light from Christ to lead us unto Christ and learn from Christ and his Apostles not to un-Church the Churches of Christ Reformed and yet reforming for this difference of Poedobaptism and such like as some virulent and unchristianlike Adversaries to Infant-baptism have done and yet endeavour to do But to labour for Reformation rather then unlawful Schism and Separation from the Church Thus shall we declare our selves to be Christians indeed not seeking division but in a Christian Brotherly way endeavouring Union and Unity and Peace in the Church each one labouring for a true and pure Reformation 1 Cor. 13.11 rather then a separation one from another in the profession of the Gospel of peace that peace and the God of peace may dwell amongst us The seventeenth Classis or Company of Questions 1 Question VErily I like well of your Christian conclusion for Peace and Vnity amongst Saints though there be some differences in opinion in lesser matters when as we all hold the Head Christ And since you have declared your knowledge and faith concerning the Sacrament of Baptism Now what do you know and believe concerning the Sacrament of the Lords Supper and by whom and when was that instituted and what light is there from Christ to lead us to Christ therein 1 Cor. 10.16 Mat. 26. Mark 14. Luke 22. 1 Cor. 11.23 c. Ans This Sacrament of the communion of the Body and Blood of Christ was instituted by the Lord Jesus Christ himself in the same night that he endured his bitter Agony and also sweat drops of blood before he was betrayed by Judas and apprehended by the Officers of the High Priests and Elders to be condemned and put to death that cursed death of the Crosse which he suffered for our Redemption Quest 2. What is the outward visible sign seal or external material thing of the Lords Supper or of that Sacrament of the confirmation of our Faith and renewing of our Covenant again with God in Christ Ans The external or outward thing Mat. 26.27 c. 14.22 c. Luke 22.19 20. 1 Cor. 11.23 c. sign seal badge or pledge in a Sacrament is that which being sanctified holdeth forth another thing to the inward ear or eye or hand or mouth of the soul which is Faith then it doth to the outward ear or eye or hand or mouth of the body and seals and assures another thing to the soul then that which the body partakes of and in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper this outward sign seal pledge and Symbol is the bread and wine consecrated or blessed and the bread broken and wine powred out the bread and wine given and received eaten and drunk of the faithful together with the whole Sacramental action according to the institution of Christ Quest 3. What is the inwrrd or internal grace and material thing in this Sacrament so signified sealed and communicated by Christ to every true and faithful receiver of these holy mysteries in this holy Ordinance Mat. 26.26 t. Iohn 6.55 c. 10.15 c. 1 cor 10.16 Eph. 5.25 c. Rom. 4.24 c. Heb. 9.25 c. 10.12 c. 1 Thes 1.10 Rom. 6.23 Ans The inward grace or inward material thing is Christ himself given for his Church with his body and blood spiritually received by Faith and all Christs merits with the graces procured by Christ in his death passion and Resurrection Ascention and all he hath done for our good both for this and a better life all which are lively represented sealed and communicated to the faithful in their souls according to the Covenant of grace held forth and confirmed in this communion of the body and blood of Christ Quest 4. But since Christ saith of the bread in the Sacrament This is my Body and of the wine This is my Blood do not the faithful receive corporally and carnally the Body and Blood of Christ in this Sacrament Ans No verily the Body and Blood of Christ cannot be received corporally and carnally with the hand and mouth of our bodies wratsoever the Capernaites of old or the Papists or any other since have imagined Quest 5. How then is the Body and Blood of Christ received in the Lords Supper Ans To understand this we must know that a body is divers wayes ascribed to Christ or Christ may be said to have a body in a fourfold respect or a fourfold body and spiritually and by faith the children of God do receive and partake of union and communion with Christ and Christs body in all these kindes Quest 6. What is the first kinde of body and how do the faithful receive and partake of that body of Christ in this Sacrament Ans The first was the Natural body of Christ Luke 1.15 Iohn 1.14 Mat. 27.21 c. 25.31.32 28.6 Acts 3.20 21. which was conceived and born of the blessed Virgin Mary crucified dead and buried and rose again for us and our salvation and ascended into Heaven and there is glorified and sits at the right hand of God the Father in power and glory where he shall remain making intercession for his Church till the day of Iudgement when he shall come with his glorious Angels in power to judge both the quick and the dead Quest 7. But how do we who are the Saints receive and partake of this Natural crucified and glorified body of Christ Ans We may be said to receive and partake of this natural body of Christ really and truly though not corporally and carnally by eating or receiving it by the hand or mouth of the body But 1 cor 10.16 First Spiritually and by Faith believing on Christ as our Lord and Saviour who gave his Natural body to be crucified and his Blood to be shed for our sins Gal. 2.20 Secondly Applying Christ and all his merits by Faith to our souls Iohn 6.5 6. Thirdly Receiving Christ to dwell in us and so having an union and communion with Christ as with our Lord and Head into whom we are ingrafted by Faith Fourthly To partake of Christ even the Divine Nature by our union and communion with Christ which is sealed in the Sacrament John 6.63 6.33 c. 10.18 Eph. 1.17 c. 3.16 c. 1 Cor. 12.12 c. 10.16 c. 2 Pet. 1.3 Quest 8. What is the second kinde of body which
is ascribed to Christ Ans A Sacramental body and so the bread and wine in the Sacrament Mat. 26.26 c. 1 Cor. 12.24 c. are the body of Christ which doth signifie represent and seal the vertue of the Natural body and blood of Christ crucified not to all but to all true Believers and this outward visible Sacramental body is received by the bodily outward hands and mouth of all communicants true Believers and Hypocrites who come to the Lords Table Quest 9. But is this Sacramental body the Bread and Wine in the Sacrament any thing available for their goods who come unprepared and receive that and no more Ans No certainly this is not profitable but hurtful to the souls 1 Cor. 11.28 c. Mat 22.11 c. because they want the Wedding-Garment and eat and drink Iudgement to themselves not being able to examine themselues or to discern rightly or partake Spiritually of the Natural or Spiritual body of Christ Quest 10. How can you call a body Spiritual Ans The Apostle calls the glorified body of the Saints Spiritual bodyes because they are endued with Spiritual qualities of glory 1 Cor. 15.44 Rom. 6.6 7.24 Col. 2.16 17. mortality as sin and death is compated to a body in respect of Natural corruption or sinful qualities and mortality so likewise the rich graces and spiritual benefits of the life of Christ communicated and sealed in the Sacrament may be called a Spiritual body as a whole body of spiritual heavenly graces bestowed upon faithful receivers thus Christ and his graces are a body of grace received by the faithful Quest 11. What do you call a spritual body of Christ Ans This is the third kinde of body a vertual or spiritual body comprehending all the power life vertue merits and benefits which do arise from the passion crucifying of the natural body shedding of the natural blood of Christ with his Resurrection and Ascention for the good and benefit of Gods Church and people held forth sealed and exhibited in the Lords Supper and received not by the hand and mouth of the body but of the soul and enjoyed only by the faithful communicant and such as are rightly prepared for this sacred feast of the Lord 1 Cor. 10.3 4 16. Phil. 3.10 11. Gal. 2.20 3.1 Christ held forth in the Word and Sacraments as crucified before our eyes and Spiritually communicated 1 Cor. 10.16 Quest 12. What is the fourth and last kinde of body attributed to Christ and how do the Saints partake of or receive an union or communion with that or assurance of it in this Sacrament Ans This fourth and last is the mystical body of Christ Rom. 12.45 1 Cor. 12 13 c. 10.16 17. Eph. 2.16 3.4 5. 4.12 Col. 3.14 15. Heb. 12.22 c. 1 Ioh. 1.3 7. the Church and people of God the Members of that body of which Christ is the head And a more full union and communion with which body the Saints do receive and partake of when in the Sacrament as in a communion of Saints rightly and spiritually not by mouth of the body but by faith they partake of Christ and have this union and communion of Saints sealed and assured in this Sacrament Quest 13. You have declared your knowledge concerning the author and matter of this Sacrament Now what is the form of it Ans The form of communicating in this Sacrament is likewise twofold outward and inward Quest 14. What is the outward form or manner of celebrating or partaking of and in this Sacrament of the Lords Supper Ans The external or outward form in this Sacrament Mat. 26.26 27. 1 Cor. 10.16 11.23 c. Isa 42.3 c. 53.10 c. is first the whole Sacramental word of Christs Institution the blessing or consecrating of the bread and wine the command of receiving eating and drinking of the outward Elements and especially the Promise and Covenant of Grace Christ and all his benefits promised held forth and sealed to the faithful in this Sacrament Quest 15. What it the second part of the outward form or manner of celebration to be observed Ans The Sacramental actions of breaking bread Mat. 26.26 Luke 22. powring out of wine the distribution of bread and wine to and for the communicants and their receiving of of them by the hand eating of them by the body as Sacramental signifying sealing exhibiting communicating and applying signs and symbols of all inward grace given to the faithful and received by them in this Sacrament Quest 16. What is the inward form of or in this Sacrament of the Lords Supper Ans The internal or inward form is the analogy union and presence not local but vertual Sacramental and Spiritual of the outward signes and the things signifi'd the one representing and answering the other as the face doth answer a face in a glasse the outward signes being exhibited by the Minister of Christ and the things signifieth the light and warmth and soul-cherished vertue and nourishment of the life of grace from Christ given and communicated and applyed by that Sun of righteousnesse Christ and Christ his spirit at the same time to the faithful in the Sacrament as the Sun in the firmament doth its vertue of light and warmth to us or as the outward Elements of bread and wine do their vertue and refreshing 1 Cor. 10.16 to nourish the life of nature in man or woman that receive them in the Sacrament Quest 17. What Analogy proportion likenesse or agreement is there between the signes and the things signified First between the Bread and the Body of Christ to set forth and seal the benefits unto us Ans First as the bread corn of wheat is threshed with a flail or beaten with a staffe bruised ground in the Mill and baked in an oven with fire to make bread for our bodyes Isa 28.28 53.5 6 1 Cor. 9.10 so was Christ threshed with a flail and beaten with a staffe and ground in the Mill and baked in the fiery oven of his passion and of the wrath of God that he by his vertue and merits might be heavenly bread for our souls and bodyes to nourish us to life Eternal Quest 18. What is a second resemblance Ans Secondly as the bread is comfortable strength and nourishment for a hungry body for life of nature Psa 104.15 Ioh. 6.48 c. so the body of Christ and vertue of his merits in sweet nourishment for hungry true believers to nourish the life of grace in them to life Eternal Quest 19. What is a third agreement or resemblance 1 Cor. i0 16 Ans As the bread in the Sacrament is made of many corns and one bread is distributed to many and many partake of one bread so doth it set forth our union and communion with Christ and one with another we that are many are one body in Christ and all partake of that one
from Babylon it self The force and falshood of their minor proposition will appear as it relates to our Congregations if we compare the Church of Corinth and our great mixed Congregations together we shall finde the Church of Corinth and other Churches as corrupt and mixt as ours and yet not un-churched by Christ or the Apostles You may observe these particulars 1 Cor. 1.10 c. 1 Cor. 3.3 4. First in the Church of Corinth there were contentions Schisms and Divisions For which the Apostle reproveth them and tells them they were carnal and carried themselves not Christian like and yet he did not un-church them for all this 1 Cor. 5.1 2 13. Secondly in the Church of Corinth were prophane persons the incestuous person and such as with whom they should not eat in their civil societies as professing themselves Brethren for such are intimated and warning given of them and such as should have been cast out of the Church and excommunicated or suspended from the Sacrament at least and were not and yet the Apostle doth not un-church them for all this but admonish to put from them wicked persons Thirdly 1 Cor. 6. 1 2 8 in the Church of Corinth there was quarrelling and going to Law one with another and that before unbelievers yea Brother with Brother yea doing wrong and defrauding one another and yet the Apostle doth not un-church them nor exhort to a separation for all this Fourthly in the Church of Corinth 1 Cor. 8.1 2 10. there were some puffed up with knowledge but had little charity they offended their weak Brethen by eating meat in the Idols Temple and yet no un-churching for all this Fifthly in the Church of Corinth there were such as did grudge at the maintenance of Christs Ministers 1 Cor. 9. 1 2 34. as if Christs Ministers had not power to eat and to drink and to receive and require maintenance for their labour in preaching the Gospel as some amongst us have not been ashamed to affirm For which the Apostle reproveth them and proveth by several Arguments 1 Cor. 9.13 14. the equity justice and duty of Ministers maintenance as being an Ordinance of Christ that those who preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel of duty not of meer alms at pleasure or not at pleasure as som◠think And yet the Apostle doth not unchurch them for all this or exhort or teach a separation by all this Sixthly in the Church of Corinth there were Idolaters those who did go to partake of the Lords Table and the Table of Devils and provoked God to jealousie 1 Cor. 10 14 c. as the Apostle intimates and yet he doth not un-church them for all this Seventhly In the Church of Corinth there were such as came to the Sacrament and Church-Communion not for the better 1 Cor. 11. but for the worse There were divisions amongst them they neglected the poor one was hungry another drunken for so the Greek signifieth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one is hungry another is drunken The Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ebrius est he is drunken is taken for drunkennesse in divers other places of Scripture Thus Acts 2. For these are not drunken as ye suppose The same Greek word is used in the Plural Number 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are drunken or they are not drunken as ye suppose it implieth a distemper by wine or strong drink which the Apostle did affirm the Church was not at that time to whom God gave the gift of Tongues in such an excellent manner by the power of the holy Ghost The same word is used in 1 Cor. 6. Neither Thieves nor Covetous nor Drunkards shall inherit the Kingdom of God not drunkards the Greek word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ebriosi drunken men distempered with drink I might name other places These are enough to shew the condition of the Corinthians some of them hungry others drunken that is distempered with drink It is not enough to say they were merry and cheerful with drink for it is evident they were so far distempered or drunken that the Apostle reproveth them for it as a sin some are hungry some are drunken and yet he doth not un-Church them nor move them to Separation for all this Quest 36. But do you approve of drunkennesse or these sinful corruptions in a Church Ans God forbid nay we reprove them as Saint Paul did and declare they ought to be informed against to the Church and Elders of the Church and if after Admonition and warning given they do not repent they are to be Excommunicated to be excluded the Sacrament and cast out of the Church But if there be failing in this and the like as Corinth did in not casting out the Incestuous person for a time yet the Apostle doth not un-Church them for all this or presse a Separation from Saints or from the Church though failing in this particular Eighthly They came to the Sacrament without due Examination of themselves 1 Cor. 28 c. they were guilty of the Body and Blood of Christ by unworthy receiving They did eat and drink judgement to themselves not discerning the Lords Body they were both ignorant and scandalous and God did punish them some with sicknesses some with death This the Apostle tells them of and reproveth them and exhorts to examine and judge themselves But yet he doth not un-Church them for all this or give any way to Separation from Church Ninthly 2 Cor 11.12 c. They had in the Church of Corinth false Teachers false Apostles deceitful workers transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ as Satan changeth himself into an Angel of light whose Ministers these safe Apostles were labouring by fair shew to seduce the people of God in Corinth and yet the Apostle doth not un-Church Corinth nor presse or give way to a Separation for all this Tenthly and lastly In the Church of Corinth there were such as said there is no resurrection from the dead A notorious Atheistical Doctrine 1 Cor. 15.12 c. overthrowing the very foundation of Religion For as the Apostle argueth If there be no Resurrection then Christ is not risen then our Preaching is vain and our faith is in vain and we are yet in our sins But Christ is risen and there is certainly a Resurrection from the dead as the Apostle proveth at large in that Chapter Certainly too many in the Church of Corinth were seduced to that opinion and denied this truth of the Resurrection from the dead And yet the Apostle doth not un-Church them for all this nor give any way to a Separation from that Church Qest 37. And what the reason of this may some one demand Ans There might be many reasons given but this one amongst the rest Because although there were many corruptions in that Church both in life and Doctrine yet the Word and Sacrament were continued the prophane wicked men and Hypocrites
life of grace witn joy and hope in believing and 2. what quickning vertue of Christ held forth in the Word of life there is in my soule 3. What strengthning with might in inner man what abilities of spirituall senses seeing hearing tasting with eyes and ears and mouth of faith to discerne the Lords body and blood from the outward element of bread and wine and to partake of Christ in the act of receiving that so I may feed on Christ with joy rejoycing at the Lords Table Quest 7. But what light have you from Christ to know whether you have life of grace and spirituall senses in your soule nor not without which it is impossible to discerne the Lords body or to receive or seed on Christ or draw near with any comfort to the Lords Table Answ This is a great question and often hath filled my soule with fears and doubting but by the grace of God in Christ I shall render a reason of the hope that is in me and shew you what grounds I have to believe and hope that I have found life of grace in me and so spirituall senses â—o discern the Lords body so that I may come with comfort to the Lords Supper Quest What are your grounds of your life of grace given in you in Christ Answ I praise God I was born of religious parents my Father like faithfull Abraham carefull to pray with and to instruct his family Gen. 18 19. Iosh 24.15 1 Sam. 1.15 1 Pet. 3.7 and catechize them in the first principles of the Oracles of God and as Joshua who resolved himself and his house to serve the Lord. And my Mother like Hanna a woman pouring out of her soul to God in secret prayer for me or as Monica did for her sonne Augustine and both my parents living together as heirs of the grace of life so that their prayers might not be hindred and with endeavouring to bring up their children in the knowledge of Christ and fear of God and so I conceive it is more difficult to declare the first quickning or birth of the life of grace my soul but yet I beleeve I have felt and found divers evidences of this life in me Quest 9. You answer right its difficult in such to manifest the beginnings of grace in the heart but what was a first evidence of life of grace in you that you can discerne or remember Answ Truly in my childehood I was taught and had some knowledge of the Scripture and of my estate both by creation and the fall of Adam and of the way of salvation in Christ the second Adam and I had an outward form at least of Religion and I was carefull to sanctifie the Lords day and to spend it in holy duties Prov. 22.6 2 Tim. 3.15 Gen. 24.63 Rev. 1.10 Psal 119.136 Rom. 9.1 2 3. both publick private though with many failings And I remember on a Lords day after Supper I went into a Garden as Isaac into the field to meditate of what I had heard Preached and I hearing a great noise of children and youths playing in the streets and so prophaning the Lords day I was so grieved that I shed tears for them as David for his enemies conceiving their estate was fearful being senslesse of their own misery and adding sin to sin and this I thought might be some work of Gods Spirit and sign of true grace then beginning in my soul when I was about ten or twelve years of age Quest 10. I do conceive there might be much wrought in you by the power of education moving you to dislike that open prophanation of the Lords day of Parents suffering their Children to play in the streets when they should rather be catechizing them in their families as it is a common fault still yet there is good hope that affection and grief for sin was a work wrought in you by the Spirit of Christ and so a an evidence of true grace in your soul But what further evidence have you found Ans After I was grown to riper years Gen. 42.16 Rom. 2.14 15. 2 Cor. 12 7 c. Rom. 7.22 c. in my youthful time when I left my Parents I was too subject to conform to that company and family with whom I lived where was an outward common form of Religion and saying of some prayers sometimes but I saw no power of Religion no conscience of ordinary swearing especially lesser Oathes as common blinde people call them as by their Faith and Troth and by our Lady c. no conscience of immoderate abuse of the creatures eating and drinking to ryot no care of any strict observation of the Lords day but a dislike of too much precisenesse as they called it and inveighing against Puritans as they called them sn those dayes as some such do against Roundheads in these times of which so called I did know some to be religious and good people and sometimes would defend and speak for them whether out of a principle of graca from Christ or by the power of my education I have since called in question but this I am sure that amongst this formal or civil yea sometimes uncivil company I had many buffetings of Satans messengers sometimes as a captive prisoner I had many falls into sin and failin my walking to the great trouble of my conscience enlightned whether by the light of nature accusing or excusing as the Apostle speaks or whether by the common light of the spirit in my education Rom. 2.15 and word Preached or thirdly whether by the light of grace and spirit of Christ I conceived a great question and was often filled with fears and terrors in my soul that though I seemed a Saint in comparison of divers open prophane persons about me yet having such falls and corruptions I was either still unregenerate or a formal hypocriâ—e at best as Mr. Bolton upon the first Psalm the beginning describes him and so could seldom gain or keep any quiet in my conscience or true peace as I was perswaded in my soul onely some comforts I had hope of in Christ Iesus Quest 11. Truly your state I believe might well be questionable especially if you were drawn away with the error of the wicked Rev. 2.5 to approve of their wayes or to dislike strictnesse in Religion and precise walking with God at the best it is certain that if truth of grace was ever in you yet you had lost your first love and though formerly you might have had a name to live 2 Pet. 3.17 Rev. 2.4 3.1 2. yet in this condition you were either dead or taken captive indeed or graces ready to dye in you your works and walking being found so imperfect before God But tell me I pray you how or by what means did you get any peace or quiet in your conscience in those times Ans I do not remember that I did approve of the evil wayes of that company with
seeing to be exercised in this holy Sacrament Ans The spiritual sense which answereth bodily sight is a spiritual sight and eye of the soul or rather eye of faith and the spiritual object of the eye of faith is the Body and Blood of Christ or whole Christ my Saviour presented to the eye of my soul as preprared from all Eternity by God the Father as a perfect Saviour and a full banquet Ioh. 6.27 c. 1 Cor. 10.16 17. by his vertue and merits to nourish and enliven my soul and body to life eternal and the life of grace in me to the life of glory for which himself exhorts me to labour and wait for him in this Sacrament Quest 11. What is to be acted or done by you when you thus see the Bread and Wine prepared for you on the Lords Table Answ I ought by the power of Christ 1. To observe diligently the Sacramental Elements of Bread and Wine first what they are 2. To meditate and see how fitly they represent the Body and Blood of Christ And 3. By the eye and hand of faith to apply all to my own soul Heb. 10.5 6 7. Ioh. 6.27 that as I see the Bread and Wine is prepared by the Minister of Christ and Gods goednesse for my bodily nourishment so to see how the Lord Iesus Christ is prepared from all Eternity for nourishment of my soul to life everlasting Quest 12. What is the third Sacramental object of senses corporal and spiritual to be exercised in this feast of the Lord Mat. 26.6 27. 1 Tim. 4.4 5. Luke 22.19 20. 1 Cor. 11.26 c. Ans The action of blessing Elements in which both the sences of seeing and hearing bodily are to be exercised when the Minister of Christ by solemn prayer doth Blesse Consecrate and Sanctifie 1. The Bread to be the Sacramental Body of Christ 2. The Wine to be his Sacramental Blood according to the Lords Institution seeing and hearing of them both sanctified and separated from common Bread and Wine to this holy use and end by prayer thanksgiving and blessing according to the command example and institution of Christ Quest 13. What is the object of your spiritual sences of seeing and hearing in this action represented by consecration of Sacramentdl Bread Ioh. 6.27 Ans By the ear and eye of faith I am to hear and see God the Father sealing and consecrating Christ the Lord for the everlasting nourishment of my soul and body spirirually to life eternal Quest 14. What is to be acted and done when you thus hear and see the Bread and Wine blessed and consecrated by the Minister of Christ with the ears and eyes of your body and hear and see the Lord Christ so represented consecrated and sealed by God the Father with the ears and eyes of faith the spiritual senses of the life of grace in your soul 1 Cor. 10.18 Rom. 10.7 c. Ans First Rom. 8.9 1 Pet. 1.11 Iohn 16.26 Isa 63.4 c. Heb. 10.14 observation by the power and assistance of Christs spirit and his quickning power in my soul Secondly to observe diligently by the power of God this blessing consecrating and sanctifying of the outward Elements of Bread and Wine by Christs Minister and by the ear and eye of the soul this consecrating and sealing of Christ by the holy blessed God as my full perfect and sufficient Saviour Quest 15. What is the second meditation Ans Secondly by the power of the spirit of Christ 2 Sam. 1.26 Psal 42.1 2. by Divine meditation of this unspeakable love of God consecrating his onely begotten Son from all Eternity to be my Redeemer and All-sufficient Saviour so to be affected as to admire this wonderful free love of God in giving his Son and having my soul filled with spiritual longings to enjoy and partake of so rich a gift of grace held forth to my soul in this Sacrament above that wonderful love of Jonathan to David passing love of women Quest 16. What is a third particular act to be done Ans Thirdly Application by the power of the same spirit through the grace of faith so to apply Christ thus consecrated of God the Father to be my Saviour as the Bread and Wine by the Minister to represent this sacramentally to my soul that I may finde I am united by faith and the same spirit of Christ unto God the Father Ioh. 20.17 as to my most tender Father in Christ Iesus for ever Quest 17. What is the fourth Sacramental action or object in the celebration of this blessed Sacrament about which your corprral and spiritual sences should be exercised Luk. 22.19 20. Mat. 26.26 c. 1 Cor. 11.24 c. Isa 53.4 c. Luk. 24.15 c. Ans The sacramental representation or the breaking of Christs body with torments and the shedding of his blood for my sins as Christ our Lords intimates in his institution of this holy sacrament and as foretold before by Prophets Quest 18. What bodily or spiritual sences or organs and instruments of body and soul are to be exercised by you in this Sacramental action of breaking Bread and powring out of the Wine in the Sacraments by the Minister of Christ Ans First the sence of bodily seeing when by the eyes of the body I behold the Minister of Christ breaking the Bread the sacramental body and powring out of the Wine the sacramental blood of Christ prepared and blessed consecrated sanctified by the Word and prayer for this holy use and powred forth for my refreshing as 1 Tim. 4 4 5. common bread and drink so much more this by Christs institution and ordinance Mark 14.22 c. Quest 19. What spiritual sences are to be exercised Ans I ought to exercise the sences of spiritual sight Isa 53. Zach 12.11 13.6 7. Mat. 26.31 ult 27. c. Luk. 22.23 and by faith the spiritual eye of the soul to behold and see the natural body of Christ crucified and broken with torments for my sins though a bone of him was not broken but his soul broken with grief and sorrow in sense of the wrath of God and his body with sense of pains buffetings with fists whippings with scourges crowned with thorns crucifying with tormenting nails mixing of Gall and Vinegar to drink and above all his Agony in the Garden sweating drops of blood and not onely denying forsaking and betraying but sense of his Fathers wrath and forsaking at least in sense to him for a time I say the eye of my faith is to see all this Mat. 27.46 and what more the scripture revealeth in the bitter passion of Christ held forth to my soul in the breaking of the bread and powring out of the wine for me to partake of at the Lords Table Quest 20. What is to be acted or done by you upon the beholding of this Sacramental action of breaking Bread and powring out of the Wine with the eyes and
and fellow-heirs with you and with Christ of Eternal glory Ans I may follow the former direction and wait on Christ First in observation of this union and communion that is between Christ and my soul in this Sacrament as in part is set forth before this Catechism and so observe and consider what an union there is between the ouward signs of Bread and Wine and the inward thing signified and sealed the body and blood of Christ namely a mutual union and relation and this according to the nature of the signs and the thing signified is spiritual and invisible now it cannot be seen with bodily eyes and so there is a spiritual and secret union and yet a speedy present union and as there is a secret spiritual union and relation between the bread and wine and the body and blood of Christ represented to my soul to the eye of faith in me and conveyed to the hand and mouth of faith in me So there is a spiritual and speedy present union between the body and the blood of Christ and my believing soul and a speedy and present communion and union of vertue and spiritual refreshment unto my soul partaking by faith of this refreshing for as the word is no sooner spoken and is united to the outward ear but the thing signified thereby is present and united to the understanding and ear of my minde so it is here and so I do observe a divine and spiritual union and communion betwixt Christ and my soul Mat. 28.20 Rev. 2.1.17 for my more full refreshing at this sweet spiritual and reviving banquet hidden Manna of grace in this holy Ordinance Quest 22. What is a second act or operation of your soul to be exercised for your more full comfort in this sweet and spiritual union and communion with Christ at the Lords Supper Ans Divine meditation when I think and seriously ruminate and meditate again and again How I do exercise two kinde of eyes and two kinde of hands and two kinde of mouthes in this Sacrament and how and in what manner Christ is present as with the signs by relation and representation so with me by present enjoyment how as soon as by the eye of my body I behold the consecrated Elements of bread and wine and these are present to the eye of my body so speedily do I see the body of Christ crucified and the blood of Christ shed for my sins with the eyes of faith and they are present to the eyes of my soul and so I have a union and communion with them immediatly Secondly 1 Cor. 10.16 so speedily as I do with the hands of my body take the bread and the wine prepared and presented upon the Table for me to take but presently with faith the hand of my soul I do apprehend and take the body and blood of Christ presented to be taken and received spiritually and by faith at the Lords Table Thirdly I may meditate That so speedily as with the mouth of my body I do eat and feed on the bread 1 Kin. 19.7 8. Psal 63.1 c. and drink the wine in the Sacrament at the same instant with the mouth of faith or my believing soul I do feed on Christs body and blood and the vertue and merits of Christ are present with me and I have a sweet communion with them and in these or like meditations my soul is fatted with heavenly Manna as with marrow and fatnesse nourishing me in the wildernesse of this world to the Canaan of heaven Quest 23. What is the third principal thing to be exercised concerning this union and communion with Christ and his soul-reviving comforts and benefits in this Sacrament Wherein hath light of Christ appeared unto you for duty in this Iohn 6.56 Gal. 2.20 Ans Spiritual and faithful application of Christ and his benefits to my soul that now as verily as the bread and wine which I have eaten and drunken in this feast are mine and the vertue of them is united to me and I to it so verily the body and blood of Christ is mine and the vertue and benefits of Christs body and blood is become mine and I am united to Christ and Christ to me to my joy everlasting so that I may say with confidence and rejoycing Christ loved me and gave himself for me Quest 24. What is the tenth principal Sacramental act or action which is or may be the object of your corporal or spiritual senses or operations of soul or hody in the right observation meditation and application of which you may wait on Christ the Lord Prince with more full rejoycing in or after your meeting of Christ at the Table of the Lord Ans Sacramental obsignation or sealing in communication of this spiritual union and communion with Christ and enjoyment of Christ and all the benefits of his Death Passion Resurrection Ascention and Intercession yea of his Priestly Prophetical and Kingly Office and of the assurance of all these benefits of Election Redemption Vocation Justification Sanctification Freedom from the condemning and commanding power of sin from Death and Hell with all graces needful in this life and immortal glory when this Mortal life is ended all which are sealed and grounds of assurance of all communicated to Saints in this seal and Sacrament of the Covenant of grace the Lords Supper as Rom. 4.1 Quest 25. In what acts or operations of your soul may you wait on Christ for improvement of this Sacramental obsignation and sealing of this union and communion with Christ and the Saints of God and the assurance of all graces and benefits of Christ to his Church and children in this holy Ordinance Ans In those three before mentioned First In a serious consideration of this sealing by the word of promise and work of Christs spirit and Sacrament or this seal of confirmation of my faith and of all Gods promises of this sealing Ordinance the Sacrament of this body and blood of Christ and of Christs Death held forth unto me in the Lords Supper that as verily as I do partake of the outward Elements of bread and wine so verily the Lord Christ hath and doth communicate unto me the vertue and merits of his body and blood and all the benefits he hath procured to and for the benefits of his Church and children and for my soul in particular Gal. 2.20 for I know he loved me and give himself for me as he did for blessed Paul Quâ—st 26. What is a second operation or act of the soul enlightned and sanctified by the spirit of Christ in and by which you may wait on Christ for improvement of this obsignation or sealing of the Covenant of Grace and all those fruits and benefits Christ doth assure his Church and his Children in his Sacrament Ans Divine meditation by the help and power of Christs spirit to think meditate and ruminate or as it were chew the cud again and again in
Sacrament Ans First I am to joyn with the Minister of Christ 2 Cor. 2.14 Col. 1.12 13. and the congregation of Saints in solemn thanksgiving unto God the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost for the inestimable gift of the Lord Iesus Christ for his taking our humane Nature upon him that he might be a fit Mediator betwixt God and my soul to reconcile me to God for his Passion Death Resurrection Ascention and Intercession and all his rich merits and benefits of my Redemption Vocation Iustification Sanctification and Glorification so gloriously set forth and sealed and so graciously communicated in this Sacrament to my soul and to all Saints with me at the Lords Table Secondly Humbly and faithfully to joyn in Petition for assurance that all failings and infirmities in my performances are pardoned in Christ my pardon sealed my person whole service accepted with the sweet merits and incense of Christs righteousness upon the golden Altar with a continual influence of power and vertue from Christ that all the congregation of Saints may keep covenant with the Lord and declare our thankfulnesse by our fruitfulnesse in all good works as becometh the people of God who have received so great ahd assuring plesges of the love of God to us in Christ and of our eternal salvation in and by the Lord Iesus Quest 21. What is the fourth and last thing to be acted or joyned in with the Congregation Ans Divers particulars 1. After the example of Christ to glorifie God in a holy Hymn or Psalm if it be thought fit praising the Lord for his goodnesse to his Church in Christ Iesus and to his congregation present in his Ordinance And secondly waiting for the blessing giving in and with which the congregation is dismissed according to the practise of Christ the Apostles and Churches of Christ as of old to leave the people of God with a blessing as Numb 6.22 c. 2 Sam. 6.17,18 1 Kings 8.55 c. Luke 22.50 51. And the blessing which the Apostle gave when they took leave of the Church in several Epistles as Rom 16.24 c. 2 Corinthians 3.15 And thirdly I should return home with rejoycing as the Eunuch did after he was baptized or the two Disciples who met with Christ as they went to Emmaus and take notice my self and tell others how my heart burned within me and how my souls was affected 1. With grief for my sins And 2. With joy in my Saviour while I heard Christ talking with me 1. Outwardly by the voyce of his Minister 2. Inwardly by the voyce of his spirit at his Table and how it was declared out of the Scriptures that Christ ought to suffer that his most bitter Passion and cursed Death for my sins and to rise again for my Iustification and so to enter into his glory And 3. How Christ was known to me in the breaking of the Bread in the powring out of the Wine and in Christs giving and my receiving of those soul-reviving and soul-cherishing refreshing which I enjoyed at his Table And 4. And lastly by the strength of Christ and this refreshing from Christ I am resolved with the assistance of the spirit of God the Father and God the Son and of God the holy Ghost daily to keep in memory that feast of the Lord with that sweet welcom I had at the Lords Table and in this or the like manner to bespeak my soul every morning O my soul thou hast this night received a sweet refreshing from the Lord for thy body praised be the Name of thy God and Father in Christ who is the keeper of Israel who never slumbreth not sleepeth who hath kept thee from the dangers of this night past and brought thee to the light of this day who hath awakened thee out of sleep and given thee a kinde of Resurrection from the dead Quest 22. How may I stir my soul to this Ans In this or the like manner Now O my soul be thou awakened and break thy fast with Christ and call to minde the sweet refreshing the Lord did give thee the last Sacrament at his Table and in what thou didst see and hear 1. His invitation to draw near and partake of the feast that he hath prepared 2. Didst thou not see Bread and Wine set upon the Table and with the eye of faith didst thou not behold Christ himself prepared for thy spiritual refreshing 3. Didst thou not hear the Minister of Christ consecrate those Elements to that holy use and with the ear of faith hear how God the Father had consecrated and sealed his beloved Son Iesus for thy Redemption 4. Didst thou not see the Bread broken and Wine powred out and by the eye of faith see Christs body broken with torments and his blood shed to the death for thy sins to Redeem thee from Hell and death eternal 5. Didst thou not hear Christ bidding thee welcom Take eat this is my body Drink this is my blood which is shed for thee and for many for remission of sins Mat. 26.26 27 c. 6. Didst thou not observe and believe those Sacramental promises assuring that Christ loved thee and gave himself for thee and as verily as Christs Minister having blessed and broken the Sacramental Bread and blessed and powred out the Sacramental Wine did present and give them unto thee to eat and to drink so verily hath Christ given and did Christ present and give and reach out himself for a spiritual and heavenly refreshing to thee to nourish thee to life eternal according the the Govenant of Grace 7. O my soul didst thou not take and eat the Bread and take and drink the Wine and so spiritually feed on the body and blood of Christ that in strenght thereof thou mightest walk thy great journey of this life not as Elijah fourty dayes and fourty nights to Horeb the Mount of God but to Heaven Gods Kingdom of glory 8. O my soul didst thou not actually renew thy Covenant with the Lord as God in giâ—ing and thou in actual receiving and partaking of these seals and pledges of his love consider thy self what hast thou now to do any more with sin and Satan with the World the Flesh or the Devil with any sin of omission or commission that may grieve the spirit of life Remember thy Covenant thy Promises thy Vow thy Protestations to thy God and be conscientious by the power of Christ to keep them all the dayes of thy life 9. O my soul was there not a soul-satisfying feast set before thee at that time never to let thee to return to the feast of sin again 10. And was it not the command of Christ to celebrate that Sacrament in remembrance of him Acts 8.39 Luk. 14.13 Phil. 4.11 c. 2 Tim. 4.7,8 and what he hath done for thee O then remember that holy feast every morning when thou awakest every evening when thou goest to bed Thus thou maist feed daily on
Ordinances that thou mayst be more and more enlightned by Christs presence power and grace And shall not a poor soul fall in love with this true light of the Lord Iesus O be it far from thee my soul to hate this light Iohn 3.19 20. as those who love it not because their deeds are evil Light is comfortable to sinners and so is Christ to a live pure-seeing soul who by a lively faith can look on Christ though the eye of Faith be never so weak sighted Christs light is a healing light which fills the soul wich life in the end enabling a poor Saint to follow this light of grace until it brings the soul to life ana light eternal And thus by light from Christ we may see the use of the second Commandment and the many errors of wandring false light leading to false worship and the true light of Christ direcing to serve God in spirit and in truth O my soul let this lighc of Christ be a light to thy feet Psa 119.105 and lanthern to thy paths in all Ordinances of Word Sacraments Prayer and life to life everlasting And my soul Christ ac Scripturarum lucifuga lament those Christ and Scripture-light-flyers who cannot away with the light of Christ and of the Scriptures but love darknesse rather then lights because their deeds are evil Iohn 3.19 20. The light of Christ in this or other Commandments might teach them how to finde not their many sins against God against his true spiritual worship against the honour of his Name his Sabbath his Sacrament the seals of the Covenant of Grace which so many multitudes in the world do prophane by coming blindly unto them never examining whether they have any light or authority from Christ to come to that sacred Banquet or whether they be drawn by the light of custom or formality only 2 Tim. 3.5 to do as their Neighbours do and their fore-fathers have done never considering whether their desire after the Sacrament be a holy hunger after Christ spiritually Iohn 6.56 57. to eat the flesh of Christ and drink his blood that Christ may dwell in them and they in Christ that they may live by Christ the life of grace here and glory hereafter They never look to this light of Christ 1 Cor. 11.28 29. whether they have light of knowledge and be able to examine themselves or whether they walk in darknesse and are ignorant and blinde not able to discern the Lords body and so eat and drink unworthily are guilty of the body and blood of Christ and eat and drink their own Judgement or Damnation 1 Cor. 11.28 c. if the Lord deal in judgement with them They never examine by any true and impartial light from Christ whether they be prophane and scandalous in their lives common swearers c. To conclude they never question their own souls whether they have found by any light from Christ that they have the life of grace spiritual eyes to see and hands to receive and mouth to feed on Christ that they may finde refreshing indeed at the Lords Table and spiritual feet and affections of their souls to walk with Christ in their lives But O my soul do thou with the Saints of God most high daily look after this true light of Christ that thou lose not Christs presence but travel with Christ and in his light held forth in this Commandment and all other commanding parts of Gods word by faith in all the promises of Grace through the wildernesse of this word to the Canaan of Heaven Quest 40. You have given the use of the Commandement in generally but now what doe you conceive of the Reason of the Commandement which followeth in particular in the next words 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 we and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my Commandements Answ I conceive the Lord holdeth forth in this Reason principally two things First Ex. 34.6 7 Deut. 6.13 14 15 Deut. 7.4 Deut. 29.19 20 21 Ezekel 18 13 14 15 16 17. Canticles 8.6 a threatening of severe punishment to wicked Idolaters and all others who corrupt the service of God to them and to their posterity if they go on to hate the Lord and continue in their Fathers sins and to terrifie men the more from this sinne The Lord declares himselfe to be a jealous God and one that will not hold the wicked innocent Quest 41. What is the second that the Lord holds forth to perswade to obedience and what light from Christ herein Ans Eccl. 8.13 Isaias 3.11 Jer. 32.18 A gratious promise of his owne free mercy and goodnesse though man can merit nothing but when hee hath done be can he may and must say he is an unprofitable servant Luk. 17.10 yet the Lord of his own free love wil manifest his goodnesse to them that low him and keepe his Commandements Gen. 17.7 Prov. 20.7 Psal 112.1 2. and to their Posterity to thousands of Generations so abundant is the Lord in his goodnesse to his children in Christ Jesus Quest 42. What should the meditation of this threatning and promise by Christ spirit worke in the hearts of men what light from Christ to direct in this duty Answ First sinners should take notice of their misery Ezek. 18.21 22 23. and as they tender their owne happinesse or the happinesse of their poore children waite in the meanes of Grace on Christ till Christ convert them 2 Tim 2.25 26. Ezek. 18.14 Num. 16.31 32. Gen. 9.25 and direct them to repentance that they and their children after them repenting may enjoy sweet freedome from Gods Terrible Visitation which is sure to fall upon the wicked and impenitent and their children Secondly for Saints to instruct them to waite on Christ for power to glorifie God Gen. 18.19 Joshua 24.11 and to teach their children also to serve him in a right manner in Spirit and Truth Deut. 3.29 knowing this that in and for Christ it shall goe well with them and with their children for ever The third Section of the thirteth Classis The third Commandment Quest 1. YOu have now unfolded the second Commandement J pray you which is the third Ans Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vaine for the Lord will not hold him guiltlesse that taketh his name in vaine Quest 2. What is considerable in this command Ans Theve are two things considerable First the prohibition Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vaine Secondly the reason For the Lord wil not hold him guiltlesse that taketh his name in vaine Quest 3. What do you understand is meant by the Name of God Ans Whatsoever the Lord hath manifested himself to be known by Deut. 12.5 as men are
in the Apostles or in the primitive times after where can be found any approbation of kneeling at Sacrament untill after that grosse idolatrous errour of Transubstantiation of the Bread into the carnal body of Christ was pressed by Pope Nicholas and confirmed in that wicked counsel of Constance and when as eleva son Bowing to Bread aboue 1220 â—s in D retal G eg lib. 3. and adoration of the Bread was required by Pope Honorius the third but about four hundred and twenty yeers since Thirdly consider that if the Br zen Serpent set up by Gods own appointment Num. 21.9 might be taken away and broken in peeces because it was abused to idolatry as you may read it was 2 Kings 18 4. much more may the gesture of kneeling be changed which hath been and still is so much abused by the Papâ—st in adoration of the Bread in that idolatrous sacrifice of the Mâ—sse Col. 2.2.23 a will worship forbidden in the second Commandmenâ— And too much esteemed by â—gnorant persons who are too too superstitious in this respect And also by some tender consciences who conceive not rightly of the nature of gestures in this Holy Ordinance kneeling hâ—ving been most abused to adoration and wil-worship Quest 6. I think indeed since it hath been and is so much abused to adoration of Bread or Bread worship it may be changed and I am convinced it is dangerous if not sinful But yet me thinks I cannot receive the Sacrament sitting with that reverence and humility as I should do kneeling and therefore since I conceive I might lawfully receive kneeling not to adore the Bread but to declare my reverence to Christ and my humility I had much rather kneel then sit Ans I will not say but some well instructed and rightly informed and beleeving Christians might in former times lawfully receive the Sacrament kneeling the rather when the Directory of the Church was not against it but for it as it was in the Church of England Secondly yet notwithstanding I should desire you to consider that true reverence and humility doth not consist in the outward bodily gesture of kneeling but in the inward spiritual reverence and humility of the heart Ioh 4.24 and 5.63 A man or woman may kneel at the Sacrament and yet neither receive with true reverence not humility as many unprepared ignorant people most zealous for kneeling have done God requireth the heart as Prov. 23.26 And a truely humbled contrite spirit God will not despise but dwel with and Christ will meet in his Ordinance the humble minded soul Psa 51.17 Isai 57.15 16 17 18. Matth. 18.20 and 11.28 29. Thirdly I pray consider that a true beleeving man or woman that comes with the wedding Garment and when Christs invites sits at the Lords Table may receive and do's receive the blessed Sacrament both with great humility and reverence Mat. 26.20.21 Cant. 5.1 and the rather when he or she being sensible of his or her own unworthinesse considers how kindly the Lord Christ invites and bids him or her welcome at his blessâ—d Table Quest 7. But what better ground is there for sitting Ans First Consider that sitting at the Feast of the Lord is the most proper Table gesture and the most agreeable in this respect to the example of Christ Luke 22.21 Secondly Acts 2.46 47. and 20.7 8. 1 Cor. 10 16 c. and 11.20 21 22 23. That the Apostles and Disciples or Christ with the Saints in the Primitive times did receive the Sacrament at their Feasts of Charity in a Table gesture as Feasting with Christ as well as one with another And for the Sacrament it self it is called the Lords Table and a Table gesture is most convenient 1 Cor 14.26 â—0 Thirdly that this table gesture if any edification may be in gestures it may hold forth First our union and communion at this Feast of Grace 1 Cor. 10.16 Luk. 22.30 Secondly our union and communion with Chrâ—st at his Table in the Kingdom of Glory Therefore sitting at the Lords Table being allowed and warranted by the example of Christ and of the Apostles and Primitive Church and by the example of other reformed Churches and agreeable to the Apostles rules of order and edification It must needs be both lawful and comfortable for one that comes rightly prepared with Faith Humility Reverence and other necessary graces rightly enlivened to receive the holy Sacrament sitting at the Lords Table Quest 8. I am in a comfortable manner satisfied in the gesture of sitting yet I have one doubt more me thinks it was better in the old Directory when the Minister of Christ did give the Bread and the Wine to every Communicant in particular with a particular prayer and application as the body of our Lord Jesas that was given for thee c. and take and eat c. rather then only to present it in general to the whole Table by the Minister and every one to take and eat of the Bread out of the dish or cup wherein it s broken and take and drink of the cup from of the Table as it is now used Ans For Answer of this doubt First consider that we do not read in the Scripture that our Saviour Christ did give the Bread and that Wine to every one of the Apostles in particular Search the Scriptures and where can you finde any such expression in any of the Evangelists or Apostles cleerly Read in particular Mat. 26.26 he â—ook it and broke it and gave it to his Disciples he doth not say he gave it to every one in particular or to Peter or Iames or Iohn in particular but to them in general Mat. 26.27 for the cup he gave to them saying drink ye all of this not take you in particular or drink you in particular but take ye all and drink ye all of it And read Luk. 22.17 Take this cup and devide it amongst yourselves which whether we respect the Passeover or the Sacrament it declareth it as most agreeable to Christs order to receive the Sacrament as given from the Minister to all in general at the Table as it was given from Christ to all in general and not into every ones hand in particular as was lately done in the old Directory Not take thou and eat thou but take ye and eat ye and take and drink ye all of this Mat. 26.26 27. Clemens Alexand. strom 1. Pag. 2. Thus about 220 yeers after Christ the manner was when they had divided the Eucharist every one of the people did take his part Secondly again there may be too much superstition put into this manner of receiving in particular from the hand of the the Minister as formerly hath been when the people durst not touch the Bread with their hands but the Priest put it in their mouths for fear they should defile the Lords body And such Communicants I my self have met with who reached out their mouths instead
be of Abrahams Family by professing themselves covenanters and to have the Lord for their God and by accepting of and submitting unto circumcision that signe and seal of the Covenant as Abraham did But for children of Abraham and of other Proselytes believers who had entred Covenant for themselves Abraham and such Parents did in all appearance Covenant that they would instruct and teach their children the Covenant of God which the Lord witnesseth of Abraham Gen. 18.18 19. that he did know Abraham would do according to his duty and Covenant that they might fear the Lord which is certain was no more then what Abraham had engaged himself unto by his Covenant accepting the Lord for his God and the God of his seed And the Infants themselves did only passively enter Covenant if I may so speak by receiving circumcision the signe and seal of the Covenant which they were actually to enter by solemn profession when they came to be of knowledge and understanding as those children of the Israelites did of which we read Nehemiah the tenth Neh. 10.28 29. When they were instructed and catechized in the knowledge of the mystery and Sacrament of circumcision as the Israelites children were commanded to be instructed in the mystery or Sacrament of the Passeover Law of God Exo. 12.26 27. Deut. 6.6 7. from generation to generation Exodus 12. Quest 21. Then it seemeth that circumcision did not give Infants at eight dayes old a compleat and perfect admission into the Church or a perfection of membership with visible professors compleat Ans I conceive they had a true and compleat Infant admission as far as they were capable of and passively received the signe of circumcision as a signe and seal of that Covenant made with Abraham their Father to distinguish them from the children of all Pagans and Idolaters such as were not of the Church and to intitle them to other rights and priviledges which they should be capable of when they came to knowledge and understanding to professe and by profession actually to enter Covenant themselves But they were not fully and compleatly taken as such visible members as might joyn in Covenant and other Ordinances until they were of knowledge and understanding as is noted in Nehemiah before For I do not conceive it certain that children were admitted to eat the Passeover until they were of some understanding if that be true which is related by the Hebrews that every one both of men and women was bound to drink that night four cups of wine without fail every cup containing a log as much as an egge and half and to blesse God at every cup especially at the last cup As Master Ainsworth out of Maimon relates to which the Apostle alludes in the cup of blessing besides they were to be of that understanding to ask their Parents the reason of that service Exo. 12. 1 Cor. 10.16 and to conceive their instruction given them as appeareth from that 12 of Exod. noted before Therefore more then Infant-circumcision was necessary to a compleat grown up visible member of the Church before Christ Quest 22. You have shewed in part the admission of Abraham and men of ripe years of Abrahams posterity or children were admitted as members now in what manner were the Proselytes admitted when they were received as of the Church Ans It is recorded in Scripture that one Ordinance was to be for the Congregation and for the stranger that sojourned with them as they were so were the strangers to be before the Lord by an Ordinance for ever Num. 15.15 But we read further as it is related out of the Hebrew Doctors That if an Hebrew receive of the Heathens a servant grown in yearâ— and the servant be not willing to be circumcised he dealeth with him a whole twelve moneth more then that it is not lawful to keep him being uncircumcised he must sell him again to the Heathens so that every Heathen might be admitted to the Church and people of God if he would but if he would be admitted then he must be admitted and enter into Covenant as the Hebrews did like as the Hebrew Doctors say by three things did Israel enter into Covenant namely by circumcision and baptism and sacrifice First circumcision was in Egypt as it is written Exo. 12.48 1 Cor. 10.22 Exo. 10.8 9 10. no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof Secondly Baptism was in the wildernesse before the Law not only typically in the Red-sea But at the foot of Mount Sinai as it is written The Lord said to Moses go unto the people and sanctifie them to day and to morrow and let them wash their cloaths and be ready against the third day this was their entring Covenant as in the 5 6 7 8. verses a fore going in that Chapter is evident Thirdly by sacrifice as it is written he sent young men of the sons of Israel which offered burnt offerings and this at entring into a confirming of the Covenant For Moses took the Book of the Covenant and read in the audience of the people Exo. 24.5 6 7 8. and they said all that the Lord hath spoken we will do and be obedient here was a submission to the Covenant and Moses confirmed it by sprinkling the blood on the people and said Behold the blood of the Covenant which the Lord hath made with you concerning all these6 words And so in all ages when an Ethnick or Heathen was willing to enter into the Covenant and gather himself under the wings of the Majesty of God and take upon him the yoak of the Law he must be circumcised and baptized and bring a sacrifice and if it be a woman she must be baptized and bring a sacrifice and as the Israelite so was the admission of a stranger also by way of Covenant profession and seal of Covenant as is held forth by these evidences Quest 23. There is one question more I desire to be resolved in before you come to shew the admission of converts or children of belivers in the time of the Gospel and this is concerning what you said of circumcision that it was to Abraham a signe and seal of the righteousnesse of Faith and of the Covenant of Grace I have heard some are of opinion that circumcision appointed to Abraham was not a seal of Faith and Covenant of Grace but a seal of the Covenant of works do and live and of the righteousnesse of works by doing and not believing and that Abraham by circumcision was bound to perform perfect obedience to the whole Law upon pain of eternal damnation and that the Covenant was onely a corporal covenant and that there was as much difference between circumcision and baptism as between Mount Sinai which gendreth to bondage Gal. 4. and Ierusalem which is free between Hagar and Sara which are most contrary and then the manner of admission of Saints in the Old Testament can have no agreement
22.30 and more inabled to powre out my soul in prayer more assured that although I may passe through many aafflictions yet I shall one day feast with Christ in the Kingdom of glory Quest 7. What further may you stir up in your soul Ans To observe how I am delighted and fully satisfied with this heavenly and joyful feast yea that I am so satisfied as never any more to feast at Satans Table or to have the least communion with the Devil the World or the Flesh or any sinful feast of sinful profits or pleasures whatsoever Isa 55.3 Iohn 6.34 35. as being now fully contented with Christs presence in this life and with assurance of Christs presence in that life eternal which is to come Quest 8. How may you wait on Christ in the second of these Divine meditations Gantâ— 2.3 c. Ans In fixing the eye of my soul so fully upon Christ in this feast I may meditate by the power of Christs spirit so exactly upon every particular dainty which my soul meeteth with at the Lords Table Quest 9. What else mayyou meditate upon Ans Upon those glorious refreshings and strengthnings of my soul in grace by the lively holding forth of Christ and my so near union and communion with Christ and with all the Saints until my soul say Cant. 2.1 c. It is enough Lord I desire no more but still to enjoy thee the delight of my soul and most thankfully to remember thy love above all the delights and loves of the world for ever Quest 10. How may you wait on Christ in the third and last faithful application of all to your own soul in particular Ans By the power of Christs spirit and faith I now by secret medication in faith may and do apply Christ and the love of Christ in all this rich feast to my own soul Quest 11. What benefits do you enjoy by this Ans First now by the eye of faith I see evidently that God my Father so loved me that he gave his Son for me that I now believing shall not perish Iohn 3.16 but have everlasting life Quest 12. What is a second Ans Secondly I now see by the eye of faith that my Lord Christ loved me and gave himself for me thar he is now become the Author and finisher of my faith yea Gal. 2.20 Heb. 12.2 the Author of eternal life to and for me to whom he hath given power to obey him in and by believing Quest 13. What is a third Ans Thirdly I now see by the eye of faith that all this great feast was prepared for me and lor my refreshing and souls contentment and is a sure and infallible sign Mat. 22.1 c. Iob 19.25 26. and seal and pledge of God my Fathers love to me in the Lord Christ who is my strength and my Redeemer Quest 14. What is a fourth Acts 3.20 21. Psa 24.7 Can. 5 1. Luk. 22.23 c Ans Fourthly I now see that although my Lord and Saviour my great King of glory who hath entred into the everlasting door of my soul keep his residence in his most glorious Court of heaven yet he hath been present with my soul in this rich feast of grace he hath fed me with his delicates he hath cheered up my spirits with his wines of joyes O the sweet meats of comforts that have made my soul fat this day I am filled with the loves of my Lord my heavenly husband who hath married me to himself for ever and made me sit with him at his Table Quest 15. What may I consider further Ans Fifthly How great was my unworthinesse and how invaluable was his love and Free-grace to my soul when he saw me in my blood and said live yea when I was in my blood dead in my sinful blood he gave me life when I was an Infant new born Exek 16.3 4. cast out to the loathing my person when my Father an Amorice and my Mother was an Hittite could not relieve me then my Christ my Lord did graciously succour me he cherished me he bred me up while I was grown in grace he cast his skirt of love over me and I became his and he made me glorious in grace through the comelinesse that he hath put upon me Quest 16. what is the sixth grace or benefit Ans Surely as I may so I will greatly rejoyce in my Lord and my soul shall be joyful in my God for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation Isa 61.10 and he hath covered me with the robes of righteousnesse as a Bridegroom decketh himself with Ornaments and as a Bride adorneth her self with Jewels Quest 17. What is the seventh benefit Answ Seventhly when I was in danger of my life through the plots and conspiracies of bloody enemies the World the Flesh and the Devil I drew near into the presence of my Lord with a true heart in full assurance of faith Est 5.2 Heb. 10.22 Can. 4.6 having my heart sprinkled from an evil conscience and my body washed with pure water my Lord held forth his golden Scepter of grace and revived my spirits which formerly hid been fainting for want of his gracious presence Quest 18. What may you conclade from these Ans Now I may truly and assuredly conclude I am my Beloveds and my Beloved is mine I will hold fast the profession of my faith without wavering Can. 6.4 Heb. 10.23 c. 1 Thes 4.16 c. Luk. 22.36 Ioh. 17.24 for he is faithful that promised I will consider my brethren and sisters in Christ to provoke unto love and to good works and I will not forsake the assembling of our selves together to meet our Lord at his Table as the manner of some is but exhort one another while it is called to day because the day approacheth when our Lord and King Jesus will call us all by his last Trumpet to feast at his Table in heaven where we shall be with him and see his glory for ever and ever Amen Quest 19. What is a second grace or gracious action to be put in present execution before your departure from the congregation and communion of Saints in this sacred feast Ans A present manifestation of my thankfulnesse and love to Christ my Lord and Saviour again in the work of charity Neh. 8.8 Acts 20.7 2.46 1 Cor. 16.1 2 3. 2. Tim. 1.16 3. Ioh. 5 6 7 8. 2 Cor. 9.4 c. Ioh. 2.34 c. according to my ability to the poor Saints my fellow-members of the same body of which Christ my Lord is the Head that I may refresh their hungry bodies as the Lord Christ hath refreshed my hungry soul with plentiful refreshings at his Table Quest 21. What is the third grace or gracious action to be acted and exercised by the power of Christ to Gods glory and your own comfort before the Congregation be dismissed after partaking this
7.51 Prov. 20.25 Malac. 3.8 9. or resist or revile or discontent the Ministers of Jesus Chrst in or about their Ministeriall office or any other unlawful wayes is a sin Fifthly to take away or keepe back from them any part of that honorable maintenance or countenance which is due unto them by the Ordinance of the Lord Jesus 1 Thess 5.17 Galat. 6.6 7. is sacriledge a robbing and mocking of God and an odious sinne and more particularly what is approved of by the lawfull Magistrate Iohn 15.20 21. Iohn 16.1 2 3. Acts 9.25 2 Cor. 11.32.33 Luke 11.49 50. Acts. 8.2 3 Acts 9.4 5 Luk. 19.27 2 Sam 6.7 Sixthly to persecute betray or not to defend and preserve the Ministers of Jesus Christ by all lawfull and good meanes in their lives goods good names and especially in and for the execution of their Ministeriall office is a sinne and the property and marke of wicked men whom Christ will one day take for his enemies who refuse to have him to rule over them Seventhly for any to intrude themselves into the office of Christs Ministers 2 Chron. 26.19 20. or to usurpe a Ministeriall office in the Church of Christ for which he hath no call from Christ nor ground or title from the Word of God Heb. 5.4 is certainly a sin an odious sin against Christ Jesus Quest 34. You have revealed by Scripture and light from Christ in the Scripture what are the duties required and the sinneâ— forbidden both of Christs Ministers anâ— of the people over whom the holy Ghost hatâ— made them overseers and in particulaâ— how the people ought to receive reverence and countenance their Ministers Pastors and Teachers and give them that honorable maintenance which is due to Gods Ministers by Divine right and according to the Ordinances of the Lord Christ But is there any promise of blessing or any such encouragement to those who do thus receive honour and pay freely that honorable Maintenance that is due to God for his service and to Gods Ministers for their labour and service according to the Oâ—dinance of Christ Ans Yea verily the Scripture holdeth forth diverse promises to this effect Prov. 3.9.10 as that in the Proverbs Honour the Lord with thy substance and with the first fruits of all thy increase so shall thy Barnes be filled with plenty and thy Presses shall burst out with new Wine thou shalt be sure if thou honour God in his service or faithfull servants 1 Sam. 2.30 God will honour thee yea the Lord biddeth his people to trie and prove him if they would bring in the maintenance of his Ministery and service as they ought Malac. 3.10 11. if he would not open the Windowes of Heaven and powre a blessing upon them and he would blesse and not curse their increase and Christ saith hee Mat. 10.40 41. that receiveth his Disciples and Ministers receiveth him and they that receive a Prophet in the Name of a Prophet shall receive a Prophets reward so that there is great encouragement for Saints and all Gods people to perform their duties herein Quest 35. Is there any thinke you that love the Lord Iesus that will not love and honour his faithfull Ministers and willingly give them all respect due to them by the Ordinance of Christ Ans Certainly all men have not faith and some are unreasonable and wicked men 2 Thess 3.2 who love not Christ nor his Ministers I have heard divers Ministers complaine Gens 47.22.26 2 Chron. 36.16 17. that in some parts they have beene used far worse then the Egyptians used their Priests they finde no favour but have been subject to divers abuses which was a fearfull sinne that once brought a forraigne enemy upon Gods owne people But now we hope better things that as the Lord hath honoured those who are in high places so he will honour them with one grace more to take care that there may be faithfull and honorable Ministers placed in every congregation in the Kingdome 1 Tim. 5.71 and that they may have an honorable maintenance duly payd them according to the Ordinance of Christ 1 Cor. 9.14 Quest 36. I have received good satisfaction for the duties of Ministers Pastors and Teachers in the church of Christ and the peoples duties unto them both in respect of reverence and maintenance But what is your judgement I pray you hath Christ appointed no government in his Church and so no governours who as Fathers are to be honoured and who are to be as Rulers in the Church for right ordâ—â—ing of Christs discipline for Gods glory and the good of his Church what light from Christ to direct in this Ans Yes certainly as the Scripture holdeth forth the Lord Christ himselfe to be the chiefe Lord and Governour Isaia 2.6 7 Mich. 5.2 Mat. 2.6 yea the King of his Church and the Governement to be upon his shoulder so when the Lord Christ ascended up into Heaven and led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men as hee gave some to be Apostles and some Prophets some Pastors and Teachers Eph. 4 11 12. c. 1 Tim. 5.17 Rom. 12.8 for the perfecting of the Saints for the worke of the Ministery for the edifying of the body of Christ so hee hath given Elders 1 Cor. 12.28 Acts 6.1 2 3. Rom. 12.7 Rulers and Governments or helpes in Government as Overseers Deacons Ministers and Officers for the good of the Church of Christ Quest 37. But who are these Elders and Officers that are to have government in the Church Ans First it is evident in Scripture that the same men who are called in Scripture Presbyters Acts 20.17 28. or Elders and Rulers they are called Overseers or Bishops and Pastors 1 Tim. 5.17 such as must labour in the word and Doctrine and not only take heede to all the flocke over which the holy Ghost hath made them overseers Titus 1.5 6 7 8 9. But feede the Church of God which hee hath purchased with his own blood Acts 29.28 So that it is evident that the same men who are Pastors and Teachers have authority from Christ to be Elders 1 Pet. 5.2 3 4. and Rulers in the Church although they are not to lord it over Gods heritage but to be ensamples to the flock as St. Seter holdeth forth the light of Christ unto the Church Quest 38. Are there no other Elders or Ruling Officers in the Church but Pastors and Teachers and such as labour publikely in Preaching and so in the word and doctrin Ans Divers learned men do affirme from that place of the Apostle to Timothy Aretius Piscâ—tor Beza in 1 Tim. 5.17 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Cor. 12.28 Heb. 13.17 24. The Church of Gâ—neva The Chu ch of Scotland And Holland Frâ—nce Nâ—w England and nâ—w England the Elders that Rule well are worthy of double honour especially those that labour in Word and