Teâ—timonie do in the least prove their Assertion or that others that do not take things meerly upon Trust would be so foolish as to believe them For though God made known and wrote excellent things to Solomon Though Luke wrote unto Theophilus an Account of divers Transactions of Christ's Outward Abode For many were never written Joh. last vers last et 20. 30. And there are also many other things which Jesus did the which if they should be written every one I suppose that even the World it self could not contain the Books that should be written And many other Signs truly did Jesus in the Presence of his Disciples which are not written in this Book Though Christ made use of divers Scriptures against Satan and that Isaiah directed People to the Law and to the Testimony who will be so mad as to say It naturally follows from thence that God has now committed his Will wholely to Writing Such a Consequence is no more deducible from these Scriptures then if I should argue thus The Divines of Westminster have asserted many things without Ground therefore they had Ground for nothing they said Nay it follows not by far so naturally seeing after the writing of all these Passages by them cited according to their own Judgment there were divers Scriptures written so that it had been false for them to assert That Gâ—d had then committed his Counsel wholely to Wâ—iting which indeed was not true So it is most Irrational and Unwarrantable for any to draw such a strange and strained Consequence from their words For the Second That the former Wayes are now ceased they alledge Hebr. 1. 1 2. God who at sundry Times and in divers Manners spake in times past unto the Fathers by the Prophets hath in these last dayes spoken unto us by his Son whom he hath appointed Heir of all things by whom also he hath made the Worldâ— 2 Pet. 1. 19. We have also a More Sure Word of Prophesie whereunto ye do well that ye take heed as unto a Light that shineth in a Dark Place until the Day dawn and the Day-Star arise in your Hearts Which prove thâ— Matter as little as the former If Paul had intended by that to Timothy what those Divines would have Would not they have made the Apostle speak a manifest Untruth seeing they themselves acknowledg that John's Revelation was written long after so that these former Ways were not then ceased As for that of Peter it is to beg the thing in Question To say It is intended of the Scripture and though it were it proves not the Case at all That of Hebr. is so ar from asserting the Matter they would have it that it may be very aptly brought to prove the quite contrary for God indeed speaks to us now by his Son But to infer from thence That the Son speaks only to us by the Scriptures remains yet unproved Aâ—d for the Apostle to have there asserted it had been false seeing the Revelations which he and others afterwards had were inward so such were not ceased And if we may trust the same Apostle better then these Men he tells us that so soon as Christ was revealed in him he went straight and obey'd And the same Apostle tells us that Except Christ be in us we are Reprobates sure he is not dumb in us seeing he sayes He will dwell in us and walk in us and be with us to the End of the World And John tells us that the inward Anointing is to teach us all things so that we need not as to any absolute Necessity any Man to teach us how then is this ceased seeing God speaks to us by Christ and Christ must be in us Surely these Men have not herein followed the Rule of the Scriptures but rather endeavoured most grosly to wrest them and make of them a Nose of Wax notwithstanding their Pretences as to the contrary in their 6th Sect. where they say All things necessary are either expresly set down or by good and necessary Consequences may be deduced Now that these two former Assertions are not expresly set down they will not deny whether they follow by sound Consequence any understanding Man may judge by what is above observed There are divers other things in the same Chapter which will not abide the Test for which the Scripture-Proofs are alledged by them are most ridiculous yet for Brevity's sake I have omitted In Chap. 21. Sect. 7. where they say That the Sabbath from the Resurrection of Christ was changed into the First Day of the Week which in Scripture say they is called the Lord's Day and is to be continued to the End of the World as the Christian-Sabbath In which they assert Three Things First That the First Day of the Week is come in place of the Seventh for a Sabbath To prove which they alledge 1 Cor. 16. 1 2 Now concerning the Collection for the Saints as I have given order to the Churches of Galatâ—â— even so do ye upon the First Day of the Week Let every one of you lay by him in store as God hath prospered him that there be no Gathering when I come Acts 20. 7. And upon the First Day of the Week when the Disciples came together to break Bread Paul preached to them ready to depart on the morrow and continued his Speech until Midnight That these Proofs assert not the thing expresly we need not I suppose dispute Now to say that because Paul desired the Corinthians to lay somewhat by them in store that day or because he broak Bread and continued his Speech until Midnight therefore the First Day of the Week is come in place of the Sabbath is a Consequence more remarkable for its Sottishness then to be credited for its Soundness Indeed to make so solemn an Article of Faith as these men would have the Morality of the first day of the Week to be would need a more positive and express Authority The Text doth clearly enough tell the Reason of the Disciples meeting so frequently and of Paul's preaching so long because he was ready to depart to morrow it speaks not a word of its being Sabbath Their Second Assertion That the First Day of the Week is therefore called the Lord's Day is drawn yet more strangly from that of Rev. 1. 10. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day and heard behind me a great Voice as of a Trumpet Whereas no particular Day of the Week is mentioned so for them to say John meaned the First Day of the Week hath no more Proof but their own bare Assertion For their Third Assertion That it is to be continued to the End of the World as the christian-Christian-Sabbath they alledge these Scriptures Exod. 20. 8 10 11. Remember the sabbath-Sabbath-Day to keep it Holy 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 Cattel nor thy Stranger which 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 blessâ—d the Sabbath Day and hallowed it Isaiah 56. 2 4 6 7. Mat. 5. 17 18. Think not that I am come to destroy the Law or the Prophets I am not come to destroy but to fulfil For verily I say unto you Till Heaven and Earth pass one Jâ—t or one Tittle shall in no wise pass from the Law till all be fulfilled If they prove any thing they must needs prove the Continuance of the Seventh Day seeing in all the Law there is no mention made of the First Day of the Week being a Sabbath If these may be reckoned good and sound Consequences I know no Absurdities so great no Heresies so damnable no Superstitions so ridiculous but may be cloaked with the Authority of Scripture In their 27th Chapter in the 1 2 3. Sections they speak at large of the Definition and Nature of Sacraments but in all the Scriptures they bring there is not one word of Sacraments The Truth is there was a good Reason for this Emission for such a thing is not to be found in all the Bible For them to alledge that the thing signified is though that be also a begging of the Question will not excuse such who else-where aver the whole Counsel of God is contained in the Scripture to forsake and reject the Tenour thereof and scrape out of the Rubbish of the Romish Tradition for that which is reckoned by themselves so substantial a Part of their Faith In their 4th Section they assert two things First That there are Two only Sacraments under the Gospel Secondly That these two are Baptism and the Supper To prove which they alledge Mat. 28. 19. Go ye therefore and teach all Nations Baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost 1 Cor. 11. 20 23. When ye come together therefore into one place this is not to eat the Lord's Supper for I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you that the Lord Jesus the same Night in which he was betrayed took Bread 1 Cor. 4. 1. Let a man so account of us as of the Ministers of Christ and Stewards of the Mysteries of God Hebr. 5. 4. And no man taketh this Honour to himself but he that is called of God as was Aaron Now granting there were such a thing as Sacraments to be so solemnly performed all that these Scriptures will prove is That these two were appointed to be performed but that there are only two or that these are they which is the thing asserted and incumbent to be proved there is not the least Shadow of Proof alledged for according to their own Definition of a Sacrament in the larger Catechism where they say The Parts of a Sacrament are Two the one an outward and sensible Sign used according to Christ's own Appointment the other an inward and spiritual Grace thereby signified both the Washing of one another's Feet and the Anointing of the Sick with Oyl doth Answer to it and many other Things So that the Probation of a Sacrament at all or of their being Two Seven yea or Seventy is all alike easie seeing neither Name nor Number is to be found in the Scripture they being the meer Conceits and Inventions of men and yet it is marvellous to see with how great Confidence some men do assert the Scripture to be their Rule while they build up so considerable Parts of their Doctrine without the least Scripture-Foundation Thus I thought fit to pitch upon these three viz. the Scriptures Sabbaths and Sacraments because these be three of the main things for which we the Quakers are chiefly cry'd out against and accused as believing Erroneously concerning them Now what we believe concerning these things and how agreeable our Testimony herein is to the Scriptures is heretofore sufficiently demonstrated Also how little Scripture-Proof these have for their contrary Assertions to us in these things notwithstanding of their great Pretences to Scripture will also appear to the Vnbyassed Reader Advertisment to the Reader NOte Reader That I have here throughout made use of the Last Common Translation of the Bible And if I would have made use of the Hebrew and Greek I could have produced divers other very clear Scriptures which in the Common Translation are corrupted and perverted but I choosed rather to do thus that our Opposers might see I took no Advantage that way and also that all that can but read may find the places cited in their own Bibles THE END a Ephes. 4 6. 1 Cor. 8. 4 6. b Joh. 4. 24. c 1 Joh. 1. 5. d 1 Joh. 5. 7. e John 10 38. 14. 10 11. 5. 26. f Mat. 11 27. Luke 10. 24. g 1 Cor. 2. 10. h 1 Cor. 2 11 12. i Joh. 14. 16. k Joh. 14. 16 17. l Rom. 8. 9 14. m Heb. 8. 10 11. n 1 John 2. 27. o Rom. 15. 4. p 2 Tim. 3. 15 16 17. q 2 Pet 1. 20 21. r John 1. 1 2 3. s Mic. 5. 2. t Eph. 3. 9. u Phil. 2. 6. x Isa. 9. 6. y Col. 1. 15. z Hebr. 1. 3. a Rev. 19. 13. b Col. 2. 9 c Col. 2. 3. d Jo. 1. 14. e Hebr. 2. 16 17. f Hebr. 4. 15. g 1 Cor. 15. 3 4. h Rom. 8. 3. i 1 John 3. 8. k 1 John 3. 5. l Eph. 5. 2. m Heb. 9. 12. n Hebr. 9. 14. o Rev. 5. 8 12 13. p 1 Cor. 10. 1 2 3 4. q 1 Pet. 2. 21. r 2 Cor. 4. 10 11. s Phil. 3. 10. t Isai. 57. 15. u 2 Cor. 6. 16. x Rev. 3. 20. y 2 Corin 13. 5. z Col. 1. 27. a Joh. 3 3. b Ephes. 4. 21 22. Col. 3. 10. c 2 Cor. 5. 16. d 2. Cor. 5. 17. e Rom. 13. 14. f Ephes. 4. 23. g Gal. 3. 27. h 1 Pet. 1. 23. i Gal. 6. 14. k Gal. 6. 5. l Hebr. 2. 11. m 2 Pet. 1. 4. n Joh. 17. 21 22 23. o John 3. 16. p John 4. 9. q 1 Joh. 2. 1 2. r Heb. 2. 9. s 1 Tim. 2. 6. t 1 Tim. 2. 4. w 2 Pet. 3. 9. x John 3. 17. y John 12. 46. z Rom. 5. 18. a Coll. 1. 23. b Rom. 1. 16. c 2 Cor. 4. 3 4. d Joh. 3. 19. e Joh. 1. 9. f Ephes. 5. 11. g John 3. 20 21. h 1 Joh 1. i John 12. 36. k Heb. 4 7. l Luke 19. 42. m Mat. 23. 37. n Acts 7. 51. o Job 24 13. p Gen. 6. 3. q Rom. 1. 18. r Rom. 1. 19. s 1 Cor. 12. 7. t Tit. 2. 11 12. w Act. 20. 32. x Hebr. 4. 12. y 2 Pet. 1. 19. z Rom. 10. 8. a 2 Cor. 4. 6. b 2 Cor. 4. 7. d Heb. 11. 1 e Heb. 11. 6. f Gal. 5. 6. g Jam. 2. 22 26. h Rom. 3. 20. i Tit. 3. 5. k 1 Cor. 6. 11. l Rom. 8. 13. m Tit. 3 8 n Rom. 2. 6 7. o 2 Thes. 1. 5. p Heb. 10. 35. q Rev. 22. 14. r Rom. 6. 14. s Rom. 8. 1 2. t Rom. 6. 2 18. w Mat. 5. 48. x Mat. 11. 30. y 1 Joh. 5. 3. z Mat 19. 17. a 1 Joh. 2. 3. b 1 Joh. 2. 4. c 1 John 3. 6. d 1 John 3. 7 8 9. e Mat. 7. 21. f 1 Cor. 7. 19. g 2 Pet. 1. 10. h 1 Cor. 9. 27. l Heb. 3. 12. k Heb. 4. 11. l Heb. 6. 4. 5 6. m Joh. 15. 16. n Rev. 3. 12. o Rom. 8. 38. p 1 Tim. 3. 15. q Col. 1. 18. r Col. 2. 19. s 1 Cor. 1. 2. t Ephes. 4. 8. 11. w 1 Tim. 3. 2 3. x Tit. 1. 8 9. y Acts 20. 28. z 1 Pet. 5. 2 3. a 1 Tim. 51 17. b 1 Thes. 5. 12. c 1 Pet. 4. 10 11. d 1 Cor. 1. 17. e 1 Cor. 2. 4 5. f 1 Cor. 2. 6 7. g 1 Cor. 2. 13. h Mat. 10. 20. i 1 Cor. 9. 11. 14. 9. k 1 Cor. 9. 16 17 18. l Acts 20. 33 34. m Isa. 36. 11. n Ibidem o Ezek. 34. 8. p Mic. 35. 11. q Tit. 1. 11. r 2 Pet. 2. 15. s 2 Pet. 2. 3. t 1 Tim. 6. 5. w 1 Tim. 6. 6. x 1 Tim. 6. 8. y John 4. 23. z John 4. 24. a Psa. 145. 18. b Pro. 15. 29. c 1 Joh. 5. 14. d 1 Cor. 14 15. e Rom. 8. 26 27. f Ephes. 4. 5. g 1 Pet. 3. 21 22 h Mat. 3. 11. i Rom. 6. 3 4. k Gal. 3. 27. l 1 Corin. 11. 23 24 25. m Joh. 13â— 2 4 5 12 13 14 15. n Act. 15. 28 29. o Jam. 5. 14. p Rom. 14. 17. q Col. 2. 16. r Col. 2. 20 21 22. s Gal. 4. 9 10 11. t Rom. 14. 5 6. w Mat. 5. 33 34 35 36 37. x Jam. 5. 12. y 2 Cor. 10 3 4 5. z Jam. 4. 1 2. a Mat. 5. 39. b Luk. 10. 3. c Mat. 10. 22. d 2 Tim. 3. 12. e Mat. 5. 10. f Mat. 16. 25. g Luk 12. 8 9. h Mat. 1â— 28. i Rom. 13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7. k 1 Pet. 2. 13 14 15. l Acts 4. 19. m Acts 5. 28 29. n Acts 24. 15. o Johu 5. 29. p 1 Corin. 14. 56. q 1 Corin. 15. 37 38 42 43 44.
Familiar and lead on to Things that are more Hard and Intricate Besides that Things be more largely opened in the Catechism and divers Objections answered which are proposed in the Questions the Reader having past through that first will more perfectly understand the Confession which consisteth mainly in positive Assertions Not long after I had received and believed the â—estimony I now bear I had in my View both the Possibility and Facility of such a Work and now after a more large and perfect Acquaintance with the Holy Scriptures I found Access to allow some Time to set about it and have also been helped to Accomplish the same I doubt not but it might be enlarged by divers Citations which are here omitted as not being at present brought to my Remembrance Yet I find Cause to be Contented in that God hath so far assisted me in this Work by his Spirit that Good Remembrancer the Manifestation of which as it is minded will help such as Seriously and Conscientiously read this to find out and cleave to the Approved of and Agreed unto by the Truth and also Establish and Confirm those who have already believed Which of all things is most earnestly Desired and daily Pray'd for By ROBERT BARCLAY A Servant of the Church of CHRIST From Vrie the Place of my Being in my Native Country of Scotland the 11th of the 6th Moneth 1673. A CATECHISM CHAPTER I. Of GOD and the True and Saving Knowledge of Him Question SEeing it is a thing unquestioned by all sorts of Christians that the Height of Happiness consisteth in coming to know and enjoy Eternal Life what is it in the Sense and Judgment of Christ A. This is Life Eternal that they might know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent Joh. 17. 3. Q. How doth God reveal this Knowledge A. For God who commanded the Light to shine out of Darkness hath shined in our Hearts to give the Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 4. 6. Q. How many God's are there A. One God Ephes. 4. 6. We know that an Idol is nothing in the World and that there is none other God but One But to us there is but One God 1 Cor. 8. 4 6. Q. What is God A. God is a Spirit Joh. 4. 24. Q. Among all the blessed Glorious and Divine Excellencies of God which are asscribed and given to him in the Scriptures what is that which is most needful for us to take notice of as being the Message which the Apostles recorded in special manner to declare of him now under the Gospel A. This then is the Message which we have heard of him and declare unto you That God is Light and in him is no Darkness at all 1 John 1. 5. Q. What are they that bear Record in Heaven A. There are Three that bear Record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these Three are One 1 John 5. 7. Q. How cometh any man to know God the Father according to Christ's words A. All things are delivered to me of my Father and no man knows who the Son is but the Father and who the Father is but the Son and he to whom the Son will reveal him Luke 10. 22. Mat. 11. 27. Jesus saith unto him I am the Way the Truth and the Life no man cometh unto the Father but by me John 14. 6. Q. By whom and after what manner doth the Son reveal this Knowledge A. But as it is written Eye hath not seen nor Ear heard neither have entered into the Heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit For the Spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God For what man knoweth the things of a man save the Spirit of a man which is in him Even so the things of God knoweth no man but the Spirit of God Now we have received not the Spirit of the World but the Spirit which is of God that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God 1 Cor. 2. 9 10 11 12. But the Comforter which is the Holy Ghost whom the Father will send in my Name he shall teach you all things and bring all things to your Remembrance c. John 14. 26. CHAP. II. Of the Rule and Guide of Christians and of the Scriptures Question SEeing it is by the Spirit that Christ reveals the Knowledge of God in things spiritual is it by the Spirit that we must be led under the Gospel A. But ye are not in the Flesh but in the Spirit if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none his For as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God Rom. 8. 9 14. Q. It is an Inward Principle then that is to be the Guide and Rule of Christians A. But the Anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you and ye need not that any man teach you but as the same Anointing teacheth you of all things and is Truth and is no Lye and even as it hath taught you ye shall abide in him 1 John 2. 27. But as touching Brotherly Love ye need not that I write unto you for ye your selves are taught of God to love one another 1 Thes. 4. 9. Q. I perceive by this that it is by an inward Anointing and Rule that Christians are to be taught Is this the very tenor of the New Covenant Dispensation A. For this is the Covenant that I will make with the House of Israel after those dayes saith the Lord I will put my Laws into their Mind and write them in their Hearts and I will be to them a God and they shall be to me a People And they shall not teach every man his Neighbour and every man his Brother saying Know the Lord for all shall know me from the Least to the Greatest Hebr. 8. 10. â—1 And they shall be all taught of God John 6. 45. Q. Did Christ then promise that the Spirit should both abide with his Disciples and be in them A. And I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you forever even the Spirit of Truth whom the World cannot receive because it seeth him not neither knoweth him but ye know him for he dwells with you and shall be in you Joh. 14. 16 17. Q. For what End were the Scriptures written A. For whatsoever things were written afore time were written for our Learning that we through Patience and Comfort of the Scriptures might have Hope Rom. 15. 4. Q. For what are they profiâ—able A. Thou hast known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto Salvation through Faith which is in Christ Jesus All Scripture is given by Inspiration of God is
and to turn them from Darkness unto Light and from the Power of Satan unto God that they may receive Forgiveness of Sins and Inheritance among them which are sanctified through Faith that is in me Acts 26. 17 18. Q. Doth this Light abide with every man all his Life time in order to save or only during the Day of his Visitation A. Yet a little while is the Light with you walk while ye have the Light lest Darkness come upon you John 1â— 35. Again He limiteth a certain Day saying in David to day after so long time as it is said To day if ye will here his Voice harden not your Hearts Heb. 4. 7. Q. How can it be proved that there is a day wherein People may know things concerning their Peace which afterwards may be hid from them A. And when he was come near he beheld the City and wept over it saying If thou hadst known even thou at least in this thy day the things which belong unto thy Peace but now they are hid from thine Eyes Luke 19. 41 42. Q. Is there any further Scripture-Proof of the Lord's Willingness to gather a People who would not and therefore were condemned A. O Jerusalem Jerusalem thou that killest the Prophets and stonest them which are sent unto thee How oft would I have gathered thy Children together even as a Hen gathereth her Chickens under her Wings and ye would not Mat. 23. 37. Luke 13. 34. Then his Lord after that he had called him said unto him O thou Wicked Servant I forgave thee all the Debt because thou desiredst me shouldst not thou also have had Compassion on thy Fellow Servant even as I had Pitty on thee And his Lord was wroth and delivered him to the Tormentors till he should pay all that was due unto him Mat. 18. 32 33 34. Then Paul and Barnabas waâ—ed bold and said It was necessary that the Word of God should first have been spoaken to you but seeing ye put it from you and judge your selves unworthy of Everlasting Life â—o we turn to the Gentiles Acts 13. 46. Because I have called and ye refused I have stretched out my Hand and no man regarded But ye have set at nought all my Counsel and would none of my Reproof I also will laugh at your Calamity I will mock when your Fear cometh Prov. 1. 24 25 26. And at what Instant I shall speak concerning a Nation and concerning a Kingdom to build and to plant it If it do Evil in my Sight that it obey not my Voice then I will Repent of the Good wherewith I said I would benefit them Jer. 18. 9 10. Q. Doth God's Spirit strive then for a season and afterwardâ— forbear A. And the Lord said My Spirit shall not alwayes strive with man Gen. 6. 3. Q. May it then be resisted A. Ye Stiff-necked and Uncircumcised in Heart and Ears ye do alwayes Resist the holy Ghost as your Fathers did so do ye Act. 7. 51. For the Wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all Ungodliness and Unrighteousness of Men who hold the Truth in Unrighteousness Rom. 1. 18. Q. Hath God manifested to man that which may be known of himself A. That which may be known of God is manifest in them for God hath shewed it unto them Rom. 1. 19. Q. Is then this Light or Seed sown in the Hearts of Evil Men A. And he spake many things to them in Parables Behold a Sower went forth to sow when he sowed some Seeds fell by the Way side c. some fell among stony Places c. and some fell among Thorns c. Matth. 13 3 4 5 7. Q. Are these Places where the Seed is said 〈◊〉 have fallen understood of the Hearts of Men A. Hear ye therefore the Parable of thâ— Sower when any one heareth the Word oâ— the Kingdom and understandeth it not theâ— cometh the wicked One and catcheth awaâ— that which was sown in his Heart this is hâ— which receiv'd the Seed by the Way side c Mat. 13. 18 19. Q. Is this Seed small in its first Appearanceâ— A. The Kingdom of Heaven is like to a Grain of Mustard Seed which a man took and sowed in his Field which indeed is the least of all all Seeds Mat. 13. 31 32. Q. Forasmuch as many understand not this under the Notion and Appellation of Light or Seed it being quite another Dialect then the common though I must needs confess it is the very Language of the Scriptures Is a Saving Manifestation of the Spirit given unto all A. The Manifestation of the Spirit given to every man to profit withal 1 Cor. 12. 7. Q. Sure if it be to profit withal it must be in order to save for if it were not useful yea sufficient to save what Profit could it be of But in regard some speak of a Grace that is common and of a Grace that is saving is there such a Grace common unto all as brings Salvation A. The Grace of God that brings Salvation hath appeared to all men Tit. 2. 11. Q. That which brings Salvation must needs be saving What doth that Grace teach us A. Teaching us that denying Ungodliness and Worldly Lusts we should live Soberly Righteously Godlily in this present World Tit. 2. 11. Q. Certainly that which teacheth both Righteousness and Godliness must be sufficient for therein consisteth the whole Duty of Man What saith the Apostle else-where of this Instructor A. And now Brethren I commend you to God and to the Word of his Grace which is able to build you up and to give you an Inheritance among all those that are sanctified Acts 20. 32. Q. What is the Word of God A. The Word of God is quick and powerful and sharper then any Two-edged Sword piercing even to the dividing asunder of Soul and Spirit and of the Joynts and Marrow and is a Discerner of the Thooghts and Intents of the Heart Neither is there any Creature that is not manifest in his Sight but all things are naked and open to the Eyes of him with whom we have to do Heb. 4. 12 13. Q. Ought we to take heed to this Word A. We have also a More Sure Word of Prophecy whereunto ye do well that ye take heed as unto a Light that shineth in a Dark Place until the Day dawn and the Day-Star arise in your Hearts 2 Pet. 1. 19. Q. I perceive the Scriptures are very clear both concerning the Vniversality Sufficiency of this Light Seed Grace and Word of God but is this Word nigh or afar off inward or outward A. Say not in thine Heart Who shall ascend into Heaven that is to bring Christ down from above or who shal descend into the Deep that is to bring up Christ again from the Dead But what saith it The Word is nigh in thy Mouth and in thy Heart that is the Word of Faith which we preach Rom. 10. 6 7 8. Q. That is clear
Judgments to Deal Truly he is just 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 surely Live saith the Lord God Ezek. 18. 5 6 7 8 9. For the Son of Man shall come in the Glory of his Father with his Angels and then he shall Reward every Man according to his Works Mat. 16. 27. Then Peter opened his Mouth and said Of a Truth I perceive that God is no Respecter of Persons but in every Nation he that feareth him and worketh Righteousness is accepted with him Acts 10. 34 35. The Righteous Judgment of God who will render to every man according to his Deeds To them who by Patient Continuance in Well-doing seek for Glory and Honour and Immortality Eternal Life But Glory Honour and Peace to every man that worketh Good to the Jew first and also to the Gentile Rom. 2. 6 7 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 bad 2 Cor. 5. 10. VVhich is a manifest Token of the Righteous Judgment of God that ye may be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God for which ye also suffer 3 Thes. 1. 5. But who so looketh into the Perfect Law of Liberty and continueth therein he being not a forgetful Hearer but a Doer of the Work this man shall be blessed in his Deed James 1. 25. Cast not away therefore your Confidence which hath great Recompence of Reward Hebr. 10. 35. And if ye call on the Father who without Respect of Persons judgeth according to every man's Work pass the time of your sojourning here in Fear 1 Pâ—t 1. 17. And behold I come quickly and behold my Reward is with me to give every man according as his work shall be Blessed are they that do his Commandments that they may have a Right to the Tree of Life and may enter in through the Gates into the City Rev. 22. 12 14. Q. It should seem that the Purpose of God in sending his Son the Lord Jesus Christ was not simply to save Man by an Imputative Righteousness altogether without them but also by the Washing of Regeneration or any inward Righteousness What saith the Scripture further of this A. And thou shalt call his Name Jesus for he shall save his People from their Sins Mat. 1. 21. Looking for that Blessed Hope and the Glorious Appearing of the Great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all Iniquity and purifie unto himself a peculiar People zealous of Good Works Tit. 2. 13 14. CHAP. VII Concerning Perfection or Freedom from SIN Question I Perceive then by all these Scriptures afore-mentioned that Christ as well as he hath purchased Pardon for our Sins hath also obtained Power by which we may even here be cleansed from the Filth of them may we expect then in this Life to be freed from the Dominion of Sin A. For Sin shall not have Dominion over you Rom. 6. 14. Q. For what Reason A. For ye are not under the Law but under Grace Rom. 6. 14. Q. How cometh the Apostle then to cry out and complain of Sin saying Who shall deliver me from the Body of this Death Doth he speak that as a Condition always permanent to him and other Saints or only that which he had passed through What saith he afterwards A. There is therefore now no Condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the Flesh but after the Spirit for the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the Law of Sin and Death Who shall separate us from the Love of Christ Shall Tribulation or Distress or Persecution or Famin or Nakedness or Peril or Sword as it is written For thy sake we are killed all the Day long we are accounted as Sheep for the Slaughter Nay in all these things we are more then Conquerors through him that loved us For I am perswaded that neither Death nor Life nor Angels nor Principalities nor Powers nor things present nor things to come nor Height nor Depth nor any other Creature shall be able to separate us from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord Rom. 8. 1 2 35 36 37 38 39. Q. What saith that Apostle then unto such who taking Occasion from his words should plead for Continuance in Sin for term of Life and think to be saved by the Imputative Righteousness of Christ as being under Grace A. What shall we say then shall we continue in Sin that Grace may abound God forbid Rom. 6. 1 2. VVhat then shall we Sin because we are not under the Law but under Grace God forbid Q. Is not the Apostle then so far from supposing that Condition of being alwayes under Sin to be his own constant Condition or that of all the Saints that he even supposes many of the then Church of Rome to whom he wrote to be free of it How bespeaketh he them as in relation to this Matter A. How shall we that are dead to Sin live any longer therein Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his Death Therefore we are buried with him by Baptism into Death that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the Glory of the Father even so we also should walk in Newnes of Life For if we have been planted together in the Likeness of his Death we shall be also in the Likeness of his Resurrection knowing this that our Old Man is crucified with him that the Body of sin might be destroyed that henceforth we should not serve Sin for he that is dead is freed from Sin Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto Sin but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not Sin therefore reign in your mortal Body that ye should obey it in the Lusts thereof Neither yield ye your Members as Instruments of Unrighteousness unto Sin but yield your selves unto God as those that are alive from the Dead and your Members as Instruments of Righteousness unto God Know ye not that to whom ye yield your selves Servants to obey his Servants ye are to whom ye obey whether of Sin unto Death or of Obedience unto Righteousness But God be thanked that ye were the Servants of Sin but ye have Obeyed from the Heart that Form of Doctrine which was delivered unto you being then made free from Sin ye became the Servants of Righteousness I speak after the manner of men because of the Infirmity of your Flesh For as ye have yielded your Members Servants to Uncleanness to Iniquity unto Iniquity even so now yield your Members Servants to Righteousness unto Holiness For when ye were the Servants of Sin ye were free from Righteousness What Fruit had ye then in these things whereof ye are now ashamed for the End of these things is Death But now being
and Noah walked with God Ger. 6. 9. And the Lord said unto Satan Hast thou considered my Servant Job that there is none like him in the Earth a Perfect and an Upright Man that feareth God and escheweth Evil Job 1. 8. There was in the dayes of Herod King of Judea a certain Priest named Zacharias of the Course of Abja and his Wife was of the Daughters of Aaron and her Name was Elizabeth and they were both Righteous before God walking in all the Commandments and Ordinances of the Lord blameless Luke 1. 1 2. Q. That proves sufficiently as to particular Persons But what doth the Scripture intimate of this nature even of considerable Numbers A. But God who is rich in Mercy for his great Love wherewith he hath loved us even when we were dead in Sins hath quickened us together with Christ and hath raised us up together and made us sit together in Heavenly Places in Christ Jesus Ephes. 2. 4 5 6. But ye are come unto Mount Sion and unto the City of the Living God the Heavenly Jerusalem and to an Innumerable Company of Angels to the General Assembly Church of the First-born which are written in Heaven to God the Judge of all and to the Spirits of Just Men made perfect Hebr. 12. 22 23. And I Looked and lo a Lamb stood on the Mount Sion and with him an Hundred Forty and Four Thousand having his Father's Name written in their Fore-heads These are they which were not defiled with Women for they are Virgins These are they which follow the Lamb wheresoever he goeth These were redeemed from among men being the First Fruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their Mouth was found no Guile for they are without Fault before the Throne of God Rev. 14. 1 4. CHAP. VIII Concerning Perseverance Falling from GRACE Question IS it enough for a Believer to be sure that he hath once received true Grace or is there any further Certainty requisite A. Wherefore the rather Brethren give Diligence to make your Calling and Election sure for if ye do these things ye shall never fall 2 Pet. 1. 10. Q. May one that hath received true Grace have Ground to fear or suppose he can fall A. But I keep under my Body and bring it into Subjection lest that by any Means when I have preached to others I my self should become a Cast away 1 Cor. 9. 27. Q. That greatly contradicteth the Doctrine of such as say Once in â—race ever in Grace But doth the Apostle Paul express this only oâ—t of an Humble Esteem of himself or doth he judg or suppose the like of other Saints A. Take heed Brethren lest there be in any of you an Evil Heart of Unbelief in departing from the Living God But exhort one another daily while it is called to day lest any of you be hardened through the Deceitfulness of Sin Hebr. 4. 12 13. Let us labour therefore to enter into that Rest lest any man fall after the same Example of Unbelief Hebr. 4. 11. For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened and have tasted of the Heavenly Gift and were made Partakers of the Holy Ghost and have tasted the Good Word of God and the Powers of the World to come if they shall fall away to renew them again unto Repentance seeing they crucifie to themselves the Son of God afresh and put him to an open Shame Hebr. 6. 4 5 6. Looking diligently lest any man fail of the Grace of God lest any Root of Bitterness springing up trouble you and thereby many be defiled Hebr. 12. 15. Q. Doth he speak this only by Supposition or doth he assert it not only Possible but Certain A. For the time will come when they will not endure sound Doctrine but after their own Lusts shall they heap to themselves Teachers having itching Ears and they shall turn away their Ears from the Truth and shall be turned unto Fables 2 Tim. 4. 3. Q. Doth the Apostle even judge it necessary to guard such a one as his beloved Son Timothy against this Hazard A. This Charge I commit unto thee Son Timothy according to the Prophecies which went before on thee that thou by them might war the good Warfare Holding Faith in a good Conscience which some having put away concerning Faith have made Shipwrack 1 Tim. 1. 18 19. For the Love of Money is the Root of all Evil which while some coveted after they have erred from the Faith and pierced themselves through with many Sorrows 2 Tim. 4. 10. And their Word will eat as doth a Canker of whom is Hymeneus and Philetâ—â— who concerning the true Faith have erred saying That the Resurrection is past already and overthrown the Faith of some 2 Tim. 2. 17 18. Q. Doth the Apostle any where express his Fears of this as a thing that may happen to any number of People who once truly received the Faith of Christ A. Well because of Unbelief they were broaken off and thou standest by Faith be not High-minded but fear Rom. 11 20. Now the Spirit speaketh expresly that in the Latter times some shall depart from the Faith c. 1 Tim. 4. 1. For this Cause when I could no longer forbear I sent to know your Faith lest by some means the Tempter have tempted you and our Labour be in vain 1 Thess. 3. 5. Q. What is the Apostle Peter's Mind does he judge that such as have known the right Way may forsake it A. Cursed Children which have forsaken the Righteous Way and are gone astray following the Way of Balaam the Son of Bezâ—r who loved the Wages of Unrighteousness but was rebuked for his Iniquity the dumb Ass speaking with Man's Voice forbad the Madness of the Prophet These are Wells without Water Clouds that are carried with a Tempest to whom the Mist of Darkness is reserved forever For when they speak great swelling Words of Vanity they allure through the Lusts of the Flesh through much Wantonness those that were clean escaped from them who live in Error For if after they have escaped the Pollutions of the World through the Knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ they are again entangled therein and overcome the Latter-end is worse with them then the Beginning for it had been better for them not to have known the Way of Righteousness then after they have known it to turn from the holy Commandment delivered unto them But it is happened to them according to the true Proverb The Dog is turned to his Vomit again and the Sow that was washed to her wallowing in the Mire 2 Pet. 2. 14 15 18 20 21 22. Q. Gives he any Cautions to them that stand as supposing they may also fall A. Ye therefore Beloved seeing ye know these Things before beware lest ye also being led away with the Error of the Wicked fall from your own Stedfastness 2 Pet. 3. 17. Q. May a man be truly a Branch in Christ or
a real Member of his Body and afterwards be cut off A. If any man abide not in me he is cast forth as a Branch and is withered Joh. 15. 6. Q. May a Righteous Man then depart from his Righteousness A. But when the Righteous Man turneth away from his Righteousness and commits Iniquity and dyeth in them for his Iniquity that he hath done shall he dye Ezek. 18. 26. 33. 13. Q. May a Believer come to such a Condition in this Life from which he cannot fall away A. Him that overcometh will I make a Pillar in the Temple of my God and he shall go no more out and I will write upon him the Name of my God and the Name of the City of my God which is New Jerusalem who cometh down out of Heaven from my God and will write upon him my New Name Rev. 3. 12. Q. May such an 〈◊〉 ome to be assured that he is in this Condition A. For I am perswaded that neither Death nor Life nor Angels nor Principalities nor Powers nor things present nor things to come nor Height nor Depth nor any other Creature shall be able to separate us from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord Rom. 8. 38 39. CHAP. IX Concerning the Church and Ministry Question WHat is the Church A. But if I tarry long that thou mayst know how thou oughtest to behave thy self in the House of God which is the Church of the Living God the Pillar and Ground of Truth 1 Tim. 3. 15. Q. Who is the Head of the Church A. VVho hath deliver'd us from the Power of Darkness and hath translated us into the Kingdom of his dear Son and he is the Head of the Body the Church from which all the Body by Joynts and Bands having Nourishment ministred and knit together encreaseth with the Excrease of God 1 Coloss. 1. 3. and 2. 10. Q. What kind of Persons make the Church A. Them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus 1 Cor. 1. 2. And the Lord added to the Church daily such as shou'd be saved Acts 2. 47. Q. Hath not Christ appointed any Officers in the Church for the Work of the Ministry A. Wherefore he saith when he ascended up on high he led Captivity captive and gave Gifts unto Men and he gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints for the Work of the Ministry for the Edification of the Body of Christ Eph. 4. 8 11 12. Q. What kind of Men should such as are Teachers and Overseers of the Church be A. A Bishop then must be Blameless the Husband of one Wife Vigilant Sober of good Behaviour given to Hospitality apt to teach not given to Wiâ—e no Striker not greedy of filthy Lucre but Patient Not a Brawlâ—â— not Covetous one that ruleth well his own House having his Children in Subjection with all Gravity for if a man know not how to rule his own House how shall he take Care of the Church of God not a Novice lest being lifted up with Pride he fall into the Condemnation of the Devil Moreover he must have a good Report of them which are without lest he fall into Reproach and the Snare of the Devil 1 Tim. 3. 2 3 4 5 6 7. For a Bishop must be Blameless as the Steward of God not Self-Will'd not soon Angry not given to Wine no Striker not given to Filthy Lucre but a Lover of Hospitality a Lover of good Men sober just holy temperate holding fast the faithful Word as he hath been taught that he may be able by sound Doctrine both to exhort and to convince the Gain-sayers Tit. 1. 7 8 9. Q. What is incumbent upon such to do A. Take heed therefore to your selves and to all the Flock over which the holy Ghost hath made you Overseers to feed the Church of God Acts 20. 28. The Elders which are among you I exhort who am also an Elder and a Witness of the Sufferings of Christ and also a Partaker of the Glory that shall be reveal'd Feed the Flock of God which is among you taking the Oversight thereof not by Constraint but willingly not for filthy Lucre but of a ready Mind neither as being Lords over God's Heritage but being Ensamples to the Flock 1 Pet. 5. 1 2 3. Q. Though they be not to Lord over the Flock yet is there not a Respect due to thâ—m in their Place A. Let the Elders that rule well be counted worthy of double Honour especially they who labour in the Word and Doctrine 1 Tim. 5. 17. Q. Albeit then among true Christians every one that believeth is to have the Witness in himself being perswaded in himself by the Spirit yet is there not also a real Subjection to be to one another in the Lord A. The Spirits of the Prophets are subject to the Prophets 1 Cor. 14. 32. Obey them that have the Rule over you submit your selves for they watch for your Souls as they that must give Account that they may do it with Joy and not with Grief for that is unprofitable for you Heb. 13. 17. And we beseech you Brethren to know them which labour among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you and to esteem them very highly in Love for their VVorks sake 1 Thes. 5. 12 13. Likewise ye younger submit your selves unto the Elder yea all of you be subject one to another and be cloathed with Humility for God resisteth the Proud and giveth Grace unto the Humble 1 Pet. 5. 5. Q. How ought true Teachers to minister in the Church A. As every Man hath received the Gift even so Minister the same one to another as good Stewards of the manifold Grace of God If any speak let him speak as the Oracles of God If any Man minister let him do it as of the Ability which God giveth that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ 2 Pet. 4. 10 11. Q. I perceive then that every true Minister of the Church of Christ is to minister of the Gift and Grace of God which he hath received But some are of the Judgment that Natural Wisdom or Parts and human Learning are the Qualifications which are of absolute Necessity for a Minister but Grace they judge not to be so absolutely necessary but that one may be à Minister without it What saith the Scripture in this Case A. A Bishop must be Sober Just Holy Temperate Tit. 1. 7 8. Q. Methinks it is impossible for a Man to be Blameless Just Holy Sober and Temperate without the Grace of God So that if these Qualifications be absolutely necessary then surely that without which a man cannot be so qualified must be necessary also But what saith the Scripture as to the Necessity of Natural Wisdom and Human Learning A. Where is the Wise Where is the Scribe Where is the Disputer of this World Hath not God made foolish
And this is the Confidence that we have in him that if we ask any Thing according to his VVill he heareth us 1 Joh. 5. 14. Q. After whae Manner doth the Apostle then declare he will Pray A. What is it then I will pray with the Spirit and I will pray with the Understanding also I will sing with the Spirit and I will sing with the Understanding also 1 Cor. 14. 15. Q. Must we then pray alwayes in the Spirit A. Praying alwayes with all Prayer and Supplication in the Spirit and VVatching thereunto with all Perseverance and Supplication for all Saints Ephes. 6. 18. Q. Since we are commanded to pray alwayes in it can we do it of our selves without the Help thereof A. 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 he that searcheth the Hearts knoweth what is the Mind of the Spirit because he maketh Intercession for the Saints according to the Will of God Rom. 8. 26 27. Q. I perceive that without the Leadings and Help of the Spirit Prayers are altogether unprofitable may not a Man truly utter these Things that are Spiritual without the Spirit 's Assistance A. VVherefore I give you to understand that no Man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus Accursed and that no Man can say that Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost 1 Cor. 12. 3. Q. That is strange It seems the Spirit 〈◊〉 much more necessary then many called Christistians suppose it to be some of which can scarce give a good Account whether they have it or want it But if a Man speak Things true upon the Matter are they not true as from him if spoaken without the Spirit A. And though they say The Lord liveth surely they swear falsly Jer. 5. 2. Q. It is apparent from all these Scriptures that the true Worship of God is in Spirit and as it is not limitted to a certain Place neither to any certain Time what shall we think of them that plead for the Observation of certain Dayes A. But now after that ye have known God or rather are known of God how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly Elements whereunto ye desire again to be iâ— Bondage Ye observe Dayes and Months and Times and Years I am afraid of you lest I have bestowed upon you Labour in vain Gal. 4. 9 10 11. Let no Man therefore judge you in Meat or Drink or in respect of an Holy Day or of the New Moon or of the Sabbath Day which are a Shadow of Things to come but the Body is of Christ Col. 2. 16 17. Q. Seeing it is so may not some Christians as lawfully esteem all Dayes alike as others may esteem some Dayes above another What Rule giveth the Apostle in this Case A. One Man esteemeth one Day above another another esteemeth every Day alike let every Man be fully perswaded in his own Mind He that regardeth a Day regardeth it unto the the Lord and he that regaâ—deth not the Day unto the Lord he doth not regard it He that eateth eateth to the Lord for he giveth God Thanks and he that eateth not to the Lord he eateth not and giveth God Thanks Rom. 14. 5 6. Q. But is it not convenient and necessary that there be a Day set apart to Meet and Worship God in Did not the Apostles aâ—d Primitive Christians use to meet upon the First Day of the Week to make their Collections and to Worship A. Now concerning the Collection for the Saints as I have given Order to the Churches of Galatia even so do ye upon the First Day of the Week Let every one of you lay by him in store as God hath prosper'd him that there be no Gatherings when I come 1 Cor. 16. 1. CHAP. XI Concerning Baptism and Bread and VVine Question HOw many BAPTISMS are there A. One Lord One Faith One Baptism Ephes. 4 5. Q. What is the Baptism A. The like Figure whereunto even Baptism doth now save us not the putting away the Filth of the Flesh but the Answer of a good Conscience towards God by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ who is gone into Heaven and is on the Right Hand of God Angels and Authorities and Powers being made subject unto him 1 Pet. 3. 21 22. Q. What saith John the Baptist of Christ's Baptism how distinguisheth he it from his A. I indeed baptize you with Water unto Repentance but he that cometh after me is Mightier then I whose Shoes I am not worthy to bear he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with Fire Mat. 3. 11. Q. Doth not Christ so distinguish it also A. And being assembled together with them commanded them That they should not depart from Jerusalem but wait for the Promise of the Father which saith he ye have heard of me For John truly baptized with Water but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many dayes hence Act. 1. 4. 5. Q. Doth not the Apostle Peter also observe this A. And as I begâ—n to speak the Holy Ghost fell on them as on us at the Beginning Then remembred I the Word of the Lord how that he said John indeed baptized with Water but ye shall be baptiz'd with the Holy Ghost Acts 11. 15 16. Q. Then it seems John's Baptism must pass away that Christ's may take place because John must decrease that Christ may increase A. He must increase but I must decrease John 30. 30. Q. I perceive then many may be sprinkled with 〈◊〉 dipped baptized in Water yet not truly baptized with the Baptism of Christ What are the Real Effects in such as are truly baptized with the Baptism of Christ A. Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his Death Therefore we are buried with him by Baptism into Death that like as Christ was raised up from the Dead by the Glory of the Father even so we also should walk in Newness of Life Rom. 6. 3 4. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ Gal. 2. 27. Buried with him in Baptism wherein also ye are risen with him through the Faith of the Operation of God who hath raised him from the Dead Col. 2. 12. Q. I perceive there was a Baptism of Water which was John's Baptism and is therefore by John himself contra-distinguished from Christ's Was there not likewise something of the like Nature appointed by Christ to his Disciples of eating Bread and drinking Wine in Remembrance of him A. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you that the Lord Jesus the same Night in which he was betrayed took Bread when he had given Thanks he brake it and said Take eat this is my Body which is broken for you this do in Remembrance of me
of one For by the exceding great and precious Promises that are given them they are made Partakers of the divine Nature Because for this Endprayed Christ that they all might be one as the Father is in him and he in the Father that they also might be one in them the Glory which he had gotten from the Father he gave them that they might be one even as the Father and he is one Christ in the Saints and the Father in Christ that they might be made perfect in one ARTICLE X. Concerning the Universal Love and Grace of God to all GOd so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have Everlasting Life And in this was manifested the Love of God towards us because that God sent his only begotten Son that we might live through him So that if any Man sin we have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the Righteous and he is the Propitiation for our Sins and not for ours only but also for the Sins of the whole World For by the Grace of God he hath tasted Death for every Man And gave himself a Ransom for all to be testified in due Time Willing all Men to be saved and to come to the Knowledge of the Truth Not willing that any should perish but that all should come to Repentance For God sent not his Son into the World to condemn the World but that the World through him might be saved And Christ came a Light into the World that whosoever believeth in him should not abide in Darkness Therefore as by the Offence of one Judgment came upon all Men to Condemnation even so by the Righteousness of one the free Gift came upon all Men to Justification of Life ARTICLE XI Concerning the Light that enlighteneth every Man THe Gospel was preached to every Creature under Heaven Which Gospel is the Power of God unto Salvation to them that believe And if it be hid it is hid to them that are lost in whom the God of this World hath blinded the Minds of them which believe not lest the Light of the glorious Gospel of Christ should shine into them And this is the Condemnation that Light is come into the World and Men love Darkness rather then Light because their Deeds are Evil And this was the true Light which lightneth every Man that cometh into the World By which all things that are reproveable are made manifest for whatsoever maketh manifest is Light Every one that doth Evil hateth the Light neither cometh to the Light lest his Deeds should be reproved but he that doth Truth cometh to the Light that his Deeds may be made manifest that they are wrought in God And they that walk in the Light as Christ is in the Light have Fellowship one with another and the Blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth them from all Sin Therefore ought we to believe in the Light while we have the Light that we may be the Children of the Light Therefore to Day if we will hear his Voice let us not harden our Hearts For Christ wept over Jerusalem saying If thou hadst known even thou at least in this thy Day the Things which belong unto thy Peace but now they are hid from thine Eyes And he would often have gathered her Children as a Hen gathereth her Chickens but they would not for the stiff-necked and uncircumcised in Heart and Ears do alwayes resist the Holy Ghost And are of those that rebel against the Light Therefore God's Spirit will not alwayes strive with Man For the Wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all Ungodliness and Unrighteousness of Men who hold the Truth in Unrighteousness Because what is to be known of God is manifest in them for God hath shewed it unto them And a Manifestation of the Spirit is given to every Man to profit withall For the Grace of God that brings Salvation hath appeared to all Men teaching us that denying Ungodliness and Worldly Lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present World And this Word of his Grace is able to build up and give an Inheritance among all those that are sanctified For the Word of God is quick and powerful and sharper then any two-edged Sword piercing even to the dividing asunder of the Soul and Spirit and of the Joints and Marrow and is a Discerner of the Thoughts and Intents of the Heart This is that more sure Word of Prophecie whereunto we do well that we take heed as unto a Light that shineth in a dark Place until the Day dawn and the Day-Star arise in the Heart And this is the Word of Faith which the Apostles preached which is nigh in the Mouth and in the Heart For God who commanded Light to shine out of Darkness hath shined in our Hearts to give the Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ But we have this Treasure in earthen Vessels that the Excellency of the Power may be of God and not of us for the Kingdom of God cometh not by Observation but is within us ARTICLE XII Concerning Faith and Justification FAith is the Substance of things hoped for and the Evidence of things not seen VVithout which is is impossible to please God Therefore we are justified by Faith which worketh by Love For Faith without Works being dead is by Works made perfect By the Deeds of the Law there shall no Flesh be justified Nor yet by the Works of Righteousness which we have done but according to his Mercy we are saved by the VVashing of Regeneration and renewing of the holy Ghost For we are both washed sanctified and justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God ARTICLE XIII Concerning Good Works IF we live after the Flesh we shall dye but if we through the Spirit do mortifie the Deeds of the Body we shall live For they which believe in God must be careful to maintain Good Works For God will render to every Man according to his Deeds according to his righteous Judgment to them who by patient Continuance in well-doing seek for Glory Honour and Immortality Eternal Life For such are counted worthy of the Kingdom of God And cast not away their Confidence which hath great Recompence of Reward Blessed then are they that do his Commandments that they may have Right to the Tree of Life and may enter in through the Gates into the City ARTICLE XIV Concerning Perfection SIn shall not have Dominion over such as are not under the Law but under Grace For there is no Condemnation to those that are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the Flesh but after
the Spirit for the Law of the Spirit of Life maketh free from the Law of Sin and Death For such are become dead unto Sin and alive unto Righteousness and being made free from Sin are become Servants of Righteousness Therefore ought we to be perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect For the Yoak of Christ is easie and his Burthen is light And his Commandments are not grievous And whosoever will enter into Life must keep the Commandments Hereby do we know that we know God if we keep his Commandments He that saith I know him and keepeth not his Commandments is a Lyar and the Truth is not in him Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not whosoever sinneth hath not seen him neither known him Let no Man deceive us he that doth Righteousness is Righteous even as he is Righteous He that committeth Sin is of the Devil whosoever is born of God doth not commit Sin for his Seed remaineth in him and he cannot sin because he is born of God For not every one that saith Lord Lord shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven but he that doth the Will of the Father which is in Heaven Circumcision is nothing and Uncircimcision is nothing but the keeping of the Commandments of God ARTICLE XV. Concerning Perseverance and Falling from Grace VVE ought to give Diligence to make our Calling and Election sure which things if we do we shall never fall For even Paul kept under his Body and brought it into Subjection lest by any Means when he preached to others he himself become a Cast-away Let us therefore take Heed lest there be in any of us an evil Heart of Unbelief in departing from the living God Likewise let us labour to enter into that Rest lest any Man fall after the same Example of Unbelief For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened and have tasted of the Heavenly Gift and were made Partakers of the Holy Ghost and have tasted of the good Word of God and the Powers of the World to come if they shall fall away to renew them again unto Repentance For he that abideth not in Christ is cast forth and is withered Yet such as overcometh he will make as Pillars in the Temple of his God and they shall go no more out And these are perswaded that nothing shall be able to separate them from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus ARTICLE XVI Concerning the Church Ministry THe Church of God is the Pillar and Ground of Truth Whereof the Dear Son of God is the Head From which all the Body by Joynts and Bands having Nourishment ministred and knit together increaseth with the Increase of God Which Church of God is them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus Who when he ascended up on high gave Gifts unto Men And he gave some Apostles some Prophets some Evangelists some Pastors and Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints for the Work of the Ministry Who ought to be blameless vigilant sober of good Behaviour given to Hospitality apt to teach not given to Wine no Strikers not greedy of filthy Lucre but patient not Brawlers not covetous Lovers of good Men sober just holy temperate holding fast the faithful as they have been taught that they may be able by found Doctrine both to exhort and to convince Gain-sayers Taking heed to themselves and to the Flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made them Overseers to feed the Church of God Taking the Oversight thereof not by Constraint but willingly not for filthy Lucre but of a ready Mind neither as being Lords over God's Heritage but as being Ensamples to the Flock And such Elders as rule well are to be counted worthy of double Honour especially they who labour in the Word and Doctrine And to be esteemed very highly in Love for their Works sake As every Man hath received the Gift so ought the same to be ministred if any Man speak let him speak as the Oracles of God if any Man minister let him do it as of the Ability which God giveth Preaching the Gospel not with the Wisdom of Words lest the Cross of Christ be made of none Effect Nor yet with enticing Words of Man's Wisdom but in Demonstration of the Spirit and of Power that the Faith may not stand in the Wisdom of Men but in the Power of God Howbeit such speak Wisdom among them that are perfect yet not the Wisdom of this World nor of the Princes of this World which cometh to nought but they speak the Wisdom of God in a Mystery even the hidden Wisdom which God ordained before the World to their Glory VVhich things they also speak not in the Words which man's Wisdom teacheth but which the Holy Ghost teacheth For it is not they that speak but the Holy Ghost of Spirit of the Father that speaketh in them Who if they sow spiritual things ought to reap carnal Things for so the Lord hath ordain'd that they â—hâ—ch preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel for the Scripture saith Thou shalt not muzle the Mouth of the Ox that treadeth out the Corn and the Labourer is worthy of his Reward Yet a Necessity is laid upon them yea VVo is unto them if they preach not the Gospel and their Reward is that when they preach the Gospel they make the Gospel of Christ without Charge Not coveting any Man's Silver or Gold or Apparel but their Hands minister to their Necessities that so labouring they may support the Weak remembring the VVords of the Lord Jesus how he said It s more blessed to give then to receive For they are not of the greedy Dogs that can never have enough Nor of the Shepherds that look to their own VVay every one his Gain from his Quarter That feed themselves and not the Flock That make the People err biting with their Teeth and crying Peace and preparing VVar against all such as put not in their Mouths teaching for Hire and divining for Money Nor yet of those which teach things which they ought not for fiâ—thy Lucres sake That run greedily after the Error of Baâ—aâ— for Reward loving the VVages of Unrighteousness And through Covetousness with feigned VVords making Merchandize of Souls Men of corrupt Minds destitute of the Truth supposing that Gain is Godliness But they know that Godliness with Contentment is great Gain and having Food and Rayment they are therewith content ARTICLE XVII Concerning Worship THe Hour cometh and now is when the true Worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit in Truth for the Father seeketh such to worship him God is a Spirit and they which worship him must worship in the Spirit and in the Truth For the Lord is nigh to all them
that callupon him to all that call upon him in Truth He is far from the VVicked but he heareth the Prayers of the Righteous And this is the Confidence that we have in him that if we ask any thing according to his VVill he heareth us VVhat is it then We must pray with the Spirit and with the Understanding also we must sing with the Spirit and with the Understanding also Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our Infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we ought but the Spirit itself maketh Intercession for us with Greanings which cannot be uttered And he that searcheth the Heart knoweth what is the Mind of the Spirit because he maketh Intercession for the Saints according to the Will of God ARTICLE XVIII Concerning Baptism AS there is One Lord One Faith so there is One Baptism Which doth also now save us not the putting away of the Filth of the Flesh but the Answer of a Good Conscience towards God by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ For John indeed baptized with Water but Christ with the Holy Ghost and with Fire Therefore as many as are baptized into Jesus Christ are baptized into his Death and are buried with him by Baptism into Death that like as Christ was raised up from the Dead by the Glory of the Father even so they also should walk in Newness of Life Having put on Christ ARTICLE XIX Concerning Eating of Bread and Wine Washing of one anothers's Feet Abstaining from things Strangled and from Blood and Anointing of the Sick with Oyl THe Lord Jesus the same Night in which he was betrayed took Bread and when he had given Thanks he brake it and said Take eat this is my Body which is broken for you this do in Remembrance of me After the same manner also he took the Cup when he had supped saying This Cup is the New Testament in my Blood this do ye as oft as ye drink it in Remembrance of me for as oft as ye do eat this Bread and drink this Cup ye do shew forth the Lord's Death till he come Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his Hands and that he was come from God and went to God he ariseth from Supper and laid aside his Garments and took a Towel and girded himself after that he poureth VVater into a Bason and began to wash the Disciples Feet and to wipe them with the Towel where with he was girded So after he had washed their Feet and had taken his Garments and was sate down again he said unto them Know ye what I have done unto you Ye call me Master Lord and ye say well for so I am If then I your Lord and Master have washed your Feet ye also ought to wash one another's Feet for I have given you Example that ye should do as I have done unto you For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us to lay upon you no greater Burden then these Necessary Things That ye abstain from Meats offered to Idols from Blood and from things strangled and from Fornication from which if ye keep your selves ye do well Is any man sick amâ—ng you let him call for the Elders of the Church and let them pray over him anointing him with Oyl ARTICLE XX. Concerning the Liberty of such Christians as are come to know the Substance as to the Using or not Using of these Rites and of the Observation of Dayes THe Kingdom of God is not Meat and Drink but Righteousness and Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost Let no man therefore judge us in Meat or Drink or in Respect of an Holy Day or of the New Moon or of the Sabbath Days For if we be dead with Christ from the Rudiments of the World why as though living in the World are we subject to Ordinances Let us not touch or taste or handle which all are to perish with the Using after the Commandments and Doctrines of Men For now after we have known God or rather are known of him why should we turn again unto the Weak and Beggarly Elements or desire again to be in Bondage to observe Dayes and Months and Times and Years lest Labour have been bestowed on us in vain If one man esteem a Day above another another esteems every Day alike let every man be fully perswaded in his own Mind He that regardeth a Day regardeth it unto the Lord and he that regardeth not the Day to the Lord he doth not regard it ARTICLE XXI Concerning Swearing Fighting and Persecution IT hath bin said by them of old Thou shalt not Forswear thy self but shalt perform unto the Lord thine Oathes But Christ says unto us Swear not at all neither by Heaven for it is God's Throne nor by the Earth for it is his Footstool neither by Jerusalem for it is the City of the great King neither shalt thou swear by thy Head because thou canst not make one Hair white or black but let your Communication be Yea Yea Nay Nay for whatsoever is more then these cometh of Evil And James chargeth us Above all things not to Swear neither by Heaven neither by the Earth neither by any other Oath but let your Yea be Yea and your Nay Nay lesâ— ye fall into Condemnation Though we walk in the Flesh we are not to war after the Flesh for the Weapons of our Warfare are not to be carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong Holds casting down Imaginations and every High Thing that exalts it self against the Knowledge of God and bringing into Captivity every Thought to the Obedience of Christ For Wars and Fightings come of the Lusts that war in the Members Therefore Christ commands Not to resist Evil but whosoever will smite on the Right Cheek to turn the other also Because Christians are Lambs among Wolves Therefore are they hated of all men for Christ's sake And all that will live Godly in Christ Jesus must suffer Persecution Such are Blessed for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven For though they have lost their Lives yet shall they save them And because they have confessed Christ before men he will also confess them before the Angels of God We ought not then to 〈◊〉 them which kill the Body but are not able â—o the kill the Soul but rather him which is able to destroy both Soul and Body into Hell ARTICLE XXII Concerning Magistracy LET every Soul be subject to the Higher Powers for there is no Power but of God the Powers that be are ordained of God VVhosoever therefore resists the Power resists the Ordinance of God and they that resist shall receive to themselves Damnation For Rulers are not a Terror to Good Works but to the Evil Wilt thou then not be afraid of the Power do that which is Good and