their dayes Constantine the Great and other Christian Princes in later Ages Yea Isa 49.23 to be as Nursing Fathers and Nursing Mothers to Christs Church In the Primitive times the Church was exceeding vigilant for this duty of Catechizing they had their Catechumens Noble Theophilus was Catechized in the way of the Lord Luk. 1.4 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for so the Greek importeth That thou maist know the truth of those things in which thou hast been Catechized Acts 18.25 And Apollos was Catechized and many Catechumens were after in the Church therefore they had their Catechists or Catechizers also after the Apostles times Cyprian Epist 24. Eusebius Eccl. hist lib. 3 c. 12 their Docto◠s audientium as St. Cyprian calls them Teachers of the Catechumens such a one was Pantenus such was Origen Clemens Alexandrinus and others And for this end divers holy and learned men have both in Ancient and Modern times composed Catechisms as helps and furtherances for this excellent work Heb. 5.12 6.1 2 3. The Apostle to the Hebrews sets down a brief Catechism containing the first Principles of the Oracles of God Learned Hierom tells us there was a Catechism written by Cyril Bishop of Jerusalem and another by John Bishop of the same place Betulaeus Com. ad Lact. lib. 2. cap. 11. which Betulaeus mentioneth in his Commentaries upon Lactantius I passe many other in after Ages our late learned Writers Mr. Calvin Musculus Peter Martyr Ursinus Bucanus Beza Danaeus Zanchius Alstedius Mr. Virel Our English Mr. Nowel Mr. Perkins Mr. Egerton Mr. Dod Mr. Baal Mr. Downame Mr. Allen Dr. Twisse Dr. Majer and many other laborious workmen in the Lords Vineyard What are their sums of Divinity but Catechisms some larger some lesse and all witnesse as their desire so their approbation of this most necessary work of Catechizing Now the great benefit that I have found by experience in this way of Catechizing excellent light somtimes communicated to poor aged people as well as Children And my experience of the present necessity of all that true light which is or may be afforded by any of the Lords Servants Labourers in his Vine-yard the better to prevent Ignorant and Scandalous persons from approaching the blessed Sacrament and to remove dark ignorance and give light to heal the diseases of poor wandring souls hath moved me to cast my Mite into Christs Treasury Luk. 21.1 c. and to hold forth in this Catechism following what Light I have received from Christ to lead unto Christ on whom waiting in use of all good means a fulness of light may be communicated in Gods good time to poor hungry souls and that to their joy unspeakable and full of glory 1 Pet. 1.8 I most humbly present it to Your Honours not that I think any thing of mine in it is worthy of such an Honour but what is in it of the Lord Jesus Christ and his Spirit of Truth and Grace to whom all the Honour belongs Nor that I am not perswaded of Your Honorable and Religious care already for what is or may be fitting in this kinde Nor to prevent the learned and godly labours of any of my Reverend Brethren the Religious Assembly of Divines whose indefatigable endeavours I pray God to direct and blesse to his glory and the good of his Church but to be a light to those who stand in present need and want better directions And to conclude Luk. 2.32 Ioh. 1.9 that the true Light of Christ may more fully shine forth into darkned souls longing after Light Isa 8.20 and all false Lights daily and more duly be discovered that the true light Christ Jesus and his commands may be more fully followed Is 9.6 7. and all false light of Error or Heresie avoided that the light of the Sun of Righteousnesse may not only more richly enlighten Your Honours who are as so many glorious Stars in the firmament of the Common-wealth but may shine gloriously in all the dark corners of the Land Mat. 4.15 15. that as the glorious God hath so highly Honoured You already to begin and lay the foundation stone in the beautiful building of his House the blessed work of Reformation so he will Honour You further to lay the Top stone thereof Zac. 4.7 that all the Christian Princes and Churches in the world may with rejoycing cry Grace Grace unto it And all this by the strength of the great Jehovah For nor by might nor by power Zac. 4.6 but by my Spirit saith the Lord of Hosts That Your Excellencies may be enabled in Gods due time to take particular notice of the Thousands of Churches or Congregations in the Kingdom which want not only learned able faithful and honorable Pastors and Teachers to Preach and Catechize and hold forth the light of Christ unto them but want honorable and comfortable maintenance or encouragement fit for so honorable and great a work of the Lord Christs Ambassadors the faithful Ministers of the most high and mighty Prince the Lord Jesus Christ In a word that if it be the will of God our Soveraign Lord King Charls may be truly enlightned by the light of Christ to see the false light of all evil counsels either from his own heart or any others and may return fully convinced in conscience and rest fully satisfied by his evident experience of the mighty works of Jehovah the great God of Battel in the most faithful Counsels of thi◠High Honorable and Highly Honoured Parliament that He and His Posterity may love and Honour You and Yours from Generation to Generation as those who have been His best and most faithful Counsellors that Gods blessing may be upon all the three Kingdoms that Truth Peace Unity and Unanimity in the true light of the Lord Jesus with the God of Truth and Peace of Love Unity and Unanimity may dwell amongst us in Grace until that great King Christ shall come in the Clouds of Heaven and translate us all with all his Saints unto Eternity in Glory All which is and shall be the most humble faithful sincere and hearty Prayer of Your Honours most unworthy most humble daily Orator at the Highest Throne of Grace IMMANUEL BOURN London from my Study in Sepulchres May 1. 1646. To the Right Honorable Thomas Adams Lord Mayor The Right Worshipful Sir Nicholas Rainton Knight Isaac Pennington Sir John Wollaston Knight Thomas Atkin Sir John Cordel Sir Thomas Soam Sir Iohn Gayer Sir Iacob Gerrard Knights Iohn Warner Abraham Reynardson Sir George Garret Sir George Clark Knights Iohn Langham Thomas Andrews Iohn Fowke Iames Bunce William Gibbe Richard Chambers Thomas Cullum Simon Edmons Samuel Avery Iohn Bide George Witham Aldermen Thomas Foot and Iohn Kendrick Aldermen and Sheriffs of the Honorable City of London With the several Families of and within the said City and the Lives of Communication and especially the Beloved Congregation and particular Families of
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
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
our faith who for the joy that was set before him edured the Crosse despiâ—â—ng the shame and is set downe at the right hand of the Throne of God Quest 27. You have explained and held forth the duties of Superiors and Juferiors in the oeconomicall or househould estate now what are the duties in the Ecclesiasticall Church or state 1 Cor. 4.15 and Spiritnall Parents or superiours in the Church as Pastors and Treachers or Ministers to the people of God committed to their charge Acts 20.28 und over whom the Holy Ghost hath made them overseers 1 Pet. 2.25 1 Pâ—r. 5.4 1 Cor. 4.1 2. 2 Tim. 3.15 Ans First the holy Scripture holdeth forth the Lord Christ himselfe to be the chiefe Shepheard and overseer and as he is the great Pastor to teach so he hath appointed Pastors and Teachers in his Church And as the Lord Christ is faithfull not as a servant but as a son over his owne house Heb. 3.5 6 1 â—or 4.1 2. 1 Tim. 2.15 so it is the duty of the Miniâ—â—ers and servants of Christ to be faithfull as stewards in the house of Christ the Church of the living God Quest 28. Wherein is this faithfulnesse to be manifested by Ministers in the performance of their duties and what light from Christ to mâ—ke this evident Ans First Act. 20.28 2 Cor. 5.19 20. in taking heede to themselves as Ambassadors sent of Christ and to all the flock over which the holy Ghoâ—â— hath made them overseers 2 Tim. 4.2 to feede the Church of God which he hath purchazâ—d with his owne bloud To Preach the Word of God and be instant in season and out of season to Reproove Rebuke Exhort with all long suffering and Doctrine Secondly Rom. 12.8 1 Pet. 5.1 2 3. 2 Cor. 4.5 to feede the flock of God taking the Rule and oversight of them with diligence not by constraint but willingly not for filthy lucre but of a ready minde neither as Lords over Gods heritage but as servants to the Church for Jesus sake Thirdly the Overseers Elders Acts 20.28 1 Pet. 5.1 1 Tim. 3.2 3 4. or Ministers of Christ they are Pastors and Teachers and Rulers they ought to be of unblameable life and conversation 1 Pet. 5.3 examples to the flock husband of one wife vigilant 1 Tim. 4.6 c. sober apt to teach not given to Wine no striker not given to filthy lucre but patient not a brawler not covetous 1 Tim. 6.11 12. one that ruleth his own house well having his childen in subjection with all gravity no novice least hee be lifted up with pride 2 Tim. 2.24 Here are foureteene properties in one place the Epistles of blessed Paul to Timothy and to Titus hold forth diverse more Titus 1.6 7 8 9. Titue 2.7 Thus the servant of Christ ought not to strive but in meeknesse to instruct and be a patterne of good work Quest 29. What are the sinnes of Ministers contrary to these duties Ans First unfaithfullnesse running before they be sent Isai 56. to 11. and not feeding the flock of God where they come not Preaching Catechizing administring of the Sacraments Jâ—â— 23.1 2 and Prayers and other Ministeriall acts for good of the Church Ezek. 34.1 2 3. being ignorant idoll Shepheards or idle and negligent Sheepheards Not regarding that great charge and honorable office they have taken upon them not performing that trust committed unto them and of which they must give an account to the chiefe Sheepheard Christ Jesus 1 Pet. 5.4 Secondly unfaithfulnesse in not ruling as Elders and not Governing the Church of God with watchfulnesse Eze. 34.4 5 1 Pet. 5.3 4. 3 Iohn 9. Isai 56.11 12. wisedome and humility according to the Rule of Christ but in pride or tyranny as lording it over Gods heritage loving the preheminence contrary to the direction of the Spirit of Christ Thirdly Ministers sinne in unfaithfulnesse in not feeding them by good example of life and conversation being as Iohn the Baptist burning and shining lights Iohn 5.35 But walking disorderly as Eli's sons to the dishonour of their callings and evill example of others any manner of way unbeseeming the Ministers and servants of Christ Jesus 1 Sam. 2.17 22. Quest 30. You have declared the duties of those who are Ministers of Christ 1 Pet. 5.1 1 Cor. 4.15 spirituall Fathers Elders Overseers Pastors and Teachers in the Church and their sins and failings Now what are the duties of spirituall children of the Congregation and people to their Pastors and Teachers Ans The duty of people and congregations 1 Thess 5.17 to their faithfull Pastors and Teachers as Mat. 11.40 1 Thess 5.12.1 Gal. 4.14 1 Cor. 4.1 1 Thess 5.13 1 Tim. 5.17 First to receive and acknowledge them as sent of Christ and over them in the Lord as the Apostles expression is Secondly to Love Reverence and esteeme those Ministers and Elders especially that labour in the word and very highly in love for their worke sake and with double honour as is fit for Ministers and officers of Christ Thirdly to obey them in the Lord as those that have the Rule and over-sight of them Heb. 13.17 Heb. 13.24 and watch for their soules and must give an account that they may doe it with joy and not with greif for that will not profit for those that disobey Gods Ministers and Elders over them in the Lord. 1 Thess 5.22 Gal. 4.15 1 Tim. 5.17 18. Luke 10.5 6 7. Galat. 6.6 7. 1 Coâ— 9.13 14. Fourthly readily and cheerefully to communicate give or pay unto them that honorable maintenance which is due unto thâ—m for their labour in the worke of the Miniâ—try according to the word of God and ordinance of Jesus Chriâ—t Quest 31. But is there any payment of maintenance due now to Gods Ministers as Ministers of Christ in the new Testament by any Divine-right the neglect or keeping back of which is a sinne because I have heard some affirme that howsoever in the old Testamenet the Lord had the reserved portion of his owne inheritance the Tenth which he gave to his Ministers for their labour and for the honorable and comfortable maintenance of them and theirs besides their Cities and their Suburbs for their cattell Numb 18.20 21 30.31 Levit. 27.30 31 32.1 2.3 4 c. Numb 35. and for their goods and for all their beasts and â—ther helpes more yet in the new Testament since Christ ascended into Heaven the Lord hath nothing peculiar to himselfe and Christ Ministres have nothing due to them for their labour and maintenance by any Divine Right 2 Cor. 5.20 But they must live of Almes and accept of there reward for their labour and maintenance at the pleasure of the people Ans Truely I should have wondred that any one who had professed the least measure of love to Christ should dare to manifest so little
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
A LIGHT FROM CHRIST Leading unto Christ by the Star of his Word OR The rich Jewel of Christian DIVINITY Practically explained in the Principles enlightning the Children of God how to meet Christ in his Ordinances and by strength from Christ to walk comfortably with Christ in the whole course of their Lives Divers chief Controversies of the times moderated Many Cases of Conscience resolved and in particular How Men and Women may know whether they have life of grace and be Gods Children or not Profitable for Parents to instruct their Families By way of Catechism or Dialogue not to Answer verbatim or by wrote as yong Children but each one according to his own sence and understanding of the QUESTION By IMMANUEL BOURN Of Ashover in the County of Derby now Preacher of the Gospel to the Congregation in Sepulchres C. L. London Printed for John Wright at the Kings head in the Old-Baily 1646. I Have perused this large Catechism intituled A Light from Christ leading unto Christ and finding it to be Orthodox Pious and Profitable I allow it to be Printed and Published JOHN DOVVNAME TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE THE Lords and Commons Assembled in the High and Honorable Court of this ever Memorable PARLIAMENT Right Honorable IT is the Observation of that Kingly Preacher Eccl. 11.7 Wise Solomon the Great Truly the Light is sweet and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to see the Sun but certainly much more pleasant and precious is the light of the Lord Jesus Christ that most glorious Sun of Righteousnesse Mal. 4.2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who doth arise to those that fear Jehovahs Name with healing in his wings Ioh. 1.9 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who was and is that Light that true Light that lightneth every man that cometh into the world 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Light of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 illuxit he hath shined forth that shining forth or enlightning Light which communicateth true Light to every one who hath been is or shall be truly enlightned with the light of Nature Grace or Glory for even that natural light of the understanding and heavenly wisdom which our first Parents had with the Image of God in Paradise before their fall Gen. 1.27 it was from God the Father of Lights Iam. 1.17 in and by the Eternal Son of God that increated Light Ioh. 10.31 Phil. 2.7 co-equal with the Father and by him together with the Father and the blessed Spirit was all other light as all things else created Ioh. 1.3 Gen. 1.3 for without him was nothing made that was made Outward light and inward they are both from the true Light Col. 2 3. in whom are hid all the Treasures of the Wisdom and knowledge of God and from that true Light and his fulnesse Ioh. 1.16 we all receive the light of whatsoever Grace we have whether of Gods Free grace and love in Christ of the grace of knowledge Faith or of Obedience to God or men to Princes Magistrates or Governours Ps 82 6. Ioh. 10.34 35. who are under God and as Gods upon Earth who Rule and govern to Judge Righteous and true Judgement for the Lord 2 Chron. 19.5 6. which if they do 2 Sam. 23.4 they shall be as the light of the Morning when the Sun ariseth as a Morning without Clouds as the tender grasse springing out of the Earth by clear shining after Rain But if they Judge unjustly as the great God sets them up 1 Sam. 2.6 c. Dan. 4.33 c. 5.30 so he pulls them down at his pleasure witnesse the Babylonian Persian Graecian and other Mighty Emperours Empires States and Kingdoms of the world And Right Honorable and Christian Senators as true light especially the light of Christ is excellent sweet pleasant and profitable directing the mindes of men in the Religious wayes of Truth and right obedience to the just and lawful commands of all Superiors So is darknesse and blinde ignorance as odious base and hurtful not only to men in particular but to Kingdoms and Nations in general The Pope and Papacy politickly made Ignorance the Mother of Devotion D. Aug. in Ps 33. Erat in illis regnum ignorantiae id est regnum Erroris but learned Augustine calleth it the Mother not of Devotion but of Error and that Kingdom where Ignorance raigneth the Kingdom of Error ignorance blindly leading men to blinde Obedience many times to the ruine of themselves and others The sad evidences of this deplorable ignorance I my self have found in not a few of that Congregation and County where above twenty years I lived a Preacher of the Gospel a presser and Practizer of this Duty of Catechizing and where I met such ignorance 1 Cor. 5.1 as is not fit to be named amongst Christians One affirming blindely upon Examination That none had died for him nor should any die for him he would stand between God and himself yet after when I told him that Christ died for him he wept for joy Another That the Sun shining in the Firmament was the Son of God that died for him A third averring There was no hell and that her soul should go to Heaven like a white Dove although she did not know the way to Heaven other hoped to be saved by our Lady And multitudes ignorant of the knowledge and light of Christ in any competent measure to meet Christ in the Sacrament or to walk comfortably with Christ in their lives or indeed necessary to salvation And the woful effects of this blinde Popish ignorance I my self have found by sorrowful experience also and that almost in the beginning of our English Troubles this lamentable Civil War The Kings Majesty no sooner set up His Royal Standard at Nottingham within twenty miles of my Habitation but divers of these blinde ignorant prophane and Popishly affected of the baser sort I speak nothing of the Superiours they prepare for War make haste towards the Standard and presently the ROUND-HEADS a name they quickly learned were threatned with Plundring Fire and Sword my self with divers other well-affected to Religion the Kings Majesty Parliament and Kingdom were constrained to flie our houses from whence ever since I have lived a banished man these having not yet been for any space of time either safe or comfortable abiding And if was not long after that but by such like Popish ignorant Souldiers and in particular by a Commander in the Earl of New-castles Army a Papist since dead I was Plundred not only of my Goods and Study of Books above twenty years in gathering and my house Barbarously torn in pieces spoiled standing to this day a spectacle to witnesse truth to the shame of blinde ignorant prophane and Popish malice of Malignant Enemies I am sure to my losse of more Hundreds of pounds then for present I am willing to glory in But which was worse Heb. 10.34 my Manuscripts near
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
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
unspeakable goodnes to the sons and daughters of men Exod. 18.11 2 King 5.14 2 Chron. 14.11 20.12 13. Luk. 19.6 c. Act. 2.22 and 9.1 c. 20 21. 1 Tim. 1.11 Eph. 1.17 c. 2 Cor. 6.9 10. Hebrews 11. the whole Chapter Quest 20. What Evidence is there from the light of glory Exo. 34.29 30. Isa 6.1 2 3 2 Cor. 12.3 4. 1 Cor. 13.9.10 Iohn 3.1 2 3. 1 Thes 4.17 Ans That beginning and part-light of glory which God hath caused to shine in or upon his Children in this life and the fulnesse of which the Lord assureth them they shall see and injoy in Heaven for ever Quest 21. What profit or comfort is this knowledge what God is and what a one he is to you Ans Great cause of rejoycing that Jehovah this Lord God Isa 43.1 2 3. Psa 52.1 2 10. Dan. 3.17 18 25. Ioh. 20.28 is my God in Christ infinite able and willing and wise and alwayes present to preserve protect and do me good in this life and that life to come even for ever and ever Amen The fourth Classis or Company of Questions 1 Question VVHat is the word of God Or what ought a Christian to know concerning the word and will of God Ans The word of God in the manifestation of Gods will and pleasure 1. Gen. 1. 2. 3. 17.2 7 22.16 17. Exod. 19.20 Isa 8.20 Luke 11.28 Rom. 10.27 Ioh. 5.39 2 Pet. 1.19 c. Either immediatly by himself as his word of command concerning the Creation of the world in generall and man in particular before the fall and the manifestation of his good pleasure after the fall to Adam Abraham and other Saints and Sons of men Or mediatly in Scripture by holy men as they were inspired by the holy Ghost Quest 2. Where is this revealed will and word of God written to be found Ans In the Canonicall Books of the Old and New Testament Ps 40.7 Mat. 1.1 Mar. 12.26 Dā 10.21 Mat. 21.42 Rom. 1.2 Ioh. 5.39 commonly called the Bible and Book of God and the holy Scriptures Quest 3. What is there to be known in the holy Scriptures concerning the will and pleasure of God Ans That the holy Scriptures are the most perfect rule of Faith and life above all other writings whatsoever and that they hold forth the good will of God by way of Covenant both in the Covenant of works to our first Parents before the fall and in the Covenant of Gods Free-grace in Christ since to and for the people of God to the end of the world Isa 8.20 2 Tim. 3.15 c. 1 Cor. 15.3 Joh. 5.39 Gen. 2.9.16 17. 3.15 17.7 Jer. 31.33 34. Matth. 17.5 John 3.16 Acts 2.28 22. Quest 4. Are the Scriptures the ancient and first written truths of God to be believed Ans Certainly they are most ancient of all written Divine truths preserved wonderfully so many hundred yea thousand years as witnesse them Divine and of most Divine Authority indeed Quest 5. By what means may you be assured that these Books of the holy Scriptures are the infallible truth of the most true God and that holy men writ them as they were inspired by the holy Ghost Mat. 4.4 22.29 30 c. Luk. 24.25 c. Mat 7.12 Ioh 15.35 17.17 Act. 2.17 17.11 24 14.2 Ans Not only by the witnesse of Christ the chief Prophet and of the Saints and Church of God and by Promises and Prophecies fulfilled by miracles and martyrdoms whereby the Doctrine hath been confirmed but by the Divine harmony perfection powerfull efficacy of the Scriptures themselves and the testimony of Gods Spirit in the souls of believers Quest 6. What necessity was there of the holy Scriptures and word of God written Ans The Lord did see it needfull to have his word written Isa 8.20 Rom. 15.4 Isa 59.20 21. Rom. 1.20 21. 2 Tim. 3.16 because men did not learn by the Book of Nature and work of Creation and government to keep God in their mindes but did run into Errors and fell to worship Creatures and false Gods and false Religions Therefore God gave Scriptures as a guide and rule of life and Doctrine to his Church Quest 7. But is the Old Testament needfull for Gods Children in the time of the Gospel Ans Yea certainly it is of excellent use for the Old Testament holdeth forth Christ and directs to Christ who is yesterday and to day and the same for ever And the whole Scripture is to be searched as profitable for Doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousnesse that the man of God may be perfect and throughly furnished to every good work Gen. 3.15 Isa 9.6 and 53.1 2 3 c. Zach. 13.1 Mal. 4.2 Heb. 13.8 Rev. 13.8 Joh. 5.39 and 8.5 6. Rom. 15.4 2 Tim. 2.16 17. Psal 119.105 Isa 8.20 Rom. 3.31 Matth. 5.17 18. Luk. 10.34 Heb. 8.10 11. Quest 8. In what languages were the holy Scriptures Originally written And whether may they be translated and read in our English and other tongues understood of the people Nehem. 8.8 1 Cor. 14.5 14.18 19 26 27. Ans The holy Scriptures of the Old Testament were chiefly written in the Hebrew tongue and the New Testament in the Greek as Originall copies evidence But they may be truly translated and read in other Languages and interpreted as the people of severall Nations may understand them for the perpetuall edification of the Church Quest 9. Are not the Scriptures subject to error Psa 19.7 8 c. Prov. 30.5 6. Ps 12.6 2 Pet 3.15 16. Ans No certainly the holy Scriptures are most true perfect and pure and free from error though some men not rightly understanding them have erred to their own destruction Quest 10. What rules may be observed for right understanding of the Scriptures Ans There are divers And first a competent knowledge in the Originall Languages and inspection into the fountains themselves Secondly Prayer for the assistance of Gods Spirit and to reveal truth Thirdly A deniall of self-opinion and Spirituall pride Quest 11. What is a fourth Rule Ans Fourthly a carefull observation of the chief scope of the holy Ghost Acts 8.20 Rom. 6.14 Eph. 1.16 c. 1 Cor. 12.10 Col. 3.6 1 Cor. 14.31 32. with the coherence and consequents of the Text and of proper and figurative speeches comparing of obscure and plain places together Fifthly a having respect to the Analogy of Faith and grounds of Divinity drawn out of Scripture Sixthly a humble submitting of the private Spirits to the Spirits of the Prophets Quest 12. What is a seventh Rule Ans To eye the chief Iudge of controversies namely the Spirit of God speaking in the Scriptures and by consent of plain places expounding the harder Quest 13. What is the principle knowledge to be learned out of the Scriptures Ans How to attain life Eternall by the true
and towards us in Redemption Thirdly to us in giving the Gospel and and Spirit of Christ whereby men and women most sinfull and miserable by nature are gathered and called by the Ministery of the Gospel without and power of the same Spirit within First out of darknesse to light Secondly from the power of Satan to God reconciled in Christ Thirdly from self-confidence to believe in Christ Fourthly from communion and union with the world the flesh and the Devil in all sin and wickednesse to an union and communion with God in Christ in all righteousnesse and true holinesse as that true way and path in by and for Christ which leads to glory Matth. 11.25 c. Joh. 6.44 45. Acts 13 47 c. Eph. 4.8 c. Acts 26.17 c. 1 Pet. 2.2 c. Rom. 7.1 Matth. 10.3 The Publican Zacheus Luke 19.5 c. as Acts 9. Paul called extraordinarily So Acts 2.37 c. 2 Tim. 1.9 10. Tit. 2.11 12. Joh. 14.6 Quest 11. What is the sixth grace or benefit which Christ hath procured for us and we do receive from God our Father in and through Christ his only begotten Son our Lord Ioh. 17.3 Eccl. 17.18 19. Ier. 31.33 34. Ans The precious gift and grace of Divine and Heavenly knowledge by the Spirit of Wisdom to know God the Father together with God the Son and the same blessed Spirit the true God and the knowledge of Iesus Christ whom the Father hath sent into the world for our salvation and whom to know is life Eternall Quest 12. What is a seventh grace or gift procured by Christ and given of God to us in Christ by the Spirit in Christ to our comfort Ans The rich and precious gift and grace of Faith Phil. 1.29 Ioh. 1. 11 12. Ioh. 3.16 of which we shall speak in due place as a hand to receive and apply Christ and in Christ Iustification and life Eternall Quest 13. What is the eighth blessing gift or grace procured by Christ and given of God the Father Son and blessed Spirit in Christ and for Christ to his Church and Children Ans That inestimable gift and grace of free Iustification before God for life and Salvation Rom. 5.1 9 10. Quest 14. What is this gift and grace of Justification Ans Iustification is the free gracious act of God Psa 32.1 2. A s 13.37 Rom. 3.23 c. Rev. 2.17 Rom. 6.14 8.1 33 34. 2 Cor. 5.20 21. in which for the merits and righteousnesse of Christ apprehended by a true and lively Faith The Lord doth first freely discharge acquit forgive absolve and set free a faithfull or believing man or woman from all the imputation guilt and punishment of sin yea from death and Hell the second death or death Eternall due to sin Secondly doth also repute account esteem and judge or sentence and so make them righteous in and for and through not their own but the merits and righteousnesse of Christ and so in and for Christ gives them the white stone of grace and adjudgeth them to life Eternall Quest 15. You say Justification is the free act of God How is it free Or how are we said to be freely justified when as you also say it is for the merits of Christ Tit. 3.4 5 6 7. Rom. 8.32 Ans We may well be said to be Iustified freely by grace 1. Because we pay nothing for it of our own to God himself 2. Because Christ by whose merits and righteousnesse we are Iustified is Gods free gift Quest How are ye said to be Justified by Christ Rom. 5.1 when the Apostle saith We are Justified by Faith Ans Faith is the Instrument by which we receive and apply Christ Mat. 5.17 Rom. 5.9 by whose merits and vertue we are Iustified Faith brings nothing of our own but receives from Christ indeed properly and meritoriously It is Christ applyed by Faith in whom God is well pleased and for whom we are Iustified in Gods sight Quest 17. But doth not the Apostle Iames say That Abraham was justified by works How then are we justified by Christ apprehended by Faith or how by works as St. Iames speaks Ans The Apostle James speaks of Iustification Iam. 2.20 c. Rom. 4.1 c. Rom. 3.27.28 or rather a Declaration of our Iustification before men and this is by works the fruits of a true and lively faith but before God not by or for any works of ours but for Christs merits applyed by Faith we are justified in the presence of God Quest 18. What benefit is there to a true believer in and by this grace of Justification before God in Christ for being thus made righteous in Gods presence Ans An excellent change into a new state and condition 1. Before a sinner subject to an angry God Eph. 2.3 But now a Saint delivered from wrath to come 1 Thes 1.10 2. Before an enemy to God in our carnall mindes Rom. 8.7 But now friends reconciled to God in Christ Rom. 5.10 2 Cor. 5.10 3. Before afar off Eph. 2.1 3. But now brought nigh Eph. 2.13 4. Before strangers and forraigners but now fellow Citizens with the Saints and of the houshold of God Eph. 2.19 5. In a word Before neither sons nor daughters in grace But now sons and daughters of God in Christ and heirs and fellow-heirs of Christ in Eternall glory 2 Cor. 6.17 18. Rom. 8.17 Quest 19. This is comfortable knowledge concerning this blessing and grace of Iustification Now what is a ninth blessing or benefit which is procured by Christ and bestowed upon us from God the Father in and by the Lord Iesus 2 Cor. 6.17 18. Ans Great blessings and benefits of Adoption to be sons and daughters of God in Christ The fourteenth Classis or Company Questions 1 Question VVHat is the grace and great blessing of Adoption 1 Iohn 3.1 Eph. 1.5 6. Ioh. 1.12 Gal. 4.4 5. Ans It is the act of Gods Free-grace and love in Christ whereby according as he hath Predestinated Redeemed Called and Iustified So he doth Adopt and take those who were strangers in unbelief now brought neer by Faith and receiving Christ by Faith to be sons and daughters of God in Christ Iesus Quest 2. What difference is there between a Natural and an Adopted Son or Daughter Ans A Natural Son or Daughter is one who is begotten or born of a Natural Father or Mother Gen. 21.2 as Isaac was the Natural Son of Abraham and Sarah And Rebekah the Natural Daughter of Bethuel and Milcah Gen. 24.24 c. But an Adopted Son or Daughter is one not Naturally begotten or born but a stranger by birth Adopted and taken to be a Son or Daughter Exod. 2.5 c. as Moses was the Adopted Son of Pharaohs Daughter And Esther the Adopted Daughter of Mordecai Esth 2.7 Hos 2.23 So is it between God and us Quest 3. What is a certain property or sure
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
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
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.
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
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
in my soul 5. I long more then ever to meet with Christ in the Sacrament to feed spiritually on Christ there to strengthen the life of grace in me 6. I long more and more to keep a secret acquaintance with God in secret meditation and prayer that I may suck the breasts of the promises and draw water of life out of the wells of salvation and so strengthen the life of grace in my soul 7. In brief I now love Christ more and more in himself and prize Christs righteousnesse and his presence with me and in me above all the world as Phil. 3.7 8. 8. I love Christ more and more in his Word in all sweet and sacred truths more and more revealed to my soul 9. I love Christ in all his Saints 1 Ioh. 3.14 Christs brethren and mine 10. And daily I wait on Christ to grow in grace in faith in holinesse 2 Pet. 3. â— 1.8 9. in every good work of grace adding to faith vertue and so grace to grace that I may more and more be assured of Gods love to me And 1. Have my calling and Election be made more sure to my soul And 20 10. 2. That I may submit to my Fathers will with content Luk. 22.41 42. till he bring me to glory and all this not by any strength or power of my own but by the strength and living vertue of Christ and Christs spirit dwelling in me and this assureth me that I have from Christ the life of grace in my soul and may safely come with comfort to meet Christ at the Lords Table who loved me and gave himself for me Quest These and such like are comfortable evidence of the life of grace But tell me do you not still finde corruptions in you and fears and cares and sorrows for sins as you felt before Ans I do acknowledge that I finde 1. Failings in my best performances but presse forwards towards perfection 2. I sometimes meet with a messenger of Satan sent to buffet me And Phil. 3.13 14. 2 Cor. 12.7 Rom. 7.23 24. 3. I finde a law in my members sometimes rebelling against the law of my minde and seeeking at least to take me captive to the Law of sin But yet with a great deal of difference from what was before I came to see Christ more clearly For first Though Satans messengers be sent to buffet me yet I know the grace of God in Christ is sufficient for me and his strength shall be made manifest in my weaknesse 2 Cor. 12.9 10. And although rebels within me rise up against me and against the lâ—fe of grace in my soul Rom. 7.23 24. yet I thank God through Jesus Christ my Lord. Secondly And for my fears and cares and sorrow for sin now I fear not Hell and Damnation as before I did fear because I know there is no condemnation to me that am in Christ Jesus Rom. 8.1 2. endeavouring by the strength of Christ to walk not after the flesh but after the spirit as Rom. 8.1 And the law and power of the spirit of life which is in Christ hath in comfortable manner made me free from the law and power of sin and death as Rom. 8.1 2. So that as Rom. 7.12 14 22. it is not I but sin that dwelleth in me Thirdly I do indeed feel the least sin as a mote in my eye very troublesome and I finde my heart smitten within me for it yet I fear sin and fear to offend my God by sin not with a servile slavish sin as before but with a son like fear of offending so good a God and my so gracious a Father in Iesus Christ as David 1 Sam. 24.5 Romans 8.15 and 6.1 Fourthly I do grieve and sorrow for my sins and failings but yet as with a childe-like sorrow that I have any way or at any time grieved the spirit of my Father who hath sealed me to the day of Redemption in Iesus Christ my Saviour Eph. 4.30 Fifthly But still with this confidence that he which hath begun a good work in me will perfect it to the day of Christ Phil. 1.6 Sixthly So that although my enemies Spiritual or Temporal be never so many and the Tribulations never so great yet they cannot separate me from the love of Christ but when I have finished my course and kept the saith he will give to me the crown of Righteousnesse and preserve me assuredly to his heavenly Kingdom Romans 8.35 c. 2 Timothy 4.8 18. Quest 16. You have witnessed a good confession and given comfortable evidence of the life of grace in your soul and I believe the Lord Christ will bid you welcom to his Table But do you believe that the Lord doth work in the same manner with every Christian that is and may be admitted to this feast of the Lord What light hath Christ revealed to you in this particular Ans No verily I do not believe that the Lord is pleased to work in all alike I have heard a good woman say That she was born of Parents very ignorant who had little shew of Religion in them nor did they bring her up in a Religious way living then in a place of much ignorance and prophanenesse having no prayer in Family nor repeating of Sermons not so much as an out-form of Religion and the first time that ever she began to consider her wayes and the misery of her natural condition Exod. 9â— 16 c. Psa 29 8 Acts 24.25 Eph. 5.14 it pleased God to strike her with fear and terror of the shaking voyce of Thunder which made her tremble and being awakened to think of a God and to joyn her self to a few who went out to hear Gods word by which means she became a wonder to prophane people but in the end was converted and found Christ to be the comfort of her soul and many fears and cares was she pressed with in the travel of the new birth Gal. 4.19 before Christ was formed in her and she found Christ and his sweetnesse of peace to her comfort yea since that though the Lord hath several wayes tryed her faith and patience by conversion and affliction to teach her to see the emptinesse of the creature and the fulnesse of God reconciled to her in Christ yet she liveth by faith in God who hath promised never to fail her Heb. 13.5 nor forsake his sons and daughters in Christ who depend upon him in the Lord Iesus Quest 17. Have you known any other drawn by such like means to seek out after God in Christ 2 Chron. 33.12 c. Ans 1. Some have been drawn by outward losses and miseries as Manasses was by great affliction to consider of their wayes and repent of their sins so that he might say as one did I had perished unlesse I had perished if I had not lost my estate in all outward appearance I had lost my soul 2. I have have
Paul despairing Quest 10. What is the third comfort Ans Thirdly that though the faith of Gods childe be asleep for a time like Christ in the ship and the life of grace be covered as fire in the Embers not to be seen though like a tree in winter the faithful soul seem dead or as a sick man doth lose his taste of soul-refreshing-meat for a time or a childe of God like the Moon be Ecclipsed and all darknesse who can see no light ready to complain with the Psalmist Isa 50. lo Rom. 70.22 13. Mat. 8.24 Psal 77.7 8 9. Is his mercy clean gone for ever and will he be no more entreated hath God forgotten to be gracious and hath he shut up his loving kindnesse in displeasure Yet when Christ is pleased to cast a good look of grace upon their souls then life grace and sense of sin and sorrow for unthankfulnesse and for losse of first love will return as ni Peter noted before and as Christ looks for Rev. 2.4 5. Quest 11. What is a fourth consolation Ans That when the Lord Christ is pleased to draw near with his bright beams of light and love Mal. 4.2 then the soul will be enlightned and be enlivened with longings after Christ and a re-union with him in love and renewed acquaintance as in times past Quest 12. What is a fifth consolation for such a poor Saint Ans That when the spring time of grace returns and showers of Divine love and dews of spiritual refreshments from Christ fall upon the soul then will childe and declare he hath loved her freely that he will be as the dew to his daughter Hos 14.4 c. Isa 61.3 and that she shall grow in grace as the Lilly and the root of grace shall be fastned as the Trees of Lebanon and their beauty shall be as the Olive tree and she shall bring forth fruits as a tree of righteousnesse that the Lord hath planted that God may be glorified Yea she shall greatly rejoyce in the Lord and be joyful in her God she shall finde that he hath clothed her with the garments of salvation and covers her with the robes of his righteousnesse Isa 61.10 Psal 45.13 14. as a Bridegroom decketh himself with his Ornaments and as a Bride adorneth her self with her Jewels Quest 13. These are comfortable and good encouragements if it please the Lord by the power of his spirit to apply and give strength to apply them to her soul But what if still she finde her faith weak and her holinesse so feeble that she yet is doubtful and fearful to meet Christ in his Ordinances or to come at the invitation to feast with him at his Table Ans Let her know that its not her act of believing or strength of holinesse doth justifie before God or maketh her acceptable in his sight but it is the object of her faith Christ Jesus and his righteousnesse and merits for which God is well-pleased with her Mat. 17.5 As it is not the hand that receiveth the Plaister and apply eth it to the sore Simile but the Plaister it self and the vertue of that with Gods blessing that healeth the wound So though faith be an instrument or hand to receive Christ and so an instrumental cause of Justification yet it is Christ and his merits and righteousnesse that is the meritorious cause and that which giveth true and full peace to the soul And this rest on Christ will prove a glorious rest in the end Isa 11.10 And therefore if your friend do but see the day light or renewing and requickning grace begin to dawn in the soul if but a wishing for the day as Pauls company in that long and sad night on the Sea of danger Acts 27.29 let her wait on Christ in his Ordinances and take her to the sure word of Gods gracious promises until the day light of grace dawn and the day star of joy appear in her heart 2 Pet. 1.19 If she finde any hunger though but a weak stomack like a man or woman new recovered or recovering from some long and tedious sicknesse yet let her weak soul almost fainting for lack of Christ as sorrowful for her former failings yet hungring after Christ and rejoycing at Christs invitation draw near to Christs Ordinances the Word Preached and Sacraments administred waiting to see the face of her beloved the Lord Iesus Christ Cant. 5.8 that she may tell him she is sick of love and be revived with the light of his countenaunce that she may sit down under his shadow with great delight and his fruit may be sweet to her taste Conclus And thus I have endeavored to satisfie your doubts to heal and help a tender conscience or comfort a drooping soul in time of a spiritual desertion that such a soul may not Excommunicate her self from Christs Ordinance but rather come and finde soul-refreshings of unutterable value 2 Tim. 1.1.2 1 Pet. 1.8 and believing on Christ and trusting Christ with her soul she may rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of glory Quest 14. I will propound but one doubt more What shall a poor soul do if in use of all these helps for comfort he or she still walk in darknesse and can see no light of comfort or peace to their souls What light from Christ to such a poor disconso-spirit late Ans Although the childe of God walk in darknesse Isa 50.10 Hab. 2.3 4. Heb. 10.35 36. Isa 40.29 c. and can see no light of comfort no light of sense of the favour of God in the soul yet the poor weak soul must not despair but labour by the power of Christ to live by faith and dependent upon God in Christ until the Lord Christ Iesus that Sun of righteousnesse arise with healing in his wings Gal. 2.20 Mal. 5.4 1 Pet. 1.9 and peace and joy be communicated through believing unto the soul to life and salvation the end of faith Quest 15. But how or by what means may a poor weak soul gain strength from Christ to live this life of faith when it walketh in darknesse Is there any light from Christ for this Ans By waiting upon Christ in the means of faith and endeavouring by strength from Christ to make use of those helps and furtherances which are held forth in Scripture Phil. 4.13 2 Cor. 5.7 to stregthen the foul and enable it to live this life of faith when evident sight and sense is absent Qued 16. What are these helps Ans There are divers but you may observe these that follow First to consider the nature of this life of faith First as a life of excellency by which the creature is enabled to glorifie the Creator as Abraham being strong in faith gave glory to God Rom. 4.20 Secondly as a life of suavity delightful and pleasant Mat. 6.25 c to live by dependence upon God in Christ 1 Pet. 5.7 Gal. 2.20 in the
use of the means without carking care for this life or dismal despair for the life to come Thirdly as a life of certainly 2 Tim. 2.19 2 Cor. 1.10 Rom. 4.21 1 Thes 5.23 2 as depending not upon our own changeable strength but upon the foundations of the sure decree promises power faithfulnesse and Oath of an unchangeable God Fourthly as a life of necessity 2 Chron. 20.12 Gen. 42.2 3 4. Col. 3.3 4. 2 Cor. 3.4 5. Gal. 9.5 2 Tim 2.7 8. a poor soul not having life or power of life in and of it self and therefore must needs go out of it self by faith to serch life and strength from God in Christ and so of necessity must live the life of faith both for grace and glory and assurace of both Quest 17. What other helps are there Ans Observe secondly thy present condition estate danger or temptation whereby thou art troubled for the Church of God in general and for thy self 2 Pet 1.12 or any other in particular for the want of assurance of Iustification or Sanctification or for want of particular graces or strength and growth of grace of knowledge of faith or repentance of confidence on God in time of prosperity and not on uncertain riches or friends or husband wife children parents or any creature-comfort whatsoever or for want or losse of any of these or of their help and comfort in time of adversity or for want of assurance of glory Quest 18. What is a third help Isa 43.2 3 4. Heb. 13.5 Ans Thirdly search the Scriptures and look out some promise general or particular for comfort of thy soul to depend upon God even as a ground of thy confidence to live by faith and that God will not fail thee Quest 19. What is a fourth help Ans To wait on Christ in the use of all good means 2 Pet. 1.19 and so live by faith taking heed to the sure word of promise until the day dawn and the day star Christ arise in thy soul And thus the life of faith upholds a poor soul in greatest doubts and fears whatsoever Quest 20. Now let me ask you one Question before I conclude this part of Catechism What is a sixth immediate preparatory grace or gracious act of the soul to be enlivened or acted and exercised immediatly before you draw near to the Lords Table Ans To attend the invitation of Christ by his Ministers and to draw near and come to the Lords Table as with all humility and reverence so as becomes my presence at so great an Ordinance to meet my Lord and Saviour so with joyful confidence holy hunger and faith yea with spiritual cars and eyes and mouth of faith to hear and see and receive and feed on Christ in my soul as well as with ears and eyes and hands and mouth of body 1. To hear and see the Bread and Wine blessed consecrated and set apart to this holy Sacramental use Matthew 26.26 27. 2. To see the Bread broken and the Wine powred out 3. To hear the Sacramental welcom Take ye and eat ye and Take ye and drink ye Mat. 26.27 4. And all this with a thankful remembrance of Christs death and passion who loved me and gave himself for me Luke 22.19 1 Corinthians 11.24 25. Gal. 2.20 Conclus Thus Sir I have made my profession of what I have learned concerning a right preparative the wedding garment to meet Christ at the Lords Table that I may walk more comfortably with Christ all the dayes of my life Quest 20. But do you think it is necessary that every one be thus prepared with Knowledge Faith Repentance and Love and the habits of graces so examined enlivened and quickned before he or she come to the Lords Table What light hath Christ left for resolution of this doubt Ans It is certain a competent measure of true knowledge true faith true repentance and true love is of necessity required and howsoever it may be the good Lord God may be gracious to any of his children whose hearts are up right towards God and who have life of grace in them and hunger after Christ though he or she be not so fully prepared according to the preparation of the Sanctuary as 2 Chron. 30.18 19 20. yet assuredly that soul that cometh lesse prepared and the life of grace and living graces lesse enlivened in the soul doth ordinarily receive lesse comfort at the Lords Table when as that soul that is more carful to wait upon Christ in all good wayes and means of preparation not resting upon performances or preparation but with a self-denying and humble heart and soul of faith waiting on Gods goodnesse in Christ and Christs righteousnesse and merits may with a much more glorious assurance of comfort hear that gracious voyce of Christ speaking to his or her soul as to his welbeloved Spouse in the Canticles I am come into my Garden my Sister my Spouse I have gathered my mirrhe with my spice I have eaten my hoay-comb with my hony I have drunk my wine with my milk eat O friend drink ye abundantly O Beloved not drink abundantly of the outward Bread or Wine but feed on Christ by faith abundantly for thy spiritual refreshing to the eternal joy and rejoycing of thy soul yea a joy unspeakable and full of glory as Cant. 5.1 1 Pet. 1.8 The twenty seventh Classis or company of Questions 1 Question YOu have made profession of your preparation and enjoyment of the wedding garment in respect of the Antecedent graces and immediate enlivening of the preparative graces and gracious actions and quickning of them Now what are the third sort the present concomitant or accompanying graces and gracious affections and spiritual senses actions and operations of the soul and body which do accompany and are to be exercised and quickned in these Sacramental acts or actions of receiving as of the Elements outwardly so of Christ and his quickning and soul-refreshing vertue inwardly for the spiritual strengthning of your soul and life of grace to life of glory Ans There is a twofold nourishment which we receive and feed on in the Sacrament at the Lords Table The first outward and corporal the Elements of Bread and Wine which nourish and refresh the body The second inward and spiritual Christ himself and his Body and Blood or the living vertue and merits of Christ his Life and Death and Passion and Resurrection and Ascention and Intercession which feeds strenghneth and nourisheth our souls and the life of grace in our souls to life Eternal And so there are two sorts of sences as I may so call them to be exercised 1. Of the body 2. Of the soul or inward man and two sorts of actions to be acted in this Sacrament Quest 2. What are these two sorts of actions in the Sacrament Ans First the actions of the body and organical parts or by the instruments of the body The bodily eyes must see Mark
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
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
not onely the tongue and the hand or our works and actions which humane Laws take notice of Acts 24.14 15 16. but it bindes our very souls and consciences thoughts intentions and motions of the heart to do good and not to think or act evil for God is a spirit Iohn 4.24 Ier. 17.10 and they that Worship him must Worship him in spirit and in truth and he is a searcher of the heart and a tryer of the reins Quest 10. I am glad to hear your knowledge of these Rules in general Now I pray you what order or method should or may I use to know and finde out the particular or special sins forbidden and duties required in every Commandment And first in the first Commandment I am the Lord thy God which brought thee out of the Land of Aegypt out of the house of Bondage thou shalt have no other Gods but me Ans All this is not the first Commandment for properly the first words I am the Lord thy God which brought thee out of the Land of Aegypt out of the house of Bondage are rather a Preface or entrance into the Commandment then a command it self Quest 11. But wherefore doth God set a Preface or Portal or Entrance before his ten Commandments Ans To gard them from contempt and to strike men with an awful reverence of God the Law-giver when they begin to hear Exo 19. or hear or think of Gods Commandments as the people were at Mount Sinai Quest 12. What doth the Lord hold forth by way of Preface to work this consideration in the hearts of his people Ans Three things especially First setting forth Majesty by his great Name Iehovah challenging to himself Lordship and Dominioâ— over all whereby he may compel and hath just right to require and command obedience I am the Lord. Secondly Exo. 19.56 Deut. 10.14 e. 2 Cor. 5.19 he puts them in minde of his being in Covenant with them by a Covenant of Grace and special favour as his chosen people in Christ I am the Lord thy God which must needs be in Christ in whom God had reconciled them to himself Thirdly he puts them in minde of the great benefit he had bestowed upon them The benefit of Redemption from Aegyptian Bondage by which they might minde their Redemption promised in Christ and in both be stirred up to be sensible of Christ and declare their thankfulnesse by willing and sincere obedience to God Law Qâ—est 13. You have given good reason of the Preface Now what is the first Commandment Ans It followeth in the next words Thou shalt have no other Gods but me Quest 14. How then may you finde out your particular sins or duties Ans Although this is a Negative precept and therefore I might 1. Consider the general sin forbidden And 2. The general duty required in this Commandment as contrary to the sin forbidden And 3. Observe the particular duty required and the particular sins forbidden in this first Commandment and might observe the like method in the rest Yet I shall first hold forth the general duty required Quest 15. What is the general Duty required in this first Commandment Isa 43.3 Exo 20.23 Deut. 26.17 GeÌ„ 17.1 Psa 16.8 Act. 2.25 Ans I am commanded to have Jehovah the Lord for my God and for my God alone to chuse and set the Lord alwayes before me as my God Quest 16. What is the general sin forbidden in this prohibition Deu. 4.34 Exo. 34.14 Isa 44.8 1 Cor. 8.4 5. Phil. 3.10 Ans To make to our selves set up or have any other God or Gods or any creature thing or likenesse of thing to be God or in stead of God unto us Quest 17. What are the particular duties reqoired and sins forbidden in this first Commandment Ans There are many particular duties required and sins forbidden in other places of Scripture expresly and here required or forbidden in the general I will name but these few the rest you may observe as you read the holy Scriptures and refer them to this Commandment As I have spoken first of the general duty required and after of the sin forbidden So I conceive in the particulars it is best to begin first with the duties required and so with the Affirmative part that we may first see that holy Nature and Righteousnesse we had by creation and lost by the fall And Secondly the sin forbidden that we may see the sinfulnesse of our Nature and miserable condition since the fall And thirdly I shall oppose particular sins against particular duties as light is opposite to darknesse And Fourthly set down in brief the blessing promised to the obedient and curse threatned to the rebellious that we may more clearly see our extreme need of Christ both as a Justifier and Sanctifier without whom there is no salvation and who is made of God unto his people wisdom righteousnesse 1 Cor. 1.30 Mat. 1.21 sanctification and Redemption Quest 18. Tell me then what is the first particular duty you conceive fit to be observed in this first of Gods Commandments Deu. 7.9 Ans That as it is a duty to have the Lord the true God for my God so it is my duty Rom. 10.13 14. Acts 17.23 2 Kings 26.27 1. To know this God that is my God that I may know how to do him acceptable service in Jesus Christ for how can I worship rightly an unknown God 2. To acknowledge this God to be my God and to be honoured of me and all men whatsoever Quest 19. I conceive you answer right that knowledge of God is a particular duty required in the general duty of having the Lord our God But is there any places of Scripture of which the Lord doth expresly command to know him what he is or what a one he is or hath declared himself to be Deut. 4.39 7.9 Ier. 24.7 Hos 6.6 2 Chron. 28.9 Ps 9.10 Col. 1.10 Ar. f There are divers places of Scripture which hold forth this duty you may search and consult with these noted in the Margin and refer them and the like places to this duty as Explications of this Commandment Quest 20. What is the sin forbidden contrary to this duty of knowing God Hos 4.1.6 Ier. 9 6.24 â— 25 Ans Ignorance of God or not knowing God this is a sin contrary to the duty of knowledge and contrary to this Commandment as is evident in divers Scriptures wherein God disalloweth of ignorance as a sin Quest 21. What second sin is forbidden Ans Atheism to live without God Eph. 2.12 or to deny him in our hearts words or actions as in Atheism Quest 22. What is the blessing of those who know God aright Ans It is life eternal with which those are blessed who know God to be the onely true God Ioh. 17.3 and whom he hath sent Iesus Christ Quest 23. What is the curse or misery threatned to those who
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
the great God That the Lord will blesse and honour them that honour him 1 Sam. 2.30 and extoll them who seeke in Christ to give God the praises due unto his name Quest 28. What may the diligent observation of all these duties commanded and sinnes forbidden with the threatning and promises annexed hold forth unto the sonnes of men or what may this instruct Ans First to wicked and prophane men this holds forth and may teach them to take notice of their miserable condition living in a continuall prophanation of Gods name either in his Titles Word Ordinance or workes of Mercy or Judgement and so of a continuall subjection to the curse of God spirituall and temporall here and to an everlasting curse hereafter Quest 29. What further may such wicked men who are out of Christ learne from hence Ans Not to give sleepe to their eyes with quiet nor take delight in any creature-comfort but waite on Christ in all the meanes of Grace untill Christ make them by his Spirit sensible of their sinne and misery and give them faith and repentance that closing with Christ they may be freed from the guilt and punishment of their sinnes Quest 30. What may the Saints of God learn from hence by light from Christ for instruction 1 Cor. 13.9 Phil. 3.12 13 Ans To see the perfection of this holy Law of God and their owne imperfection and seeke daily to Christ as for assurance of Justification and Pardon of sin so for assured power of Sanctification and increase of strength from Christ that they may be inabled more and more to honour and glorifie the most holy Name of their most blessed Lord God and tender Father in Christ Jesus and that one day they shal glorifie this sacred Name in Heaven with Saints and Angels for evermore The thirty one Classis or company of Questions Question 1. YOu have answered concerning the Third now what is the fourth Commandement Ans Remember the Sabbath day to keepe it holy Six dayes shalt thou labour and do all thy work But the Seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt not doe any worke Thou nor thy Son nor thy Daughter thy Man-Servant nor thy Maide-servant nor thy Cattell nor thy Stranger that is within thy gates For in six dayes the Lord made Heaven and Earth the Sea and all that in them is and rested the Seventh day wherefore the Lord blessed the Seventh day and hallowed it Quest 2. What doe you principally observe and consider in this Fourth Commandement Ans First I observed the substance o◠sum of the Commandement set down in the first words Remember the Sabbath day to Sanctifie it or to keep it holy Secondly the explication or further Declaration of Gods will and pleasure in the next words that follow Six dayes shalt thou labour and do all that thou hast to doe or all thy worke but the Seventh day is the Sabboth of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt not do any worke thou nor thy Son nor thy Daughter thy Man-servant nor thy Maid-servant nor thy Cattell nor thy Stranger that is within thy gates Thirdly I observe the grand or chiefe reason and ground of this Commandement in the last words For in Six dayes the Lord made Heaven and Earth the Sea and all that in them is and nested the Seventh day wherefore the Lord blessed the Seventh day and hallowed it Quest 3. What doe you consider in the first of these the substance or sum of the Commandement in the first words Answ I consider three things First the memento Remember as holding forth a duty of Minding Deut. 5.15 Genes 2.1 2 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Shabath rest Remembring and Observing the Sabbath day before it come for preparation as a day holy to the Lord by his appointment of old even in Paradise before the Fall and as too much forgotten and neglected and therefore he requireth his peple to remember the day with greater observation Heb. 4.10 Secondly I consider the day the Sabbath day or day of Rest the Rest-day a day of ceasing from our owne works as God did from his Thirdly I consider another duty namely the end to remember the sanctification of this Rest day or separating and setting it apart from common and ordinary workes which concerne this present naturall life and a Consecrating of it unto God and to holy spirituall workes such as concerne our spirituall life and these things amongst other I observe considerable in the first expression of the Lord in this Commandement Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy Quest 4. What do you consider in the second part Ans First a permission and in this the equity of this Commandement as a strong reason or motive to obedience six dayes shalt thou labour and do all thy worke Secondly a Commission or Commandement to worke for since God made all the seven dayes as he did all the Trees of the Garden Gen. 2.16 17. and as hee might have forbid our first Parents halfe the Trees or all but on e if he had pleased and that without any wrong to them yet did forbid them but one Tree of the Garden So the Lord might have forbidden us to worke in three or foure of the dayes or more yea in all but one day And therefore since hee reserveth but one whole day of Seven for his solemne worship Great cause we should yeild most willing obedience to this Commandement and be carefull to keepe this in a holy rest to the Lord. and yet not mispend the six dayes but worke in our lawfull callings Secondly I consider a declaration of of the Lords right in this as being the Lords own separated day in a speciall manner and therefore a strong reason that man should not prophane this day but keepe it holy This in the next words But the Seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God Thirdly I consider a more generall and full prohibition of all manner of work In it thou shalt do no manner of worke that is of thy own workes for which I have allowed thee six dayes to labour in Fourthly I consider the persons who are prohibited from working in particular held forth in these seven expressions First Thou Secondly nor thy Son Thirdly nor thy Daughter Fourthly nor thy Man-servant Fifthly nor thy Made servant Sixtly nor thy Cattell Seventhly nor the Stranger that is within thy Gates or that is within or under thy power jurisdiction protection or command whatsoever Thou shalt not prophane the Sabbath thy self nor suffer any other in thy power to sin in this respect Quest 5. What do you consider in the third and last part you obsorved the principall reason of the Commandement Ans Frst the Lords owne example in the great work of Creation held forth for our imitation For in six dayes the Lord made Heaven and Earth The Sea and all that in them is and so the Lord
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
Doctrine and principally from the Word especially implying a difference and distinction of Elders as is it a note of distinction in other places of Scripture as you may reade Gal. 6.10 doe good to all especially to the household of faith And 1 Tim. 4.10 who is the Saviouiour of all especially of them that believe as also from other places of Scripture that besides Pastors and Preachers There are other Elders Assistants to the Ministers of Christ and helpes in government as divers Reformed Churches have used and yet have in their practize of Discipline Quest 39. What kinde of graces or qualifications ought Elders Rulers Deacons or Church officers bee endowed with that they may bee fit to governe in the Church Ans Verily Elders and Deacons and Ministers or any Rulers in the Church according to the Scriptures they ought to be spirituall Heavenly-minded men Acts 6.1 2.3 endued with the Holy Ghost James 3.17 men of wisdome and knowledge in Religion endued with wisdome 1 Tim. 3.9 that is from above 2 Tim. 2.1 2. pure peaceable gentle full of mercy and good fruits without partiality or hypocrisy sound and sincere in the Faith Heb. 5.14 Prudent Holding the mystery of faith in a pure conscience grave sober Titus 1.9.13 14. not given to drinke patient able in meeknesse to instruct those who oppose themselves 1 Tim. 3.8 2 Tim. 2.23 24 c. Titus 1.5 6 7. not proud as Lords of Gods inheritage but of blamlesse life and conversation humble minded that they may shew themselves good examples to the Flock and when the chiefe Sheapheard shall appeare 1 Pet. 5.1 2 3 4. receive a never fading Crowne of Glory Quest 49. What is the Office of such Elders Rulers or Governours in the Church Answ Being rightly chosen by the Church Acts 6.3 Acts 15.22 23. 1 Cor. 12.28 Acts 9.26 27. Acts 10.45 47. they are to be helpers and assistant in the Government of Christs Church to take care with the Chuch to further the right admission and uniting of Members do the Communion of Saints and especially to Churh fellowship in the holy communion and Supper of the Lord for better not for worse 1 Cor. 11.17 c. Exo. 12.48 Ezek. 44.7 8 9. Jer. 15.19 Mat. 18.15 16. 1 Thess 5.12 13. 2 Thess 3.14 15. that all ignorant unbelieving prophane Scandalous impenitent persons be kept away to separate the pretious from the vile They are to assist in Christian exhortations in godly and brotherly admonitions reprehensions counsells comforts yea to assist not onely in suspensions from the Sacrament that lesser but in that great censure of Excommunication if necessity require they are to assist in overseeing or watching over the flock according to their place and power Mat. 18.17 18 19 20. 1 Cor. 5.3 4 5 c. Iames 5.15 16. Acts 6.1 2 3. Zach. 14.5 â—1 Revel 21.3 in visiting of the sicke and having eyes with the Deacons whose office is to take care for the poore Saints and goods of the Church to the glory of God and benefit of Saints in faith and holinesse that the Lord may be found to dwell in the Tabernacle of his Saints with delight Thus the duty of spirituall Fathers Quest 41. Now what are duties commanded and sins forbidden of civill Parents and children in the civill politicall or Common wealth Estate in the relations between Magistrates Kings Princes Governours and people or subjects Ans I shall touch these but very briefly for present and what followeth also in the other Commandements But first for duties of superiors The duty of all Magistrates Deut. 17.18 19 20. Deut. 18 2â— 2 Sam. 13.3 4. Prov. 29.4 2 Cron. 28.9 2 Sam. 8. â—5 2 Cor. 19.5 6. Daniel 4.34 37 Deut. 16.18 19 20. 2 Chron. 15.10 Prov. 28. â—1 Magna Charta Kings Princes Governous or any in higher or lower places is to know the Law of God and in the feare of God in Justice and equity to governe the Common Wealth and people over whom the Lord placeth them to rule according to the Word of God and the good Lawes of the same Nation or Kingdome over which they are considering that they are under God and governe for God as vice-Gerents under the great Kings of Kings and Lord and King of Heaven and Earth Quest 42. What is the sinne of Magistrates and Governours contrary to this duty whether they bee in higher or lower places Ans To Rule or Governe without the knowledg or feare of God unâ—ustly tyrannically or in any corrupt and sinfull way contrary to the Word of God and good Lawes of the Land to sell or defer or deny Justice and right to any man Quest 43. You have held forth the duty of Magistrates and Fathers of the common wealth now what if the duty of subjects and people to Kings Princes Magistrates and Governours in higher or lower places Ans The dutie of subjects and people to their Soveraigne Princes Kings Magistrates or any under God in high or lower places is as to know and acknowledge them as their superiors and bee subject to them in their respective places to love honour preserve 2 Sam. 18 3. Rom. 13.1 2 Pet. 1.17 1 Pet. 2.13 14. 1 Tim. 2.1 2 3. Mat. 22.21 and obey them in their just and lawfull commands to be serviceable unto them in and for that which is good and to pray for them that they may so governe that we may leade a quiet and peaceable life in all godlinesse and honesty being carefull to render to Caesar the things that are Caesars and to God the things that are Gods Quest 44. What are the sinnes of the people and inferiors against their superiors 2 Chron. 36.13 1 Sam. 24.6 1 Sam. 26.9 2 Sam. 1.14 15. Ex 22.28 Ans To Rebell against dishonour or disobey the lawfull and just commands of superiors in higher or lower places Kings Princes or Magistrates to conspire Treason against them to curse them or neglect to pray for them according to the Scriptures is a fearfull sin 2 Sam. 16.7 Eccl. 10.20 1 Sam. 12.23 Quest 45. Sir yoU have manifested the duties and sinnes both of superiours and inferiours declared in Scriptures and to he referred unto this fifth â—ommandement as required by the Lord in this Rule of life and comfortable walking with God in Christ in our severall callings and relation now what use may a Christian make of the knowledge of so many duties requred and sinnes forbidden in this fifth Commandement and what light from Christ to leade us unto Christ for our comfort and direction herein Ans Truly by light from Christ we may here learne to see as in a glasse our owne inability to keepe the Law of God 2 Cor. 3.5 and so consider our extreame neede of Christ First as a justifyer that we may seeke our rest not in our selves or any of our owne performances 1 Cor. 1.30 Eph. 2.14 Isai 11.10 but
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.
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