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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A64969	The principles of the doctrine of Christ, or, A catechism in which is contained the sum of the Christian religion, or what is necessary to be believed and done in order to salvation, the answers being but seventeen in number, and in very plain words easie to be understood : unto which is added A catechism for conscience, wherein the consciences of the ignorant, the grosly profane, the young, the meerely mortal, and the hypocrites are examined in order to their instruction and awakening, and the consciences of the sincere Christians are tried in order to their peace and comfort / by Nathanael Vincent.	Vincent, Nathanael, 1639?-1697.; Vincent, Nathanael, 1639?-1697. A catechism for conscience.	1691 (1691)	Wing V418; ESTC R25704	37,318	113

walk in them and I will be their God and they shall be my people God promises to justifie them from and pardon all their Sins Heb. 8. 12. I will be merciful to their unrighteousness and their sins and iniquities I will remember no more God promises to renew and to write his Laws in their Hearts Heb. 10. 16. This is the Covenant I will make with them after those days saith the Lord I will put my laws in their hearts and in their minds will I write them God will give his people Grace sufficient till they come to Glory 2 Cor. 12. My grace is sufficient for thee for my strength is made perfect in ●e●kness 2 Tim. 4. 18. The Lord shall deliver me from every evil work and will preserve me to his heavenly Kingdom to whom be glory for ever and ever Rehearse the Laws of God Exod 20. which by Faith are Established and are our Rule to walk by God spake all these words saying I am the Lord thy God which have brought thee out of the Land of Egypt out of the House of Bondage Com. I. Thou shalt have none other Gods before me Com. II. Thou shalt not make unto thee any Graven Image or any Likeness of any thing that is in Heaven above or in the Earth beneath or that is in the Water under the Earth thou shalt not Bow down thy self to them nor Serve them for I the Lord thy God am a Iealous God visiting the Iniquity of the Fathers upon the Children unto the third and fourth Generation of them that hate me and shewing mercy unto Thousands of them that love me and keep my Commandments Com. III. Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his Name in vain Com. IV. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy Six days 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 do any work thou nor thy Son nor thy Daughter thy Man-servant nor thy Maid-servant nor thy Stranger that is within thy Gates for in Six days the Lord made Heaven and Earth the Sea and all that in them is and rested the Seventh day wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it Com. V. Honour thy Father and thy Mother that thy days may be long upon the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee Com. VI. Thou shalt not Kill Com. VII Thou shalt not commit Adultery Com. VIII Thou shalt not Steal Com. IX Thou shalt not bear false Witness against thy Neighbour Com. X. Thou shalt not covet thy Neighbours House thou shalt not covet thy Neighbours Wife nor his Man-servant nor his Maid-servant nor his Ox nor his Ass nor any thing that is thy Neighbours Q. 11. What is the Sum of the Law contained in the Ten Commandments A. The Sum of the Law is Love to God which will cause us to Worship him in Spirit to Sanctifie his Name and Day and Love to our Neighbours as to our Selves which will hinder us from doing any thing contrary to the Dignity Life Chastity Estate or good Name of our Neighbour and all motions of the Heart to work ill to him The Sum of the Law is Love to God Mat. 22. 37 38. Jesus said unto him Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind this is the first and great Commandment So great that it comprehends all others And Love to our Neighbour ver 39. The second is like unto it Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self Rom. 13. 10. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour and therefore love is the fulfilling of the law Q. 12. How is grace to be obtained whereby we may keep Gods Commands A. Grace to keep the commands of God is obtained by Prayer wherein 't is our Duty to offer up our desires to God in Christ's Name by the Spirits assistance confessing Sin and giving thanks for Mercies Grace which strengthens us to keep Gods Commandments is obtained by Prayer Psal 119. 10. With my whole heart have I sought thee Oh let me not wander from thy Commandments Psal 138. In the day when I cried thou answeredst me and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul Prayer is our Duty Luke 18. 1. Men ought always to pray and not to faint always i. e. at their set times and all fit seasons In Prayer we offer up our desires to God Psal 38. 9. Lord all my desire is before thee and my groaning is not hid from thee Prayer must be in Christs Name Joh. 16. 23. Verily verily I say unto you whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my Name he will give it you Prayer must be by the Spirits assistance Rom. 8. 26 27. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we ought but the Spirit it self maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered And be which searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit because he maketh intercession for the Saints according to the will of God Prayer should be with confession of Sin Psal 51. 3. I acknowledge my iniquity and my sin is ever before me There ought to be a giving thanks for Mercies Col. 4. 2. Continue in prayer and watch in the same with thanksgiving Q. 13. What is the Rule for our direction in Prayer A. The whole Word of God is of use to direct us in our Supplications but especially the Lords Prayer which he taught his Disciples The whole Word of God directs us in Prayer for it reveals his Will according to which our Prayers ought to be made 1 Joh. 5. 14. And this is the confidence we have in him that if we ask any thing according to his Will he heareth us The Lords Prayer which he taught his Disciples is our special direction how to pray Mat. 6. 9 10 11 12 13. After this manner therefore pray ye Our Father which art in Heaven Hallowed be thy Name Thy Kingdom come Thy Will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven Give us this day our daily Bread And forgive us out Trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us And lead us not into Temptation but deliver us from Evil for thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory for ever Amen Q. 14. How hath God confirmed his New Covenant A. God hath confirmed his New Covenant by the Sacraments which are the Signs and Seals of it and these Sacraments under the New Testament are Two Baptism and the Lords Supper Sacraments are Signs and Seals of the New Covenant What the Apostle speaks of the Sacrament of Circumcision in the Old Testament is true of the Sacraments under the New Rom 4. 11. He received the sign of Circumcision a seal of the righteousness of Faith and where the righteousness of Faith is

signified and sealed the other Benefits of the New Covenant are signified and sealed also Baptism is appointed and required Mat. 28. 19. Go ye therefore and disciple all nations baptizing them The Lords Supper is Instituted 1 Cor. 11. 23. I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you ver 24. Do this in remembrance of me Q. 15. What is Baptism A. Baptism is a washing with Water in the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost whereby is signified and sealed our being Born again the purging away of sin by the Blood and Spirit of Christ and our partaking of a new Nature And all that are Baptized whether Believers or their Seed are engaged to be the Lords Baptism is a washing with Water in the Name of the Father Son and Spirit Mat. 28. 19. Baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Baptism signifies and seals our being born again Tit. 3. 5. According to his mercy he saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost In the regenerate sin is purged away by the Blood and Spirit of Christ 1 Joh. 1. 7. The Blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin Gal. 5. 16. This I say then walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfil the lusts of the flesh They that are born again have a new nature 2 Pet. 1. 4. That you might be partakers of the Divine Nature having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust All that are baptised whether Believers or their seed are engaged to be the Lords Rom. 6. 3 4. So many of us as were baptised into Jesus Christ were baptised into his death and being dead to sin should walk in newness of life Children are engaged as well as the Parents Act. 2. 39. The Promise is unto you and to your Children 1 Cor. 7. 14. Else were your Children unclean but now they are holy separated to him and to his service Q. 16. What is the Lords Supper A. The Lords Supper is an Ordinance wherein after self-examination which is required there is a giving and receiving of the Bread and Wine according to Christs appointment And worthy Receivers discern his Body partake of his benefits and shew forth his death till he come to Judgment Self-examination is required before this Ordinance of the Supper 1 Cor. 11. v. 28. But let a man examine himself and so let him eat of that Bread and drink of that Cup. In this Supper there is a giving and receiving of Bread and Wine according to Christs appointment Mat. 26. 26 27. Jesus took Bread and blessed it and brake it and gave it to the Disciples and said Take eat this is my Body And he took the Cup and gave thanks and gave it unto them saying Drink ye all of it Worthy Receivers discern his Body looking beyond the Bread and Wine to his Body and Blood thereby signified and given to them 1 Cor. 11. 24 25. This is my Body which is broken for you This Cup is the New Testament in my Blood Worthy Receivers partake of his benefits Joh. 1. 16. And of his fulness have all we received and grace for grace In the Supper we shew forth Christs death till he come to Judgment 1 Cor. 11. 26. For as often as ye eat this Bread and drink this Cup ye do shew forth the Lords death till he come Q. 17. When Christ comes to Judgment who must appear before Him A. At the last day the dead will be raised and all must appear at the Judgment seat of Christ Believers who have done good shall be rewarded with eternal life The wicked who lived and died in their sins shall be punished with the vengeance of eternal fire At the last day the dead shall be raised Acts 26. 8. Why should it seem a thing incredible with you that God should raise the dead All must appear at the Judgment seat of Christ 2 Cor. 5. 10. For we must all appear before the Judgment seat of Christ that every one may receive the things done in his body according to that he hath done whether it be good or evil Believers that have done good shall be rewarded with eternal life Rom 6. 22. But now being made free from sin and become servants to God ye have your fruit unto holiness and the end everlasting life The wicked shall be punished with the vengeance of eternal fire Mat. 25. 41. Then shall he say to them on the left hand Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels 2 Cor. 5. 11. Knowing the truth and terrour of the Lord we perswade Men. 2 Pet. 3. 7 11. Seeing the Heaven and the Earth are kept in store reserved unto fire against the day of Judgment and perdition of ungodly men what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness The CREED I Believe in God the Father Almighty Maker of Heaven and Earth and in Iesus Christ his only Son our Lord who was Conceived by the Holy Ghost Born of the Virgin Mary Suffered under Pontius Pilate was Crucified Dead and Buried he Descended into Hell Continued in the State of the Dead Th● third day he Rose again from the Dead he Ascended into Heaven and Sitteth at the Right Hand of God the Father Almighty from thence He shall come to Iudge the quick and the dead I Believe in the Holy Ghost the Holy Catholick Church the Communion of Saints the Forgiveness of Sins the Resurrection of the Body and the Life Everlasting Amen London Printed for Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapside near Mercers Chapel 1691. A Catechism FOR CONSCIENCE The design of which is to try awaken and instruct the Consciences of Men and to make them faithful to God and to Themselves The Conscience of a grosly Ignorant Sinner is thus to be Questioned Quest 1. WHat are thy thoughts of God Answ I seldom hear and hardly ever think of him Q. 2. Why is not God in all thy thoughts Why dost thou live without him in the World A. I have no knowledge of Him and I do not care to entertain thoughts concerning Him Q. 3. Is not this thy bare ingratitude and folly that God who gave thee thy Being and gives thee every good thing thou hast should never be thought on But tell me Hast thou no apprehensions of God at all A. I sometimes conceive Him to be a good old Man that sits and reigns above in Heaven Q. 4. Foolish and darkned Heart Why hast thou not taken notice that God is a Spirit who really has no bodily parts Why dost thou not consider That they exceedingly dishonour Him who change the glory of the incorruptible God into an Image made like to corruptible Man Rom. 1. 23. But dost thou not believe that God always observes thee A. I regard not God and I hope he does not much regard

Assemblies Catechism is indeed above my commendation and will commend it self to them that are considerate whoever go about to disparage it But This which I have Composed being much more brief and having words somewhat easier to be understood I hope may not be unuseful I have added a Catechism for Conscience and have applied my self to the Consciences of several sorts of Persons And though in a special manner I design your Edification yet if these few Sheets shall through the blessing of that God who is and works all in all be made profitable to a great many more the greater will be the satisfaction and rejoicing of Your Affectionate Pastor and Servant for Jesus Sake Nathanael Vincent THE PRINCIPLES OF THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST OR A Catechism In which is contained the Sum of the Christian Religion or what is necessary to be believed and done in order to Salvation The Answers being but Seventeen in number and in very plain words easie to be understood By Nathanael Vincent M. A. Minister of the Gospel London Printed for Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapside near Mercers Chapel 1691. Unto which is Added A Catechism for Conscience Wherein The Consciences of the Ignorant the grosly Profane the Young the meerly Moral and the Hypocrites are Examined in order to their Instruction and Awakening and the Consciences of the Sincere Christians are tried in order to their Peace and Comfort THE PRINCIPLES OF THE Doctrine of CHRIST IN A very Short And Plain Catechism By Nathaniel Vincent M. A. Minister of the Gospel Qu. 1. WHat do you believe concerning God Ans God is eternal every where present a Spirit most wise powerful righteous and merciful the whole Worlds Creator and Governour God is Eternal Psal 90 2. From everlasting to everlasting thou art God God is every where present Jer. 23. 24. Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him saith the Lord. Do not I fill Heaven and Earth saith the Lord. God is a Spirit without bodily parts like Man Joh. 4. 24. God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth Rom. 1. 22. 23. They became fools and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an Image made like to corruptible Man God is most Wise Rom. 16. 27. To God only wise be glory through Jesus Christ for ever Amen God is most Powerful Psal 62. 11. God hath spoken once twice have I heard this that power belongeth unto God God is Righteous Psal 119. 137. Righteous art thou O Lord and upright are thy Judgments God is Merciful Psal 103 8 11. The Lord is merciful and gracious slow to anger and plenteous in mercy As the Heaven is high above the Earth so great is his Mercy towards them that fear him God is the whole Worlds Creator Rev. 4. 11. Thou art worthy O Lord to receive glory and honour and power for Thou hast created all things and for thy pleasure they are and were created God is the Worlds Governour Psal 103. 19. His Kingdom ruleth over all Q. 2. Are there more Gods tha● One A. God is but One yet he is distinguished into Father Son and Holy Ghost who have the same Eternal Power and Godhead and concur in the work of Mans Salvation God is but One yet he is distinguished into Father Son and Holy Ghost 1 John 5. 7. There are three that bear record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are One. Baptism that is in the Name of the true God is in the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost Mat. 28. 19. The Son has the same Godhead and Power with the Father Rom. 9. 5. Of whom as concerning the Flesh Christ came who is over all God blessed for ever The Holy Ghost is likewise God Acts 5. 3 4. Why hath Satan filled thy Heart to Lie unto the Holy Ghost Thou hast not Lied unto Man but unto God The Father concurs in the work of Mans Salvation John 3. 16. For God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life The Son concurs in the Saving of Man Luke 2. 11. Vnto you is born this day in the City of David a Saviour who is Christ the Lord. The Holy Ghost concurs in this work of Saving John 3. 5. Except a man be born of Water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God Q. 3. In what Estate did God at first Create Man A. God created Man after his own Image having true Knowledge and Holiness and Dominion over the Creatures and enter'd into a Covenant of Life with him upon condition of perfect obedience God created Man after his own Image Gen. 1. 27. So God created man in his own Image in the Image of God created he him male and female created he them The Image of God did lye in Knowledge Col. 3. 10. And have put on that new man which is renewed in knowledge after the Image of Him that created him The Image of God does lye in Holiness Eph. 4. 24. And that ye put on that new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness The Image of God lyes also in Dominion over the Creatures Psal 8. 5 6. Thou madest him a little lower than the Angels and Crownedst him with Glory and Honour and madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands God enter'd into a Covenant of life with Man upon condition of perfect obedience Rom. 10. 5. The Man that doth those things shall live by them Q. 4. Did Man continue in this blessed state in which he was created A. The first Man Adam sinn'd in eating the forbidden Fruit and all his Posterity sinn'd in him are Born the Children of wrath derive from Him a corrupted Nature being backward to good and prone to evil The first Man was Adam 1 Cor. 15. 45. The first Man Adam was made a living Soul Adam sinn'd in eating the forbidden Fruit. Gen. 3. 6. The Woman took of the fruit thereof and did eat and gave also to her Husband with her and he did eat All his Posterity being represented by him sinn'd in him Rom. 5. 19. By one Mans disobedience many were made sinners his Posterity though never so many All are Born the Children of wrath consider'd as Adam's Children Eph. 2. 3. And were by nature the Children of wrath even as others Rom. 5. 18. By the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation All derive from Adam a corrupted nature Eph. 4. 22. The old Man or Adam is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts All naturally are backward to good prone to evil Rom. 8. 7. The carnal man is enmity against God and is not subject to the Law of God neither indeed can it be Gen. 6. 5. God saw that the wickedness of Man was great in the Earth and that

every imagination of the thoughts of his Heart was only evil continually Q 5. What is Sin A. Sin is a transgression of the Law of God and the desert and wages of it is Death and Hell Sin is a transgression of the Law of God 1 John 3. 4. Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the Law for sin is a transgression of the Law The desert and wages of Sin is Death Rom. 5. 12. Death passed upon all men for that all have sinned The desert and wages of Sin is Hell Psal 9. 17. The wicked shall be turned into Hell and all the Nations that forget God Q. 6. Who is the Saviour from Sin and Hell A. Jesus Christ the Son of God took Mans Nature and died upon the Cross that he might put away Sin and deliver Man from Wrath by the Sacrifice of himself and he arose from the dead and sat down at the Right Hand of God Jesus Christ the Son of God took Mans Nature John 1. 14. The Word was made Flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his Glory the Glory as of the only begotten of the Father full of Grace and Truth Christ died upon the Cross Luke 23. 33. And they Crucified Him and the Malefactors one on the right Hand and the other on the left Christ by his Death puts away Sin Heb. 9. 26. But now once in the end of the World hath he appeared to put away sin by the Sacrifice of himself Christ delivers from Hell and Wrath. Rom. 5. 9. Being now justified by his Blood we shall be saved from wrath through Him Christ arose from the Dead Luke 24. 34. The Lord is risen indeed Acts 13. 37. Rising the third day he saw no corruption Christ Ascended into Heaven and sat at God's Right Hand Heb. 1. 3. When he had by himself purged our sins sat down on the Right Hand of the Majesty on High Q. 7. What are the Offices of Christ Jesus A. Christ has a threefold Office He is a Prophet to teach a Priest by his satisfaction and intercession to reconcile and a King to govern and defend his Church and People Christ is a Prophet to teach Acts 7. 37. A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your Brethren Him shall you hear Luke 24. 45. Then opened He their understandings that they might understand the Scriptures Christ is a Priest to reconcile Heb. 2. 17. It behoved him in all things to be made like unto his Brethren that he might be a merciful and faithful High-Priest to make reconciliation for the sins of the People Christ reconciles by his Death which was satisfactory to God who had been by sin offended and by his Intercession Rom. 8. 34. Who is he that condemneth it is Christ that died yea rather is risen again who also maketh intercession for us Christ is a King to govern his Church and People Col. 1. 13. Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness and hath translated us into the Kingdom of his dear Son Christ defends his Church against all Enemies Rom. 8. 37 Nay in all these things we are more than Conquerors through Him that loved us Q. 8. How is Christ made known A. Christ is made known by the Word in the Holy Scripture which is given by Inspiration of God The Old Testament gave a discovery of Him but in the New Testament he is more fully revealed Christ is made known by the Word in the Holy Scripture Col. 1. 27. To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this Mystery among the Gentiles which is Christ in you the hope of glory The Holy Scripture is given by Inspiration of God 2 Tim. 3. 16. All Scripture is given by Inspiration of God The Old Testament gave a discovery of Christ John 5. 46. If ye had believed Moses you would have believed Me saith Christ for He wrote of Me. Acts 26. 22 23. Saying none other things than what Moses and all the Prophets did say should come that Christ should suffer and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead and shew light to the People and to the Gentiles In the New Testament Christ is more fully revealed 2 Cor. 3. 18. We all with open face beholding as in a Glass the Glory of the Lord are changed into the same Image Q. 9. How are we made partakers of Christ and interested in Him A. We are drawn to Christ by the Spirit working Faith in us whereby we receive Christ and rest upon him alone for Salvation unto which Faith Repentance is joined whereby we sorrow for sin and turn from it to God with the whole Heart We are drawn to Christ by the Spirit working Faith in us 2 Cor. 4. 13. We having the same Spirit of Faith Phil. 1. 30 Vnto you it is given in the behalf of Christ to believe on him By Faith we receive Christ John 1. 12. To as many as received him he gave power to become the Sons of God even to them that believe in his Name By Faith we rest upon Christ alone for Salvation Phil. 3. 8 9. I count all things but dung that I may win Christ and be found in Him not having my own Righteousness which is by the Law Acts 4. 12. Neither is there Salvation in any other Unto Faith Repentance is joined Acts 20. 21. Testifying both to the Jews and to the Greeks Repentance towards God and Faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ. Repentance is a sorrowing for Sin Jam. 4. 9. Be afflicted and mourn and weep let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to heaviness Repentance is a turning from Sin to God with the whole Heart Isa 55. 7. Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts and let him return to the Lord and he will have mercy upon him and to our God for he will abundantly pardon Joel 2. 12. Therefore now also saith the Lord turn ye even unto me with all your heart Q. 10. What is that Covenant which God hath made with them that repent and believe A. God hath made a New Covenant with penitent Believers wherein he hath promised to be their God to justifie them from and pardon all their Sins to renew and write his Laws in their Hearts and to give them Grace till they come to Glory God hath made a New Covenant commonly called the Covenant of Grace Heb. 8. 8. Behold the days come saith the Lord when I will make a New Covenant with the House of Israel and of Judah They that repent and believe are in Covenant An Heart to repent and believe is from God Ezek. 36. 26. A new heart will I give you and a new Spirit will I put within you and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and I will give you an heart of flesh The Lord in the Covenant promises to be his peoples God 2 Cor. 6. 16. I will dwell in them and

my days to grant me no more Sabbaths nor indeed any longer space for repentance Q. 23. Art thou now willing to sanctifie the Lords day to attend upon those Ministers that preach as being in good earnest that speak most to the Consciences of their Hearers and are desirous and wise to win Souls A. These above all I have hated but all the while I did so I now perceive I had no true love unto my self Q. 24. Dost thou consent to submit unto the easie yoak of Christs commands as well as desire pardon and reconciliation by his Blood And dost thou look upon it as unreasonable to hope to be saved by Christ if thou art resolved that Sin and the Devil shall still rule thee A. The wages of Sin is Death why should I serve such a Lord any longer Oh that I may become a Servant indeed to the best Lord of All. Q. 25. Art thou willing to be a true Convert unto God To have thy Eyes turned to look to him Thy Feet turned to walk in all his ways And thy Heart turned to love and fear and cleave unto Him A. Lord turn thou me and then I even I as bad as I have been shall indeed be turned The Conscience of the Young Man who is vain in his Youth is to be dealt with after this manner Q. 1. O young Man thou rejoicest in thy youth and seemest void of care and fear What is the ground of this thy joy A. I walk after the sight of my Eyes and in the way to which my heart is inclined and the fulfilling of my youthful Lusts is very pleasant Q. 2. But is not thy Creator to be remembred in the days of thy youth And is not his service infinitely better than to have thy Lusts thy Lords A. I reckon it time enough to think of God when I am old Q. 3. How dost thou know thou shalt live to be old A. I find Nature in me vigorous and strong And now what is gratifying to my Senses puts me into a transport of joy Mirth and Musick delight my Ear Meats and Drinks do please my apperite Brave Apparel is my Pride Sports and Recreations are my principal business and Amorous Thoughts and Desires are constant Guests which my heart entertains with wonderful complacency My mind aspires to worldly greatness and I hope to be somebody before I die Q. 4. Why dost thou not consider that the hour of Death may be near notwithstanding the strength of Nature and that many as young and lusty as thy self and who as confidently reckoned upon longer life have been by the small Pox or Feaver or some other malady or by unexpected accident suddenly sent unto their graves A. Pray don't talk of Death 't is a melancholick subject which I don't care to hear or think of Q. 5. But will the putting of Death out of thy mind be any defence against its stroke or keep Death off from thee A. To think much of Death would make life miserable it would be a torturing of ones self and a dying every day Q. 6. But if thou livest so as that to die will be gain to thee will the thoughts of Death be unpleasant then A. I have no inclination at all to change my course of life Q. 7. Why shouldst thou resolve to live a fool deceived and enslaved by thy lusts and pleasures and to venture dying miserably A. Pray let me alone I am not sensible of any bondage I am under I live a merry life and an ounce of mirth is better than a pound of sorrow Q. 8. If an ounce of carnal mirth which may so quickly end and end in endless sorrow be of so much account with thee what is a far more exceeding and eternal weight of joy and glory A. That joy is unsuitable to me That Man methinks spake very good sense who said Soul take thine ease eat drink and be merry thou hast Goods laid up for many years Q. 9. Does not God call that Man a Fool And did not Death which came to him many years sooner than he expected prove him to be both Fool and Wretched And did not Hell make him sensible of his folly when it was too late A. I dislike the thoughts of death but much more of what is to follow after Q. 10. Is it not a Lesson that the Wise man would teach the Young man Eccles 11. 9. But know that for all these things God will bring thee to Judgment A. I dread that day and cannot endure to think of the account I am then to give to Him that is to be my Judge Q. 11. Not thinking of Judgment does it not make thee secure and careless in making ready for it And hereupon will not thy account be with the greater grief and horrour A. I am sorry I have entred upon this discourse if once these things come to have a deep and abiding impression upon my heart I must bid farewel to all my joy and sorrow must fill up the remainder of my days Q. 12. Why dost thou suffer thy self to be deceived and abused Is not a greater joy to be preferr'd before a less A true and lasting joy before that which is but a shadow a dream and vanishes in a moment A. I cannot conceive that Religion should ever prove such a pleasant thing to me Q. 13. Why then does the Scripture speak of strong consolation Of a peace that passes all understanding Of a joy unexpressible and full of glory A. These strong comforts and joys seem to me to be but strong phancies and meer imaginations Q. 14. Hast thou not reason to say so of thy sinful Comforts But pray consider Is it not God the great Creator of all things which has put into the creatures that power they have to delight thy senses And cannot He himself infinitely more delight thy Soul A. Spiritual pleasures are things I do not understand I have had a deal of satisfaction in the delights that are fleshly Q. 15. Dost thou think the Holy Angels have no pleasure because they have no flesh How full of Torment are the Devils though they have no bodily senses to be tormented And have not the elect Angels though they have no bodies a far higher delight in God than a body is capable of A. I confess I have not minded my Soul which is a Spirit but have pleased my senses and my fancy as if there were no higher happiness Q. 16. While thou hast thus pleased thy bruitish part for Beasts have senses which they please hast thou not shewed thy self rather a Brute than either Saint or Man A. You intimate that to be a Saint is to act with the greatest reason But I would fain enjoy my sensual pleasures a little longer and afterwards I am for repenting and turning Saint indeed Q. 17. God who commands thy turning to him and turning Saint does he not command thee to do it presently Does not the Holy Ghost say To day if ye

the Communion of Saints an Article of the Creed Is not the love of every particular Member of Christ to be extended to the whole Body Were not the Ephesians commended for their Faith in the Lord Jesus and Love to all the Saints Eph. 1. 16. And if Believers of different perswasions that are sincere are received by Christ ought they not to receive one another A. I hate mixtures in Religion Q. 4. But shouldest thou not Love Grace wherever thou seest it And shouldest thou not take heed lest thy spirituality be mixed with uncharitableness A. I am a Member of a true and rightly constituted Church of Christ I can hardly look upon Assemblies that are of another constitution as true Churches their Ministry or the Ordinances administred to them to be valuable Q. 5. Is not this the right Antichristian Spirit Do not the Papists Damn all Christians in the World that are not of their way Instead of coming out farther from Babylon art thou not Baptized into the Spirit of Babylon e're art aware A. I am sure we ought to dislike corruptions wherever we see them Q. 6. And is it not as certain that true goodness where-ever 't is seen is to be approved Now dost thou not perceive that many who differ from thee in thy Church-way are sound in the Faith and of Exemplary Holiness in their Lives A. I cannot deny but upon Discourse with them and observation of them for I am a strict observer of other mens steps I have found them so Q. 7. Is not this an Argument that plainly proves Christ is in other Churches also and works effectually among them and in them by his Spirit But thou who talkest so much of a pure Church how is thy Family ordered A. I am not under so low a dispensation as to use forms of Catechising in my Family neither do I look upon Family worship to be of such absolute necessity Q. 8. A strict Church and a loose Family are they things at all suitable Wilt thou talk against Forms of Catechising when the Apostle commands Forms of sound words to be held fast And as for Family worship Is it not plain from that Petition in the Lords Prayer Give us this Day our Daily Bread That they who daily Eat together ought daily to Pray together And that not only for the Bread they Eat but also for the Hallowing of Gods Name the coming of his Kingdom the forgiveness of Sins and Grace to strengthen them against Temptation to Evil A. I am not utterly against Family worship but sometimes perform it Q. 9. What hinders thy constant performance Is it not if thou wilt confess the truth an estrangement of thy Heart from God An eagerness after the World And an over-industriousness in thy earthly business A. You little know whom you speak to I have a great Name and am highly esteemed for godliness by them that are acquainted with me Q. 10. Had not the Church of Sardis a Name that they lived and yet were really dead in sin many of them In others of them the good things that remained were they not ready to die And was not the Church of Laodicea confident she was rich and increased in good things and had need of nothing when indeed she was wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked A. These instances shake not my confidence Q. 11. VVhat is the ground of this thy confidence A. Being so very pure and strict in our Church way I hope we may have some grains of allowance to be more remiss in other respects But this is a secret not to be communicated to every one Q. 12. Is not this to resemble many ignorant carnal Protestants who because they are pretty exact in keeping some of the commands think they may make bold to live in the transgression of others But does not the Apostle say that if a man keep the whole Law and yet allow himself in offending in one point he is guilty of all Because he keeps no Commandment sincerely and out of love and reverence to God the Law-giver Jam. 2. 10. A. Another ground of my Confidence is the falls of Saints that are upon Scripture record therefore I conclude that to be intemperate with Lot and Noah and to be unclean with David may very well consist with truth of grace Q. 13. VVherefore are their Falls recorded Is it that such sins may be allowed of No no. Is it not to keep Saints humble and that they may depend upon a strength beyond their own that they may be able to stand Is it not to make them sensible how bad the best men are when God does leave them a little to themselves A. I cannot in this contradict you Q. 14. VVere not these Falls of Saints recorded also to open a door of hope to faln Saints that they might rise again and cry for pardon and for hearts more clean and right and that they might be more strongly upheld for the future and be established by Gods free Spirit Now if thou securely allowest thy self in those sins which the Saints loathed themselves for and with shame and sorrow did forsake is not this a plain demonstration of thy Hypocrisie A. I have sometimes been encouraged to over-reach and defraud others that are not of our Way because Israel was allowed to spoil the Egyptians of their Jewels and Treasure Q. 15. Had not the most High God the Possessor of Heaven and Earth a greater right to the Egyptians Gold and Jewels than they had themselves and might not He dispose of their Treasure as well as punish themselves as he pleased and did he not thus dispose of it by a special command at that time But where is there such a particular command given to thee How plain is the Precept that which is altogether just shalt thou follow Does not the Apostle say Let no man go beyond or defraud his Brother in any matter because the Lord is the Avenger of all evil 1 Thes 4. 6. Has not our Lord plainly signified thou shouldest no more wrong another than thou wouldest be willing another should wrong thee Mat. 7. 12. Hath he not shewed thee O Man what is good And what does the Lord thy God require of thee but to do justly as well as to love mercy And if these duties are neglected where is thy walking humbly with God A. I confess what you say comes with that evidence and conviction that the foundation of my confidence begins to look like a Sandy Foundation Yet I find great stupidness in my Spirit I can think of the sins I have allowed my self in without remorse and trouble Q. 16. Is there a greater and more inexcusable contemner of God than a Hypocrite who so often draws near to God and gives him so many good words and yet in heart despises his presence his power his goodness and his anger also A. Woe is me I wish I be not quite left unto my self I fear God may have

pronounced concerning me Thou art filthy be filthy still thou art unjust be unjust still Q. 17. Art thou willing now at length to be thoroughly awaked out of thy sinful and carnal security A. I am surprized as 't is said Hypocrites shall be with an unusual fearfulness I desire to be deliver'd from the Spirit of slumber and Oh that my Eyes may be indeed enlightened that I may not fall asleep again and sleep the sleep of death Q. 18. Is the applause of men a poor thing with thee Dost thou value the favour and approbation of God and Fellowship with him And dost thou begin to abhor to seem religious only for carnal interest and to make a profession subservient to thy secular advantage A. Lord make me an Israelite indeed in whom there is no guile Q. 19. Dost thou consent to be sanctified throughout in Body Soul and Spirit and to be established unblameable in holiness to the end A. Names and Shews will signifie nothing at the day of Judgment I consent therefore to be a Saint indeed Q. 20. Wilt thou make restitutio● of what has been gotten dishonestly either to the persons wronged by thy own self or by the hand of another if prudence so require or if the persons wronged cannot be found wilt thou make restitution to the Poor A. I am glad I have wherewithal and am in a capacity to do thus I am willing to give again what I have robbed and to walk in the Statutes of Life Q. 21. Dost thou know that though satisfaction is made to thy Neighbour by restitution for the wrong thou hast done him yet as that wrong is an offence against God satisfaction can be made alone by the Blood of Jesus the Mediator A. I dare rely on nothing but the Blood of Christ that through him I may receive the atonement though my Faith alas is weak and not without many doubts and fears Q. 22. As presumptuous confidence has been thy sin hitherto so dost thou not think that despair and despondency will be thy sin also if thou givest way to it Though many Woes are thundred out against Hypocrites yet if they are willing to be made sincere is the Door of Hope shut against them A. I am ready to run from one extream to another and to conclude because I find there has been no grace in me that there is no hope remaining Q. 23. Does not the Scripture say 'T is good that a man should hope Is not despair then evil A. Lord pity pardon and hold me up from sinking Q. Wilt thou now be low in thy own thoughts as thou hast but too much reason wilt thou be no longer censorious but charitable in honour preferring others before thy self wilt thou be exactly true in thy words and righteous in all thy future dealings wilt thou be very pure in Body and Spirit and keep a Conscience void of offence towards God and towards Man A. I have talked much of Grace buh have little understood it Oh that tet Grace of God which bringeth Salvation may teach me to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live soberly righteously and godly in this present world that it may be well with me in the world to come for ever The Conscience of the Sincere but Doubting Christian is thus to be tried in order to his Comfort and that he may Communicate at the Lords Table Q. 1. Why are thy looks so dejected and sad A. Alas my heart is full of doubts and fears and fears of Hell and Wrath must needs have much of torment Q. 2. What is the ground and reason of these fears A. My iniquities are increased over my head and as an heavy burthen are too heavy for me Q. 3. Does not Christ call the labouring and heavy laden to come to him for rest Mat. 11. 28. and since his call is general to all the heavy laden Souls why shouldst thou except and exclude thy self as if the invitation were not made to thee A. There are many things which are ready to kill my hop●s of ever being pardon'd and saved Q. 4. What are those things that have thus bowed thee down and brought thee to the brink of desperation A. None come to Christ but those that are Elected and given to Him of the Father and I fear I am not of that number Q. 5. Is that the first thing to be inquired into whether thou art Elected or no Art thou not first to make thy calling sure and by that to come to the knowledge of thy Election and if thou art effectually called from sin to holiness mayest thou not warrantably conclude thou hast been predestinated unto life A. I am much troubled about Gods decree concerning me Q. 6. If thou makest choice of God and hadst rather have him to be thy portion and inheritance than to have the largest portion of the things of this life mayest thou not from hence certainly infer that he has chosen thee in Christ before the foundation of the world was laid A. But is there not one sin that God will never pardon And I am afraid oftentimes that I have committed that unpardonable sin against the Holy Ghost Q 7. Is not the Blood of Christ which does away the guilt and filth of sin precious in thy Eyes and dost thou not highly value the priviledge of being justified and washed by this Blood and if so is it not plain that thou does not trample under-foot the Son of God nor count his Blood an unholy and common thing A. The Blood of Christ is truely precious to me and the benefits thereby purchased if I might partake of them Q. 8. Dost thou count the Miracles that Christ wrought for the confirmation of the Gospel by the power of the Holy Ghost to have been wrought by the power of the Devil A. No no I am satisfied that Satan could not do such wonders as to give sight to the Blind and born Blind and to raise the dead Q. 9. How canst thou think then that thou art guilty of Blasphemy against the Spirit But to put all out of doubt dost thou not desire the sanctifying grace of the Spirit and if so is not this a plain evidence thou hast not committed the unpardonable sin against the Spirit A. I would fain have this well proved that a desire after grace is an evidence I never was guilty of the unpardonable sin Q. 10. Is not this proved from Christs own words Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness Mat. 5. 6. If He that hungers and thirsts after righteousness i. e. desires to be truely holy and still to be more and more holy be indeed a blessed man and shall be filled have what he desires How can he have been guilty of a sin unpardonable and that unremoveably fixes a curse upon him A. But if I have not committed the sin that never is forgiven alas how many other sins have I been guilty of which I fear will be my Eternal