their sealing all this in receiving Baptism the signe and seal of this Covenant between God and them and so were formally admitted into the Church and brought into a Church union and fellowship with the Saints And this our Adversaries confesse was a true form of admission into the Church at first conversion And this I say was right for Iews and Pagans born out of the Church converted to the Faith of Christ but it doth not follow that because it was the ordinary way for them Therefore the same order and form in every circumstance must be for those who are born in the Church for children of believers have a priviledge as the children of believing Abraham had and as we have proved already above all the children of Pagans and Infidels out of the Church whatsoever And yet the substance of this Form of admission is and hath been observed in the Churches of Christ and so we may Justifie of our particular mixed Congregations as they are called that they are true Churches of Christ in respect of outward admission into the Church Quest 40. But how do you make this to appear Ans First children of believing Parents have according to their priviledge due to them an infant admission into the Church in Baptism in which whereas they themselves cannot present themselves and desire Baptism that seal of the Covenant as circumcision was of old I will be thy God and the God of thy Seed Acts 2.38 39 The Parents do present their children and desire Baptism for them as a Covenant priviledge belonging to children of believers Secondly because the children cannot professe their Faith The Parents do professe or declare their assent and consent to the Faith of Christ and truth of the Gospel Thirdly because the children cannot intimate their Covenant with Christ therefore their Parents do Covenant and promise to do their endeavour not only to catechize their children and bring them up in the knowledge of Christ but to do their endeavour that the childe when he or she shall be of years and that God hath given knowledge and Faith shall make a solemn profession of the Faith of the Gospel and of their Graces and Faith in Christ Fourthly the Parents promise that they will do their endeavour that the childe when called of God and enabled with knowledge and Faith shall not onely professe Faith and Covenant but desire to renew and solemnly to enter Covenant with the Lord and to seal it in the blessed Sacrament of the Lords Supper after examination profession and approbation of the Church and thus the children of believers have a true infant admission and form of admission into the Church and are true infant members of the visible Church so far as infant-membership is or can be to them now as it was to Isaac at eight dayes old and to all children of believing Abraham before the coming of Christ Quest 41. But this is but an infant-membership which though true yet it doth not Answer that admission of men of ripe years in the Primitive Times Answ I Answer again that when these children of believers baptized in infancy are come to years of discretion and God hath given them knowledge and Faith in Christ and they have made profession of their Faith and Graces of God in them and desire to enter Covenant solemnly with the Lord and to seal it in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper and upon examination and approbation of the Church are formally admitted by the Minister of Christ and the Church and officers thereof there are such persons made compleat visible members called to be of Saints and to the fellowship of the Saints in the Church of Christ And of this person or persons so admitted I affirm that they have a true Form of admission into the Church and if their Faith and prfession of Faith be true and sincere they are as true members of the Church of Christ as the Eunuch was and if their Faith and profession of Faith be but false and counterfet as Simon Magus his was and too many have been in our Churches yet a Church made up of such members is as true a Church visible for our form of admission as any we reade of was since the Apostles times Let any man declare if he can when and where a Church was constituted of such as were born in the Church in a better form for the first six hundred years after Christ None to be admitted to the Sacramēt before catechized and approved See the Rubrick before at Sacrament in the old Book of Commō-Prayer And therefore I conclude that however many corruptions and failings have been in particular Congregations in the practical part of this admission yet the Lawes of our Church did require both catechizing and profession of Faith and approbation and allowance after examination before admission to compleat visible ripe year membership and admission to the Sacrament to renew covenant as aforesaid And thus our Churches are true in form in respect of outward formal admission into the Church substantially true which is sufficient Quest 42. This I think may satisfie for the form of admission into a Church fellowship When a man or woman born in the Church Mr. Calvin Iustitions l. 4. c. 19.8.4 Ierome Contra. Lucifer I would it were restored to its pure use a childe of a believing Parent baptized in infancy is thus admitted when he or she cometh to years not by Popish confirmation worthily abolished but by this ancient order of solemn profession of Faith in Christ and holinesse and approbation of the Church which learned Martyr speaks of noted before And reverend Mr. Calvin commends as most worthy to be restored in the Church to its pure use But our Adversaries deny our Ministers Ordination and affirm the form of their Ordination and admission or call to be Ministers to be Antichristian and therefore our Churches to be no true Churches of Christ Ans First I Answer that it is the opinion of these Adversaries that there is no need of Ordination of a Minister onely for a particular Congregation to chuse one of their fellow Brethren to be their Minister or to have an approbation of a company of professours to be their Minister there needs no more and then the Ordination of our Ministers as in the opinion of separatists it doth not further so it is certain it cannot hinder a man from being a Minister of Christ if at any time he be called and approved of a Church and whosoever he be who renounceth his calling to the Minister because he was ordained by a Bishop and a company of preaching Presbyters I think in this as in other things he is too superstitious and Popishly affected to an outward form of admission and worthy to be censured of the Church for such an errour in which he condemns valiant Martin Luther judicious Master Calvin worthy Latimer Cranmer Ridley Hooper those glorious Ministers and Martyrs of Christ as if
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
and within the Parish of Sepulchres a daily increase of Light from CHRIST Right Honorable and Beloved in the Lord Christ THe many burning and shining lights my Reverend Brethren the faithful Ministers of Christ in this Famous City most graciously holding forth the blessed Light of Christ in their constant Preaching the Gospel of your Salvation Eph. 1.13 with their glorious abilities and readinesse to Catechize and instruct both yong and old Acts 20.20 in publike and from house to house known to many of your selves by sweet experience and to my self by assured evidence might well seem to commend my silence rather then this seeming presumption to be a Remembrancer to you or a furtherance of the necessary Duty of Catechizing to this Illustrious and to this day wonderfully preserved City But love and duty on my part and hope of Christian acceptation on yours emboldens me to declare my desires and endeavors for a blessed increase of the true light of Christ amongst your dwellings and in your several Families Me thinks my heart is indicting of a good matter and I cannot but speak the things that pertain to Londons Peace Duo sunt Reipublicae Christianae firmameÌ„ta veritas pax praefat Synopsis purioris Theolog. c. Truth and Peace are said to be the stays and pillars of a Christian Common-wealth and so they must needs be of a Christian City yea of the Church of Christ the communion of Saints The Prophet Zachary prefers Truth in the first place and makes Peace to follow in order I may joyn a third as a concomitant or accompanying Grace this is Vnity and Vnanimity especially in the true light of Christ all to go hand in hand together a Brotherly walking in the light of Truth revealed by Christ in the sacred Scriptures Behold how good and joyful a thing it is for Brethren to dwell together in Unity Zac. 8.19 Ierusalem is builded as a City that is compact or at Vnity in it self So is London this glorious City Ps 133.1 122.3 Honorable and Honoured Christians and my daily Prayer is and shall be that as it is in your beautiful Habitations in many parts of it so it may be united and continue to be as one glorious building in your mindes hearts wills and affections and principally in that blessed light of Truth and true Religion I would to God there were not too many different lights glimmering like Glow-worms in dark corners leading aside sometimes some of your dearest Consorts your beloved Children Servants and Apprentices into wayes of different if not contrary walkings from the true light of Christ breeding Divisions even in Families the most Ancient Common wealths One chief Reason I am assured is want of Catechizing in the Principles of Religion and their duties in particular To recover sight and prevent the following of by lights in time to come I am bold to commemorate the excellent practise of Catechizing not only in publike Congregations but in private Families and to bring a light from Christ for this end hath been my desire and endeavour in this Iewel of Christian Divinity I commend it to your Lordship and to you Honoured Fathers of this precious and populous City and to you Religious Worthies Parents and Masters of Famâ—lies and to you the particular my beloved the great Congregation of Sepulchres to whom the Lord in his good Providence was pleased by your free Election to call me and this two years and upwards to continue me an Assistant Teacher If it be not so perfect for method or matter as might be expected besides that my intention at first was only to give light to a right preparation for the Lords Supper and not to enlarge my self so fully in the Principles of Divinity my constant Preaching these two years since I began this work beging for three parts of the year three times a week at least and the rest twice or more besides my attendance both on the publike Service and other special occasions may plead my excuse Now that the light of Christ may by the help of this or my lesser Catechism or any other Labours of the Lords faithful Servants shine forth more and more gloriously in all your souls and several Families that they may be enlightned as so many particular Churches of Saints that Christ may walk in the midst of them as of the seven golden Candlesticks Rev. 2.1 Eph. 2.19 that you may be found Citizens with the Saints and of the houshold of God that being truly lightned by the true light of Christ in the Church Militant you and yours with the whole Israel of God in all the Families of this City and Kingdom may shine as blessed lights for ever in the Church Triumphant is and shall be the daily Prayer of The most unworthy and humble Servant and Minister of the Lord Iesus Christ IMMANUEL BOURN From Sepulchres London May 2. 1646. To the Right Worshipful Sir Edward Worthley Kt. AND Dame ELIZABETH his Religious Lady The Right Worshipful Sir SAMUEL TRYON Baronet And Dame BRIDGET his Vertuous Lady The true Light of Christ here and true Light with Christ in Heaven for ever Right Worshipful THat Honorable respect I did receive above twenty years since as a Minister of Christ from your Religious Mother the Right Honorable the late Countesse of Devonshire and the more ancient relation I had unto your now Religious Lady as living divers years in house with her and her former Husband Sir Samuel Tryon my Honoured Patron with the due respects I owe to Sir Samuel Tryon their Son and his Vertuous Lady together with kindenesse from your self may command a publike acknowledgement of all your private favours And since the Lord hath now enabled me after two years study and labour at times extraordinary almost spared from my necessary sleep rising up early and late taking rest to finish this Light from Christ by way of Catechism which as it concerneth the general I have Dedicated to those Honoured Worthyes in more publike places And do humbly desire every of you also to accept of it as a Light from Christ a help for you and yours better acquaintance with God in your Families in private and your closets in secret that you and yours may be the better enabled to meet Christ with comfort in his Ordinances and to walk joyfully with Christ in every condition in the whole course of your lives And for this end I commend this excellent duty of Catechizing in and by your worthy Names to all the Gentry with their and all others Families in the Kingdom particularly in the County of Northampton my Native country Now Pastor of East-haddon where my Reverend Aged Father hath been a Preacher and Catechizer almost this fifty years and in the County of Derby and Parish of Ashover where by the free love of my Noble Patron aforesaid I was placed and did finde both the want and benefit of Catechizing by good experience that
they and every of you making your Calling and Election sure you may gain a sweet entrance here and in the end a full possession and fruition of that everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ which to further is the earnest desire and endeavour of Yours ever to serve you in Christ Iesus IMMANUEL BOURN May 2. 1646. TO THE READER A Briefe Table and Catalogue of the chiefe Questions Cases of Conscience and Divine Truths handled in this light from Christ or Jewell of Christian Divinity With a direction to make use both of the greater and lesser Catechismes in private Families or secret Closets or in publike Congregations if any please to make tryall of them These according to the severall Classes wherein they are primarily expressed or where more fully they are explained Classis 1. WHether all be bound in conscience to declare their knowledge and professe Qu. 1. p. 1 2 2. their faith in Christ when to whom and for what end this ought to bee done Quest 2. page 3. 4. Whether the use of Catechizing bee ancient in the Church with the necessity and benefit of it and the lamentable ignorance in the Kingdom Qu. 3. p. 7 8 c. Whether all Baptized persons bee true Christians and to be admitted to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper Qu. 4. p. 14. c. Whether all who are to be admitted to the preaching of the word may also be received to the Sacrament Qu. 5. p. 21. c. Whether in mixt congregations the sins of unworthy Receivers can hinder grace from the worthy and how such communion is lawfull how not Qu. 6. p. 24 c. What requisite graces are in the wedding garment to meet Christ in the Sacracrament antecedent antepresent present acting and subsequent graces Qu. 7. p. 27 28. What kinde of knowledge faith Repentance and Charity are to be enlivened in preparation Classis 2. Qu. 1 p. 27 28 c. WHether a fourefold knowledge of God 2 of our selves 3 of Christ 4 of the Sacrament be requisite in a Receiver what these are and wherefore necessary What God is in his nature Qu. 2. p. 29 c. and in his attributes communicable and incommunicable to the creatures Whether there be three distinct persons of the Divine Essence Qu. 3. p. 33 34 c. and the properties evidencing the Divinity of the Son of God of the Spirit as of God the Father and the Son Classis 3. WHether there be any such spirituall Essence Qu. 1. p. 38 c. and this proved by evidences of light from the Booke of nature and of Scripture of grace and of glory Classis 4. WHether the holy Scriptures be the revealed will and infallible word of God what is the antiquity Qu. 1. p. 47 48 c. necessity and authority of them How to know the right sence Qu. 2. p. 50 51 c. and understanding of the Scriptures and whether the authority of Scriptures depend upon the Church with the excellent use of them Cassis 5. Qu. 1. p. 58 c. WHat are the foure great works of God revealed in Scripture namely his eternall decree his worke of creation his work of providence here and worke of glory hereafter Qu. 2. p. 62 63 c. Whether the whole Trinity did create the world and how God made the body and soule of man Whether the soules of men or women be immortall with divers arguments to prove the immortality of the soule Classis 6. Qu. 1. p. 70. 71 c. VVHether God governeth the world by his providence and in particular Angells and men and of the nature of Angells good and evill and their service to the glory of God and benefit of his Church Classis 7. VVHether a fourefold knowledge of a man or womans selfe be requisite Qu. 1. p. 76 77 c. what hee or shee was by creation what by the fall of Adam what in and by Christ in grace and what he or she shall be in state of glory Classis 8. VVHether men or women have free will Qu. 1. p. 84 c. and what it was in the state of creation 2 Of nature corrupted after the fall 3 what it was in the state of grace and 4 what it shall be in the state of glory Whether a naturall man or woman can desire their own salvation and how far Qu. 2. p. 89. 90. and whether they be bound to waite upon God in the use of the means for salvation Classis 9. VVHether the Lord did hold forth the Law or commanding part of Gods word in mount Sinai Qu. 1. p. 91 c. as a covenant of workes or to what end and wherefore Christ and his Apostles doe interpret the mind of God in the commmanding part of his word and what is the use of it in the Church of Christ in preaching of the Gospell Qu. 2. p. 98 c. Qu. 3. p. 100 101 c. What is the covenant of grace and state of Gods children under the Gospel What shall be the condition and state of Gods children and of the wicked in death at the day of judgement and for every afterwards Classis 10. Qu. 1. p. 105 106 c. WHat is to be knowne of Christ in respect of his natures divines and humane and of his hypostaticall or personall union of both natures and the necessity of his being both God and man for our salvation How there is a communication of the Jdioms or Phrases and properties of both natures each to other Qu. 2.114 115 c. with particular instances of the same Classis 11. Qu. 1. p. 116 c. WHat is the threefold office of Christ in particular of his Priestly office and of the two chiefe parts of it First satisfactitn to Gods Justices Secondly intercession for us Whether the whole satisfaction and sufferings for our sinnes was fulfilled by Christ Qu. 2. p. 118 c. and for what end Gods is pleased to afflict and suffer his children to be afflicted in this life Classis 12. WHat is the propheticall office of Christ Qu. 1. p. 12 122 c. how and when he did and doth exercise it and to what end and how by his Gospell-ministrey and spirit he encourageth and draweth poore sinners to come unto him Believe Repent and he saved What is the kingly office of Christ Qu. 2. p. 139 130. when and how hee did and doth manifest his conquering calling power with his speciall calling and ordination of Ministers for the benefit of his Church Whether every man may take upon him the office of Preaching with the manner of callings necessity Qu. 3. p. 130 131 c. and excellency of the Ministeriall office and the sad miseries would follow in the Church if it were abolished Classis 13. Qu. 1. p. 134 135 c. VVHether Christ hath procured excellent graces
he had once a year with his Neighbours at Easter received the Sacrament for many years together Example 2 The like ignorance I found in a manner in one W. D. an ancient man also and one that had thought himself worldly wise I asked him who died for him and that in a loving familiar way as willing to instruct him He Answered me The Son of God dyed for him I was glad to hear his answer but demanding of him again if he did know what this Son of God was that dyed for him he pointed his hand towards the Sun then shining in the Firmament it being about two a clock in the Afternoon and said Look yonder in the Son of God that dyed for me blessed might he be It grieved me then to see his lamentable ignorance which by that Answer and further Questions I found to be in him I might give more Examples of the like And such I conceive sin in coming to the Sacrament though neither for scandall of life nor for this ignorance they be judged worthy to be Excommunicate from the word Preached Quest 5. Truly I am of your minde for this notorious ignorance and for all such us are not able to Examine themselves But what think you of those who are otherwise Scandalous Ans There are too many Baptized persons Baptized in Childhood now of ripe years called by some visible christians whom St. Paul calls enemies to Christ Phil. 3.18.19 1 Cor. 5.9 10 12. 2 Ioh. 10.11 1 Cor. 1.11 2 Cor. 2.9.10 who are openly and notoriously scandalous ignorant prophane impenitent and unreformed with such as these are every true Christian ought as much as is possible to avoid all familiarity or intimate acquaintance except to convert them and much more all willing Communion with them at the Lords Table And therefore certainly Catechismes and Catechizing is very necessary that both knowledge and holinesse may be held forth as to the former so to such as these and examination or tryall be made 1 Cor. 11.28 29. both by themselves and others before they presume to come to the Supper of the Lord. Quest 6. Were there any in the Primitive times of the Church who were converted to Christianity that were kept back for a time from the Sacrament Ans In the Primitive times some who were converted extraordinarily upon profession of their Faith in Christ and desire they were Baptized First Thus was the Eunuch Acts 8.37 Acts 8. Secondly Thus was Cornelius and his company after the holy Ghost had given a publike evidence of their conversion and true Faith in Christ admitted to Baptisme Acts 10.44 45. 46 c. Acts 8.18 19 20. 21 c. 1 Tim. 1.19 20. 3 Ioh. 9.10 1 Cor. 5. Phil. 3.17 18 19. Heb. 6.4 4 6 c. Heb. 10.24 25 26 c. Thirdly Some were converted only to an outward profession of the Faith amongst whom were many hypocrites Baptized at the first and these it may be were admitted to the Lords Supper untill they were discerned But so soon as they were discerned and known notice was taken of them as such who were fit to be cast out and their Communion avoided for their wickednesse and hypocrisie Thus Simon Magus Hymeneus Alexander Diotrephes Demas and such like some of which fell for a time and were restored some fell to Heresie and Apostacy and perished in their sins Quest 7. Do you read of any difference of Christians made afterwards in the Church or were all that were converted to an outward profession of the Faith admitted the Sacraments promiscuously without any difference Ans Certainly no They were not admitted to the Sacrament For in processe of time when the Church did finde that many joyned themselves to the Christians and made a profession of the Faith as true Believers which after fell away As before noted 1 Tim. 1.26 30. 2 Pet. 2.14 15 20. some to Heresies some to scandalous lives and some to Paganisme again The Saints did not presently then upon the first seeming conversion or profession of themselves to believe admit men or women so much as to Baptisme much lesse to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper but had a time of tryall and preparation for so great a work Therefore Writers relate there were severall orders of Christians in the Church of Christ Quest 8. Which were these severall Orders of Christians in the Church Ans First some were only Catechumenes Isidorus Origen lib. 14. Catechumenus dictus qui Doctrinam fidei audit nec dum tamen Baptismum percepit hearers and learners of the Doctrine of the Gospel by Catechizing as well as Preaching yea though they were men of ripe years untill they were able to make a good profession of their Faith and give evidence of their sincere conversion and resolution to persevere by Gods Grace unto their lives end Quest 9. Have you read of any particular persons who were such Catechumens in the Church Ans First such a Catechumen was Ambrose Sozomen Histor Ecclesias l. 6. c. 24. when he was chosen Bishop or Overseer of the Church of Millaine the state of the Church so requiring by reason of Schismes and Heresies then springing up Eccles Hist Gent. 4. cap. 10. Cent. 5. cap. 10. Secondly such a Catechumen was Augustine after he was converted from a Maniche to be a Christian and did write divers Books before he was Baptized by St. Ambrose Arnobius Adversus Gentes lib. 7. Thirdly such a Catechumen was Arnobius who when he saw he was deferred Baptisme because the Disciples feared least being an eloquent man if he should revolt to Paganisme he might prophanely abuse that holy Sacrament Therefore he wrote an excellent Book against the Gentiles to evidence the truth of his profession and constancy in the Faith of Christ 2. Again there was a second Order or Degree of Christians and these were such Catechumens or Catechized persons who when they were well tryed and proved or examined and approved Socrates Eccl. hist l. 7. c 17. came to desire Baptisme and were called Competitors or Fellow-Catechumens desiring Baptisme which when they received they were arrayed in white Robes In liturgi Chrisostomi as History relates And neither of these were yet received to the Lords Supper untill they were baptized and approved by the Church Quest 10. What were the third Order of Christians in those times Ans They were called the Faithfull and these were such Believers or Beleeving Christians who after they were baptized Socrates Eccl. hist l. 7. c. 17. had made profession proof of their faith were admitted to the Lords Table and had Communion with their fellow-Saints in that holy Ordinance and so were all fellow members of the mysticall Body of Christ And in the first Primitive times of the Apostles and Church after Christ 1 Cor. 12.27 Acts 5.32 these Believers were together and were of one heart and of one soul a sweet example of unity for
do without sin for these and the like reasons First when the incestuous person was suffered in the Church of Corinth 2 Cor. 5.1 c. 1.10.11 3.2 3 4 those Saints who no doubt were offended did not presently separate from the Church but rather informed the Apostle of that as of other failings that there might be a Reformation rather then a separation in the Church Secondly the Apostle doth not write to the Corinthians or other Churches Rom. 16.17 18 1 Cor. 5.14 to separate one from another but to beware of self-divisions and to cast out from amongst them that wicked person whom after upon his repentance he ordered to be restored again 2 Cor. â— 6 7 8. Thirdly although the Lord commands his people to separate and come out from Babilon and from wicked Idolators Rev. 18.4 2 Cor. 6.15 c. and promiseth a blessing yet the Lord doth not require Saints to separate from Saints or leave a Church for some particular failings and it may be but for a time a Church of Christ may remain a Church though there be found some failings witnesse the Churches of Christ in the Primitive times Rev. 2.4.14 3.2 3. And if separation should be for every failing there would be no end of separation amongst some till no Church could be found and all must be Zion-seekers indeed which must needs be a scandall to those which are without and cause the worthy Name of Christ to be ill spoken of as our lamentable divisions do at this day Rom. 2.24 Iam. 2.7 Eph. 4.1 2.3 4. to the great grief of Gods people Saints therefore must pray for and seek unity in the Church But howsoever that the Church may fail Saints not sin in not separating Yet it is certain that ignorant or scandalous persons eat judgement though not to others yet to themselves 1 Cor. ii 28 29. And therefore Catechizing is necessary in the Church Quest 19. What then is required of such â—ersons as desire to meet Christ to have â—ommunion with Christ and to partake of Christs Soul-cherishing vertue in the Lords Supper 1 Cor. 11 28. Exod. 12.47 48. Num. 9.1 2 c. Ans To Examine themselves whether they be rightly prepared and then to eat of that bread and drink of that cup. Quest 20. When is a man or woman rightly prepared to meet Christ in that holy Ordinance Ans When he or she is cloathed upon with that wedding garment without which we cannot be welcome to that Feast of the Lord Mat. 22.12 As in that Feast so it is in this Feast of the Lord Christ Quest 21. What is that Wedding garment Ans Iesus Christ with his merits righteousnesse Ioh. 1.16 and living graces applied infused or wrought by Christs Spirit in our souls Quest 22. But why must we be prepared with such graces before we come to the Lords Table 2 Tim. 1.6 Is 64.7 Ans Because they are to be actuated stirred up quickened and enlivened if we will meet Christ to our comfort As a man must examine himself 2 Cor. 13.5 so here Grace is before hand to be Examined Quest 23. Wherefore do you call Christ a Garment Ans Gal. 3.27 Rom. 13.14 Because as many as have been baptized into Christ have and do put on Christ Quest 24. How is Christ put on Or when are men and women cloathed upon with the Lord Jesus as with a garment Ans When by the work of Christs Spirit upon our souls we believe and see Act. 2.37 Acts 16.29 30. Ioh. 1.11.11 12. Isa 61.10 Gal. 3.27 and finde and feel in our consciences our sin bondage and misery by sin and our extream need of Christ and by the eye and hand of Faith see and receive and rest or Christ as our only surety Saviour and remedy and so are and may be assured we are the children of God and cloathed upon with Christs robes of Righteousnesse as with a garment Quest 25. What are these living Graces which a Christian should wear and put on as a garment and the habits of which are to be examined stirred up and enlivened when we thus meet the Lord Jesus Ans As Aarons holy garments were made up of divers materials and variety of colours of gold and blew and purple scarlet Exo. 28.4 5. Psal 45.13 14. Ezek. 16.10 c. and fine linnen curiously imbroydered So this christian garment is interwoven with variety of Graces or gracious dispositions and ornaments of the soul but chiefly with four sorts Quest 26. Which are those four sorts of Graces the habits of which must he examined and enlivened that we may come with comfort to this blessed Sacrament Ans First Antecedent Primitive foregoing Graces to be examined stirred up and enlivened before we come to this holy Sacrament Secondly Antepresent or â—ore immediate foregoing Graces and gâ—acious affections and resolutions in the soul to be stirred up exercised and enlivened immediatly before and when we draw near to the act of receiving Thirdly present acting Graces and sanctified affections operations and spirituall senses of the soul together with our bodily senses to be stirred up enlivened and exercised at the Sacrament and in the act of receiving as of the Elements of Bread and Wine bodily so of the body and blood of Christ inwardly and spiritually in our souls Fourthly Subsequent living Graces to be examined and exercised after the Sacrament for the constant improvement of Christs vertue received in that holy Ordinance both when we return home and all the dayes of our lives Quest 27. What or how many are those habitual Graces to be examined and quickned before we come to this blessed Sacrament Ans They are in my minde chiefly these four 1. A Divine knowledge 2. A lively Faith 3. Evangelical repentance 4. Christian charity The second Classis or Company of Questions 1 Question WHat or how manifold is that Divine knowledge requirâ—d the habit of which must be examined and enlivened before we come to the Sacrament Ans A fourfold knowledge 1. Of God 2. Of our selves 3. Of Christ 4. Of the Sacrament Quest 2. Why is this Divine knowledge so necessary 2 Cor. 11.27 c. Hos 4.6 act 17.30 Luk. 10.41 42. Zeph. 1.6 Heb. 2.3 Iob. 21.14 Prov 1.29 30. Ans Because ignorant persons are unworthy receivers not able to examine themselves or discern the Lords body especially such as those that might learn and be Catechized and neglect the means of knowledge or That are wilfully ignorant that refuse knowledge and instruction Quest 3. Wherefore is a lively Faith so necessary Heb. 11.6 4.2 Ans Because without Faith it is impossible to please God in any duty or to feed on Christ and his vertue in the Sacrament Quest 4. For what cause is Evangelical Repentance requisite Ans Because the presence service and sacrifice of unregenerate impenitent persons are abominable before God Isa 1.12 13 c.
their Judgement at that Day Ans Yes 1 Thes 4.14 c. 1 Cor. 15.51 52 none excepted or priviledged but when the Trumpet shall sound and the voyce of the Archangel shall call the dead shall arise incorruptible the living shall be changed Rev. 20.12 and all shall appear before the Lord Christ to receive their sentence according to their works Quest 21. How shall the unbelievers and all wicked impenitent ones who have been enemies to the Lord Christ and to his wisdom holinesse and government stand affected at that Day Ans They shall tremble with horror Mat. 24.33 Rev. 1.7 2 Pet. 3.10 Rev. 3. 12 c. amazement and unspeakable sorrows when they shall see the Son of man the Lord Christ come in such glorious and terrible Majesty and though they cry to the Mountains to fall on them and to hide them yet they shall not escape the wrath of the then angry Lamb. Quest 22. How shall believers and the Saints of the most High be affected at the presence of Christ Luke 21.28 Act. 3.19 Mat. 1.21 Rev. 1.5 Ans They shall be affected with joy unspeakable at that day of Resurrection when they shall behold him to be their Iudge who is their Lord and Saviour and who hath washed them from all their sin in his own Blood Quest 23. What are or ought to be the affections of Saints towards Christ coming to Judgement Rom. 5.2 Heb. 9.28 1 Thes 1.10 Ans They should rejoyce in hope and look and wait daily for Christ who hath saved us from wrath to come Quest 24. Are not Gods Children then in a most happy condition above all other in the world being freely delivered from this damnable estate of the wicked and made Heirs of the grace of life Eternall Ans Yes verily the righteous is more excellent then his Neighbour Prov. 12.23 Isa 64.4 i Cor. 2.9 as it is written for the eye hath not seen nor ear heard neither have entred into the hearts or men the things which God hath prepared for them that love him both in grace and glory Quest 25. By whom are we thus Redeemed from sin death and Eternall damnation and made partakers of life Eternall and to be Citizens in that Kingdom of glory Ans Only by Iesus Christ the Author and finisher of our Faith in whom God the Father is well pleased with us Acts 4.12 1 Pet. 1.11 19. Heb. 12. Matth. 17.5 The tenth Classis or Company of Questions 1 Question YOu have declared the knowledge of God and of our selves Now what should we know concerning Christ that we may draw near with comfort to this Sacrament of the Lords Supper And know more fully how the Lord doth govern us by Christ in Grace till he brings us to glory Ans We ought chiefly to know Christ First In his natures Ioh. 3.2 1 Cor. 2.2 Phil. 3.7 c. Divine and Humane Secondly In his Person and wonderfull union with our natures 1 Cor. 1.30 Iohn 1.16 2 Cor. 5 i9 c. Thirdly In his offices 1. Priest 2. Prophet 3. King exercised in Active and Passive obedience and application to both Fourthly In the glorious fruits and benefits which the Lord Iesus by his vertue and power as Mediator communicates to poor sinners for their everlasting Salvation Quest 2. How must Christ be known in respect of his nature Ans That he is perfect God and perfect Man both of a Divine and Humane nature that Immanuel God-man or God with us in our Humanity the Son of God and the Son of Man mighty to save full of grace and truth Isa 9.6 Joh. 1.14 Zach. 13.7 Isa 7.14 Joh. 3.16 Matth. 25.31 Isa 63.1 Mat. 1.21 Heb. 7.25 Iohn 1.16 Quest 3. How and when was Christ our Saviour God Ans He was God of God from all eternity not made but begotten of God the Father before all worlds and from everlasting very God of very God being of one substance with the Father by whom all things were made the unchangeable wisdom and essentiall Word of God abiding God for ever Joh. 1.1.14 11. 1 Ioh. 5.20 Ioh. 10.30 1 Ioh. 5.7 Joh. 1.2 3. Col. 1.15 c. Prov. 8.12 c. Tit. 1.3 Iude 23. Rev. 19.13 1 Tim. 1.16 17. Rev. 1.11 1 Tim. 6.14 15 16. Heb. 1.8 9. Quest 4. You say Christ the Son of God in his Divine nature was God of God How I pray you do you understand that the Son of God was God of God was it or is it in respect of his Divine Essence or in respect of his Person and his filiation or Sonship only Ans This is a great mystery as is the mystery of his Incarnation But I humbly conceive and believe that in respect of the Person of the Son or of his Sonship he was God of God the Father Iohn 8.42 and is said to be God of God Light of light very God of very God But in respect of his Divine Essence he is Auto-Theos God of himself Iohn 10.30 and by himself from all Eternity and one Essence with God the Father blessed for ever Quest 5. But how can the Son of God be said to be begotten of God the Father since God the Father is a Spirituall Essence and can one Spirit be said to beget another or how might this be Ans This is a great mystery more fit for Faith to believe then Reason to apprehend nor do I know any similitude can truly and fully expresse this mystery but the learned endeavoring to give some light of it have held forth the eternall generation of the Son of God in these and the like expressions First as the minde of a man when it thinketh of and understands it self by reflection upon it self doth form and beget in it self and as it were of it self some Image or likenesse of it self though not perfect or distinctly of it self subsisting So God the Father when as he fully knoweth and beholdeth himself in his Eternity and infinity After an unutterable manner he did beget in himself the most perfect Image and expresse likenesse of himself distinctly subsisting and yet wonderfully co-essentiall with himself from all eternity and to this effect Christ is called the brightnesse of Gods glory Heb. 1.3 and the expresse Image of his person Col. 1.15 and of the invisible God and the like in holy Scriptures Secondly As a word is the Image of the minde Iohn 1.1 2. and begotten of the minde so the essentiall word is the Image of God the Father Thirdly not far different from this others expresse it thus That as a man looking his naturall face in a glasse doth beget his own image or likenesse which so long as he looketh continueth as his own expresse image though that is not subsisting by it self So God the Father beholding himself from all Eternity in the eternall glasse of his own most glorious Essence he did eternally or from all eternity beget his own Son his own
Christ to your soul knowing that whom Christ loveth he loveth to the end And consider Gods promises and so live by faith in grace depending upon God until he bring you unto eternal glory The fifteenth Classis or Company of Questions 1. Question YOu have answered concerning the knowledge of God and the knowledge of our selves and the knowledge of Christ Now what is fit for a Communicant to know concerning the Sacrament that he or she may come with more comfort and profit to the Lords Table Answ There are divers things to be known concerning the Sacrament both in general and particular and first What a Sacrament is or what is meant by a Sacrament Quest 2. I pray you tell me then what you conceive a Sacrament to be Answ First Revel 2.17 Matth. 26.27 28. Matth. 28.19 A Sacrament is not a bare and naked substance single or compounded as Water Bread or Wine or the like but such a thing or substance instituted appointed and applied to a Mystery to hold forth Christ and the Mystery of Christ and spiritual things in a spiritual manner to the soul as Bread and Wine in the Sacraments do hold forth the Body and Blood of Christ spiritually to beleevers Quest 3. Is every secret or hidden Mystery in nature a Sacrament Answ No Every natural mystery or hidden thing as the secrets of nature the vertues of herbs to heal of the Load-stone to draw Iron to it and the like nor an artificial mystery or secret of Trades or the like is not a Sacrament But a Sacrament is a spiritual mystery a mystery of godlinesse 1 Tim. 3.16 as the Apostle calls the Mystery and History of Christ Quest 4. Thirdly But is every spiritual mystery or mystery of godlinesse a Sacrament Matth. 13.11 1 Tim. 3.9 Answ No every spiritual mystery is not a Sacrament But a spiritual mystery holding forth Christ as the Mysteries of Gods Kingdom or the mysteries of Faith are mysteries holding forth Christ Quest 5. Are these or every spiritual mystery holding forth Christ a Sacrament Levit. 16.21 22. Numb 21.9 Ephes 5.29 30 31 32. Ans No not properly neither these nor divers others of like nature for the Scape-Goats and the Brasen-Serpent were Mysteries holding forth Christ And marriage is a great mystery representing the spiritual union between Christ and his Church and yet none of these are properly Sacraments although they signifie and reveal excellent truths of Christ to beleevers Quest 6. But if none of these be properly Sacraments what then is a Sacrament Gen. 17.7 8 c. Answ A Sacrament is a sacred action or an outward symbole or badge signifying and sealing by way of Pledge or Bond or Covenant between two parties to assure performance of conditions on both sides Quest 7. Is every signifying or sealing Action by way of covenant a Sacrament Answ No Gen. 31.44 45 46. 1 Sam. 20.8 18. c. For that action of Jacob and Labans setting up stones as a witnesse was a signifying and sealing of peace between them as was Jonathans shooting Arrows according to agreement between him and David of Sauls intentions and as divers civil actions of like nature yet these are none of those Sacraments which Christ hath left to his Church Quest 8. What kinde of signifying and sealing action then is a Sacrament Answ A Sacrament is a sacred Ordinance or Action Gen. 17.11 c. Gen. 21.4 Exod. 12.48 Num. 9.13 Rom. 4.11 acted with a sacred minde or divinely instituted by a sacred person in which by outward visible signes and seals and pledges and instruments in outward elements words and actions the inward invisible freegraces of God in Christ is held forth signified sealed and assured from God in Christ to beleeving souls according to the Covenant of Grace and the mutual promise of love duty obedience faithfulnesse and thankfulnesse of beleevers is entered into or renewed and sealed to God again according to the same Covenant Quest 9. What in brief is the substance of this Covenant of Grace thus sealed in the Sacraments Exod. 19.4 5 c. Iere. 32.37 38. and 30.21 22. 2 Cor 6.17 18. Ans We have set forth the Covenant of Grace before But in brief the Sacrament Seals the Promise of God to take his Church to be his people his sons and daughters in Jesus Christ and of the Church to receive the Lord for their God and Father in the same Christ and to glorifie him accordingly Quest 10. How many such Sacraments hath Christ instituted and ordained to and for the benefit of his Church Matth. 28.19 Gal. 3.27 1 Cor. 11.26 27. and 10.16 Ans Onely two properly so called and no more ordinarily The first a Sacrament of our initiation enterance inrolling consecrating unto or ingrafting into Christ and his Church as visible Members thereof and of the Covenant to that end The second a Sacrament of confirmation and renewing of the same Covenant with God in and by Christ from God to his people and from Gods people to God again Quest 11. What was the first of these Sacraments ordained by God in Christ for this initiation enrolement entrance and ingrafting into Christ for the benefit of Christs Church and Children Ans In the Old Testament the first was the ordinary Sacrament of Circumcision the Seal of the Covenant of Grace and of the Righteousnesse of Faith in Christ the Messiah then to come into the world to be born for us Rom. 4.11 Gal. 5.1 2 3. But in the New Testament the Sacrament of Baptism instituted by Christ instead of Circumcision as a Seal of the Covenant of Grace and Righteousnesse of Faith in Christ the Messiah that is come already Quest 12. What was the second Sacrament appointed as a pledge of Christs love for comfort of Gods people as a Seal for confirmation and continuance of his Covenant and of Gods Grace with his Church Ans In the Old Testament the Sacrament of the Passeover or Paschall Lamb Exod. 12.43 c. hold forth Christ and his benefits to the Saints waiting for Christ the consolation of Israel 1 Cor. 11.26 c. in his first coming But in the New Testament the Sacrament of the Lords Supper that Love-token of Christ to be celebrated by such as are rightly prepared in remembrance of Christ who hath perfected the Work of Redemption to be communicated to all those who by Faith waite for his second coming at the last day Quest 13. Are not Sacraments of the Old Testament contrary to the Sacraments of the New and so different that there may rather be said to be four Sacraments then onely two Rom. 4.11 Col. 2.16 17. 1 Cor. 10.3 4. Heb. 13.18 Rev. 13.8 1 Cor. 10.2 3 4. Ans The Sacraments of the Old and New Testament they are both Sacraments of the Covenant of Grace not contrary one to another but agreeing in the matter and substance of them and although they differ in
the Covenant of Grace in the Old Testament which is ho way revoked in the New That is still a positive rule and institution of Christ virtually and in the substance of it to a beleever as a beleever and to or concerning the children of a beleever as children of a beleever and to be continued now in the New Testament as a duty by vertue of that Institution of Christ as well as in the Old or before the coming of Christ in the flesh But a signe and seal of the righteousnesse of faith and salvation in Christ and of Circumcision made without hands or of Spiritual Regeneration of the heart and life and assurance of these was a positive command and institution of Christ to a beleever as a beleever and to or concerning the children of a beleever as children of a beleever according to the covenant of Grace in the Old Testament and is no way forbidden in the New Testament and therefore a signe and seal of the righteousnesse of faith and of salvation in Christ and regeneration or inward circumcision of the heart according to the covenant of Grace is still a positive rule and institution of Christ vertually in or for the substance of it to a beleever as to a beleever and to or concerning the children of a beleever as children of a beleever and to be continued now in the New Testament as a duty by vertue of that Institution of Christ as well as it was in the Old or before the coming of Christ in the flesh Quest 4. Hovv prove you the major or first proposition Ans For the first Proposition it may be confirmed from this ground Revel 13.8 Heb. 13.8 That Christ is the same Lamb slain from the foundation of the World and Jesus Christ the same yesterday and to day and for ever First The same Saviour and Mediator High Priest Prophet and King of his Church Secondly The same Revealer of the Covenant of Grace as Prophet and in the same manner in respect of the substance of it 1 Cor. 10.1 2 3 4. Salvation by Christ and signes and seals of it as signifying and sealing the same inward Graces in the Old Testament and in the New although by different signes and seals And therefore what was instituted by Christ then to a beleever as a beleever and no way forbidden or revoked in the New Testament expresly nor by good consequence may be continued to beleevers and children of beleevers in the New Testament as well as in the Old Quest 5. How prove you the minor Ans Again for the second the minor Proposition or Assumption First That a signe and seal of the Righteousnesse of Faith and inward Circumcision or Regeneration of the heart was instituted by Christ to a beleever as a beleever and to children of a beleever as children of a beleever I conceive this is evident in that example of beleeving Abraham In the renewing of the Covenant of Grace to beleeving Abraham Gen. 19.3 4 c. Rom. 4.11 and his spiritual Seed and Christs appointing of circumcision not onely to Abraham himself as a seal of the covenant of Grace and Righteousnesse of Faith but to his children at eight dayes old And a signe and seal was still appointed to beleevers in the New Testament though not the same signe of circumcision yet Baptism And although Infants Matth. 28.19 20. Matth. 26. 1 Cor. 11.26 27. children of beleevers are not named in the Institution in the New Testament as they were in the Old to Abraham yet they are not prohibited and may virtually be included in the general Institution of baptism as well as women not named are virtually included in the Institution of the Lords Supper And so children of beleevers nay be baptized now in their infancy as well as children were circumcised then at eight dayes old by Christs his Institution and appointment to Abraham a beleever Quest 6. But how doth it appear that the Lord did renew the Covenant of Grace to Abraham a beleever as a beleever and appointed a circumcision a signe and seal of the Righteousnesse of Faith and inward circumcision of the heart to Abraham as a beleever and to Abrahams children as children of a beleever Otherwise the Argument will not hold that beleevers and their children should be baptized now as well as beleevers and their children were circumcised then Ans Whatsoever by vertue of Christs Institution did agree to and might be practised by all beleevers and professors of Religion and onely to beleevers and children of beleevers at all time after that Institution of Christ in the Old Testament that was appointed by Christ to a beleever as a beleever and to the children of beleevers as children of beleevers as being proper to them But circumcision that signe and seal of the righteousnesse of Faith and inward circumcision of the heart did agree to and might be practised by all beleevers and professors of themselves to be beleevers of the true Religion and onely beleevers and professors of themselves to beleevers And all times ordinarily to beleevers and professors of the true Religion and to their children and therefore circumcision that signe and seal of the righteousnesse of Faith was instituted by Christ to Abraham a beleever as a beleever and to the children of beleeving Abraham as children of a beleever And so it may still follow that a signe and seal of the righteousnesse of Faith though not circumcision yet baptism doth and may agree to beleevers converted and to children of beleevers as children of beleevers now as well as before the coming of Christ Quest 7. How is the first manifest or the second evident it is good Answ For the first Proprium quod convenit omni soli semper ejusdem specici Iosh 5.7 the Proposition that is evident from the right of property which agreeth to all beleevers and onely to beleevers as at all times to beleevers in the ordinary way except it be obstructed by extraordinary causes as Circumcision was in the Wildernesse And for the second the Assumption that will appear because all beleevers or professors of the Faith and true Religion were or might be circumcised if they would though they were not of Abrahams family Gen. 17.12 c. Here is no prohibition of them but a command if they were of Abrahams family whether children born in the house or strangers bought with money of any stranger though not of Abrahams Seed yet he must be circumcised if he come into Abrahams family and so become a professor of the true Religion and worshipper of the true God for which the Lord did know that Abraham would instruct his houshold after him All these must be circumcised as beleevers or professors of beleef in God and of the true Religion and hope of etâ—rnal life in Christ the Messiah to come But unbeleevers and such as did not nor would come in and be true beleevers in the true God and professors
though they were in the Church and taken as members until they were discovered and tryed and proved and cast out yet they were not true members of the Church nor true members of Christ nor any true members of the Congregation but in shew and outward appearance They were amongst the Saints but they were not of the Saints as John speaks They were and are indeed of the world they went out from us 1 Ioh. 2.18 19. but they were not of us but they went out from us that it might be known they were not all of us they were with and in the Church and yet they were not truly of the Church And howsoever this corruption was yet the Church did still remain a true Church and had many true Saints in Corinth although it had rotten and corrupt members which by right course and execution of Discipline should have have been cast out the Church And thus for the Saints sake though the Church of Corinth had false member and corrupt members and many Errors both in life and Doctrine yet the Apostle doth not un-Church the Church of Corinth or give way to a Schism or Separation for all this As a tree is a true tree although it have some rotten Branches Simile Or as a sick or wounded man is a true man although he be sick or wounded So a Church of Christ may be a true Church although it be sick and weak and wounded and full of imperfections both in matter and form as the Church of Corinth and other Churches of Christ have been and yet esteemed by Christ and his Apostles to be true Churches of Christ as the Scripture hold forth evidently unto us Now compare the Church of England or the Churches of Christ in England collectively though they be mixed Congregations yea divers of our Congregations in London and in the countrey where faithful and painful Ministers have been Preaching Baptizing Catechizing calling to profession of Faith and holinesse and approbation before the Admission to the Lords Supper where there hath been and is a communion of Saints as I know there hath been in divers places and mixed Congregations compare I say these with the Church of Corinth and by the same Argument that these Seducers may or can Separate or un-Church our Churches by the same the Saints or some of the Saints in Corinth might have separated from their fellow Saints and Church of Corinth which yet would have been a sin in them as it is a sin in these who separate and labour to seduce and draw others amongst us to separate from their fellow-Saints and to un-Church or make rents and Schisms and divisions in our Church which is a grievous sin against the Lord Christ the Lord and Head of his Body the Church Quest 38. But some will object It may be that there is not the same condition of our Church of London or any great mixt Congregation amongst us in respect of the matter as there was of Corinth For in Corinth it is most like that the greater part of the Church were Saints indeed or visible Saints in outward appearance at least But in our mixt Congregations commonly the greatest part visible ignorant prophane or scandalous persons or but civilly honest and formal professors at best and so are not to be compared to the Church of Corinth no not so much as for the matter of our Church Ans First Certainly men ought to be very careful as not to un-Church a Church so not to un-Christian a Professor for some failings in knowledge or practice 1 Cor. 13. 1 Pet. 4.8 Charity covers many failings and as the Apostle speaks Secondly Corinth was a great city wd Church and yet consider the divisions and other faults it is not certain which was the greater part the innocent or the faulty But howsoever grant that the Church were so decayed that that the greater part had onely a name to live and indeed were dead Rev. 3 1 2. as is spoken of the Angel or Church of Sardis Or that the greater part of the Church were grown Luke-warm Rev. 3.15 16. and such as Christ threatens to spew out of his mouth as the Church or Angel of Laodicea yet it may be a true Church of Christ for all this A Bushel of good Wheat in a Barn amongst three or four or more Bushels of chaff is yet a true Bushel of Wheat though it be mixed with much more chaff then Wheat Or an Army of men although consisting of more sick and wounded Souldiers and Officers then whole is yet a true Army though weak And so is a company of Professors of the Gospel of Christ enjoying a communion in Ordinances holding the truth of Christ and professing subjection thereunto Yet a true Church when the greater part be the worse yea both ignorant and scandalous but yet a sick Church and stands in need of the Reformation And thus is the Church of England and our great mixt Congregations true Churches for matter of a Church of Christ as the Church of Corinth was and not to be separated from or un-Churched for these coruuptions as Corinth was not whatsoever any seducers in this respect oppose to the contrary Quest 39. But howsoever this may prove our Churches as true as Corinth was for matter yet the Adversaries of our Church deny our Churches to be true Churches in Form And how will you Answer this Objection Ans I Answer the Form of a Church doth consist in union This union is two fold first internal with Christ our Head Eph. 1.22 23. 1 Cor. 12.13 Eph. 4.1 2 3. by the spirit and Faith The second is external of members one with another Now to understand this better and to declare that our Churches are true visible Churches of Christ in respect of outward Form Consider First the outward Form or union in respect of admission into a Church membership Secondly the outward Form of Ordination of Ministers and appointment of them for a Church and union with them Thirdly the outward Form in possession and profession of union with them in outward ordinances As First in the Word or Gospel Secondly in prayers Thirdly in the Sacraments Fourthly observe the outward Form of union in government and execution of Discipline in the Church I will not stand to handle these at large but touch them in brief First for outward Form of union in respect of admission into a Church we have shewed how men of ripe years Iews or Pagans converted to the Faith were admitted first after they had heard the Gospel and believed either with a false Faith as Simon Magus or with a true Faith as the Eunuch they did desire a union and admission into the Church by Baptism Secondly did make profession of their Faith Thirdly did intimate in this desire of Baptism and profession of Faith their receiving of Christ to be their Lord and Saviour and their Covenanting with the Lord to be his people And Fourthly
knowledge and till the face of my soul shine and be glorified with those glorious apprehensions of God in the face of Jesus Christ which are accompanied with joy unspeakable and full of glory The three and twentieth Classis or company of Questions 1 Question HOw may a Christian man or woman enliven the knowledge of himself that he or she may come fitly to the holy Sacrament Ans Having in the same manner first made choice of fit time And secondly place or at the same time and place Thirdly he or she may by the power of Christ examine his knowledge of himself and mankinde Gen. 1.27 and 1.31 and 28. Eccl. 7.29 First in respect of his estate by creation righteous and good Secondly of his state of corruption sin and death by Adams fall Gen. 6.5 Eccl. 7.29 Eph. 2.1 2 3. Col. 1.12 13 14. and 2.6 7. Mat. 5.8 and 19.29 Luk. 22.9 22.30 Rev. 7.14 and his or her misery and bondage under it a woful estate Thirdly of his state of Grace and bringing some to God in Christ in his effectual vocation or calling from the thraldom of sin and death by the Gospel and spirit of Christ Fourthly of state of glory looked for in Heaven Quest 2. What is the fourth means or how in the next place is this knowledge of a mans self to be quickened Ans By meditation and thinking of this fourfold estate First of Creation Secondly of the Fall Thirdly of Grace And fourthly of glory until my heart be truly and rightly affected with the consideration of it by the power of Christ and his spirit First till I can lament my fall and losse of Gods Image in my soul Psal 51.1 c. Rom. 10.7 8. Eph. 2.1 2 3. Mat. 5 2 8 6 5 2 Secondly till I can see and feel in my heart my natural corruption and bondage under sin and Satan yea my subjection by sin to the wrath of God and damnation for sin and my extreme need of Christ both for my redemption and repair of the Image of God in my soul Thirdly Rom. 8.12 Phil. 4.11 c. Eph. 5. i 2. 1 Cor. 2.9 2 Thes 2.13 2 Cor. 5.1 c. Phil. 1.20 c. 2 Pet. 1.10 11. Gen 1.27 31. Eccl. 7.29 Eph. 2.3 Mark 9.44 till I be affected with the state of Grace as a happy condition being freed from the condemning and commanding power of sin and death and enjoying a lively power from Christ to walk thankfully in grace and holinesse towards glory Fourthly till my heart be affected and ravished with thoughts of Heaven longing and labouring for the assurance of that most glorious and blessed state of glory and all this not by any strength of my own but by the vertue and power of Christ in my soul Quest 3. What is the fifth means of enlivening this knowledge in your own soul in special for your joyful meeting Christ in this Ordinance Ans Application of my knowledge of every state and condition to my own soul in particular First that I was made holy and happy in Gods own Image very good Secondly that I lost that happy estate and became most miserable under the bondage of sin and Satan and subject to the wrath of God and Hell fire for ever Thirdly that I redeemed from this miserable bondage under sin and death by my Lord Iesus Christ 1 Pet. 1.18 19. Gal. 2.20 1 Pet. 1.3 c. Eph. 1.10 c. Phil. 1.20 c. Tim. 4.7 8. Mat. 25.34 who loved me and gave himself for me Fourthly that I am perswaded there is a glorious inheritance in Heaven which God hath prepared and Christ hath purchased for me and that when I have fought my fight and finished my course the Lord shall then give it me in my soul when I shall be dissolved and be with Christ which is far better and at the resurrection of the just and unjust I shall a rise and in soul and body possesse that Kingdom of Glory for ever Quest 4. How or by what means may your knowledge of Christ be enlivened Ans First in a time fitly chosen And secondly a place for this work Thirdly examine and catechize my soul in the knowledge of Christ as he is set forth unto me in this or the like catechism or as the Lord hath revealed this knowledge of Christ unto me First in his natures Divine and humane Secondly In this personal union of both natures in one person Thirdly In his offices of mediatorship Priest Prophet and King of his Church Fourthly Ioh. 1.14 Isa 9.6 Psa 110.1 Isa 61.1 2 3. Rom. 8.29 30. Luke 1.31 Gal. 4.2 3 4. in his benefits and graces communicated as of Election Redemption Calling Justification Sanctification and Adoption to glory and the like All proved and noted before Quest 5. What is a fourth help in which you may wait on Christ for your enlivening your divine knowledge of the Lord Iesus and what light from Christ for this Answer Meditation of Christ according to my knowledge in all these untill I see Christs glory and rejoyce in Christ Psal 104 33 34. Ioh. 8.56 Isa 61.10 Can. 5.1 2 3 4. Cant. 1.2 3 4. Cant. 1.1 2 3 4. Cant. 5.8 9 10. Iohn 20.27 28 29. Rom. 8.9 Rom. 9.38 39. Galat. 2.20 and fall in love and be ravished with divine longing after a more full union and enjoyment of Christ and his rich graces and benefits in my soul Fifthly in application of Christ and his vertue and efficacy of his grace in his whole office of mediatorship as high Priest Prophet and King untill I see I live and feel the life-blood of grace and vertue from Christ in assurance of Christs love springing in my soul as I sometimes feel my life-blood springing in my body Quest 6. What is a sixt and last help of enlivening the knowledge of Christ in you Answer Waiting upon God in faithfull and fervent prayers to God in the name of Christ untill I gain an answer of grace Psal 85.8 9. Gen. 41.16 Psal 42.1 2 3. and finde and feel life from Christ to quicken graces in me that I may come with more longing to meet Christ in the Sacrament walk with Christ in my life Quest 7. How or by what means may you enliven your knowledge of the Sacrament Answer By the same meanes I may wait upon Christ as before First choose a fit time Secondly a fit place Thirdly examine my knowledge of the Sacraments especially of the Lords Supper in the severall particulars as is expressed in the Catechisme before or in the Scripture of truth of author matter form and end and the like Quest 8. What is the fourth help Fourthly to meditate of the Sacrament and Christ communicating himselfe to prepared souls untill my heart be filled with spirituall hunger and longing to meet Christ in that holy ordinance as David to come into Gods presence Psal 63.1 2 3 4. 5. or as Israel longed
14.22 23. the bodily ears must hear the bodily hand must receive and the bodily mouth must eat and feed on the outward Elements of Bread and Wine in the Sacrament And secondly the acts or operations of the soul or of the inward man The spiritual eye of the soul must see the ear of faith must hear the hand of faith must receive and apply Christ the mouth of faith must feed on Christ So you see there are two sorts of eyes the eys of the body the eys of the soul And two sorts of ears the ears of the body and the ears of the soul And two sorts of hands the hands of the body and the hands of the soul And two sorts of mouthes the mouth of the body and the mouth of the soul Rom. 10.6 c. Iohn 6.54 c. And so all the objects and Sacramental acts or actions at the Lords Table So by faith we spiritually feed on Christ Quest 3. Are there not two sorts of objects about which these bodily and spiritual senses are to be exercised Ans Yes there are first outward visible objects of Bread and Wine with all the audible and visible acts and operations of Christs Ministers Mat. 26.26 c. and Christs people in the several Sacramental actions and branches of the Lords Supper Secondly Inward invisible and heavenly acts of Christ and graces from Christ in the institution of this Sacrament and participation thereof presented and communicated to faithful receivers at the Lords Table and each of these corporal and spiritual answering one another in every particular object branch or Sacramental action in this sacred Ordinance in and about which the acts and operations of the soul and body and inward man are to be chiefly exercised in time of this solemn feast with the Lord Jesus Quest 4. What are these acts and operations of the soul and body thus to be exercised at the Lords Table Ans There are chiefly these three First diligent Observation of every Sacramental action and object of the soul or body The second Divine Meditation of every of them Thirdly spiritual and faithful Application of all to my own soul for my joy and comfort in this holy Ordinance Quest 5. What or how many are the Sacramental actions or objects of senses corporal or spiritual in which these senses and operations of the soul and body are to be exercised and these acts of the soul to be busied at the Lords Table Ans There are divers but chiefly these ten which follow First a Sacramental preparation of Bread and Wine on the Lords Table Secondly a Sacramental invitation to draw near to the Lords Table with eyes of body or soul when we are come rightly prepared Thirdly Sacramental Consecration first of the Bread to be received and after of the Wine to be drunk at the Lords Table Fourthly Sacramental Representation of Christs Death and Passion by breaking of the Bread and powring out of the Wine upon the Lords Table to shew the Lords death till he come Fifthly Sacramental Commemoration and doing this in memory of Christ with a thankful remembrance of Christs Death for my sins and for my salvation Sixthly Sacramental Congratulations or Christs welcom to his guests at his Table Take eat Take drink Seventhly Sacramental Foederation or Covenant-promises held forth by Christ when he took the Bread and said This is my Body and took the Cup and said This Cup is the New Testament in my Blood shed for many for remission of sins Eigthly Sacramental Participation by the mouth of the body of the outward Elements and by the mouth of faith feeding on Christ himself and his benefits to my soul Ninthly Sacramental Vnion and Communion with Christ and all his merits and benefits with my head and with the Saints as my fellow-members of the same mystical body of Christ with whom I do partake and have communion at the Lords Table Tenthly Sacramental Obsignation or sealing and communication of this spiritual union and communion with Christ and of all graces from Christ to my believing-Covenanting-soul renewing my general and particular Vows and Protestations to God in Christ as Christ reneweth and re-confirms his Covenant of grace and love to my soul in this Sacrament at the Lords Table Matthew 22.1 2 3 4. and 26.26 c. 1 Cor. 11.25 26. and 10.16 17. Quest 6 What is the first Sacramental action word or object of your bodily or spiritual sences about which the acts and operations of the soul or body are to be exercised when you are to draw near to the Lords Table Ans Sacramental invitation when the voyce of the Minister of Christ having expressed 1. The inestimable benefits communicated to the Saints in this Sacrament 2. The Author 3. The Institution 4. The ends 5. The use of it to Believers 6. The profit of it 7. The great preparation required And 8. The danger of coming unprepared 9. The solemn Admonition and Dehortation to all ignorant scandalous and prophane persons that they stand back and presume not to approach the Lords Table least they eat judgement to themselves and drink their own damnation as 1 Cor. 11.19 And 10. Invitation calling and embracing and emboldening me with all Saints truly prepared to draw neer and partake of that blessed feast which according to the institution example and command of Christ is there prepared for me and them at the Lords Table as Matthew 22.4 Quest 7. What must you do when you hear this voyce of the Minister of Christ sounding to the ears of your body and inviting you to draw near to the Lords Table Ans I should be careful by the power of Christ to wait on Christ in these three acts noted before 1. Rightly to observe and consider what is spoken by the Minister of Christ in this invitation 2. To meditate and think by the power of Christs spirit what this invitation is and what a joyful thing it is to be invited to the Table of the Lord Jesu 3. To labour by the same power of Christs spirit Psa 104.34 to apply this invitation to my own soul as to one believing and longing for refreshing from Christ to the joy and comfort of my soul and the reviving of my spirit in Christ Jesus Quest 8. How must you exercise the ear of your faith Ans In attention as if I heard the voyce of Christ from heaven Cant. 5.1 calling me spiritually to feast with him at his Table Quest 9. What is the second object or Sacramental action or object which answereth your corporal sence of Seeing in the Celebration of this holy Sacrament Ans The Sacramental preparation of the outward Elements of Bread and Wine which I see set upon the Table or made ready to be consecrated Mark 14.22 23. and set apart for that holy Ordnance when I am come to the Lords Table Quest 10. What is that spiritual sense and spiritual object which answereth the spiritual sense of
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
appointed us to labour six dayes Secondly the Lords own example in Resting also from worke the seventh day and Rested the seventh day Thirdly the Lords institution and appointment of the seventh day to be a holy Rest for his service wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it Quest 6. But is there no worke to be done upon the Sabbath day nor by any manner of persons Answ I answer yes first workes of piety may be done by all in their severall places and in particular by the Ministers of Christ as of old time the Priests did performe their workes upon the Sabbath day Mat. 12.5 and were blamelesse and as men went a Sabbath dayes jorney to the Prophets Acts 1.12 2 Kings 4 22 23. and places appointed for Gods publike worship Secondly workes of Mercy and Charity may be done upon the Sabbath day without blame as being acceptable to God at all times in Christ Jesus Acts 20.9 1 Cor. 16.2 Luke 14.5 and not condemned on that day but appointed Thirdly workes of necessity which require present helpe and could not have been done the day before nor stay untill the day following Mark 2.23 24 25 26 27. Mat. 12.11 12. Luke 13.15 15 16. these workes may also bee done upon the Sabbath day as necessary provision of meate for man or beast the necessary worke of the Phisitian or others for a sick or disseased person or of a Chyrurgeon for the wounded or a Midwife or others for Women in travell all such workes of necessity in truth and without hypocrisie may be done upon the Sabbath day But other Workes which are neither workes of piety of Charity nor of true necessity I believe ought not to be done upon that day Quest But is not the Sabbath day ceremoniall and so to be abolished Colos 2.16 17. or at least to be left at liberty now in the time of the Gospell since the Apostle seemeth to hold forth a Sabbath as a ceremony in that Epistle to the Collossians and before to the Galatians he blameth them for observing dayes and moneths and yeares Gala. 4.10 Is not the Sabbath day then abolished by the Comming of Christ Ans First I answer it is certaine there were diverse Sabbaths which the Jewes were required to sanctifie Levit. 23.38 39 c. Ezek. 20.21 and not to prophane or pollute as is evident by that of the Prophet Ezekiel they polluted my Sabbaths then I said I will poure out my fury upon them Thus in this sence the name Sabbath was applied to all those Ceremoniall Levit. 23.26 27 28 29 30 31 32. Feastivalls yea and daies of Fastings which were to be kept without doing any worke on those dayes as a Sabbath or Rest of the Lord. Levit. 23.15 16. Levit. 25.2 3. Lâ—vit 25.8 9. Againe there was a Sabbath of Sabbaths and a Sabbath of yeares when was the yeare of Jubile and these were Ceremoniall Types indeed and Shadowes with the Sacrifices and services herein And of these I conceive the Apostle speakes as abolished and in which the children of God in the Gospell are not to be condemned Colos 2.17 because Christ who is the body figured by all these is come But he doth not speake of this Sabbath which the Lord commanded to be sanctified in the Decalogue or Ten Commandements at least in no wise of the substance of the Commandement that a Seventh day is to be sanctified as holy to the Lord. Quest 8. But wherefore then is not the Seventh day from the Creation kept as a Sabbath day or by what authority is this Seventh day now sanctified and kept as a Sabbath called in Scripture the Lords Day Ans First Isai 56.2 3 4 5. the keeping of a seventh day for a Sabbath is absolutely morall and perpetuall instituted in Paradise before the fall and in the Decalogue or Ten Commandements given on Mount Sinai and that Commandement bindes to a seventh day for ever Secondly although there be not an absolute command in the New Testament to change the day evidently held forth unto us yet there is Divine Authority sufficient in the constant practize of the Apostles and Saints to meete on this seventh day Acts 2.46 Acts 20.7 8 c 1 Cor. 16.1 2. being then called the first day of the weeke to performe the duties of the Sabbath on this day in Preaching and Hearing of the word and receiving of the Sacrament called breaking of bread and in Prayer and giving Almes and the like as being the Lords owne day as the day of the Lords Resurrection and to be sanctified as the Lords day to meet Christ in all his Ordinances of the Sabbath Revel 1.10 as John the 〈◊〉 Divine was ravished in the spirit and met Christ on that day for the great comfort of himselfe and the Churches of Christ that day then called and esteemed and reckoned to be the Lords own day and so to be kept as the Lords day by the Churches of Christ Quest 9. What is the generall duty required in this fourth Commandement and what light from Christ for this duty Ans To be mindefull of and remember the Sabbath Isai 58.13 Heb. 4.9.10 Mark 1.35 39. or Lords day to keep it as a day of Rest from our own works and bodily labour and as a spirituall rest from the sinfull workes of our soules and bodies and to sanctifie it as a holy Rest in the performance of the Lords Workes of holinesse and his holy service to glorifie the Lord of Sabbath in a speciall manner on that Day Quest 10. What is the generall sinne forbidden in this Commandement Ans All prophanation of the Sabbath or Lords day Isaia 58.13 by ommission of Gods workes or performing of our owne workes or worldly businesse of this life outward in our bodies except in case of true extraordinary necessity or performing of any our owne workes of sinne in bodies or soules as all other dayes so especially onâ— the Lords day or the day of Gods Rest Heb. 4.9.10 and Sabbath Day Quest 11. What are the particular duties required for the sanctification of the Christian Sabbath or Lords day what light from Christ for these Ans They are diverse wee may remember these especiall First a preparation for the right sanctification of this day by minding of it before it come that we may be more fit to serve the Lord in it when it is come and by rising early in the morning as bodily health will suffer that wee may have time to exercise preparative duties before wee come to the publike Ordinances Quest 12. What is the sinne contrary unto this Ans To forget the Lords Day or be so unmindfull of it as either in our own persons or by compelling or suffering our children or servants so long to labour Ex. 12.3.6 Exo. 3.5 Ex. 19.10.15 Deut. 33.3 Mat 27.62 As Amos 4.12 so here and over-wearie our bodies or spirits on
wife to be of a contentious brawling spirit Prov. 21.9.19 unquiet provoking disposition in the house of her Husband or toward her Husband wheresoever a contentious woman is there is like a continuall droping Prov. 27.15 which rotteth and consumeth a house to destruction Fourthly Gen. 2.18.23 Eccles 25. Prov. 31.12 the wife sinnes that is not a helper and cherisher of her Husband in sicknesse and in health doing him good and not evill all the dayes of his life Fifthly a wife sinneth in helping provoking 1 Kings 21 25. and furthering of her Husband to Commit or Act wickednesse as Jezabell did Ahab he sold himselfe to work wickednesse in the sight of the Lord whom Iezabell his wife stirred up Sixthly It is a sinne of the wife to be an unprofitable house-wife Prov. 31.27 either carelesse or negligent at home of her Husbands Estate Prov. 7.11.12 Prov. 12.4 not looking to the wayes of her Houshold or in often frequent gadding from home upon idle and unnecessary occasions to the shame of her Husband and neglect of her duty of Coadjutrix or fellow-helper-ship in Government of the Family to Gods Glory and their mutuall good Quest 7. The Commom and particular duties of Husbands towards their wives and of wives towards their Husbandâ— you have revealed by light from Christ now what are the duties of Parents or Fathers and Mothers of Families towards their Houshold and Families Answ They are to Rule their own Houses well 1 Tim. 3.4 Psal 101.1 2 3. c Rom. 16.5 and to Govern them Religiously according to the word of God that their House may be as one of the Churches of Christ Quest 8. In what particulars are they thus to rule and Govern their Families Answ Chiefly in those four particulars viz. Instruction Correction Provision and Example Quest 9. How and wherein ought Parents and Masters of Families to Rule and Order their Housholds by Instruction Answ Not only by Commanding and taking Care that their Houshold and Family do Sanctifie Gen. 20.10 Deut. 6.6 7. and keep holy the Lords day in frequenting the Publike Ordinances but also Catechizing them imprivate 2 Tim. 3.15 and instructing them in the first principles of the Oracles of God Quest 10. In what Correction are they to exercise this Houshold Government what light from Christ herein Answ In exercising of discipline towards their Children and Servants First in words Mat. 5.22 wise Admonitions and holy Reproofes not with reviling Termes Cursing or Banning as too many but convincing reasons out of Gods word Secondly with Moderate and Discreet Correction Prov. 13.24 Jerem. 30.11 Prov. 22.15 Prov. 10.13 not in mercilesse rigour and madd frenzie But in measure as God doth his Children and in pitty and compassion as sorry for such an affliction that they have such Children or Servants sent of God who stand in need of the Rod most fit for the Asses back Quest 11. With what provision ought they to provide for and order their Families with Answ That which is convenient and necessary for them 1 Tim. 5.8 Food and Rayment and comfortable rest in due time Prov. 31.15 c. Quest 12. How ought Parents and Governours of Families men or women to be examples to their Housholds Children or Servants Answ I Answer they are to be leaders and patternes to their Houshold Children and Servants in their words and actions especially in all the Practice of Christian Duties as becometh Saints of the Houshold of Faith Quest 13. You have held forth the duties of Parents of Families by a light from Christ now what are the sinnes which are contrary unto those duties and so a Breach of this first Commandement Honour thy Father and thy Mother what light from the spirit of Christ to know the said sinnes Answ First Parents and Governours of Families do sinne in not Commanding and causing Children and Servants to waite upon Christ in the publike Ordinances Gen. 18.19 Joshua 24.25 in not seeing them not onely to come to the Congregation but to abide there not as some who bring their Parents or Mistresses to Church and then slip out again and go to what they ought not Besides this Parents and Governours of Families sinne in not calling them to account what they have learned and how they have profited and what they have brought away of the Sermon Secondly Parents of Families sinne in not Catechizing Gen. 18 19. and Instructing their Children and Servants in the Grounds and Principles of Religion that they may be able to make a solemn profession of their Faith 1 Pet. 3.17 when they are called to declare their knowledge and to be approved for their admittance to the Lords Supper 2 Pet. 3.17 18. and to increase knowledge daily in their soules Thirdly Prov. 23.13.14 Governours of Families sinne in not giving moderate and fit correction to Children and Servants when need requireth it when words and admonition will not prevaile Prov. 10 1â— Prov. 29.15 then the Rod is Gods Ordinance so it be ordered in a right manner not to spare when necessity requireth Fourthly Colos 3.21 it is a sinne to provoke Children or Servants with reviling speeches Ephes 6.4.9 or to correct immeasurably without mercy or without mingling convincing reasons if they be able that correction is just and to be submitted unto as Gods Ordinance for the better Instruction of Children and Servants in their duties Fifthly 1 Tim. 5.8 Masters and Governours of Families sin in not providing for their Families Children and Servants what is convenient according to their abilities As Phillip 3.17 so c. As Gods Ministers spirituall Parents so all others Examples 1 Pet 5.3 Sixtly Parents and Masters of Families sinne in giving any evill examples to their Children or Servants either in their words or actions either by sinnes of Omission or Commission by which their Children and Servants may be encouraged to any evill or hindred or disheartned in what is good and well pleasing to God in Christ as spirituall so corporall Parents should be examples Quest 14. What are the generall sins of Children Servants or any inferiours in a Family contrary to these duties or to Superiours in this respect Answ To disobey the lawfull Commands Ephes 6.1.5 of their Superiours and especially of Parents and Masters of Families in any of these particulars Quest 15. The Common duties of Parents and Governours of Families are this held forth unto us what now are the particular duties of naturall Parents towards their Children and what light from Christ to learn these Answ Divers duties of naturall Parents to Children are already expressed Prov. 4.3.4 Psal 103.13 Isaiah 49.15 Gen. 25.28 Prov 19.18 Prov. 13.24 2 Sam 1â— 33 Job 1.4.5 Prov. 20.6 we may now say First naturall Parents duty is to love their Children with a naturall parentall love affectionatly ready to do them good upon all occasions
thirty years Studies and pains night and day rent in pieces and taken away the greatest part then and the rest after from a Garrison of the Parliament W. Manor taken by the same Earl of Newcastles Army And for all my losses besides what will be due to me upon the Publike Faith I expect no recompence but from the Lord except it please God to setle the Kingdom in Truth and Peace and to enable Your Honorable Houses of Parliament according to Your Religious Declarations to take notice of my losses as of others my Brethren and Companions in the same Tribulations Your faithful Friends and to direct a way of Reparation as to Your Wisdoms and Piety shall seem most convenient That Declaration of Both Kingdoms although I cannot say it was an encouragement unto me because I had lost all before yet I may say it was a a ground of comfort in faith and hope that the Lord would work mightily for these Kingdoms and so there might be some expectation of outward good and Reparation again in Gods due time to me or mine I must beg pardon for this digression And yet this I cannot but declare Hos 4.1 2. Prov. 29.18 That I am assured this abominable blinde prophane superstitious ignorance not only in that but in other parts of the Kingdom was one principal occasion of these and the like sad miseries both to me and many Thousands in the Land Ioh. 16.1 2 3. especially the Religious part who have commonly been the objects of the Malice and Rapine of these ignorant prophane or Popish persons besides their oppressions by other men not Religiously affected Now if Your Honours ask me What hath been or is the cause of this ignorance In all humility I Answer from my own experience I am certain a principal cause was and is want of Catechizing Acts 20 22. First by Ministers in their particular Congregations And secondly by Parents and Masters in their particular Families Gen. 18.18 19. without which I conceive it impossible to cure this deadly Malady of base ignorance or ever to have the common sort of people know how to serve or obey either God or man Isa 27.11 29.11 12. according to the light of Christ and good Laws Established in a Kingdom As the Eunuch said unto Philip Acts. 8.31 How shall I understand except some man shall guide me So may it be said of such kinde of uncatechized people But is not the fault then in Ministers I Answer assuredly it is in great part Jer. 10.21 5.31 6.10 29.12 Isa 56.10 c. Ezek. 34.1 2 3 4. though not altogether First in many idle carelesse unconscionable Ministers who have had means sufficient to maintain them and common knowledge enough to instruct in the Principles of Religion but wanted Grace to perform their duties and in particular this duty of Catechizing Secondly in too many others Ier. 23.1 2. Zac. 11.16 17. blinde ignorant Ministers who have neither maintenance sufficient nor grace or abilities to perform their duties ns they ought Iudg. 17.10 1 Kin. 12.31 like Micahs Levite or Jeroboams Priests of the basest of the People And how can it be expected there should be Preaching and Catechizing in a right order where Ministers have but twenty Nobles or Ten pounds a year for their maintenance and twenty or thirty pounds a very high rate in esteem of some men where some have been constrained to keep common Ale-houses to get a livelyhood as they professed in my hearing and I have seen proved upon Oath in the High Commission where not so long since that I can forget their kindenesse in three years attendance Commissions and Hearing it cost me Three hundred pounds at least of my own purse besides my losse of my time and this for my Preaching too often as they Judged and keeping Fasting and Praying too long spending the most of the day an offence unsufferable as some learned in that Court were pleased at my sentence then publikely to aver although it was in the Plague time and when I thought I had both Kingly Episcopal Authority sufficient From the King A Proclâ—matioÌ„ And an Order from the Bishops for the Fasts And I am sure I Fasted and Prayed no otherwise then with my Congregation but as now is the constant Monethly practise of this Honorable Parliament and the Religious party in the Kingdom but all that saved me little in that Court There was blinde ignorance there as well as amongst those poor ignorant Ministers I spoke of before and such Ministers Ale-house keepers I my self have known in some places where there are great impropriations appropriated in times of Popery to Deans and Chapters and leased out to such as receive the profits but take no care at all for the souls of the people and too many of them yet in the hands of such who now are or have been open Enemies to the Parliament so that the people perish for lack of knowledge Hos 4.6 because for lack of convenient maintenance they want Ministers faithfully to Preach and Catechize as becometh the Ministers of Christ Verily every one will say the disease is lamentable But how can this be remedied fit maintenance provided or faithful Ministers procured to Preach and Catechize the people in this great Kingdom I Answer as Bernard once did in another matter Bern. in Cant. Non est meae humilitatis dictare vobis It is not for my humility Right Honorable to Dictate any thing nor was I called amongst my Reverend Brethren to Advise and except the golden Scepter of Grace be held forth unto me Esth 4.11 5.2 I may seem to have presumed too far already But since it hath pleased the Lord of Hosts so highly to honour You Give me leave I most humbly beseech You as a poor though a weak and unworthy Minister of Jesus Christ and as Gods Ministers have been in Ancient time unto Mighty Princes in all humility to became a Remembrancer Isa 62.6 7. as I have many times been unto God for You so now unto You for God You well know faithful Abraham that great Conquering Prince over four Kings at once that Religious Father of his Family Gen. 14.9 c. how careful he was to instrust and Catechize his Houshold and the Lord taketh special notice of it Gen. 18.18 c. and makes him one of his secret Counsel Christian Kings Princes and Magistrates are the Fathers of the Common-wealth and it is a high honour the Lord exalteth them unto to take care the Common-wealth which is their Family be Catechized in the knowledge of the Lord and of his will in Christ 2 Kin. 19.8 c. 2 Chron. 29.11 33.29 c. Yea somtimes to admonish and charge the Lords Ministers to perform their duties in the work of the Lord as those good Kings Jehoshaphat Hezekiah Eusebius in vita Constant and Josiah did in
and benefits for his Church and children and what they are in particular Election Redemption Vocation and the excellent priviledge of Justification for comfort of Saints Classis 14. Quest 1. p. 142. 143 c. VVHat is the great blessing and benefit of adoption the difference betweene a naturall and an adopted Sonne and Daughter and how we may know we are the adopted children of God in Christ Jesus and heires with Christ of glory Qu. 2. p. 144 c. What is the great benefit of the new creation and how a man or woman may know they are now creatures Qu. 3 p 146 147 c. What is the benefit of the presence of Christs Spirit and what other particular graces Christ communicates to his Church Qu. 4.149 150 c. What a true Church of Christ is who are the members how manifold it is what are the markes of it and whether there bee so many Independent Churches as there are particular Congregations of Porfessors in the world Whether there may be a separation from a true Church for some corruption in Doctrine or manners and how far Qu. 5. p. 154 c. Whether the Church of Christ may erre in Fundamentalls totally and finally P. 206 297. Qu. 6. p. 157 158 c. with the grounds of preseverance and whether this doctrine of assurance doth open a way to libertinisme Classis 15. VVHat knowledge of the Sacraments is necessary for a comfortable partaking of the Lords Supper Qu. 1. p. 160 c. what kinde of mystery a Sacrament is How it is a signifying and sealing action and the Covenant of Grace which is sealed How many Sacraments there are of Christs institution Qu. 2. p. 164 c. what difference between those before and since the comming of Christ who may administer and what are the outward and inward matter and forme of the Sacraments in generall with the union between the signe and the thing signifyed Classis 16. Qu. 1. p. 170 c p. 290. VVHo are the subjects or persons to be Baptized according to the institution of Christ and whether Infant Children of believing Parents and what evidence and light from Christ to prove this against the adversaries of Poedobaptisme Qu. 2. p. 194 c. What meanes to difference the Church from the world without Rebaptization of men and women professing their faith with the profit of Baptisme if Infants in the Church Classis 17. Qu. 1. p. 210 c. VVHat the Sacrament of the Lords Supper is by whom instituted and when what are the outward things signified and sealed and what kind of body of Christ the receiver doth partake of or hath communion and union with in the Ordinance the naturall or Sacramentall or spiriticall or Mysticall Body of Christ and how and in what manner each or any of these is in the Sacrament What are the outward and inward form in the Sacrament Qu. 2. p. 217 c. and what the Analogy and agreement betweene the signes and the things signified and in particular betweene the Bread and the Body of Christ Classis 18. VVHat is the Analogy and similitude between the Wine in the Sacrament and the bloud of Christ Qu. 1. p. 221 222 c. and how the things signified are present with the outward signes to a faithfull communicant if neither by transsubstantiation as Papists nor by consubstantiation as others whether by a locall presence or Sacramentall or spirituall or virtuall and what every of these kind of presence are and how to he understood What are the ends why the Lords Supper was ordained Q. 2. p. 22â— c. and the sweet union and communion we have with Christ and the Saints for our strengthening in thâ—â— sacred Ordinance Classis 19. Qu. 1. p. 229 230 c. VVHat is fit to be knowne concerning the outward circumstances of time place and gestures in giving or receiving the Sacrament whether Christian churches and particular members may not use liberty of conscience in these particularly in standing kneeling or sitting and upon what grounds Qu. 2. p. 23â— c. VVhether it be necessary that the Minister deliver the Bread and Wine to every communicant in particular and whether Christ did so whether all ought not to endevour a uniformity with the Directory and practice of that church of which hee or shee is a member and what hath beene the practice of antiquity in things indifferent as seeking Vnity and Peace in the Church Classis 20. VVHat the grace of Faith is Qu. 1. p. 241 c. the severall acceptations of faith in Scripture what justifying faith is and when a man or woman is rightly disposed by Christ and his Spirit to believe and receive Christ for salvation Who is the principall worker of faith Qu. 2 p. 244 c. who the instrumentall what is the matter and forme of faith what are the lively effects of it what the ends of it namely the glory of God and salvaiion of our soules Classis 21. VVHat the grace of Evangelicall Repentance Qu. 1. pag. 249. and conversion to God is with the author or meanes and manner of working the subject matter the whole Man or Women soule and body The forme mortification of the old man and vivification of the new and the end of it the glory of God the edification of our Neighbour and assurance of our eternall salvation Qu. 2. p. 255 c. What the necessary grace of Christian love and charity is wherein and with whom it is to be exâ—rcised in the Church namely to every one that is our Neighbour but especially the household of faith and our fellow Saints in the church of Christ Q. 3. p. 258 c. How we may know who are of the household of Faith and rightly admitted to be fellow Saints or Members of the church and of the twofold entrance and admission into the Church the first inward and spirituall the second outward corporall and visible with the severall degrees of spirituall entrance into church-fellowship or christianity not almost but altogether And how the church may be sayd to be universall nationall provinciall or congregationall Q. 4. p. 264 c. How manifold the outward corporall on visible entrance and admission is into the visible church namely but one in substance yet diversly acted in the church both in men and woemen of ripe yeares and children before Christ and of the Jnfant â—dmission of children into the Church and Proselytes in and after Abrahams time Q 5 p 273 c. Whether circumcision was unto Abraham a seale of the covenant of workes or of the covenant of grace and how that place is to bee understood Galat. 5. hee that is circumcised is bound to keepe the whole Law What was the outward manner of admission into the Church since Christs time for men of ripe yeares Q. 6. p. 278 c. and
the description of a visible Church and whether Christ or his Apostles did unchurch a church for some failings and whether it be lawfull for others to do so Whether children of Believers Baptized have an infant membership in the church Q 7 p. 290 c p. 170. and of their more full admission and entring into covenant when they come to make profession of faith and are admitted to the Lords Supper Whether any of our mixt congregations in England and London in particular Q. 8. p. 296 297 c. c 154. be true Churches for matter and forme as the Churches of Corinth Galatia Pergamus and others in the Primitive times and whether all Separatists doe not sinne in separating from us and unchurching of us contrary to the practice of Christ and his Apostles VVhether our Ministers bee true Ministers or Antichristian Q. 9. p. 315 316 c. and whether their Ordination and calling bee lawfull to particular Congregations Qu. 10. p. 322.323 c. Whether our Churches be rightly constituted in respect of a formall union of members and rightly ordered for discipline admission unto or suspending from the Lords Supper and whether some failings in discipline can make our Churches to be no true churches of Christ but Antichristian and to be separated from and whether our Church reforming be as a house pulled down and no church untill it be builded up againe Classis 22. Qu. 1 332 c. HOw all these graces of knowledge Faith Repentance and Love are to bee enlivened and particularly our knowledge of God with particular helpes and directions herein Classis 23. Qu. 1. p. 341 c. HOw a man or woman may waite on Christ to enliven this knowledge of themselves of Christ and of the Sacraments and how they may waite on Christ to enliven their Faith their Repentance and their charity that they may come more comfortably to the Lords Table Classis 24 25. VVHat are the foure immediate preparatory graces to bee quickened Qu. 1. p. 357 c. and acted before we draw neer to the Sacrament sorowfull humblenesse sacred hunger heavenly joyfulnesse and covenant renewing How men or women may know whether they have life of grace Qu. 2. p. 363 364 c. and be Gods children or not with divers particular examples of the manner of converting of men and women to God and speciall comforts to doubting Christians with a direction how to live by faith Classis 26. VVHerefore God suffers doubtings to be in his children Qu. 1. p. 385 c. with helps to keepe from dispaire comforts against decay in grace and directions to live by faith untill Christ bring out of darkenesse and bring light of comfort to a poor fearfull soule Classis 27 28. Qu. 1. p. 408 c. VVHat are the present acting graces Sacramentall actions and operations or exercises both of bodily and spirituall senses in the time of celebration of the Lords Supper for refreshing of our soules at the Lords Table Classis 29. Qu. 1. p. 450 c. VVHat graces are to be exercised imediately after receiving before wee depart and how wee should goe home rejoycing and feast with sweete Meditations of Christ and the Sacrament every night when we go to bed and Morning when we awake with the rich graces and benefits are sealed and wee may finde in a dayly communion with Christ in our soules Q. 2. p. 456 c What those subsequent graces are to be exercised and practized for or in the manifestating of our thankefulnesse in the whole course of our lives particularly the Root Grace of Love manifested in our obedience First in believing what is to be believed according to the Word of God and ancient Creeds agreeing to and with the Scriptures Classis 30. THe manifestation of our love and our obedience in walking Qu. 1. p. 472 c. and the Ten Commandements held forth as a light from â—hrist to leade us unto Christ and a directory for our comfortable walking with Christ in the whole course of our lives in particular the explication of the first Commandement The 2 Section of the 30 Classis VVHat is the second Commandement with the explication of it Qu. 1. p. 493 c. and in the use a light from Christ How to discover all false lights and false worships in the world contrary to the light of Christ that they may be avoyded and the true light followed The 3 Section of the 30 Classis WHat the Third Commandement is with the duties required Q. 1. p. 534 c. and sinne forbidden and the use of it as a light from Christ to lead unto Christ both as a justifyer and sanctifyer that we may walke comfortably with Christ in our lives The 31 Classis Qu. 1. p. 545 c. VVHat the fourth Commandement is with the explication of it and how it is a light from Christ to lead us unto Christ as a justifyer and sanctifyer with the benefit and end of the Commandement for the comfort of Christs church The 32 Classis Q. 2. p. 575 VVHat are the Commandements of the second Table and in particular the first Commandement with the duties commanded and the sinnes forbidden as they concerne superiours and inferiours in generall both in respect of commutative and distributive justice The 33 Classis Q. 1. p. 597. c. WHat are the particular duties of superiours and inferiours according to their severall Relations first in the oeconomicall or household estate of Husbands and Wives Parents and children Masters and servants with directions how to get strength to performe them Secondly in the state Ecclesiasticall Ministers and People page 634. c. and in particular whether Ministers have any maintenance due to them in the New Testament by Ordinance of Christ Page 639. c. or are to live onely of almes and charity of the people And what the office of Rulers and Elders is in the church Page 632. Thirdly in the State politicall the duties of Magistrates and people Page 654 c. with light from Christ to leade to Christ in the use and practice of them The 33 Classis 2 Section WHat are the sixt last Commandemens in their Order with the sinns forbidden and duties commanded Q. 1. p. 657 c. with light from Christ to direct the children of God not to rest in any duties or performances of duties but on Christ for justification and yet to glorifie God in and for and by every grace given to us in Christ Jesus Whether a bare forme or saying of prayer be sufficient Q. 2. p. 679 c. in what manner we ought to pray and praiâ—â— God with directions how to attaine the gift of Prayer 〈◊〉 helpe of Christs Spirit Page 681. c. and an example of a man who could not Read yet learned to pray for the comfort of himselfe and encouragement of others Quest
How may we make use of this the Catechismel or the lesser to best profit of private families or others First the Master or some one in the Family may read the Question and then first every one in order declare their knowledge or shew their ignorance and inability to answer Secondly the Master or any other may Reade the Answer in the Booke and let every one in order render the Answer again not verbatim word by word but as hee or shee understands the Question Thirdly let this be practized untill every one is able to give the sence of the Answer onely upon Reading of the Question without Reading the Answer The like a Christian man or woman may do in their closets by Reading and Meditation and questioning themselves And if young Scholars in the Vniversities or elsewhere make use of it at times convenient onely Reading the Questions and Answers out of the English into Latine or Greek I conceive it might be helpefull to receive some light from Christ by which they may sooner be prepared to hold forth the light of Christ for the good of Christs Church Which for the benefit of the Vniversities Cities and Kingdomes is the dayly Prayers of Yours Theirs and the Churches Servant in Christ IMMANUEL BOURNE London Printed for John Wright in the Old Bayly at the signe of Kings Head 1646. FINIS A light from Christ leading unto Christ by the Star of his word and to a lively refreshing in and by Christ at the Lords-Table OR A Divine Help and Directory for preparation to a sweet Communion with Christ in the more comfortable partaking of the Lords Supper Divided into thirty three severall Classes or companies of Question the better to order practise and help the memory The first Classis or company of Questions 1 Question IS every man and woman who professe themselves Christians bound in conscience to make confession or profession of their Faith and Hope in Christ to whomsoever is fit to require it in a fit time and place to Gods glory and the good of Gods Church and Children Answer Yes verely the holy Spirit of Truth holdeth forth this in the Scripture of Truth Mat. 16.23 14 15 16. Luke 9.25 26. 1 Pet. 3.14 15 16. as a Christian duty not to be ashamed of Christs Word or afraid of men but to sanctifie the Lord God in our hearts and to be ready to give an Answer to every man that asketh a Reason of the hope that is in us with meeknesse and reverence Quest 2. But doth not the holy Apostle Paul require a man to examine himself and prove himself What then need any man or woman 1 Cor. 11.28 29. 2 Cor. 13.5 1 Pet. 3.14 15. Gal. 6.4.5 Gal. 2.8 Col. 3.20.22 He. 13.17 1 Tit. 14,26 1 Tit. 5.17 2 Tim. 2.24 c. or childe give an Answer to the Examination or Question of another Ans The Apostle Paul indeed doth strictly require self-examination but neither he nor any other in Scripture doth forbid or gainsay that which the same Spirit of God in St. Peter requireth as a duty namely give a reason of the hope that is in us especially to our Superiours in order of nature or office in the Church as to Parents or masters to Teaching or Ruling Elders especially when it is desired discreetly holily humbly as in Gods presence with meeknesse compassion and love for Gods glory our own Edification and the good of Gods Church Quest 3. Is Catechizing or Instruction of the ignorant Children and others of ancient practice and approved authority in the Church of God Ans Most certainly it is Gen. 18.18 Mat. 16.16 17. Heb. 5.12 13. Heb. 6.1 2 3. Eusebius l. 5. c. 9.10 Hicronim in catalo Eusebius l. 6. c. 56. Faithfull Abraham instructed his Family Christ Catechized his Disciples the Apostles gave both milk for Babes and meat for strong men laying down the principles of the Doctrine of Christ and Catechisme hath still been continued in the Church of Christ as Catechismes and Catechists witnesse at large and in particular Pantaenus a Catechist in the Primitive times succeeding the Apostles After him Clemens Alexandrinus Origen and others Quest 4. But may not all those who call themselves Christians and have been Baptized when they were Infants be admitted to the Sacrament when they come to riper years although they were never Catechized or be they never so ignorant And if so Then what need Catechismes or Catechizing or any Examination other then wha man can examine himself Ans All are not Israel that are of Israel nor are all true Christians that call themselves Christians Rom. 9.6 Rev. 3.9 as some said they were Iews and were not but were of the Synagogue of Satan so it is now there are many Christians in name or Baptized persons not only secret Hypocrites undiscerned of whom we cannot judge but open carelesse and notoriously ignorant of Christ and Christianity yea without the knowledge of God or of themselves or of Christ or of the Sacrament in any competent measure requisite to enable them to examine themselves as the Scripture 1 Cor. 11.28 and the Spirit of Christ in the Scriptures require and these I conceive though some men account them visible Christians and although neither their lives are so scandalous nor their ignorance such as for which they may be fitly Excommunicated from the preaching of the Gospel and all communion with the Saints they being willing to hear the Word Preached and not rejecting Christs ministers yet their very ignorance is such that in my judgement they are not fit to be admitted to the Sacrament 1 Example I will give you an Example or two of my own experience I did know one W.W. whom I found ignorant of Christ although he was above threescore years old and telling him that the wages of sin is death Rom. 6.23 and that he must know some one that had died for him or would die for him to satisfie Gods Justice for his sins or else being a sinner he could not be saved He Answered me That none had dyed for him and none should dye for him but he would stand between God and himself This man verely was unfit in my minde to be admitted to the Sacrament of the death of Christ who did neither know nor believe that Christ dyed for sinners Rom. 4.25 nor rose again for their Iustification And when he did presume thus ignorant to come to the Lords Table 1 Cor. ii 29 30. he sinned in so doing and did eat Iudgement to himself not discerning the Lord Body And yet I conceive he was not so scandalous in life or ignorant as to be Excommunicated from the Preaching of the Gospel For when after I did shew him his misery by sin Ioh. 3.16 and the greatnesse of Gods love in giving Christ to dye for poor sinners the tears ran down his cheeks for joy and he confessed he never understood so much before And yet
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
and Infidels and unbeleevers to convert them but for Beleevers to confirme them in the faith as by the Institution of this Sacrament may appeare Exod. 12.47 48. Rom. 2.28 29. and as the Passeover was not to be eaten of the uncircumcised but of the circumcised and those who were circumcised in heart at least in outward appearance as the Apostle holds forth true Iews and so true Christians now in the Church of Christ at least in appearance ought to be admitted to the Sacrament Quest 14. This is an Answer sufficient Iudges 6.31 But what further may be said to such as plead for Baal and seem to set open a door for all prophane ignorant unbelieving impenitent persons to come to this holy Sacrament Ans That the Word hath and may be Preached to all creatures men and women of all sorts Drunkards Mar. 16.15 Matth. 9.10 13. 1 Tim. 1. 15 16. Mat. 10. 14 15. Adulterers whores except such as reject the Gospell and maliciously persecute the Ministers of Christ against whom they may shake off the dust of their feet But to admit all sorts to the Sacrament all ignorant and scandalous impenitent persons Act. 13.44 c. Act. 18.5 6. Mat. 18.15 16. Levit. 19.17 1 Cor. 5.4 5. this ought not to be suffered But those in Authority in the Church ought rather to suspend or deliver up such to Satan for the destruction of the flesh that the Spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus Quest 15. It seemeth evident to me then that every man and woman who may come to the Preaching of the Word may not come to the Sacrament if they be either notoriouly ignorant or scandalous and therefore Catechisme is very necessary Ans You are in the right for if legall impurity Exod. 12.48 Exek 44.7 8.9 Lev. 7.20 21. 15. Num. 2.10 11. yea but the touching of a dead body made them unclean and unfit for the Passeover Then much more spirituall uncleannesse and uncircumcision of the heart and life defileth the soul and maketh unfit for the holy Sacrament And if those who have only a form of godlinesse without the power of Religion 2 Tim. 3.5 must be turned away from as those with whom the Saints ought as much as is possible to have no communion Then certainly those prophane ones who have not so much as an outward form of Religion but are notoriously ignorant and notoriously scandalous who live Atheistically without God in the world Eph. 2.12 they must needs be unfit to meet Christ in this holy Ordinance of the Lords Supper or for the Saints willingly to communicate with at the Lords Table Quest 16. But who hath Authority to Excommunicate or suspend these ignorant and scandalous persons and to keep them from the Sacrament Ans I do not say that every particular Minister Mat. 18.17 c. 1 Cor. 5.3 4 5. Act. 14.23 Tit. 1.5 1 Tim. 1.19 20. or Member of a congregation hath this power But the whole congregation or the Presbytery and Elders ordained as Rulers in the Church or at least such as are lawfully Authorised from Gods Word and from the Church of Christ to perform this duty Quest 17. But what if the Church or the Elders of the Church or any other in Authority Ier. 15.19 do not perform their duties in taking order and care as much as is in their power that the precious may be wholly separated from the vile But that for want of their care and diligence or faithfulnesse such a man who in the judgement of the Minister or any one or more of the Congregation so it be not of the greatest part is ignorant or scandalous do presse into the Sacrament though he be admonished in private and publike to forbear and not to indanger his own soul of becoming guilty of the Body and the blood of Christ 1 Cor. 11.27 c. Is the Minister or any such of the Congregation doing their best to hinder such Communicating guilty of such a mans sin who comes wilfully unprepared as being ignorant or scandalous in their judgments and without the wedding garment As for Example Example if a man live in the wilsull breach of a lawfull Covenant Rom. 1.28 c. a sin it may be not named or reckoned as scandalous by those in Authority and yet a sin in the conscience of a minister or a member of the Church for which a man impenitent for it should be suspended the Sacrament If those in Authority or the greater part of the congregation do neglect their duty and suffer or approve of this mans unlawfull Communicating is the minister or such a member guil-of this mans sin As 1 Cor. 5.11 c. 2 Thes 3.6.14 2 Joh. 9.10 1 Tim. 1.22 Ans Certainly if the Minister or any such Member or Members of the congregation do not use all lawful means to put from them such a person to hinder this sinfull communicating of such a scandalous person they cannot but partake of this mans sin and so be found guilty But if they do their best endeavor in their places and callings to hinder such ignorant or scandalous persons declaring a just dislike of such a mans presumption not countenancing but disallowing and disavowing the boldnesse of such a guest Mat. 22.10 1 Cor. 11.27 c. Gen 4.7 Rev. 2.14 c. to come without the wedding garmenâ— I conceive they are not guilty of this mans unworthy receiving and the sin shal lie at their doors who have Au hority and power to prevent or use means of preventing this sin and do not Quest 18. Yet before I leave this I demand once again whether can the company of such a wicked Communicant stop the flowing streams of Gods grace in Christ from the Saints in the Sacrament or keep the life cherishing vertue of Christ from them who come rightly prepared or secondly Whether should the Saints refuse the Sacrament or unchurch themselves and separate from the Congregation for such a scandalous Communicants presence or for such a failing of the Church or the greater part of the Congregation in such a particular Ans 1 Tim. 8.22 Rev. i8 4 Luk. 22.19 I believe if a Saint discover the scandalous and do the best to hinder â—his sin of the unworthy receiver it cannoâ— hinder Christs grace from a faithful receiver as Judas presence did not hinder the Apostles nor the incestuous person the Saints while he continued with them nor are the Saints bound to refuse the Sacrament or unchurch themselves and separate from that Congregation for this failing of the Church these Saints having performed their duties in their several places as is noted before But these particular members should rather wait on Christ in the use of all lawful and good means to have this fault of the Church reformed continue their fellowship with manifestation of their dislike in this particular And this I conceive they may
and long for and to receive believe and gladly rest on him alone for Salvation Act. 2.38 39. Iohn 1.11 12. Acts 16.14 15. and 16.27 c. and 4.12 Heb. 5.9 Quest 12. What further doth this great Prophet work in the soul of a believer by his Word and Spirit Ans 2 Pet. 3.16 c. He perswades the soul First to grow more and more in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ Mark 9.23 24. Lu 7.17.5 Secondly To believe more and more Thirdly To repent and be sanctified more and more Fourthly To become a new creature more and more Fifthly To be more and more fruitfull in good works And Sixthly By daily beholding First The glory of God in the face of Christ And secondly The glory of Christ in the glasse of the Gospel to be made more and more partaker of the Divine nature and changed from glory to glory as by the Spirit of the Lord Phil. 3.9 c. Luke 17.5 Eph. 3.14 c. and 4.7 c. Rom. 12. and 13. Mat 5.16 Col. 1.7 c. and 1.21 c. 2 Pet. 1.7 c. 2 Cor. 5.17 and 3.17 18. Quest 13. Now you have shewed the Priestly and Propheticall office of Christ What are the acts or work of Christs Kingly office Ans Christ doth not only as a mighty Conquerour rescue and Redeem his Church and children out of the hands of all their enemies spirituall or temporall and call gather and unite them to himself as his own mysticall body But as a rich and bountifull Prince bestow upon them all needfull graces and protect preserve and govern them in this Kingdom of grace untill he bring them safe unto his Kingdom of glory Isa 63.2 c. and 54.5 c. Luke 1.74 75. Tit. 2.13 14. Heb. 2.14 15. Mat. 20.1 2. and 22.1 c. John 12.20 c. Eph. 3.8 and 4.7 Mat. 28.10 Rev. 2.1 2 Tim. 4 16 c. Quest 14. When and how did Christ make evident that as a mighty Conqueror he had rescued and redeemed his Church out of the hands of their enemies and by his active and passive obedience to his Fathers will satisfied the Justice of God and purchased for his Children remission of sins and life everlasting Psal 2.6 c. Mat. 28.1 c. Mark 16.9 c. Luk. 24.32 c. Ioh. 20.19 c. Acts 2.23 c. 1.9 c. 3.19 c. 17.31 Luk. 21.27 28. Mat. 25.34 c. Ans When as a powerfull Prince he did break the bars and loosed the cords and pains of death as being impossible to be holden of it and gloriously did rise from the dead First appearing to his Disciples after his Resurruction And secondly Ascending visibly into heaven Thirdly sitting at the right hand of God his Father And fourthly there to remain till he shall come at the Day of Iudgement in a triumphant manner for to Iudge both quick and dead to the evealasting confusion of all his enemies and the Eternall good of his Church Quest 15. When else did Christ openly make this evident to the world of his Church Ans When by the powerfvll Preaching of the Gospel Rom. 15.15 c. 16.25 c. and work of his Spirit he brought so many Kingdoms and Nations to the obedience of Faith Quest 16. When doth the Lord Christ make this evident inwardly to the soul and conscience of a man or woman Ans When by his Word and Spirit he enlightens the eye of Faith to see Gal. 2.19 20. 2 Tim. 4.7 8. finde and assuredly perceive and enableth the mouth and tongue of Faith to speak and by assured evidence of the Spirit to say to his or her own Soul as Paul did Christ loved me and gave himself for me and Christ hath laid up for me a Crown of Righteousnesse in heaven Quest 17. How and when doth the Lord Christ call gather and unite his Church or particular members thereof as one body unto himself Ans When the Lord Christ by his faithfull Servants Mat. 28.19 20. 2 Cor. 5.19 20. Act. 26.17 18. as Ambassadors for Christ rightly called to that great office by the power of his Word and Spirit draweth them out of the Kingdom of the world sin and Satan to receive him to be their Lord and only Mediator yea their Eternall High Priest Prophet and King for their Eternall salvation Quest 18. Are the Ministers of Christ ordained by Christ in a speciall calling above others to be Instruments or outward means of converting men and women unto Christ and to bring them out of the Kingdom of darknesse into this Kingdom of Christ Psal 68.17 c. Eph. 4.10 c. Act. 26.18 c. 1 Cor. 3.5 c. 4.15 Gal. 4.19 Ans Yes the Lord Christ ascended up on high and having led Captivity Captive he gave gifts unto men first some Apostles some Evangelists some Pastors and Teachers for the work of Ministery and Gods Ministers as outward Instruments through Christ in their speciall calling do beget men again through the Gospel and travel in birth again untill Christ be formed in them and that they may be turned from darknesse to light and from the power of Satan unto God and presented with joy to God their Father by Iesus Christ their Lord and King of his Church Quest 19. May not all Christians in generall undertake this work of this Ministery to convert Souls and build them up in the truth of Christ as well as those who are so specially called of God to it Ans Certainly howsoever in Primitive times Act. 8.1 2 3 4. 8.14 11.19 c. 1 Cor. 12.12 c. some Disciples extraordinarily endued with the Holy Ghost did Preach the Gospel in dayes of persecution to Pagans and Infidels that knew not Christ and although all Christians in generall are Members of the same body of Christ and ought in their places to have a care of the whole body neverthelesse every Member is not a head or an eye or a tongue or to exercise the office of them And howsoever all the Members of Christ as private Christians may communicate their gift of knowledge one to another Heb. 10.25 in times and places convenient not leaving off their attendance on Christ in the publike Ordinances exercised by the Ministers of Christ nor separating from the publike congregations of Saints yet the great office of the publike Ministration Heb. 5.4 5. belongeth to none but such as are specially called and appointed thereunto by their Lord and King Christ Iesus Quest 20. How doth Christ our heavenly King call his Servants and Ambassadors to this great work of the Ministery Ans First Mat 28.19 20. Ioh. 20.20 c. Acts 16.8 9 10. 1 Tim. 1.11 12. 3.1 c. inwardly furnishing them with grace and experimental knowledge of Christs power and grace in their own souls that they may reveal Christ and the way of
of the Faith in Christ the Messiah to come they had no right to circumcision nor to any signe and seal of the covenant of Grace and therefore the Assumption is true that Christ did institute Circumcision that signe and seal of the covenant to beleevers as beleevers and to children of beleevers as children of beleevers And so a signe and seal may still continue to beleevers and their children as well as beleevers and their children as well as before the coming of Christ and this not Circumcision which is abolished and therefore baptism which succeeds circumcision as the Apostle intimates to us Col. 2. Co. 2.11 12 13. making circumcision and baptism all one in the respect of the inward Grace Circumcision made without hands and burying with Christ by baptism both intimating our putting off the Old man in our burying with Christ as being made partakers of his death and rising again in putting on the New man as partaking of Christs Resurrection both signed land sealed in circumcision in the Old Rom. 4.16 and Baptism in the New Testament to beleevers and the elect children the seed of Abraham the father of us all Quest 8. But wherefore was not Melchisedech and Lot circumcised and Job and his friends and other beleevers and worshippers of the true God out of Abrahams family if circumcision was to beleevers as beleevers Ans First in Melchisedech Lot Iob and the rest we have no certain evidence that they were or were not circumcised nor is it material For it is certain neither circumcision before Christ nor baptism since or any outward Sacrament was or is or can be rightly said to be absolutely necessary to Salvation else Noah and other Patriarks before Abraham might have been circumcised or have had some other signe and seal which we had not and children dying before the eight day of circumcision or before they were baptized could not be saved which a Popish Doctrine well worthy to be exploded out of the Church Secondly it may be answered That God did renew the covenant and institute circumcision as a signe and seal of the covenant with Abraham and the Church in his house which was then the Church of God chiefly visible at that time in the world consisting of above three hundred souls Gen. 14.18 and then set forth by God as a Type of the Church of the faithful in all ages who were to have the covenant of Grace published and thâ— seals of the covenant communicated to them in the Gospel And so this Objection doth not hinder but that circumcision that signe and seal of the righteousnesse of Faith was instituted to Abraham as a beleever and to Abrahams children and family as the children and family of a beleever Men of ripe yeers professors of the true Faith and Religion and children as children of beleevers and professors And so the like signe and seal baptism may in like manner be continued in the New Testament as well as in the Old for any light that yet appeareth to be held forth from Christ to the contrary Quest 9. But is not Infants Baptism forbidden by Christ in the New Testament either expresly or by consequence in that Christ doth not name children in the institution of baptism as he did in the institution of circumcision Answ Certainly there is no expresse prohibition of Infant baptism in the New Testament yea the Lord Christ is so far from forbidding of Infants any Grace and favours they are capable of Mark 10.13 14. that he reproveth his Disciples for hindering their bringing unto him though it was not in particular to be baptized yet to receive a blessing from Christ for which cause their beleeving parents or friends did present them unto Christ that Christ might take them in his arms and put his hands upon them and blesse them as beleeving parents do now present them to Christ in baptism Mark 10.13 And Christ receiveth them and giveth for a reason a high approbation of children expressed in several Evangelists Suffer little children to come to me and forbid them not for of such is the Kingdom of God True not onely of such who in some respects are qualified like children but of such persons also even of little children And true both of the Kingdom of Grace and Glory for all elect children of Jews and Gentiles of all Nations And if the Kingdom of God belong to children then why not this Seal of the Kingdom Baptism of which Infants are capable now as well children at eight dayes old were capable of circumcision before the coming of Christ It is evident there is no expresse prohibition of Infants Baptism which may hinder their presenting unto Christ to be blessed in that Ordinance Quest 10. But what say you to the second is not Infant Baptism denyed by consequence in that they are not named in the words of Institution go Disciple all Nations or make them Disciple by Teaching and Baptizing them Ans The Answer is First it is evident that Christ in that Institution of Baptism intends principally men and women of ripe yeers Jews and Gentiles to be converted to the Faith of Christ who were capable of teaching and first to be discipled by teaching and then baptized as the Proselytes that came in to Abrahams House Gen. 18.18 c. no doubt were first taught before they were circumcised and yet their children were circumcised at eight dayes old before they were taught or made Disciples by teaching of which they were not capable It is true Iere. 1.4 5. Luke 1.13 14 15. they might be made Disciples by Covenant and inward teaching and sanctification Of the Holy Gospel as all the spiritual Seed were and so may children now that Christ holds forth why not baptized now as well as children were circumsed then by vertue of Christs Institution Secondly There is another answer That if a signe and seal of the Righteousnesse of Faith and Regeneration or inward Circumcision of the heart be due to Infants of beleevers and to be communicated to them as to children of beleevers by vertue of Christs institution of a seal to beleeving Abraham and his children as is before held forth Then it must be either circumcision or baptism or some other signe and seal appointed by Christ for this end but it cannot be circumcision for that is virtually abolished by Christs institution of baptism nor is there any other signe or seal appointed by Christ for children of beleevers Iews or Gentiles and therefore it must needs be baptism And so Christ doth not forbid but rather virtually appoint baptism for Infants in the new as he did appoint circumcision for Infants in the Old Testament Gen. 17. For the not naming doth not imply a negation when as they may be included in the institution in general setting up baptism instead of circumcision as women not named are not denyed but included in the institution of the Lords Supper in the place of the
Passeover and may partake of that Ordinance being rightly prepared although not named in the institution Quest 11. You have answered concerning the spiritual Seed of Abraham the elect children of beleevers that they may be Disciples by way of Covenant and by right of Election and so may have a right and interest to Baptism the seal of the Covenant which is not denied by some chief adversaries of Pedobaptism if they could be known to be such But now what say you for other children of beleevers which it may be are none of Gods elect nor disciples by way of that internal Covenant of Grace nor inward sanctification of the Spirit What right or title can such Infants have to baptism in infancy or until they be discipled by publike Teaching and Declaration or profession of themselves to be beleevers and converted to the Faith of Christ and such to be admitted by vertue of Christs Institution Go Disciple all Nations and Baptize as is opened before Ans I answer for all children of beleeving Parents though they be none of Gods Elect yet I conceive they may have as good a priviledge now and be under outward Administrations as Ishmael and Esau had if these were not elected or as any of the beleevers children before Christ had not being elected by way of priviledge as children of beleevers to partake of outward Ordinances and priviledges as children of the faithful especially when as it is not known of us who are elected and who are not Why may it not be that Esau was made partaker of this outward priviledge for Jacob and Abrahams sake And for the elect childrens sake all in general who are children of beleevers in the Church of God might and may have this outward badge of Christianity as a note of distinction between children of Iews Turks and Pagans who deny and reject Christ and children of such faithful who beleeve and embrace Christ and the Gospel in truth and sincerity And thus you have one ground of Scripture opened and applyed for Pedobaptism which may evidence That it is not a meer humane invention and absolute will-worship as some have affirmed whom I dare not for this one opinion against Infants baptism utterly condemn excommunicate and cast out of the Churches of Christ as enemies to Christ and the Gospel but rather look upon some of them as weak Brethren to be drawn in by bands of Love and cords of Amity by all means seeking to inform them and reveal that light the Lord hath opened in the Cannonical Books of the Old and New Testament praying God that every Saint may joyn in love and humility in prayer to God every day more and more to reveal and settle Truth in his Churches that God may be glorified and truth and peace established in Christ Jesus Quest 12. I am of your minde not to condemn all as utter enemies to Christ who are adversaries to childrens baptism But yet their Divisions and Separations they have made in the Church their unchurching of the Churches of Christ their contempt of Christs Ministers for difference of Opinion in things of lesser importance with divers such like cannot be answered or justified I think before God or men as being contrary to that Christian love and unity required by Christ in and amongst all that professe the Name of the Lord Jesus But tell me I pray you what other grounds of Scripture have you to prove the lawfulnesse of childrens Baptism Ans There are divers Grounds of Scripture discussed and handled at large by several learned men I will onely name a few and leave the more full opening of them to those who have undertaken the controversie in their larger Treatises And first That encouragement which the Apostle giveth to those Converts Acts 2.38 39. to repent and be baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ for remission of sins because the Promise is to them and to their children and not to them onely and their children but to as many as are afar off even as many as the Lord our God should call that is to the faith of Christ or to be beleevers in Christ and why not to their children also as being children of beleevers as well as to the former whether they were far off of the Iews or far off of the Gentiles who should be or are since brought in to beleeve on Christ and so their children have an encouragement to be baptized as well as other If you ask what the promise here spoken of was I cannot see why it should not be that promise made to Abraham and to beleevers in him as being in some respect the Father of the Faithful I will be thy God and the God of thy Seed and then as circumcision was especially the seal of that spiritual Covenant to Abraham and his spiritual Seed so virtually to beleevers and their spiritual children is there a signe and seal belonging And this is not circumcision which is vertually forbidden in that Institution of Baptism by Christ in the Gospel as Baptism is Matth. 28.19 20. and may be vertually commanded to children of beleevers though not expressed by Name in that Institution of Baptism aforesaid In like manner as women are not expressed by Name in the Institution of the Lords Supper and yet are vertually by Christs Ordinance to be admitted and made partakers of that holy Sacrament Quest 13. But may not there be the same Arguments for the Sacrament of the Lords Supper to be given to children of beleevers now as for the Sacrament of Baptism since the children of the Israelites are conceived to eat the Passeover Exod. 12. as well as they were circumcised Ans I conceive there is not the same Reason of Baptism and the Lords Supper For in the Act of Baptism both men of ripe yeers and children are meer patients suffering themselves to be baptized which a childe is capable of and may suffer as well as a man of ripe yeers But in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper there is action not onely of eating and drinking for that a childe may do But of eating and drinking in remembrance of Christ of shewing the Lords death until he come of offering up an Eucharistical Sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving for the death and passion and Resurrection and Assention of Christ and all benefits thereby and an Act of renewing our Covenant with God in Christ at the Sacrament which an Infant cannot do Nâ—â—â— 10 2â— as not being of knowledge and understanding and so an Infant may not he be capable of the Lords Supper though he be capable of Baptism or inchoate admission into the Church of Christ But this is discussed at large by others therefore I passe to the next Quest 14. What is that third ground you finde produced for childrens Baptism Ans That priviledge of the children of beleevers in Christ above the children of Turks Pagans and Infidels unto whom I perceive there are divers priviledges and
prerogatives may be found in Scriptures and besides that they are in the bosome of the Church in godly Families bred up under the means of Grace partakers of their Parents instruction in the knowledge of Christ and in many respects more happy then the children of Pagans and Infidels in regard of outward privileges even in spiritual things There is as the Apostle intimates a special kinde of holinesse belongeth to them which pertains not to children of unbeleevers This seemeth to me held forth by the Apostle 1 Cor. 7. 1 Cor. 7.14 The unbeleeving Husband is sanctified by the Wife i. e. by or in the beleeving wise and so on the contrary part for I conceive these are opposed one to the other and the conclusion or inference followeth else were your children unholy but noâ— they are holy And this for what 〈◊〉 yet finde may and must be meant of more then Matrimonial holinesse for that may be amongst unbeleevers And if it should be no more the conclusion would be but this else were your children Bastards as some have expounded it But I do not beleeve that all the children of unbeleeving persons in the married estate are Bastards Heb. 13.4 since marriage is honourable amongst all whether beleevers or unbeleevers And although neither of the Parents be a beleever yet if they be lawfully married their children are not Bastards nor so to be esteemed And if there be more meant and to be understood then a Matrimonial holinesse Then what reason is there why this holinesse should not be a Covenant holinesse Ben. Aret in 1 Cor. 7. Sumit Argumentum naturâ fidei melioris personae singulis fidelibus dicitur Ero Deus tuus seminis tui Ad sanctificationem filiorum satis est si alter parens sit fidelis 1 Cor. 7.14 15. intitling children of beleevers to covenant priviledges for in this I subscribe to the judgement of Bendictus Aretius upon that place That the Apostle takes an Argument from the nature of the Faith of the better party namely of the beleever to prove the sanctification of the worser party that is of the unbeleever And so the priviledge of this holinesse of the children ariseth not from a bare Matrimonial or Conjugal union of the married parties but from the excellency and priviledge of Faith and so of that Covenant union and Covenant holinesse of the Covenant to beleevers I will be thy God and the God of thy Seed And a Covenant priviledge may be to have a signe and seal of the Covenant belong to these holy children of beleevers as the Apostle calls them And if so then why not Baptism as is held forth in the Reason before and for that iâ— is objected by some that divers Divines hâ—ve been of other mindes and given other Inâ—erpretations of the place it is no satisfactory ground against Poedobaptism to another Christian who cannot underwrite to their opinions Quest 15. Is there no more Reasons given or held forth by Divines for this Infant Baptism Ans There are divers Reasons drawn from other places of Scripture Col. 2.11 c. that Col. 2. where the Apostle makes mention of inward circumsion made without hands and after of Baptism â—s coming in place of circumcision for so some argue from that place and from other the like Scriptures But because the Controversie grown to be great in these present times many Books written pro and con for and against Infant Baptism and for that the opening and handling of this Controversie at large is too great for this little Body of Divinity and beyond my intention in this work I will leave the deciding of the Question to those I hope holy and learned men that are engaged in the Controversie for I dare not but think there may be Saints on both sides and onely hold forth a few Questions for clearing of some objections at least in part as I conceive and desire that the Lord Christ will so discover truth by his light that whatsoever hath been practised amisse may be reformed and the Church of Christ be glorious in Truth and Unity Qâ—â—st 16. Is not Baptism 〈◊〉 badge of Christianity and sign to put difference between the Church of Christ and the world and if so then doth not Baptizing Children though of Believers destroy that difference and confound the World and Church together sometimes receiving them for Saints which are not and so frustrate one end of Baptism to different Believers from the world Ans It is true outward Baptism is one outward sign or badge of difference in men and women of riper years between the world and the Church and yet all that are baptized in Infancy or amongst men and women of ripe years and who have made an outward confession of Faith and Repentance and have been baptized after Profession are not by their outward Baptism truly separated from the world and made Members of Christ by vertue of that work done as Papists have taught Acts 8. For Simon Magus was outwardly Baptized and made a profession and shew of believing yet was he in truth still one of the world 1 Tim. 1. and Hymeneus and Alexander no doubt were outwardly Baptized and yet they and many others after made ship-wrack of Faith and were not truly separated from the world But there is more required then this Quest 17. What then is that which doth thus truly separate and make this true difference Ans It is Gods Election effectual calling Justification Regeneration and inward Baptism and true ingrafting into Christ and to be born of the Spirit that truly separates from the world in respect of inward separation And this Children may have as Jeremy John Baptist might and many Children of Believers Luke 1.15 and such as died before outward Circumcision and all elect children whatsoever before the Eight day and therefore by right of foederal holinesse may Children of Believers have this priviledge to be outwardly entred into the Church by an Infant Solemn admission and being Baptized to be as true outward Members of the visible Church and compleat in respect of truth and perfection of true visible Infant-Membership and so may partake of outward Administrations according to their capacity although they be incompleat in respect of perfection of degrees of visibility and declarative admission to the Lords Supper and other acts of Church-fellowship agreeing to Professors of the true Faith of the Gospel and subjection thereunto in holinesse as well as Isaac Ishmael Iacob and Esau when they were Children being Circumcised and so Children now since they cannot be discerned to be otherwise then Elect of God and of Gods Kingdom no more then Esau could till he was discovered and therefore children may be accepted as outward true Members and inward in judgement of charity and partake of Baptism otherwise what chief holinesse or priviledge have they above the Children of Infidels for to say they have none is directly contrary to the Apostles
Doctrine in that 1 Cor. 7.14 15 16. noted already Quest 19. But what outward means is there then to separate and distinguish these truly from the world when these come to years of discretion Ans I have answered this Question in part too already I now adde Not to be Baptized again as some are in these dayes as if that had power of it self to convey an inward Grace or communicate the holy Ghost or to make and evidence them to be true Disciples as some dream For certainly men may be outwardly Baptized and made outside Disciples and have outward common gifts of knowledge utterance to professe the Faith of Christ and be Rebaptized and yet be but Hypocrites and no true Disciples nor Teachers Rom. 2.28 29. as were many in the Primitive times and too many amongst our selves Quest 20. What outward means then will suffice Children Baptized when they come to years of discretion to evidence them without Rebaptizing as far as any outward badge can do to be true Christians separated from the world and approved of as Members of the Church of Christ and of the Congregation of Saints Ans first a professiō of total resigning thēselves to Christ with a right preparation in themselves with gifts of Grace from Christ outward and inward evidencing the truth of their knowledge Faith and Regeneration or new conversion unto God in Christ so far as can be discerned by the Church in Christian charity Secondly a right Examination of them and their knowledge Faith and other Graces to this end with admission of them by the Church or Ministers and Elders of the Church to the Lords Supper after Examination and sufficient proof and approbation aforesaid Thirdly their joyning with the Church in that Sacrament of Establishment and confirmation of their Faith in Christ and communion with the Saints of the most high in Profession of Faith and holinesse Fourthly and lastly their Religious walking in all holinesse and good works according to their callings manifesting their Christian thankfulnesse to God for his Free-grace in Christ to Gods glory the good of Gods Church and joy of their own souls in Christ Iesus These may suffice to evidence and approve them Christians without Rebaptization or separation of themselves from the publike Preaching of the Gospel Heb. 10.22 c. and communion of Saints as the manner of some is Quest 21. What profit or comfort can there come by Baptizing of Infants Ans First It may be a comfort to the Parents in this assurance that their Children are within the Covenant of Promise when as Infidel can have no such assurance of their Children that they might praise God for such goodnes And Secondly Great profit to their Children themselves for their Instruction when they come to years of discretion what Covenant they are ingaged in by Baptism to be Gods Children and have as Children in Covenant with God in Christ right to many Prerogatives which Infidels have not no nor their Children Quest 22. What is the end and use of this Sacrament of Baptism Ans To set forth and seal First Our ingrafting into Christ as Rom. 11.17 18. 6.4 c. Secondly And our union and communion with Christ and his Church 1 Cor. 12.12 13 27. Thirdly Our putting on of Christ and Righteousnesse in graces Gal. 3.27 Fourthly To hold forth our inward washing in Christ blood partaking in the vertue of Christs death and Resurrection Rom. 6.3 4 c. Fifthly Our assurance of Repentance and remission of sins Acts 22.16 Sixthly Our Adoption to be Gods children Gal. 3.24 4.4 5. Seventhly Assurance of Eternal life when this life is ended 1 Pet. 1.9 Gal. 3.20.29 Rom. 4.11 Quest 23. But should not children be Dipped over head and ears the whole body in the Water as some thinks Iohn Baptized in Iordan and as Papists did use to Baptize their children Ans It is not the outward dipping or washing that clenseth away sin but the vertue of the blood of Christ And we read no absolute command of Baptizing in a River or washing the whole body in water nor do we believe the Iaylor and his houshold Baptized at midnight went forth to a River to be dipped all over It is sufficient to Baptize or wash part as Christ said to Peter in washing the Disciples feet He that is washed needs not have to wash his feet but is clean every whit For if Christ wash any part of the soul or body with his blood he washeth the whole man Ioh. i. 7 Rev. 5.6 Ioh. 13.8 9 10. Heb. 12.24 it needs then save to Baptize or wash the head or face of a man woman or childe with water in Baptism That may suffice to seal our Spiritual washing with the blood of Sprinkling which speaks better things then did the blood of Abel Quest 24. What say you of the Popish custom of Dipping the whole body of the childe all over in water three times First in the Name of the Father Secondly in the Name of the Son Thirdly in the Name of the holy Ghost Ans It is evident to me that they rested too much in the work done and outward action Christ giving no command for such a threefold baptizing of the body and I conceive the like of baptism of some Adversarie to Poedobaptism in a River too much magnifying the manner of the outward action of their Baptizing of their whole body of their Rebaptized Disciples For which kinde of Baptizing the whole Body or Baptizing in a River Mat. 28.19 Christ gives no word of command that we finde in Scripture in the Institution of Baptism Quest 25. You have held forth divers grounds from the Word of God to shew the lawfulnesse of Baptizing the chil-of Believing Parents But I desire the resolution of another doubt Do you believe I pray you that there is such a necessity of Baptizing children that if they die without Baptism they are damned or go to Limbo as the Papists dream and too many Popishly affected amongst us Ans I answer I believe Baptism is not a thing indifferent to be used or not used at pleasure but it is necessary to be used of Christians according to the Institution of Christ Mat. 28.20 And if it cannot be obtained by men of ripe years converted or for children of Believers yet it is to be sought for and desired in a right and due manner with the Word adjoyned unto it not resting on Baptism but on Christ for Salvation And yet I do not believe that outward baptism makes a Christians soul Gal. 6.15 or Baptism to be so absolutly necessary to Salvation or the Grace of God in Christ to be so tied unto the Sacrament that those who desire it and die without it cannot be saved or that they go into some Limbo and not into Heaven as Papists and ignorant people have dreamed Or that believing Parents should be so troubled for their children dying without Baptism as if they were
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
You have explained and held forth the Author Matter and Form of the Sacrament now what is your knowledge concerning the Vse Benefit and End of the Sacrament to faithful and right Communicants Ans The Ends Use and Benefits of this Sacrament are divers for the unspeakable benefit of faithful receivers Quest 11. What is a first End Ans First to seal and confirm the Covenant and promise of Gods free Grace in Christ Mat. 26.26 27. 1 Cor. 11.23 c. to our souls with Christs vertue and merits and all the benefits which Christ hath procured for us in his Passion Death Resurrection Ascention yea his whole active and passive obedience to his Fathers will as our Surety with his whole Humiliation and Glorification as mediator between God and us all sealed in this Sacrament Quest 12. What is a second End Ans On our part to renew and seal our mutual Covenant of thankfulnesse Rom. 12.1.2 2 Cor. 5.14 15. Psal 116.12 Psal 119.105 and obedience to our God and Father again in and by the vertue and power of Christ to be manifested in our lives according to that light of his will revealed by his Word and Spirit to our souls from Christ our chief Prophet and director in the way to happinesse Quest 13. What is a third End of this Sacrament of the Lords Supper Ans To hold forth Christ by remembring and shewing the Lords death until he come for the strengthening of our Faith and refreshing of our souls in the lively representation of Christs love to us Ioh. 15.13 1 Cor. 11.24 c. giving his body to be crucified and his blood to be shed for our sins evidently held forth in the sacramental breaking of the Bread powring out of the Wine seen by the eye of the body as the inward graces are by the faithful eye of the soul in every Communicant Quest 14. What is the fourth End and Benefit of this Sacrament Ans It is a sealing and confirming 2 Cor. 8.9 Eph. 3.8 Ioh. 6.56 1 Cor. 1.9 Ioh. 17.20 Eph. 3.8 16 c. 1 Cor. 6.15 Col. 3.2 3. 1 Cor. 12.12 13. First of our union and communion with God in Christ and of our right and title to all the riches and treasures of Christs Kingdom of Grace and glory And secondly of our union and communion one with another in Christ and with the whole Church of God as fellow members of the same mystical body of which Christ our Lord and Saviour is the head for the comfort and benefit of his Church Quest 15. Are there no other Ends of this Sacrament Ans Yes their are divers other ends and uses As Acts 2.46 47. First the profession of our Faith that we are Christians not Iews Turks or Infidels Secondly the profession of our love unity Acts 2.46 47. and charity one towards and with one another Thirdly 1 Cor. 11.17 18. Ephes 9.3 4 5. the conservation of our fellowship and communion with Saints Fourthly Our strengthening of all graces in us by participation and meditation of Christ held forth in this Ordinance in all times of temptations and divers other ends and uses but the former are principle in this Sacrament John 6.32 33 34 35 50 51. The ninteenth Classis or Company of Questions 1 Question YOu have declared your knowledge concerning the Author matter form and end of this Sacrament now what do you know concerning the outward circumstances of partaking of this Sacrament time place and gestures What light have you from Christ for these Answ I do not finde that the Lord Christ hath directly and expresly commanded any set time place or gesture when where and in what manner of gesture sitting or kneeling or standing we should receive the Sacrament But the Spirit of Christ in his holy Apostle Paul hath held forth two general Rules 1 Cor. 14.40 and 11.34 Col. 2.5 Rom. 14.17 18 19. 1 Cor. 10.23 and 14.25 Rom. 14.1 2 c. and 15.1 2. First That all things should be done according to decency and order And secondly That all be done to edification Quest 2. But may not the consciences of Gods children be ordered and bound up to particulars in these things Ans I am perswaded that no Law or Rule ought to be made to binde the tender conscience of any man or woman where the Lord Christ the chief teacher doth not binde nor ought any liberty of conscience be given where the Lord Iesus Christ giveth no liberty But all Churches ought to be content if they cannot agree in circumstance and ceremony yet lovingly to agree in matters of substance which Christ hath plainly holden forth unto his Church in the holy Scriptures Quest 3. But may not Christian liberty be used in these things which are onely circumstantial in this Sacrament Ans Yes Christian liberty may be used in these things Rom. 14.1 2 c. and 15.1 2 3. Gal. 6.1 2 3. and the stronger ought not to tyrannize over the conscience of the weaker brother or sister but to bear one anothers burden and so fulfil the Law of Christ yea the stronger brethren and the Elders of the Church ought in all love and tendernesse to endevour the instruction of the weaker and to inform the judgement rather then by force upon the outward man to compel the conscience Quest 4. But may not the weak Christians absolutely and peremptorily use what circumstances they please Ans The weak ought in all humility to seek information of judgement and satisfaction in scrupulous or tender doubtful cases of conscience that if it be possible he or she may conform to the Directory of that particular Church Eph. 4.1 2 3. Psal 133.1 c. of which he or she is a member or if not to behave themselves humbly peaceably and Christian like rather then to break or endanger the breaking of the bond of unity amity and uniformity in that Church wherein God in his providence calls them to partake in this holy Ordinance Quest 5. Verily I do desire to conform my self to the Order and Directory of that Church and Congregation where I live and I long often to meet Christ in this holy Ordinance But I have some doubts trouble me in the present Directory for giving and receiving the bread and wine at the Lords Table And first I am not satisfied upon what ground the gesture of kneeling so much pressed formerly as if it had been a matter of absolute necessity is now changed into a Table gesture of sitting about or at the Lords Table Ans To satisfie you in this I desire you first to consider that the gesture of kneeling at the Sacrament hath no example much lesse any command either in Old or New Testament Search the Scriptures and you can finde none and so no binding necessity can presse the continuance of it The real presence bodily advanced by Pope Innocent about 1215. Secondly If you read all the History of the Church
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
from hell and damnation Thirdly A being affected by the power of Christ with recipiscence or beginning to be wise again with a shame and confusion of soul for sins past Hos 14.1 2 c. Fourthly with a renewing of spirit and change of minde and judgement of heart will affections desires and whole man and all by the powerful vertue of Christ and the Holy Spirit of the Father and the Son Ezek. 36.31 Fifthly A dislike and loathing of sin and former evil courses as contrary to the nature of God and new nature of grace in the soul Sixthly Acts 11.18 2 Cor. 7.10 Rom. 12.2 Ioh. 3.5 2 Cor. 5.17 Psal 51.14 Luke 22.32 2 Cor. 5.19 20. Rom. 8.15 Psal 51.1 2 3 c. Luke 22.61 62. 2 Cor. 7. as 2 Kin. 23.2 3. It is inabled by Christ unto an aversion and turning from all sin and Satans Kingdom in thought word and deed and a conversion unto God and all goodnesse with a love unto and a delight in righteousnesse and true holinesse And this not onely in our first conversion or repentance as a work of grace begun in us But all the dayes of our lives perfecting holinesse by the vertue of our Saviour to the glory of God good of our neighbours and comfort of our own souls in Christ Jesus especially in the renewing of our Covenant when we meet Christ in the holy Sacrament Quest 2. You have given a large discription of Repentance to give in the substance of what repentance is in fewer words as you understand and conceive of it in your minde Ans Repentance is a grace Act. 5.31 Iere. 31.19 1 Sam. 7.2 Iob 34.32 Hos 14.8 and free gift of God in Christ by which a poor sinner upon sight and sence of sin and misery and bondage revealed by the spirit is affected with true sorrow and shame for his original and actual transgression and though he despair in himself yet by faith resting on Gods free love in Christ Zach. 12.10 11. Prov. 28.13 2 Thes 2.13 Eph. 4.20 c. 1 Thes 5.23 is drawn to a hatred of sin that crucified Christ and is converted by Christs vertue from all sin to God forsaking of all sin daily more and more and the Image of God daily renewed in him more and more that he may glorifie God in grace on earth till Christ bring him to glory in Heaven Quest 3. Who is the author and efficient cause of this Evangelical Repentance Regeneration Renovation and Conversion from sin to God in Christ Rom. 1.7 and 1.4 1 Thes 5 23. 2 Thes 2 13 14. 2 Cor. 5.10 Ans The whole Trinity in common and in special the Holy Spirit that Spirit of sanctification sent of God the Father and the Son with the Word into the mindes and hearts of poor sinners to this end that they may repent be born again converted and changed from glory to glory by the vertue of Christ Quest 4. What is the internal moving cause of this Repentance and Regeneration and Conversion of poor sinners unto God Titus 3.4 5. Iohn 1.12 13. Ephes 2.4 5 c. Ans The free-grace and good will of God in Christ giving and working this grace of his own goodnesse in the hearts of his children Quest 5. What is the internal principle meritorious vvorking cause by vertue vvhereof this change is vvrought in our souls Ans This is Christ himself Eph. 5.25 26 27. Revel 1.5 6. and his merits and blood by which we are cleansed sanctified and changed that we may be presented blamelesse before God Quest 6. What is the instrumental outvvard cause of this Repentance Regeneration and Conversion or turning unto God in Christ Ans Ordinarily the Word of God Exod. 19.18 20. Acts 2.36 37 38 39. Luke 3.9 10. Rom. 3.20 Acts 9.1 2 c. 1 Pet. 1.23 Acts 16.25 c. both Law Gospel brought home to the soul in the powerful preaching of it by the work of Christs spirit and sometimes extraordinary means as thunders lightnings judgements of God afflictions fears terrors and such like with which God worketh as he pleaseth to this end Quest 7. What is the subject matter of this Repentance and nevv birth and sanctification and turning unto God or that vvhich is thus converted to God in Christ Ans The whole man all the powers and faculties of the soul understanding will memory affections conscience and all the parts 1 Thes 5.23 24 Rom. 6.19 20 21. Rom. 12.1 2. Acts 15.9 1 Cor. 10.32 and 6.15 c. Rom. 6.3 4 c. Ephes 2.1 2 c. Isai 1.16 17 c. Eph. 4.21 c. Isai 5.7 Col. 3.9 10. Gal. 2.20 and members of the body eyes ears hands feet heart all purified and sanctified to glorifie God by Christ Iesus Quest 8. What is the form or manner of this Repentance Regeneration and Renovation unto nevvnesse of life or vvherein doth this form consist Ans In the mortification of the old man and the vivification or quickning of the new man the old man or old Adam being crucified and the body of sin destroyed and the new man created and enlived by Christ living in the soul and so an aversion from all evil and a turning or conversion unto good by the vertue of Christ Quest 9. What is the end of this grace of Repentance Renovation and Conversion to God in Christ Ans The cheif end is the glory of God the edification of our neighbour and the assurance and enjoynment of our own eternal salvation 2 Tim. 2.21 2 Thes 1.11 12. Matth. 5.16 Gal. 1.22 23 24. 2 Pet. 7.8 9 10 11. 2 Thes 2.13 Quest 10. You have made profession of your knowledge and of the grace of Faith and concerning Evangelical repentance now what light hath Christ revealed to you concerning the fourth and last Grace we noted in the wedding Garment to be examined and enlivened before we come to the Lords Supper Ans The grace of Christian love and charity is a necessary Garment to be worn as at all times so especially when we meet Christ in the Ordinance of the Lords Table Quest 11. What is this grace or affection of love and charity as you have learned from Christ Ans First in general love is an affection of the soul moving in the heart of a man or woman to embrace some known good thing First with a desire of union with it Secondly a Sympathy or good will of beneficence or well doing to it Thirdly an acquiescence 1 Sam. 17. 1 Sam. 18.1 2 3. or rest in the fruition or enjoyment of it as under God the chief present joy and satisfying delight of the soul as the love of Ionathan to David of husband and wife parents and children or the like First Ionathan observed David and knew him to be a valiant good man 1 Sam. 19.4 1 Sam. 20.4 2 Sam. 9.1 2 c. Secondly in his heart desiredd union and was knit to Davids heart
Thirdly he loved David as his own soul with a love of beneficence or well doing to David he gives David his Robe and Garments even to his bow and his girdle and his sword ver 4. Fourthly Ionathan loved David with a love of acquiescence or resting in his love Quest 12. You have described what love is in general But what now is this grace of Christian love and charity to be examined and enlivened before we come to the Lords Supper Ans True Christian love and charity is a grace freely given of God wrought in the heart and soul of a believing man or woman by the spirit of Christ by which a man or woman who is enlightned with the true knowledge of God of himself and ol his neighbour is inabled in true affection of soul to love with love of union and complacency or well pleasing and in action of life to declare his or her love in beneficency and well doing First towards God above all as the chiefest good according to his revealed will giving up our selves to God Secondly towards our selves next under God seeking our own salvation and good temporal and eternal Thirdly towards our neighbour in and for God as we love our selves 2 Thes 3.5 Ioh. 1.16 Gal. 5.12 Rom. 5.4 5 6. Deut. 6.4 5 6 7 8 9 Mat. 22.37 39. Rev. 4.10 11. 1 Cor. 10.3 Eph. 6. Luk. 10.27 Mat. 7.12 Psa 42.1 2. Cant. 3.4 Phil. 2.12 Cant. 1.4 6 8. 1 Ioh. 4.19 20. and 4.7 12. 1 Cor. 13. Eph. 4.15 16. Rom. 12.10 13 14 15 16. Quest 13. But what is this love or wherein is this Grace of love to be exercised and who is my neighbour to whom I should shew this Christian love and charity and vvhat light from Christ to reveal this and so lead to Christ Ans I shall shew more fully who is our neighbour and in what duties as it concerneth all in general This love is to be exercised when I come to unfold the ten Commandements in the last part Luk. 10.3 4. But now in brief every man is my neighbour which the Lord presents to me as an object of mercy or love to do good unto Gal. 6.10 but in special and more particularly the houshold of Faith and our fellow Saints in the Church of Christ Quest 14. I remember in the fourteenth Classis when you did speak of the Church although you did describe principally the Church of Gods elect yet you said the Church is or may be said to be a visible company of men and women professing the Faith of Christ and obedience thereunto Rom. 16.26 and so as there have been so there may be some hypocrites in the Church not discerned how then shall I know who are these Saints upon whom and to or with whom I should exercise this Christian love and charity Ans Howsoever there are and may be some hypocrites in the Church yet whosoever is a visible Saint or Saint in profession and outward appearance at least Act. 8. called by the word and spirit to the visible profession of Faith and holinesse and fitly admitted in to the society and fellowship of the Church This man or woman is to be esteemed of the household of Faith and a fellow Saint to or with whom a child of God ought to exercise and communicate this grace of Christian love and charity Quest 15. But what do you mean by right and fit admission into the fellowship of the Church and houshold of God or how or when or by what way and means may a man or woman be admitted and received as a Member of Christs-Church and of the houshold of God and fellowship or communion of Saints Ans There is a two fold entrance into the Church of Christ or to be the children of God in Christ Iesus the first an inward or spiritual the second an outward corporal or visible entrance Quest 16. What or how manifold is that inward and spiritual entrance you speak of Ans This inward or spiritual entrance is the work of God making Christians First in election Eph. 1.4 5. Luk. 10.20 2 Tim. 2.19 Rev. 13.8 Col. 1.20 2 Cor. 6.17 18. Rom. 1 7. 2 Tim. 1.9 10. Act. 26.18 writing and enrolling the names of all those whom the Lord knoweth to be his in the Book of life of the Lamb of Christ slain from the foundation of the world Secondly making inward Christians in redemption by Christ who hath made our peace by the blood of his Crosse Thirdly they are made Christians in effectual vocation when we are called out of the world by the perswasion of the spirit of Christ in the Word and drawn unto Christ by the Father to believe and receive and rest on Christ for salvation Ioh. 6.44 2 Cor. 4.13 Gal. 3.16 1 Cor. 6.17 Eph. 2.19 and thus as a believer is united inwardly by the spirit as a member of Christ unto Christ the Head of his Church as one not onely mutually joyned in heart and affection unto Christ but as one that enrolleth and entreth his name in heart and minde in the registry of Saints as a servant of the Lord Christ and fellow Souldier and Citizen with the Saints and of the household of God Fourthly we are made Christians in justification act 13.38 39. Eph. 1.6 1 Cor. 6.9 10 11. Revel 2.17 Mat. 17.5 when God doth justifie in and by Christ when the Lord Christ doth give us the white stone of justification and in that doth write our new name of Christians justifying a believer before God his Father and God the Father accepts us for Christians in Christ Iesus Ioh. 1.12 Ioh. 3.3 Rom 6.4 5 6. Gal. 3.27 1 Cor. 12.12 c. Fifthly we are not almost but altogether made Christians in and by inward regeneration and sanctification of the spirit of Christ when we are baptized into Christ and by one spirit into one body of which Christ is the Head and put on Christ and are made new creatures and so are entred or admitted into the Church of Christ and fellowship or communion of Saints 2 Cor. 5.17 Sixthly Eph. 1.5 Gal. 4.5 6. Rom. 8.16 17. Rev. 3.12 Rev. 2.17 Gâ—l 4.4 5 6. 1 Ioh. 2.19 Ioh. 10.30 31. Gen. 17.1 2. Ier. 1.5 Luk. 1.15 act 9 6 15 c. we are made not almost but altogether inward Christians by adoption when the Lord doth take a man or woman for his son or daughter yea makes us heires with and in Christ Iesus and giveth that new name promised in the Scriptures And all that are thus inwardly and spiritually entred and admitted into the Church of Christ are Saints indeed and shall remain Saints for ever These are truly of the Church and a man or a woman an elect childe of God may thus inwardly be a Saint and admitted by Christ as a member of his Church before they be outwardly admitted as Abraham and others before circumcision and many catechumene's or instructed persons were
in the Primitive times truly believers and converted to Christ before they were baptized 1 Cor. 12.13 Rom. 8.11 and indeed all the Saints in the world make but one body or Church of Christ quickened by Christs spirit to life eternal This godly Mr. Perkins excellently sets forth by a similitude which I shall expresse in this order Mr. Perkins on the creed Suppose a man as high as heaven his legs standing one in Asia the other in America his hands spred out one over Europe the other over Africa his toes and fingers in England France Germany and other parts of the world many hundred miles distant asunder and all quickened by one and the same soul This distance of place doth not hinder the union of every part of the body to the head and of each part to the fellow members or the truth of any part in particular There is and may be a sweet union and communion of one part with another though far distant in places and Countries Kingdoms Cities and Common wealths where they live and a truth of each part though not all beautiful alike one excelling in graces above another In the same manner the Head of the mystical Body and Church of Christ is now in heaven the Lord Christ himself our Lord and Saviour and some of his members in heaven with him and some in earth and of these some part in England some in Scotland some in Germany some in divers other Kingdoms Nations Provinces Cities Parishes and Congregations of men in several places of the world many hundred ye thousand miles some parts distant from the other and the spirit of God is as it were the soul of this body which giveth spiritual life unto all the members and all united by this one and the same spirit by whom we are all baptizâ—d into one body as we noted before And so first you see how the Church may be said to be Catholike or Universal as it comprehendeth all the members of the body scattered in divers Countries Secondly how it is and may be called national as it is a company called of God to believe repent and professe subjection to the Faith and Gospel-holinesse living and preserved in England Scotland or other Nations Thirdly how it was or might be called a Church provincial in the Province or Countrey of Galatia in the Cities of Ephesus Corinth Geneva London or other Cities and Provinces greater or lesse whatsoever Lastly how the same Church of Christ is and may be called particular or congregational as it relates to persons called professing Faith and holinesse admitted to Church communion and united together in a holy profession and participation of Word Sacraments and other ordinances of Christ Iesus in one parochial or congregational Assembly all as particular true members of the Catholike or Universal Church of Christ Quest 17. What or how manifold is that outward corporal or visible entrance into the visible Church of Christ and fellowship of the Saints Ans As the inward entrance is but one in substance Eph. 1.5 2 Tim. 1.9 1 Cor. 6.11 Ioh. 10.7 Ioh. 14.6 and thus in and by Christ we are elected and chosen of God the Father but it is in and by Christ and so we are inwardly called and justified and sanctified but it is in and by the same spirit of Christ The Lord Christ is the onely way and door of entrance into the Church Millitant and Church triumphant and so likewise there is but one outward entrance and admission into the Church of Christ for the substance and principal matter of it and this was by way of Covenant and seal of the Covenant as an Ordinance of Christ although there have been divers manners and wayes in the practise of the Churches and amongst the Saints of the most High yet all I conceive by a charitable and Christian construction may be referred to and for substance ageee with the Ordinance and institution of Christ Quest 18. What is or was the first of these wayes of admission and entrance into the Church or Church-fellowship and communion of Saints before Christ coming in our humane nature Ans To omit former times and what was the practise of the Church then and Gods Ordinance the footsteps thereof not being easily to be found I look upon that Ordinance and Institution of Christ with Abraham and the practise of the Church in Abrahams family and Generation Rom. 4.16 17. Abraham being in some respect the Father of the Faithful and the Church in his house a Type if I may so call it of the Church of Christ since the coming of Christ and of the household of Faith Quest 19. Gen. 17.2 3 c. Isai 56.6 7. Num. 15. Exo. 12.48 Gen. 17. What was the Institution of Christ and Direction to Abraham for admission and entrance into the Church Ans This Ordinance of Christ to Abraham was by way of Covenant between God and Abraham and Abrahams Seed the Faithful or beleevers and compleated by a signe and seal of this Covenant in Abraham and his children and all that should come in to be of Abrahams family and so members of the Church and to their children at eight dayes old as to Isaac and all Abrahams posterity This signe and seal was Circumcision as we may reade Gen. 17. Quest 20. But howsoever there was and might be a Covenant between God and Abraham and so between men of ripe yeers and the Lord mutually Yet how could there be a Covenant between God and Abrahams young children or the children of other beleevers when they were circumcised Whereas they were but eight dayes old and Circumcision in the ordinary way to be deferred no longer And how were these admitted into the Church by Covenant and Circumcision the signe and seal of the Covenant of Grace between God and Abraham Ans First The Covenant or Promise on Gods part or by the Lord was with Abraham himself and in and with Abraham to and with the children and beleeving posterity of Abraham And all Proselytes whom the Lord should convert and draw in to beleeve and to be of Abrahams Family or of the Church by Faith and Profession manifested by submitting unto and accepting of Circumcision Gen. 17. that signe and seal of the Covenant appointed by the Lord to Abraham and to and for Abrahams posterity and all such converted Proselytes and their children whatsoever Secondly As on Abrahams part Gen. 12. Gen. 17. Rom. 4.11 the Covenant was mutually made with God by himself in taking the Lord for his God as he had done before by beleeving the Promise That in him that is in his Seed Christ should all the nations of the Earth be blessed renewed here again as expressed more fully in and by acceptance of and submitting unto circumcision the signe and seal of the Covenant of Grace and of the righteousnesse of Faith in Christ the Messiah to come and so by men of ripe years Proselytes converted to
with this in the New and so all this is to no purpose which is spoken Ans For mens opinions no assertion is therefore true because some men affirm it but it must have ground in the Word of God Now for circumcision it is evident by the Apostle that it is not a seal of the Covenant of works but of Faith and the righteousnesse of Faith Rom. 4.11 Rom. 11.6 and therefore not of works For Faith and works in respect of the Covenâ—nâ— and justification of life are opposite and contrary the one to the other if of works then not of grace And Mr. Ainsworth well observes upon that place that the word Covenant is thirteen times named in that Chapter Gen. 17.21 and hereby is meant the promise of Christ â—nd salvation in him and that the promise was not onely of corporal but of spiritual and heavenly things As Saint Luke testifieth Luk. 1.72 73 c. Chapter the first To perform this mercy promised to our fore-Fathers and to remember his holy Covenant the Oath which he swear unto our Father Abraham which was an Oath and Covenant of spiritual things as you may reade at large And so circumcision a seal of that Covenant must needs be not a seal of the Covenant of works but of grace Not of Mount Sinai gendring to bondage but of Mount Sion and of Jerusalem which is free the Mother of us all of all the free born children of faithful Abraham free born not by a natural but by a spiritual new birth Ioh. 1.12 not of the will of the flesh or of man but of God Quest 24. Gal. 5. But what say you to that place of the Apostle he that is circumcised is bound to keep the whole Law doth not this evidence that circumcision did bind a man to legal obedience and then how could it be a seal of the Covenant of Grace Ans I Answer the Apostle in this Chapter concludeth his disputation concerning justification by the merit of Christ and not by the observation of the works of the Law or of circumcision appointed to Abraham before the holding forth of the Law of Moses Gal. 2.3 c. or by any of Moses his Ceremonies Iustification before God being onely by Christ received by Faith and Christs righteousnesse as he had proved by divers Arguments in the former Chapters For the Iewish Doctors which came to the Galathians had preached a false Doctrine Act. 15.1 2 c. that except they were circumcised they could not be saved As those did at Antioch against which the Councel at Jerusalem made a Decree that no such burden as circumcision should be laid upon the Church Acts. i5 24 28. and this Doctrine of justification by circumcision the Apostle vehemently opposeth Not as if circumcision indeed had been ordained by Moses or was any Sacrament or seal of the Covenant of works or so esteemed by the Apostle For it was appointed by God Himself to Abraham a believer in Christ Ioh. 8.56 Gal. 3.17 four hundred yeers before that dispensation of the Law by Moses or matter of the Covenant of works by Moses and the same Apostle himself had held it forth not as a seal of the Covenant of works but of the righteousnesse of Faith in Christ Rom. 4.11 12. as is noted before Therefore the Apostle doth not speak against circumcision as it was an Ordinance of God to Abraham continued until Christ or as if it ever was a seal of the Covenant of works but as it was falsly abused by the false glosses of the Pharisees and Iewish legal Doctors who came and disturbed the pure Doctrine of the Gospel amongst the believing Galatians contrary to the Apostle and Churches Decree at Jerusalem and truth of Christ taught the Galathians by the Apostle Saint Paul himself for otherwise he speaketh of Circumcision as indifferent in the times of the Churches respect to the Jews whom they desired to convert as he made it evident in his own circumcising of Timothy which he would not have done if Circumcision had been a Seal of the Covenant of Works B. Arce in Gal. 5. Observa de circumcisione hic agi respectu abusus quem in ducebant falsi Doctores Alibi Circumcisionem tulit ut rem mediam in Timotheo alibi ut figillum justitiae commendavit in Abrahamo c. or subjected Timothy to perform the whole Law or could have caused that Timothy should have received no profit by Christ as here he speaketh of Circumcision to the Galathians when the false Doctors taught Justification by Circumcision which Errour the Apostle here so strongly contradicts as most contrary to Christ and the Doctrine of Faith in Jesus And to this effect both blessed Luther Benedictus Aretius and others expound that place And so it is a most clear truth that Circumcision was never a Seal to Abraham or to any other of the Covenant of Works of onely of temporal Benefits or that there is any such difference between Circumcision and Baptism as between Hagar and Sarah or between Mount Sina in Arabia gendering to bondage and Mount Sion or Jerusalem between Law and Gospel as some Antipoedobaptists have affirmed And therefore it is not unprofitable to hold forth the manner of entrance into the Church declared and appointed by God to Abraham for his posterity for Proselytes converted and the Church untill Christ as is noted before Quest 25. You have satisfied me in this trouble now I pray you what was or is the manner of outward admission into the Church since Christ in the time of the Gospel Answ For outward admission into the visible Church of Christ since Christs Ascention This was and is by way of Covenant also though in a different manner of dispensation as it respects divers persons and times of admission or at least of approbations of persons admission as visible compleat members of the Church and fellowship of the Saints fit to partake and communicate in al Ordinances and Acts of fellowship especially in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper And this in several ages and practises of the Church Quest 26. What was the first way or practice of the Church in the new Testament according to the Ordinance of Christ Ans First Inwardly men of ripe yeers Jews or Gentiles converted or professing themselves to be converted by the preaching of the Gospel to beleeve in Christ were admitted as members of the Church and into or for this admission there was First As there was or should have been a beleeving or faith in Christ true and sincere or at least temporary in which the soul did close or seem to close with Christ and Covenant and agree to receive Christ for a Saviour Act 8.13 and 8 37 Psa 27.8 according to the promise and tender of the Gospel And this was a kinde of union agreement and secret covenanting with Christ 1. The Lord Christ speaking inwardly to the soul in kindnesse O poor
soul wilt thou seek my face and have me for thy Lord and Husband and Saviour Behold I have loved thee Gal. 2.20 and given my self for thee 2. The soul answering again as by consent and agreement Lord 1 Tim. 15. I know thou haste loved me to come into the World to save sinners of which I am cheif Behold thy face will I seek and I Will have yea I do receive and take thee for my Lord and my Husband and my onely Saviour Hosea 2.14 19. upon whom alone I rest for salvation and life eternal here I say is a kinde of secret covenanting and a preparation for admission as I noted before in part in the internal entrance before specified Secondly Outwardly there was first an inchoation or degree of entrance and admission into Church fellowship by desiring of Baptism the Seal of the Covenant with Christ and the Members of Christ Acts 8.16 the head of his Church as the Eunuch did desire to be baptized Secondly There was an open profession of this Faith and internal Covenant and union with Christ the Head of his Church by beleeving and so inwardly or by that inward bond of the spirit and saith with all Christs members and an open Declaration and holding forth of this Faith of Christ and beleef of it before the Church or those who had authority from Christ to admit and receive into Church fellowship as visible membership in the Church Acts 8.37 This Philip requireth of the Eunuch when he demanded or desired Baptism First Here is water saith the Eunuch what letteth but that I may be baptized Secondly Philip Answereth if thou believest with all thy heart thou mayst Thirdly the Eunuch replieth Act. 8.16 17. I believe that Iesus Christ is the Son of God I believe that Iesus Christ of whom I have read in the 53 of Isaiah and whom then Philip had preached unto him and namely Christ the Saviour Here was two things first a holding forth of the truth of the Gospel Secondly of his belief and assent thereunto and so a receiving of Christ and a hearty-covenant with Christ which moved him to desire Baptism as the seal and Sacrament of the Covenant and of admission into the Church and of Communion with the Saints Thirdly In this profession of Faith and declaration of a willingnesse to and desire of Baptism the signe and seal of the Covenant of Grace in Christ as circumcision was before is implied a Declaration that we have and do actually Covenant with Christ And as it was foretold by the Prophet Zachary as the Lord sayes ye are my people Zac. 13.9 so Gods people also say the Lord is our God First Christ saith to the soul thou art my spouse Secondly and the soul saith to Christ thou art my Lord my loving Husband And so though not in so many words outwardly yet in substance in this belief in the heart and profession or confession of Faith with the mouth and willingnesse to be baptized is an entrance by way of Covenant or witnessing that the party desiring Baptism hath entred Covenant with God in Christ which he now desired to be sealed and his admission to be compleated in Baptism 4ly A Covenant is entred and sealed in Baptism with the Head Christ and all the members of his mystical Body the party thus confessing and professing Faith and Covenant when the Church or persons authorized by it that did finde that according to Christs institution Act. 10.47 he or she had jus adrem a right unto Church-fellowship and to Baptism the seal of admission yea a kinde of inward right in the Communion and spiritual membership of Saints in Christ the Head as far as in judgement of charity they could discern thus admitted by Christ this professor of the Faith I say was baptized and so outwardly compleated and entertained as a Church member not only to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper and breaking of bread Act. 2.46 but also to all other Acts of Church fellowship which agree to a member by the Ordinance of Christs sealing in Baptism both his Covenant with God in Christ and with all the members of Christs mystical Body And thus you see how men of ripe years converted from Iudaism or Paganism to the Faith and holinesse of the Gospel had their outward admission into the Church and Communion of the Saints with Christ their Head and one with another And so far you may behold the Scripture way of admission into or making up the Body or Church of Christ Thus there were dayly added to the Church such as should be saved Act. 2.47 1 Cor. 12.27 Eph. 1.22 23. men and women converts and professors being made visible members of the Church And all particular members making up one Body of which Christ is the Head and so Saints to and with whom we must exercise our Christian love and charity Quest 26. How then may a visible Church of Christ be described by this that you have held forth Answ I conceive a true visible Church of Christ to be a company or Act. 8.17 18 c. society of professours of the true Faith of Christ and holinesse of the Gospel 2 Cor. â—â— 13 and of their belief obedience and subjection thereunto united and joyned by Covenant and Covenant union unto one with Christ their Head and in Christ and with another both sealed in the Sacrament of Baptism rightly admitted and compleated according to the Scriptures by and in which they are admitted and received and approved as visible members of the Church and Body of Christ Quest 27. I like of this description if you make the matter of a visible Church to be visible Saints as you seem to intimate Rom. 1.7 Ans The matter of a visible Church certainly ought to be visible Saints if you mean Saints by profession of true Faith and true holinesse and such as desire and endeavour to walk not after the flesh Rom. 8.1 2. but after the spirit so as the Church can discern Quest 28. But what if any admitted prove offensive Ans If any declare themselves otherwise in their walkings or common course of life after their admission the Church and those in authority by Christ may and ought to cast them out upon due proofs and convictions in a due and right exercise of the Keys and power of Christ though not for every failing Matth. 18.17 1 Cor. 5. and not before other means used according to the custome and practise of the Churches of Christ Quest 29. But if this Discipline be wanting Ans For want of this although the Lord Christ hath not used in any Scripture example to un-Church a Church for any personal corruption of particular members or for the Churches neglect in this particular Revel 2.10 11 c. yet Christ hath reproved the particular Churches for this fault and that sharpely as the Scripture holdeth forth evidently unto us Quest 30. But
so sealing promise of performance of Covenant with Christ and his Church accordingly Of these I say 1. The first is not acted by the childe for that cannot desire Baptism Mark 10. But it is acted by the parents who do present the childe as those in the Gospel and dedicate and consecrate it to God in Christ and in the behalf of the childe according to Gods Covenant with the faithful and their seed desire Baptism for it That in and by Baptism it may be admitted to outward visible Infant-membership in the Church See the Ancient Forms of Baptism in the Church of Christ Reformed c. 2. Again for the second profession of the Faith that neither is nor can be done by the Infant when it usually baptâ—zâ—d at a week old or thereabouts or it may be sooner That profession of Faith therefore hath usually been made by the parents at least in a declaration of their assent and consent to the Articles of the Faith of Christ and cheif sum of the Gospel Thirdly for the intimation of a Covenant and Covenant-union with Christ and his Church in the profession of the Gospel this the child in infancy cannot perform nor promise Therefore it hath been the Churches practise that the Parents whose duty properly it is or the pro-parents have according to their duty promised and engaged themselves to do their best endeavour by the power of Christ First To Catechize and instruct their children in the knowledge of God and Iesus Christ as he is held forth in the Word of God our Saviour and to instruct them in that promise they did make when they did present them to be baptized to bring them up in the knowledge Faith and profession of the Gospel according to the power and means God in his good providence should afford them Secondly to inform them how they have likewise promised to do their best endeavour to instruct them in their duty when that they come to years and have gain'd knowledge and Faith by Gods Grace in the Gospel to make profession of that Faith and declare their subjection in their own persons unto the Gospel of Christ Thirdly and to renew the Covenant of which passively they received the seal when they were baptized in infancy and to declare their renewing of that Covenant with God in Christ when upon approbation of the Church and Ministers and Elders of the Church or those in Authority from Christ they were admitted to the Lords Table Fourthly and lastly to instruct them that they were baptized and engaged in Baptism to this end amongst others in this or the like manner to enjoy a more full Communion in and with the Church of Christ And thus I have endeavoured to set forth the manner and nature of Infants outward entrance and solemn admission with the Church by Baptism Secondly there is another thing to be considered in and concerning the children of believers when they are come to years of understanding and knowledge and that God hath given them Faith and holinesse in some measure and ability to professe their Faith and to declare their desire of holinesse and willingnesse to manifest their professed subjection to the Gospel in Faith and obedience This is their performance of this duty by means whereof they are admitted by the Church in general or those who have Authority from Christ unto a full Church communion in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper and other acts of Church-fellowship according unto the rule and direction of Christ held forth in the Gospel And thus I conceive they are formally compleat members as in respect of truth of membership-infant in their infant Baptism so in respect of visibility and ripe years membership in the Lords Supper and thus they all are visible members and matter of the Church of Christ and have a true formal admission into the Church without any other special Covenant amongst Christians as necessarily and absolutely necessary to the formal constitution of a visible Church and without any rebaptization or renouncing of their former Baptism as some have and do pretend And thus I have shewed you who are our neighbours and what is the Church of Christ visible and the Communion of Saints to and with whom we ought to exercise our Christian love and charity And so the true matter of a Church or material cause both in respect of infants and men of ripe years Quest 35. But sir there are divers Separatists amongst us who are seducing people dayly from our Church and affirm our Churches have neither matter nor form of a Church or at least are so corrupt in both that our congregation are no Churches of Christ but Babylon and members of Antichrist and so to be departed from Rev. 41. They do indeed abuse that place of Scripture and falsly apply that to us which belongs to Rome Ans But I have given an Answer to this Objection before in part Yet to clere the point more fully in brief First for the matter of the Church they cannot deny but we have in our Church and Congregations visible Saints true matter of a Church and members of Christ yea some as great Saints as most we know or reade of in the Christian world This I my self have known in some Country Parochial Congregations by experience and this I do know in some great City Congregations although there be too many hypocrites too many formalists and too many prophane People mixed and not yet purged out from our Congregation nor cast out as they ought to have been And I say further if for these failings and corruptions in a Church They will as they would un-church our Churches they may and do by the same Argument unchurch the Church of Corinth and others which Christ and his Apostles approve and acknowledge true Churches of God in Christ Iesus If for this cause of different matter of or in our Churches or because we have mixed Congregations and not consisting of all visible Saints but some erroneous in judgement and some erring in life and conversation their Argument I conceive must be to this or the like effect as full against the Church of Corinth as our great mixed Congregations No visible Church which is a mingled Congregation consisting of some visible Saints and some visible prophane people in life and erroneous in judgement ignorant and scandalous and not cast out but suffered in the Church is a true visible Church of Christ and to be communicated with But the Church of Corinth was such a Church as well as our mixed Congregations as may easily be proved And therefore the Church of Corinth was no true visible Church of Christ and to have beep separated from as from Babylon And this I hope they dare not but confesse is a most false and scandalous conclusion and so their Argument false against our Churches and their opinion a false opinion that our mixed Congregations are no true Churches of Christ or to be separated from as
they were not true Ministers of the Gospel because ordained by a Bishop and a company of Presbyters according to the ancient practise of the Church Secondly I say the Ministers of Christ have had a twofold vocation or calling to that office Acts 20.18 18. and 13.1 2 3. 1 T t .4.14 First extraordinary by Christ Himself as the Apostle and Saint Paul had And Secondly more ordinarily by the Apostles and Elders of the Church and by the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery as the Scripture held forth unto us as Paul left Titus Tit. 1.3 4. Act. 20 2â— Bishop Titus or overseer Titus as Saint Paul calleth the Bishops or Elders of Ephesus far different from our late Bishops or overseers in many respects the manner commonly by laying on of hands of Presbyters and a Bishop or overseer not as a Bishop of later stamp but as a Presbyter and overseer of old have Ministers of Christ been ordained and after ordination sent and received of particular Churches And howsoever some corruptions have crept into the manner of Ordination and although some ordained Presbyters have turned Popes and Popish Bishops and some Popish Bishops with a company of Presbyters have examined approved and ordained Ministers and given outward Ordination and Authority to preach the Gospel yet this cannot nullifie the call of a Minister of Christ if he be called and gifted inwardly and inabled by Christs spirit with gifts fit for the ministerial office as all the outward calling and approbation by a particular Congregation maketh not an illiterate cobler or other mechanick to be a true Minister of Christ when Christ hath not furnished him with gifts and graces fit for so high and honourable a calling Thirdly We who are Ministers of Christ receive not our calling from Antichrist but from Christ and our Ordination for substance is truly Christian not Antichristian Howsoever some Antichristianly affected might sometimes have had a hand in Ordination the Gospel of Christ hath been conveyed to Reformed Churches yea to separate congregations themselves to such as separate themselves from Babylon it may be by the hands and means of Romish Babylon God hath made the servants of Antichrist to be his servants in this that they have been porters and carriers to bring the holy Scriptures unto the Reformed Churches by the hands of glorious Reformers in the Churches of Christ and yet the Scriptures are the true Word of God and the true Gospel of Jesus Christ for all this And so are our Ministers true Ministers of Christ though their outward Ordination had been carried through the polluted hands of some Antichristianly affected Bishops and Presbyters who did sit in place as Scribes and Pharisees did sit in Moses chair But we say further Mat. 23.1 2 3. as God did extraordinarily call and gifted the Apostles and Ministers in the Primitive times and they ordained others in the Church whose Ministery the Lord did blesse for the propagation of the Gospel So did the Lord wonderfully stir up and in an extraordinary manner call Luther Calvin and others in the Reformed Churches And so Reverend Bishop Cranmer Ridley Latimer and other godly Martyrs Bishops and Ministers of Christ by whose hand their successors the faithful Ministers in the Churches of Christ in England received their outward ordination but their inward from Christ himself and his spirit by whose grace the Lord hath made our Ministery glorious in the conversion of many thousand souls to God and building up of as glorious Saints as any ever was in the Christian world since the Primitive times yea even the Separatists themselves 1 Cor. 4 15. who now deny us to be the true Ministers of Jesus Christ must needs confesse that we have been their spiritual Fathers in Christ and have begotten them again to God through the Gospel yea Gal. 4.19 we as tender Mothers have travelled in birth again in our painful Ministery until Christ hath been formed in them all though now in a most ingrateful manner they dishonour their parents and sin against Christ the Lord of his Church Quest 43. This I suppose is sufficient to satisfie any humbled soul not filled too much with pride self-conceit and the spirit of division and separation as too many are in these dayes But yet some object That howsoever Ministers outward approbation and ordination may be passed over and they be lawful Ministers yet what lawful call have they to particular Congregations and places Ans I answer Patrons of Churches and congregations were and have been honoured and trusted with the nomination and presentation of Ministers to particular Churches but so as none ought to have been put upon any congregation but such as ought to have been well approved of by the Bishop who had a trust reposed in him also for sufficiency and ability for the work of the Ministery and for holinesse of life and and conversation which when and where the trust was rightly performed and the Ministers have been faithful labourers in the Lords harvest and after admission approved of by the faithful and godly party in a Parochial Congregation certainly there was a call sufficient and a sufficient union and form of union between Pastor and people to make up in this respect a true Church of Christ Secondly Howsoever this trust both in Patrons and Bishops hath been most grosly abused by corrupt Simoniacal Patrons most unconscionably seeking to thrust wicked Ministers they cared not whom upon the people and carelesse Bishops neglecting that trust reposed in them yet the failings herein was not enough to un-church a Church where yet the Gospel hath been preached and Sacraments administred for substance according to the institution of Christ though here as in Corinth Galatia and Jerusalem many faults might be found to stand in need of Reformation And howsoever no face of a Church might for a time appear 1 Kin. i9 14 Ier. 3.15 as in Jerusalem for a time yet God in many places have given Pastors after his own heart to feed his people with knowledge and understanding and where the Candlestick hath been removed for a time or at least a Candle shut up as in a dark lanthorn God at prayers of his people hath removed a carelesse shepherd and in his due time restored comfort in a faithful Minister to his people and so still continued and preserved the Churches of Christ amongst us yea both for matter and form sufficient to constitute a Church howsoever there hath been some failings in both Quest 44. You have in some measure cleared this Objection Yet how are our Churches rightly constituted in respect of a formal union of members one with another Ans I conceive there is a twofold union First a civil union as in division of Kingdoms Provinces Cities or Parishes And as God hath in this providence united men in habitation and course Act. 17.26 and means of livelyhood God having determined the times before appointed
new builded there are onely some few rooms pull'd down where the Officers for execution of Discipline lodged and some such particulars But the main house stands still the preaching of the Gospel as glorious as ever the Word and Prayer and the Sacraments and admission and growth of grace in the Churches of Christ yea even in our mixed Congregations and so still true Churches for matter and form and visible Saints to be found to and with whom we may exercise this grace of christian love and charity Quest 48. This is enough I conceive to shew our lawful membership in and of the Church of Christ and to evidence our Church a true Church in respect of admission into the fellowship of the Saints and communion of the faithful both for matter and form But now wherein should a childe of God declare and shew forth his Christian love and charity to such visible Saints and members of Christs Church Ans In all lawful christian union and communion one with another in actions of piety and charity according to the rules of the Gospel edifying one another in the knowledge of Christ receiving the weak brethren in all wisdom humility and love to build them up in the necessary truth of the Gospel and that in all godly prudence to win them to a more high prizing of Christ and all the wayes of Grace and godlinesse but not receiving weak brethren or sisters to doubtful Disputations Rom. 14.1 2 c. so much as in things indifferent and so not in matters of higher nature they being not able to judge of the force of Arguments in dispute 1 Tim. 1.4.6 and vain jangling too common in the world and so may be drawn to Errors have their consciences remain lesse satisfied in the truth Acts 2. 5. but to exercise all love towards them especially Ministers to the flock satisfying tender consciences out of Gods Word and one christian communicating to another in outward things especially to the poor in the Churches of Christ not that there is such a community of goods Rev. 2. and of all things as the wicked Nicolaitans did Acts 2. and some of later times do imagine by wrong interpreting Scripture but that in christian charity the richer christians should be careful to relieve the necessities of their poor Brethren and do good to them especially as being of the houshold of Faith Gal. 6.10 And this is enough to manifest the truth of members of particular Congregations that were baptized in Infancy and Catechized and professing Faith holinesse and renewing Covenant with God in Christ before their partaking of the Lords Supper as according to the true ancient order of the Church they have been in many Congregations Parochial in England where faithful Ministers have been and not onely in this respect but in respect of our Ministers Word and Sacraments and effects of grace wrought in the hearts of Gods children evidence our Churches true Churches whatsoever violent seducing Separatists whisper to their deceived Disciples to the contrary Thus you may see a communion of Saints in England to whom and with whom we may exercise our christian love and charity Ier. 15.19 which every day will shine more gloriously as Reformation separates the precious from the vile more fully which we hope and pray for daily The two and twentieth Classis or company of Questions Question 1. YOu have in some good measure declared these four Graces in the Wedding garment Divine knowledge lively Faith Evangelical Repentance and Christian love and charity Now is there no more required but the habits of these Graces to fit us for the comfortable partaking of the Lords Supper and to fit us in our walking with Christ in the whole course of our lives What light is there for Christians for direction herein Ans Yes we ought to wait on Christ in all good means that these graces may be enlivened actuated awakened as a man from sleep yea strengthned and lively 2 Tim i. 6 Rev. 3.2 stirred up and quickned by the quickning vertue and power of Christ that we may more sweetly meet Christ and gain soul-cherishing vertue from Christ in that holy ordinance and walk with Christ to eternal glory As man may have an habit of sight yet except awakened he cannot see Eph. 5.14 so we in habits of Grace must be awakened and quickned by Christ Quest 2. What helps or meant are there to be used in which we should wait on Christ for the quickning of these Graces and our further preparation for the Lords Table and walking with Christ in our lives And what light have you from Christ to direct in this particular Ans These helps are chiefly of three sorts revealed by Christ unto us 2 Chron. 30.3 c. Lev. 23.27 c 1 Cor. 11.17 c. First Publike preparation in the Ministery of the Word Prayer Catechizing confession or profession of these graces of Knowledge Faith Repentance and love especially in a day set apart for preparation for the meeting of Christ in this Ordinance that a man or woman may be approved of by the Ministers and Elders of the Church as being not onely in some competent measure freed from ignorance and without scandal but also endued with truth of grace as far as may be discerned in judgment of charity and so such as are to be admitted to joyn in communion with the Saints and partake with comfort in this this holy communion at the Table of the Lord. Quest 3. But is it fit that men or women should willingly make profession of their graces and approve themselves to the Church as well as examine themselves in secret before they presume to come to the Lords Supper Ans Howsoever it is not necessary that every one should make this profession every time he or she comes to the Sacrament yet it is certain that every one ought to make this profession or be known to be such a one until he or she be approved of by the Church as fit members to be admitted as children baptized when they come to age of discretion ought to professe the Faith in Christ 2 Cor. 2.5 c. 1 Cor. 5.3 c. 2. And if any fall into open sin after profession and admission it is fit they should declare their Repentance before they presume to come or be re-admitted to this feast of the Lord. Quest 4. What ground have you for this in holy Scriptures or what light from Christ to discover this Truth Ans Because if we must be alwayes ready to give an Answer to every one that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in us with meeknesse and fear 1 Pet. 3.15 and 5.1 c. Iud. 20.21 c. as is noted in the first Classis much more to the Church or to the Ministers of Christ or Elders set over the Congregation desiring not as Lord to tyrannize over our consciences or to shame us for our
after the Lord 1 Sam. 7.1 2. Quest 9. What is the fifth help Answ Application of the Sacrament to my self as a seal of the covenant of grace 1 Cor. 10 16 17. Rom. 4.11 Gal. 2.20 Rom. 9.23 24. and of my confirmation in the faith and love of God to me as my God and Father reconciled to me in Christ untill I prize it as a rich treasure and part of the riches of Christs kingdome of grace for my preparing to glory Quest 10. What is the sixth and last help Answ Prayer to God with faith in the name of Christ zeal and constancy and humble waiting untill I can understand by the help of Christs Spirit Ios 16.23 Iam. 1.6 Iam. 5.16 1 Cor. 10 1 2 3 4. 1 Cor. 10 16 Cant. 5.8 Gâ—n 30.1 Esther 5.13 Luke 22.20 1 Cor. 11 25. the excellency of this ordinance and that glorious union and communion which a prepared humble faithfull soul enjoyes with Christ feeding on Christ spiâ—itually and feasting with him at the Lords Table and untill my soul be so far sick of love for Christ that I can truly say as Rachel did of children O my God give me the holy Sacrament and to feast with Christ in it or else I dye Or as Haman did of all his riches and honours and of Hesters banquet in another kinde what is all this so long as I enjoy not Christ and banquet not with Christ at the Supper of my Lord. Quest 11. You have declared how you conceive the grace of knowledge both of God and of our selves and of Christ and of the Sacrament may be enlivened waiting on Christ in these or the like helps now how do you conceive the grace of faith may be enlivened by the power of Christ so as you may come with greater comfort to the Lords Table What light from Christ to enlighten in this work of grace Answ First time and secondly place being observed as before Thirdly I conceive I may wait on Christ in a serious examination of my faith as it is held forth before in this catechisme First distinguishing this lively faith from all other kindes Secondly examining and trying my faith 1. In the nature of it an entertaining receiving applying faith 2. In the means disposing my heart to believe 3. In the heavenly author or efficient and instrumentall causes of faith the word of promise and spirit of Christ 2 Cor. 4.13 4. In the matter and object of faith 5. In the form and life of faith 6. In the effects and fruits of faith all proved and set forth already Fourthly I may enliven my faith by waiting upon Christ in self-application of all those rules of tryall to my own heart to see how the truth of this grace is in my soul Fifthly I may wait on Christ in a solid and devout meditation of the grace of saith in my heart of the promises of Free-grace in Christ and especially the sacramentall promises now to be looked upon in the Sacrament This is my body Mat. 26.26 27. this is my blood which is given which is shed for you untill my soul findes and feeleth that it believes more firmely receiveth and rests on Christ for salvation more fully Sixthly wait on Christ in prayer to God the Father in the name of Christ Isa 11.10 Isa 66.11 1 Cor. 10 21. That I may suck and be satisfied with the breasts of consolation and feed with joy at the Lords Table Quest 12. How or in what manner may you wait on Christ to quicken and renew your Evangelical Repentance or daily turning more and more from sin to God in minde will affection and conversation that you may with more comfort come to the Lords Supper What light is there from Christ to lead you to Christ in this grace and duty Ans First Time Secondly Place observed as before Thirdly I am to set my self as in Gods presence and examine Ier. 31.18 19. First My first conversion to God to finde evidence of the truth of that by considering 1. The meritorious cause Christ 2. The Nature 3. Author And 4. Means of working this grace in my soul as far as I can discern 5. The matter of it the whole man soul and body 6. The manner And 7. The end and effects of this conversion and repentance as in this Catechism is held forth or a I finde in other Catethisms or word from Christ Ezek. 36.31 Psal 51.10 Mat. 26.57 Secondly To examine the progresse and growth of it daily in my soule not only loathing but turning from sinne to God and lamenting my fâ—â—ling with sorrow if I have fallen as David Peter or other Saints of God and ungratefully forgotten the love of my Saviouâ— Fourthly meditating of my sinnes and vile ingratitude against so good a God to me in Christ Fifthly a right application all to my own soul in particular Psa 51.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Isa 2.1 2 3. Psal 122 1 2 3 4. Cant. 1.7 8. And lastly prayer to God in the name of Christ untill I finde an increase of power over my sinfull corruptions and a more ful assurance of my pardon new heart and spirit-restored joy which that it may better be communicated from Christ to my soule I long to meet Christ in his ordinances Quest 13. But what help and light from Christ have you to finde out not only your originall sin and sinfull nature in generall before your repentance and conversion to God but you daily actuall sals an A failings by which you do dishonour God grieve the Spirit of Christ and wound your own conscience and make your self more unfit to come to the holy Sacrament Answ I conceive I may wait on Christ and his Spirit looking for light from Christ into a threefold glasse or book which reveils sins to my soul by the power and light of Christs Spirit Quest 14. What is the first Answ The first is the book of the law or commanding part of Gods will or Word revealed by Christ held forth in the ten Commandements in particular Isa 8.21 and in the whole Scriptures of God in generall Quest 15. What is the second glasse Ioh. 3.17 18 19 20. Ioh. 16 8 9. Hebr. 2.2 3. Mat. 22.1 2 3 4 5 6. 9 10 11 12. Mat. 25.19 c. Answ Secondly the book ot the Gospel or gracious promising part of Gods Word against which I have sinned by unbelief too little regard of the tender of grace to improve my talent of faith other graces communicated to Saints and to my soul in and by Christ Iesus Quest 16. What is the third glasse or light from Christ to see this truth Answ The book of my own conscience enlightned which as Register recordeth my sins and will upon search by the help of Christs Spirit and light from Christ set my sins before my face with the circumstances Rom. 2.14 15. Rom. 9.1 2. Gen.
42.21 Iohn 3.16 Iohn 15.5 Rom. 8.37 Colos 1.10 Rev. 1.4 5. order and severall aggravations of them by which I may more see my own vilenesse and admire Gods goodnesse in giving Christ whom I stand daily in need of not only for more assurance of pardon but for increase of power to overcome temptations and walk more thankfully to God who hath so freely loved me in Iesus Christ For if naturall conscience do this much more conscience enlightned by the Spirit of Christ Quest 17. How can you finde all your sins and failings by the glasse of the law or ten Commandements Answ First reading and observing the Commandements as they are recorded in the 20 Chapter of Exodus with the exposition and explication of them by the Prophets in the Old Testament Mat. 5.6 c. and by Christ himself 〈◊〉 the fifth sixth seventh Chapters of the Gospel according to S. Matthew and by the Apostles in the New Testament Secondly by questioning my conscience upon intergatories drawn both from the affirmative and negative part of every Commandement as I hope I shall be able to declare more fully in the next part of this Catechisme Luke 10 25 c. as Christ did Catechize the Pharisee Quest 19. But is repentance of every sin originall and actuall required in that man or woman who will come with comfort to the Lords Table Answ Certainly that soul that lives senselesly and securely either in the state of nature unregenerate or in any known actuall sin as Atheism wilfull affected ignorance or unbelief and prophanenesse against the first Commandement Or superstitious will-worship or neglect of love against the second Commandement Or blasphemy cursing swearing against the third Commandement Or irreligious prophanenesse of the Lords day and neglect of Gods Ordinances against the fourth Or in wilfull carelesse omission of duty or commission of sins against superiours as Parents Magistrates Ministers against inferiours or equals as children servants brethren or neighbours against the fifth Commandement Gen. 4.5 1 Cor. 10 1 2 c. Tit. 1.15 16. Ier. 7.8 9 c. Ier. 1 10 c. Ezek. 14.1 2 c. Isa 1.12 c. Matth. 5.20 c. 1 Cor. 11 17.20 Mat. 22.11 c. Isa 66.2 c. Or in malice envie murther whoredom theft oppression cozening sacriledge drunkennesse lying slandering or in any other grievous crime yea or in wicked desires and unlawfull covetings against the ten or any other commands such cannot finde comfort in coming to the Lords Table except the Lord first give them repenting hearts for their sins faithfull and longing hearts after Christ for assurance of pardon and for power to repent more and more with a resolution by the grace of God in Christ to walk in newnesse of life because without this repentance faith and other needfull graces they come not for the better but for the worse and eat judgement to themselves and their service is abominable Quest 20. How can you finde out your sins against the Gospell Answ Especially by getting a Catalogue of the promises and finding out the unbelief of my own heart and great ingratitude to doubt of Gods love 2 Cor. 7.1 Heb. 3.12 Heb. 11.6 2 Pet. 1 3 4. 2 Cor. 1.20 2 Tim. 1 12. or not to confide in God through Christ and walk thankfully towards thee the Lord having given so many rich and precious promises which are all yea and Amen in Christ Iesus Quest 21. By what helps may you wait on Christ for the quickning and enlivening of the grace of Christian love and charity What light from Christ for exercise and quickning of this grace of love Answ Time and place being kept as before I may wait on Christ with examination of my love First to God in Christ Secondly to my self Thirdly to my neighbour 1. How I love God in his holy nature person properties word and works 2. How I love Christ in his person Name in his Ordinances Church and Children 3. How I love my self not with a self-love but as in and for God and Gods glory in Christ as well as my own good in an inferiour respect 4. How I love my neighbour yea my very enemy to doe him good for Gods glory 2 Cor. 8.1 c. Mat. 22.37 c. Iohn 14.21 Iohn 15.9 c. 1 Cor. 16 22. Mat 16.24 Tit. 1.7 1 Cor. 11.28 2 Tim 3 c. Eph. 5.28 29. Pro. 19.8 Rom. 13 8 c. Pro. 25.21 Rom. 12 20. Rom. 12.13 1 Cor. 4.4 2 Cor. 5.14 15. that I may appear to be one of the children of my heavenly Father 5. How I pitty poor Saints to relieve them for Christs sake 6. How I do and desire and endeavour to doe all this not to be justified thereby before God or to satisfie for my sins or to procure my peace all which is done by Christ but to witnesse my thankfulnesse to God in Christ for his free love to me and the great invaluable gift of his Sonne Christ who loved me and gave himself for me Quest 22. What further meant is there to quicken this love Answ Fourthly by the power of Christs spirit to meditate and think of all this love with the author and worker of it in my soul the same holy spirit by whom it is spread abroad in my heart and the object of this love my God reconciled to me in and by Christ and Gods word and people And fifthly to wait on Christ in a speciall application of this to my own soul And sixthly to wait in earnest prayer by the help of the spirit of prayer who proceeds from the father Iohn 4.16 c. Iohn 16.23 1 Iohn 5.13 c. Rom. 8.35 c. Luke 10.27 Cant. 5.5 c. and the Son untill my heart be inseparably enflamed with all this true love of God my neighbour and my self and my soul filled with unsatisfied longing to meet Christ and see his glorious face in his Ordinances that I may tell him I am sick of love to enjoy him more fully and his soul-satisfying refreshments in his gracious vertue and presence in my soule The twenty fifth Classis or Company of Questions 1 Question YOu have made profession of your knowledge faith repentance and love and your experience how to enliven and strengthen the habits of those antecedent graces divine knowledge lively faith Evangelicall repentance and christian love and charity Now what are those more immediate present necessary graces or gratious affections resolutions and actions in the soul in which you may wait on Christ as in more immediate preparatives to be examined enlivened resolved upon acted and exercised immediately before or at that time when you draw near to partake of the Lords Supper Answ There are and may be diverse but chiefly these that follow Quest 26. What is the first of these to be quickned in you What light from Christ for these have you seen 2 Chro. 32 c. Isa 57.15 Isa 66.2 Mic.
6.8 Ephes 4. â—0 Answ First by the power of Christ dwelling in my soul I may endeavour to stir up and be affected with a holy reverence godly sorrow and humblenesse of spirit in my heart quickned in or by a serious meditation or thinking 1. Of my great unthankfulnesse to God my Father in Christ for his Free grace and love to my soul in the Lord Iesus 1 Cor. 3.1 c. Heb. 5.12 who loved me and gave himselfe for me that I have grieved his Spirit by whom I am seal'd to the day of redemptioÌ„ 2. By meditation or thinking of my great unprofitablenesse in my former partaking of Christ in this and other sacred ordinances what small growth in knowledge faith love power over sin fruitfulnesse in good works and other graces 3. In meditating and thinking of my own weaknesse unworthiness and unfitnesse now to meet Christ Gen. 28. 26 17. Isa 6.5 6 7. 1 Cor. 11 28 29. Gal. 3.1 Luk. 2.19 Hest 5.2 Mark 5.27 c. my inability to examine my selfe or discerne the Lords body or by the eye of faith to see Christ crucified for me and meditate untill I be truly affected with a holy reverence and childe-like fear of offending my God in not comming rightly fitted for the Lords presence in this sacred Ordinance so that I durst not approach if I did not hope that in Christ the golden Scepter of grace shall be holden forth unto me for my comfort therefore presse to come to Christ for vertue from Christ to strengthen grace in my soul 4. In meditating and thinking of my former breach of covenant with my God and Father which I have renued time after time in this sacred Ordinance and too often broken againe for all which I should endeavour by the power of Christ and his Spirit to wait on Christ in meditation and prayer untill I finde my selfe affected with a holy godly sorrow and humblenesse of spirit for that I have in the least measure offended my God and loving Father in Jesus Christ so that as I may so I can confesse truly with the Centurion Lord I am not worthy thou shouldest come under the roofe of the house of my heart Gen. 32.24 c. Hos 12.4 Rom. 8.26 27. Iudg. 10.15 16. Mat. 15.27 28. speak but the word and thy servant shall be healed Matth. 8.8 Or with the poor Publican stand a far off as scarce daring to look up to heaven had I not Christ my Mediator and smiting my breast say as the repenting Publican God be mercifull to me a sinner Luke 18.13 Lord once again seal the assurance of my pardon in and by Christ to my own soul Quest 3. What is a second immediate preparatory grace or gracious affection or sanctified act or motion of the soul as a preparative for the quickning of which you should wait on Christ immediately before you draw near to the Lords Table Answ I may and ought to wait on Christ and look up to Christ untill I finde by the power of Christs Spirit in my soul in sense and feeling of my great need of Christ A holy hunger and spirituall thirst-desiring-desire and earnest longing after Christ and his soul-cherisbing vertue and spirituall nourishment which my soul wants First to seal my assurance of Christs unchangeable love to me And secondly to strengthen and nourish in me my life of grace and my love and obedience to my God and my Father in the Lord Iesus Christ Psal 63.1 c. Ps 107.9 Ier. 44.3 Ier. 31.3 Mal. 3.6 Iohn 13.1 Phil. 4.13 Rom. 16.26 Gal. 2.20 my Lord and my Redeemer who loved me and gave himself for mee and will enliven me according to the rich promises of Christ in the Gospel as Psal 42.1 2 c. Luk. 22.15 as Christ so a Christian to meet Christ Quest 4. What is a third immediate preparatory grace or gracious affection of the soule for the quickning of which you must and ought to look up unto and wait on Christ and endeavour to enliven and exercise immediately before you draw near to the Lords table are invited by Christs Ministers to partake of that bread and drink that Cap in the holy Sacrament of the Lords Supper what light from Christ to reveal him unto you Answ I may and ought by strength from Christ to meditate of Christs gracious invitation of me 1. As a poor humbled sinner to come in to him and finde rest and refreshing to my soul as Mat. 11.22 2. Inviting me as one of his believing sons or daughters to come to his feast and to partake of his Supper as Cantic 5.1 Isa 55.1 2 c. Luke 14.17.24 Rev. 19 9 Mat. 22.1 c. 2 Chro. 30.18 c. 3. To meditate of this invitation untill by the spirit of Christ my heart be affected with joyfulnesse that I may come and have liberty to come with joy and rejoycing to the Lords Table as to a most free and rich mariage feast in which I hope to have a sweet union and communion with Christ my Lord the heavenly husband of my soul Quest 5. What is the fourth preparatory grace or gracious affection resolution or act of the soul to be renewed quickned and enlivened immediately before you are coming to the Lords Table Answ As the Lord is pleased in this holy Sacrament to seal and confirme his Covenant of free grace in Christ and of the communion and union of Christ with me and my soul so first by the power from Christ when I draw near to this blessed Sacrament I do not only resolve by the grace of God to renew out actually by his grace I do renew my Covenant vows protestations to with the Lord my God 2. And as the Lord doth take avouch and acknowledge me to be one of his people in Christ so I doe avouch witnesse and vow that the Lord is and shall be my God and Father in Christ Iesus by the same power and grace of Christ 3. And that I do and will renounce all my former sins and failings and all sinfull union and communion with those spirituall enemies Deut. 26.27 the World the Flesh and the Devill 4. And freely and fully offer up and render my self wholeman soul and body to do and suffer the will of God in every condition and state of life untill I be dissolved and be with Christ Psal 50.4 c. to live with him in glory and to do the will of God for ever Gather my Saints to me who have renewed a covenant with me as in the Sacrament Quest 6. Is there nothing further necessary that a poor soul may be assured he or she may with comfort meet Christ and feast with him at his Table Answ Yes the resolution of a great question by the light and strength of Christs Spirit to look into the glasse of Gods Word and of my own heart and soul comparing them together to see and examine and know 1. What
world to come Quest 9. What it the seventh Sacramental act or object held forth as from Christ by his Ministers on which your corporal and spiritual sences acts and operations of soul and body are to be exercised by the power of Christ Ans Sacramental Foederation or Covenant-promises held forth by Christ to his Disciples the night before his Passion 1 Cor. 11.23 c. when he did Institute this Sacrament and held forth now to my soul in this Sacrament of the Lords Supper Quest 10. Wherein doth this Sacramental Foederation or Covenant consist Ans In those promising words of Christ to his Disciples the same night he was betrayed First when he took bread and brake it and said This is my Body which is given for you as is recorded Luke 22.22 or which is broken for you as blessed Paul expressed 1 Cor. 11.24 that is this Bread which I thus take in my hand and give to you is my Sacramental body by which another thing is meant for this Bread thus broken and given signifieth and sealeth and communicateth to you and assureth you of this my natural body which is now with you which you now see with your bodily eyes as well as you do this Bread which I break and give unto you Matthew 26.26 27. Quest 11. Wherein further doth this promise appear Ans And secondly in that it is as much as if the Lord had said further as verily as I do now give you this Bread broken as my Sacramental Body so verily I do now promise to give you this my natural body to be crucified and broken with torments for you and for many and this my promise and Covenant I do seal to you in giving you this Sacramental body of mine this Bread so blessed and broken yea behold the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the Table this night will Judas betray me with a kisse and the servants of the High-Priest shall take me and shall lead me to be accused and condemned and crucified not for any sins of my own but for your sins Ioh. 10.15 I say and not for yours only but for all my sheep for whom I do willingly lay down my life and do by this Sacramental Covenant and Promises engage my self to lay down my life for yours and their salvation and I do appoint this Sacrament that you may never forget my love thus witnessed by my death and thus held forth and sealed to you And this is my promise which you shall see performed after few dayes read Matthew 26 and 27 Chapters and Luke 22 and 23 Chapters 1 Cor. 11.23 24. Quest 12. But doth not the words of Christ in blessing and giving of the Wine hold forth the same Sacramental promise Ans Yes verily for at the same time he took the cup and gave thanks and gave to them saying Drink ye all of this and then he giveth them the same promises as a reason why they should drink of that cup for saith he This is my blood of the New Testament which is sealed for you and for many for remission of sins as Mat. 26.27 21. and in Luke 22.22 compared may appear this is my blood of the New Testament or of the New Covenant the Covenant of Grace to your souls not that the Bread broken is my natural body which shall be crucified for you or that the Wine in the cup which I now give unto you is my natural blood which shall be shed for you But these are my Sacramental body blood signifying and sealing this promise for as verily as I do now give you this cup this Wine to drink which I call my blood of the New Covenant because it is a seal and pledge and earnest of my blood which I do now this night promise shall be shed for you within few dayes and as sure as I now give you my Disciples this Wine to drink so verily do I now give you my blood to be shed for you Mat. 26.27 28. and for many for remission of sins and this my promise shall be speedily verified and fulfilled For that as if Christ had said this night when as anon we shall go out to the Mount of Olives according to our trust 1. Some of you shall see that my Agony and bitter Passion will begin Ioh. 1.19 when in sense of the heavy burden of sins which the Lord my Father hath laid upon me and which as a Lamb of God I take away even the sins of the world and which I have most willingly undertaken to bear for you and for all my people whom I will save from all their sins Mat. 1.21 the burden of which are so great that I shall desire if it were my Fathers will this cup of wrath so bitter might passe from me 2. You shall see my Agony will be so vehement and grievous that I shall sweat even great drops of blood 3. And you shall see it more when being crowned with thorns and crucified with Nails in my hands and feet and my side pierced with a spear my blood my hearts blood shall flow in abundance for your sakes This I promise Isa 53. Mat. 26.27 Luk. 22.23 Mat. 1.21 1 Cor. 11.24 c. and this you shall see performed even with your own eyes and that within three dayes this I conceive humbly to hold forth plainly the Sacramental promises of Christ in this Sacrament as by comparing the Prophets and Evangelists and the Apostle Paul you may finde evident Quest 13. This indeed may hold forth that promise that Christ made at his last Supper and the institution of this Sacrament before his Passion and which he did promise and fulfil when he died for us But how can the same words be a Sacramental pnomise to you who desire to come to the Lords Table Ans Yea verily the same promise of Christ continueth in force in respect of the vertue truth power and efficacy of it to my believing soul and to all Believers to the end of the world Quest 14. How can this appear and upon what grounds Heb. 13.8 Ans First Christ Jesus is the same yesterday for the benefit of his Church yesterday and to day 1 Cor. 10.2 3. and for ever And as the Patriarks before Christ did all eat of the same spiritual meat drink the same spiritual drink and drunk of the spiritual Rock that followed them and that Rock was Christ believing the promises they fed on Christ the Messiah then to come by vertue of the promise Secondly As the Apostles in the first Institution and participation of the Sacrament did by faith feed on Christs body 1 Cor. 12.24 c. which was then promised to be given to be crucified for them and drink of his blood which was then promised to be shed for them and of which they were assured by that word of Christs promise even so likewise I now being a believing humbled hungry soul do now by
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
meditation of this great and inestimable love of God in Christ and most free love of Christ to my soul God the Father not onely loving me to give Christ his Son for me and the Lord Christ so loving me as to give himself for me and to give the Gospel of grace to manifest this his invaluable love but also to give the Sacraments and this Sacrament of the Lords Supper in particular to seal this wonderful surpassing love of God in Christ to my soul manifested in his death and passion for me and God the holy Ghost to witnesse this to me and in this meditation to be perswaded and assured by the strength of Christs spirit that I have a most sure right title and interest to Christ to his Death Passion Resurrection and Ascention and Intercession and to all the fruits and benefits of all these to my soul and that all these are most surely and firmly sealed and confirmed to me in this Sacrament to the glorious strengthning of my faith and rejoycing of my soul in Christ Iesus having loved me and given himself for me Gal. 2.20 Quest 27. What is the third act orr operation of the soul in which by the power of Christs spirit you may improve this Sacramental obsignation to your self to your joy and comfort Ans A spiritual and faithful application First of this blessed Sacrament as appointed and instituted by Christ as a seal to confirm my faith and an application of Christ and his glorious benefits sealed and assured to my soul and sealed to all Saints who have a holy union and communion with me in this Sacrament and a communion in and with Christ held forth and communicated in this Ordinance Reason For the bread broken is the communion of the body of Christ and the cup which is blessed is the communion of the blood of Christ 1 Cor. 10.16 17. and we that are many are one bread and one body for we are all partaker of that one bread and so I have both union and communion with Christ and with the Saints both sealed to me in this Sacrament Simile For as a Princes Broad or commonseal annexed to an Evidence confirmeth or sealeth up to the party to whom the Deed or Evidence is made the truth of all those Promises and Covenants which are contained in that Deed or Evidence or Letters or Patents So this Sacrament of the body and blood of Christ being as it were great Broad Seal of the Prince of Heaven and Earth Christ Iesus it sealeth to my soul all the promises and covenants in that great Charter the Covenant of Grace for my confirmation and establishment in Christ and Christs righteousnesse received by faith As circumcision of old Simile and Baptism in the time since Christs Ascention seals my entrance into Christ and clothing upon with Christ and his righteousnesse and ingrafting into Christ for nourishing vertue to life eternal So that I may still conclude with the Apostle certainly Christ loved me and gave himself for me Romans 4.11 Isaiah 61.10 Galathians 3.27 1 Peter 1.4 5. Galathians 2.20 The twenty ninth Classis or company of Questions 1 Question YOu have made profession of your faith and knowledge of all those present acting concomitant graces and gracious acts and operations of your soul which are to be exercised at the Lords Table in every Sacramental act and object of your senses corporal and spiritual to your refreshing and strengthning in the Lord Jesus by vertue from Christ the heavenly husband of your soul Now what light from Christ have you for those subsequent graces or gracious following acts or operations of soul or body in the inner man which are to be exercised and acted by you after the partaking of Christ in this holy Ordinance that a Christian may walk comfortably with Christ in the whole course of his or her life And what light have you received from Christ to lead you to Christ in this respect Ans There are two kindes of graces or gracious acts some to be put in practise presently and immediatly before we depart from the Ordinance and some after in the whole course of our lives and callings general and special Quest 2. What are those to be acted and put in execution in and upon the act of receiving before you depart from this holy Sacrament in which you may wait on Christ for a sweet and full assurance of Christs love unto you and of all those rich and invaluable benefits which the Lord Christ doth communicate and seal to your soul at the Lords Table Ans The first is a spiritual repletion Sacramental satisfaction glorious rest and full contentment in this rich Banquet at the Lords Table not in the action alone as resting in the thing done but having now fully fed on Christ Psal 63.1 c. and being satisfed with Christs sweetnesse as with marrow and fatnesse Quest 3. How are your affections now bent towards Christ Ans I desire now heavenly dainties and resolve by the power of Christ to feed no more at the Table of Devils upon the prodigals husks of sinful profits and pleasures Hos 14.8 Luke 15.16 221 30. 1 Cor 10. Ier. 50.4 5. Psa 65.4 but to keep my Covenant with my God in Christ for ever and to meet Christ upon all opportunities in his Ordinances that I may feed on Christ often at his Table of grace till I come to feast with him at his Table of glory Quest 4. In what manner or how may you wait on Christ in those three acts of your soul and inward man viz. 1. Serious observation 2. Divine meditation And 3. Faithful application for improvement of this rest satisfaction and spiritual content in this heavenly refreshing by Christ at the Lords Table What light from Christ for this duty 1 Pet. 2.3 Ans First for observation I may mark diligently divers particulars First what refreshings I finde in the ordinance Ioh. 13. Secondly what sign of Christ and his love to my soul in dying for my sins Thirdly how my affections are wrought upon with grief and godly sorrow in my soul 1. That my sins have crucified Christ 2. That I have been so unthankful and so often forgetful of this inestimable love to me Fourthly how I am cheered up with a joyful assurance that yet God accepteth me in Christ and that the pardon of my sins is now sealed to my soul in this Sacrament Quest 5. What assurance is gained from these Ans That Christ will make me strong in time to come 1. To resist all sin in thought word nnd deed And 2. More able to honour God in all estates and conditions 3. And more enlivened to delight in Christs presence of grace then ever before Cant. 5. Quest 6. What further grace way be observed Ans That in Christ I am more hungry after the Word of God 4. More longing to feast wit Christ in this Sacrament Acts 14.22 Luk.
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
Christ by faith O my soul and rightly endeavour to declare thy thankfulnes to God in Christ again and shew forth my thankfulness to my Lord Jesus in daily remembring of him until he translate thee to eternal glory Quest 23. What are the subsequent graces to be acted and duties to be exercised and practised in manifestation of your thankfulnesse to your God in Christ all the dayes of your life And what light from Christ have you received for direction herein Gal. 2. 20. 2 Cor. 5. 14 .. Mat. 22.37 .. Gal. 5. 13 14. Eph. 4.1 c. Ans There is one root-grace flowing into my soul from Christ and Christs wonderful love to me Christ loving me and giving himself for me And this is the grace of love that love of Christ with a holy gracious power as a precious Loadstone doth draw my soul to my God in Christ and sweetly constrain me to love Christ again who loved me first moving me powerfully to live henceforth not to my self but to him that dyed for me and role again and the fruits of this love are to be made evident by the power of Christ dwelling in me 1. Towards God the Father in Christ 2. Towards my self in true charity 3. Towards my Neighbour in love and unity all the dayes of my life all comprehended in one Grace Love And all this as fulfilling the Law of Christ Gal. 6.1 2. Iohn 13.34 25. and 15. 12 c. and because I finde God hath loved me first in the Lord Iesus John 4.19 Quest 24. What is the fruit that spring from this root Grace of your Christian Walking the free love of God to you in Christ assured by the spirit and faith and the reflex of that love as the eccho of love in your souls answering love again Ans The manifestation of my thankfulnesse or thankful remembrance of Christ of Christ Ioh. 4.9 c. love held forth to me in this Sacrament by a conltant and continued acting and exerciting of that grace of love wrought in me by the power of Christs spirit in my soul 1. Towards God my Father Iohn 20.17 2. Towards my self as to a childe of God in Christ Luke 10.17 3. Towards my Neighbour and especially towards the Houshold of saith the Church and Saints of the most High God and my fellow-members in Christ Iesus Gal. 6.10 Quest 25. Wherein ought you to declare your thankfulnesse and exercise your love towards God and your Neighbour in Christ Ans In yielding obedience to the will of God as my Father in Christ Iohn 5.39 6.68 First in believing whatsoever truth the Lord my God holdeth forth to be believed in the Scriptures Secondly Iohn 14.21 in doing or suffering whatsoever is by the will and pleasure of God my Father to be done or suffered by me according to his will Thirdly in praying to or praising God all the dayes of my life Quest 26. What light from Christ or what directory or rule is there of your faith or of tbose truths in which you are to declare in thankfulnesse your love and duty to God your Father by believing Ans The holy Scripture or whole Word of God recorded in Gods Book Ioh. 5.32 2 Pet. 1.19 20. Gen. 3.15 22. Isa 53. Ioh. 3.16 the holy Bible is my light but that which is especially for my comfort is the promises of the Gospel or Covenant of grace held forth unto me in the Old and New Testament by the Lord himself or by men of God as they were inspired by the holy Ghost Quest 27. What brief or sum is there to be believed of that which is taught at large as the Doctrine of faith in the holy Scriptures Ans Those twelve Articles in that symbole of faith or brief sum commonly called the Apostles Creed explained further in those other ancient Creeds received in the Church of Christ and known by the Names of Nicene Creed and Athanasius Creed Quest 28. Which call you the Apostles Creed Ans That which begins thus I believe in God the Father Almighty maker of Heaven and Earth And in Iesus Christ his onely Son our Lord c. as is expressed at large in my lesser Catechism Quest 29. Which call you the Nicene Creed Ans That Creed which beginneth as followeth I believe in one God the Father Almighty maker of Heaven and Earth and of all shings visible and invisible and in one Lord Iesus Christ the onely begotten Son of God begotten of his Father before all Worlds God of God Light of Light very God of very God begotten not made c. Quest 30. Which call you Athanasius Creed Ans That Creed which begins and follows thus Whosoever will be saved before all things it is necessary that he hold the Catholike Faith Which Faith except every one do keep whole and undâ—filed without doubt he shall perish everlastingly And the Catholike Faith is this That we worship one God in Trinity and Trinity in Vnity Neither confounding the Persons nor dividing the Substance For there is one Person of the Father another of the Son and another of the Holy Ghost But the Godhead of the Father of the Son and of the Holy Ghost is one The glory equal the Majesty co-eternal c. as is also Printed at large in my lesser Catechism Quest 31. But are these Creeds the ground or rule of Faith 2 Pet. 1.19 2. Iohn 5.39 Ans The holy Scripture is the most proper ground of Faith and most perfect rule for judging all Controversies But these Creeds as they are grounded on the Scriptures and holy Wod of God are and may be an objâ—ct and directory of our faith and so they have been and are yet received in the Church of Christ and are very profitable for our help and furtherance in the knowledge and remembrance of the Doctrine of Faith Iohn 5.39 Romans 15.4 2 Timothy 3.15 16 17. 2 Peter 2.19 20. The thirtieth Classis or company of Questions 1 Question VVHat directory or rule is there of your thankfulnesse and declaration thereof in doing or suffering the will of God as your God and loving Father in Iesus Christ What light from Christ for instruction in our Christian walking with God all our life long Deut. 4.1 c 6.1 c. Psa 119.105 Isa 8.20 Matthew 5 6 7 c. Ans The will and command of God my God and Father held forth to his Church and to me in the Decalogue or ten Commandments and the Explication and meaning of them by Moses and the Prophets in the Old Testament and by Christ and his Apostles in the New Testament as is evident by many places of Scripture in the Book of God Quest 2. What light is there from Christ Or what is that directory or rule of the Decalogue or ten Commandments held forth as a light to older our obedience and thankfulnesse is unto God as to our Father who hath brought us out of the
sighs and groans of the spirit unto God at least in our desires Iam. 5.10 Rom. 8.26 27. 9. By way of Covenant Ier. 50.4 5. or renewing of our Covenant and performing our Vows to the Lord. 10. With perseverance giving the Lord no rest until according to his promise 1 Thes 5.17 Gen. 32.10 11. Isa 62.6 7. he grant the lawful desires of our souls so far as they may be for Gods glory and the good of his Church or that he make Ierusalem a praise in the earth Quest 24. What are the particular sins contrary to these particular duties in Prayer Answ There are divers particular sins opposite to these duties relating to the manner of prayer and especially these that follow First it is a sin to pray ignorantly not understanding to whom Mar. 10.35 c. in whose Name or for what we pray Heb. 11.6 Iam. 1.6 7. Secondly to pray without faith or any eye to a promise that we may have ground to hope for obtaining of that we desire Gen. 4.5 Isa 1.15 Pro. 28.9 Iudg. 10.10 c. Thirdly to pray without repentance so as God will not accept our persons or prayers but both are abominable in his sight Ier. 14.10 c. 4.14 Mat. 15.9 Fourthly to pray without reverence and devotion with wandring imaginations or vain distractions in this holy service Isa 15.1 c. Fifthly to pray formally without sincerity Luk. 18.11 12. Iam. 4.6 Sixthly to pray without humility ot sense of our own unworthinesse or submission to the holy will of the most blessed God August Confes lib. O Lord give me chastity but do not give it yet Seventhly to pray without spiritual fortitude or any wrestling with God or to pray faintly as Augustine before his conversion for chastity as desiring and not caring whether his petition was granted or not Eighthly Psal 77.1 2. to pray without zeal or fervency without sight or sense of the want or what we pray for Mark 2.19 29. or of the misery under which we lie without sorrow of affliction of spirits for the absence of Christ in respect of that present distresse in which we are Ninthly Gen. 35.1 to pray without renewing our Covenant or paying our Vows unto our God Tenthly Iohn 15.4 1 Sam. 12.23 to pray without perseverance to surcease or leave off prayer to this great God for our felves or for the Church and people God Quest 25. What should the meditation of these sins evein in our prayers work upon the souls of men Ans First to the wicked men out of Christ Pro. 28.9 21.4 it may be a Schoolmaster to ead them to Christ teaching them that even their prayers and much more their plowing is sin and therefore they should not eat nor sleep in quiet until they come into Christ and finde pardon Quest 26. But what may it teach Gods Children Ans First to see that when we have done all thtt we can we are unprofitable servants we can do no duty so well as we should and therefore stand in need of Christ and Justification by Christ without whom there is no salvation Acts 4.12 Secondly to call to minde that our Sanctification is imperfect and therefore we had need of Christs vertue daily to nourish the life of grace in our souls that we may be more able to call upon God and do him service Rom. 8.26 27. wich joy and comfort in and by Christs spirit Quest 27. You have opened the duties commanded and particular sins forbidden as they relate to Prayer ordinary Now what are the duties commanded and forbidden in respect of Prayer and fasting extraordinary practised by the Church of God Lev. 23.17 c. Iosh 7.7 c. Iudg. 10.28 1 Sā 7.6 Acts 14.23 Ionah 3.6.7 Mal. 2.2 Neh. 1.4 c. Ans Prayer extraordinary and fasting used by the Church as an outward help and furtherance to fit for Prayer is Prayer joyned with fasting or abstinence from ordinary labours and corporal refreshments so far as strength and fitnesse will suffer in sense of our unworthinesse Ot any creature-comforts and of our worthinesse that all temporal blessings should be cursed unto us for our sins that being truly humbled with sigh and sense of our sins Mark 2.20 Ps 85.8 Rev. 8. 4 5 6. and subjection to miscry by Christs absence or seeming absence from our selves or any other Saint in particular or from the Church of God in general either in respect of spiritual graces or want of the manifestation of Christs power and presence to help in any distresse we may seek the face of God in Christ with greater earnestnesse and finde a return of our Prayers with more joy in the Lord who is the hearer of Prayer in and through the mediation and merit of Jesus Christ Quest 28. What are the sins contrary to this duty of extraordinary Fasting and Prayer Ans To refuse or neglect Humiliation with Fasting and Prayer Isa 22.12 c. 58. 3 c. when the Lord calls for it or to perform the duty formally or by halfs not fully as the Lord requireth Quest 29. You have declared the duties required and sins contrary in Prayer Now what are the duties commanded and sins forbidden in respect of praises and thanksgiving unto the Lord and first in general Psal 50.15 23. 103.2 3. Ans It is the duty of every childe of God in Christ to glorifie God in all thankfulnesse for all deliverances from danger Rom. 12.1 or any other mercies received either spiritual or temporal Quest 30. What ia the contrary sin forbidden Deu. 32. 5 6 7. Luk. 27.17 Hab. 1.16 Isa 42.8 Ps 110.12 Ans To be ingrateful by sinning against God or to neglect to glorifie God for his favours bestowed or to sacrifice to our own nets or give the praise to any other which is due to God Quest 31. What are the particular duties required in Thanksgiving Ans There are divers you may observe these four First An acknowledgement of the blessings and graces which the Lord hath given us Gen 32.10 Neh. 9.5 to be far above all that we can do and above and beyond all thanksgiuing and praise that can come from us Gen. 28.20 21. Psal 16.5 6 7. Secondly A contentment in the lot and condition the Lord is pleased to order for us in his good Providence Acts 17.26 Ps 66.4 Thirdly A Declaration of Gods mercies bestowed upon us to others to Gods glory Ps 118.5 95.1 2 107. 8 c. Fourthly An Exhortation and stirring up of others to glorifie God with us for the Lords mercies Quest 32. What are the contraries of these duties Ans They are all sins As 2 Chron. 35.25 Ion. 4.8 9. First not to acknowledge Gods mercies and give the Lord thanks for them Secondly 2 Kin. 6.33 to be discontented at the Lords disposing of us either in prosperity
or adversity Thirdly to conceal the Lords favour 2 Kings 7 9. and not to tell others what the Lord hath done for our souls that we may praise the Lord together Fourthly Isa 64.7 not like the woman Lu. 15.9 not to stir up others to to praise the Lord for his goodnesse Quest 33. These are the duties required and sins forbidden for private or ordinary praises But what is the duty of extraordinary praising God with feasting and joyfulnesse Ans Extraordinary praise is when the Church of God for some great and extraordinary mercy received 1 Chron. 16.8 c. 2 Chron. 20.26 27 Neh. 8.9 10. doth celebrate a day of praise solemnly glorifying of the Lord and rejoycing in God in the comfortable sober use of the creatures remembring our friends and especially giving gifts to the poor that they may rejoyce with us and praise the Lord. Quest 34. You have answered concerning the three first parts of Gods solemn worship Now What I pray yon are the duties required in the fourth and last you named to wit Covenants and renewing of our Vows and Covenants before the Lord Answ To understand this we must distinguish of Covenants Vows and Promises they are of two sorts First that general Covenant and Promise or Vow which Gods people make with God in Christ in Baptism and renew again and again in tha Lords Supper Gen. 17.7 8 2. This is an absolute duty and part of Gods worship required in this Command Exo. 19.4 c. 20.1 c. Deut. 5.23 c. 26.17 Iosh 24.19 c. Gen. 28.20 c. That at the Lord doth give himself to be our God and Christ as a reconciled God and Father and take his Church and children to be his people So Gods people are bound and it is tneir duty again not onely to take the Lord for their God but to Covenant Vow and Promise and binde themselves mutually by Vow and Covenant to be Gods people and to give up themselves wholly to be the Lords servants and by all wayes and means to glorifie God and keep his Commandments Quest 35. But is this renewing of this Covenant Vow and general Promise and binding of our selves to God by Vow and Covenant a duty when the Lord calls for it by an extraordinary occasion either of his tryals of us by dangers and adversity or by mercies in deliverances from dangers and Enemies in time of danger Ans Yes certainly Gen. 35.1 1. Sam. 7 2 c. 2 Chron. 15.10 c. Ier. 50.4 5. it is no more but a duty for a man or woman in particular or a Church ard Nation in general upon extraordinaty occasions of Gods providence in adversity or prosperity to seek the Lord by way of Covenant and renewing of our Vows and Covenants with our God in Christ Quest 36. You have answered concerning the general Covenant Vow and Promise in Baptism and the renewing of that Promise Vow or Protestation of a Childe of God in particular or the Church and people of God in general as upon special occasions What are special Vows Ans Special Vows and Protestations Gen. 28.21 22. Psal 66.14 c. 76.42 or Promises to God for some special causes are to be made by fit persons of things lawful and in our own power in a right manner Num. 30.1 c. Psa 116.12 13. Ier. 35.6 7 8. Deut. 7.2 c. Num. 16.3 33. 1 Sam. 6.19 20. 6.7 Eph. 5.15 Ier. 51.45 Rev. 18. Iob. 22.21 1 Cor. 9.27 Psa 132.1 2 3. 1 Cor. 9.11 16.1 3. Rom. 14.23 Iohn 4.24 2 Cor. 5.19 20. and to a right end to glorifie God and as furtherance for avoiding of sin or occasion of sin or of performance of some duty or of declaration of our thankfulnesse for some special mercy received As First not to drink wine or strong drink to avoid drunken company and all occasion of familiarity of such as may entice to any sin as not to have familiarity with Atheists or Papists or any who may draw us to prophanenesse or from our precise and strict walking with the precise God of Heaven and Earth or bring us in danger of Gods judgements by their company or to spend some time daily in secret acquaintance with God And secondly to do some special good as to give some part of our estate for maintenance of the Preaching of the Gospel where it is wanting or so much yearly out of our encrease and gain to the Ministers of Christ or to the poor of Christ in thankfulnesse to God for his mercies in deliverance from special dangers or communicating to us some special favours and all this in faith spirit and in truth as unto God our God reconciled unto us in Christ Iesus Quest 37. What are the sins contrary to the duty of Vows and Covenants and Protestations thus made or renewed in a right manner unto God Ans First all rash inconsiderate unlawful Vows Secondly all breaking of our Vows Ecc. 5.2 5.4 Deut. 23.21 Prov. 20 2◠Promises or Protestations lawful made to God in a true manner and to a right end Thirdly all Vows Promises of Covenants made with the Devil Lev. 20.27 Deu. 18.10 c. or service done unto the Devil immediatly as Witches Wisards Conjurers or such like use to do Or service done to the Devil mediatly 1 Sam. 28.7 c. Acts 16.19 Ezek. 21.21 22. Is◠1.19 by feeking unto consulting with Witches Wisards Conjurers Fortune-tellerss or any of the Devil children of that nature for help in distresse or attaining whatsoever we desire Quest 38. Are there any other sins forbidden in this second Commandment Ans I will not stand to set down every particular sin nor is it easie 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Col. 2.20 c. But besides all false worship and Ethelo-threskeia or Will-Worship framed in mans brain Exo. 4 5. 12.3.6 19.10 2 Kin. 21.3 4 5. 1 Cor. 10.17 c. 2 Chron. 19.1 2 3 Deu. 13.6 c. 7.2 3. Eph. 5.11 and all neglect of Gods true Worship and of any preparation means help or furtherance thereunto all rest or confidence in Worship or in any duty and not on Christ in duty all help or approbation of Idolatrous false Worship or Will Worship or inward familiarity with Idolaters favouring or sparing of any such as the Word of God holdeth forth to be shunned or punished is a sin and contrary to the second Commandment and so to be avoided 1 Cor. 14.26 11.13 14.40 Lastly all failing in circumstances when what is done is contrary to edification to decency or to order Quest 39. You have thus manifested the duties required and the sins forbidden in the second Commandment Now what may be further learned from hence Psa 119.12 13. Acts 4.12 Ans That the sins and failings in out holy services are or may be exceeding many in the manner as well as in the
known by names Acts 9.15 whether it be by his proper Names or Titles Exod. 3.15 Exodus 6.3 As Jehovah Jah Lord God 2. Or his Attributes Eternall Invisible Omnipresent All-sufficient Immortall Unchangeable or the like and for the Justice Mercy Goodnesse Truth or any Attribute of that nature 3. Or his word The Scriptures of Truth and Gods Will and Ordinances revealed there Sacraments Prayer c. 4. Or whether it be Gods Worke of Decree Creation or Providence Judgment Mercy or the Glory or Honour of God in these or any way whatsoever Quest 4. What is meant by taking of Gods Name or taking it up as the Hebrew is rendred Ans Thou shalt not take or take up or touch the holy Name of God Psal 16.4 Psal 50.16 either in thoughts of thy heart or in the words of thy mouth or in thy workes of life and conversation Thou shalt not make any use of the Name of God in any respect or of Religion or any part or Gods worship in vaine Quest 5. What is meant by taking or touching this Sacred Name of God in vaine Ans Mat. 5.34 35 36 37 Levit. 19.12 Psalme 111 9. To take or touch Gods Name in any respect unnecessarily without weighty reasons when it may be to God honour or to my own or my neighbours good Secondly irreverently without feare of dishonouring the holy Name of the holy blessed God Thirdly falsely in speaking or swearing falsely or abusing the Name of God erroneously hypocritically or dishonorably in any manner whatsoever in word life or profession Quest 6. Now having thus explained the precept tell mee what is the generall sin forbidden in this generall prohibition Ans That we should not dishonour God in taking up in our mouthes Deut. 28 58. Exo. 3.13 14 15. 1 Cor. 11.17 18. Psal 50.26 Rom. 2.24 Mat. 12.31 using or abusing this holy Name vainly or any his Titles and Attributes Words Ordinances or Workes or whatsoever the Lord is known by as men are known by their names either in our Hearts Words Lives Profession or any manner of way or by any meanes whatsoever knowing we must answer for every idle word at the day of Judgement Quest 7. What is the generall duty required and implied in this Commandement or the affirmative part contrary or opposed to this negative Ans That wee should honour and glorify Gods Name Mat. 6.9 1 Cor. 6.20 Mat. 5.16 Isaia 26.9 10. Psal 14.1 Job 1.5 Psalme 50.23 and seeke his glory in a holy use of his Name Attributes Word Worship Ordinances and Works of Judgement or Mercy or whatsoever the Lord is pleased to manifest himselfe in or by for his own glory or the good of his Church and children and this in all our Thoughts Words and Conversation Quest 8. You have declared the Generall sinne forbidden and the generall duty required Now what J pay you are the particular duties commanded and sinnes contrary to these forbidden in this Commandement Ans There are many but I will observe these few 1 Pet. 3.14 15. 2 Pet. 2.8 Ex. 32.19 Num. 25.9 Psal 69.9 1 Kings 19 10. John 2.14 15 16 17. Revel 3.19 And the first is a holy and reverent and sincere and right ordered zeale of the glory of God in our hearts and lives This zeale of Gods glory is a duty required in this third Commandement and with this holy zeale have the Saints glorified this holy and dreadfull Name the Lord our God Quest 9. What are the contrary sinnes to this true of the honour and glory of God and his Name Ans First a lukewarmenesse Kings 18.22 Revel 3.15 Acts 18.17 1 Sam. 229 1 Sam. 3.13 1 Cor. 5 2 and base nutrality in the cause of God and Religion a halting betweene two opinions without any care or zeale of God or his Truth or of his Honour and Glory Secondly an ignorant superstitious hypocriticall or praeposterous zeale of Evill or of Good in a false manner Quest 10. What is a second particular duty required to set forth the glory of God and honour his sacred Name and what light from Christ for this duty Ans To glorifie God in his glorious Workes of Creation and Providence Psal 19.1 2 observing and speaking of Gods Wisdome Power Goodnesse Justice and Mercy or any other his Attributes giving God the glory of all both in consideration of his Creation and Government of the World Romans 33.34 and his workes of Justice or Mercy to the wicked or to his own children Quest 11. What is the contrary sinne to this honouring of Gods Name in respect of his works â—sal 104 Isaiah 26.9 10. Psal 147.1 2. 26 c. Ans To neglect the glory of God or to dishonour his Name in the observation or disregard of Gods Wisdome Power Justice or Mercy held forth in his great Worke of Creation or Providence Judgements or Mercies Ordinary or extraordinary ungodly men or to the Saints of the most high not learning Righteousnesse or dishonouring Gods Name in any of these Quest 12. What is a third particular duty required for the honouring of Gods Name and what light from Christ for direction in this particular Ans To glorifie Gods name in the sacred use of Gods Word 1 Cor. 10 31. Sacraments Prayer or any of his Ordinances and in our Profession of the faith and service of God in Jesus Christ in the Gospell of grace serving the Lord in spirit and truth 1 Sam 2.30 and exalting the glory of Gods Name in every particular profiting and growing in grace in the use of them by the power of Christ Quest 13. What is the contrary sinne to this particular dutie Answ To dishonour Gods Name in the prophane and sinfull manner of hearing Gods Word Ezek. 44.32.33 partaking of his Sacraments Prayer or any other of Gods Ordinances worship or service 1 Cor. 11.17.29 30. Nehe. 9.5 Actâ— 9.15 Numbers 6.24 15. Heb. 13.26.21 publike or private or our formall profession or use of them without any preparation for to meete Christ in the spirituall participation of them or heavenly profit by them to Gods glory and good of our selves and others or for our own by ends not Gods glory Quest 14. What is a fourth particular duty required for the honouring of Gods holy Name Ans To Blesse and magnifie the most holy Name of God upon all speciall occasions in himself his Names attributes Word Ordinances or Workes Ezra 3.11 whensoever we are called to defend and beare the Name of God and his Truth Power and Glory before all the World and to blesse in his Name upon what cause so ever the Lord mindeth us to that duty Quest 15. What sinnes are contrary to this duty of glorifying the holy Name of the holy blessed God Ans First to neglect the honouring of Gods Name Nehemias 9.5 or not giving the praises due to his Name which is far above and beyond all thanksgiving and
place in their presence or as men of right civill much more of Religious breeding use to do when the Judges or Justices of assize come to the Bench or seate of judgement or the Lord Major or Governour of a City to his place Secondly when a superiour commeth towards an inferiour then in an honorable respect to goe to meete them and give them that honour that is due to them and becommeth their place and dignity Gen. 18.1 2 c. uncovering the head and bending the knee or bowing downe a mans selfe towards the ground in civill reverence of them as Religious Abraham did when three men came towards him which proved Angels and one of them the Lord Christ Malachy 3.1 Gen. 23.7.12 the Angell of the covenant as the Prophet Malachy calleth the Lord Jesus or as Abraham did to the children of Heth. Thirdly the duty of the inferiour in respect to the superiour as of children to Parents servants to Masters or the like is to stand up before them and waite upon them as place and dignity and occasion require Job 29.8 Gen. 18.8 as those did in Iobs presence or as Abraham waited on his honorable guests giving all civill respects due to each person according to place and calling Fourthly the inferiour as children to parents or any other in like relation ought to declare their respects in giving precedency in place giving the right hand and any the like honour as King Solomon did to his Mother he rose up to meet her 1 Kings 19 2. he bowed himselfe to her he caused a seate to be set for her and preferred her to sit on his right hand an excellent example for all children to honour and respect their Mothers as well as Fathers and so servants and all others in their severall Relations Fifthly the younger and inferiours are to declare their respect to superiours in a wise silence holding their peace and to refrain from talking whiles their ancients are in speaking Job 29.9 10. or in place as the Princes did before Iob except as Syracides in his excellent Ethicks giveth leave and wisely directs young men how to behave themselves Eccl. 32.7 8 Speake young man if there be need of thee and yet scarce when thou art twise asked Let thy speech be short comprehending much in few words be as one one that knoweth and yet holdeth his tongue Sixthly inferiours ought to keepe themselves in a right distance from superiours not making themselves equall to those that are above them in age place or dignity Eccl. 32.9 Rom. 12 16. It is the sum of Syrahs morall counsell and well comprehended under this command of the morall Law or Law of good manners becomming a Christian If thou be amongst great men make not thy selfe equall with them and when ancient men are in place use not many words coloss 4.6 and as Apostle saith let your speech be alwayes With grace seasoned with salt that you may know how to answer every man Seventhly inferiours ought to give words of reverence and respect to superiours children to parents 1 Pet. 3.6 Gen. 31.35 servants to Masters and so others in their respective relations Gen. 42.10 as Sarah obeyed her husband Abraham calliag him Lord and as Rachel spake honorably to her Father let it not displease my Lord and Iosephs brethren to him as to a Rule calling him Lord and so a reverent regard is to be had of superiours even in our words 1 Sam. 1.15 as Hanna to Samuel the Prophet shee called him Lord giving Gods Minister the honour of his place Lastly I will name no more here Inferiours ought to be ready to serve thâ—ir superiours in love and duty Mat. 8.9 Coloss 3. â—2 according to their severall relations and respects with readinesse singlenesse of heart as unto Christ As the Centurians servants I say to this man go and he goeth and to another man come and he commeth Saith he not as those two sonnes the one said to his Father when he sent him into his Vineyard I go Sir but he went not The other sayd I will not go yet went and in this did the will of his father that hee did go but yet sinned in his behaviour saying he would not goe the children and servants and inferiours ought to honour and serve their Parents Rom. 12.10 and Masters and Superiours both in word and deede in giving honour to go one before another And thus you have the generall duty of Inferiours towards their superiours Quest 30. What now are the sins contrary to these or any of these Ans I need not expresse them in particular each one who maketh conscience to find out and performe his or her duty may consider whether his carriage be answerable to these directions or in an unmannerly way contrary to them manifesting any disrespect or disobedience which is a sin The Thirty three Classis or company of Questions Question 1. YOu have declared sufficiently the generall duties both of superiours towards inferiours and of inferiours towards superiours in generall Now I pray you what are the particular duties of each to other according to their particular estates Relations and Callings And first in the Oeconomicall or household estate what are the duties of the Husband towards his Wife and of the Wife towards her husband First the common duties of Husbands towards his Wife Ans But first of the common duties of the Husband towards the Wife and of the Wife towards the Hushand and of these I note these First Love a Roote uniting grace their soules and hearts and affections must be married together as well as their bodies Gen. 2.24 Ephe. 5.25 the Husband must love his wife and the Wife ought to love her Husband above all others in the world Secondly mutuall good will or conjugall benevolence to be communicated each to other as the Scripture holdeth forth unto us i Cor. 7.1 2 3 4 5. Prov. 5.18 19. Prov. 2.16 17 18. Malac. 2 15 Jer. 23.24 Thirdly conjugall fidelity not communicating their bodies to any other as the strange woman But preserving each others chastity according to the mariage covenant in thought word and deed as being alwayes in Gods presence Fourthly in the mutuall communication of their goods and all endevours for the due mutuall good Eph. 5.33 comfort and benefit one of another both for soules and body Gen. 2.18 1 Pet. 3.7 and good name and fame as becommeth the Gospell of Christ and those that are fellow helpers one of another and fellow heires of the grace of life Lastly mutuall cohabitation dwelling one with another that they may be more conveniently helpefull each to other upon all occasions with mutuall love and respect to each other 1 Pet. 3.7 1 Cor. 7.10 Ex. 18.7 8 Ruth 1.16 Parents and kindred Quest 2. You have declared the common and mutuall duties of Husband to Wife and of Wife to Husband now
love and respect to the Ministers and Ambassadors of Christ as to harbour in their breasts much lesse to publish with their mouths such a prophane and irreligious an opinion but that a brother may erre and I have heard men of the same opinion my selfe and once had a paper in writing delivered unto mee before divers witnesses declaring the very same opinion in substance the writing I have yet in my Study to shew but this little volum is now growne so big In S. P. L. or meeting place that I cannot stand to prove the Divine right of Ministers maintenance so fully as it may be proved by infailible grounds of holy Scriptures and in particular from those places noted before Quest 32. But howsoever some Separatists have erred so far as to deny any Divine Right of Ministers maintenance Cor. 9.15 yet others more moderate acknowledge an Ordinance of Christ for it although they deny Tithes to be payd by Divine Right in the Gospell declare I pray you in briefe what you conceive may bee said for satisfaction herein Ans First for Divine right of Tithes as of old to be paid now in kinde of every increase by Divine right Levit. 19.30 31 32. I refer the Reader to those Bookes of learned men who have writ of this subject at large In particular to Doctor Willets Synopsis Papismi Carleton to Sir Iames Temple M. Slater and divers other which doe out of Scripture and learned Authors doe confirme the Divine right further then I could yet ever see any appearance of satisfaction in answer to the conscience of true Christians Gen. 14.15 Gen. 28.22 But in briefe for the Lords inheritance of Tithes or of a part of increase reserved to himselfe and manifested in Scripture long before Levi was borne howsoever Leviticall Tithes which were a Leviticall and ceremoniall Ordinance may seeme to be abolished by that place of this Apostle Eph. 2.15 Christ having abolished the Law of Commandements contained in Ordinances compared with that Deut. 12.5.6 and Deut. 14.22.23 Where the Lord ordaineth that they should pay Tithe of all their increase yeare by yeare and bring it up to the place which the Lord should choose and eate it there before the Lord which Tithe was Leviticall and so abolished and not needfull now Secondly if any man will consider that there was not onely that Tithe but a second Tithe to be tithed every third yeare for the poore as you may reade Deut. 26.12 called in this respect the yeare of tything to be eaten at home within their gates for widowes and Fatherlesse and the rest and this tenth though not required now as then yet the poore is not to be forgotten for ever Thirdly if you consider that besides these Leviticall tithes there was a third kinde of tith which was first in command Josephus li. Antiquit. 4. cap. 8. and which the Lord challengeth a speciall right in as a reserved part for his service to be disposed of at his pleasure and which hee gave to his Ministers for an inheritance as for their service for them and their househoulds to eate as a reward for their service as you may reade Numb 18.20.21.31 And of this third tithes as reward for Minisâ—ers labour I finde no colour nor ground of abolishment in the new Testament But rather a confirmation by Christ that they ought to be paid or that which is answerable to them for the maintenance of Christs Ministers for although Aaron be dead yet Melchisedeck in his Antitype Christ or Christ in his Ministers is still alive to receive the Lords portion to the end of the World as St. Paul declares Heb. 7.8 And as that learned Knight Sir James Semple proves evidently a Book I never yet saw answered by any man But to evidence this in a few words consider First that what reason the Lord giveth for the bestowing of this speciall tenth upon Levi his Ministers who expounded the Word of God and gave the sence of it to teach Gods people Nehe. 8.8 namely for a wages and reward for their labour and service as is evident in Numbers 18.21 and in other places the very same reason Our Saviour Christ giveth wherefore his Apostles and Ministers should bee maintained and have a comfortable livelyhood for their labour in Preaching of the Gospell as a reward for their labour by Christs appointment for the labourer is worthy of his reward saith Christ and so the Greeke word signifieth Luke 10.7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the Apostle St. Paul giveth the same reason and ground for the honorable maintenance of the Ministers of Christ in that 1 Tim. 5.17.18 and concludes the point that Ministers maintenance is an ordinance of Christ 1 Cor. 9.14 And therfore certainly seeing the Lord Christ giveth the same ground for his Ministers maintenance in the new Testament as he did for this speciall first tithe for his Ministers maintenance in the old Testament The payment of this speciall tithe being commanded in the old Testament and nowhere forbidden in the new Testament the payment of this tithe for maintenance of Christ Ministers can never be proved to be unlawfull and therefore may lawfully be paid as a reward of Ministers labour or a due answerable in consideration thereof for Ministers maintenance without any scruple of conscience Malac. 3.8 9. and much more when it is confirmed by the Christian Magistrate Thus have I endeavored in briefe to satisfie your desire and herein to hold forth the duty of people to their Pastors and Teachers in the Churches of Christ to pay that honorable maintenance due by Christs Ordinance unto them Quest 33. Now you have declared their duties I pray you what are the sinnes of people and congregations contrary to these duties Ans The sins of the people are divers I will name them in brief First for a peple or congregation not to embrace a Minister sent of Christ rightly called Mat. 10.14 15. and approved by themselves and others in authority by Christ in his Church 1 Thess 5.12 and inabled by Christ and his spirit with gifts fit for the Ministeriall office and not to acknowledge him as over them in the Lord is sinne Secondly 1 Kings 22 8. Luk. 10.16 Gala. 4.16 John 15.18 19. 1 Cor. 16.22 for any to hate the Ministers of Christ or any of them for their worke sake especially or to disteeme or dishonour them or be enemies is a greivous sin and an evidence such a man or woman loveth not the Lord Jesus is subject to be cursed with the great curse Anathema Maranatha Thirdly 2 Chron. 36.16 17. 2 Kings 2.23 24. 1 Kings 13 Psal 105. for any man woman or child to make scorne taunt or any other wayes to abuse the faithfull Ministers of Jesus Christ is a fearfull sinne which brings Gods judgements upon such men weomen or children Fourthly for any to disobey Deut. 17.12 Hosea 4.4 Acts 5.39 Acts
assistance of the spirit of Prayer and this rightly Rom. 8.26 in a right manner in the name of Christ and to a right end otherwise our Prayers are not right nor acceptable before God nor can we expect to be heard at Gods hand when we call upon him in Prayer Quest 21. J see then that a bare forme of Prayer is not sufficient to rest in but I must have the spirit of God inabling of mee to pray with the spirit or inner man as well as with the mouth and my soule must bee disposed in a right manner in Prayer and enabled by the Spirit of Christ but what graces are requisite in this dutie Ans Faith Repentance Humility Devotion See Classis 30. 2 Sect. in 2 Commandement pag. 502. 503 504. Zeale Fervency Perseverance and such like Graces and all in the name of Christ else all is nothing And therefore hee or shee prayeth best who hath the spirit of Prayer and can powre out his or her heart and soule to God in Prayer as Jacob and Hannab and other Saints of God have done and have beene heard in their Prayers with a gratious returne 1 Cor. 14.15 Iames 1.6 Isa 1.15 16. Acts. 10.2 Hosea 12.4 James 5.16 Psal 51.17 Iere. 50.4 5. 1 Thess 5.17 John 16.23 Quest 22. But how shall a man get the spirit of Prayer and ability to powre out his soule to God Ans I answer you must not rest in your Prayers nor in any duty you performe to God as if that did satisfie the Lord for your sins or meritoriously procured your peace with God but you must rest on Christ both for your acceptation of your selfe and your prayers upon the Golden Altar with the incense of Christs merits Revel 8.3.4 Quest 23. In what else must J wait for the spirit Ans Secondly you must waite upon God in Christ in all the meanes of grace till hee powre out the spirit of Prayer into your heart and soule that you may cry Abba Father and be heard as a child of God in Christ Gal. 4.6 Quest 24. What further direction can you give Ans Thirdly and lastly for your better enablement to expresse the desires and groans of your soule to the Lord aske your soule but these or the like foure questions to this or the like effect as speaking to your selfe Quest 25. What is the first Ans First Oh my soule to whom or to what glorious Majesty oughtest thou to direct thy Prayers at Morning or Evening or Noone day or whensoever in publike or private or secret thou desirest to gaine a blessing from the highest Heavens Psal 55.17 Quest 26. What shall I answer to this demand Ans Let thy soule answer and it will tell thee it is to the most high God the Possessor of Heaven and Earth the searcher of all hearts and the hearer of Prayer presented to him in the name and by the mediation of the Lord Jesus Christ Ps 38.13 Psal 65.2 Psal 77.1 Iohn 16.23 Quest 27. What directions Ans Endeavour in all fear and humility to begin thy Prayer with the best expressions of the most glorious Name Nature Persons Properties of this great and glorious Lord God with the acknowledgement of his Truth Power and Majesty in his Words and Workes held forth in Scripture and of thy unworthinesse which may affect thy heart by the helpe of Christs Spirit with a right temper to powre out thy soule to God in Prayer 1 Chron. 29.11 2 Chron. 30.18.19 Ezra 9.6 Nehe. 9.32 and this in the best words thou canst but chiefly have regard to thy heart which the Lord hath a speciall eye unto And so begin thy Prayer as Exod. 15.11 12.13 Exodus 34.6 7. 1 Kings 8.23.27 or in the like manner Quest 28. What is second question Answ Secondly aske thy soule a second question to this or the like effect Oh! my soule Ezra 9.5 6 7. Prov. 28.13 Dan. 9.4.5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13. wherein hast thou offended this great God to whom thou desirest to lift up thy selfe in Prayer that thou mayst acknowledge thine offences and seeke for further assurance of pardon before thou beg any other favour at the Lords hand as 2 Chron. 6.36 Quest 29. What direction here Ans Let thy soule first looke into the glasse of thy owne conscience Rom. 2.14 15. Acts 24.16 Rom. 3.20 Iohn 3.19 20.36 1 Iohn 3.23 Rom. 7.18 19 20. and secondly into the glasse of the Word of God both the commanding and promising part both Law and Gospell and finde out thy sinnes and accuse and condemne thy selfe for thy ingratitude for so many former mercies yea confesse and labour to be humble for thy fall in Adam for thy originall and actuall transgressions in state of nature but especially thy unthankefulnesse in dayes of grace Ephes 4.30 either in thought word or deede wereby thou hast grieved the spirit of God by whom thou art sealed to the day of Redemption and this in as good words as God makes thee able As Hannah 1 Sam. 1.17 and with the exercise of all those graces the Lord hath given thee to this end thou hast here a large field to powre out thy soule to God in if thou canst finde out thy manifold sinnes against God or the sinnes of others which thou desirest to confesse and bewaile before God thy Lord as Daniel and other Saints have done Daniel 9.7 8 9 10 11. Quest 30. What is the third question Ans Thirdly aske thy soule a third question to this or the like effect Oh my soule what dost thou want or what is thy request and the desire of thy heart to obtaine at the hands of thy God and loving Father in Christ Quest 31. And what wants may I expresse Ans Thy soule will tell thee thou wantest in the first place the assurance or more full assurance of the forgivenesse of all thy sinnes and of Gods free grace and love unto thee in the Lord Jesus thou wantest many favours from God for thy body for thy soule for this for a better life for thy wife thy husband for Parents children servants kindred accquaintance thy Neighbours thy friends thy enemies for the Kings Majesty for the Parliament the Kingdom the City and Country for Peace and Truth and a happy union and communion one with another and with the whole Church of Christ and here expresse thy minde as well as thou canst by the power of Christ the Lord careth not so much for fine words as for an honest sincere contrite heart sanctifyed by the spirit of Christ Isai 66.2 Quest 32 What is the fourth question Ans Lastly aske thy soule a fourth question to this or the like effect Oh my soule what hast thou received from this great and good God for which thou art bond to render him thankes and praise in the Name of the Lord Jesus Quest 33. What rule is there to finde this out Ans Let thy soule call to minde all or as many as thou canst of those unspeakable favours the Lord hath bestowed upon thee reckon them up imparticular out of the catalogue of Gods mercies both upon thy owne soule in particular and the Church in generall to thy selfe to thine to the people of God and what a sea of mercy mayst thou swim in and enlarge thy thankfulnesse above all for Gods free love in the Lord Jesus as Psalme 116.12 13. Quest 34. But did you ever know any man thus learne to pray Ans Yes did I know a Christian who could reade never a word upon the Booke and yet after hee had received these directions puting them carefully and constantly in practise in a secret place before God the onely searcher of hearts and the Teacher of the ignorant hee did in a short time attaine an excellent habit in Prayer and was inabled to pray dayly in his Family in a sweet comfortable manner and assuredly the Lord is the same God still to all his children in Christ and will be so to all who diligently waite on him in the use of the meanes I conclude with the Apostle now to him that is able to keepe you from falling and to present you blamelesse before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy Jude 24.25 to the onely wise God our Saviour be Glory and Majesty Dominion and Power now and ever Amen FINIS COurteous Reader there are some few Errata which the ingenuous may easily find and amend with their Pen.